Bristow Group Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Results

HOUSTON, Feb. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) today reported the following results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. All amounts shown are dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted:



Three Months Ended
December 31,


Nine Months Ended
December 31,



2016


2015


% Change


2016


2015


% Change

Operating revenue


$

324,353



$

395,157



(17.9)

%


$

1,024,199



$

1,254,279



(18.3)

%

Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group


(21,927)



3,202



*



(92,496)



(47,187)



(96.0)

%

Diluted earnings (loss) per share


(0.62)



0.09



*



(2.64)



(1.40)



(88.6)

%

Adjusted EBITDA (1)


22,918



64,730



(64.6)

%


67,397



170,223



(60.4)

%

Adjusted net income (loss) (1)


(10,121)



23,533



(143.0)

%


(34,415)



47,196



(172.9)

%

Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)


(0.29)



0.67



(143.3)

%


(0.98)



1.34



(173.1)

%

Operating cash flow


(42,898)



(2,576)



*



(14,860)



55,684



(126.7)

%

Capital expenditures


17,860



196,376



(90.9)

%


119,726



343,365



(65.1)

%

Rent expense


53,652



52,177



2.8

%


156,890



160,495



(2.2)

%

 



December 31,
2016


September 30, 
2016


% Change

Cash


$

71,159



$

100,668



(29.3)

%

Undrawn borrowing capacity on Revolving Credit Facility


209,420



165,970



26.2

%

Total liquidity


$

280,579



$

266,638



5.2

%


_______________



(1)

A full reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measurements is included at the end of this news release


 * percentage change too large to be meaningful or not applicable

 

For the December 2016 quarter, we reported a GAAP net loss of $21.9 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.62, compared to GAAP net income of $3.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.09, for the December 2015 quarter. Additionally, we reported an adjusted net loss of $10.1 million, or adjusted diluted loss per share of $0.29, for the December 2016 quarter compared to adjusted net income of $23.5 million or adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.67, for the December 2015 quarter.

Starting with the third fiscal quarter, we have revised our disclosures to present adjusted EBITDA rather than adjusted EBITDAR consistent with recent interpretations regarding Non-GAAP measures issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL UPDATE

  • The December 2016 quarter results reflect the continued pressure on our oil and gas operations due to the industry downturn; however, they were above our internal expectations.
  • Successfully improved liquidity and pushed debt maturities out through equipment financings: $200 million funded, $200 million signed credit agreement and $230 million executed commitment letter.
  • U.K. Search and Rescue (SAR) continued to perform as expected; however the post-Brexit depreciation of the British pound sterling continued to negatively impact our U.K. financial results including our U.K. oil and gas and SAR results as reported in U.S. dollars.
  • Recent tender successes reflect our global competitive position, reliable operations and creative solutions in oil and gas transportation and SAR.

"Our third quarter financial performance exceeded our internal expectations," said Bristow Group President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Baliff. "While our results continue to be impacted by the challenging market conditions affecting the offshore oil and gas industry, we have been successful on a number of fronts, including improving our liquidity and competitive position. The funding of the Lombard equipment financing and the recent announcement of additional financings greatly improve our liquidity runway and should allow us to maintain our leadership position in this current difficult market environment.

"While our oil and gas business continues to operate along the economic bottom of this cyclical downturn, there are no doubt green shoots beginning to appear in the oil and gas industry as we have seen modest increases in flight activity in certain offshore regions. As a result, our view is that challenging market conditions for our oil and gas business likely will continue in the near term.

Mr. Baliff continues, "Our scale, reliability, modern helicopter fleet and geographic diversification, combined with our revenue diversification, are supporting us in a dynamic prolonged downturn. We recently were awarded contracts for oil and gas transportation services as well as medevac and search and rescue services.  These contracts illustrate the innovation and close coordination that our operations, commercial and finance teams bring to our clients every day, worldwide.

"The combination of our continued focus on safety, recent tender successes, cost reductions and deferral of capital expenditures should allow us to maintain our industry leadership position."

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


Three Months Ended
December 31,


Nine Months Ended
December 31,


2016


2015


% Change


2016


2015


% Change














(in thousands, except percentages)

Oil and gas services

$

232,287



$

299,260



(22.4)

%


$

722,896



$

967,487



(25.3)

%

Fixed wing services

44,811



45,159



(0.8)

%


148,111



154,985



(4.4)

%

U.K. SAR services

45,193



47,529



(4.9)

%


145,592



115,112



26.5

%

Corporate and other

2,062



3,209



(35.7)

%


7,600



16,695



(54.5)

%

Total operating revenue

$

324,353



$

395,157



(17.9)

%


$

1,024,199



$

1,254,279



(18.3)

%

 

THIRD QUARTER FY2017 RESULTS

The oil and gas industry experienced a significant downturn during fiscal years 2015 and 2016 primarily due to a decline in crude oil prices which negatively impacted activity with our oil and gas clients. This decline started in fiscal year 2015 and has continued into fiscal year 2017, resulting in a significant decrease in gross revenue for our oil and gas services year-over-year. In addition to reduced activity, changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed to $25.8 million of the decrease in gross revenue year-over-year.

We reported a net loss of $21.9 million and diluted loss per share of $0.62 for the December 2016 quarter compared to net income of $3.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.09 for the December 2015 quarter. The year-over-year decrease in net income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share was primarily due to the decline in oil and gas revenue discussed above, goodwill impairment charges recorded in the December 2016 quarter, lower earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, higher interest expense resulting from additional borrowings, and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by less of a loss from disposal of assets and lower depreciation and amortization expense.

The net loss for the December 2016 quarter was significantly impacted by the following items:

  • Impairment charges on goodwill of $8.7 million ($7.9 million net of tax) included in loss on impairment,
  • Organizational restructuring costs of $0.8 million ($0.6 million net of tax), which includes severance expense of $0.7 million and other restructuring costs of $0.1 million; $0.6 million of the restructuring costs are included in direct costs and $0.2 million are included in general and administrative expense,
  • Loss on disposal of assets of $0.9 million ($1.1 million net of tax), accelerated depreciation of $1.1 million ($0.8 million net of tax), and
  • A non-cash adjustment related to the valuation of deferred tax assets of $3.7 million.

Excluding these items, adjusted net loss and adjusted diluted loss per share were $10.1 million and $0.29, respectively, for the December 2016 quarter. These adjusted results compare to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $23.5 million and $0.67, respectively, for the December 2015 quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes these items with the exception of accelerated depreciation and the tax adjustment, also decreased year-over-year to $22.9 million in the December 2016 quarter from $64.7 million in the December 2015 quarter.

During the December 2016 quarter, we used cash of $17.9 million for capital expenditures and had negative operating cash flow of $42.9 million primarily due to the timing of cash outflows and some of our clients holding cash payments over the calendar year-end.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

In November 2016, we entered into two, seven-year British pound sterling denominated secured equipment financings for an aggregate $200 million U.S. dollar equivalent with Lombard North Central Plc, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland. In December 2016, the first loan in the amount of $109.9 million (GBP 89.1 million) funded, and the borrower prepaid a portion of the scheduled principal payments totaling $4.5 million (GBP 3.7 million). In January 2017, the second loan in the amount of $90.1 million (GBP 72.4 million) funded.

In February 2017, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a term loan credit agreement for a $200 million five-year secured equipment financing with Macquarie Bank Limited.  In conjunction with closing and funding under such term loan, we will lease five helicopters for up to five years. The financing will be secured by 20 oil and gas aircraft. We expect this financing to fund no later than March 31, 2017. The proceeds from the financing are expected to be used to repay amounts due under our existing term loans.

Also in February 2017, we executed a commitment letter for an approximate six-year, $230 million secured equipment financing with PK Transportation Finance Ireland Limited, a part of GE Capital Aviation Services ("GECAS"). As part of this financing, which is subject to entering into definitive agreements, Milestone Aviation Group Limited ("Milestone"), a GECAS company, will defer up to $25 million in lease rentals on certain Airbus H225 assets on lease to us. The financing will be secured by 20 oil and gas aircraft.  We expect this financing to fund no later than June 30, 2017. The proceeds from the financing are expected to be used to repay amounts due under our existing bank indebtedness. As part of executing the commitment letter, we will extend three Sikorsky S-92 leases by two years each with Milestone.

"Our primary financing objective over the next several quarters continues to be increasing our financial flexibility as we slowly emerge from this prolonged industry downturn," said Don Miller, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We have made substantial progress towards this goal."

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE

Europe Caspian



Three Months Ended
December 31,




2016


2015


% Change












(in thousands, except percentages)


Operating revenue


$

172,844



$

192,400



(10.2)

%


Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates


$

125



$

93



34.4

%


Operating income (loss)


$

(303)



$

26,986



(101.1)

%


Operating margin


(0.2)

%


14.0

%


(101.4)

%


Adjusted EBITDA


$

9,123



$

32,683



(72.1)

%


Adjusted EBITDA margin


5.3

%


17.0

%


(68.8)

%


Rent expense


34,115



33,379



2.2

%


 

Operating revenue, operating income, adjusted EBITDA and margins decreased in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to the negative impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the impact of the downturn in the oil and gas industry. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in operating revenue from increased activity in Norway. Eastern Airways contributed $25.1 million and $27.3 million in operating revenue and a negative $2.1 million and positive $2.7 million in adjusted EBITDA for the December 2016 and 2015 quarters, respectively.

A substantial portion of our revenue in the Europe Caspian region is contracted in British pound sterling, which depreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar in late June 2016 as a result of Brexit. Translation of results at lower pound sterling exchange rates decreased operating revenue, operating income and adjusted EBITDA by $25.9 million, $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively, for the December 2016 quarter compared to the December 2015 quarter. Additionally, we recorded foreign exchange losses of $10.7 million and $5.2 million primarily from the revaluation of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which is recorded in other income (expense), net and included in adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, during the December 2016 quarter, we recorded an impairment of $8.7 million for the remaining goodwill related to Eastern Airways, which contributed to the operating loss in the December 2016 quarter, but was adjusted for in our calculation of adjusted EBITDA.

Excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment and changes in foreign currency exchange rates, operating margin would have been 5.1% and 14.0% and adjusted EBITDA margin would have been 11.4% and 19.6% for the December 2016 and 2015 quarters, respectively.

Africa



Three Months Ended
December 31,




2016


2015


% Change












(in thousands, except percentages)


Operating revenue


$

49,587



$

61,786



(19.7)

%


Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates


$



$

43



(100.0)

%


Operating income


$

10,441



$

4,377



138.5

%


Operating margin


21.1

%


7.1

%


197.2

%


Adjusted EBITDA


$

17,012



$

15,680



8.5

%


Adjusted EBITDA margin


34.3

%


25.4

%


35.0

%


Rent expense


1,767



2,482



(28.8)

%


 

Operating revenue for Africa decreased in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to an overall decrease in activity resulting from the downturn of the oil and gas industry. The lower activity reduced revenue by $13.4 million, which was only partially offset by $0.7 million from increased activity on a contract. Additionally, we began providing fixed wing services in this region in October 2015, which generated $1.0 million of operating revenue for the December 2016 quarter. A majority of our revenue in our Africa region is contracted at fixed U.S. dollar values, resulting in minimal exposure to the devalued Nigerian naira upon translation into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

Operating income and operating margin increased in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense and lower operating expenses. Operating expenses were $3.7 million lower in the December 2016 quarter due to the devaluation of the Nigerian naira which resulted in naira-based expenses translating into fewer U.S. dollars. Additionally, in the December 2015 quarter, we recorded $1.7 million in bad debt expense. Operating income and adjusted EBITDA in the December 2016 quarter benefited $2.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, from changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to the combination of currencies our Nigerian operations transact in.

Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, operating margin would have been 21.2% and 7.0% and adjusted EBITDA margin would have been 29.6% and 23.4% for the December 2016 and 2015 quarters, respectively.

Americas



Three Months Ended
December 31,




2016


2015


% Change












(in thousands, except percentages)


Operating revenue


$

53,024



$

72,068



(26.4)

%


Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates


$

831



$

7,556



(89.0)

%


Operating income


$

2,226



$

22,797



(90.2)

%


Operating margin


4.2

%


31.6

%


(86.7)

%


Adjusted EBITDA


$

10,039



$

30,875



(67.5)

%


Adjusted EBITDA margin


18.9

%


42.8

%


(55.8)

%


Rent expense


5,638



5,033



12.0

%


 

Operating revenue decreased in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to a decline in activity in our U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations resulting from the oil and gas industry downturn and a decrease in Brazil due to fewer aircraft leased to Líder.

Operating income, adjusted EBITDA and margins decreased primarily due to the decline in activity and reduced pre-foreign exchange earnings from our investment in Líder, but were also impacted by foreign currency exchange rate changes in the December 2016 and 2015 quarters, which reduced earnings from our investment in Líder by $1.2 million for the December 2016 quarter and increased earnings from our investment in Líder by $1.0 million for the December 2015 quarter.

Asia Pacific



Three Months Ended
December 31,




2016


2015


% Change












(in thousands, except percentages)


Operating revenue


$

49,092



$

67,402



(27.2)

%


Operating income (loss)


$

(9,012)



$

458



*



Operating margin


(18.4)

%


0.7

%


*



Adjusted EBITDA


$

(5,027)



$

7,383



(168.1)

%


Adjusted EBITDA margin


(10.2)

%


11.0

%


(192.7)

%


Rent expense


10,247



9,216



11.2

%



_____________


 * percentage change too large to be meaningful or not applicable

 

Operating revenue, operating income, adjusted EBITDA and margins in Australia decreased in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to the ending of short-term oil and gas contracts, partially offset by an increase in operating revenue from Airnorth. A significant portion of our revenue in the Asia Pacific region is contracted in the Australian dollar, which strengthened against the U.S. dollar in the December 2016 quarter.  Foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in an increase in revenue of $1.3 million for the December 2016 quarter. Airnorth contributed $18.7 million and $17.9 million in operating revenue and $1.1 million and $3.2 million in adjusted EBITDA for the December 2016 and 2015 quarters, respectively.

Corporate and other



Three Months Ended
December 31,




2016


2015


% Change












(in thousands, except percentages)


Operating revenue


$

2,099



$

3,609



(41.8)

%


Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates


$

(190)



$



*



Operating loss


$

(21,575)



$

(30,387)



29.0

%


Adjusted EBITDA


$

(8,229)



$

(21,891)



62.4

%


Rent expense


$

1,885



$

2,067



(8.8)

%



_____________


 * percentage change too large to be meaningful or not applicable

 

Operating revenue decreased in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to a decline in third-party part sales of $0.8 million and Bristow Academy revenue of $0.7 million. Operating loss and adjusted EBITDA improved in the December 2016 quarter primarily due to cost reduction activities that decreased salaries and benefits and other general and administrative expenses. Additionally, adjusted EBITDA in the December 2016 quarter benefited from a favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our Corporate results of $9.1 million compared to the December 2015 quarter.

DIVIDEND

On February 1, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.07 per share to be paid on March 15, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2017. Based on shares outstanding as of December 31, 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, February 3, 2017 to review financial results for the fiscal year 2017 third quarter ended December 31, 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 Third 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 February 17, 2017 and may be accessed by calling toll free 1-877-660-6853, passcode: 13652695#

Via Telephone outside the U.S.:

  • Live: Dial 1-412-902-0030
  • Replay: A telephone replay will be available through February 17, 2017 and may be accessed by calling 1-201-612-7415, passcode: 13652695#

ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC.

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global industrial aviation services provider offering helicopter transportation, search and rescue (SAR) and aircraft support services, including maintenance and training, to government and civil organizations worldwide.  Bristow has major 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.  Bristow provides SAR services to the private sector worldwide and to the public sector for all of the U.K. on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.  For more information, visit 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 helicopter 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 and 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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended
 December 31,


Nine Months Ended
 December 31,


2016


2015


2016


2015

Gross revenue:








Operating revenue from non-affiliates

$

305,789



$

374,979



$

969,779



$

1,193,002


Operating revenue from affiliates

18,564



20,178



54,420



61,277


Reimbursable revenue from non-affiliates

13,090



24,730



40,109



79,515



337,443



419,887



1,064,308



1,333,794


Operating expense:








Direct cost

260,343



288,135



831,516



926,378


Reimbursable expense

12,206



23,380



38,096



76,242


Depreciation and amortization

29,768



32,320



93,054



106,853


General and administrative

45,409



59,513



149,278



174,302



347,726



403,348



1,111,944



1,283,775










Loss on impairment

(8,706)





(16,278)



(27,713)


Loss on disposal of assets

(874)



(2,154)



(13,077)



(23,856)


Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

766



7,692



4,777



(1,372)


Operating income (loss)

(19,097)



22,077



(72,214)



(2,922)










Interest expense, net

(12,179)



(9,536)



(34,533)



(24,384)


Other income (expense), net

1,668



650



(1,518)



(6,935)


Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes

(29,608)



13,191



(108,265)



(34,241)


Benefit (provision) for income taxes

3,560



(9,623)



11,038



(9,500)


Net income (loss)

(26,048)



3,568



(97,227)



(43,741)


Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

4,121



(366)



4,731



(3,446)


Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group

(21,927)



3,202



(92,496)



(47,187)


Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest







(1,498)


Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

$

(21,927)



$

3,202



$

(92,496)



$

(48,685)


















Earnings (loss) per common share:








Basic

$

(0.62)



$

0.09



$

(2.64)



$

(1.40)


Diluted

$

(0.62)



$

0.09



$

(2.64)



$

(1.40)


















Non-GAAP measures:








Adjusted EBITDA

$

22,918



$

64,730



$

67,397



$

170,223


Adjusted EBITDA margin

7.1

%


16.4

%


6.6

%


13.6

%

Adjusted net income (loss)

$

(10,121)



$

23,533



$

(34,415)



$

47,196


Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.29)



$

0.67



$

(0.98)



$

1.34


 

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)




December 31,
 2016


March 31,
 2016

ASSETS

Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents


$

71,159



$

104,310


Accounts receivable from non-affiliates


208,394



243,425


Accounts receivable from affiliates


8,012



5,892


Inventories


124,358



142,503


Assets held for sale


37,635



43,783


Prepaid expenses and other current assets


52,148



53,183


Total current assets


501,706



593,096


Investment in unconsolidated affiliates


206,797



194,952


Property and equipment – at cost:





Land and buildings


231,021



253,098


Aircraft and equipment


2,617,467



2,570,577




2,848,488



2,823,675


Less – Accumulated depreciation and amortization


(585,821)



(540,423)




2,262,667



2,283,252


Goodwill


18,793



29,990


Other assets


141,146



161,655


Total assets


$

3,131,109



$

3,262,945



LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

Current liabilities:





Accounts payable


$

79,902



$

96,966


Accrued wages, benefits and related taxes


58,565



59,431


Income taxes payable


7,115



27,400


Other accrued taxes


6,754



7,995


Deferred revenue


24,014



24,206


Accrued maintenance and repairs


22,136



22,196


Accrued interest


5,699



11,985


Other accrued liabilities


51,110



48,392


Deferred taxes




1,881


Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt


271,461



60,394


Contingent consideration


7,137



29,522


Total current liabilities


533,893



390,368


Long-term debt, less current maturities


990,207



1,071,578


Accrued pension liabilities


49,291



70,107


Other liabilities and deferred credits


26,456



33,273


Deferred taxes


149,961



172,254


Redeemable noncontrolling interest


8,267



15,473


Stockholders' investment:





Common stock


378



377


Additional paid-in capital


807,046



801,173


Retained earnings


1,072,411



1,172,273


Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(326,941)



(289,819)


Treasury shares


(184,796)



(184,796)


Total Bristow Group stockholders' investment


1,368,098



1,499,208


Noncontrolling interests


4,936



10,684


Total stockholders' investment


1,373,034



1,509,892


Total liabilities, redeemable non controlling interests and stockholders' investment


$

3,131,109



$

3,262,945


 

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)




Nine Months Ended
 December 31,



2016


2015

Cash flows from operating activities:





Net loss


$

(97,227)



$

(43,741)


Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:





Depreciation and amortization


93,054



106,853


Deferred income taxes


(20,991)



(37,628)


Discount amortization on long-term debt


1,314



973


Loss on disposal of assets


13,077



23,856


Loss on impairment


16,278



27,713


Stock-based compensation


9,508



16,641


Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates less than (in excess of) dividends received


(4,294)



2,227


Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation




(44)


Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:





Accounts receivable


15,787



31,858


Inventories


(2,912)



(5,555)


Prepaid expenses and other assets


(4,359)



(2,645)


Accounts payable


(7,395)



(2,527)


Accrued liabilities


(19,891)



(46,289)


Other liabilities and deferred credits


(6,809)



(16,008)


Net cash provided by operating activities


(14,860)



55,684


Cash flows from investing activities:





Capital expenditures


(119,726)



(343,365)


Proceeds from asset dispositions


14,344



19,152


Deposits on assets held for sale


290




Net cash used in investing activities


(105,092)



(324,213)


Cash flows from financing activities:





Proceeds from borrowings


360,240



910,421


Debt issuance costs


(3,883)




Repayment of debt


(243,677)



(567,121)


Partial prepayment of put/call obligation


(38)



(42)


Acquisition of noncontrolling interest




(7,311)


Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest


(2,533)



(153)


Payment of contingent consideration


(10,000)



(8,000)


Common stock dividends paid


(7,366)



(35,627)


Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation




44


Net cash provided by financing activities


92,743



292,211


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


(5,942)



4,080


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


(33,151)



27,762


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


104,310



104,146


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period


$

71,159



$

131,908


 

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SELECTED OPERATING DATA

(In thousands, except flight hours and percentages)

(Unaudited)




Three Months Ended
 December 31,


Nine Months Ended
 December 31,



2016


2015


2016


2015

Flight hours (excluding Bristow Academy and unconsolidated affiliates):









Europe Caspian


20,921



21,991



65,703



69,627


Africa


7,145



8,332



22,869



27,190


Americas


5,337



9,157



17,504



29,584


Asia Pacific


6,691



7,916



19,759



24,613


Consolidated


40,094



47,396



125,835



151,014


Operating revenue:









Europe Caspian


$

172,844



$

192,400



$

548,070



$

603,397


Africa


49,587



61,786



153,055



202,885


Americas


53,024



72,068



168,578



225,283


Asia Pacific


49,092



67,402



155,144



214,177


Corporate and other


2,099



3,609



7,917



18,542


Intra-region eliminations


(2,293)



(2,108)



(8,565)



(10,005)


Consolidated


$

324,353



$

395,157



$

1,024,199



$

1,254,279


Operating income (loss):









Europe Caspian


$

(303)



$

26,986



$

18,468



$

56,243


Africa


10,441



4,377



19,954



24,903


Americas


2,226



22,797



5,790



30,283


Asia Pacific


(9,012)



458



(24,480)



4,783


Corporate and other


(21,575)



(30,387)



(78,869)



(95,278)


Loss on disposal of assets


(874)



(2,154)



(13,077)



(23,856)


Consolidated


$

(19,097)



$

22,077



$

(72,214)



$

(2,922)


Operating margin:









Europe Caspian


(0.2)

%


14.0

%


3.4

%


9.3

%

Africa


21.1

%


7.1

%


13.0

%


12.3

%

Americas


4.2

%


31.6

%


3.4

%


13.4

%

Asia Pacific


(18.4)

%


0.7

%


(15.8)

%


2.2

%

Consolidated


(5.9)

%


5.6

%


(7.1)

%


(0.2)

%

Adjusted EBITDA:









Europe Caspian


$

9,123



$

32,683



$

43,273



$

95,511


Africa


17,012



15,680



39,350



54,852


Americas


10,039



30,875



34,317



60,429


Asia Pacific


(5,027)



7,383



(10,513)



22,164


Corporate and other


(8,229)



(21,891)



(39,030)



(62,733)


Consolidated


$

22,918



$

64,730



$

67,397



$

170,223


Adjusted EBITDA margin:









Europe Caspian


5.3

%


17.0

%


7.9

%


15.8

%

Africa


34.3

%


25.4

%


25.7

%


27.0

%

Americas


18.9

%


42.8

%


20.4

%


26.8

%

Asia Pacific


(10.2)

%


11.0

%


(6.8)

%


10.3

%

Consolidated


7.1

%


16.4

%


6.6

%


13.6

%

 



Three Months Ended
 December 31,


Nine Months Ended
 December 31,



2016


2015


2016


2015












(In thousands)

Depreciation and amortization:









Europe Caspian


$

11,185



$

8,912



$

33,594



$

29,889


Africa


4,007



8,581



12,680



24,274


Americas


7,060



7,797



25,669



28,523


Asia Pacific


4,973



4,268



13,586



17,445


Corporate and other


2,543



2,762



7,525



6,722


Total depreciation and amortization


$

29,768



$

32,320



$

93,054



$

106,853











Rent expense:









Europe Caspian


$

34,115



$

33,379



$

100,007



$

103,110


Africa


1,767



2,482



6,101



6,025


Americas


5,638



5,033



16,258



16,216


Asia Pacific


10,247



9,216



28,803



27,830


Corporate and other


1,885



2,067



5,721



7,314


 Total rent expense


$

53,652



$

52,177



$

156,890



$

160,495











 

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

AIRCRAFT COUNT

As of December 31, 2016

(Unaudited)





Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet





Percentage

of Current Period

Operating

Revenue


Helicopters








Small


Medium


Large


Training


Fixed

Wing (1)




Unconsolidated

Affiliates (4)




Total (2)(3)



Total

Europe Caspian

54

%




16



76





31



123





123


Africa

15

%


14



30



5





4



53



46



99


Americas

16

%


15



42



16







73



67



140


Asia Pacific

15

%


2



9



24





14



49





49


Corporate and other

%








47





47





47


Total

100

%


31



97



121



47



49



345



113



458




















Aircraft not currently in fleet: (5)

















On order





5



29







34






Under option







4







4







_______________



(1)

Includes 33 fixed wing aircraft operated by Eastern Airways which are included in the Europe Caspian and Africa regions and 14 fixed wing aircraft operated by Airnorth which are included in the Asia Pacific region.



(2)

Includes 24 aircraft held for sale and 117 leased aircraft as follows:

 


Held for Sale Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet


Helicopters




Small


Medium


Large


Training


Fixed

Wing


Total

Europe Caspian



1









1


Africa

5



7









12


Americas

1



6









7


Asia Pacific









1



1


Corporate and other







3





3


Total

6



14





3



1



24






















Leased Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet


Helicopters





Small


Medium


Large


Training


Fixed

Wing


Total

Europe Caspian



6



39





13



58


Africa





2





2



4


Americas

1



14



6







21


Asia Pacific

2



2



9





4



17


Corporate and other







17





17


Total

3



22



56



17



19



117




(3)

The average age of our fleet, excluding fixed wing and training aircraft, was approximately nine years as of December 31, 2016.



(4)

The 113 aircraft operated by our unconsolidated affiliates do not include those aircraft leased from us. Includes 44 helicopters (primarily medium) and 23 fixed wing aircraft owned and managed by Líder, our unconsolidated affiliate in Brazil, which is included in our Americas region.



(5)

This table does not reflect aircraft which our unconsolidated affiliates may have on order or under option.

 

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FY17 GUIDANCE


FY17 guidance as of December 31, 2016 (1)

U.K. SAR

Revenue

~$190M - $200M


G&A expense

~$195M - $205M

EBITDA (2)

~$35M - $45M


Depreciation expense

~$120M - $130M

Rent

~$45M - $50M


Total aircraft rent (3)

~$185M - $190M

Eastern

Revenue

~$105M - $115M


Total non-aircraft rent (3)

~$20M - $25M

EBITDA (2)

~$0M - $3M


Interest expense

~$45M - $50M

Rent

~$8M - $10M


Non-aircraft capex

~$50M annually

Airnorth

Revenue

~$70M - $85M




EBITDA (2)

~$5M - $8M




Rent

~$8M - $10M












_______________



(1)

FY17 guidance assumes FX rates as of December 31, 2016.



(2)

EBITDA excludes corporate overhead allocations consistent with financial reporting. EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of which the most comparable GAAP measure is net income (loss). We have not provided a reconciliation of this non-GAAP forward-looking information to GAAP. The most comparable GAAP measure to EBITDA is net income (loss) which is not calculated at this lower level of our business as we do not allocate certain costs, including corporate and other overhead costs, interest expense and income taxes within our accounting system. Providing this data would require unreasonable efforts in the form of allocations of other costs across the organization.



(3)

Total aircraft rent and total non-aircraft rent are inclusive of the respective components of rent expense for U.K. SAR, Eastern, Airnorth plus oil and gas.

 

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 registered public accounting firm.  These financial measures are therefore considered non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA provides us with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us for investing in the growth of our business. In prior periods we presented adjusted EBITDAR, which was calculated by taking our net income and adjusting for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, rent expense (included as a component of direct cost and general and administrative expense), provision for income taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. We believed that adjusted EBITDAR provided us with a useful supplemental measure of our operational performance by excluding the financing decisions we make regarding aircraft purchases or leasing. However, we have revised our disclosures to present adjusted EBITDA rather than adjusted EBITDAR consistent with recent interpretations regarding Non-GAAP measures issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. A description of the adjustments to and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is as follows:



Three months ended

Nine months ended



December 31,


December 31,



2016


2015


2016


2015












(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Net income (loss)


$

(26,048)



$

3,568



$

(97,227)



$

(43,741)


Loss on disposal of assets


874



2,154



13,077



23,856


Special items


9,537



7,348



34,361



48,752


Depreciation and amortization


29,768



32,320



93,054



106,853


Interest expense


12,347



9,717



35,170



25,003


(Benefit) provision for income taxes


(3,560)



9,623



(11,038)



9,500


Adjusted EBITDA


$

22,918



$

64,730



$

67,397



$

170,223











Benefit (provision) for income taxes


$

3,560



(9,623)



$

11,038



$

(9,500)


Tax benefit on loss on disposal of asset


(1,953)



(496)



(5,858)



(5,487)


Tax expense (benefit) on special items


5,227



6,282



10,227



4,816


Adjusted benefit (provision) for income taxes


$

6,834



$

(3,837)



$

15,407



$

(10,171)











Effective tax rate (1)


12.0

%


73.0

%


10.2

%


(27.7)

%

Adjusted effective tax rate (1)


37.9

%


13.8

%


29.9

%


16.7

%










Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group


$

(21,927)



$

3,202



$

(92,496)



$

(47,187)


Loss on disposal of assets


(1,079)



1,658



7,219



18,369


Special items


12,885



18,673



50,862



76,014


Adjusted net income (loss)


$

(10,121)



$

23,533



$

(34,415)



$

47,196











Diluted earnings (loss) per share


$

(0.62)



$

0.09



$

(2.64)



$

(1.40)


Loss on disposal of assets


(0.03)



0.05



0.21



0.52


Special items


0.37



0.53



1.45



2.20


Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share


(0.29)



0.67



(0.98)



1.34



_______________


(1)

Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing income tax expense by pretax net income.  Adjusted effective tax rate is calculated by dividing adjusted income tax expense by adjusted pretax net income. Tax expense (benefit) on loss on disposal of asset and tax expense (benefit) on special items is calculated using the statutory rate of the entity recording the loss on disposal of asset or special item.

 

The following tables present special items for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:


Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2016



Adjusted
EBITDA


Adjusted

Net Income


Adjusted

Diluted

Earnings

Per

Share









(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Goodwill impairment (1)


$

8,706



$

7,857



$

0.22


Additional depreciation expense resulting from fleet changes (2)




761



0.02


Organizational restructuring costs (3)


831



583



0.02


Tax valuation allowance (4)




3,684



0.10


Total special items


$

9,537



$

12,885



0.37





Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2015



Adjusted
EBITDA


Adjusted

Net Income


Adjusted

Diluted

Earnings

Per

Share









(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Organizational restructuring costs (3)


$

7,348



$

5,370



$

0.15


Additional depreciation expense resulting from fleet changes (2)




3,774



0.11


Tax valuation allowance (4)




9,529



0.27


Total special items


$

7,348



$

18,673



0.53
























Nine Months Ended
 December 31, 2016



Adjusted
EBITDA


Adjusted

Net Income


Adjusted

Diluted

Earnings

Per

Share









(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Organizational restructuring costs (3)


$

18,083



$

12,171



$

0.35


Additional depreciation expense resulting from fleet changes (2)




6,122



0.17


Goodwill impairment (1)


8,706



7,857



0.22


Impairment of inventories (5)


7,572



5,372



0.15


Tax valuation allowance (4)




19,340



0.55


Total special items


$

34,361



$

50,862



1.45












Nine Months Ended
 December 31, 2015



Adjusted
EBITDA


Adjusted

Net Income


Adjusted

Diluted

Earnings

Per

Share









(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Organizational restructuring costs (3)


$

21,039



$

16,758



$

0.47


Additional depreciation expense resulting from fleet changes (2)




15,532



0.44


Impairment of inventories (5)


5,439



3,764



0.11


Goodwill impairment (1)


22,274



24,996



0.71


Tax valuation allowance (4)




14,964



0.42


Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (6)






0.04


Total special items


$

48,752



$

76,014



2.20



_______________


(1)

Relates to an impairment of goodwill of Eastern Airways in our Europe Caspian region for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016 and our Bristow Norway reporting unit within our Europe Caspian region and Bristow Academy reporting unit within Corporate and other for the nine months ended December 31, 2015.



(2)

Relates to additional depreciation expense due to fleet changes.



(3)

Organizational restructuring costs primarily includes severance expense included in direct costs and general and administrative expense from our voluntary and involuntary separation programs.



(4)

Relates to a tax valuation allowance of $3.7 million against net operating losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and a tax valuation allowance of $11.0 million against foreign tax credits and $8.3 million against net operating losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. The amount for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 are related to the valuation of deferred tax assets against net operating losses in certain foreign jurisdictions.



(5)

Relates to increase in inventory allowance as a result of our review of excess inventory on aircraft model types we ceased ownership of, classified all or a significant portion of as held for sale or made a decision to cease ownership within our fleet earlier than previously anticipated.



(6)

Relates to the accounting for changes in the redeemable value of put arrangements whereby the noncontrolling interest holders in Airnorth and Eastern Airways may require us to redeem the remaining shares in these companies.  This change does not impact net earnings (loss), but rather is accounted for as a reduction of earnings (loss) available to common shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bristow-group-reports-third-quarter-fiscal-year-2017-results-300401666.html

SOURCE Bristow Group Inc.