Newpark Resources (NR) Misses Q4 EPS by 7c, Revenues Beat

Newpark Resources (NYSE: NR) reported Q4 EPS of ($0.20), $0.07 worse than the analyst estimate of ($0.13). Revenue for the quarter came in at $129.7 million versus the consensus estimate of $119.25 million.

Paul Howes, Newpark's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "2020 was a year in which companies around the world faced unprecedented challenges. I'm extremely proud of the resilience of our entire organization as we continued to advance our market diversification efforts. Although the combination of the oil & gas industry dislocation and the prolonged COVID-related headwinds impacted our operations for much of the year, we began to see these headwinds subside late in the year as revenues improved 35% sequentially to $130 million for the fourth quarter.

"Our Industrial Solutions segment, which includes our Site and Access Solutions business (formerly Mats and Integrated Services) as well as the recent start-up of industrial blending operations, contributed $50 million of revenues and an operating margin of 19%. Site and Access Solutions revenues increased $14 million, or 49% sequentially, primarily reflecting an $8 million increase in direct sales, driven by improving demand from the utility sector. In addition, rental and services revenues improved by $6 million sequentially, benefitting from elevated utility sector demand along the Gulf Coast, supporting repairs of hurricane-damaged electrical infrastructure, as well as the early-stage impact of a broader recovery in utility industry infrastructure projects following the COVID-related disruptions experienced for much of 2020. Industrial blending operations provided an $8 million revenue contribution to the fourth quarter, reflecting a full quarter's production of disinfectant and cleaning products."

Howes continued, "Our Fluids Systems segment posted fourth quarter 2020 revenues of $79 million, reflecting a 17% sequential improvement. The sequential improvement in Fluids Systems revenues includes an $8 million increase from North America land operations, primarily reflecting the impact of improving market conditions. Revenues from the Gulf of Mexico improved $4 million sequentially as customer activities in the prior quarter were negatively impacted by extensive weather-related disruptions. Internationally, while activity in key markets within Europe and the Middle East continue to face COVID-related headwinds, revenues improved $2 million sequentially, driven by a rebound in activity in North Africa. The Fluids operating loss in the fourth quarter was $20.1 million, which includes $11.2 million of charges, primarily related to our exit from Brazil.

"The consistent generation of Free Cash Flow through all phases of industry cycles remains a high priority, and I'm extremely pleased with our performance on that front. During the fourth quarter, we generated $15 million of cash from operations, while leveraging our capital-light business model to maintain strong Free Cash Flow generation, which led to a $15 million reduction in total debt. The fourth quarter contribution brings our full year 2020 cash from operations to $56 million, yielding Free Cash Flow of $52 million and leading to a $73 million reduction in our total outstanding debt. We ended 2020 with a total debt balance of $87 million, reflecting our lowest debt balance in more than 20 years," concluded Howes.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Newpark Resources (NR) click here.

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