• Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial and Operating Results; Provides Operational Update and Increases 2024 Guidance

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 14 Aug 2024 15:40:04   America/Chicago

    Midland, Texas, Aug. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (“NGS” or the “Company”) (NYSE:NGS), a leading provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology, and services to the energy industry, today announced financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The Company also updated its prior guidance for the full year, increasing its outlook for both Adjusted EBITDA and growth capital expenditures.

    Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Rental revenue of $34.9 million, an increase of 45% when compared to the second quarter of 2023 and 4% sequentially.
    • Net income of $4.3 million, or $0.34 per basic share, as compared to $0.5 million, or $0.04 per basic share in the comparable year-ago period.
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $16.5 million, compared to $9.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 and essentially flat sequentially. Please see Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA, below.
    • Rented horsepower at quarter end of 454,568, a 22% increase over prior year.
    • Horsepower utilization of 82.3%, up 370 basis points from last year.

    Management Commentary and Outlook
      
    “We delivered significant top and bottom-line growth this quarter, along with a material increase in net cash provided by operating activities, as we further grow and optimize our business,” said Justin Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to witness a strong market for oil production, particularly in the Permian Basin, and compression demand remains robust. As such, we are taking advantage of our industry position, innovative compression units, and strong customer relationships to increase investments in our large horsepower fleet as we look to drive growth in rental fleet horsepower, rental revenue, and cash flow.”

    Jacobs continued, “We are also pleased to report the recent signing of new contracts with blue chip customers which will help us further diversify our customer mix and generate strong returns in the years ahead. Our material increase to guidance for growth capital expenditures partially reflects these contracts. as a significant portion of the spend on these new units will occur in 2025. Importantly, this expected increase in growth capital expenditures, enabled by our recent Credit Facility expansion, is entirely related to large horsepower compression investments, including a significant portion of electric driven compression units. Consistent with our recent growth in horsepower, all of these new contracts are long-term with return on invested capital projected above our target rate of 20%. We remain bullish on natural gas compression and the opportunities ahead, and we believe this higher level of investment will lead to meaningful and sustainable value creation for all NGS stakeholders.”

    Corporate Guidance — 2024 Updated Outlook

    The Company today provided updated guidance for the 2024 Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2024. Based on its first half performance and outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company now expects Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $64 million to $68 million, an increase from its previously announced outlook of $61 million to $67 million. Note the Company entered Fiscal Year 2024 anticipating Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $58 million to $65 million.

    The Company has also increased its expected 2024 growth capital expenditures largely due to the aforementioned major contracts that were recently secured. The Company now anticipates 2024 growth capital expenditures to be in the range of $60 million to $80 million, an increase from its previously announced guidance of approximately $40 million to $50 million.   The wide range of the guidance is solely a function of the timing of investments as the Company is still determining the precise split of the spend between 2024 and 2025; to reiterate, all of the new units are already under long-term contracts with customers.   Maintenance capital expenditures remain unchanged and are anticipated to be in the range of $8 million to $11 million. Similarly, the Company’s target return on invested capital remains unchanged at 20%.

     FY 2024 Outlook
    Adjusted EBITDA$64 million - $68 million
    Growth Capital Expenditures$60 million - $80 million
    Maintenance Capital Expenditures$8 million - $11 million
    Target Return on Invested CapitalAt least 20%


    Jacobs concluded, “We have multiple pathways to build on our industry-leading growth and drive shareholder value: fleet optimization, asset utilization (both unutilized units and non-cash assets), fabricating new rental units, and accretive mergers and acquisitions. We are executing against each of these and showing demonstrable progress. Given our strong balance sheet and expanded Credit Facility, we fully intend to take advantage of the opportunities to continue significant growth beyond 2024.”

    2024 Second Quarter Financial Results

    Revenue: Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024, increased 42.8% to $38.5 million from $27.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. This increase was due primarily to an increase in rental revenues. Rental revenue increased 44.9% to $34.9 million in the second quarter of 2024 from $24.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 due to the addition of higher horsepower packages and pricing improvements. As of June 30, 2024, we had 1,242 rented units (454,568 horsepower) compared to 1,249 rented units (372,596 horsepower) as of June 30, 2023, reflecting a 22.0% increase in total utilized horsepower. Sequentially, total revenue increased to $38.5 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $36.9 million in the first quarter of 2024 due to a 4% increase in rental revenues and a 93.3% increase in aftermarket service revenue primarily related to services for setting and installing new units.

    Gross Margins: Total gross margins, including depreciation expense increased to $13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2023 and $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Total adjusted gross margin, exclusive of depreciation expense, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, increased to $21.0 million compared to $12.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and $21.1 million for the first quarter of 2024. These increases in year over year performance primarily are attributable to increased rental revenues and a continuation of our relatively high rental adjusted gross margin.

    Operating Income: Operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $8.5 million compared to operating income of $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and operating income of $9.3 million, during the first quarter of 2024.

    Net Income: Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $4.3 million, or $0.34 per basic share compared to a net income of $0.5 million or $0.04 per basic share for the three months ended June 30, 2023, and $5.1 million or $0.41 per basic share for the first quarter of 2024. The increase in net income during the second quarter of 2024 was mainly due to increased rental revenue and rental gross margin. Sequentially, the net income decline of $(0.8) million was primarily due to higher rental costs and increased SG&A costs during the second quarter of 2024.

    Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA increased 66.6% to $16.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from $9.9 million for the same period in 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to higher rental revenue and rental adjusted gross margin. Sequentially, adjusted EBITDA decreased 2.5% to $16.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $16.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Cash Flows: At June 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $3.6 million, while working capital was $40.3 million. For the six months of 2024, cash flows from operating activities were $31.1 million, while cash flows used in investing activities was $27.9 million. Cash flow used in investing activities included $28.3 million in capital expenditures.

    Debt: Outstanding debt on our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2024, was $163 million. Our leverage ratio at June 30, 2024, was 2.51 and our fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.68. The Company is in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants of the credit agreement.

    Selected data: The tables below show revenue by product line, gross margin and adjusted gross margin for the three trailing five quarters.   Adjusted gross margin is the difference between revenue and cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation.

     Revenues
     Three months ended
     June 30, 2023September 30, 2023December 31, 2023March 31, 2024June 30, 2024
     ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) 
    Rentals$        24,105         $        27,705         $        31,626         $        33,734         $        34,926         
    Sales         1,595                  1,413                  2,921                  2,503                  2,270         
    Aftermarket services         1,257                  2,251                  1,674                  670                  1,295         
    Total$        26,957         $        31,369         $        36,221         $        36,907         $        38,491         


     Gross Margin
     Three months ended
     June 30, 2023September 30, 2023December 31, 2023March 31, 2024June 30, 2024
     ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) 
    Rentals$        6,579                   7,683                   12,366                  13,761         $        13,211          
    Sales         (345)          (156)          553                  253                  (50) 
    Aftermarket services         266                   373                   421                  163                  269          
    Total$        6,500          $        7,900          $        13,340         $        14,177         $        13,430          
               


     Adjusted Gross Margin (1)
     Three months ended
     June 30, 2023September 30, 2023December 31, 2023March 31, 2024June 30, 2024
     ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) ($ in 000) 
    Rentals         12,762                   14,243                   19,199                  20,620                  20,698         
    Sales         (281)          (92)          620                  323                  21         
    Aftermarket services         288                   405                   440                  170                  283         
    Total$        12,769          $        14,556          $        20,259         $        21,113         $        21,002         
               


    Adjusted Gross Margin (1)
    Three months ended
      June 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2024
      % margin % margin % margin % margin % margin
    Rentals         52.9        %         51.4        %         60.7        %         61.1        %         59.3        %
    Sales         (17.6)        %              (6.5)        %         21.2        %         12.9        %         0.9        %
    Aftermarket services         22.9        %         18.0        %         26.3        %         25.4        %         21.9        %
    Total         47.4        %         46.4        %         55.9        %         57.2        %         54.6        %


     Compression Units (at end of period):
     Three months ended
     June 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2024
    Horsepower Utilized372,596  400,727          420,432          444,220  454,568 
    Total Horsepower473,884  509,198          520,365          542,256  552,599 
    Horsepower Utilization        78.6        %         78.7        %         80.8        %         81.9        %         82.3        %
              
    Units Utilized1,249  1,233          1,247          1,245  1,242 
    Total Units1,911  1,947          1,876          1,894  1,899 
    Unit Utilization        65.4        %         63.3        %         66.5        %         65.7        %         65.4        %


    (1) For a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted Gross Margin” below.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Adjusted Gross Margin: “Adjusted Gross Margin” is defined as total revenue less cost of sales (excluding depreciation expense). Adjusted gross margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a primary measure used by management as it represents the results of revenue and cost of sales (excluding depreciation expense), which are key operating components. Adjusted gross margin differs from gross margin in that gross margin includes depreciation expense. We believe adjusted gross margin is important because it focuses on the current operating performance of our operations and excludes the impact of the prior historical costs of the assets acquired or constructed that are utilized in those operations. Depreciation expense reflects the systematic allocation of historical property and equipment values over the estimated useful lives.

    Adjusted gross margin has certain material limitations associated with its use as compared to gross margin. Depreciation expense is a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate revenue. Management uses this non-GAAP measure as a supplemental measure to other GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the Company's performance. As an indicator of operating performance, adjusted gross margin should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, gross margin as determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Gross margin may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another Company because other entities may not calculate adjusted gross margin in the same manner.

    The following table shows gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and reconciles it to adjusted gross margin:


          
     Three months ended
     June 30, 2023September 30, 2023December 31, 2023March 31, 2024June 30, 2024
     (in thousands)
    Total revenue$        26,957         $        31,369         $        36,221         $        36,907         $        38,491         
    Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation         (14,188)         (16,813)         (15,962)         (15,794)         (17,489)
    Depreciation allocable to costs of revenue         (6,268)         (6,656)         (6,919)         (6,936)         (7,572)
    Gross margin         6,501                  7,900                  13,340                  14,177                  13,430         
    Depreciation allocable to costs of revenue         6,268                  6,656                  6,919                  6,936                  7,572         
    Adjusted Gross Margin$        12,769         $        14,556         $        20,259         $        21,113         $        21,002         


    Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA: “Adjusted EBITDA” reflects net income or loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock compensation expense, severance expenses, impairment expenses, increases in inventory allowance and retirement of rental equipment. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure used by management, analysts and investors as an indicator of operating cash flow since it excludes the impact of movements in working capital items, non-cash charges and financing costs. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA gives the investor information as to the cash generated from the operations of a business. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for other financial measures of performance. Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by NGS may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA as calculated and reported by other companies. The most comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss).

    The following table reconciles our net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA:

     Three months ended
     June 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 March 31, 2024 June 30, 2024
     (in thousands)
    Net income$        504         $        2,171         $        1,702         $        5,098         $        4,250        
    Interest expense         185                  1,600                  2,297                  2,935                  2,932        
    Income tax expense (benefit)         249                  1,046                  431                  1,479                  1,294        
    Depreciation and amortization         6,418                  6,807                  7,160                  7,087                  7,705        
    Non-cash stock compensation expense         1,130                  209                  228                  274                  242        
    Severance expenses         612                  —                  —                  —                  33        
    Impairment expense         779                  —                  —                  —                  —        
    Inventory allowance         —                  —                  3,965                  —                  —        
    Retirement of rental equipment         —                  —                  505                  5                  —        
    Adjusted EBITDA$        9,877         $        11,833         $        16,288         $        16,878         $        16,456        


    Conference Call Details: The Company will host a conference call to review second-quarter financial results on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. (EST), 7:30 a.m. (CST). To join the conference call, kindly access the Investor Relations section of our website at www.ngsgi.com or dial in at (800) 550-9745 and enter conference ID 167298 at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Please note that using the provided dial-in number is necessary for participation in the Q&A section of the call. A recording of the conference will be made available on our Company's website following its conclusion. Thank you for your interest in our Company's updates.

    About Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS): NGS is a leading provider of natural gas compression equipment, technology and services to the energy industry. The Company manufactures, fabricates, rents, sells and maintains natural gas compressors for oil and natural gas production and plant facilities. NGS is headquartered in Midland, Texas, with a fabrication facility located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a rebuild shop located in Midland, Texas, and service facilities located in major oil and natural gas producing basins in the U.S. Additional information can be found at www.ngsgi.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements herein (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions.

    These forward–looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, many of which are outside the control of the Company. Forward–looking information includes, but is not limited to statements regarding: guidance or estimates related to EBITDA growth, projected capital expenditures; returns on invested capital, fundamentals of the compression industry and related oil and gas industry, valuations, compressor demand assumptions and overall industry outlook, and the ability of the Company to capitalize on any potential opportunities.

    While the Company believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, investors are cautioned that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. Some of these factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) achieving increased utilization of assets, including rental fleet utilization and unlocking other non-cash balance sheet assets; (ii) failure of projected organic growth due to adverse changes in the oil and gas industry, including depressed oil and gas prices, oppressive environmental regulations and competition; (iii) inability to finance capital expenditures; (iv) adverse changes in customer, employee or supplier relationships; (v) adverse regional and national economic and financial market conditions, including in our key operating areas; (vi) impacts of world events, including pandemics; the financial condition of the Company’s customers and failure of significant customers to perform their contractual obligations; (vii) the Company’s ability to economically develop and deploy new technologies and services, including technology to comply with health and environmental laws and regulations; and (viii) failure to achieve accretive financial results in connection with any acquisitions the Company may make.

    In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to other various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


    For More Information, Contact:Anna Delgado, Investor Relations
     (432) 262-2700
    ir@ngsgi.com
     www.ngsgi.com


     NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (in thousands, except par value)
    (unaudited)
        
     June 30,
    2024    		 December 31, 2023
    ASSETS   
    Current Assets:   
    Cash and cash equivalents$        3,616          $        2,746         
    Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,110 and $823, respectively         33,001                   39,186         
    Inventory, net of allowance for obsolescence of $2,836         20,254                   21,639         
    Federal income tax receivable         11,386                   11,538         
    Prepaid expenses and other         2,139                   1,162         
    Total current assets         70,396                   76,271         
    Long-term inventory, net of allowance for obsolescence of $1,168         937                   701         
    Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $204,632 and $191,745, respectively         388,331                   373,649         
    Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $18,273 and $17,649, respectively         19,584                   20,550         
    Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $2,447 and $2,384, respectively         712                   775         
    Other assets         9,205                   6,783         
    Total assets$        489,165          $        478,729         
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   
    Current Liabilities:   
    Accounts payable$        23,336          $        17,628         
    Accrued liabilities         6,803                   15,085         
    Total current liabilities         30,139                   32,713         
    Long-term debt         163,000                   164,000         
    Deferred income tax liability         44,290                   41,636         
    Other long-term liabilities         6,076                   4,486         
    Total liabilities         243,505                   242,835         
    Commitments and contingencies   
    Stockholders’ Equity:   
    Preferred stock, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding         —                   —         
    Common stock, 30,000 shares authorized, par value $0.01; 13,727 and 13,688 shares issued, respectively         137                   137         
    Additional paid-in capital         116,898                   116,480         
    Retained earnings         143,629                   134,281         
    Treasury shares, at cost, 1,310 shares         (15,004)          (15,004)
    Total stockholders' equity         245,660                   235,894         
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$        489,165          $        478,729         


    NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (in thousands, except earnings per share)
    (unaudited)
        
     Three months ended Six months ended
     June 30,  June 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023 
    Revenue:       
    Rental income$        34,926          $        24,105          $        68,660          $        46,828         
    Sales         2,270                   1,595                   4,773                   4,587         
    Aftermarket services         1,295                   1,257                   1,965                   2,162         
    Total revenue         38,491                   26,957                   75,398                   53,577         
    Operating costs and expenses:       
    Cost of rentals, exclusive of depreciation stated separately below         14,228                   11,343                   27,342                   22,988         
    Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation stated separately below         2,249                   1,876                   4,429                   5,113         
    Cost of aftermarket services, exclusive of depreciation stated separately below         1,012                   969                   1,512                   1,578         
    Selling, general and administrative expenses         4,791                   4,860                   9,493                   9,422         
    Depreciation and amortization         7,705                   6,418                   14,792                   12,583         
    Impairment expense         —                   779                   —                   779         
    Retirement of rental equipment         —                   —                   5           
    Total operating costs and expenses         29,985                   26,245                   57,573                   52,463         
    Operating income         8,506                   712                   17,825                   1,114         
    Other income (expense):       
    Interest expense         (2,932)          (185)          (5,867)          (185)
    Other income (expense), net         (30)          226                   163                   341         
    Total other income (expense), net         (2,962)          41                   (5,704)          156         
    Income before provision for income taxes         5,544                   753                   12,121                   1,270         
    Income tax benefit (expense)         (1,294)          (249)          (2,773)          (396)
    Net income (loss)$        4,250          $        504          $        9,348          $        874         
    Earnings (loss) per share:       
    Basic$        0.34          $        0.04          $        0.75          $        0.07         
    Diluted$        0.34          $        0.04          $        0.75          $        0.07         
    Weighted average shares outstanding:       
    Basic         12,384                   12,292                   12,392                   12,253         
    Diluted         12,483                   12,394                   12,484                   12,374         


    NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (in thousands)
    (unaudited)
     Six months ended
     June 30,
      2024   2023 
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
    Net income$        9,348          $        874         
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
    Depreciation and amortization         14,792                   12,583         
    Amortization of debt issuance costs         315                   184         
    Deferred income tax expense         2,654                   396         
    Stock-based compensation         516                   1,617         
    Provision from credit losses         287                   128         
    Impairment expense         —                   779         
    Gain on sale of assets         (229)          (206)
    Retirement of rental equipment         5                   —         
    Gain on company owned life insurance         (173)          (80)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
    Trade accounts receivables         5,898                   (6,332)
    Inventory         1,149                   (4,438)
    Prepaid expenses and prepaid income taxes         (825)          (301)
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities         (2,575)          16,888         
    Deferred income         (418)          (37)
    Other         375                   588         
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES         31,119                   22,643         
    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
    Purchase of rental equipment, property and other equipment         (28,262)          (93,479)
    Purchase of company owned life insurance         (17)          (329)
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment         355                   231         
    Proceeds from sale of deferred compensation mutual fund         43                   —         
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES         (27,881)          (93,577)
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
    Proceeds from loan         8,000                   75,011         
    Repayment of loan         (9,000        )          —         
    Payments of other long-term liabilities, net         (385)          (50)
    Payments of debt issuance cost         (885)          (2,131)
    Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards         (98)          (982)
    NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES         (2,368)          71,848         
    NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS         870                   914         
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD         2,746                   3,372         
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$        3,616          $        4,286         
    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:   
    Interest paid$        10,458          $        1,966         
    NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS   
    Transfer of rental equipment components to inventory$        —          $        708         
    Right of use asset acquired through a finance lease$        1,751          $        63         

    
    

                
    
                
    
                    
                
    
            
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