KIRBY CORPORATION 
By HOUSTON, Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") (NYSE:KEX) today announced record net earnings attributable to Kirby for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013 of $64.3 million, or $1.13 per share, compared with $57.9 million, or $1.03 per share, for the 2012 fourth quarter. Consolidated revenues for the 2013 fourth quarter were $568.4 million compared with $512.6 million reported for the 2012 fourth quarter.
Kirby reported record-setting net earnings attributable to Kirby for the 2013 year of $253.1 million, or $4.44 per share, compared with $209.4 million, or $3.73 per share, for 2012. Consolidated revenues for 2013 were $2.24 billion compared with $2.11 billion for 2012.
The 2013 and 2012 year results included credits reducing the fair-value of the contingent earnout liability associated with the acquisition of United Holdings LLC ("United") in April 2011. The 2013 year included a credit of $18.3 million before taxes, or $.20 per share, and the 2012 year a credit of $4.2 million before taxes, or $.05 per share. The 2013 fourth quarter results did not include any credit as the liability was eliminated as of September 30, 2013, while the 2012 fourth quarter results included a credit of $8.2 million before taxes, or $.09 per share.
Joe Pyne, Kirby's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our inland and coastal tank barge fleets continued to maintain high equipment utilization levels and favorable pricing trends during the fourth quarter, but our results were somewhat affected by high delay days associated with winter weather conditions. Our land-based diesel engine services business remained challenged as excess pressure pumping horsepower continued to impact that market. We do anticipate some improvement in the land-based market later in 2014."
Segment Results - Marine Transportation
Marine transportation revenues for the 2013 fourth quarter were $434.6 million compared with $381.0 million for the 2012 fourth quarter. Operating income for the 2013 fourth quarter was $107.8 million compared with $89.8 million for the 2012 fourth quarter.
The inland marine transportation petrochemical, black oil and refined products markets remained consistently strong during the 2013 fourth quarter, in the 90% to 95% equipment utilization range, with favorable pricing trends. Inland operations were negatively impacted by winter weather conditions during November and December that resulted in increased delay days compared with the 2013 third quarter and 2012 fourth quarter.
The coastal marine transportation markets reflected continued strong equipment utilization in the 90% range with favorable short-term and long-term contract renewals and higher spot contract pricing. Demand remained firm for the regional distribution of refined products, crude oil and gas condensate, and the movement of petrochemicals. Progress continued in expanding the coastal customer base to inland customers with coastal requirements. The coastal operations were negatively impacted by market seasonality and winter weather conditions during November and December.
The marine transportation operating margin for the 2013 fourth quarter was 24.8% compared with 23.6% for the 2012 fourth quarter.
Segment Results - Diesel Engine Services
Diesel engine services revenues for the 2013 fourth quarter were $133.8 million compared with $131.6 million for the 2012 fourth quarter. Operating income for the 2013 fourth quarter was $4.7 million compared with 2012 fourth quarter operating income of $13.1 million that included an $8.2 million credit to the United contingent earnout liability.
The results reflected a continuation of a challenging land-based diesel engine services market, while the marine and power generation markets remained consistent with prior 2013 quarters. The manufacturing of oil service equipment, including pressure pumping units, and sales and service of land-based engines, transmissions and parts remained weak, but did reflect signs of improvement in each market late in the quarter. The market for the remanufacturing of older pressure pumping units remained stable. The marine diesel engine services market continued to benefit from major service projects for inland and coastal customers. The power generation market benefited from generator set upgrades and parts sales for both domestic and international customers.
The diesel engine services operating margin was 3.5% for the 2013 fourth quarter compared with 10.0% for the 2012 fourth quarter, which included the positive impact of the $8.2 million credit to the contingent earnout liability.
Cash Generation
Cash flow remained strong during 2013 with EBITDA of $597.7 million compared with $506.9 million for 2012. The cash flow was used in part to fund capital expenditures of $253.2 million, including $147.8 million for new inland tank barge and towboat construction and progress payments on the construction of two offshore dry-bulk barge units completed during the 2013 second quarter, and $105.4 million primarily for upgrades to existing inland and coastal marine equipment and facilities, and diesel engine services facilities. Total debt as of December 31, 2013 was $749.2 million and the debt-to-capitalization ratio was 27.0%, a significant decrease from total debt as of December 31, 2012 of $1.14 billion and debt-to-capitalization of 39.9%.
Outlook
Commenting on the 2014 first quarter and full year market outlook and guidance, Mr. Pyne said, "Our earnings per share guidance for 2014 is $4.75 to $4.95 compared with $4.44 for 2013 that included a $.20 per share credit to the United contingent earnout liability. Our 2014 guidance assumes continued strong demand across all marine transportation markets with equipment utilization levels remaining in the 90% to 95% range with continued favorable pricing trends. For our diesel engine services segment, we anticipate improvement in our land-based market as the year progresses, and that our marine and power generation markets will remain consistent with 2013. At the present time, we believe the major factors between our high and low end 2014 guidance are our coastal marine transportation market, its equipment utilization levels and pricing trends, and the timing of the improvement during 2014 in our land-based diesel engine services market."
Regarding the 2014 first quarter guidance, Mr. Pyne stated, "Our 2014 first quarter earnings per share guidance is $1.05 to $1.15 compared with $1.00 reported for the 2013 first quarter that included a $.05 per share credit to the United contingent earnout liability. We anticipate continued strong inland and coastal equipment utilization with favorable pricing trends. Our guidance factors in normal winter weather conditions for both our inland and coastal transportation markets, and no recovery in our land-based diesel engine services market."
Mr. Pyne continued, "Our 2014 capital spending guidance is currently in the $200 to $210 million range, including approximately $45 million for the construction of 37 inland tank barges and $45 million in progress payments on the construction of an 185,000 barrel coastal articulated tank barge and tugboat unit scheduled to be placed in service in mid-to-late 2015. The balance of $110 to $120 million is primarily capital upgrades and improvements to existing inland and coastal marine equipment and facilities, and diesel engine services facilities."
Conference Call
A conference call is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. central time tomorrow, Thursday, January 30, 2014, to discuss the 2013 fourth quarter and year performance, as well as the outlook for the 2014 first quarter and year. The conference call number is 800-446-2782 for domestic callers and 847-413-3235 for international callers. The leader's name is Steve Holcomb. The confirmation number is 36351251. An audio playback will be available at 1:00 p.m. central time on Thursday, January 30, through 5:00 p.m. central time on Friday, February 28, 2014 by dialing 888-843-7419 for domestic and 630-652-3042 for international callers. 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 2012 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, 2012 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, 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. 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, pumps, compression products and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based pressure pumping and oilfield service markets.
Condensed consolidated statements of earnings
---------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter Year
-------------- ----
2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited, $ in thousands except per
share amounts)
Revenues:
Marine transportation $434,600 $380,970 $1,713,167 $1,408,893
Diesel engine services 133,797 131,581 529,028 703,765
------- ------- ------- -------
568,397 512,551 2,242,195 2,112,658
------- ------- --------- ---------
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating
expenses 365,548 334,397 1,448,805 1,409,662
Selling, general and
administrative 49,431 37,711 177,766 178,483
Taxes, other than on income 3,304 3,243 15,893 14,519
Depreciation and
amortization 41,530 37,747 164,437 145,147
Loss (gain) on disposition
of assets (160) 15 (888) 14
---- --- ---- ---
459,653 413,113 1,806,013 1,747,825
------- ------- --------- ---------
Operating income 108,744 99,438 436,182 364,833
Other income (expense) 132 (45) 368 78
Interest expense (5,971) (6,588) (27,872) (24,385)
------ ------ ------- -------
Earnings before taxes on
income 102,905 92,805 408,678 340,526
Provision for taxes on
income (37,646) (34,231) (152,379) (127,907)
------- ------- -------- --------
Net earnings 65,259 58,574 256,299 212,619
Less: Net earnings
attributable to
noncontrolling interests (992) (686) (3,238) (3,181)
---- ---- ------ ------
Net earnings attributable to
Kirby $64,267 $57,888 $253,061 $209,438
======= ======= ======== ========
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common
stockholders:
Basic $1.13 $1.03 $4.46 $3.75
Diluted $1.13 $1.03 $4.44 $3.73
Common stock outstanding (in thousands):
Basic 56,429 55,615 56,354 55,466
Diluted 56,646 55,795 56,552 55,674
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter Year
-------------- ----
2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited, $ in thousands)
EBITDA: (1)
Net earnings attributable to
Kirby $64,267 $57,888 $253,061 $209,438
Interest expense 5,971 6,588 27,872 24,385
Provision for taxes on
income 37,646 34,231 152,379 127,907
Depreciation and
amortization 41,530 37,747 164,437 145,147
------ ------ ------- -------
$149,414 $136,454 $597,749 $506,877
======== ======== ======== ========
Capital expenditures $46,180 $56,280 $253,227 $312,167
December 31,
------------
2013 2012
---- ----
(unaudited, $ in
thousands)
Long-term debt, including current portion $749,150 $1,135,110
Total equity $2,022,153 $1,707,054
Debt to capitalization ratio 27.0% 39.9%
MARINE TRANSPORTATION STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
--------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter Year
-------------- ----
2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited, $ in thousands)
Marine
transportation
revenues $434,600 $380,970 $1,713,167 $1,408,893
======== ======== ========== ==========
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales
and operating
expenses 257,386 226,502 1,029,040 848,540
Selling, general
and
administrative 28,725 27,770 112,272 105,934
Taxes, other
than on income 2,847 2,930 14,026 12,807
Depreciation and
amortization 37,850 33,928 149,574 129,857
------ ------ ------- -------
326,808 291,130 1,304,912 1,097,138
------- ------- --------- ---------
Operating income $107,792 $89,840 $408,255 $311,755
======== ======= ======== ========
Operating
margins 24.8% 23.6% 23.8% 22.1%
==== ==== ==== ====
DIESEL ENGINE SERVICES STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
---------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter Year
-------------- ----
2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited, $ in thousands)
Diesel engine
services
revenues $133,797 $131,581 $529,028 $703,765
======== ======== ======== ========
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales
and operating
expenses 108,162 107,895 419,765 561,122
Selling, general
and
administrative 17,691 7,426 53,595 62,560
Taxes, other
than income 444 302 1,805 1,667
Depreciation and
amortization 2,764 2,847 11,096 12,030
----- ----- ------ ------
129,061 118,470 486,261 637,379
------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income $4,736 $13,111 $42,767 $66,386
====== ======= ======= =======
Operating
margins 3.5% 10.0% 8.1% 9.4%
=== ==== === ===
OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES
------------------------
Fourth Quarter Year
-------------- ----
2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited, $ in thousands)
General
corporate
expenses $3,944 $3,498 $15,728 $13,294
====== ====== ======= =======
Loss (gain) on
disposition of
assets $(160) $15 $(888) $14
===== === ===== ===
(
MARINE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
----------------------------------------------
Fourth
Quarter Year
------- ----
2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----
Inland Performance Measurements:
Ton Miles (in millions)(2) 2,869 2,957 11,754 12,224
Revenue/Ton Mile (cents/
tm)(3) 10.0 9.5 9.8 8.9
Towboats operated (average)(4) 253 253 256 245
Delay Days(5) 1,985 1,479 7,843 6,358
Average cost per gallon of
fuel consumed $3.26 $3.37 $3.21 $3.24
Barges (active):
Inland tank barges 861 841
Coastal tank barges 72 81
Offshore dry-cargo barges 8 8
Barrel capacities (in millions):
Inland tank barges 17.3 16.7
Coastal tank barges 6.0 6.3
)
(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: Fourth
quarter 2013 inland marine
transportation revenues of
$288,214,000 divided by
2,869,000,000 inland marine
transportation ton miles =
10.0 cents.
(4) Towboats operated are the
average number of owned and
chartered towboats operated
during the period.
(5) 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
navigational factors.
SOURCE Kirby Corporation
