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  Title	Ascent Industries Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results
  ID	4078131
  External ID	7296262106
  Author	Unknown
  Published Date	Nov. 12, 2024, 3:10 p.m.
  Summary	SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 12, 2024-- Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) (“Ascent” or the “Company”), an industrials company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and industr
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  URL	https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/ascent-industries-co-earnings-83d32ae7dd4046228ba912549cdc6ee2
  Sentiment	Negative: 0.03808    Neutral: 0.02010    Positive: 0.94182
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• Content Details

  Content ID	2355611
  Key	a539e035-20a8-45c3-b346-9886ec7cb630
  Content	SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 12, 2024-- Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) (“Ascent” or the “Company”), an industrials company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and industrial tubular products, is reporting its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Third Quarter 2024 Summary1 (in millions, except per share and margin) Change Net Sales Gross Profit Gross Profit Margin 870bps Net (Loss) Diluted (Loss) per Share Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA Margin 890bps Management Commentary “The third quarter marked another period of positive momentum as we generated our third straight quarter of improving results,” said Ascent CEO Bryan Kitchen. “Although market conditions remained soft across both segments, we continued to strip out unnecessary costs and operate more efficiently through aggressive self-help initiatives, leading to both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter improvements to our bottom line. We also made notable progress on the business development front within our specialty chemicals segment, which we believe will begin to show revenue growth in 2025 as we remain committed to unlocking the full potential of this segment. “Overall, we are creating a more predictable, reliable, and profitable operating model, as evidenced by our consistently improving results over the last three quarters. While demand across our end markets isn't doing us any favors, I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish so far this year in our efforts to stabilize the organization through recapitalizing SG&A, strict cost management, product line optimization, and dynamic pricing adjustments. These actions combined with our healthy balance sheet and no outstanding debt have us well positioned to finish the year on a positive note and move into 2025 with momentum at our back.” Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results Net sales from continuing operations were $42.9 million compared to $46.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decline was primarily driven by lower volumes and lower pricing as the Company fulfilled low-priced order backlog within the tubular products segment, along with lower volumes in the specialty chemicals segment partially offset by favorable pricing and product mix. Gross profit from continuing operations increased 117% to $6.5 million, or 15.1% of net sales, compared to $3.0 million, or 6.4% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to aggressive cost management through improvements in product line management and strategic materials sourcing across both segments. Net loss from continuing operations improved to $7.0 million, or $0.69 diluted loss per share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $14.7 million, or $1.45 diluted loss per share, in the third quarter of 2023. During the quarter, the Company recorded a $6.2 million non-cash, one-time tax charge related to a valuation allowance against the Company's deferred tax assets. Income from continuing operations before taxes for the third quarter of 2024 was $0.5 million. The year-over-year improvement was primarily attributable to the aforementioned increase in gross profit as well as a year-over-year decrease in interest expense due to lower debt outstanding. Adjusted EBITDA increased notably to $2.5 million compared to $(1.5) million in the third quarter of 2023, with adjusted EBITDA margin increasing significantly to 5.7% compared to (3.2)% in the prior year period. The improvement was primarily driven by the aforementioned cost and product mix optimization initiatives. 1 On December 22, 2023, the Company closed on a transaction to sell substantially all of the assets of Specialty Pipe & Tube (“SPT”). As a result, financial results from SPT have been categorized into discontinued operations. Segment Results Ascent Chemicals – net sales in the third quarter of 2024 increased 4% to $20.9 million compared to $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. Operating income in the third quarter improved significantly to $0.4 million compared to an operating loss of $(11.5) million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter increased 47% to $1.5 million compared to $1.0 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of segment net sales, adjusted EBITDA increased 210 basis points to 7.3% compared to 5.2% in the third quarter of 2023. Ascent Tubular – net sales from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2024 were $22.0 million compared to $26.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. Operating income from continuing operations in the third quarter improved to $1.7 million compared to an operating loss from continuing operations of $(0.6) million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations in the third quarter increased significantly to $2.4 million compared to $0.2 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of segment net sales, adjusted EBITDA increased significantly to 10.7% compared to 0.7% in the third quarter of 2023. Liquidity As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $8.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt outstanding under its revolving credit facilities and had $57.5 million in availability under its revolving credit facility. For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 42,623 shares at an average cost of $9.79 per share for approximately $0.4 million. Conference Call Ascent will conduct a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Ascent management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period. Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time Live Call Registration Link: Here Webcast Registration Link: Here To access the call by phone, please register via the live call registration link above or here and you will be provided with dial-in instructions and details. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 1-949-574-3860. The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay via the webcast registration link above here . The webcast will be archived for one year in the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.ascentco.com About Ascent Industries Co. Ascent Industries Co. (Nasdaq: ACNT) is a company that engages in a number of diverse business activities including the production of specialty chemicals and industrial tubular products. For more information about Ascent, please visit its website at www.ascentco.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable federal securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “anticipate,” “hope,” “optimistic,” “plan,” “outlook,” “should,” “could,” “may” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and to review the risks as set forth in more detail in Ascent Industries Co.'s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC or on our website. Ascent Industries Co. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this release. Non-GAAP Financial Information Financial statement information included in this earnings release includes non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures and should be read along with the accompanying tables which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results to determine the value of a company. An item is excluded in the measure if its periodic value is inconsistent and sufficiently material that not identifying the item would render period comparability less meaningful to the reader or if including the item provides a clearer representation of normalized periodic earnings. The Company excludes in Adjusted EBITDA two categories of items: 1) Base EBITDA components, including: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and 2) Material transaction costs including: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, shelf registration costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, retention costs and restructuring & severance costs from net income. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful because they are key measures used by our management team to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions as well as allow readers to compare the financial results between periods. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider the Company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results or financial condition as reported under GAAP. Ascent Industries Co. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except par value and share data) (Unaudited) September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $583 and $463, respectively Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets held for sale — Current assets of discontinued operations Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Right-of-use assets, operating leases, net Intangible assets, net Deferred income taxes — Deferred charges, net Other non-current assets, net Total assets Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Current portion of note payable Current portion of operating lease liabilities Current portion of finance lease liabilities Current liabilities of discontinued operations Total current liabilities Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities Long-term portion of finance lease liabilities Deferred income taxes — Other long-term liabilities Total non-current liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $1 per share; 24,000,000 shares authorized; 11,085,103 and 10,092,966 shares issued and outstanding, respectively Capital in excess of par value Retained earnings Less: cost of common stock in treasury - 992,137 and 990,282 shares, respectively Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Note: The condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. Ascent Industries Co. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - Comparative Analysis (Unaudited) ($ in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Net sales Tubular Products Specialty Chemicals All Other — — — Operating income (loss) from continuing operations Tubular Products Specialty Chemicals All Other Corporate Unallocated corporate expenses Acquisition costs and other — Gain on lease modification — — Total Corporate Operating income (loss) Interest expense, net Other, net Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax expense (benefit) Loss from continuing operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Net loss Net loss per common share from continuing operations Basic Diluted Net income (loss) per common share from discontinued operations Basic Diluted Net loss per common share Basic Diluted Average shares outstanding Basic Diluted Other data: Adjusted EBITDA 1 1 The term Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is useful to investors in evaluating its results to determine the value of a company. An item is excluded in the measure if its periodic value is inconsistent and sufficiently material that not identifying the item would render period comparability less meaningful to the reader or if including the item provides a clearer representation of normalized periodic earnings. The Company excludes in Adjusted EBITDA two categories of items: 1) Base EBITDA components, including: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and 2) Material transaction costs including: goodwill impairment, asset impairment, gain on lease modification, stock-based compensation, non-cash lease cost, acquisition costs and other fees, retention costs and restructuring & severance costs from net income. For a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP equivalent, refer to the Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA. Ascent Industries Co. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) ($ in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, Operating activities Net loss Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net loss from continuing operations Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation expense Amortization expense Amortization of debt issuance costs Goodwill impairment — Deferred income taxes Provision for losses on accounts receivable Provision for losses on inventories Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment — Non-cash lease expense Stock-based compensation expense Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Inventories Other assets and liabilities Accounts payable Accrued expenses Accrued income taxes Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - discontinued operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Financing activities Borrowings from long-term debt Proceeds from note payable Payments on long-term debt Payments on note payable Principal payments on finance lease obligations Repurchase of common stock Net cash used in financing activities Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations — Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Ascent Industries Co. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited) ($ in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended ($ in thousands) Consolidated Net loss from continuing operations Adjustments: Interest expense, net Income taxes Depreciation Amortization Acquisition costs and other — Goodwill impairment — — Gain on lease modification — — Stock-based compensation Non-cash lease expense Retention expense — Restructuring and severance costs — — Adjusted EBITDA % sales Specialty Chemicals Net income (loss) Adjustments: Interest expense Depreciation expense Amortization expense Acquisition costs and other — — — Goodwill impairment — — Stock-based compensation — Non-cash lease expense Restructuring and severance costs — — — Specialty Chemicals Adjusted EBITDA % segment sales Tubular Products Net income (loss) from continuing operations Adjustments: Depreciation expense Amortization expense Acquisition costs and other — — Stock-based compensation — Non-cash lease expense Restructuring and severance costs — — Tubular Products Adjusted EBITDA % segment sales View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112707607/en/ CONTACT: Company Contact Ryan Kavalauskas Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations Cody Slach and Cody Cree Gateway Group, Inc. ACNT@gateway-grp.com INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS MACHINE TOOLS, METALWORKING & METALLURGY OTHER MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Ascent Industries Co. Copyright Business Wire 2024. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112707607/en
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