Russel Metals Announces Strong 2014 Annual and Fourth Quarter Results

TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - Russel Metals Inc. (RUS - TSX) today announced financial results for fourth quarter and annual 2014.

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues	$	1,013		$	811		$	3,869		$	3,188
Adjusted EBIT ^1	$	54		$	33		$	227		$	151
Net Income	$	31		$	23		$	124		$	83
Earnings per Share	$	0.50		$	0.37		$	2.01		$	1.37
Free Cash Flow	$	29		$	19		$	125		$	92
Dividends paid ^2	$	0.38		$	0.35		$	1.46		$	1.40

All amounts are reported in millions of Canadian dollars except per share and dividend figures, which are in Canadian dollars

¹ Adjusted EBIT and Free Cash Flow are Non GAAP measures.  Adjusted EBIT represents earnings before interest and taxes excluding asset impairment.  Free cash flow represents cash from operating activities before change in working capital less capital expenditures.
² Dividends paid during the period.

Fourth quarter earnings were $31 million, or $0.50 per share on revenues of $1 billion.  These results compare to earnings of $23 million or $0.37 per share on revenues of $811 million in the same quarter last year and 2014 third quarter earnings of $0.54 per share. 

Revenues of $403 million in our metals service center segment were 14% higher than the 2013 fourth quarter due to stronger demand and selling prices.  Tons shipped at our metals service centers increased by 5% and selling prices were higher by 10% over the 2013 fourth quarter.  Gross margin dollars at our metals service centers in the 2014 fourth quarter were $6 million higher than the same quarter last year reflecting stronger demand.  Gross margin was 19.2% compared to 20.2% for the fourth quarter of 2013 due to steel price erosion resulting from competitive pressure.  The 2014 fourth quarter metals service center operating profits were $13 million which was equivalent to the 2013 fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter 2014 revenues in our energy products segment increased 25% to $484 million compared to the 2013 fourth quarter due to strong drilling activity in the energy sector.  Operating profits increased $10 million or 46% in the 2014 fourth quarter versus the same quarter last year due to increased volumes.

Revenues in our steel distributors segment increased by 77% to $125 million in the 2014 fourth quarter compared to the 2013 fourth quarter.  Weak international market conditions combined with robust U.S. demand levels and a strong U.S. dollar resulted in imported steel products becoming more attractive in North America. 

We recorded financial income of $6 million or $0.10 per share due to the change in fair value of the contingent consideration related to our Apex Distribution and Apex Monarch acquisitions.  The income was a result of an expected reduction in future payments related to lower activity caused by the lower oil price offset by imputed interest on expected future payments.  In addition, our net earnings include an after-tax non cash asset impairment of $7 million or $0.12 per share related to our Thunder Bay Terminals operation due to lower expected future cash flows. 

Our revenues for 2014 were $3.9 billion up 21% from $3.2 billion for 2013.  Our 2014 earnings of $124 million or $2.01 per share resulted in one of our best years ever; up 48% from 2013.  All segments contributed to these strong results.

Mr. Brian R. Hedges, President and CEO, commented "Our operating profits were up 62% in the quarter reflecting continued strength in all three operating segments.  Looking forward into 2015, the deterioration in the price of oil has led our energy customers to announce reductions in their projects and capital expenditures.  While we expect a reduction in demand for our products as a result of these announcements, the extent to which this will affect our operating results has yet to be determined." 

Mr. Hedges further commented, "The current economic uncertainty differs from what we experienced in 2009 as current metal prices are significantly lower than the peaks experienced in 2008.  Although metal prices will be under pressure, we do not expect a significant decrease in metal prices.  In addition, the acquisition of Apex and its related companies although increasing our exposure to the energy sector is expected to provide a more stable stream of earnings than our traditional energy business units due to the maintenance and repair component of this sector."

The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per common share payable March 16, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 3, 2015.

The Company will be holding an Investor Conference Call on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. ET to review its 2014 fourth quarter and annual results.  The dial-in telephone numbers for the call are 416-764-8688 (Toronto and International callers) and 1-888-390-0546 (U.S. and Canada).  Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the call to ensure that you get a line.

A replay of the call will be available at 416-764-8677 (Toronto and International callers) and 1-888-390-0541 (U.S. and Canada) until midnight, Thursday, March 5, 2015.  You will be required to enter pass code 096596 in order to access the call.

Additional supplemental financial information is available in our investor conference call package located on our website at www.russelmetals.com.

Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America.  It carries on business in three metals distribution segments: metals service centers, energy products and steel distributors, under various names including Russel Metals, A.J. Forsyth, Acier Leroux, Acier Loubier, Alberta Industrial Metals, Apex Distribution, Apex Monarch, Apex Remington, Arrow Steel Processors, B&T Steel, Baldwin International, Comco Pipe and Supply, Fedmet Tubulars, JMS Russel Metals, Leroux Steel, McCabe Steel, Mégantic Métal, Métaux Russel, Métaux Russel Produits Spécialisés, Milspec, Norton Metals, Pioneer Pipe, Russel Metals Specialty Products, Russel Metals Williams Bahcall, Siemens Laserworks, Spartan Energy Tubulars, Sunbelt Group, Triumph Tubular & Supply, Wirth Steel and York-Ennis.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements as to our outlook, future events or our future performance.  All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us, inherently involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the factors described below.

We are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could have a material adverse effect on our future profitability and financial position, including the risks and uncertainties listed below, which are important factors in our business and the metals distribution industry.  Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the current economic climate; volatility in metal prices; volatility in oil and natural gas prices; cyclicality of the metals industry and the industries that purchase our products; lack of credit availability that may limit the ability of our customers to obtain credit or expand their businesses; significant competition that could reduce our market share; any interruption in sources of metals supply; the integration of future acquisitions, including successfully adapting to a public company control environment and retaining key acquisition management personnel; failure to renegotiate any of our collective agreements and work stoppages; disruption in our customer or suppliers' operations due to labour disruptions or the existence of events or circumstances that cause a force majeure; environmental liabilities; environmental concerns or changes in government regulations in general, and those related to oil sands production, shale fracking or oil distribution in particular; changes in government regulations relating to workplace safety and worker health; product claims from customers, currency exchange risk, particularly between the Canadian and U.S. dollar; the failure of our key computer-based systems, including our enterprise resource and planning systems; the failure to implement new technologies; the loss of key individuals; the inability to access affordable financing, capital or insurance; interest rate risk; dilution; and change of control.

While we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and our forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon.  These statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update our forward-looking statements.  Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements including as a result of the risk factors described above and under the heading "Risk" in our MD&A and in our filings with securities regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  Specific reference is made to our most recent Annual Information Form for a further discussion of some of the factors underlying our forward-looking statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
		Quarters ended				Years ended
		December 31				December 31
(in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share data)		2014		2013		2014		2013
Revenues		$	1,013.2	$	811.1	$	3,869.3	$	3,187.8
Cost of materials			838.3		669.4		3,166.0		2,624.6
Employee expenses			72.6		64.8		287.8		248.8
Other operating expenses			49.4		43.9		189.3		163.2
Asset impairment			9.9		-		9.9		5.2
Gain on sale of business			(0.7)		-		(0.7)		-
Earnings before interest, finance expense and provision for income taxes
			43.7		33.0		217.0		146.0
Interest expense			9.5		8.9		36.9		36.0
Interest income			-		-		-		(0.4)
Other finance expense (income)			(6.2)		(5.0)		4.1		(4.7)
Earnings before provision for income taxes			40.4		29.1		176.0		115.1
Provision for income taxes			9.3		6.3		52.4		31.8
Net earnings for the period		$	31.1	$	22.8	$	123.6	$	83.3
Net earnings attributed to:
	Equity holders	$	31.1	$	22.8	$	123.5	$	83.2
	Non-controlling interest		-		-		0.1		0.1
		$	31.1	$	22.8	$	123.6	$	83.3
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.50	$	0.37	$	2.01	$	1.37
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.49	$	0.37	$	1.95	$	1.37

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
		Quarters ended				Years ended
		December 31				December 31
(in millions of Canadian dollars)		2014		2013		2014		2013
Net earnings for the period		$	31.1	$	22.8	$	123.6	$	83.3
Other comprehensive income
Items that may be reclassified to earnings
	Unrealized foreign exchange gains on
	translation of foreign operations		14.7		12.1		35.1		23.2
Items that may not be reclassified to earnings
	Actuarial (losses) gains on pension and similar
	obligations		2.0		4.5		(4.5)		11.3
Other comprehensive income			16.7		16.6		30.6		34.5
Total comprehensive income		$	47.8	$	39.4	$	154.2	$	117.8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
		December 31		December 31
(in millions of Canadian dollars)		2014		2013
ASSETS
Current
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	53.4	$	116.2
	Accounts receivable		569.3		456.2
	Inventories		930.8		766.3
	Prepaid expenses		11.6		5.9
	Income taxes receivable		2.8		6.3
			1,567.9		1,350.9
Property, Plant and Equipment			249.8		238.9
Deferred Income Tax Assets			4.9		3.0
Pensions and Benefits Assets			-		0.2
Financial and Other Assets			5.9		6.1
Goodwill and Intangibles			214.3		218.7
		$	2,042.8	$	1,817.8
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current
	Bank indebtedness	$	24.2	$	-
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		500.4		384.1
	Income taxes payable		14.1		0.2
	Current portion long-term debt		0.5		1.2
			539.2		385.5
Long-Term Debt			460.5		457.2
Pensions and Benefits			26.1		23.3
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities			17.0		20.5
Provisions and Other Non-Current Liabilities			35.0		48.9
			1,077.8		935.4
Shareholders' Equity
	Common shares		531.2		509.5
	Retained earnings		344.0		314.6
	Contributed surplus		14.1		16.2
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		47.1		12.0
	Equity component of convertible debenture		28.6		28.7
Total Shareholders' Equity Attributable to Equity Holders			965.0		881.0
	Non-controlling interest		-		1.4
Total Shareholders' Equity			965.0		882.4
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity		$	2,042.8	$	1,817.8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOW
		Quarters ended				Years ended
		December 31				December 31
(in millions of Canadian dollars)		2014		2013		2014		2013
Operating activities
	Net earnings for the period	$	31.1	$	22.8	$	123.6	$	83.3
	Depreciation and amortization		8.8		8.4		34.8		33.6
	Deferred income taxes		(2.8)		(0.3)		(3.0)		(4.4)
	Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment		0.3		0.1		1.0		(0.4)
	Gain on sale of business		(0.7)		-		(0.7)		-
	Stock based compensation		0.4		0.5		1.6		2.4
	Difference between pension expense and
	amount funded		(2.5)		(0.9)		(3.2)		(0.1)
	Asset impairment		9.9		-		9.9		5.2
	Debt accretion, amortization and other		1.3		1.2		4.9		4.3
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		(6.2)		(5.0)		4.1		(4.7)
Cash from operating activities
before non-cash working capital			39.6		26.8		173.0		119.2
Changes in non-cash working capital items
	Accounts receivable		57.1		17.1		(106.6)		18.7
	Inventories		(50.6)		(19.4)		(146.4)		22.3
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(17.4)		13.1		96.5		(21.9)
	Income taxes receivable/ payable		2.4		2.2		17.2		2.2
	Other		(2.0)		2.4		(5.6)		1.2
Change in non-cash working capital			(10.5)		15.4		(144.9)		22.5
Cash from operating activities			29.1		42.2		28.1		141.7
Financing activities
	Increase (decrease) in bank borrowings		24.2		(14.0)		24.2		(14.3)
	Issue of common shares		0.5		1.2		17.4		18.0
	Dividends on common shares		(23.5)		(21.3)		(89.6)		(85.2)
	Issuance of long-term debt		-		0.2		-		1.0
	Repayment of long-term debt		-		(0.8)		(0.9)		(2.8)
	Deferred financing		-		-		-		(1.3)
Cash (used in) from financing activities			1.2		(34.7)		(48.9)		(84.6)
Investing activities
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(11.0)		(7.6)		(48.2)		(27.2)
	Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment		0.6		0.3		1.7		2.6
	Purchase of business		(0.9)		(32.1)		(1.6)		(42.6)
	Proceeds on sale of business		2.3		-		2.3		-
	Payment of contingent consideration		-		-		(4.1)		-
Cash used in investing activities			(9.0)		(39.4)		(49.9)		(67.2)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
and cash equivalents			4.5		9.0		7.9		11.2
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			25.8		(22.9)		(62.8)		1.1
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period			27.6		139.1		116.2		115.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year		$	53.4	$	116.2	$	53.4	$	116.2
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid		$	9.8	$	4.3	$	37.6	$	34.7
Interest paid (net)		$	10.5	$	10.1	$	36.8	$	36.0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
							Accumulated		Equity
							Other		Component		Non
	Common		Retained		Contributed		Comprehensive		of Convertible		Controlling
(in millions of Canadian dollars)	Shares		Earnings		Surplus		Income		Debentures		Interest		Total
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	509.5	$	314.6	$	16.2	$	12.0	$	28.7	$	1.4	$	882.4
Changed during the year		-		-		-		-		-		(0.1)		(0.1)
Payment of dividends		-		(89.6)		-		-		-		-		(89.6)
Net earnings for the year		-		123.5		-		-		-		0.1		123.6
Other comprehensive income
for the year		-		-		-		30.6		-		-		30.6
Recognition of stock-based
compensation		-		-		1.6		-		-		-		1.6
Stock options exercised		21.2		-		(3.7)		-		-		-		17.5
Conversion of debentures		0.5		-		-		-		(0.1)		-		0.4
Sale of business		-		-		-		-		-		(1.4)		(1.4)
Transfer of net actuarial losses
on defined benefit plans		-		(4.5)		-		4.5		-		-		-
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	531.2	$	344.0	$	14.1	$	47.1	$	28.6	$	-	$	965.0

							Accumulated		Equity
							Other		Component		Non
	Common		Retained		Contributed		Comprehensive		of Convertible		Controlling
(in millions of Canadian dollars)	Shares		Earnings		Surplus		Income (Loss)		Debentures		Interest		Total
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	487.9	$	305.3	$	17.3	$	(11.2)	$	28.7	$	1.4	$	829.4
Changed during the year		-		-		-		-		-		(0.1)		(0.1)
Payment of dividends		-		(85.2)		-		-		-		-		(85.2)
Net earnings for the year		-		83.2		-		-		-		0.1		83.3
Other comprehensive income
for the year		-		-		-		34.5		-		-		34.5
Recognition of stock-based
compensation		-		-		2.4		-		-		-		2.4
Stock options exercised		21.5		-		(3.5)		-		-		-		18.0
Conversion of debentures		0.1		-		-		-		-		-		0.1
Transfer of net actuarial gains
on defined benefit plans		-		11.3		-		(11.3)		-		-		-
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	509.5	$	314.6	$	16.2	$	12.0	$	28.7	$	1.4	$	882.4

SOURCE Russel Metals Inc.

Marion E. Britton, CPA, CA, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Russel Metals Inc., [phone], E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.russelmetals.com