HSC - Harsco Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results

• Fourth Quarter Revenues from Continuing Operations Totaled $468 Million , An Increase of 6 Percent Over the Prior-Year Quarter After Excluding FX Translation Impacts
  
  
• Q 4 GAAP Operating Income from Continuing Operations of $2 Million
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA in Q 4 Totaled $61 Million ; Above Company's Guidance Range Due to Strong Performance in Each Business Segment
  
  
• Full Year 2022 Revenue from Continuing Operations Increased 6 Percent Before FX Translation Impacts; GAAP Operating Loss of $57 million Including Impairments, While Adjusted EBITDA Totaled $229 million
  
  
• 2023 Adjusted EBITDA Expected to Increase to Between $240 Million and $260 Million
  

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harsco Corporation (NYSE: HSC) today reported fourth quarter 2022 results. On a U.S. GAAP ("GAAP") basis, fourth quarter of 2022 diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.30, after unusual items including restructuring costs and an intangible asset impairment within Harsco Environmental. Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2022 were $0.01. These figures compare with fourth quarter of 2021 GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.13 and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.22.

GAAP operating income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $2 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $61 million in the quarter, compared to the Company's previously provided guidance range of $47 million to $54 million.

“Harsco delivered strong quarterly operating performance to finish 2022. We exited the year with positive momentum, driven in large part by the realization of cost efficiencies and commercial pricing initiatives, while benefiting from stabilizing market conditions," said Harsco Chairman and CEO Nick Grasberger. “In particular, Clean Earth benefited from the continued implementation of initiatives that drove lower operating costs as well as incremental demand from infrastructure-related markets. Harsco Environmental results were aided by lower costs relative to expectations. I would like to thank our employees for their efforts through 2022, which began with unprecedented pressures related to inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Our resilience, adaptability through change and unwavering commitment to our customers enabled us to deliver against our objectives in the second half of the year.

“Looking forward, our business momentum is expected to continue. We anticipate a meaningful increase in operating results in 2023, with Clean Earth leading the way via pricing and operational efficiencies. In Harsco Environmental, improvement initiatives and price will also support its results during the year. Key to our strategy is maintaining capital discipline, enabling Harsco to strengthen its free cash flow and leverage position in the future. The sale of our Rail business this year will further help reduce our leverage. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and believe that building on our successes and delivering against our priorities will position Harsco to create shareholder value in 2023 and beyond.”

Harsco Corporation—Selected Fourth Quarter Results

Note: Adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA details presented throughout this release are adjusted for unusual items; in addition, adjusted diluted earnings per share is adjusted for acquisition-related amortization expense.

Consolidated Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Consolidated revenues from continuing operations were $468 million, an increase of 1 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. Clean Earth realized an increase in revenues compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, while Harsco Environmental revenues decreased due to currency translation impacts. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted fourth quarter 2022 revenues by approximately $19 million (4 percent), compared with the prior-year period.

The Company's GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $2 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with GAAP operating income of $16 million in the same quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, adjusted EBITDA totaled $61 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus $58 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Clean Earth experienced higher adjusted EBITDA relative to the prior-year quarter, while Harsco Environmental's adjusted EBITDA as anticipated was below the comparable quarter of 2021.

Harsco Corporation—Selected 2022 Results

Note: Adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA details presented throughout this release are adjusted for unusual items; in addition, adjusted earnings per share details are adjusted for acquisition-related amortization expense.

Consolidated Full Year 2022 Operating Results

Consolidated revenues from continuing operations were $1.89 billion in 2022, compared to $1.85 billion in 2021. Revenues for Clean Earth increased mainly due to higher pricing for its services, while Harsco Environmental revenues decreased as currency translation impacts were only partially offset by higher pricing. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted 2022 revenues by approximately $70 million compared with the prior year.

The GAAP operating loss from continuing operations was $57 million in 2022, while GAAP operating income from continuing operations in 2021 was $88 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $229 million and $252 million for these years, respectively, with the change in adjusted results reflecting the above-mentioned impact of FX translation as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict impact on steel volumes particularly in Europe and inflation, among other factors. Inflationary pressures were most significant in Clean Earth during the first-half of 2022, subsequent to which broad-based price increases as well as cost and operational initiatives were implemented. The success of these actions led to a significant improvement in Harsco's financial performance in the second-half of the 2022.

On a GAAP basis, diluted loss per share from continuing operations in 2022 was $1.73, and this figure compares with diluted earnings per share in 2021 of $0.28. These figures include various unusual items in each year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.10 in 2022, compared with $0.69 in 2021.

Fourth Quarter Business Review
Harsco Environmental

Harsco Environmental revenues totaled $257 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a decrease of 4 percent compared with the prior-year quarter. This change is attributable to FX translation impacts, partially offset by higher services activity at certain sites. The segment's GAAP operating loss and adjusted EBITDA totaled $4 million and $43 million, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2022. These figures compare with GAAP operating income of $20 million and adjusted EBITDA of $49 million in the prior-year period. The year-on-year change in adjusted earnings reflects the above-mentioned items as well as lower commodity prices and the recovery of Brazil sales taxes in the prior-year quarter which were not repeated in 2022.

Clean Earth

Clean Earth revenues totaled $211 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, a 9 percent increase over the prior-year quarter as a result of higher services pricing. The segment's GAAP operating income was $14 million and adjusted EBITDA was $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. These figures compare with $5 million of operating income and $16 million of adjusted EBITDA in the prior-year period. The year-on-year improvement in adjusted earnings reflects higher prices as well as cost reduction and efficiency initiatives, partially offset by inflationary pressures on certain expenditures such as transportation, labor and disposal. As a result, Clean Earth's adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 11.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus 8.4 percent in the comparable quarter of 2021.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities was $19 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $25 million in the prior-year period. Free cash flow (excluding Rail) was $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with $(8) million in the prior-year period. The change in free cash flow compared with the prior-year quarter is mainly attributable to a decrease in net capital spending.

For the full-year 2022, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $151 million, compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $72 million in 2021. Free cash flow (excluding Rail) was $75 million in 2022, compared with $(2) million in the prior-year. The change in full-year free cash flow can be mainly attributed to the Company's accounts receivable securitization program (net of other working capital changes) and lower net capital spending, partially offset by lower cash operating earnings and higher cash interest payments.

2023 Outlook

The Company's 2023 guidance anticipates that it will realize a meaningful improvement in financial performance relative to 2022, with the better financial results driven by various price and cost reduction initiatives across the Company. Clean Earth is expected to drive the year-on-year performance growth, and the Company's outlook contemplates that economic conditions will remain stable and that certain business challenges such as labor and disposal inflation will persist. Summary business segment and consolidated highlights are as follows:

Harsco Environmental adjusted EBITDA is projected to be modestly above 2022 results at the mid-point of guidance. For the year, higher services pricing, restructuring benefits, site improvement initiatives and new contracts are expected to be partially offset by FX translation impacts, lower commodity prices and a less favorable services mix.

Clean Earth adjusted EBITDA is expected to significantly increase versus 2022, as a result of higher services pricing as well as cost reduction and operational improvement actions, offsetting the impacts of continued labor-market and supply-chain (disposal) tightness.

Lastly, adjusted Corporate spending is anticipated to be higher relative to the prior year due to the normalization of certain expenditures, including travel and higher planned incentive compensation.

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. Those who wish to listen to the conference call webcast should visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.harsco.com. The live call also can be accessed by dialing (833) 634-5019, or (412) 902-4237 for international callers. Please ask to join the Harsco Corporation call. Listeners are advised to dial in approximately ten minutes prior to the call. If you are unable to listen to the live call, the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website.

Forward-Looking Statements

The nature of the Company's business, together with the number of 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," "outlook," "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 changes in general economic conditions or health 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 and amounts; (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 Company's ability to negotiate, complete, and integrate strategic transactions; (13) failure to complete a divestiture of the Rail division, as announced on November 2, 2021 on satisfactory terms, or at all; (14) potential severe volatility in the capital or commodity markets; (15) failure to retain key management and employees; (16) the outcome of any disputes with customers, contractors and subcontractors; (17) the financial condition of the Company's customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged, have inadequate liquidity or whose business has been significantly impacted by COVID-19) to maintain their credit availability; (18) implementation of environmental remediation matters; (19) risk and uncertainty associated with intangible assets; (20) the risk that the Company may be unable to implement fully and successfully the expected incremental actions at Clean Earth due to market conditions or otherwise and may fail to deliver the expected resulting benefits; 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 II, Item 1A “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2022, and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. 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.

NON-GAAP MEASURES
Measurements of financial performance not calculated in accordance with GAAP should be considered as supplements to, and not substitutes for, performance measurements calculated or derived in accordance with GAAP. Any such measures are not necessarily comparable to other similarly-titled measurements employed by other companies.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share: Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure and consists of diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations adjusted for unusual items and acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense. It is important to note that such intangible assets contribute to revenue generation and that intangible asset amortization related to past acquisitions will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. The Company’s management believes Adjusted diluted earnings per share 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. Exclusion of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense, the amount of which can vary by the timing, size and nature of the Company’s acquisitions, facilitates more consistent internal comparisons of operating results over time between the Company’s newly acquired and long-held businesses, and comparisons with both acquisitive and non-acquisitive peer companies.

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and consists of income from continuing operations adjusted to add back income tax expense; equity income of unconsolidated entities, net; net interest expense; defined benefit pension income (expense); facility fees and debt-related income (expense); and depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs); and excludes unusual items. Segment Adjusted EBITDA consists of operating income from continuing operations adjusted to exclude unusual items and add back depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs).  The sum of the Segments’ Adjusted EBITDA and Corporate Adjusted EBITDA equals consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. The Company‘s management believes Adjusted EBITDA is meaningful to investors because management reviews Adjusted EBITDA in assessing and evaluating performance.

Free cash flow: Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and consists of net cash provided (used) by operating activities less capital expenditures and expenditures for intangible assets; and plus capital expenditures for strategic ventures, total proceeds from sales of assets and certain transaction-related / debt-refinancing expenditures. The Company's management believes that Free cash flow is meaningful to investors because management reviews Free cash flow for planning and performance evaluation purposes. 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 and settlements of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, are not deducted from this measure. Free cash flow excludes the former Harsco Rail Segment since the segment is reported as discontinued operations. This presentation provides a basis for comparison of ongoing operations and prospects.

About Harsco

Harsco Corporation is a global market leader providing environmental solutions for industrial and specialty waste streams. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the 12,000-employee company operates in more than 30 countries. 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 .

(a) Does not total due to rounding.

(a) Costs incurred at Corporate to amend the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facilities, partially offset by income recognized related to a gain on the repurchase of $25.0 million of Senior Notes, (Q4 2022 of $0.1 million pre-tax expense; twelve months 2022 $0.5 million pre-tax income) and costs at Corporate associated with amending the Company's existing Senior Secured Credit Facilities to establish a New Term Loan (of which the proceeds of which were used to repay in full the outstanding Term Loan A and Term Loan B), to extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and to increase certain levels set forth in the total net leverage ratio covenant (twelve months 2021 $5.5 million pre-tax expense).
(b) Certain strategic costs incurred at Corporate associated with supporting and executing the Company's long-term strategies. The twelve months ended 2022 included the relocation of the Company's headquarters (Q4 2022 $0.2 million pre-tax expense; twelve months 2022 $0.4 million pre-tax expense) and the twelve months ended 2021 included the divestiture of the former Harsco Rail segment (Q4 2021 $1.3 million pre-tax expense; twelve months 2021 $4.5 million pre-tax expense).
(c) Non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the Harsco Clean Earth segment (twelve months 2022 $104.6 million pre-tax expense).
(d) Non-cash other intangible asset impairment charge in the Harsco Environmental segment (Q4 2022 and twelve months 2022 $15.0 million pre-tax expense).
(e) Severance and related costs incurred in the Harsco Environmental segment (Q4 2022 and twelve months 2022 $4.2 million pre-tax expense), and adjustment to prior year severance and related costs incurred in the Harsco Environmental segment (twelve months 2021 $0.9 million pre-tax income).
(f) Severance and related costs incurred in the Harsco Clean Earth segment (twelve months 2022 $2.6 million pre-tax expense), (Q4 2021 and twelve months 2021 $0.4 million pre-tax expense).
(g) Adjustment to contingent consideration related to the acquisition of the Harsco Clean Earth segment (twelve months 2022 $0.8 million pre-tax income).
(h) 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.
(i) Acquisition amortization expense was $7.7 million pre-tax and $31.1 million pre-tax for Q4 2022 and the twelve months 2022, respectively, and after-tax was $6.2 million and $24.6 million for Q4 2022 and the twelve months 2022, respectively. Acquisition amortization expense was $8.0 million pre-tax and $32.3 million pre-tax for Q4 2021 and the twelve months 2021, respectively, and after-tax was $6.4 million and $19.4 million for Q4 2021 and the twelve months 2021, respectively.
(j) Does not total due to rounding.

(a) Excludes Harsco Rail Segment.
(b) Does not total due to rounding.