Hallador Energy Company Reports Record Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA for 2023; Signs MOU to attract data centers to Merom Power Plant

Rhea-AI Summary

Hallador Energy Company (NASDAQ: HNRG) reports strong financial performance for full year 2023 with net income of $44.8 million, basic earnings per share of $1.35, operating cash flow of $59.4 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $107 million. The company secured nearly $500 million in new long-term contracts and restructured its coal division to enhance margins. Additionally, Hallador signed a significant MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC to explore non-traditional energy sales at the Merom site, aiming to drive increased margins and support the power grid's transition to new energy sources.

Positive

• Hallador Energy Company achieved notable financial results for full year 2023, including a net income of $44.8 million.
• The company's basic earnings per share stood at $1.35, showcasing strong profitability.
• Operating cash flow for 2023 reached $59.4 million, reflecting sound financial management.
• Hallador reported an adjusted EBITDA of $107 million, indicating robust operational performance.
• The company secured approximately $500 million in new long-term capacity and energy contracts through 2028.
• Hallador restructured its coal division to enhance margins and adapt to current market conditions, reducing capital expenditure and maintaining high-margin coal production.
• Through ATM and unsecured notes, the company raised approximately $19 million to support liquidity and strategic initiatives.
• The MOU signed with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC aims to explore new energy sales opportunities at the Merom site, targeting high-density power users for increased margins and operational efficiency.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported increase in net income and adjusted EBITDA for Hallador Energy Company represents a significant improvement in the company's profitability and operational efficiency. The restructuring of their coal division, aimed at increasing margins and adjusting to current market conditions, suggests a strategic move to optimize operations amidst volatile market conditions. The reduction in capital expenditure and employee headcount, along with the idling of high-cost surface mines, indicates a focus on cost management and operational agility.

From a financial perspective, the raising of approximately $19 million through ATM and unsecured notes is a noteworthy development. It reflects an active approach to managing liquidity and signals confidence from the board members who provided the unsecured notes. However, it's essential to monitor the terms of these notes and the potential dilution effect of the ATM on existing shareholders.

The secured long-term capacity and energy contracts worth nearly $500 million through 2028 provide revenue visibility and a degree of stability in cash flows. The average contracted prices for coal and power, along with the percentage of energy and capacity sold, are critical metrics for investors to assess the company's future revenue streams and pricing power in the market.

Market Research Analyst

The MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC could open up new revenue streams for Hallador Energy by tapping into the demand from non-traditional energy consumers like data centers and AI providers. This diversification strategy could mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in traditional energy markets. The focus on supplying reliable electricity to high-density power users aligns with broader industry trends, where energy companies are seeking partnerships with growing sectors to bolster demand for their output.

Additionally, the forward-looking statements regarding the potential for increased margins and operational efficiency at the Merom site should be evaluated in light of the broader transition to renewable energy sources. While the company is positioning itself to support the power grid through this transition, investors should consider the long-term sustainability of coal as an energy source against the backdrop of increasing regulatory pressures and shifts in public sentiment towards greener alternatives.

Energy Sector Analyst

The energy sector is undergoing significant changes with the transition to new energy sources. Hallador Energy's strategic initiatives, including the diversification into power sales and capacity agreements, are timely as they align with the sector's evolution. The company's ability to secure substantial long-term contracts insulates it from some of the risks associated with this transition, but it's important to consider the long-term implications of a potential decline in coal demand.

The detailed breakdown of contracted coal revenues and power energy contracts provides transparency into the company's future revenue projections. However, the energy sector's shift towards renewables could impact the valuation of these contracts. An understanding of the MISO accreditation and its implications for capacity revenue is essential, as it reflects the reliability and performance of the company's assets in meeting energy demands.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., March 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hallador Energy Company (NASDAQ – HNRG) reports full year 2023 net income of $44.8 million, $1.35 basic earnings per share, operating cash flow of $59.4 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $107 million, all respectively.

Brent Bilsland, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Hallador had a solid year as a company. Our coal division had near record margins for the full year, the continued integration of Hallador Power shows tremendous promise for future sales of energy and capacity and our recent MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC will allow us to market our Merom site to data centers, AI providers and other high-density power users to more efficiently operate the plant and drive increased margins to what we are seeing today. While the fourth quarter presented challenges in all sectors, we believe that our recent restructuring in our coal division, agreements like the MOU and the momentum that we are seeing in forward power sales will all continue to improve the long-term outlook for the company.”

Below are highlights for the full year results of 2023:

• We increased Net Income, Operating Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA for the Year
  • Net income increased by approximately $27 million to $45 million for 2023.    
    
  • Operating Cash Flow increased by approximately $5 million to $59.4 million for 2023.  
    
  • Adjusted EBITDA* improved to $107 million for the year, an increase of approximately $51 million.

• Since January 1, 2023, We Secured Nearly $500 Million in New Long-Term Capacity and Energy Contracts
  • We have secured approximately $225 million in new capacity deals through 2028.  
    
  • We have secured approximately $275 million in new energy deals through 2028.

• We Restructured our Coal Division to Increase Margins and Adjust to Current Market Conditions
  • The restructuring will reduce capital expenditure at the Oaktown Mining Complex by $10 million.  
  • Maintains 4.5 million tons of annual production of our highest margin coal.  
  • Reduced employee headcount by 110.  
  • Idled highest cost surface mines.

• We Raised Approximately $19 Million Through ATM and Unsecured Notes to Support Liquidity
  • ATM raised $7.3 million in December and $6.6 million in January.  
  • Raised $5 million in unsecured one-year notes from members of the Board of Directors in March 2024.  
  • Capital used to support liquidity and accelerate strategic initiatives.

• We Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC to Provide Opportunities for Non-Traditional Energy Sales at the Merom Site
  • Allows us to potentially capture additional margins above our traditional wholesale energy markets.  
  • Allows us to market industrial users of power, such as data centers, AI providers and power dense manufacturers, to the Merom property.  
  • We believe utilizing our plant to help supply these large users of energy with reliable, resilient electricity should allow us to operate more efficiently in a volatile power environment, generate increased margins and support the fragile power grid as it navigates the challenges of transition to new sources of energy in the coming decades.

	2024				2025				2026				2027				2028				Total
Coal
Priced tons - 3rd party (in millions)		3.4				1.8				0.5				0.5				-				6.2
Average price per ton - 3rd party	$	51.82			$	50.57			$	56.09			$	56.09			$	-
Priced tons (in millions) - Merom		1.5				2.3				2.3				2.3				2.3				10.7
Average price per ton - Merom	$	51.00			$	51.00			$	51.00			$	51.00			$	51.00
Contracted coal revenue (in millions)	$	252.69			$	208.33			$	145.35			$	145.35			$	117.30			$	869.02
% Priced		109	%			91	%			62	%			62	%			51	%
Committed & unpriced tons (in millions) - 3rd party		-				1.0				1.0				1.0				-				3.0
Committed & unpriced tons (in millions) - Merom		-				-				-				-				-				-
Total contracted tons (in millions)		4.9				5.1				3.8				3.8				2.3				19.9
% Coal Sold*		109	%			113	%			84	%			84	%			51	%
Average cost per ton of coal sold was $33.67 for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($26.98 after eliminating for intercompany sales to Merom)
2024 Coal Capex Budget (in millions)	$	25.00
Power
Energy
Contracted MWh (in millions)		1.87				1.90				1.83				1.78				1.09				8.47
Average contracted price per MWh	$	35.23			$	36.06			$	55.37			$	54.65			$	52.98
Contracted revenue (in millions)	$	65.88			$	68.51			$	101.33			$	97.28			$	57.75			$	390.75
% Energy Sold*		31	%			32	%			31	%			30	%			18	%
Capacity
Average daily contracted capacity		810				748				743				623				454
% Capacity Contracted**		94	%			87	%			86	%			72	%			53	%
Average contracted capacity price per MWd	$	200			$	210			$	230			$	226			$	224
Contracted capacity revenue (in millions)	$	59.13			$	57.33			$	62.37			$	51.39			$	37.12			$	267.34
Total Energy & Capacity Revenue
Contracted Power Revenue (in millions)	$	125.01			$	125.84			$	163.70			$	148.67			$	94.87			$	658.09
Contracted Power Revenue per MWh*	$	45.69			$	47.05			$	67.40			$	66.47			$	64.70
2023 average cost per MWh sold was $33.67 for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($26.98 assuming intercompany sales of coal were sold at cost)
2024 Power Capex Budget (in millions)	$	18.00
TOTAL CONTRACTED REVENUE (IN MILLIONS)	$	377.70			$	334.17			$	309.05			$	294.02			$	212.17			$	1,527.11

*	Based on coal production of 4.5 million tons and 6.0 million MWh annually.
**	Based on a MISO accreditation of 860MW per day.  Accreditations are adjusted annually based on 3-year rolling performance metrics.

The table below represents some of our critical metrics (in thousands, except for per ton data):

	December 31,
	2023				2022
Net income	$	44,793			$	18,105
Total revenues	$	634,480			$	361,991
Tons sold (consolidated basis, after eliminations)		5,595				6,341
Average price per ton (consolidated basis, after eliminations)	$	60.97			$	45.64
Tons sold (before elimination)		6,922				6,341
Average price per ton (segment basis, before eliminations)	$	62.54			$	45.64
Bank debt	$	91,500			$	85,213
Operating cash flow	$	59,414			$	54,169
Adjusted EBITDA*	$	107,376			$	56,233

--------------------------------

*Non-GAAP financial measure, defined as operating cash flows less effects of certain subsidiary and equity method investment activity, plus bank interest, less effects of working capital period changes, plus other amortization

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.  Our method of computing Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other companies.

Management believes the non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, is an important measure in analyzing our liquidity and is a key component of certain material covenants contained within our Credit Agreement, specifically a maximum leverage ratio and a debt service coverage ratio.  Noncompliance with the leverage ratio or debt service coverage ratio covenants could result in our lenders requiring the Company to immediately repay all amounts borrowed.  If we cannot satisfy these financial covenants, we would be prohibited under our Credit Agreement from engaging in certain activities, such as incurring additional indebtedness, making certain payments, and acquiring and disposing of assets.  Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is critical to the assessment of our liquidity.  The required amount of Adjusted EBITDA is a variable based on our debt outstanding and/or required debt payments at the time of the quarterly calculation based on a rolling prior 12-month period.

Reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, to cash provided by operating activities, the most comparable GAAP measure, is as follows (in thousands) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Reconciliation of GAAP "Cash provided by operating activities" to non-GAAP "Adjusted EBITDA" (in thousands)

	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,
	2023				2022
Cash provided by operating activities	$	59,414			$	54,169
Current income tax benefit		(164	)			-
W/O of deferred financing costs		1,541				-
Loss from Hourglass Sands & Sunrise Indemnity		10				8
Distribution from Sunrise Energy		(625	)			-
Bank and other interest expense		10,478				8,278
Working capital period changes		21,998				(5,861	)
Other long-term asset and liability changes		-				-
Cash paid on asset retirement obligation reclamation		3,384				3,162
Market adjustments - Merom acquisition		-				(9,009	)
ASC 606 Capacity Adjustment		3,703				-
Other amortization		7,637				5,486
Adjusted EBITDA	$	107,376			$	56,233
Cash used in investing activities	$	(75,290	)		$	(53,365	)
Cash used in financing activities	$	16,573			$	(207	)

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “guidance,” “target,” “potential,” “possible,” or “probable” or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “will,” “should,” or “could” be taken, occur or be achieved.  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Hallador and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances that involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements.  These risks include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Hallador's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Hallador undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will host a live conference call on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For US callers dial (833)-470-1428 and use access code 135892.

A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days.  For US callers to listen to the replay, dial (866) 813-9403 and use access code 573916.

The conference call will also be available via a live listen-only webcast on the Company’s website at www.halladorenergy.com.

Hallador is headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sunrise Coal, LLC and Hallador Power, LLC, produces coal and electricity in the Illinois Basin for the electric power generation industry. To learn more about Hallador, visit our website at www.halladorenergy.com.

Contact:	Investor Relations
Phone:	(303) 839-5504

Hallador Energy Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	2023				2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,842			$	3,009
Restricted cash		4,281				3,417
Accounts receivable		19,937				29,889
Inventory		23,075				49,796
Parts and supplies		38,877				28,295
Contract asset - coal purchase agreement		—				19,567
Prepaid expenses		2,262				4,546
Total current assets		91,274				138,519
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and mineral rights		115,486				115,595
Buildings and equipment		537,131				534,129
Mine development		158,642				140,108
Finance lease right-of-use assets		12,346				—
Total property, plant and equipment		823,605				789,832
Less - accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization		(334,971	)			(309,370	)
Total property, plant and equipment, net		488,634				480,462
Investment in Sunrise Energy		2,811				3,988
Other assets		7,061				7,585
Total assets	$	589,780			$	630,554
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of bank debt, net		24,438			$	33,031
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		62,908				82,972
Current portion of lease financing		3,933				—
Deferred revenue		23,062				35,485
Contract liability - power purchase agreement and capacity payment reduction		43,254				88,114
Total current liabilities		157,595				239,602
Long-term liabilities:
Bank debt, net		63,453				49,713
Convertible notes payable		10,000				10,000
Convertible notes payable - related party		9,000				9,000
Long-term Lease Financing		8,157				—
Deferred income taxes		9,235				4,606
Asset retirement obligations		14,538				17,254
Contract liability - power purchase agreement		47,425				84,096
Other		1,789				1,259
Total long-term liabilities		163,597				175,928
Total liabilities		321,192				415,530
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; none issued		—				—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 34,052 and 32,983 issued and outstanding, respectively		341				330
Additional paid-in capital		127,548				118,788
Retained earnings		140,699				95,906
Total stockholders’ equity		268,588				215,024
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	589,780			$	630,554

Hallador Energy Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2023				2022
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES:
Coal sales	$	361,926			$	289,376
Electric sales		267,927				66,252
Other revenues		4,627				6,363
Total sales and operating revenues		634,480				361,991
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Operating expenses		473,390				266,608
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		67,211				46,875
Asset retirement obligations accretion		1,804				1,010
Exploration costs		904				651
General and administrative		26,159				16,417
Total operating expenses		569,468				331,561
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		65,012				30,430
Interest expense (1)		(13,711	)			(11,012	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(1,491	)			—
Equity method investment (loss) income		(552	)			443
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		49,258				19,861
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT):
Current		(164	)			—
Deferred		4,629				1,756
Total income tax expense		4,465				1,756
NET INCOME	$	44,793			$	18,105
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic	$	1.35			$	0.57
Diluted	$	1.25			$	0.55
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic		33,133				32,043
Diluted		36,827				33,649
____________
(1) Interest Expense:
Interest on bank debt	$	8,636			$	7,563
Other interest		1,842				715
Amortization and swap related interest:
Payments on interest rate swap, net of changes in value		—				(867	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs		3,233				3,601
Total amortization and swap related interest		3,233				2,734
Total interest expense	$	13,711			$	11,012

Hallador Energy Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	2023				2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	44,793			$	18,105
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		4,629				1,756
Equity income (loss) – Sunrise Energy		552				(443	)
Cash distribution - Sunrise Energy		625				—
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		67,211				46,875
Loss on extinguishment of debt		1,491				—
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		398				(264	)
Payments on interest rate swap, net of changes in value		—				(867	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs		3,233				3,601
Asset retirement obligations accretion		1,804				1,010
Cash paid on asset retirement obligation reclamation		(3,384	)			(3,162	)
Stock-based compensation		3,554				1,269
Provision for loss on customer contracts		—				159
Amortization of contract asset and contract liabilities		(39,791	)			(19,731	)
Change in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		9,952				(16,305	)
Inventory		15,548				(25,863	)
Parts and supplies		(10,582	)			(6,271	)
Prepaid expenses		1,186				(5,941	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(18,992	)			24,037
Deferred revenue		(23,423	)			35,485
Other		610				719
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	59,414			$	54,169

Hallador Energy Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
(continued)
	2023				2022
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	$	(75,352	)		$	(54,020	)
Proceeds from sale of equipment		62				655
Net cash used in investing activities		(75,290	)			(53,365	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on bank debt		(59,713	)			(78,225	)
Borrowings of bank debt		66,000				51,700
Proceeds from sale and leaseback arrangement		11,082				—
Issuance of convertible notes payable		—				11,000
Issuance of related party convertible notes payable		—				18,000
Debt issuance costs		(6,013	)			(2,097	)
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests		—				(585	)
ATM Offering		7,318				—
Taxes paid on vesting of RSUs		(2,101	)			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		16,573				(207	)
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		697				597
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year		6,426				5,829
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year	$	7,123			$	6,426
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,842			$	3,009
Restricted cash		4,281				3,417
	$	7,123			$	6,426
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	$	9,966			$	8,123
SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Change in capital expenditures included in accounts payable and finance lease	$	1,882			$	3,440

Hallador Energy Company
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
									Additional								Total
	Common Stock Issued								Paid-in				Retained				Stockholders'
	Shares				Amount				Capital				Earnings				Equity
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2021		30,785			$	308			$	104,126			$	77,801				182,235
Stock-based compensation		—				—				1,269				—				1,269
Cancellation of redeemable noncontrolling interests		—				—				3,415				—				3,415
Stock issued on redemption of convertible note		232				2				998				—				1,000
Stock issued on redemption of related party convertible notes		1,966				20				8,980				—				9,000
Net income		—				—				—				18,105				18,105
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2022		32,983				330				118,788				95,906				215,024
Stock-based compensation		—				—				3,554				—				3,554
Stock issued on vesting of RSUs		473				5				(5	)			—				—
Taxes paid on vesting of RSUs		(198	)			(2	)			(2,099	)			—				(2,101	)
Stock issued in ATM offering		794				8				7,310				—				7,318
Net income		—				—				—				44,793				44,793
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2023		34,052				341				127,548				140,699				268,588

FAQ

What was Hallador Energy Company's net income for full year 2023?

Hallador Energy Company reported a net income of $44.8 million for full year 2023.

What is the basic earnings per share for Hallador Energy Company in 2023?

Hallador Energy Company's basic earnings per share for 2023 stood at $1.35.

What is the operating cash flow reported by Hallador Energy Company for 2023?

Hallador Energy Company reported an operating cash flow of $59.4 million for 2023.

What is the adjusted EBITDA figure disclosed by Hallador Energy Company for 2023?

Hallador Energy Company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $107 million for 2023.

How much did Hallador Energy Company secure in new long-term capacity and energy contracts through 2028?

Hallador Energy Company secured approximately $500 million in new capacity and energy contracts through 2028.

What strategic initiative did Hallador Energy Company undertake to enhance margins in its coal division?

Hallador Energy Company restructured its coal division to increase margins and adapt to market conditions.

How much capital did Hallador Energy Company raise through ATM and unsecured notes for liquidity support?

Hallador Energy Company raised approximately $19 million through ATM and unsecured notes to support liquidity.

With whom did Hallador Energy Company sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for non-traditional energy sales at the Merom site?

Hallador Energy Company signed an MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC for non-traditional energy sales at the Merom site.