HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) today reported the following results for the three months ended June 30, 2016. All amounts shown are dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted:

 

For the June 2016 quarter, we reported a GAAP net loss of $40.8 million and diluted loss per share of $1.17 compared to a GAAP net loss of $3.3 million and diluted loss per share of $0.27 for the June 2015 quarter. Additionally, we reported an adjusted net loss of $12.0 million and adjusted diluted loss per share of $0.34 for the June 2016 quarter compared to adjusted net income of $19.8 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.56 for the June 2015 quarter.

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL UPDATE

• Our June 2016 quarter results reflect the challenging oil and gas industry conditions that continue to negatively affect offshore activity partially offset by the year-over-year growth in U.K. SAR operations
• We had $315 million of liquidity as of June 30, 2016 and we continue to protect the balance sheet; subsequent to quarter end we reached an understanding with our OEMs to defer approximately $95 million of oil and gas aircraft capital expenditures out of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018 improving our liquidity profile
• The June 2016 quarter oil and gas results are expected to be indicative of the next three quarter's expected performance with upside from cost reduction initiatives offset by foreign currency exchange rate depreciation
• Foreign currency exchange rate headwinds intensified at the end of the June 2016 quarter primarily due to the British pound sterling depreciation following Brexit with a more significant impact expected in future quarters; minimal impact from devaluation of the Nigerian naira

"Our first quarter financial results continued to be severely impacted by the unprecedented challenges the oil and gas industry has been facing since 2014, which intensified in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, as reflected in reduced activity, lower revenue and margins and foreign exchange volatility," said Jonathan Baliff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bristow Group. "We remain laser focused on Target Zero safety, right sizing our cost structure, and deferring capital expenditures to improve our business in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018."

"In this environment, physical and financial safety remain our top priorities, and Bristow demonstrated real progress thus far in fiscal 2017. We are aggressively pursuing additional initiatives to improve our liquidity position as we successfully manage through this downturn with the completion of U.K. SAR contract start-up activities, additional reduction in capital expenditures, further cost reductions and expected outcome of negotiations with our key business partners.

"On the operating front, I am proud of the work of our global team's collaboration with clients, OEMs, and HeliOffshore to safely respond to the H225 grounding through mobilization of worldwide resources. Our Fiscal 2017 Action Plan to improve safety performance, not just compliance, is also showing results.  Fiscal 2017 commercial efforts have secured additional work in the U.K. and Norway, but that has been offset by utilization declines elsewhere, especially in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

"Fiscal 2017 will remain a challenging year from an earnings perspective as Bristow typically lags in a downcycle. However, the combination of our focus on safety, aggressive cost cutting, deferral of capital expenditures, new contracts beginning in late fiscal 2017 and return of leased aircraft should allow us to improve EBITDAR, liquidity and earnings as fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 unfold."

Operating revenue from external clients by line of service was as follows:  

 

The oil and gas industry experienced a significant downturn during fiscal years 2015 and 2016 which has resulted in a decline in crude oil prices and negatively affected activity with our oil and gas clients. While this decline started in fiscal year 2015, activity and pricing declined further in fiscal year 2016 and continued to decline in the June 2016 quarter, resulting in a significant decrease in gross revenue for our oil and gas services year-over-year.  This decline in oil and gas revenue was partially offset by the benefit of diversification efforts with the start-up of the U.K. SAR contract in April 2015 with seven bases coming online throughout fiscal year 2016.

The GAAP net loss and diluted loss per share for the June 2016 quarter were significantly impacted by the following special items:

• Organizational restructuring costs of $6.6 million ($4.3 million net of tax), which includes severance expense of $5.4 million related to separation programs across our global organization designed to increase efficiency and reduce costs and other restructuring costs of $1.2 million; $1.4 million of the restructuring costs are included in direct costs and $5.2 million are included in general and administrative expense,
• Loss on disposal of assets of $10.0 million ($6.8 million net of tax) primarily consisting of impairment charges of $10.1 million on 11 held for sale aircraft and accelerated depreciation of $6.9 million ($4.5 million net of tax) as a result of fleet changes for older aircraft operating in the Americas, Africa and Europe Caspian regions, and
• A non-cash adjustment related to the valuation of deferred tax assets of $13.2 million.

The June 2015 quarter was impacted by similar items as reflected in the table at the end of this release.

Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDAR, which are adjusted for the loss on disposal of assets and the special items, declined in the June 2016 quarter compared to the June 2015 quarter primarily as a result of the decline in revenue with oil and gas clients, which was not fully offset by a similar decrease in operating costs despite our global cost reduction efforts.

The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates lowered net income, diluted earnings per share (GAAP and adjusted) and adjusted EBITDAR by $2.8 million, $0.08 and $3.2 million, respectively, in the June 2016 quarter and increased net income, diluted earnings per share (GAAP and adjusted) and adjusted EBITDAR by $1.6 million, $0.05 and $2.4 million, respectively, in the June 2015 quarter, with the most significant impact being from the weakening of the British pound sterling at the end of the June 2016 quarter due to Brexit. The weakening of the pound sterling was somewhat mitigated in the June 2016 quarter as the exchange rate change occurred near the end of the quarter.  We expect a greater negative impact from translation of our operating results into U.S. dollars over the remainder of fiscal year 2017 if exchange rates remain at current rates or the British pound sterling weakens further. 

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

We expect that our liquidity as of June 30, 2016 of $315.2 million, cash flow from operations and proceeds from aircraft sales, as well as future financings will be sufficient to satisfy our capital commitments, including our oil and gas aircraft purchase commitments and remaining capital requirements in connection with our U.K. SAR contract. We continue to demonstrate success as subsequent to June 30 we reached an understanding with our OEMs to defer approximately $95 million of oil and gas aircraft capital expenditures out of fiscal years 2017 and 2018.

"Our overriding objective over the next several quarters is to maintain and increase our liquidity in the face of a very challenging industry environment," said Don Miller, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "As expected, the modifications to the financial covenants in our credit agreements are providing the company with a greater level of financial flexibility as we manage our business through this downturn.

"In addition, further reductions of our G&A and direct costs, combined with lower capital commitments over the next several years are designed to provide Bristow with the financial flexibility necessary to successfully navigate through this downturn. We continue to evaluate options to further strengthen our liquidity as we slowly reemerge from this prolonged downturn."

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE

Europe Caspian

		Three Months Ended  June 30,
		2016			2015			% Change
		(in thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue		$	189,128		$	203,925		(7.3)%
Operating income		$	13,030		$	14,197		(8.2)%
Operating margin		6.9%			7.0%			(1.4)%
Adjusted EBITDAR		$	49,887		$	65,186		(23.5)%
Adjusted EBITDAR margin		26.4%			32.0%			(17.5)%

 

The year-over-year decrease in operating revenue was primarily driven by the impact from the downturn in the oil and gas industry, which decreased activity levels with our oil and gas clients, including for Eastern Airways as well as the end of an oil and gas contract that began in late fiscal year 2015 and ended in late fiscal year 2016 that contributed $11.8 million in operating revenue in the June 2015 quarter. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in operating revenue from the start-up of U.K. SAR bases since the June 2015 quarter.

A substantial portion of our operations in the Europe Caspian region are contracted in the British pound sterling, which weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar at the end of the June 2016 quarter as a result of Brexit. As the depreciation of the British pound sterling occurred at the end of the June 2016 quarter, there was no negative impact on operating income and adjusted EBITDAR from the translation of our British pound sterling revenue and operating expenses into U.S. dollars; in fact, the movement of exchange rates during the June 2016 quarter increased operating income and adjusted EBITDAR by $2.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively, from translation of results. However, we recorded a foreign exchange loss of $6.7 million from the revaluation of assets and liabilities on British pound sterling functional currency entities as of June 30, 2016, which is recorded in other income (expense), net and included in adjusted EBITDAR. Net of the translation and revaluation impacts, adjusted EBITDAR was negatively impacted by $4.2 million resulting from the change in exchange rates during the June 2016 quarter. A further weakening of the British pound sterling could result in additional revaluation losses in future periods. As discussed above, we expect a greater negative impact on operating revenue, operating income and adjusted EBITDAR from translation of operating results over the remainder of fiscal year 2017 if exchange rates remain at current rates or the British pound sterling weakens further.

Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes, operating income and adjusted EBITDAR, respectively, would have been 5.5% and 28.9% in the June 2016 quarter compared to 8.4% and 32.4% in the June 2015 quarter. Operating margin and adjusted EBTIDAR margin decreased from the June 2015 quarter as a result of the impact from the downturn in the offshore energy market, which was only partially offset by the start-up of the U.K. SAR bases and cost reduction activities.

Africa

 

Operating revenue for Africa decreased for the June 2016 quarter due to an overall decrease in activity compared to the June 2015 quarter driven by the downturn in the oil and gas industry.

Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased in the June 2016 quarter primarily due to the decrease in revenue discussed above, partially offset by a decline in costs.

Americas 

 

Operating revenue decreased for the June 2016 quarter compared to the June 2015 quarter primarily due to the decline in activity in our U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations a decrease in Brazil due to fewer aircraft leased to Líder and a decrease in Suriname due to the end of a contract. These decreases were partially offset by a new contract in Guyana and additional aircraft on contract in Trinidad.

Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased primarily due to the decline in revenue, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits and maintenance expense resulting from cost reduction initiatives and reduced flight activity. 

Asia Pacific 

 

Operating revenue decreased for the June 2016 quarter compared to the June 2015 quarter primarily due to the ending of short-term contracts and a decline in Airnorth activity in Australia, and reduced activity in Russia.

Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased primarily due to lower activity, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense and cost reduction activities.

Corporate and other

 

Operating revenue decreased for the June 2016 quarter primarily due to a decline in Bristow Academy revenue and a decrease in third party part sales.

Operating loss and adjusted EBITDAR improved primarily due to overall cost reduction activities that decreased professional fees, partially offset by a decline in revenue discussed above.

DIVIDEND

On August 2, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.07 per share to be paid on September 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on September 1, 2016. Based on the number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 2016, the total quarterly dividend payment will be approximately $2.5 million.

GUIDANCE

Fiscal year 2017 guidance for selected financial measures is provided in the financial tables that follow.

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will conduct a conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) on Friday, August 5, 2016 to review financial results for the fiscal year 2017 first quarter ended June 30, 2016.  This release and the most recent investor slide presentation are available in the investor relations area of our web page at www.bristowgroup.com.  The conference call can be accessed as follows:

Via Webcast:

• Visit Bristow Group's investor relations Web page at www.bristowgroup.com 
• Live: Click on the link for "Bristow Group Fiscal 2017 First Quarter Earnings Conference Call"
• Replay: A replay via webcast will be available approximately one hour after the call's completion and will be accessible for approximately 90 days

Via Telephone within the U.S.:

• Live: Dial toll free 1-877-404-9648
• Replay: A telephone replay will be available through August 19, 2016 and may be accessed by calling toll free 1-877-660-6853, passcode: 13640099#

Via Telephone outside the U.S.:

• Live: Dial 1-412-902-0030
• Replay: A telephone replay will be available through August 19, 2016 and may be accessed by calling 1-201-612-7415, passcode: 13640099#

ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC.

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global industrial aviation services provider based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.bristowgroup.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLOSURE

Statements contained in this news release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include statements regarding earnings guidance, expected contract revenue, capital deployment strategy, operational and capital performance, expected cost management activities, expected capital expenditure deferrals, shareholder return, liquidity, market and industry conditions.  It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties include without limitation:  fluctuations in the demand for our services; fluctuations in worldwide prices of and supply and demand for oil and natural gas; fluctuations in levels of oil and natural gas production, exploration and development activities; the impact of competition; actions by clients and suppliers; the risk of reductions in spending on industrial aviation services by governmental agencies; changes in tax and other laws and regulations; changes in foreign exchange rates and controls; risks associated with international operations; operating risks inherent in our business, including the possibility of declining safety performance; general economic conditions including the capital and credit markets; our ability to obtain financing; the risk of grounding of segments of our fleet for extended periods of time or indefinitely; our ability to re-deploy our aircraft to regions with greater demand; our ability to acquire additional aircraft and dispose of older aircraft through sales into the aftermarket; the possibility that we do not achieve the anticipated benefit of our fleet investment program; availability of employees; and political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the countries where we operate.  Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.  Bristow Group Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, including financial estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Linda McNeill
Investor Relations
(713) 267-7622

(financial tables follow)

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

These financial measures have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent auditor.  These financial measures are therefore considered non-GAAP financial measures.  A description of the adjustments to and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is as follows:

 

 

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bristow-group-reports-first-quarter-fiscal-year-2017-results-300309612.html

SOURCE Bristow Group Inc.