JANUARY 31, 2013 — Kirby Corporation has reported net earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012 of $57.9 million, or $1.03 per share, compared with $56.2 million, or $1.00 per share, for the 2011 fourth quarter. Revenues for the 2012 fourth quarter were $512.6 million compared with $550.1 million for the 2011 fourth quarter.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joe Pyne commented, "Our fourth quarter results benefited from higher demand and favorable pricing in our coastal marine transportation markets, as well as a contribution from our two fourth quarter coastal acquisitions. We were also able to manage through the Mississippi River System's low water issues and Hurricane Sandy with only an estimated $.02 to $.03 per share negative impact. Our land-based diesel engine services market remained weak, a reflection of the current state of the United States weak oil service industry and corresponding weak pressure pumping industry. As a result of the lower land-based operating results, we recorded an $8.2 million before taxes, or $.09 per share, fourth quarter credit reducing the fair value of the contingent earnout liability associated with the acquisition of United Holdings in April 2011."

Kirby reported net earnings for the 2012 year of $209.4 million, or $3.73 per share, compared with $183.0 million, or $3.33 per share, for 2011. Consolidated revenues for 2012 were $2.11 billion compared with $1.85 billion for 2011.

Marine transportation revenues for the 2012 fourth quarter were $381.0 million, compared with $335.1 million for the 2011 fourth quarter, and operating income for the 2012 fourth quarter was $89.8 million compared with $73.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Inland tank barge fleet utilization during the fourth quarter remained in the 90% to 95% range with favorable pricing trends, reflecting a continued healthy demand for the transportation of petrochemical, black oil products and refined petroleum products. With the exception of persistent low water conditions on the Mississippi River System which led to lower revenues and ton miles, weather conditions during the fourth quarter were consistent with normal seasonal weather.

Kirby's coastal fleet generated approximately 25% of the marine transportation 2012 fourth quarter revenues. The operating results reflected higher fleet utilization in the coastal markets, as well as higher pricing levels. The results also included the accretive acquisitions of Allied Transportation Company vessels on November 1, 2012 and Penn Maritime Inc. on December 14, 2012.

The marine transportation operating margin for the 2012 fourth quarter was 23.6% compared with 21.8% for the fourth quarter of 2011. The higher 2012 fourth quarter operating margin reflected continued favorable inland tank barge utilization and pricing, as well as improved coastal tank barge utilization and pricing, partially offset by the negative impact of the low water conditions and Hurricane Sandy.

Diesel engine services revenues for the 2012 fourth quarter were $131.6 million compared with $215.0 million for the 2011 fourth quarter. Operating income for the 2012 fourth quarter was $13.1 million, including an $8.2 million credit reducing the fair value of the contingent earnout liability associated with the acquisition of United. This compares with operating income of $22.7 million for the 2011 fourth quarter. The 2012 fourth quarter decrease in revenue and operating income reflects a significant reduction in the manufacturing of pressure pumping units, as well as a decline in the sale of engines, transmissions and parts. This has been partially offset by the demand for the remanufacturing of pressure pumping units and the manufacture of oil service blenders, pumpers and cementers.

During the 2012 fourth quarter, marine diesel engine services market conditions remained stable, although the Midwest market was negatively impacted by the low water conditions on the Mississippi River that led to the deferrals of maintenance by certain marine customers. The power generation market continued to benefit from strong parts sales during the fourth quarter.

The diesel engine services operating margin was 10.0% for the 2012 fourth quarter, including the positive earnings impact of the $8.2 million credit to the contingent earnout liability, compared with 10.6% for the 2011 fourth quarter.

Kirby continued to generate strong cash flow during 2012, with EBITDA of $506.9 million compared with $436.2 million for 2011. The cash flow was used in part to fund capital expenditures of $312.2 million, including $135.6 million for new inland tank barge and towboat construction, $60.4 million for progress payments on the construction of two offshore dry-bulk barge and tug units scheduled for completion in the 2013 first half, and $116.2 million primarily for upgrades to the existing inland and coastal fleets. Total debt as of December 31, 2012 was $1.14 billion and the debt-to-capitalization ratio was 39.9%.

Outlook
Commenting on the 2013 full year and first quarter market outlook and guidance, Mr. Pyne said, "Our earnings per share guidance for 2013 is $4.00 to $4.20 per share compared with $3.73 for 2012. Our 2013 guidance assumes continued strong inland marine transportation markets with 90% to 95% equipment utilization levels, leading to favorable term and spot contract pricing. For our coastal marine transportation markets, our 2013 guidance assumes higher equipment utilization levels than 2012, leading to favorable term and spot contract pricing trends. Our guidance assumes our diesel engine services land-based market will continue to experience ongoing softness throughout 2013, and our marine and power generation markets will be consistent with 2012. However, the major contributor between our high and low end 2013 guidance is our coastal marine transportation markets and its equipment utilization rates and pricing trends."

"Our 2013 first quarter earnings guidance is $.82 to $.92 per share compared with $.91 per share reported for the 2012 first quarter," said Mr. Pyne. "The 2012 first quarter's results included a very strong land-based diesel engine services market, which we do not believe will reoccur in 2013. The first quarter guidance includes unfavorable winter weather conditions for our inland and coastal transportation markets, as well as continued low water issues and related restrictions on a portion of the upper Mississippi River, primarily between St. Louis, Missouri and Cairo, Illinois. We anticipate continued strong inland equipment utilization with favorable pricing trends, as well as stronger coastal equipment utilization with improving pricing trends. For our diesel engine services segment, we anticipate a continued weak land-based market and stable marine and power generation markets."

Mr. Pyne continued, "Our 2013 capital spending guidance range is $190 to $200 million, including approximately $115 million for the construction of 55 inland tank barges and three inland towboats, and approximately $10 million for final progress payments on the construction of two offshore dry-bulk barge and tugboat units scheduled for delivery in the 2013 first half. The balance of approximately $65 to $75 million is primarily capital upgrades and improvements to existing marine equipment."

Share this post