Aegion Corporation Reports 2021 First Quarter Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Aegion Corporation (NASDAQ: AEGN) announced its Q1 2021 financial results, reporting a loss per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.04, an improvement from a loss of $0.09 in Q1 2020. Revenues from continuing operations totaled $181 million, a decline attributed to exited businesses, yet core revenues remained steady. Adjusted gross profit margins increased to 23.6%, up 290 basis points year-over-year. Aegion's board recommends shareholder approval for its acquisition by New Mountain Capital, now valued at $1.1 billion with a merger consideration of $30 per share.

Positive

• Adjusted earnings per diluted share rose to $0.08 from $0.01 in Q1 2020.
• Adjusted gross profit margins increased 290 basis points to 23.6%.
• Contract backlog rose by $14 million, a 3% increase year-over-year.
• Operating income from continuing operations doubled from prior year, reaching $6 million.

Negative

• Total revenues decreased from $196 million in Q1 2020 to $181 million in Q1 2021.
• Continued losses from operations, amounting to $0.04 per diluted share.

Pending Transaction with New Mountain on Track to Close Shortly Following Anticipated Stockholder Approval at May 14 Special Meeting of Stockholders

ST. LOUIS, May 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aegion Corporation (NASDAQ: AEGN), a leading provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and protection solutions, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

• Q1’21 loss per diluted share from continuing operations was $0.04 compared to a loss per diluted share of $0.09 in Q1’20. Q1’21 adjusted (non-GAAP)¹ earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $0.08 compared to $0.01 in Q1’20.
• Q1’21 revenues from continuing operations were $181 million. Declines from the prior year were primarily due to the impact of exited or restructured businesses, while core Insituform North America revenues remained on par with prior year levels despite weather challenges during the quarter.
• Q1’21 adjusted¹ gross profit margins from continuing operations were 23.6%, increasing 290 basis points from the prior year. Q1’21 adjusted¹ operating margins from continuing operations were 3.3%, increasing 180 basis points from the prior year. Results were driven by significant profitability improvements from the Corrosion Protection segment, primarily from the Corrpro North America business.
• Q1’21 adjusted¹ operating income from continuing operations of $6 million doubled prior year results and resulted in positive operating cash flow generation compared to historical first-quarter cash usage trends.
• Contract backlog from continuing operations as of March 31, 2021, increased $14 million, or 3%, from prior year levels, primarily driven by strong order intake led by the Insituform North America business.

¹ Adjusted (non-GAAP) results exclude certain charges related to the Company’s restructuring and divestiture-related activities. Reconciliation of adjusted results is included below.

“Aegion delivered solid first quarter results that reflect the ongoing strength of our core Insituform business as well as significant profitability improvements from our Corrosion Protection businesses,” said Charles R. Gordon, Aegion President and Chief Executive Officer. “We remain focused on continuing to drive strong results as we advance efforts toward the close of our previously announced transaction with New Mountain.”

New Mountain Transaction
On February 16, 2021, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by affiliates of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C., a leading growth-oriented investment firm headquartered in New York, in an all-cash transaction. On March 13, 2021 and April 13, 2021, the Company entered into amendments to such definitive merger agreement which, among other things, increased the consideration payable to the Company’s stockholders upon closing of the transaction from $26.00 per share in cash to $30.00 per share in cash, in each case less any applicable withholding taxes. As a result of the increase in the merger consideration, the transaction is now valued at $1.1 billion. Upon close of the transaction, Aegion will become a private company. The transaction is expected to close on May 17, 2021, and is subject to Aegion stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions. The Aegion Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement at the upcoming Special Meeting of Stockholders on May 14, 2021. Aegion stockholders who have questions about the merger or the Special Meeting, or who wish to obtain copies of the proxy statement, proxy cards or other documents relating to the Special Meeting, may contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated, Aegion’s proxy solicitor, by calling toll-free at (877) 687-1874, if located in the U.S. or Canada, or +1 (412) 232-3651, if located elsewhere.

In light of the proposed transaction, Aegion will not host a conference call to discuss earnings results or provide a financial outlook.

AEGION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2021				2020
Revenues	$	181,191			$	196,312
Cost of revenues		138,473				156,025
Gross profit		42,718				40,287
Operating expenses		36,986				39,023
Acquisition and divestiture expenses		4,971				852
Restructuring and related charges (reversals)		(25	)			1,192
Operating income (loss)		786				(780	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(2,034	)			(2,519	)
Interest income		306				228
Other		219				425
Total other expense		(1,509	)			(1,866	)
Loss before tax benefit		(723	)			(2,646	)
Tax benefit on loss		(58	)			(110	)
Loss from continuing operations		(665	)			(2,536	)
Income from discontinued operations		2,026				1,233
Net income (loss)		1,361				(1,303	)
Non-controlling interests income		(524	)			(329	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Aegion Corporation	$	837			$	(1,632	)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Aegion Corporation:
Basic:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(0.04	)		$	(0.09	)
Income from discontinued operations		0.07				0.04
Net income (loss)	$	0.03			$	(0.05	)
Diluted:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(0.04	)		$	(0.09	)
Income from discontinued operations		0.07				0.04
Net income (loss)	$	0.03			$	(0.05	)

AEGION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share amounts) 

	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	93,275			$	94,848
Restricted cash		761				765
Receivables, net of allowances of $4,051 and $4,004, respectively		126,967				133,394
Retainage		30,355				32,807
Contract assets		46,924				44,026
Inventories		46,655				44,889
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		18,788				33,675
Assets held for sale		105,609				92,850
Total current assets		469,334				477,254
Property, plant & equipment, less accumulated depreciation		90,800				92,900
Other assets
Goodwill		210,125				210,665
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		56,510				58,869
Operating lease assets		52,703				52,421
Deferred income tax assets		451				448
Other non-current assets		9,033				8,890
Total other assets		328,822				331,293
Total Assets	$	888,956			$	901,447
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	48,328			$	51,469
Accrued expenses		54,406				59,664
Operating lease liabilities		14,047				14,147
Contract liabilities		32,344				37,569
Current maturities of long-term debt		28,991				25,811
Liabilities held for sale		41,556				36,148
Total current liabilities		219,672				224,808
Long-term debt, less current maturities		186,585				193,988
Other liabilities
Operating lease liabilities		39,089				38,724
Deferred income tax liabilities		10,143				10,344
Other non-current liabilities		23,752				25,218
Total other liabilities		72,984				74,286
Total liabilities		479,241				493,082
Equity
Preferred stock, undesignated, $0.10 par – shares authorized 2,000,000; none outstanding		—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par – shares authorized 125,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 30,741,907 and 30,640,150, respectively		307				306
Additional paid-in capital		101,548				102,001
Retained earnings		327,974				327,137
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(29,334	)			(29,847	)
Total stockholders’ equity		400,495				399,597
Non-controlling interests		9,220				8,768
Total equity		409,715				408,365
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	888,956			$	901,447

AEGION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

	Quarters Ended March 31,
	2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	1,361			$	(1,303	)
Income from discontinued operations		(2,026	)			(1,233	)
		(665	)			(2,536	)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		7,120				7,226
Gain on sale of fixed assets		(119	)			(32	)
Equity-based compensation expense		2,038				2,000
Deferred income taxes		(176	)			(866	)
Non-cash restructuring charges		(110	)			463
Gain on sale of businesses		(230	)			(436	)
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions		107				(588	)
Other		389				145
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables net, retainage and contract assets		5,813				(54	)
Inventories		(1,777	)			4,431
Prepaid expenses and other assets		6,512				(1,649	)
Accounts payable		(3,596	)			(1,710	)
Accrued expenses		(5,909	)			(12,327	)
Operating lease liabilities		(130	)			706
Contract liabilities		(5,287	)			2,357
Other operating		(202	)			(420	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations		3,778				(3,290	)
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations		(2,585	)			(4,829	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		1,193				(8,119	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(2,748	)			(5,457	)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets		285				125
Patent expenditures		(50	)			(86	)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash disposed		8,444				3,358
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations		5,931				(2,060	)
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations		(1,628	)			(677	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		4,303				(2,737	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock		(2,490	)			(5,045	)
Proceeds from notes payable		1,257				—
Proceeds from line of credit, net		—				34,000
Principal payments on long-term debt		(5,783	)			(8,750	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(7,016	)			20,205
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(57	)			(1,291	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the period		(1,577	)			8,058
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year		95,613				66,222
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	94,036			$	74,280

Statement of Operations Reconciliation
(Unaudited) (Non-GAAP)

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2021

(in thousands, except earnings per share)	Gross Profit		Operating Expenses			Operating Income		Income (Loss) Before Taxes (Benefit)			Taxes (Benefit) on Income (Loss)			Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations			Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations
As Reported (GAAP)	$	42,718	$	36,986		$	786	$	(723	)	$	(58	)	$	(665	)	$	(0.04	)
Items Affecting Comparability:
Restructuring Charges(1)		8		(219	)		202		99			16			83			—
Divestiture Related Expenses(2)		—		—			4,971		4,742			1,120			3,622			0.12
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP)	$	42,726	$	36,767		$	5,959	$	4,118		$	1,078		$	3,040		$	0.08

 

(1)		Includes the following non-GAAP adjustments: (i) pre-tax restructuring charges for cost of revenues of $8 primarily related to inventory write offs; (ii) pre-tax restructuring charges for operating expenses of $219 primarily related to wind-down expenses, patent disposals and other restructuring-related charges; (iii) pre-tax restructuring and related recoveries of $25 related to employee severance and the reversal of employment assistance program costs; and (iv) pre-tax restructuring credits for other expense of $103 related to the release of cumulative currency translation adjustments and net gains on disposal of certain restructured operations.
(2)		Includes the following non-GAAP adjustments: (i) pre-tax expenses of $4,971 incurred primarily in connection with the sale of Aegion and the Company’s planned divestiture of Energy Services; and (ii) a pre-tax gain of $229 primarily related to the divestiture of Bayou.

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2020

(in thousands, except earnings per share)	Gross Profit		Operating Expenses			Operating Income (Loss)			Income (Loss) Before Taxes (Benefit)			Taxes (Benefit) on Income (Loss)			Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations			Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations
As Reported (GAAP)	$	40,287	$	39,023		$	(780	)	$	(2,646	)	$	(110	)	$	(2,536	)	$	(0.09	)
Items Affecting Comparability:
Restructuring Charges(1)		323		(1,381	)		2,896			3,527			564			2,963			0.09
Divestiture Related Expenses(2)		—		—			852			416			48			368			0.01
As Adjusted (Non-GAAP)	$	40,610	$	37,642		$	2,968		$	1,297		$	502		$	795		$	0.01

 

(1)		Includes the following non-GAAP adjustments: (i) pre-tax restructuring charges for cost of revenues of $323 primarily related to inventory write offs; (ii) pre-tax restructuring charges for operating expenses of $1,381 primarily related to wind-down expenses, fixed asset disposals and other restructuring-related charges; (iii) pre-tax restructuring and related charges of $1,192 related to employee severance, extension of benefits, employment assistance programs and early contract termination costs; and (iv) pre-tax restructuring charges for other expense of $631 related to net losses on disposal of certain restructured operations and the release of cumulative currency translation adjustments.
(2)		Includes the following non-GAAP adjustments: (i) pre-tax expenses of $852 incurred primarily in connection with the Company’s divestiture of Australia and Spain and its planned divestiture of its held for sale operations; and (ii) net gains of $436 on the divestitures of Australia and Spain.

Selected Segment Financial Highlights
(Unaudited) (Non-GAAP)

	Quarter Ended March 31, 2021											Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	As Reported (GAAP)				Adjustments (1)				As Adjusted (Non-GAAP)			As Reported (GAAP)				Adjustments (2)			As Adjusted (Non-GAAP)
Revenues:
Infrastructure Solutions	$	126,562			$	—			$	126,562		$	130,244			$	—		$	130,244
Corrosion Protection		54,629				—				54,629			66,068				—			66,068
Total Revenues	$	181,191			$	—			$	181,191		$	196,312			$	—		$	196,312
Gross Profit:
Infrastructure Solutions	$	29,483			$	—			$	29,483		$	31,370			$	17		$	31,387
Gross Profit Margin		23.3	%							23.3	%		24.1	%						24.1	%
Corrosion Protection		13,235				8				13,243			8,917				306			9,223
Gross Profit Margin		24.2	%							24.2	%		13.5	%						14.0	%
Total Gross Profit	$	42,718			$	8			$	42,726		$	40,287			$	323		$	40,610
Gross Profit Margin		23.6	%							23.6	%		20.5	%						20.7	%
Operating Income (Loss):
Infrastructure Solutions	$	11,926			$	10			$	11,936		$	13,555			$	629		$	14,184
Operating Margin		9.4	%							9.4	%		10.4	%						10.9	%
Corrosion Protection		(115	)			(10	)			(125	)		(6,447	)			1,774			(4,673	)
Operating Margin		(0.2	)%							(0.2	)%		(9.8	)%						(7.1	)%
Corporate		(11,025	)			5,173				(5,852	)		(7,888	)			1,345			(6,543	)
Operating Margin		(6.1	)%							(3.2	)%		(4.0	)%						(3.3	)%
Total Operating Income (Loss)	$	786			$	5,173			$	5,959		$	(780	)		$	3,748		$	2,968
Operating Margin		0.4	%							3.3	%		(0.4	)%						1.5	%

_________________________________

⁽¹⁾  Includes non-GAAP adjustments related to:

• Infrastructure Solutions - pre-tax restructuring charges associated with wind-down costs and other restructuring charges.
• Corrosion Protection - pre-tax restructuring charges associated with severance and benefit related costs, inventory write offs and other restructuring charges.
• Corporate - (i) pre-tax restructuring charges primarily associated with legal expenses and other restructuring charges; (ii) divestiture expenses related to the sale of Aegion and the Company’s planned divestiture of Energy Services.
  
  

⁽²⁾  Includes non-GAAP adjustments related to:

• Infrastructure Solutions - (i) pre-tax restructuring charges associated with wind-down costs, fixed asset disposals and other restructuring charges; (ii) expenses incurred in connection with the divestitures of Australia and Spain.
• Corrosion Protection - pre-tax restructuring charges associated with severance and benefit related costs, early contract termination costs, inventory write offs and other restructuring charges.
• Corporate - (i) pre-tax restructuring charges primarily associated with severance and benefit related costs and legal expenses; (ii) divestiture expenses related to held for sale entities.

About Aegion Corporation (NASDAQ: AEGN)
Aegion combines innovative technologies with market-leading expertise to maintain, rehabilitate and strengthen infrastructure around the world. For 50 years, the Company has played a pioneering role in finding innovative solutions to rehabilitate aging infrastructure, primarily pipelines in the wastewater, water, energy, mining and refining industries. Aegion also maintains the efficient operation of refineries and other industrial facilities. Aegion is committed to Stronger. Safer. Infrastructure.® More information about Aegion can be found at www.aegion.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Such statements include statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “estimate,” “continue,” “positions,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “goal,” “objective,” “prospects,” “possible” or “potential,” by future conditional verbs such as “assume,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may,” or by variations of such words or by similar expressions or the negative thereof. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) risks related to the consummation of the merger, including the risks that (a) the merger may not be consummated within the anticipated time period, or at all, (b) the parties may fail to obtain stockholder approval of the merger agreement, (c) the parties may fail to secure the termination or expiration of any waiting period applicable under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (d) other conditions to the consummation of the merger under the merger agreement may not be satisfied, and (e) the significant limitations on remedies contained in the merger agreement may limit or entirely prevent the Company from specifically enforcing the obligations of Carter Intermediate, Inc. (Parent) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Carter Acquisition, Inc. (Merger Sub), under the merger agreement or recovering damages for any breach by Parent or Merger Sub; (2) the effects that any termination of the merger agreement may have on the Company or its business, including the risks that (a) the Company’s stock price may decline significantly if the merger is not completed, (b) the merger agreement may be terminated in circumstances requiring the Company to pay Parent a termination fee, or (c) the circumstances of the termination, including the possible imposition of a 12-month tail period during which the termination fee could be payable upon certain subsequent transactions, may have a chilling effect on alternatives to the merger; (3) the effects that the announcement or pendency of the merger may have on the Company’s and its business, including the risks that as a result (a) the Company’s business, operating results or stock price may suffer, (b) the Company’s current plans and operations may be disrupted, (c) the Company’s ability to retain or recruit key employees may be adversely affected, (d) the Company’s business relationships (including, customers, franchisees and suppliers) may be adversely affected, or (e) the Company’s management’s or employees’ attention may be diverted from other important matters; (4) the effect of limitations that the merger agreement places on the Company’s ability to operate its business, return capital to stockholders or engage in alternative transactions; (5) the nature, cost and outcome of pending and future litigation and other legal proceedings, including any such proceedings related to the merger and instituted against the Company and others; (6) the risk that the merger and related transactions may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (7) other economic, business, competitive, legal, regulatory, and/or tax factors; and (8) other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as updated or supplemented by subsequent reports that the Company has filed or files with the SEC. Potential investors, stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Neither Parent nor the Company assumes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement after it is made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Aegion has presented certain information in this release excluding certain items that impacted income, expense and earnings per share. The adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations in the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 exclude charges related to the Company’s restructuring and divestiture-related activities.

Aegion management uses such non-GAAP information internally to evaluate financial performance for Aegion’s operations because Aegion’s management believes such non-GAAP information allows management to more accurately compare Aegion’s ongoing performance across periods. As such, Aegion’s management believes that providing non-GAAP financial information to Aegion’s investors is useful because it allows investors to evaluate Aegion’s performance using the same methodology and information used by Aegion management.

Aegion® and Stronger. Safer. Infrastructure.® and the associated logos are the registered trademarks of Aegion Corporation and its affiliates.

For more information, contact:

Aegion Corporation
Katie Cason
Senior Vice President, Strategy and Communications
636-530-8000 
kcason@aegion.com

FAQ

What were Aegion's Q1 2021 earnings results?

In Q1 2021, Aegion reported a loss per diluted share of $0.04 and adjusted earnings of $0.08.

How much did Aegion's revenues decline in Q1 2021?

Aegion's revenues from continuing operations decreased to $181 million from $196 million in the same quarter last year.

What is the status of Aegion's acquisition by New Mountain?

The acquisition is expected to close on May 17, 2021, pending stockholder approval.

What is the new merger consideration for Aegion's acquisition?

The merger consideration for Aegion's acquisition was increased to $30 per share.

What is Aegion's current contract backlog?

Aegion's contract backlog increased by $14 million, or 3%, year-over-year as of March 31, 2021.