FREDERICK, Md., April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLCA) today announced a net loss of $10.7 million or $(0.20) per basic share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with net income of $14.8 million or $0.28 per basic share for the first quarter of 2015. The first quarter results were negatively impacted by $2.2 million in restructuring costs for actions designed to help bring the business more in line with current market conditions and business development expenses, partially offset by a $1.5 million gain related to an insurance settlement. Excluding these adjustments, EPS was $(0.19) per basic share.

"During the first quarter of 2016, we saw continued pressure on both volumes and pricing in our Oil and Gas segment, as business conditions weakened further and the market environment became even more competitive," said Bryan Shinn, president and chief executive officer. He added that the Company's Industrial and Specialty Products segment, however, saw improvement in its business, recording sequential and year-over-year increases in contribution margin, driven largely by a combination of strategic price increases implemented earlier this year and by selling a larger mix of higher-margin products during the quarter.

Commenting on the Company's common stock offering during the quarter, Shinn said, "The equity raise provides our Company with enhanced financial flexibility and makes a strong balance sheet even stronger. We believe our balance sheet gives us a key strategic advantage over most in our industry and puts us in the best position to drive industry consolidation."

Going forward, Shinn added that the Company anticipates continued downward pressure on volumes and pricing in its Oil and Gas business in the second quarter, with further declines expected in drilling and completion activity. At the same time, he said, "We are keenly focused on three key areas, cash, customers and costs. We're tightly managing our cash. We are working to be a faster, more efficient Company to do business with and we are lowering our cost structure during this downturn to be even more competitive and profitable in the upcycle," he concluded.

First Quarter 2016 Highlights

Total Company


    --  Revenue totaled $122.5 million compared with $204 million for the same
        period last year, a decrease of 40% on a year-over-year basis and a
        decrease of 10% sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2015.
    --  Overall tons sold totaled 2.3 million, down 15% compared with 2.7
        million tons sold in the first quarter of 2015 and a decrease of 8%
        sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2015.
    --  Contribution margin for the quarter was $17.7 million, down 74% compared
        with $67.7 million in the same period of the prior year and a down 20%
        sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2015.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA was $5.3 million compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $51.3
        million for the same period last year, a decrease of 90% on a
        year-over-year basis and a decrease of 51% sequentially from the fourth
        quarter of 2015.

Oil and Gas


    --  Revenue for the quarter totaled $73.9 million compared with $148.8
        million in the same period in 2015, a decrease of 50% on a
        year-over-year basis and a decrease of 17% sequentially from the fourth
        quarter of 2015.
    --  Tons sold totaled 1.4 million, a decrease of 16% compared with 1.7
        million tons sold in the first quarter of 2015 and a decrease of 9%
        sequentially compared with the tons sold in the fourth quarter of 2015.
    --  49% of tons were sold in basin compared with 63% sold in basin in the
        first quarter of 2015.
    --  Segment contribution margin was $0.9 million versus $52.2 million in the
        first quarter of 2015, a decrease of 98% on a year-over-year basis and a
        decrease of 88% sequentially compared with the fourth quarter of 2015.

Industrial and Specialty Products


    --  Revenue for the quarter totaled $48.6 million compared with $55.2
        million for the same period in 2015, a decrease of 12% on a
        year-over-year basis and an increase of 3% on a sequential basis from
        the fourth quarter of 2015.
    --  Tons sold totaled 0.9 million, a decrease of 12% on a year-over-year
        basis and 6% on a sequential basis compared with the fourth quarter of
        2015.
    --  Segment contribution margin was $16.9 million compared with $15.5
        million in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 9% on a
        year-over-year basis and up 11% sequentially compared with the fourth
        quarter of 2015.

Capital Update

In March, 2016, the Company completed a public offering of 10 million shares of its common stock for net cash proceeds of approximately $186.2 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $470.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and short term investments and $46.7 million available under its credit facilities. Total debt at March 31, 2016 was $490.9 million. Capital expenditures in the first quarter totaled $6.1 million and were associated largely with the Company's investments in various maintenance, expansion and cost improvement projects.

Outlook and Guidance

Due to the current lack of visibility in its Oil and Gas business, the Company will continue to refrain from providing guidance for Adjusted EBITDA until such time as we can gain more clarity around our customers' business activity levels and the associated demand for our products. Based on current market conditions, the Company anticipates that its capital expenditures for 2016 will be in the range of $15 million to $20 million.

Conference Call

U.S. Silica will host a conference call for investors tomorrow, April 27, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. Hosting the call will be Bryan Shinn, president and chief executive officer and Don Merril, vice president and chief financial officer. Investors are invited to listen to a live webcast of the conference call by visiting the "Investor Resources" section of the Company's website at www.ussilica.com. The webcast will be archived for one year. The call can also be accessed live over the telephone by dialing (877) 869-3847 or for international callers, (201) 689-8261. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853. The conference ID number for the replay is 13634309. The replay of the call will be available through May 27, 2016.

About U.S. Silica

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., a member of the Russell 2000, is a leading producer of commercial silica used in the oil and gas industry, and in a wide range of industrial applications. Over its 116-year history, U.S. Silica has developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable it to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 260 products to customers across our end markets. The Company currently operates nine industrial sand production plants and eight oil and gas sand production plants. The Company is headquartered in Frederick, Maryland and also has offices located in Chicago, Illinois, and Houston, Texas.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and speak only as of this date. Forward-looking statements made include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact and may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding U.S. Silica's growth opportunities, strategy, future financial results, forecasts, projections, plans and capital expenditures, and the commercial silica industry. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) fluctuations in demand for commercial silica; (2) the cyclical nature of our customers' businesses; (3) operating risks that are beyond our control; (4) federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing; (5) our ability to implement our capacity expansion plans within our current timetable and budget; (6) loss of, or reduction in, business from our largest customers or failure of our customers to pay amounts due to us; (7) increasing costs or a lack of dependability or availability of transportation services or infrastructure; (8) our substantial indebtedness and pension obligations; (9) our ability to attract and retain key personnel; (10) silica-related health issues and corresponding litigation; (11) seasonal and severe weather conditions; and (12) extensive and evolving environmental, mining, health and safety, licensing, reclamation and other regulation (and changes in their enforcement or interpretation). Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in U.S. Silica's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.



                           U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

              (unaudited; in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                ----------------------------

                                                            2016                 2015
                                                            ----                 ----


    Sales                                               $122,510             $203,958

    Cost of goods sold
     (excluding depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization)                                       106,751              138,653

    Operating expenses

    Selling, general and
     administrative                                       15,503               26,961

    Depreciation, depletion
     and amortization                                     14,556               13,243
                                                          ------               ------

                                                          30,059               40,204
                                                          ------               ------

    Operating income (loss)                             (14,300)              25,101

    Other income (expense)

    Interest expense                                     (6,643)             (6,836)

    Other income, net,
     including interest income                             1,790                   11
                                                           -----                  ---

                                                         (4,853)             (6,825)
                                                          ------               ------

    Income (loss) before
     income taxes                                       (19,153)              18,276

    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                                             8,493              (3,453)
                                                           -----               ------

    Net income (loss)                                  $(10,660)             $14,823
                                                        ========              =======

    Earnings (loss) per share:

    Basic                                                $(0.20)               $0.28

    Diluted                                              $(0.20)               $0.28

    Weighted average shares outstanding:

    Basic                                                 54,470               53,416

    Diluted                                               54,470               53,869

    Dividends declared per
     share                                                 $0.06                $0.13


                                        U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.

                                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                          (dollars in thousands)



                                                 March 31, 2016          December 31, 2015
                                                 --------------          -----------------

                                                   (unaudited)               (audited)

                                                ASSETS

    Current Assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                   $463,395                 $277,077

    Short-term investments                                         6,840                   21,849

    Accounts receivable, net                                      59,078                   58,706

    Inventories, net                                              67,091                   65,004

    Prepaid expenses and other
     current assets                                               10,375                    9,921

    Income tax deposits                                              939                    6,583

    Total current assets                                         607,718                  439,140
                                                                 -------                  -------

    Property, plant and mine
     development, net                                            553,005                  561,196

    Goodwill                                                      68,647                   68,647

    Trade names                                                   14,474                   14,474

    Customer relationships, net                                    6,329                    6,453

    Other assets                                                  18,127                   18,709
                                                                  ------                   ------

    Total assets                                              $1,268,300               $1,108,619
                                                              ==========               ==========


                                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:

    Accounts payable                                              45,394                   49,631

    Dividends payable                                              3,339                    3,453

    Accrued liabilities                                           11,547                   11,708

    Accrued interest                                                  57                       58

    Current portion of long-term
     debt                                                          3,333                    3,330

    Current portion of deferred
     revenue                                                       7,216                   15,738

    Total current liabilities                                     70,886                   83,918
                                                                  ------                   ------

    Long-term debt                                               487,540                  488,375

    Liability for pension and
     other post-retirement
     benefits                                                     60,600                   55,893

    Deferred revenue                                              66,948                   59,676

    Deferred income taxes, net                                     9,770                   19,513

    Other long-term obligations                                   17,563                   17,077
                                                                  ------                   ------

    Total liabilities                                            713,307                  724,452
                                                                 -------                  -------



    Stockholders' Equity:

    Preferred stock                                                    -                       -

    Common stock                                                     639                      539

    Additional paid-in capital                                   379,336                  194,670

    Retained earnings                                            207,040                  220,974

    Treasury stock, at cost                                     (13,323)                (15,845)

    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                                         (18,699)                (16,171)
                                                                 -------                  -------

    Total stockholders' equity                                   554,993                  384,167
                                                                 -------                  -------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                                     $1,268,300               $1,108,619
                                                              ==========               ==========

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Segment Contribution Margin

Segment contribution margin is a key metric that management uses to evaluate our operating performance and to determine resource allocation between segments. Segment contribution margin excludes certain corporate costs not associated with the operations of the segment. These unallocated costs include costs related to corporate functional areas such as sales, production and engineering, corporate purchasing, accounting, treasury, information technology, legal and human resources.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of income before income taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to segment contribution margin.




                                           For the Three Months
                                              Ended March 31,
                                          ---------------------

                                                             2016      2015
                                                             ----      ----

                                              (in thousands)

    Sales:

    Oil & Gas Proppants                                   $73,865  $148,753

    Industrial & Specialty Products                        48,645    55,205
                                                           ------    ------

    Total sales                                           122,510   203,958

    Segment contribution margin:

    Oil & Gas Proppants                                       851    52,195

    Industrial & Specialty Products                        16,893    15,456
                                                           ------    ------

    Total segment contribution margin                      17,744    67,651

    Operating activities excluded from
     segment cost of goods sold                           (1,985)  (2,346)

    Selling, general and administrative                  (15,503) (26,961)

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                                        (14,556) (13,243)

    Interest expense                                      (6,643)  (6,836)

    Other income, net, including interest
     income                                                 1,790        11
                                                            -----       ---

    Income (loss)  before income taxes                  $(19,153)  $18,276
                                                         ========   =======

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of our financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance, cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for management's discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. Adjusted EBITDA contains certain other limitations, including the failure to reflect our cash expenditures, cash requirements for working capital needs and cash costs to replace assets being depreciated and amortized, and excludes certain non-recurring charges that may recur in the future. Management compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and by using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA:



                                               For the Three Months
                                                  Ended March 31,
                                              ---------------------

                                                   2016                 2015
                                                   ----                 ----

                                                  (in thousands)

         Net income (loss)                    $(10,660)             $14,823

          Total interest expense, net of
          interest income                         6,370                6,940

         Provision for taxes                    (8,493)               3,453

          Total depreciation, depletion and
          amortization expenses                  14,556               13,243
                                                 ------               ------

         EBITDA                                   1,773               38,459

         Non-cash incentive compensation(1)       1,906                2,090

          Post-employment expenses
          (excluding service costs)(2)              765                  868

          Business development related
          expenses(3)                               107                8,328

          Other adjustments allowable under
          our existing credit agreements(4)         701                1,538

           Adjusted EBITDA                       $5,252              $51,283
                                                 ======              =======


     (1) Reflects equity-based compensation
          expense.

     (2) Includes net pension cost and net
          post-retirement cost relating to
          pension and other post-retirement
          benefit obligations during the
          applicable period, but in each case
          excluding the service cost relating
          to benefits earned during such
          period. See Note L - Pension and
          Post-retirement Benefits to our
          Financial Statements in Part 1,
          Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on
          Form 10-Q.

     (3) Reflects expenses related to
          business development activities in
          connection with our growth and
          expansion initiatives.

     (4) Reflects miscellaneous adjustments
          permitted under our existing credit
          agreement, including such items as
          restructuring costs. The 2016
          amount includes a gain on insurance
          settlement of $1.5 million and
          restructuring costs of $2.2 million
          for actions that will provide
          future cost savings.

Investor Contact:
Michael Lawson
Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(301) 682-0304
lawsonm@USSilica.com

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SOURCE U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.