Newpark Resources Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results


Company reports revenues of $202 million, net income of $0.03 per share

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2017.  Total revenues for the third quarter of 2017 were $201.7 million compared to $183.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 and $104.6 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $2.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017, and a net loss of $13.5 million, or $0.16 per share, in the third quarter of 2016.  Third quarter 2016 results included a total of $2.6 million of charges associated with asset demobilization and wind-down of our operations in Uruguay.


Paul Howes, Newpark's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We're very pleased to report another solid quarter of revenue growth across both segments.  In Fluids, revenue gains were once again led by our North American operations.  Despite the modest headwind created by Hurricane Harvey, U.S. revenues improved by 10% sequentially, outperforming the market rig count gains for the fourth consecutive quarter.  The relative outperformance in the quarter is largely attributable to the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, where projects with two customers contributed $4 million of revenue to the third quarter.  Canadian revenues also rebounded in the third quarter, reflecting the typical seasonal pattern following Spring break-up, resulting in a 16% sequential increase in total North American fluids revenue.  Internationally, fluids revenues remained relatively stable, as improvements in customer activity in Romania was partially offset by declines in Kuwait, Algeria, and Albania largely related to project timing.  The segment operating margin improved modestly, with the incremental benefit of the stronger revenues being partially offset by the unfavorable impact of price concessions on an NOC customer contract as well as a modestly softer product mix in the U.S.


"The Mats business posted another strong quarter, which continues to reflect the benefits of our diversification strategy.  Despite the anticipated reduction in rental activity following the completion of a few large scale utility transmission and distribution projects in the second quarter, segment revenues improved in the third quarter, led by $13 million of mat sales," added Howes.  "And while the rental activity into the utilities sector declined, this was partially offset by an increase in rental activity for pipeline customers."


2017 Convertible Notes Settlement

In advance of the October 1, 2017 maturity of convertible notes, the Company placed an additional $54.8 million of cash into an escrow account in the third quarter of 2017, increasing the total balance in escrow (reported within prepaid expenses and other current assets) to $84.9 million as of September 30, 2017.  These funds were used for the full satisfaction of the 2017 Convertible Notes following the end of the third quarter.

Segment Results

The Fluids Systems segment generated revenues of $166.7 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $150.6 million in the second quarter of 2017 and $89.1 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Segment operating income was $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $5.9 million of income in the second quarter of 2017 and a $9.0 million loss in the third quarter of 2016.  Segment results for the third quarter of 2016 included $2.6 million of charges associated with asset demobilization and wind-down of our operations in Uruguay following the customer decision to discontinue offshore exploration efforts in the country.

The Mats and Integrated Services segment generated revenues of $34.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $32.4 million in the second quarter of 2017 and $15.5 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Segment operating income was $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $11.4 million in the second quarter of 2017, and $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2016.

CONFERENCE CALL

Newpark has scheduled a conference call to discuss third quarter 2017 results, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time.  To participate in the call, dial (412) 902-0030 and ask for the Newpark conference call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or access it live over the Internet at www.newpark.com.  For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay will be available through November 14, 2017 and may be accessed by dialing (201) 612-7415 and using pass code 13670778#.  Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.newpark.com for 90 days.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of value-added drilling fluids systems and composite matting systems used in oilfield and other commercial markets.  For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections.  All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including Newpark's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and future financial results are forward-looking statements.  Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Newpark, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.  These risk factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry, our customer concentration and reliance on the U.S. exploration and production market, risks related to our international operations, the cost and continued availability of borrowed funds including noncompliance with debt covenants, operating hazards present in the oil and natural gas industry, our ability to execute our business strategy and make successful business acquisitions and capital investments, the availability of raw materials and skilled personnel, our market competition, compliance with legal and regulatory matters, including environmental regulations, the availability of insurance and the risks and limitations of our insurance coverage, potential impairments of long-lived intangible assets, technological developments in our industry, risks related to severe weather, particularly in the U. S. Gulf Coast, cybersecurity breaches or business system disruptions and risks related to the fluctuations in the market value of our common stock.  Newpark's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as through our website at www.newpark.com.

Contacts:

Gregg Piontek
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Newpark Resources, Inc.
gpiontek@newpark.com
281-362-6800