THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE:NR) ("Newpark" or the "Company") today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.  FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS (all comparisons versus the prior year period unless otherwise noted) Net income +30% to $7.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share Adjusted Net Income of $8.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share Adjusted EBITDA +1% to $21.3 million Adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.6%, +210 basis points Total Debt of $77 million, Net Debt of $40 million and Net Leverage of 0.5x as of March 31, 2024 First Quarter (In millions) 2024 2023 Change Revenues $             169.1 $             200.0 $            (30.9) Operating income $               11.9 $               10.1 $               1.8 Net cash provided by operating activities $               12.0 $               29.4 $            (17.4) Free Cash Flow $                (0.8) $               23.2 $            (24.0) Fluids Systems Segment Revenues $             120.1 $             144.2 $            (24.1) Operating income $                 6.8 $                 3.5 $               3.3 Adjusted EBITDA $                 8.6 $                 8.7 $              (0.1) Operating margin (%) 5.7 % 2.4 % 330 bps Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) 7.2 % 6.0 % 120 bps Industrial Solutions Segment Revenues $               49.0 $               55.9 $              (6.9) Operating income $               12.9 $               14.5 $              (1.6) Adjusted EBITDA $               18.0 $               19.7 $              (1.7) Operating margin (%) 26.4 % 25.9 % 50 bps Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) 36.8 % 35.3 % 150 bps MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY "Early into 2024, we've continued to advance our multi-year value creation strategy as we position Newpark to become a market-leading, pure-play specialty rental business serving the global worksite access market," stated Matthew Lanigan, President and CEO of Newpark. "Our focus on asset optimization, operational excellence and returns-focused capital deployment contributed to 210 basis points of Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in the first quarter, including contributions from both our Industrial Solutions and Fluids Systems segments as well as our corporate office." "Within our Industrial Solutions business, our first quarter performance reflects a combination of improved operating leverage and a more favorable sales mix, resulting in segment EBITDA margin of nearly 37%, an increase of 150 basis points versus the prior-year period," continued Lanigan. "While segment revenue declined versus the prior-year period due to the timing of product sales supporting customer projects, rental demand conditions strengthened as the quarter progressed, with rental volumes reaching record levels entering the second quarter. We also continued to expand our rental fleet during the first quarter, positioning us to capitalize on strengthening demand conditions." "Within our Fluids Systems business, a combination of stronger international activity, together with the benefits of recent cost actions, contributed to 120 basis points of EBITDA margin expansion," continued Lanigan. "Our revenues from international operations increased 19% versus the prior year, supported by strong growth from both our Eastern Hemisphere and Canadian operations." "We are continuing to work diligently through the Fluids Systems strategic review and remain focused on having the process substantially concluded by mid-year 2024," noted Lanigan. "By simplifying our business, and focusing exclusively on worksite access industrial solutions, we intend to build a higher margin, more competitive business capable of delivering superior returns on invested capital through the cycle." BUSINESS UPDATE Newpark is engaged in a multi-year business transformation plan designed to drive organic commercial growth within targeted, higher-margin product and rental markets; improve asset optimization and organizational efficiency; and pursue a capital allocation strategy that prioritizes investments in opportunities with superior return profiles, together with a programmatic return of capital program. During the first quarter 2024, Newpark continued to deliver on its business transformation plan, highlighted by the following (all comparisons versus the prior year period unless otherwise noted): Accelerating worksite access solutions demand entering the second quarter 2024. Industrial Solutions revenue from specialty rental and services decreased 3% for the first quarter of 2024, as declines from oil and gas, pipeline and other sectors was partially offset by 7% revenue growth in the utilities sector. Following a subdued start to 2024, rental and service activity strengthened later in the first quarter, setting up for a strong second quarter. Fluids Systems segment continues momentum in international operations. The segment delivered strong international revenue growth in the first quarter of 2024, with international operations contributing 75% of Fluids Systems revenue in the quarter. Newpark's Eastern Hemisphere revenue increased 24% to $68 million and Canada increased 10% to $21 million. Delivered margin expansion across reporting segments. Consolidated gross margin increased 280 basis points year-over-year to 20.4%, benefitting from a higher contribution from Industrial Solutions and improving Fluids Systems fundamentals. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved 210 basis points to 12.6% in the first quarter of 2024. Both reporting segments delivered margin expansion compared to the prior year period, with Industrial Solutions segment Adjusted EBITDA margin increasing 150 basis points to 36.8%, and Fluids Systems segment Adjusted EBITDA margin increasing 120 basis points to 7.2%. Margin expansion was attributable to a combination of improved asset optimization and operating expense leverage in Industrial Solutions, along with the positive impacts of improved pricing and restructuring actions in Fluids Systems. Robust return of capital program. In February 2024, the Board of Directors increased the authorization for repurchases of common stock up to $50.0 million. In 2023, Newpark repurchased more than $30 million of its common equity, representing more than 7% of total shares outstanding. No share repurchases were made in the first quarter of 2024. Driving operational efficiency through streamlining efforts. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company continued to take actions to streamline our overhead structure across both segments and the corporate office, generating approximately $3 million in annual cost savings. Strategic Review of Fluids Process Underway. The Company remains actively engaged in a strategic review of its Fluids Systems segment and anticipates the review will be substantially completed by mid-year 2024. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE In the first quarter 2024, Newpark generated net income of $7.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, on total revenue of $169.1 million, compared to net income of $5.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on total revenue of $200.0 million, in the prior year period. The Company reported first quarter Adjusted Net Income of $8.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Net Income of $8.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Newpark reported Adjusted EBITDA of $21.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, or 12.6% of total revenue, compared to $21.0 million, or 10.5% of total revenue, in the first quarter of 2023. The Industrial Solutions segment generated revenues of $49.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $55.9 million in the prior year period. Segment operating income was $12.9 million in the first quarter, compared to $14.5 million in the prior year period. The first quarter 2024 Industrial Solutions segment operating income includes a $0.6 million gain on legal settlement, offset by $0.5 million in severance costs. The Fluids Systems segment generated revenues of $120.1 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $144.2 million in the prior year period. Segment operating income was $6.8 million in the first quarter, compared to $3.5 million in the prior year period. The first quarter 2024 Fluids Systems segment operating income includes $0.8 million in severance costs and transaction expenses related to the ongoing Fluids Systems segment sale process, offset by a $0.8 million gain on insurance recovery. The first quarter 2023 Fluids Systems segment operating results included $3.2 million in charges primarily related to facility exit and severance costs. Corporate office expenses were $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $7.8 million in the prior year period. The first quarter 2024 corporate office expenses include $2.1 million in transaction expenses related to the ongoing Fluids Systems segment sale process and severance costs. BALANCE SHEET AND LIQUIDITY As of March 31, 2024, Newpark had total cash of $38 million and available liquidity under its ABL credit facility of $58 million. At the end of the first quarter, the Company had total Net Debt outstanding of $40 million, or 0.5x its trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA as of March 31, 2024.  Newpark generated $12 million of operating cash flow in the first quarter of 2024. Capital investments totaled $13 million, net, in the first quarter of 2024, primarily related to the expansion of Newpark's composite matting rental fleet. FINANCIAL GUIDANCE The following forward-looking guidance reflects the Company's current expectations and beliefs as of May 2, 2024 and is subject to change. The following statements apply only as of the date of this disclosure and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included elsewhere in this document. For the full year 2024, Newpark currently anticipates the following: Industrial Solutions segment revenue in a range of $230 million to $240 million and segment Adjusted EBITDA in a range of $80 million to $85 million Total Industrial Solutions capital expenditures in a range of $30 million to $35 million FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL A conference call will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET to review the Company's financial results and conduct a question-and-answer session. A webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.newpark.com. Individuals can also participate by teleconference dial-in. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. To participate in the live teleconference: Domestic Live: 800-245-3047 International Live: 203-518-9765 Conference ID: NRQ124 To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which subsequently will be available through May 10, 2024: Domestic Replay: 888-723-6062 International Replay: 402-220-2665 ABOUT NEWPARK RESOURCES Newpark Resources, Inc. is a geographically diversified supplier providing environmentally-sensitive products, as well as rentals and services to a variety of industries, including oil and gas exploration, electrical transmission & distribution, pipeline, renewable energy, petrochemical, construction, and other industries. For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as "will," "may," "could," "would," "should," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying them. These statements are not guarantees that our expectations will prove to be correct and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Newpark, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause actual plans or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to our exploration of strategic alternatives for the long-term positioning of our Fluids Systems division; divestitures; the worldwide oil and natural gas industry; our ability to generate internal growth; economic and market conditions that may impact our customers' future spending; our customer concentration and reliance on the U.S. exploration and production market; our international operations; the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East; operating hazards present in the oil and natural gas and utilities industries and substantial liability claims, including catastrophic well incidents; our contracts that can be terminated or downsized by our customers without penalty; our product offering and market expansion; our ability to attract, retain, and develop qualified leaders, key employees, and skilled personnel; expanding our services in the utilities sector, which may require unionized labor; the price and availability of raw materials; inflation; capital investments and business acquisitions; market competition; technological developments and intellectual property; severe weather, natural disasters, and seasonality; public health crises, epidemics, and pandemics; our cost and continued availability of borrowed funds, including noncompliance with debt covenants; environmental laws and regulations; legal compliance; the inherent limitations of insurance coverage; income taxes; cybersecurity incidents or business system disruptions; activist stockholders that may attempt to effect changes at our Company or acquire control over our Company; share repurchases; and our amended and restated bylaws, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain what such stockholders believe to be a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. Newpark's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as through our website at www.newpark.com.   Newpark Resources, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share data) March 31,2024 December 31,2023 March 31,2023 Revenues $         169,107 $         167,816 $         200,030 Cost of revenues 134,587 137,020 164,738 Selling, general and administrative expenses 24,344 23,329 25,410 Other operating (income) loss, net (1,683) (435) (261) Impairments and other charges — 3,540 — Operating income 11,859 4,362 10,143 Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss (31) 495 319 Interest expense, net 1,750 1,919 2,089 Income before income taxes 10,140 1,948 7,735 Provision for income taxes 2,847 2,424 2,115 Net income (loss) $              7,293 $               (476) $              5,620 Calculation of EPS: Net income (loss) - basic and diluted $              7,293 $               (476) $              5,620 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 85,001 85,003 88,573 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards 2,244 — 1,997 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 87,245 85,003 90,570 Net income (loss) per common share - basic: $                0.09 $              (0.01) $                0.06 Net income (loss) per common share - diluted: $                0.08 $              (0.01) $                0.06   Newpark Resources, Inc. Operating Segment Results (Unaudited)