HOUSTON, July 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") (NYSE: KEX) today announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 of $38.9 million, or $0.72 per share, compared with $58.1 million, or $1.04 per share, for the 2015 second quarter. Consolidated revenues for the 2016 second quarter were $441.6 million compared with $543.2 million reported for the 2015 second quarter.

David Grzebinski, Kirby's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our results for the second quarter were largely in-line with our expectations. In our inland marine transportation market, we benefitted from barges acquired in mid-April, as well as strong utilization levels early in the quarter. However, these positive developments were partially offset by tank barge utilization that declined later in the quarter. In our coastal marine transportation market, overall dynamics were similar to the first quarter, with some customers electing to source equipment on short-term, or spot, contracts, and with pricing and volume trends relatively unchanged."

Mr. Grzebinski continued, "Within our diesel engine services segment, market conditions were similar to those we experienced during the first quarter. In the land-based market, we received an increased number of orders for pressure pumping unit service and remanufacturing work, which could ultimately prove to be early signs of an overall market recovery. However, we continued to experience weak demand for the sale of engines, transmissions and parts and did not receive orders for new pressure pumping units. In our marine diesel engine markets, we experienced further deferrals of major overhaul projects in most of our marine markets and continued weakness in the Gulf of Mexico oilfield services market."

Segment Results - Marine Transportation
Marine transportation revenues for the 2016 second quarter were $378.3 million compared with $425.1 million for the 2015 second quarter. Operating income for the 2016 second quarter was $72.7 million compared with $97.0 million for the 2015 second quarter.

Demand for inland tank barge transportation of petrochemicals was stable, while demand for black oil, crude oil and agricultural chemicals was weaker both on a year-over-year and sequential basis. Refined product volume increased as a result of the acquisition completed in April. Kirby's inland tank barge utilization was in the high-80% to low-90% range during the quarter. Spot market pricing began to firm in April, with some carriers seeking a sequential rate increase, but the momentum did not carry-through as utilization dipped later in the quarter. Term contract renewals also priced at lower levels relative to last year. Operating conditions during the quarter were seasonally normal, although flooding and high currents at floodgates and river crossings along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway did lead to some delays and periods of congestion along the Gulf Coast.

In the coastal marine transportation market, demand for the transportation of black oil and petrochemicals was stable, although an increase in the amount of equipment trading in the spot market led to increased idle time and voyage costs. Demand for the transportation of refined products declined, primarily as a result of weak distillate and gasoline demand in the Northeast which was mainly the result of high product inventory levels. Utilization for the coastal tank barge fleet was in the mid-80% range. Also during the quarter, Kirby took delivery of the second newbuild 185,000 barrel coastal articulated tank barge and tugboat unit (ATB) which entered service under a long-term customer contract in mid-June.

The marine transportation segment's 2016 second quarter operating margin was 19.2% compared with 22.8% for the second quarter of 2015.

Segment Results - Diesel Engine Services
Diesel engine services revenues for the 2016 second quarter were $63.3 million with a $2.0 million operating loss, compared with 2015 second quarter revenues of $118.1 million and operating income of $4.9 million.

The lower revenues and operating loss as compared to the second quarter of 2015 were primarily due to a lack of pressure pumping unit manufacturing and lower sales of engines, transmissions and parts in the land-based diesel engine services market. Results in the marine diesel engine services markets additionally contributed to the decline, a result of customer deferrals of major maintenance projects and continued weakness in the Gulf of Mexico oilfield services market. Demand in the power generation market was stable during the quarter.

The diesel engine services operating margin was (3.1)% for the 2016 second quarter compared with 4.2% for the 2015 second quarter.

Cash Generation
EBITDA of $230.3 million for the 2016 first six months contributed to Kirby's cash flow from operations during the 2016 first six months, which compares with EBITDA of $292.9 million for the 2015 first six months. Cash flow was used to fund capital expenditures of $111.0 million, including $3.6 million for new inland tank barge and towboat construction, $53.9 million for progress payments on the construction of three new coastal ATBs, two 4900 horsepower coastal tugboats and a 35,000 barrel coastal petrochemical tank barge, and $53.5 million primarily for upgrades to the existing inland and coastal fleets. In addition to these capital expenditures, during the 2016 second quarter, $81 million was used to purchase the SEACOR inland tank barge fleet, $13.5 million was used to purchase a leased coastal tank barge from the lessor and $26.5 million was used to purchase four coastal tugboats. Total debt as of June 30, 2016 was $798.7 million and Kirby's debt-to-capitalization ratio was 25.4%.

Outlook
Commenting on the 2016 third quarter and full year market outlook and guidance, Mr. Grzebinski said, "Our earnings guidance for the 2016 third quarter is $0.50 to $0.65 per share compared with $1.04 per share in the 2015 third quarter. In July we experienced utilization in the low-to-mid 80% range across our inland marine system. Our third quarter guidance range contemplates inland marine transportation utilization in the low-to-mid 80% range for the low end and high-80% range for the high end. In our coastal market, we expect utilization in the low-to-mid-80% range, as we continue to anticipate having more coastal equipment trade in the spot market. In our diesel engine services markets, we expect results in the marine and power generation markets to be largely consistent with the first half of the year, including depressed market conditions in the Gulf of Mexico oilfield services market. In our land-based diesel engine services market, we expect the challenging market conditions of this year to continue."

Mr. Grzebinski continued, "We are lowering our full year earnings per share guidance to a range of $2.40 to $2.70 from the previous guidance range of $2.80 to $3.20 to reflect a potential continuation of the deterioration in the inland marine market seen in July. We believe the weakness in July has been related to a confluence of several factors, including high terminal and refinery inventory levels, as well as softer utilization that is common in mid-summer as operating conditions improve. Should the inland marine transportation market materially improve, we will update our guidance accordingly. In our coastal market, utilization and pricing have held at levels slightly better than we expected earlier in the year, but we continue to expect headwinds related to the transition of equipment on term contracts into the spot market, which leads to lower utilization and an increase in non-revenue generating repositioning costs. In our diesel engine services markets, at the midpoint of guidance we expect the trends from the first half of 2016 to remain largely unchanged in the second half of the year."

Kirby expects 2016 capital spending to be unchanged in the $230 to $250 million range. Capital spending guidance includes approximately $10 million for the construction of seven inland tank barges and one inland towboat to be delivered in 2016. The capital spending guidance range also includes approximately $100 million in progress payments on new coastal equipment, including one 185,000 barrel coastal ATB, two 155,000 barrel coastal ATBs, two 4900 horsepower coastal tugboats, and a new coastal petrochemical tank barge. The balance of $120 to $140 million is primarily for capital upgrades and improvements to existing inland and coastal marine equipment and facilities, as well as diesel engine services facilities.

Conference Call
A conference call is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. central time tomorrow, Thursday, July 28, 2016, to discuss the 2016 second quarter performance as well as the outlook for the 2016 third quarter and full year. The conference call number is 888-317-6003 for domestic callers and 412-317-6061 for international callers. The confirmation number is 3909824. An audio playback will be available at 1:00 p.m. central time on Thursday, July 28, 2016, through 5:00 p.m. central time on Thursday, August 4, 2016, by dialing 877-344-7529 for domestic callers and 412-317-0088 for international callers. The replay access code is 10088682. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available to the public and a replay available after the call by visiting Kirby's website at http://www.kirbycorp.com/.

GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The financial and other information to be discussed in the conference call is available in this press release and in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release and the Form 8-K include a non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA, which Kirby defines as net earnings attributable to Kirby before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization. A reconciliation of EBITDA with GAAP net earnings attributable to Kirby is included in this press release. This earnings press release includes marine transportation performance measures, consisting of ton miles, revenue per ton mile, towboats operated and delay days. Comparable performance measures for the 2015 year and quarters are available at Kirby's website, http://www.kirbycorp.com/, under the caption Performance Measurements in the Investor Relations section.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's reasonable judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including cyclical or other downturns in demand, significant pricing competition, unanticipated additions to industry capacity, changes in the Jones Act or in U.S. maritime policy and practice, fuel costs, interest rates, weather conditions and timing, magnitude and number of acquisitions made by Kirby. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and Kirby assumes no obligation to update any such statements. A list of additional risk factors can be found in Kirby's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Kirby Corporation
Kirby Corporation, based in Houston, Texas, is the nation's largest domestic tank barge operator transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along all three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. Kirby transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge. Kirby also operates offshore dry-bulk barge and tugboat units engaged in the offshore transportation of dry-bulk cargoes in the United States coastal trade. Through the diesel engine services segment, Kirby provides after-market service for medium-speed and high-speed diesel engines and reduction gears used in marine and power generation applications. Kirby also distributes and services diesel engines, transmissions and pumps, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service and oil and gas operator and producer markets.






                               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                               ---------------------------------------------


                                                                   Second Quarter                           Six Months
                                                                   --------------                           ----------

                                                                    2016                2015              2016                           2015
                                                                    ----                ----              ----                           ----

                                                                      (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts)


    Revenues:

         Marine
          transportation                                        $378,303            $425,053          $756,646                       $844,958

         Diesel engine
          services                                                63,279             118,103           143,669                        285,871
                                                                  ------             -------           -------                        -------

                                                                 441,582             543,156           900,315                      1,130,829
                                                                 -------             -------           -------                      ---------

    Costs and expenses:

         Costs of sales and
          operating expenses                                     276,897             343,745           565,807                        728,526

         Selling, general
          and administrative                                      42,842              49,165            93,303                        100,209

         Taxes, other than
          on income                                                5,468               5,378            10,872                          9,923

         Depreciation and
          amortization                                            49,661              46,825            98,285                         92,591

         Gain on disposition
          of assets                                                 (94)               (91)            (161)                       (1,646)
                                                                     ---                 ---              ----                         ------

                                                                 374,774             445,022           768,106                        929,603
                                                                 -------             -------           -------                        -------

         Operating income                                         66,808              98,134           132,209                        201,226

      Other income
       (expense)                                                     179               (303)              314                          (243)

      Interest expense                                           (4,513)            (4,759)          (8,706)                      (10,009)
                                                                  ------              ------            ------                        -------

         Earnings before
          taxes on income                                         62,474              93,072           123,817                        190,974

      Provision for taxes
       on income                                                (23,365)           (34,696)         (46,224)                      (71,187)
                                                                 -------             -------           -------                        -------

         Net earnings                                             39,109              58,376            77,593                        119,787

    Less: Net earnings
     attributable to
     noncontrolling
     interests                                                     (167)              (301)            (552)                         (634)
                                                                    ----                ----              ----                           ----


         Net earnings
          attributable to
          Kirby                                                  $38,942             $58,075           $77,041                       $119,153
                                                                 -------             -------           -------                       --------


    Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common
     stockholders:

         Basic                                                     $0.72               $1.04             $1.43                          $2.14

         Diluted                                                   $0.72               $1.04             $1.43                          $2.13

    Common stock outstanding (in thousands):

         Basic                                                    53,451              55,315            53,446                         55,446

         Diluted                                                  53,526              55,432            53,505                         55,565


                               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                               --------------------------------------------


                                                                       Second Quarter                         Six Months
                                                                   --------------                           ----------

                                                                    2016                2015              2016                           2015
                                                                    ----                ----              ----                           ----

                                                                                   (unaudited, $ in thousands)

    EBITDA: (1)

         Net earnings
          attributable to
          Kirby                                                  $38,942             $58,075           $77,041                       $119,153

         Interest expense                                          4,513               4,759             8,706                         10,009

         Provision for taxes
          on income                                               23,365              34,696            46,224                         71,187

         Depreciation and
          amortization                                            49,661              46,825            98,285                         92,591
                                                                  ------              ------            ------                         ------

                                                                $116,481            $144,355          $230,256                       $292,940
                                                                --------            --------          --------                       --------


    Capital
     expenditures                                                $60,525             $93,619          $111,048                       $190,152

    Acquisitions of
     businesses and
     marine equipment                                           $120,991    $              -         $120,991                        $41,250


                                                                                                                        June 30,
                                                                                                                      --------

                                                                                       2016              2015
                                                                                       ----              ----

                                                                                                           (unaudited, $ in thousands)

    Long-term debt, including current portion                   $798,687            $803,986

    Total equity                                              $2,350,679          $2,255,843

    Debt to capitalization ratio                                   25.4%              26.3%



                      MARINE TRANSPORTATION STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                      --------------------------------------------


                                                 Second Quarter                    Six Months
                                                 --------------                    ----------

                                                  2016            2015             2016            2015
                                                  ----            ----             ----            ----

                                                        (unaudited, $ in thousands)


     Marine
     transportation
     revenues                                 $378,303        $425,053         $756,646        $844,958
                                              --------        --------         --------        --------


    Costs and expenses:

          Costs
          of
          sales
          and
          operating
          expenses                             228,592         251,784          455,344         500,868

          Selling,
          general
          and
          administrative                        26,600          28,660           59,297          57,393

          Taxes,
          other
          than
          on
          income                                 4,953           4,816            9,791           8,947

          Depreciation
          and
          amortization                          45,432          42,782           89,693          84,470
                                                ------          ------           ------          ------

                                               305,577         328,042          614,125         651,678
                                               -------         -------          -------         -------


              Operating
              income                           $72,726         $97,011         $142,521        $193,280
                                               -------         -------         --------        --------


              Operating
              margins                            19.2%          22.8%           18.8%          22.9%
                                                  ----            ----             ----            ----



                   DIESEL ENGINE SERVICES STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                   ---------------------------------------------


                                               Second Quarter                 Six Months
                                               --------------                 ----------

                                                  2016            2015             2016            2015
                                                  ----            ----             ----            ----

                                                        (unaudited, $ in thousands)


     Diesel
     engine
     services
     revenues                                  $63,279        $118,103         $143,669        $285,871
                                               -------        --------         --------        --------


    Costs and expenses:

          Costs
          of
          sales
          and
          operating
          expenses                              48,305          91,961          110,463         227,658

          Selling,
          general
          and
          administrative                        13,178          17,603           28,309          37,335

          Taxes,
          other
          than
          income                                   502             549            1,053             947

          Depreciation
          and
          amortization                           3,262           3,059            6,618           6,157
                                                 -----           -----            -----           -----

                                                65,247         113,172          146,443         272,097
                                                ------         -------          -------         -------


              Operating
              income
              (loss)                          $(1,968)         $4,931         $(2,774)        $13,774
                                               -------          ------          -------         -------


              Operating
              margins                           (3.1)%           4.2%          (1.9)%           4.8%
                                                 -----             ---            -----             ---





                 OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES
                 ------------------------


                               Second Quarter                 Six Months
                               --------------                 ----------

                                2016           2015            2016        2015
                                ----           ----            ----        ----

                                   (unaudited, $ in thousands)


    General
     corporate
     expenses                 $4,044         $3,899          $7,699      $7,474
                              ------         ------          ------      ------


    Gain on
     disposition
     of assets                   $94            $91            $161      $1,646
                                 ---            ---            ----      ------

(

                    MARINE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
                    ----------------------------------------------


                                                   Second Quarter         Six Months
                                                   --------------         ----------

                                                    2016           2015   2016         2015
                                                    ----           ----   ----         ----



    Inland Performance
     Measurements:

           Ton Miles (in
            millions) (2)                          2,792          3,261  5,540        6,359

           Revenue/Ton Mile
            (cents/tm) (3)                           8.8            8.6    8.9          8.7

           Towboats operated
            (average) (4)                            241            251    241          250

           Delay Days (5)
            (5)                                   2,035          2,076  4,271        4,454

           Average cost per
            gallon of fuel
            consumed                               $1.35          $2.03  $1.31        $2.04



    Barges (active):

          Inland tank barges                                             901          912

          Coastal tank
           barges                                                         69           69

          Offshore dry-
           cargo barges                                                    6            6

    Barrel capacities
     (in millions):

          Inland tank barges                                            18.3         18.1

          Coastal tank
           barges                                                        6.1          6.0
)




    (1)               Kirby has historically evaluated
                      its operating performance using
                      numerous measures, one of which is
                      EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial
                      measure.  Kirby defines EBITDA as
                      net earnings attributable to Kirby
                      before interest expense, taxes on
                      income, depreciation and
                      amortization.  EBITDA is presented
                      because of its wide acceptance as
                      a financial indicator.  EBITDA is
                      one of the performance measures
                      used in Kirby's incentive bonus
                      plan.  EBITDA is also used by
                      rating agencies in determining
                      Kirby's credit rating and by
                      analysts publishing research
                      reports on Kirby, as well as by
                      investors and investment bankers
                      generally in valuing companies.
                      EBITDA is not a calculation based
                      on generally accepted accounting
                      principles and should not be
                      considered as an alternative to,
                      but should only be considered in
                      conjunction with, Kirby's GAAP
                      financial information.

    (2)               Ton miles indicate fleet
                      productivity by measuring the
                      distance (in miles) a loaded tank
                      barge is moved.  Example:  A
                      typical 30,000 barrel tank barge
                      loaded with 3,300 tons of liquid
                      cargo is moved 100 miles, thus
                      generating 330,000 ton miles.

    (3)               Inland marine transportation
                      revenues divided by ton miles.
                      Example:  Second quarter 2016
                      inland marine transportation
                      revenues of $245,670,000 divided
                      by 2,792,000,000 inland marine
                      transportation ton miles = 8.8
                      cents.

    (4)               Towboats operated are the average
                      number of owned and chartered
                      towboats operated during the
                      period.

                     Delay days measures the lost time
                      incurred by a tow (towboat and one
                      or more tank barges) during
                      transit.  The measure includes
                      transit delays caused by weather,
                      lock congestion and other
    (5)               navigational factors.

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SOURCE Kirby Corporation