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Ascent Industries Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

ACNT

Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) (“Ascent” or the “Company”), an industrials company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and industrial tubular products, is reporting its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Summary1

(in millions, except per share and margin)

Q2 2024

Q2 2023

Change

Net Sales

$50.2

$50.4

(0.3)%

Gross Profit

$5.9

$(0.8)

854.2%

Gross Profit Margin

11.7%

(1.5)%

1320bps

Net Loss

$(0.2)

$(6.1)

96.8%

Diluted Loss per Share

$(0.02)

$(0.60)

96.7%

Adjusted EBITDA

$2.1

$(4.8)

144.1%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

4.2%

(9.4)%

1360bps

_________________________

1 On December 22, 2023, the Company closed on a transaction to sell substantially all of the assets of Specialty Pipe & Tube (“SPT”). As a result, financial results from SPT have been categorized into discontinued operations.

Management Commentary

“Our stabilization efforts and aggressive self-help have started to yield tangible results in Q2 2024, despite continued soft market conditions,” said Ascent CEO Bryan Kitchen. “Our relentless efforts to reduce costs, improve strategic sourcing and optimize our product mix have led to a significant year-over-year improvement in adjusted EBITDA and bottom-line results, while also right-sizing the organization for long-term growth.

“It has been our goal to create a more predictable, reliable, and profitable operating model, and I am proud that we are beginning to deliver on that goal. Momentum is building, and we are optimistic about our ability to achieve incremental financial improvements throughout the year while enhancing the quality of our business development pipeline. With a healthy balance sheet and no outstanding debt, we continue to build the foundation for long-term growth. Our actions are positioning Ascent to fully execute our growth strategy, delivering durable value for our shareholders.”

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Net sales from continuing operations were $50.2 million compared to $50.4 million in the second quarter of 2023. The slight decline is primarily attributable to a decrease in pricing partially offset by an increase in volume across both segments.

Gross profit from continuing operations increased to $5.9 million, or 11.7% of net sales, compared to $(0.8) million, or (1.5)% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to continued cost and product mix optimization initiatives leading to cost improvements across both segments.

Net loss from continuing operations improved to $(0.2) million, or $(0.02) diluted loss per share, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $(6.1) million, or $(0.60) diluted loss per share, in the second quarter of 2023. The improvement was primarily attributable to the aforementioned increase in gross profit and a year-over-year decrease in interest expense due to lower debt outstanding.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $2.1 million compared to $(4.8) million in the second quarter of 2023, with adjusted EBITDA margin increasing significantly to 4.2% compared to (9.4)% in the prior year period. The improvement was primarily driven by the aforementioned cost and product mix optimization initiatives.

Segment Results

Ascent Chemicalsnet sales in the second quarter of 2024 increased slightly to $21.5 million compared to $21.4 million in the second quarter of 2023. Operating income in the second quarter improved to $0.4 million compared to operating loss of $0.8 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter increased significantly to $1.7 million compared to $0.3 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of segment net sales, adjusted EBITDA increased significantly to 7.9% compared to 1.5% in the second quarter of 2023.

Ascent Tubularnet sales from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2024 were $28.7 million compared to $29.0 million in the second quarter of 2023. Operating income from continuing operations in the second quarter increased to $0.9 million compared to operating loss from continuing operations of $3.3 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations in the second quarter increased significantly to $1.7 million compared to $(2.5) million in the prior year period. As a percentage of segment net sales, adjusted EBITDA was 5.9% compared to (8.5)% in the second quarter of 2023.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had no debt outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and had $62.7 million in availability under its revolving credit facility.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 15,233 shares at an average cost of $10.25 per share for approximately $0.2 million.

Conference Call

Ascent will conduct a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Ascent management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
Live Call Registration Link: Here
Webcast Registration Link: Here

To access the call by phone, please register via the live call registration link above or here and you will be provided with dial-in instructions and details. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay via the webcast registration link above or here. The webcast will be archived for one year in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.ascentco.com.

About Ascent Industries Co.

Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) is a company that engages in a number of diverse business activities including the production of specialty chemicals and industrial tubular products. For more information about Ascent, please visit its website at www.ascentco.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable federal securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "should," "anticipate," "hope," "optimistic," "plan," "outlook," "should," "could," "may" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and to review the risks as set forth in more detail in Ascent Industries Co.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC or on our website. Ascent Industries Co. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

Financial statement information included in this earnings release includes non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results to determine the value of a company. An item is excluded in the measure if its periodic value is inconsistent and sufficiently material that not identifying the item would render period comparability less meaningful to the reader or if including the item provides a clearer representation of normalized periodic earnings. The Company excludes in Adjusted EBITDA two categories of items: 1) Base EBITDA components, including: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and 2) Material transaction costs including: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, shelf registration costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, retention costs and restructuring & severance costs from net income.

Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they are key measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions as well as allow readers to compare the financial results between periods. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the Company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

Ascent Industries Co.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value and share data)

(Unaudited)

June 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,595

$

1,851

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $808 and $463, respectively

30,154

26,604

Inventories

45,917

52,306

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

3,988

4,879

Assets held for sale

1,259

2,912

Current assets of discontinued operations

65

861

Total current assets

84,978

89,413

Property, plant and equipment, net

27,643

29,755

Right-of-use assets, operating leases, net

27,073

27,784

Intangible assets, net

7,752

8,496

Deferred income taxes

7,663

5,808

Deferred charges, net

54

104

Other non-current assets, net

3,075

1,935

Total assets

$

158,238

$

163,295

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

16,790

$

16,416

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

6,472

5,108

Current portion of note payable

914

360

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

1,194

1,140

Current portion of finance lease liabilities

286

292

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

1,213

1,473

Total current liabilities

26,869

24,789

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities

29,110

29,729

Long-term portion of finance lease liabilities

1,163

1,307

Other long-term liabilities

54

60

Total non-current liabilities

30,327

31,096

Total liabilities

$

57,196

$

55,885

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 11,085,103 and 10,124,737 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

$

11,085

$

11,085

Capital in excess of par value

47,111

47,333

Retained earnings

52,098

58,517

110,294

116,935

Less: cost of common stock in treasury - 960,366 and 990,282 shares, respectively

(9,252

)

(9,525

)

Total shareholders' equity

101,042

107,410

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

158,238

$

163,295

Note: The condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

Ascent Industries Co.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - Comparative Analysis (Unaudited)

($ in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net sales

Tubular Products

$

28,721

$

28,992

$

52,536

$

60,053

Specialty Chemicals

21,468

21,363

41,764

45,112

All Other

50

50,189

50,355

94,300

105,215

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

Tubular Products

889

(3,302

)

(613

)

(6,596

)

Specialty Chemicals

429

(806

)

(1,010

)

546

All Other

(100

)

(74

)

(261

)

(552

)

Corporate

Unallocated corporate expenses

(1,429

)

(2,750

)

(3,579

)

(6,455

)

Acquisition costs and other

(52

)

(17

)

(52

)

(274

)

Total Corporate

(1,481

)

(2,767

)

(3,631

)

(6,729

)

Operating loss

(263

)

(6,949

)

(5,515

)

(13,331

)

Interest expense, net

72

1,047

199

2,154

Other, net

(93

)

(154

)

(212

)

(247

)

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

(242

)

(7,842

)

(5,502

)

(15,238

)

Income tax benefit

(44

)

(1,693

)

(1,210

)

(3,301

)

Loss from continuing operations

(198

)

(6,149

)

(4,292

)

(11,937

)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(728

)

(8,487

)

(2,127

)

(7,898

)

Net loss

$

(926

)

$

(14,636

)

$

(6,419

)

$

(19,835

)

Net loss per common share from continuing operations

Basic

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.60

)

$

(0.42

)

$

(1.18

)

Diluted

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.60

)

$

(0.42

)

$

(1.18

)

Net loss per common share from discontinued operations

Basic

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.84

)

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.77

)

Diluted

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.84

)

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.77

)

Net loss per common share

Basic

$

(0.09

)

$

(1.44

)

$

(0.63

)

$

(1.95

)

Diluted

$

(0.09

)

$

(1.44

)

$

(0.63

)

$

(1.95

)

Average shares outstanding

Basic

10,126

10,170

10,110

10,159

Diluted

10,126

10,170

10,110

10,159

Other data:

Adjusted EBITDA1

$

2,112

$

(4,754

)

$

(1,003

)

$

(8,489

)

1 The term Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results to determine the value of a company. An item is excluded in the measure if its periodic value is inconsistent and sufficiently material that not identifying the item would render period comparability less meaningful to the reader or if including the item provides a clearer representation of normalized periodic earnings. The Company excludes in Adjusted EBITDA two categories of items: 1) Base EBITDA components, including: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and 2) Material transaction costs including: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, retention costs and restructuring & severance costs from net income. For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalent, refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA.

Ascent Industries Co.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

($ in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Operating activities

Net loss

$

(6,419

)

$

(19,835

)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(2,127

)

(7,898

)

Net loss from continuing operations

(4,292

)

(11,937

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation expense

3,051

3,112

Amortization expense

744

752

Amortization of debt issuance costs

50

50

Deferred income taxes

(1,210

)

(5,515

)

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

264

32

Provision for losses on inventories

906

1,194

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

182

Non-cash lease expense

111

126

Stock-based compensation expense

368

404

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(3,813

)

2,286

Inventories

5,483

16,086

Other assets and liabilities

(907

)

(251

)

Accounts payable

202

4,780

Accrued expenses

1,364

(402

)

Accrued income taxes

630

(743

)

Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations

2,951

10,156

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations

(521

)

7,916

Net cash provided by operating activities

2,430

18,072

Investing activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(770

)

(1,235

)

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

(770

)

(1,235

)

Net cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations

(390

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(770

)

(1,625

)

Financing activities

Borrowings from long-term debt

107,700

139,137

Proceeds from note payable

914

900

Payments on long-term debt

(107,700

)

(156,166

)

Payments on note payable

(359

)

(387

)

Principal payments on finance lease obligations

(151

)

(151

)

Repurchase of common stock

(320

)

(504

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

84

(17,171

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

1,744

(724

)

Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations

1

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

1,851

1,440

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

3,595

$

717

Ascent Industries Co.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

($ in thousands)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

($ in thousands)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Consolidated

Net loss from continuing operations

$

(198

)

$

(6,149

)

$

(4,292

)

$

(11,937

)

Adjustments:

Interest expense

72

1,047

199

2,154

Income taxes

(44

)

(1,693

)

(1,210

)

(3,301

)

Depreciation

1,531

1,563

3,051

3,112

Amortization

377

376

744

752

EBITDA

1,738

(4,856

)

(1,508

)

(9,220

)

Acquisition costs and other

67

16

79

277

Stock-based compensation

44

16

104

237

Non-cash lease expense

55

63

111

126

Retention expense

3

Restructuring and severance costs

208

7

208

91

Adjusted EBITDA

$

2,112

$

(4,754

)

$

(1,003

)

$

(8,489

)

% sales

4.2

%

(9.4

)%

(1.1

)%

(8.1

)%

Specialty Chemicals

Net income (loss)

$

409

$

(818

)

$

(1,049

)

$

523

Adjustments:

Interest expense

20

18

39

31

Depreciation expense

964

956

1,918

1,908

Amortization expense

179

158

348

317

EBITDA

1,572

314

1,256

2,779

Acquisition costs and other

2

Stock-based compensation

(23

)

7

(16

)

Non-cash lease expense

19

22

38

46

Restructuring and severance costs

109

109

Specialty Chemicals Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,700

$

313

$

1,410

$

2,811

% segment sales

7.9

%

1.5

%

3.4

%

6.2

%

Tubular Products

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

$

889

$

(3,303

)

$

(613

)

$

(6,595

)

Adjustments:

Depreciation expense

546

585

1,091

1,160

Amortization expense

198

218

396

436

EBITDA

1,633

(2,500

)

874

(4,999

)

Acquisition costs and other

15

26

Stock-based compensation

2

11

(18

)

Non-cash lease expense

25

31

50

61

Restructuring and severance costs

31

31

84

Tubular Products Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,704

$

(2,467

)

$

992

$

(4,872

)

% segment sales

5.9

%

(8.5

)%

1.9

%

(8.1

)%

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