H&E Equipment Services Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

BATON ROUGE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2017-- H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEES) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company completed its successful offering of new 8-year 5.625% senior unsecured notes and the repurchase and redemption of its previously outstanding 7% senior unsecured notes. The Company’s operating results for this quarter include a $25.4 million non-recurring item associated with the premiums paid to repurchase and redeem the old notes and the write-off of unamortized note discount and deferred transaction costs associated therewith and $8.7 million of income, net of merger costs, resulting from the previously announced termination of our merger agreement with Neff Corporation.

THIRD QUARTER 2017 SUMMARY

• Revenues increased 5.9% to $259.2 million versus $244.7 million a year ago.
• Net income was $8.5 million in the third quarter compared to net income of $11.7 million a year ago. Adjusted net income was $27.1 million compared to net income of $11.7 million a year ago. The effective income tax rate was (11.7%) in the third quarter of 2017 and 41.7% in the third quarter of 2016.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.1% to $88.5 million in the third quarter compared to $81.9 million a year ago, yielding a higher margin of 34.2% of revenues compared to 33.5% a year ago.
• Rental revenues increased 6.0% to $125.6 million in the third quarter compared to $118.5 million a year ago.
• New equipment sales increased 9.3% to $48.9 million in the third quarter compared to $44.8 million a year ago.
• Used equipment sales increased 7.9% to $22.3 million in the third quarter compared to $20.6 million a year ago.
• Gross margin was 36.3% compared to 36.0% a year ago.
• Rental gross margins were 49.7% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 49.5% a year ago.
• Average time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 73.3% compared to 72.1% a year ago. Average time utilization (based on units available for rent) was 71.2% compared to 68.0% last year.
• Average rental rates increased 0.3% compared to a year ago and 1.0% sequentially.
• Dollar utilization was 36.0% in the third quarter compared to 35.4% a year ago.
• Average rental fleet age at September 30, 2017, was 34.3 months compared to an industry average age of 43.4 months.
• Successful notes offering of $750 million of new 8-year 5.625% senior unsecured notes. Proceeds were used primarily to repurchase or redeem our previously outstanding 7% senior unsecured notes.

John Engquist, H&E Equipment Services’ chief executive officer, said, “Our rental business performed extremely well during the third quarter, capitalizing on the strong broad-based demand in the non-residential construction markets we serve. We achieved positive rates for the second consecutive quarter on both a year-over-year and sequential basis. Project activity was solid across our operating footprint resulting in a 120 basis point improvement in physical utilization and a 6% increase in equipment rental revenues. While new equipment sales increased 9.3% driven primarily by a 29.6% improvement in new crane sales, volumes remain low compared to historical levels due to the ongoing weak demand for new cranes.”

Engquist concluded, “We continue to evaluate acquisitions that are complementary to our business and broaden our geographic footprint and coverage density. Additionally, we are continuing our greenfield growth strategy. We believe the current trends in our end-user markets remain favorable and customer sentiment is positive regarding project visibility into 2018.”

FINANCIAL DISCUSSION FOR THIRD QUARTER 2017:

Revenue

Total revenues increased 5.9% to $259.2 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $244.7 million in the third quarter of 2016. Equipment rental revenues increased 6.0% to $125.6 million compared with $118.5 million in the third quarter of 2016. New equipment sales increased 9.3% to $48.9 million from $44.8 million a year ago. Used equipment sales increased 7.9% to $22.3 million compared to $20.6 million a year ago. Parts sales increased 1.6% to $27.8 million from $27.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. Service revenues were $16.1 million in both periods.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased 6.7% to $94.0 million from $88.1 million in the third quarter of 2016. Gross margin was 36.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, as compared to 36.0% for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. On a segment basis, gross margin on rentals was 49.7% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 49.5% in the third quarter of 2016. On average, rental rates were 0.3% higher than rates in the third quarter of 2016. Time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 73.3% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 72.1% a year ago. Time utilization (based on units available for rent) was 71.2% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 68.0% a year ago.

Gross margins on new equipment sales increased to 10.9% in the third quarter compared to 10.3% a year ago. Gross margins on used equipment sales increased to 32.1% compared to 30.4% a year ago. Gross margins on parts sales decreased to 27.5% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 27.9% in the third quarter of 2016. Gross margins on service revenues decreased to 65.4% for the third quarter of 2017 compared to 66.1% in the third quarter of 2016.

Rental Fleet

At the end of the third quarter of 2017, the original acquisition cost of the Company’s rental fleet was $1.4 billion, an increase of $55.7 million from the end of the third quarter of 2016. Dollar utilization was 36.0% compared to 35.4% for the third quarter of 2016.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2017 were $55.2 million compared with $56.0 million the prior year, a $0.8 million, or 1.4%, decrease. SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2017 decreased as a percentage of total revenues to 21.3% compared to 22.9% the prior year. The net decrease in SG&A was largely attributable to the reversal of $2.2 million of merger and acquisition transaction costs related to our previously proposed acquisition of Neff Corporation included in SG&A expenses for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2017, and reclassified to “Merger Breakup Fee Proceeds, net of Merger Costs” in the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. Excluding this $2.2 million impact to SG&A expenses in the three month period ended September 30, 2017, total SG&A expenses would have increased approximately $1.4 million compared to the three month period ended September 30, 2016. Expenses related to new branch expansions increased $1.1 million compared to a year ago.

Income from Operations

Income from operations for the third quarter of 2017 increased 44.0% to $47.7 million, or 18.4% of revenues, compared to $33.1 million, or 13.5% of revenues, a year ago, but included $8.7 million of merger breakup fee proceeds, net of merger costs. Excluding the merger breakup fee, income from operations increased 17.7% to $39.0 million, or 15.0% of revenues compared to 13.5% of revenues a year ago.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $15.1 million for the third quarter of 2017, an 11.8% or $1.6 million increase from a year ago, reflecting the issuance of our new 8-year 5.625% senior unsecured notes. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to the timing of the issuance of the new 8-year 5.625% senior unsecured notes in relation to the redemption of the old 7% senior unsecured notes. Our new notes were issued on August 24, 2017, while approximately $300.3 million of principal amount of the old notes remained outstanding until the September 25, 2017, redemption date.

Net Income and Adjusted Net Income

Net income was $8.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017 compared to net income of $11.7 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2016. Adjusted net income was $27.1 million, or $0.76 per diluted share. The effective income tax rate was (11.7%) in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 41.7% in the year ago period due primarily to a discrete item related to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2017 increased 8.1% to $88.5 million compared to $81.9 million in the third quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 34.2% compared with 33.5% in the third quarter of 2016.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains certain Non-GAAP measures (EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income). Please refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K for a description of these measures and of our use of these measures. These measures as calculated by the Company are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Additionally, these Non-GAAP measures are not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to the Company's other financial information determined under GAAP.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter results today, October 26, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). To listen to the call, participants should dial 719-325-4781 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay will become available after 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 26, 2017, and will continue through November 3, 2017, by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering the confirmation code 4177181.

The live broadcast of the Company’s quarterly conference call will be available online at www.he-equipment.com on October 26, 2017, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) and will continue to be available for 30 days. Related presentation materials will be posted to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s web site at www.he-equipment.com prior to the call. The presentation materials will be in Adobe Acrobat format.

About H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

The Company is one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States with 79 full-service facilities throughout the West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. The Company is focused on heavy construction and industrial equipment and rents, sells and provides parts and services support for four core categories of specialized equipment: (1) hi-lift or aerial platform equipment; (2) cranes; (3) earthmoving equipment; and (4) industrial lift trucks. By providing equipment rental, sales, on-site parts, repair and maintenance functions under one roof, the Company is a one-stop provider for its customers' varied equipment needs. This full service approach provides the Company with multiple points of customer contact, enabling it to maintain a high quality rental fleet, as well as an effective distribution channel for fleet disposal and provides cross-selling opportunities among its new and used equipment sales, rental, parts sales and services operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about H&E’s beliefs and expectations, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations are forward-looking statements. Statements containing the words “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “foresee” and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) general economic conditions and construction and industrial activity in the markets where we operate in North America; (2) our ability to forecast trends in our business accurately, and the impact of economic downturns and economic uncertainty in the markets we serve; (3) the impact of conditions in the global credit and commodity markets and their effect on construction spending and the economy in general; (4) relationships with equipment suppliers; (5) increased maintenance and repair costs as we age our fleet and decreases in our equipment’s residual value; (6) our indebtedness; (7) risks associated with the expansion of our business and any potential acquisitions we may make, including any related capital expenditures; (8) our possible inability to integrate any businesses we acquire; (9) competitive pressures; (10) security breaches and other disruptions in our information technology systems; (11) adverse weather events or natural disasters; (12) compliance with laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental matters and corporate governance matters; and (13) other factors discussed in our public filings, including the risk factors included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this release. These statements are based on the current beliefs and assumptions of H&E’s management, which in turn are based on currently available information and important, underlying assumptions. H&E is under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after this press release, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise. Investors, potential investors, security holders and other readers are urged to consider the above mentioned factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
			Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
			September 30,									September 30,
			2017				2016					2017				2016
Revenues:
Equipment rentals			$	125,616			$	118,535				$	351,303			$	330,023
New equipment sales				48,940				44,764					128,883				151,836
Used equipment sales				22,250				20,630					75,219				71,973
Parts sales				27,763				27,335					81,063				81,958
Service revenues				16,097				16,076					47,121				49,322
Other				18,496				17,346					51,764				48,679
Total revenues				259,162				244,686					735,353				733,791
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation				43,255				41,528					125,996				120,700
Rental expense				19,988				18,378					58,524				53,162
New equipment sales				43,609				40,147					114,440				135,152
Used equipment sales				15,116				14,364					51,979				49,751
Parts sales				20,125				19,708					58,696				59,184
Service revenues				5,567				5,445					15,898				16,736
Other				17,476				16,991					50,782				48,129
Total cost of revenues				165,136				156,561					476,315				482,814
Gross profit				94,026				88,125					259,038				250,977
Selling, general, and administrative expenses				55,203				55,962					172,328				172,385
Merger breakup fee proceeds, net of merger costs				6,506				-					6,506				-
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net				2,325				927					4,431				2,301
Income from operations				47,654				33,090					97,647				80,893
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				(25,363	)			-					(25,363	)			-
Interest expense				(15,060	)			(13,469	)				(41,665	)			(40,229	)
Other income, net				346				386					1,156				1,505
Income before provision (benefit) for income taxes				7,577				20,007					31,775				42,169
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes				(885	)			8,342					8,045				17,427
Net income			$	8,462			$	11,665				$	23,730			$	24,742
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic – Net income per share			$	0.24			$	0.33				$	0.67			$	0.70
Basic – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding				35,543				35,424					35,494				35,373
Diluted – Net income per share			$	0.24			$	0.33				$	0.67			$	0.70
Diluted – Weighted average number of common shares outstanding				35,715				35,504					35,656				35,461
Dividends declared per common share			$	0.275			$	0.275				$	0.825			$	0.825

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA (unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
		September 30,			December 31,
		2017			2016
Cash		$	6,184		$	7,683
Rental equipment, net			917,075			893,816
Total assets			1,302,213			1,241,611
Total debt (1)			828,739			794,346
Total liabilities			1,162,398			1,098,846
Stockholders’ equity			139,815			142,765
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	1,302,213		$	1,241,611
(1) Total debt consists of the aggregate amounts outstanding on the senior secured credit facility, senior unsecured notes and capital lease obligations.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Amounts in thousands)
			Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
			September 30,									September 30,
			2017					2016				2017					2016
Net income			$	8,462				$	11,665			$	23,730				$	24,742
Interest expense				15,060					13,469				41,665					40,229
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes				(885	)				8,342				8,045					17,427
Depreciation				49,231					48,385				144,088					141,021
EBITDA			$	71,868				$	81,861			$	217,528				$	223,419
Merger breakup fee, net of merger costs				(8,706	)				-				(6,506	)				-
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				25,363					-				25,363					-
Adjusted EBITDA			$	88,525				$	81,861			$	236,385				$	223,419

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
		As Reported				Adjustment (1)				Adjusted
Income before provision (benefit) for income taxes		$	7,577			$	16,657			$	24,234
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes			(885	)			(1,949	)			(2,834	)
Net income		$	8,462			$	18,606			$	27,068
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic – Net income per share		$	0.24							$	0.76
Diluted – Net income per share		$	0.24							$	0.76
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic			35,543								35,543
Diluted			35,715								35,715
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
		As Reported				Adjustment (1)				Adjusted
Income before provision (benefit) for income taxes		$	31,775			$	18,857			$	50,632
Provision (Benefit) for income taxes			8,045				4,771				12,816
Net income		$	23,730			$	14,086			$	37,816
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic – Net income per share		$	0.67							$	1.07
Diluted – Net income per share		$	0.67							$	1.06
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic			35,494								35,494
Diluted			35,656								35,656
(1) Adjustment includes premium paid to repurchase or redeem the Company’s 7% senior unsecured notes and the write-off of unamortized deferred transaction costs. Adjustment also includes the net merger breakup fee proceeds resulting from the merger agreement termination with Neff Corporation.

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Source: H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
Leslie S. Magee, 225-298-5261
Chief Financial Officer
lmagee@he-equipment.com
or
Kevin S. Inda, 225-298-5318
Vice President of Investor Relations
kinda@he-equipment.com