Major Drilling Announces Annual and Fourth Quarter Results for Fiscal 2014

MONCTON, NB, June 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Major Drilling Group International Inc. (TSX: MDI) today reported results for the year and fourth quarter ended April 30, 2014.

Highlights

In millions of Canadian dollars (except earnings per share)		Q4-14	Q4-13	Fiscal 2014	Fiscal 2013
Revenue		$82.6	$135.5	$354.9	$695.9
Gross profit		21.5	43.1	104.4	220.3
	As percentage of revenue	26.0%	31.8%	29.4%	31.7%
EBITDA^(1)		8.4	23.5	44.4	142.8
	As percentage of revenue	10.2%	17.3%	12.5%	20.5%
Net (loss) earnings		(24.9)	2.2	(55.3)	52.1
(Loss) earnings per share - Basic		($0.31)	$0.03	($0.70)	$0.66

(1)	Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairment and gain on reversal of contingent consideration (see "non-GAAP financial measures")

• Net cash position (net of debt) improved by $12.9 million in the quarter to $46.5 million.
  
  
• Quarterly revenue was $82.6 million, down 39% from the $135.5 million recorded for the same quarter last year.
  
  
• Gross margin percentage for the quarter was 26.0%, compared to 31.8% for the corresponding period last year.
  
  
• During the quarter, the Company posted a restructuring charge of $17.2 million, $9.7 million of which is non-cash, related to the closure of its Australian operations and other staff reduction initiatives implemented during the quarter across the Company.
  
  
• During the quarter, the Company posted a goodwill impairment charge of $2.3 million relating to its Mozambique operations.
  
  
• Net loss was $24.9 million or $0.31 per share for the quarter, compared to earnings of $2.2 million or 0.03 per share for the prior year quarter.
  
  

"Market conditions continue to be extremely difficult.  Despite this, we are pleased to have met our goal of generating cash while still paying our dividend and investing in our fleet when appropriate. Senior mining companies are still very cautious with their investment in exploration and have been focusing on expanding their production at existing mines. In a number of jurisdictions, uncertainty as to the policies of host governments or issues of land tenure are causing customers to hold back on investments. This is making it difficult to predict what might happen in those markets. These and other factors have led to significantly decreased activity in the industry. Lower levels of demand have significantly affected pricing, which is reflected in our lower gross margins," said Francis McGuire, President and CEO of Major Drilling. "In many cases, pricing levels are at the lowest that they have been in 15 years."

"Despite the difficult environment, we have one of the most solid balance sheets in our industry with $74.2 million in cash and total debt of $27.7 million at the end of the quarter.  This combined for a net cash position of $46.5 million. Even in this difficult quarter, the Company increased its net cash balance during the quarter by $12.9 million after spending $5.2 million in capital expenditures for the quarter, through the purchase of two rigs and support equipment.  We also retired 11 older mineral rigs," observed Mr. McGuire.

"During the quarter, we made the difficult decision to close down our operations in Australia and as such, took a charge of $16.8 million.  The Company recorded $9.7 million in a non-cash write-down of assets as well as net cash charges of $7.1 million in Australia for severance, moving costs and lease termination.  Those cash costs should be more than offset by the sale of some Australian assets.  Also, during the quarter, the Company incurred additional restructuring charges of $0.4 million relating to severance as it continues to reduce costs across the organization."

"Given current market conditions, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment of $2.3 million related to its Mozambique operations, primarily due to reduced cash flow expections in the near term.The goodwill write-off is non-cash in nature and does not affect liquidity or cash flows from operating activities."

"The Company will continue to focus on cash generation by limiting capital expenditures as necessary, by reducing inventory and by closely managing costs.  By focusing on cash management, our goal is to sustain our dividend. The Company continues to have a variable cost structure whereby most of its direct costs, including field staff, go up or down with contract revenue and a large part of the Company's other expenses relates to variable incentive compensation based on the Company's profitability."

"Due to the uncertainty around economic matters impacting the mining market, it is very difficult to predict customer behavior over the next twelve months.  Although we have seen a pick up in financing activity for mining related projects, senior customers are still very cautious about investing in future projects.  We are in a unique position to react quickly when the industry begins to recover as the Company's financial strength has allowed it to invest in safety and to maintain its equipment in excellent condition.  However, we have a growing concern that quality people are permanently leaving the industry, and during a recovery, shortages of qualified labour will once again become a critical issue."

Fourth quarter ended April 30, 2014

Total revenue for the quarter was $82.6 million, down 39% from the $135.5 million recorded in the same quarter last year. Due to the uncertainty around economic matters impacting the mining market, some customers delayed or cancelled their exploration drilling plans, which impacted the quarter's results compared to last year.  In a number of jurisdictions, uncertainty as to the policies of host governments or issues of land tenure also had an impact on quarter results.

Revenue for the quarter from Canada-U.S. drilling operations decreased by 25% to $46.5 million compared to the same period last year.  All of the decrease came from Canada as our U.S. operation was able to maintain its activity at the same levels as the corresponding quarter last year.

South and Central American revenue was down 64% to $15.7 million for the quarter, compared to the prior year quarter. All of the countries in this region, particularly Mexico, Chile and Argentina, were affected by a reduction in work by juniors due to the cancellation or reduction of projects.

Australian, Asian and African operations reported revenue of $20.5 million, down 32% from the same period last year.  Mongolia and Mozambique were the most affected in the region.  In Mongolia, mining investment has significantly slowed down due to political uncertainty.  In Mozambique, the cancellation of one large project had a significant impact on that operation.  In Australia, revenue was down to $2 million during the quarter from $4 million last year.

The overall gross margin percentage for the quarter was 26.0% compared to 31.8% for the same period last year.  Reduced pricing due to increased competitive pressures and delays impacted margins.

General and administrative costs were $12.7 million for the quarter compared to $15.3 million in the same period last year.  With the decrease in activity, the Company has reduced its general and administrative costs across the operation.

The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $17.2 million consisting primarily of a non-cash write-down of assets of $9.7 million in Australia, $7.1 million of close-down costs in Australia relating to severance, lease termination and moving costs, and $0.4 million in additional restructuring charges as it continues to reduce costs across the organization.

Also, during the quarter, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $2.3 million related to its Mozambique operations, primarily due to reduced cash flow expections in the near term. The goodwill write-off is non-cash in nature and does not affect liquidity or cash flows from operating activities.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In this news release, the Company uses the non-GAAP financial measure, EBITDA excluding restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairment and gain on reversal of contingent consideration. The Company believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company. This measure does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements, such as, but not limited to, those relating to worldwide demand for gold and base metals and overall commodity prices, the level of activity in the minerals and metals industry and the demand for the Company's services, the Canadian and international economic environments, the Company's ability to attract and retain customers and to manage its assets and operating costs, sources of funding for its clients, particularly for junior mining companies, competitive pressures, currency movements, which can affect the Company's revenue in Canadian dollars, the geographic distribution of the Company's operations, the impact of operational changes, changes in jurisdictions in which the Company operates (including changes in regulation), failure by counterparties to fulfill contractual obligations, and other factors as may be set forth, as well as objectives or goals, and including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition to exist or occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements by reason of factors such as, but not limited to, the factors set out in the discussion on pages 16 to 18 of the 2013 Annual Report entitled "General Risks and Uncertainties", and such other documents as available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to the Company. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, including those statements that are incorporated by reference herein, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Major Drilling Group International Inc. is one of the world's largest metals and minerals contract drilling service companies. To support its customers' varied exploration drilling requirements, Major Drilling maintains field operations and offices in Canada, the United States, South and Central America, Australia, Asia, and Africa.

Financial statements are attached.

Major Drilling will provide a simultaneous webcast of its quarterly conference call on Friday, June 6, 2014 at 9:00 AM (EDT).  To access the webcast please go to the investors/webcast section of Major Drilling's website at www.majordrilling.com and click the attached link, or go directly to the CNW Group website at www.newswire.ca  for directions.  Participants will require Windows MediaPlayer, which can be downloaded prior to accessing the call.  Please note that this is listen only mode.

Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share information)
		Three months ended							Twelve months ended
		April 30							April 30
			(unaudited)
				2014			2013			2014			2013
TOTAL REVENUE			$	82,637		$	135,537		$	354,946		$	695,928
DIRECT COSTS				61,113			92,450			250,519			475,589
GROSS PROFIT				21,524			43,087			104,427			220,339
OPERATING EXPENSES
	General and administrative			12,701			15,318			50,087			63,827
	Other expenses			905			411			3,624			10,585
	Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment			358			1,232			1,617			2,452
	Loss on short-term investments			61			-			368			-
	Foreign exchange (gain) loss			(918)			699			4,377			(1,311)
	Finance costs			266			346			1,002			2,316
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment			13,085			12,575			51,947			49,997
	Amortization of intangible assets			332			412			1,359			2,840
	Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			2,269			3,324			14,326			3,324
	Restructuring charge			17,234			5,440			20,454			5,440
				46,293			39,757			149,161			139,470
(LOSS) EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAX				(24,769)			3,330			(44,734)			80,869
INCOME TAX - PROVISION (RECOVERY)
	Current			3,488			3,590			12,849			32,077
	Deferred			(3,322)			(2,434)			(2,273)			(3,318)
				166			1,156			10,576			28,759
NET (LOSS) EARNINGS			$	(24,935)		$	2,174		$	(55,310)		$	52,110
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic			$	(0.31)		$	0.03		$	(0.70)		$	0.66
Diluted			$	(0.31)		$	0.03		$	(0.70)		$	0.65

 

Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
		Three months ended						Twelve months ended
		April 30						April 30
		(unaudited)
			2014			2013			2014			2013
NET (LOSS) EARNINGS		$	(24,935)		$	2,174		$	(55,310)		$	52,110
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
	Unrealized (loss) gains on foreign currency translations (net of tax)		(6,230)			4,409			15,428			11,722
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS		$	(31,165)		$	6,583		$	(39,882)		$	63,832

 

Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
For the twelve months ended April 30, 2013 and 2014
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
						Share-based				Retained		Foreign currency
			Share capital			payments reserve				earnings		translation reserve				Total
BALANCE AS AT MAY 1, 2012			$	230,763		$	11,797		$	246,809		$	(1,670)		$	487,699
	Exercise of stock options			222			(114)			-			-			108
	Share-based payments reserve			-			2,521			-			-			2,521
	Dividends			-			-			(15,831)			-			(15,831)
				230,985			14,204			230,978			(1,670)			474,497
Comprehensive earnings:
	Net earnings			-			-			52,110			-			52,110
	Unrealized gains on foreign currency translations			-			-			-			11,722			11,722
Total comprehensive earnings				-			-			52,110			11,722			63,832
BALANCE AS AT APRIL 30, 2013			$	230,985		$	14,204		$	283,088		$	10,052		$	538,329
BALANCE AS AT MAY 1, 2013			$	230,985		$	14,204		$	283,088		$	10,052		$	538,329
	Share-based payments reserve			-			1,733			-			-			1,733
	Dividends			-			-			(15,833)			-			(15,833)
				230,985			15,937			267,255			10,052			524,229
Comprehensive loss:
	Net loss			-			-			(55,310)			-			(55,310)
	Unrealized gains on foreign currency translations			-			-			-			15,428			15,428
Total comprehensive loss				-			-			(55,310)			15,428			(39,882)
BALANCE AS AT APRIL 30, 2014			$	230,985		$	15,937		$	211,945		$	25,480		$	484,347

 

Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
			Three months ended					Twelve months ended
			April 30					April 30
			(unaudited)
			2014			2013		2014				2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Loss) earnings before income tax		$	(24,769)		$	3,330		$	(44,734)		$	80,869
Operating items not involving cash
	Depreciation and amortization		13,417			12,987			53,306			52,837
	Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		358			1,232			1,617			2,452
	Loss on short-term investments		61			-			368			-
	Share-based payments reserve		361			444			1,733			2,521
	Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		2,269			3,324			14,326			3,324
	Restructuring charge		9,716			1,425			10,381			1,425
Finance costs recognized in (loss) earnings before income tax			266			346			1,002			2,316
			1,679			23,088			37,999			145,744
Changes in non-cash operating working capital items			18,535			5,305			20,532			30,456
Finance costs paid			(261)			(345)			(983)			(2,306)
Income taxes paid			(4,742)			(11,081)			(16,624)			(36,962)
Cash flow from operating activities			15,211			16,967			40,924			136,932
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in demand loan			-			-			4,066			-
Repayment of long-term debt			(1,740)			(1,716)			(20,457)			(9,296)
Issuance of common shares			-			108			-			108
Dividends paid			-			-			(15,832)			(15,038)
Cash flow used in financing activities			(1,740)			(1,608)			(32,223)			(24,226)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payment of consideration for previous business acquisition			-			-			(205)			(1,698)
Acquisition of short-term investments			-			-			(3,587)			-
Proceeds from disposal of short-term investments			3,074			-			3,074			-
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (net of direct financing)			(5,190)			(9,487)			(22,626)			(69,005)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment			1,990			884			5,375			3,409
Cash flow used in investing activities			(126)			(8,603)			(17,969)			(67,294)
Effect of exchange rate changes			(1,512)			72			1,201			(338)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH			11,833			6,828			(8,067)			45,074
CASH, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD			62,411			75,483			82,311			37,237
CASH, END OF THE PERIOD		$	74,244		$	82,311		$	74,244		$	82,311

 

Major Drilling Group International Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at April 30, 2014 and 2013
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
			2014		2013
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
	Cash	$	74,244		$	82,311
	Trade and other receivables		66,211			98,079
	Income tax receivable		12,179			10,013
	Inventories		81,308			88,118
	Prepaid expenses		4,690			6,119
			238,632			284,640
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT			307,288			339,971
DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS			5,825			5,601
GOODWILL			38,056			52,736
INTANGIBLE ASSETS			1,923			3,279
		$	591,724		$	686,227
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Demand loan	$	3,909		$	-
	Trade and other payables		52,155			73,546
	Income tax payable		3,416			5,020
	Current portion of long-term debt		9,655			9,097
			69,135			87,663
LONG-TERM DEBT			14,187			34,497
DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES			24,055			25,738
			107,377			147,898
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Share capital		230,985			230,985
	Share-based payments reserve		15,937			14,204
	Retained earnings		211,945			283,088
	Foreign currency translation reserve		25,480			10,052
			484,347			538,329
		$	591,724		$	686,227

 

MAJOR DRILLING GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2014 AND 2013
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The Company's operations are divided into three geographic segments corresponding to its management structure, Canada - U.S., South and Central America, and Australia, Asia and Africa. The services provided in each of the reportable segments are essentially the same. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 4 presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2014. Management evaluates performance based on earnings from operations in these three geographic segments before finance costs and income tax.  Data relating to each of the Company's reportable segments is presented as follows:

				Q4 2014			Q4 2013			YTD 2014			YTD 2013
Revenue				(unaudited)			(unaudited)
	Canada - U.S.		$	46,462		$	61,827		$	175,882		$	317,091
	South and Central America			15,688			43,489			73,583			203,233
	Australia, Asia and Africa			20,487			30,221			105,481			175,604
			$	82,637		$	135,537		$	354,946		$	695,928
(Loss) earnings from operations
	Canada - U.S.*		$	2,070		$	2,874		$	9,315		$	47,020
	South and Central America**			(2,821)			7,629			(25,125)			36,114
	Australia, Asia and Africa***			(21,539)			(5,112)			(19,776)			12,945
				(22,290)			5,391			(35,586)			96,079
Eliminations				(135)			(13)			(554)			(987)
				(22,425)			5,378			(36,140)			95,092
Finance costs				266			346			1,002			2,316
General and corporate expenses ****				2,078			1,702			7,592			11,907
Income tax				166			1,156			10,576			28,759
Net (loss) earnings			$	(24,935)		$	2,174		$	(55,310)		$	52,110
Depreciation and amortization
	Canada - U.S.		$	5,730		$	5,849		$	22,928		$	22,713
	South and Central America			3,149			2,928			12,072			11,493
	Australia, Asia and Africa			4,015			4,003			16,161			15,522
	Unallocated and corporate assets			523			207			2,145			3,109
			$	13,417		$	12,987		$	53,306		$	52,837
*Canada - U.S. includes goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges for the previous quarter and year of $3,324 as well as restructuring charges for the current quarter of $123 (2013 - $1,860), the current year of $503 (2013 - $1,860). ** South and Central America  includes goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the current year of $12,057 as well as restructuring charges in the current quarter of $201 (2013 - $115), the current year of $1,665 (2013 - $115). *** Australia, Asia and Africa includes goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges in the current quarter and year of $2,269 (2013 - nil) as well as restructuring charges in the current quarter of $16,910 (2013 - $3,465), the current year of $18,286 (2013 - $3,465). **** General and corporate expenses include expenses for corporate offices, stock options and certain unallocated costs.

SOURCE: MAJOR DRILLING GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC.

Denis Larocque, Chief Financial Officer  
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]