IPHS - Innophos Holdings Inc. Reports First-Quarter 2019 Results

Innophos Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPHS) today announced financial results for its first-quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Strategic Highlights

• Continued progress executing against our Vision 2022 strategic roadmap and Strategic Pillars
• Contributions from price actions continued to offset input cost increases
• Advanced the transition to lower cost value chain structure as the Geismar facility successfully optimized the processing of the new multi-sourced supply mix and scaled up to targeted run rates
• On track to realize adjusted diluted EPS improvement of 10%, or $0.25 to $0.27 per share run rate by the end of 2019

Q1 2019 Financial Highlights

• Sales of $191 million were similar sequentially, but down 7% compared with the prior-year quarter as pricing power was predominantly offset by the planned discontinuation of low-margin nutrition trading business and orders shifting out of the quarter due to timing and Midwest flooding, as well as weaker than expected demand in certain Industrial Specialties categories, related in part to “indirect” tariff effects.
• GAAP Net Income of $9 million, or $0.44 per share, was down 20% from Q1 2018 primarily due to severance costs and Mexico natural gas supply adjustment charges incurred in the quarter
• Q1 Adjusted EBITDA of $30 million was sequentially flat, but down $2 million year-on-year, while adjusted EBITDA margin of 16% was up 37 bps sequentially and up 4 bps compared with the prior-year quarter, reflecting improved mix and continued benefits of price and cost actions
• Q1 Adjusted Diluted EPS decreased 5% year over year to $0.57 due to lower volumes

Management Comments

“Innophos' first-quarter performance was marked by our ability to deliver an adjusted EBITDA margin in line with last year, despite a difficult year-over-year comparison on the top line,” said Kim Ann Mink, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “First-quarter sales were down compared with the prior-year quarter as Innophos’ pricing power was offset by the planned discontinuation of low-margin nutrition trading business, order pattern, and impact from Midwest flooding. In addition, there was weaker than expected demand in certain industrial categories. Our ability to maintain an adjusted EBITDA margin equal to last year was due to our cost management efforts implemented in the second half of 2018, continued success in capturing price increases and improved mix. Adjusted EBITDA was sequentially flat, marking the fourth straight quarter of relatively stable adjusted EBITDA.

“During the quarter we made progress with our SPARC new product development program to continue the shift of our product mix to higher levels of attractive Food, Health & Nutrition (FHN) business. We also advanced our efforts to transition to our lower-cost value chain program and we remain on track to achieve our year-end EPS improvement goal.

“As we proceed in 2019, we will continue to execute against our key Strategic Pillar initiatives, including completing the transition of the multi-faceted strategic value chain repositioning, leveraging our value selling to capture price increases, and driving growth through both our SPARC new product development program and evaluating strategic acquisition opportunities. The impact of these efforts, in part, positions Innophos to maintain Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the year, despite resetting revenue guidance to better align with softer market demand that we began to see in Q1,” concluded Mink.

Q1 2019 Results

Variance $ and Variance % in the following tables and comments may not foot due to rounding

$ Millions except EPS

• Sales were 7% below prior year as 4% selling price increases were offset by a 3% volume decline from discontinued low-margin nutrition trading business, 6% lower volumes from order pattern and impact from Midwest flooding, and a 2% decline from softer demand in certain industrial market segments.
• GAAP Net Income of $9 million and diluted EPS of $0.44 were down versus the prior year due to severance costs and Mexico natural gas supply adjustment charges incurred in the first quarter of 2019.
• The previously communicated supply imbalance in Mexico’s natural gas network was sequentially similar, with a $2 million impact in the quarter, after $1 million of adjustments for non-GAAP purposes.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $30 million was down 7% year over year but remained relatively stable for the past four quarters.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16% was relatively flat year over year but up 37 basis points sequentially.
• Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.57 was down year over year due to lower volumes.
• Free Cash Flow was a use of $19 million due to seasonal working capital effects.

Q1 2019 Segment Financials

Note: See Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to EBITDA in the financial tables that follow

• FHN sales declined 9% year over year (price +4%, volume -13%) as strong price increases were offset by lower volumes due to the Company’s decision to discontinue a portion of low-margin nutrition trading business and order pattern; adjusted EBITDA margins were sequentially similar to the past three quarters but 173 bps below Q118 due to increased freight market rates and other input costs
• IS sales were flat year over year (price +4%, volume -4%) with volumes impacted by order timing related to Midwest flooding and softer demand due in part to the “indirect” unfavorable tariff impact on our international sales from competition redirecting mostly technical grade product; adjusted EBITDA margins were up 61 basis points sequentially but 167 basis points below the same quarter last year due to the noted “indirect” tariff impact
• Other sales were down 16% (price -1%, volume -16%) due primarily to order pattern; adjusted EBITDA margins were 27%, up significantly from the prior year due to improved product mix

Full Year 2019 Outlook

The Company is reiterating its previously provided 2019 Adjusted EBITDA guidance and reducing its revenue expectations.

Revenues are now forecasted to be 1-2% below 2018 revenue of $802 million. This revised range reflects the impact from the softer demand the Company began to experience in Q1 in certain industrial categories. The Company expects the order pattern and Midwest flooding timing delays experienced in the first quarter to rebound over the next two quarters. Additionally, Innophos continues to expect positive year-over-year revenue contribution from price increases and new product wins to be offset by the discontinuation of lower-margin FHN nutrition trading business in 2018, lower co-product sales in the Other segment due to efficiency improvements, and indirect tariffs pressure from competition redirecting mostly technical grade product to international markets.

Innophos continues to expect Adjusted EBITDA to grow 1-3% in 2019 from $125 million in 2018, with phasing in the range of 42-45% in H1 and 55-58% in H2.

In Q2 2019, Innophos will undergo and complete a planned annual maintenance shut down on one of its production units at the Coatzacoalcos, Mexico facility. This will result in $3 million of maintenance and under-absorption costs, which were already reflected in the Company’s 2019 guidance.

From a GAAP and cash perspective, the expectation is that costs will be higher during H1. The anticipated non-recurring portion is expected to be adjusted for non-GAAP reporting purposes, such as value chain transition expense, which was completed in Q119, and Mexico natural gas supply adjustment charges.

Capital investments are expected to be in line with 2018 to finalize the value chain and manufacturing optimization program that commenced last year. Average working capital is also estimated to remain in line with 2018.

The Company expects its effective tax rate to operate in the 28-32% range.

Conference Call

Innophos will host its first-quarter 2019 conference call today April 30, 2019 at 9:00 am ET to discuss its earnings results. Those who wish to listen to the conference call webcast should visit the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at www.innophos.com. The live call also can be accessed by dialing (877) 604-1612 (U.S.) or (201) 389-0883 (international). No passcode is required. Please dial in approximately 15 minutes ahead of the start time to ensure timely entry to the call. The Q1 2019 earnings call presentation will be made available on the Company’s website prior to the call. If you are unable to listen to the live call, the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website. In addition, a replay of the call will be available between April 30 and May 14, 2019. The replay is accessible by dialing (877) 660-6853 (U.S.) or (201) 612-7415 (international) and entering the Conference ID number 13689865.

Additional information on Innophos’ first-quarter 2019 results can also be found on the Company’s website.

About the Company

Innophos is a leading international producer of specialty ingredient solutions that deliver far-reaching, versatile benefits for the food, health, nutrition and industrial markets. We leverage our expertise in the science and technology of blending and formulating phosphate, mineral, enzyme and botanical based ingredients to help our customers offer products that are tasty, healthy, nutritious and economical. Headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey, Innophos has manufacturing operations across the United States, in Canada, Mexico and China. For more information, please visit www.innophos.com. 'IPHS-G'

Financial Tables Follow

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for such statements. Statements made in this press release that relate to our future performance or future financial results or other future events (which may be identified by such terms as “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “assume”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend’, “may”, “will”, “should”, “outlook”, “guidance”, “target”, “opportunity”, “potential” or similar terms and variations or the negative thereof) are forward-looking statements, including the Company’s expectations regarding the business environment and the Company’s overall guidance regarding future performance and growth. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may materially differ from the expectations expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: (1) global macroeconomic conditions and trends; (2) the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in foreign currencies, interest rates and turmoil in capital markets; (3) changes in regulatory controls regarding tariffs, duties, taxes and income tax rates; (4) the Company’s ability to implement and refine its Vision 2022 strategic roadmap; (5) the Company’s ability to successfully identify and complete acquisitions in line with its Vision 2022 strategic roadmap and effectively operate and integrate acquired businesses to realize the anticipated benefits of those acquisitions; (6) the Company’s ability to realize expected cost savings and efficiencies from its performance improvement and other optimization initiatives; (7) the Company’s ability to effectively compete in its markets, and to successfully develop new and competitive products that appeal to its customers; (8) changes in consumer preferences and demand for the Company’s products or a decline in consumer confidence and spending; (9) the Company’s ability to benefit from its investments in assets and human capital and the ability to complete projects successfully and on budget; (10) economic, regulatory and political risks associated with the Company’s international operations, most notably Mexico and China; (11) volatility and increases in the price of raw materials, energy and transportation, and fluctuations in the quality and availability of raw materials and process aids; (12) the impact of a disruption in the Company’s supply chain or its relationship with its suppliers; (13) the Company’s ability to comply with, and the costs associated with compliance with, U.S. and foreign environmental protection laws and (14) the Company’s ability to meet quality and regulatory standards in the various jurisdictions in which it has operations or conducts business. We caution you to consider the important risks and other factors as set forth in the forward-looking statements section and in Item 1A Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. We do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that may arise after the date of the forward-looking statements.

Summary Profit & Loss Statement

Adjusted Net Income Reconciliation to Net Income

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation to Net Income

Segment Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation to EBITDA

Segment Reporting

Price / Volume

The Company calculates pure selling price dollar variances as the selling price for the current year to date period minus the selling price for the prior year to date period, and then multiplies the resulting selling price difference by the prior year to date period volume. The current quarter selling price dollar variance is derived from the current quarter year to date selling price dollar variance less the previous quarter year to date selling price dollar variance. The selling price dollar variance is then divided by the prior period sales dollars to calculate the percentage change. Volume/mix variance is calculated as the total sales variance minus the selling price variance. The following table illustrates the percentage changes in net sales by reportable segments compared with the same period of the prior year, including the effect of selling price and volume/mix changes upon revenue:

Summary Cash Flow Statement

Summary Balance Sheets

Additional Information

Net debt is a supplemental financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, US GAAP. The Company believes net debt is helpful in analyzing leverage and as a performance measure for purposes of presentation in this release. The Company defines net debt as total long-term debt (including any current portion) less cash and cash equivalents.

Free cash flow is a supplemental financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, US GAAP. The Company believes free cash flow is helpful in analyzing the cash flow generating capability of the business and as a performance measure for purposes of presentation in this release. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided from operating activities plus cash used for capital expenditures plus cash received from sale leaseback transactions.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are supplemental financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, US GAAP. The Company believes EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are helpful in analyzing the cash flow generating capability of the business and as performance measures for purposes of presentation in this release.

Net Working Capital is a supplemental financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, US GAAP. The Company believes net working capital is helpful in analyzing the effects on the cash flow generating capability of the business and as a performance measure for purposes of presentation in this release. The Company defines net working capital as total current assets less cash and cash equivalents less total current liabilities plus current portion of capital leases.

Operating Working Capital is a supplemental financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, US GAAP. The Company believes operating working capital is helpful in analyzing the effects on the cash flow generating capability of the business and as a performance measure for purposes of presentation in this release. The Company defines operating working capital as net working capital less taxes less interest.

Innophos is not able to provide a reconciliation of its expectation for adjusted earnings to 2019 GAAP net income given the dynamic nature of the strategic value chain repositioning program expenses and potential Mexico energy charges that may be incurred. In addition, Innophos is not able to provide a reconciliation of its 2022 expectation for adjusted EBITDA margin to GAAP net income due to the number of variables in the projected EBITDA margin for 2022. As a result we are currently unable to quantify accurately certain amounts that would be required to be included in GAAP net income for 2019 or 2022 or the individual adjustments for such reconciliation. In addition, we believe such reconciliation would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors.

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