Horizon Lines Reports Second-Quarter Financial Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Lines, Inc. (OTCQB: HRZL) today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended June 24, 2012.

Financial results are presented on a continuing operations basis, excluding the previously discontinued trans-Pacific FSX service and logistics operations.

"Horizon Lines experienced a 3.6% improvement in container volume during the second quarter relative to the year-ago period," said Sam Woodward, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our overall adjusted EBITDA performance for the quarter was better than expected, due largely to the volume gain, which in turn improved the recovery of fuel costs. The adjusted EBITDA shortfall of $4.5 million from a year ago was predominantly due to a $5.4 million increase in transit and crew costs associated with dry-docking in China certain of our vessels that serve the Puerto Rico trade. We made this decision to facilitate extensive maintenance and high-quality enhancements necessary to help ensure our service integrity in Puerto Rico and improve the reliability of these vessels.   

"We experienced a modest rise in revenue container rates, which partially mitigated increased variable expenses," Mr. Woodward continued. "Non-transportation revenue declined from a year-ago due to a reduction in terminal services revenue.

"Looking at each trade lane, Hawaii experienced continued strong volume gains during the quarter, helped in part by improving tourism and ongoing customer support amid an otherwise sluggish business environment," Mr. Woodward said. "Alaska's business rebounded from the first quarter, when record cold and snowfall exacerbated and extended the typically slow winter season. However, volume remained just shy of the year ago level, primarily due to a late start to the summer seafood season. Puerto Rico experienced a modest volume increase from a year ago, characterized by an improved mix of refrigerated cargo."

Second-Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights   

• Volume, Rate & Fuel Cost – Container volume for the 2012 second quarter totaled 59,768 revenue loads, up 3.6% from 57,677 loads for the same period a year ago. Unit revenue per container totaled $4,269 in the 2012 second quarter, compared with $4,079 in 2011.  Unit revenue per container, net of fuel surcharges, was $3,174, up 1.1% from $3,140 a year ago.  Bunker fuel costs averaged $733 per metric ton in the second quarter, 10.9% above the average price of $661 per ton in the same quarter in 2011.

• Operating Revenue – Second-quarter operating revenue from continuing operations increased 6.8% to $270.9 million from $253.7 million a year ago.  The factors driving the $17.2 million revenue improvement were: an $11.0 million increase in fuel surcharges; a $6.6 million gain in volume; and a $2.1 million increase in revenue container rates.  These increases were partially offset by a $2.5 million decline in other non-transportation services revenue.       

• Operating Income – GAAP operating income from continuing operations for the 2012 second quarter totaled $1.0 million, compared with $19.0 million a year ago.  2012 GAAP operating income includes costs of $0.9 million for antitrust-related legal expenses, impairment charges and severance, and $0.3 million in legal and tax consulting fees associated with the company's refinancing efforts. GAAP operating income for the 2011 second quarter includes an $18.2 million net expense reversal related to legal settlement reductions, partially offset by $4.8 million in charges associated with equipment impairment, antitrust related legal expenses, refinancing costs and employee severance (see reconciliation tables for specific line-item amounts).  Adjusting for these items, second-quarter 2012 adjusted operating income totaled $2.2 million, compared with $5.6 million a year ago.

• EBITDA – EBITDA from continuing operations totaled a negative $0.6 million for the 2012 second quarter, compared with a positive $33.1 million for the same period a year ago.  Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2012 was $15.2 million, compared with $19.7 million for 2011.  Among the key factors in the $4.5 million decline in 2012 second-quarter adjusted EBITDA from a year ago was an incremental $5.4 million of transit and crew costs associated with the China dry-dockings, as well as a decrease of non-transportation revenue, which together more than offset volume gains and associated improved fuel cost recovery. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the 2012 and 2011 second quarters were impacted by the same factors affecting operating income.  Additionally, 2012 adjusted EBITDA reflects the exclusion of a primarily non-cash net loss of $14.6 million, resulting from a $47.4 million loss on the conversion of debt to equity which was partially offset by a $32.8 million gain on marking the conversion feature in the company's convertible debt to fair value (see reconciliation tables for specific line item amounts).  

• Net Loss – On a GAAP basis, the second-quarter net loss from continuing operations totaled $29.9 million, or $1.49 per share on 20.1 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared with 2011 second-quarter net income from continuing operations of $4.5 million, or $3.63­­­ per share on 1.2 million weighted average shares outstanding. On an adjusted basis, the second-quarter net loss from continuing operations totaled $13.6 million, or $0.68 per share, compared with a net loss of $7.5 million, or $6.08 per share, a year ago.  The 2012 and 2011 second-quarter adjusted net losses reflect the same items impacting adjusted EBITDA in each period.  Additionally, the adjusted net loss for both periods reflects the elimination of the non-cash accretion of antitrust-related legal settlements, and if applicable, the tax impact on the adjustments (see reconciliation tables for specific line item amounts). 

• Six-Month Results – For the first half of fiscal 2012, operating revenue from continuing operations increased 8.0% to $534.3 million from $494.5 million for the same period in 2011. EBITDA from continuing operations totaled $5.1 million compared with $38.1 million a year ago. First-half 2012 adjusted EBITDA totaled $26.0 million, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $30.3 million for the same period in 2011.  Net incremental costs for the 2012 period, including transit and crew costs associated with vessels being  dry-docked in China, negatively impacted 2012 six-month adjusted EBITDA by approximately $5.6 million. 2012 six-month adjusted EBITDA excludes net costs totaling $21.0 million, including $2.7 million for severance, antitrust-related legal expenses and asset impairment, $1.0 million in legal and tax consulting fees associated with the company's refinancing efforts, and a $17.3 million primarily non-cash net loss that reflects a $36.4 million loss on the conversion of debt to equity, partially offset by a $19.1 million gain from marking the conversion feature in the company's convertible debt to fair value. Adjusted EBITDA for the 2011 six-month period excludes an $18.2 million net reversal related to legal settlement reductions, which was partially offset by $10.4 million in charges for antitrust-related legal expenses, equipment impairment, severance and refinancing costs (see reconciliation tables for specific line-item amounts).  The net loss from continuing operations for the 2012 six-month period totaled $56.7 million, or $4.89 per share on 11.6 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared with $15.7 million, or $12.68 per share on 1.2 million weighted average shares outstanding, for the prior year.  The adjusted net loss from continuing operations for the 2012 six-month period totaled $34.6 million, or $2.98 per share, compared with an adjusted net loss from continuing operations of $23.4 million, or $18.85 per share, for the comparable year-ago period.

• Shares Outstanding – The company had a weighted daily average of 20.1 million basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for the second quarter of 2012, and 11.6 million basic and fully diluted shares for the first six months of the year.  This compares with 1.2 million basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for corresponding periods a year ago. Shares outstanding reflect the previously disclosed financial restructuring and 1-for-25 reverse stock split in the fourth quarter of 2011, a mandatory debt-for-equity exchange in the first quarter of 2012, and a further financial restructuring in the second quarter of 2012.  As part of the second-quarter 2012 restructuring, the company issued 28.8 million shares of common stock and warrants convertible by U.S. citizens into 47.2 million shares of common stock. At July 23, 2012, 34.2 million shares of the company's common stock and warrants convertible into 57.0 million shares were outstanding.

• Liquidity, Credit Facility Compliance & Debt Structure – Based on accounts receivable outstanding as of June 24, 2012, the company had total liquidity of $37.0 million, consisting of $19.7 million in cash and $17.3 million of asset-based loan ("ABL") borrowing availability. Outstanding debt totaled $431.2 million, consisting of: $223.9 million of 11.00% first-lien senior secured notes due October 15, 2016; $152.3 million of second-lien senior secured notes due October 15, 2016, bearing interest at 15.00%, being paid in kind with additional second-lien secured notes; and $42.5 million drawn on the ABL facility, bearing interest at a weighted average of 3.98%.  Also remaining outstanding were $3.7 million of 6.00% convertible secured notes due April 15, 2017, $2.2 million of 4.25% convertible notes due August 15, 2012, and a $6.6 million capital lease.  The company's weighted average interest rate for funded debt was 11.60%.  Availability under the ABL facility is based on a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and customary reserves, with a maximum of $100.0 million.  Letters of credit issued against the ABL facility totaled $18.9 million at June 24, 2012. 

Please see attached schedules for the reconciliation of second-quarter and six-month 2012 and 2011 reported GAAP results and Non-GAAP adjusted results.

Outlook

The company continues to project that 2012 container volumes will increase modestly, in the 1% to 2% range, and that container rates, net of fuel surcharges, will rise slightly from 2011 levels, due to the continuing slow economic recoveries in our markets.  Fuel prices for 2012 are currently projected to average in the $675-$680 per-ton range.

Based upon the company's current level of operations, as well as the recent restructuring and conversion of its debt and resolution of the lease obligations related to the vessels that served the FSX service, cash flow from operations and available cash, together with borrowings available under the ABL Facility, are expected to be adequate to meet liquidity needs. The company expects total liquidity during the remainder of 2012 to remain near or above the $37.0 million as of June 24, 2012.  

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Horizon Lines reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company also believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures, i.e., EBITDA and results excluding certain costs and expenses, provides useful information for the understanding of its ongoing operations and enables investors to focus on period-over-period operating performance without the impact of significant special items. The company further feels these non-GAAP measures enhance the user's overall understanding of the company's current financial performance relative to past performance and provide a better baseline for modeling future earnings expectations. Non-GAAP measures are reconciled in the financial tables accompanying this news release. The company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the company's reported GAAP results. 

About Horizon Lines

Horizon Lines, Inc. is one of the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping companies and the only ocean cargo carrier serving all three noncontiguous domestic markets of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico from the continental United States.  The company maintains a fleet of 15 fully Jones Act qualified vessels and operates five port terminals in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.  A trusted partner for many of the nation's leading retailers, manufacturers and U.S. government agencies, Horizon Lines provides reliable transportation services that leverage its unique combination of ocean transportation and inland distribution capabilities to deliver goods that are vital to the prosperity of the markets it serves. The company is based in Charlotte, NC, and its stock trades on the over-the-counter market under the symbol HRZL.

Forward Looking Statements

The information contained in this press release should be read in conjunction with our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate solely to historical fact.  They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events.  Words such as, but not limited to, "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "targets," "projects," "will," "expect," "would," "could," "should," "may," and similar expressions or phrases identify forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause expected results or anticipated events or circumstances discussed in this press release to not occur or to differ from expected results include: volatility in fuel prices; decreases in shipping volumes; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to operate our business; our ability to make interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness; work stoppages, strikes and other adverse union actions; the reaction of our customers and business partners to our announcements and filings, including those referred to herein; government investigations and legal proceedings; suspension or debarment by the federal government; compliance with safety and environmental protection and other governmental requirements; failure to comply with the terms of our probation; increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls; repeal or substantial amendment of the coastwise laws of the United States, also known as the Jones Act;  catastrophic losses and other liabilities; the successful start-up of any Jones-Act competitor; failure to comply with the various ownership, citizenship, crewing, and U.S. build requirements dictated by the Jones Act; the arrest of our vessels by maritime claimants; severe weather and natural disasters; and the aging of our vessels and unexpected substantial dry-docking or repair costs for our vessels.

All forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties. In light of these risks and uncertainties, expected results or other anticipated events or circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur. The forward-looking statements included in the press release are made only as of the date they are made and the company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements, except as otherwise required by applicable law. See the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our 2011 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2012, for a more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties and for other risks and uncertainties. Those factors and the other risk factors described therein are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Consequently, there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences.

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SOURCE Horizon Lines, Inc.