OM Group Announces 2005 Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

OM Group Announces 2005 Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

CLEVELAND, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OM Group, Inc. today announced its 2005 third quarter and nine-month financial results.

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2005 were $306.6 million, or 1.7% lower than the $311.9 million reported in the comparable period of 2004. Gross profit decreased to $32.1 million in the third quarter of 2005 versus $77.3 million in the third quarter one year ago. Net income was $3.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the 2005 quarter, compared to $29.8 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, for the same three-month period of 2004.

The decline in the 2005 third quarter performance was largely due to lower cobalt metal prices and lower nickel production volumes. The average price of cobalt for the third quarter of 2005 was $13.41 per pound compared with $23.18 per pound in the third quarter of 2004. As a result of a cobalt price decline that began in the latter part of 2004 and extended throughout 2005, cobalt group profitability was negatively impacted by the sale of finished goods manufactured using higher cost raw materials purchased before the decrease in prices. Lower nickel production volumes were due primarily to lower raw material feedstocks, resulting in higher costs per unit produced.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) decreased by $6.8 million to 6.7% of sales versus 8.8% in the third quarter of 2004. Corporate expenses for the third quarter of 2005 decreased $3.0 million to $7.2 million compared with $10.2 million for the third quarter of 2004.

"Market conditions remained challenging for OM Group during the third quarter of 2005," said Joseph M. Scaminace, chairman and chief executive officer. "Steady customer demand and slightly higher nickel pricing were not enough to offset the dampening affect of lower cobalt prices."

Scaminace continued to say that the company's financial performance in the third quarter and through the end of September does not reflect the company's overall operational health, nor is it an appropriate indicator of the company's growth prospects. "Clearly, we are disappointed with our results for the quarter and year," he said. "Like many companies, we currently have an inherent sensitivity to volatile raw material costs that significantly impact our short-term financial results. We will continue to manage our business aggressively regardless of metal pricing trends."

NINE-MONTH RESULTS

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were $973.2 million, versus $992.3 million for the comparable period in 2004. Gross profit decreased to $128.6 million for the 2005 nine-month period versus $259.9 million for the year-earlier period. Net income was $27.2 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2005, versus $95.7 million, or $3.35 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2004. The decrease in the nine-month results was due primarily to the same factors that impacted the third-quarter results, plus the planned maintenance shut-down of the company's joint venture smelter located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the first five months of 2005.

SG&A decreased by $17.5 million, to 7.8% of sales, in the first nine months of 2005, versus 9.5% for the comparable period in 2004. Corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were $24.5 million compared with $42.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

  BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS

  Cobalt

The cobalt group includes cobalt and other metal-based products. For the third quarter of 2005, net sales were $129.3 million and operating profit was $6.5 million compared to net sales of $163.3 million and operating profit of $39.1 million for the third quarter of 2004. In addition to the factors described above relating to lower cobalt metal prices, lower sales volumes of organics products and decreased production at, and delayed shipments from, the company's DRC joint venture smelter also contributed to the decline in operating profits.

Nickel

The nickel group includes nickel-based products. For the third quarter of 2005, net sales were $191.9 million and operating profit was $12.2 million versus net sales of $170.5 million and operating profit of $21.1 million for the third quarter of 2004. In addition to the factors described above, operating profits were lower due to higher tolling and refining costs; a lower of cost or market inventory charge of $3.8 million resulting from the drop in the nickel price at the end of September 2005; and lower by-product credits as a result of the lower cobalt price. These factors were partially offset by the positive impact of a slightly higher average nickel price ($6.61 per pound in the third quarter of 2005 versus $6.35 for the same period a year ago) and the receipt of $2.5 million related to the collection of a note receivable that had been fully reserved in 2002.

Scaminace noted, "The underlying fundamentals of the nickel business have come more into focus over the past quarter. We have reached an agreement in principle with Inco Limited to toll refine approximately 21,000 to 25,000 tonnes of contained nickel per year over a three-year period, starting July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2009. Both companies anticipate executing a definitive agreement on or before December 31, 2005. Under a separate but already executed agreement, OMG will toll refine concentrates having approximately 8,300 additional tonnes of contained nickel between September 2005 and June 2006, based on the availability, timing and other standard terms."

OUTLOOK

The company now expects, based on a nickel price of $5.50 per pound and a cobalt price of $12.60 per pound for the balance of the year, diluted earnings per share for the year slipping into the range of $1.35 to $1.65. This range includes net insurance proceeds of $27.5 million and the $8.7 million charge related to the termination of the company's former chief executive officer, which together approximates $0.65 per diluted share.

Scaminace concluded, "Unfortunately, the impact of metal price volatility on our financial results is a reality of the company's current business model. While it would be extremely frustrating to report such bottom-line performance for 2005, the company should end the year increasing cash from operations by $35 to $40 million and generating sufficient cash to meet our working capital and debt service needs, litigation settlements of $74 million and anticipated capital expenditures. We remain committed to transforming the company and we are optimistic about the company's ability to create increasing value for our investors over the long term and during the transition."

ABOUT OM GROUP, INC.

OM Group is a leading, vertically integrated international producer and marketer of value-added, metal-based specialty chemicals and related materials. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, OM Group operates manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.omgi.com/.

For more information contact - Greg Griffith, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, 216-263-7455.

FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS

The foregoing discussion may include forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon specific assumptions and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the company's operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the company. These uncertainties and factors could cause actual results of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in the foregoing discussion. Such uncertainties and factors include: the speed and sustainability of price changes in cobalt and nickel; the potential for lower of cost or market write-downs of the carrying value of inventory necessitated by decreases in the market prices of cobalt and nickel; the availability of competitively priced supplies of raw materials, particularly cobalt and nickel; the risk that new or modified internal controls, implemented in response to the 2004 investigation by the audit committee of the Company's board of directors and the Company's examination of its internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, are not effective and need to be improved; the demand for metal-based specialty chemicals and products in the Company's markets; the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates on the Company's international operations; the effect of non-currency risks of investing and conducting operations in foreign countries, including political, social, economic and regulatory factors; the effect of changes in domestic or international tax laws; the outcome of the previously announced SEC Division of Enforcement review of the investigation conducted by the Company's audit committee; the general level of global economic activity and demand for the Company's products; and the completion of the settlement of the shareholder derivative lawsuits filed against certain of the Company's former executives and certain of its current and former directors in a manner that is consistent with the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement reached with the lead plaintiffs in such lawsuits.

                               OM GROUP, INC.
               UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (Dollars in thousands, except share data)

                                             September 30,      December 31,
                                                  2005              2004

  ASSETS
  CURRENT ASSETS
     Cash and cash equivalents                   $59,868           $26,779
     Accounts receivable, less
      allowances                                 169,556           161,346
     Inventories                                 308,335           415,517
     Advances to suppliers                         9,982            32,498
     Other                                        38,758            52,719
        Total Current Assets                     586,499           688,859

  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
     Land                                          4,800             4,982
     Buildings and improvements                  163,795           161,566
     Machinery and equipment                     508,123           493,930
     Furniture and fixtures                       17,322            17,130
                                                 694,040           677,608
     Less accumulated depreciation               321,987           287,796
                                                 372,053           389,812
  OTHER ASSETS
     Goodwill                                    179,761           181,871
     Receivables from joint venture
      partner                                     29,379            29,379
     Other                                        45,313            44,780
  TOTAL ASSETS                                $1,213,005        $1,334,701

  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  CURRENT LIABILITIES
     Long-term debt in default                      $-            $400,000
     Current portion of long-term debt             5,750             5,750
     Accounts payable                             90,175           132,312
     Accrued employee costs                       20,747            17,062
     Retained liabilities of businesses sold      16,532            21,837
     Shareholder litigation accrual                  -              74,000
     Other                                        38,277            50,835
        Total Current Liabilities                171,481           701,796

  LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
     Long-term debt                              418,458            24,683
     Deferred income taxes                        26,350            31,033
     Shareholder litigation accrual                7,649            18,000
     Minority interest                            38,393            44,168
     Other                                        35,082            27,989


  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Preferred stock, $.01 par value:
       Authorized 2,000,000 shares, no
        shares issued or outstanding                 -                 -
     Common stock, $.01 par value:
       Authorized 60,000,000 shares;
        issued 28,988,519 shares in
        2005 and 28,494,098 shares in 2004           289               285
     Capital in excess of par value              509,500           498,250
     Retained deficit                             (4,834)          (32,080)
     Treasury stock (61,235 shares in 2005
      and 14,025 shares in 2004, at cost)         (2,226)             (710)
     Accumulated other comprehensive income       12,863            21,287
        Total Stockholders' Equity               515,592           487,032
  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $1,213,005        $1,334,701

  (All amounts are subject to annual audit by our independent registered
  public accounting firm.)



                                OM GROUP, INC.
          UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
                (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                                     Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30,       September 30,
                                       2005      2004      2005      2004

  Net sales                          $306,586  $311,902  $973,227  $992,270
  Cost of products sold               274,442   234,606   844,659   732,326
                                       32,144    77,296   128,568   259,944

  Selling, general and
   administrative expenses             20,562    27,321    76,301    93,843

  INCOME FROM OPERATIONS               11,582    49,975    52,267   166,101

  OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                    (10,159)   (9,766)  (30,411)  (30,100)
  Foreign exchange gain (loss)            545    (2,967)   (2,267)   (6,802)
  Investment and other income, net      1,246     1,803     7,099     5,867
                                       (8,368)  (10,930)  (25,579)  (31,035)

  INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
   BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY
   INTEREST                             3,214    39,045    26,688   135,066

  Income tax expense                    1,190     8,062     6,981    36,177
  Minority interest                    (1,204)    1,193    (5,775)    3,166


  INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS     3,228    29,790    25,482    95,723


  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
  Income from operations, net of tax      139       -       1,764       -

  NET INCOME                           $3,367   $29,790   $27,246   $95,723

  Net income per common share - basic
     Continuing operations              $0.11     $1.05     $0.89     $3.36
     Discontinued operations             0.01       -        0.06       -
     Net income                         $0.12     $1.05     $0.95     $3.36
  Net income per common share -
   assuming dilution
     Continuing operations              $0.11     $1.04     $0.89     $3.35
     Discontinued operations             0.01       -        0.06       -
     Net income                         $0.12     $1.04     $0.95     $3.35
  Weighted average shares outstanding
     Basic                             28,591    28,470    28,530    28,470
     Assuming dilution                 28,615    28,642    28,593    28,613

  (All amounts are subject to annual audit by our independent registered
  public accounting firm.)



                                OM GROUP, INC.
          UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
                            (Amounts in thousands)

                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                  2005              2004

  OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Income from continuing operations              $25,482            $95,723
  Adjustments to reconcile income from
   continuing operations to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization               37,036             37,856
      Foreign exchange loss                        2,267              6,802
      Gain on sale of investment in
       equity securities                          (2,359)               -
      Gain on Weda Bay note receivable            (2,500)               -
      Minority interest                           (5,775)             3,166
      Income from equity method investment        (3,876)            (3,959)
      Other non-cash items                        (5,256)            16,317
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities
      Decrease (increase) in inventories         107,182           (138,607)
      Payment of shareholder litigation
       settlement                                (74,000)               -
      Other changes in operating assets
       and liabilities                           (28,064)               (61)
  NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES       50,137             17,237

  INVESTING ACTIVITIES
      Expenditures for property, plant
       and equipment                             (18,489)           (11,909)
      Proceeds from sale of investments
       in equity securities                        4,534                -
      Proceeds from Weda Bay note receivable       2,500                -
      Proceeds from MPI note receivable            3,035                -
      Acquisition of business                        -               (6,715)
  NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES           (8,420)           (18,624)

  FINANCING ACTIVITIES
      Payments of long-term debt and
       revolving line of credit                  (54,185)               -
      Proceeds from the revolving line of credit  49,872                -
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options        117                -
  NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES           (4,196)               -

  Effect of exchange rate changes on
   cash and cash equivalents                      (4,432)              (498)

  Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents                                    33,089             (1,885)

  Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of period                            26,779             54,719
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     $59,868            $52,834

  (All amounts are subject to annual audit by our independent registered
  public accounting firm.)



                              OM GROUP, INC.
                               SEGMENT DATA
                          (Amounts in thousands)
                               (Unaudited)

                                     Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30,       September 30,
                                       2005      2004      2005      2004

  Net sales
         Cobalt                      $129,268  $163,281  $422,883  $492,389
         Nickel                       191,915   170,479   592,457   559,652
         Intercompany sales
          between segments:
            Cobalt                       (347)     (582)     (831)   (2,365)
            Nickel                    (14,250)  (21,276)  (41,282)  (57,406)

                Total net sales      $306,586  $311,902  $973,227  $992,270

  Income from operations
         Cobalt                        $6,521   $39,125   $21,007  $129,466
         Nickel                        12,233    21,056    55,714    79,516
         Corporate expenses (a)        (7,172)  (10,206)  (24,454)  (42,881)

                Total income from
                 operations           $11,582   $49,975   $52,267  $166,101

  Interest expense                    (10,159)   (9,766)  (30,411)  (30,100)
  Foreign exchange gain (loss)            545    (2,967)   (2,267)   (6,802)
  Investment and other income, net      1,246     1,803     7,099     5,867

  Income from continuing operations
   before income taxes and
   minority interest                   $3,214   $39,045   $26,688  $135,066

   (a) For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 corporate expenses
       decreased due to the receipt of net insurance proceeds of
       $8.5 million related to the shareholder class action lawsuits and
       $1.9 million of income related to the mark-to-market of 380,000
       shares of common stock expected to be issued in connection with the
       shareholder derivative litigation,  partially offset by an $8.7
       million charge related to the former chief executive officer's
       termination. Corporate expenses for the nine months ended September
       30, 2004 included a $7.5 million charge related to the shareholder
       derivative lawsuits and a $4.9 million charge for executive
       compensation awards, of which $3.4 million related to the departure
       of the Company's former chief financial officer.  In addition,
       corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
       included increased legal and professional fees associated with the
       restatement process, audit committee investigation and implementation
       of processes to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.

  (All amounts are subject to annual audit by our independent registered
  public accounting firm.)
Website: http://www.omgi.com/



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