Pason Systems Inc.TSX: PSI

Pason Reports Fourth Quarter & Year End 2010 Results

· Issued by Pason Systems Inc. via CNW

Feb. 23, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --

Stock Exchange: TSX
Symbol: PSI

CALGARY, Feb. 23 /CNW/ - Pason Systems Inc. ("Pason" or "the Company") today announced its 2010 fourth quarter and year end results.

PERFORMANCE DATA

Three Months Ended
December 31,
Years Ended
December 31,
20102009Change20102009Change
(000s, except per share data)($)($)(%)($)($)(%)
Revenue73,49441,01379249,562145,86171
EBITDA (1)36,01613,620164117,52446,651152
As a % of revenue49.033.24847.132.047
Per share - basic0.440.171581.440.57152
Per share - diluted0.440.171581.440.57152
Funds flow from operations (1)27,89912,23812893,97341,354127
Per share - basic0.340.151271.150.51125
Per share - diluted0.340.151271.150.51125
Earnings (loss)8,2332,48023235,532(5,510)--
Per share - basic0.100.032320.44(0.07)--
Per share - diluted0.100.032320.44(0.07)--
Capital expenditures26,2149,14818750,16421,493133
Working capital127,567119,8246127,567119,8246
Total assets424,172373,09714424,172373,09714
Total long-term debt------------
Shareholders' equity312,367308,3351312,367308,3351
Cash dividends declared0.170.14210.330.2627
Common shares outstanding (#)
Basic81,62081,487--81,52581,476--
Diluted82,00781,487--81,52581,476--
Shares outstanding end of period (#)81,71481,487--81,71481,487--
(1)EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, stock-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization expense. Funds flow from operations is defined as earnings adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, future income taxes and other non-cash items impacting operations as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. These definitions are not recognized measures under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and accordingly, may not be comparable to measures used by other companies.

SUMMARY DATA

Three Months Ended
December 31,
Years Ended
December 31,
20102009Change20102009Change
(000s, except per share data)($)($)(%)($)($)(%)
Revenue
Drilling recorder rentals30,02414,51910799,85756,71676
Pit volume totalizer rentals13,5327,1518945,61027,63265
Communications rentals9,5475,2608231,20115,95496
Automatic driller rentals8,7614,4869528,56714,96691
Total gas rentals4,8462,7847416,60110,11064
Hazardous gas alarm rentals789578372,9452,04444
Mobilization income1,9561,589238,2704,66077
Other income4,0394,646(13)16,51113,77920
Total revenue73,49441,01379249,562145,86171
Expenses
Rental services26,05920,1542996,68473,14332
Manufacturing and distribution534598051,450431236
Research and development3,5613,736(5)16,47213,14025
Corporate services2,9452,190349,3096,72238
Local administration9421,442(35)6,0764,88924
Stock-based compensation6,6854941,25312,1755,684114
Depreciation and amortization18,42413,7133455,76455,842--
Total expenses59,15041,78842197,930159,85124
Foreign exchange (loss) gain(3,437)188--(2,047)(886)131
Earnings (loss)8,2332,48023235,532(5,510)--
Per share - basic0.100.032320.44(0.07)--
Funds flow from operations (1)27,89912,23812893,97341,354127
Per share - basic0.340.151271.150.51125
(1) For the purposes of funds flow per share calculations, funds flow from operations is defined as earnings adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, future income taxes and other non-cash items impacting operations as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  This definition is not a recognized measure under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and accordingly, may not be comparable to measures used by other companies.

QUARTERLY REVIEW

Current Quarter versus Q4 2009

The Company's fourth quarter revenue rose 79% to $73.5 million, funds flow from operations was up 128% to $27.9 million and earnings increased 232% compared to the last quarter of 2009.  Earnings per share was $0.10 versus $0.03 in 2009.  This improvement was primarily driven by a turnaround in the U.S., where segment revenue jumped 125% (up 173% when measured in USD) and earnings reversed from a loss of $2.6 million in the prior year to a profit of $18.3 million in 2010.  The Company was aided by greater industry drilling days, that were up 56% over the prior year's fourth quarter. Pricing and increased product deployment gains also increased U.S. revenue per industry drilling day for the quarter to $277 compared to $184 in the prior year.

Canadian segment profit and revenue was up in line with the year over year improvement in industry drilling days. Revenue increased 58% to $27.5 million and segment profit rose by 63% to $12.4 million.  Revenue per industry day for the quarter was $748 and up from the $695 recorded last year due to product price increases in the fourth quarter.  Overall fourth quarter results were weighed down by disappointing International results.  The International segment turned in a $2.7 million loss compared to a profit of $0.7 million in the prior year.

  • Historically, Mexico has been our most profitable International market but drilling activity collapsed in that country during the second half reducing our results for the quarter to a loss of $0.5 million versus a profit of $0.3 million in 2009.
  • Australia was hit by record flooding, which restricted drilling activity and movement. This resulted in a loss of $0.3 million compared to a profit of $0.2 million in 2009.
  • Our International segment includes the offshore portion of the business acquired from Petron which was significantly affected by the reduction in Gulf of Mexico drilling activity caused by the BP oil spill. Additionally, the refurbishments and interest in sold systems on offshore and eastern hemisphere land rigs declined markedly.  This contributed to a $2.3 million loss in the business unit we have been calling Pason Offshore.

Current Quarter versus Q3 2010

Pason continued its sequential improvement in activity over the prior quarter with small fourth quarter gains in revenue (+7%), EBITDA (+4%) and funds flow from operations (+4%).  This was achieved from industry drilling days that were up 20% sequentially in Canada and up 4% in the U.S.

However, net earnings declined to $8.2 million and $0.10 per share compared to $12.5 million and $0.16 per share in the third quarter. This decline resulted from the following factors:

  • Assets related to the 2009 purchase of Petron Industries were written down causing a $3.3 million non-cash after-tax charge, which negatively impacted earnings per share by $0.04.  Over half of this write-down consisted of a reversal of the asset value increase that was booked at the time of purchase to partially account for the difference between the purchase consideration and the net book value of Petron assets.  While Pason has clearly achieved value with the retained Petron customers and employees, the decision to use Pason equipment on all U.S. rigs required a reduction of the asset value.
  • Stock-based compensation expense increased by $3.7 million compared to the third quarter of 2010 as a result of an increase in our share price.
  • As required by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, gains and losses from foreign exchange changes relating to monetary assets and liabilities must be taken into earnings in the period in which they occurred.  The strengthening Canadian dollar against the U.S dollar resulted in an after-tax foreign exchange loss of $2.1 million, impacting earnings by $0.03 a share.  The equivalent amount in the third quarter of 2010 was effectively nil.

FOURTH QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL

A conference call to review the 2010 fourth quarter and year-end results has been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on Thursday, February 24, 2011.  The dial-in # is 1-888-231-8191, Conference ID 37324043 (replay # 1-800-642-1687 Password 37324043).

Shareholders are also invited to attend the Company's Annual General Meeting on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 3.30 p.m. (Calgary time) in the offices of Pason Systems Inc., 6120 Third Street S.E., Calgary, Alberta.

For additional information, the Company's 2010 Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and Audited Consolidated Financial Statements have been posted on SEDAR.

Pason is a leading international provider of specialized rental and sold oilfield instrumentation systems for use on land and offshore rigs. Our tightly integrated package of products and services, including data acquisition, wellsite reporting software, remote communications and Internet information management tools, maximizes rig uptime and minimizes operating costs.

Pason's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PSI. Visit us at www.pason.com to learn about what's new at Pason.

Certain information regarding the Company contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws.  Such statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31,20102009
(000s)($)($)
ASSETS
Current
Cash110,400109,849
Accounts receivable79,88039,102
Prepaid expenses1,4891,416
Income taxes recoverable--2,928
Future income tax assets15,5519,037
207,320162,332
Capital assets162,797170,678
Intangible assets29,39719,557
Future income tax asset16,38214,558
Goodwill8,2765,972
424,172373,097
LIABILITIES
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities51,39829,780
Income taxes payable9,021--
Current portion of stock-based compensation liability5,4441,320
Dividend payable13,89011,408
79,75342,508
Stock-based compensation liability4,878906
Future income tax liabilities27,17421,348
111,80564,762
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Share capital75,04071,864
Contributed surplus12,33114,029
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(28,699)(22,651)
Retained earnings253,695245,093
312,367308,335
424,172373,097

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS

Three Months Ended
                    December 31,
Years Ended
                  December 31,
2010200920102009
(000's,  except per share data)($)($)($)($)
Revenue
Equipment rentals and other73,49441,013249,562145,861
Expenses
Rental services26,05920,15496,68473,143
Manufacturing and distribution534591,450431
Research and development3,5613,73616,47213,140
Corporate services2,9452,1909,3096,722
Local administration9421,4426,0764,889
Stock-based compensation6,68549412,1755,684
Depreciation and amortization18,42413,71355,76455,842
59,15041,788197,930159,851
Earnings (loss) before the undernoted items14,344(775)51,632(13,990)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain(3,437)188(2,047)(886)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes10,907(587)49,585(14,876)
Income taxes
Current8,45744819,8241,796
Future(5,783)(3,515)(5,771)(11,162)
2,674(3,067)14,053(9,366)
Earnings (loss)8,2332,48035,532(5,510)
Retained earnings, beginning of period259,352254,021245,093271,788
Dividends(13,890)(11,408)(26,930)(21,185)
Retained earnings, end of period253,695245,093253,695245,093
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic0.100.030.44(0.07)
Diluted0.100.030.44(0.07)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Three Months EndedYears Ended
December 31,December 31,
2010200920102009
(000s)($)($)($)($)
Earnings (loss)8,2332,48035,532(5,510)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment(3,148)(4,414)(6,048)(25,101)
Total comprehensive income (loss)5,085(1,934)29,484(30,611)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Three Months EndedYears Ended
December 31,December 31,
2010200920102009
(000s)($)($)($)($)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning of period(25,551)(18,237)(22,651)2,450
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment(3,148)(4,414)(6,048)(25,101)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period(28,699)(22,651)(28,699)(22,651)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended
December 31,
Years Ended
December 31,
2010200920102009
(000s)($)($)($)($)
Cash flows related to the following activities:
Operating
Earnings (loss)8,2332,48035,532(5,510)
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization18,42413,71355,76455,842
Stock-based compensation5,131(96)8,0511,894
Future income taxes(5,783)(3,515)(5,771)(11,162)
Unrealized foreign exchange1,894(344)397290
27,89912,23893,97341,354
Changes in non-cash working capital(4,375)(6,369)(14,618)43,868
Cash flow from operating activities23,5245,86979,35585,222
Financing
Issue of common shares under the stock option plan2,53882,736274
Purchase of stock options(1,849)--(1,854)(240)
Payment of dividends----(24,448)(19,554)
Repayment of debt--(4,684)--(4,684)
689(4,676)(23,566)(24,204)
Investing
Additions to capital assets(23,924)(8,619)(45,777)(18,318)
Deferred development costs, net of investment tax credits received(2,290)(529)(4,387)(3,175)
Proceeds on disposal of capital assets(22)(6)72528
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired(6,115)(20,934)(8,944)(20,934)
Changes in non-cash working capital7,2661,1795,973(5,116)
(25,085)(28,909)(53,063)(47,015)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(1,540)2,050(2,175)(4,764)
Net (decrease) increase in cash(2,412)(25,666)5519,239
Cash, beginning of period112,812135,515109,849100,610
Cash, end of period110,400109,849110,400109,849
Represented by:
Cash96,51098,44196,51098,441
Cash held in trust13,89011,40813,89011,408
110,400109,849110,400109,849
SEGMENTED INFORMATION
CanadaUnited  StatesInternationalTotal
(000s)($)($)($)($)
Year ended December 31, 2010
Revenue86,045144,91718,600249,562
Operating costs28,87060,97912,911102,760
Depreciation and amortization21,96525,1488,65155,764
Segment operating profit (loss)35,21058,790(2,962)91,038
Research and development16,472
Stock-based compensation12,175
Corporate services9,309
Manufacturing and distribution1,450
Foreign exchange2,047
Income taxes14,053
Earnings35,532
Goodwill5,6762,6008,276
Total assets171,082183,80069,290424,172
Capital expenditures18,19222,5459,42750,164
Year ended December 31, 2009
Revenue57,12776,17312,561145,861
Operating costs21,25151,8284,95378,032
Depreciation and amortization22,09329,5114,23855,842
Segment operating profit (loss)13,783(5,166)3,37011,987
Research and development13,140
Stock-based compensation5,684
Corporate services6,722
Manufacturing and distribution431
Foreign exchange886
Income tax recovery(9,366)
Loss(5,510)
Goodwill5,9725,972
Total assets182,392167,41923,286373,097
Capital expenditures11,8383,6875,96821,493
CanadaUnited StatesInternationalTotal
(000s)($)($)($)($)
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2010
Revenue27,54342,5503,40173,494
Operating costs9,46214,1083,43127,001
Depreciation and amortization5,67710,1002,64718,424
Segment operating profit (loss)12,40418,342(2,677)28,069
Research and development3,561
Stock-based compensation6,685
Corporate services2,945
Manufacturing and distribution534
Foreign exchange3,437
Income taxes2,674
Earnings8,233
Capital expenditures12,02210,8593,33326,214
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2009
Revenue17,37818,9484,68741,013
Operating costs5,07514,4062,11521,596
Depreciation and amortization4,7007,1681,84513,713
Segment operating profit (loss)7,603(2,626)7275,704
Research and development3,736
Stock-based compensation494
Corporate services2,190
Manufacturing and distribution59
Foreign exchange(188)
Income tax recovery(3,067)
Earnings2,480
Capital expenditures8,066(150)1,2329,148

<table border="0" valign="top"><tr><td><b>Jim Hill </b><br/> Chairman, President and CEO <br/> Phone: (403) 301-3401 <br/> Fax: (403) 301-3499<br/> E-mail: <a href="mailto:jim.hill@pason.com">jim.hill@pason.com</a> </td> <td><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/></td> <td><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/></td> <td><b>David Elliott</b><br/> Chief Financial Officer<br/> Phone: (403) 301-3441<br/> Fax: (403) 301-3499<br/> E-Mail: <a cr="true" href="mailto:david.elliott@pason.com">david.elliott@pason.com</a></td></tr></table><br />

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