RailAmerica, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

First Quarter Highlights

• Operating income up 32%; (up 57% excluding 45G benefit and asset sales[1]).
• Net loss of $0.80 per share after $1.03 per share tender / refinancing charges.
• Adjusted net income per share[1] of $0.26.
• Continued execution of acquisition strategy.

RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE: RA) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  First quarter 2012 revenue increased 15% to $143.4 million from $124.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Freight revenue increased 10% to $107.8 million with average revenue per car up 7% and carloads up 3%.  Non-freight revenue increased 30% to $35.6 million.  

RailAmerica President and Chief Executive Officer John Giles said, "Our positive momentum continues to build as reflected in our record first quarter revenue and operating income excluding 45G benefits and asset sales.  On a comparable basis, operating income was up 57% as we leveraged strong revenue growth and productivity gains.  During the quarter, we completed our senior notes tender / refinancing, which will reduce our interest expense sharply while providing additional financial flexibility."  

Giles continued, "We remain active in the corporate development area, closing on the Wellsboro & Corning and its affiliated transload operations, TransRail North America, investment in early April.  We expect to close on the Marquette Railroad acquisition in May, and our pipeline of additional opportunities remains promising."

RailAmerica reported a first quarter 2012 net loss of $40.2 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, including $51.9 million after tax, or $1.03 per diluted share, of refinancing charges.  This compares to net income of $4.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2011.  The Company had adjusted net income[1] of $13.0 million and $6.4 million for the first quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Noteworthy items impacting the first quarters of 2012 and 2011 include:  

• Early retirement of debt:  First quarter of 2012 included $82.4 million of charges related to the early retirement of debt.
• 45G tax credits:  A $4.2 million income statement benefit was recorded in the first quarter of 2011, but no benefit was recognized in the first quarter of 2012 since the credit is currently not in effect for 2012.
• Amortization of swap termination costs:  Non-cash charges of $1.6 million and $3.7 million were recorded in interest expense during the first quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to the June 2009 termination of an interest rate swap agreement.
• Restricted stock amortization:  First quarter 2012 restricted stock amortization (included in labor and benefits) increased $3.5 million primarily related to retirement eligibility vesting for certain participants.
• Asset life study:  First quarter 2012 depreciation and amortization includes $1.7 million in lower depreciation expense resulting from changes in the useful lives of certain road and track assets based on a required periodic asset life study.
• Severance costs:  First quarter 2011 labor and benefits costs include $1.6 million in severance expenses related to consolidating dispatching services and other organizational changes.
• Styrene resolution:  The Company resolved outstanding legal issues from a 2005 styrene car incident resulting in a $1.2 million favorable adjustment to casualty and insurance costs during the first quarter of 2011.

The Company reported operating income of $31.9 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $24.2 million in the first quarter of 2011.  First quarter 2011 and 2012 operating income and expenses were impacted by 45G credits, restricted stock amortization, severance, the asset life study and the styrene resolution, as discussed above.  In addition, first quarter 2012 operating expenses reflect increased purchased services primarily to support engineering services growth.  Labor costs were up mainly due to increased carloads.  The increase in materials was due to higher levels of car repair activity and growth in engineering services.  Operating income excluding the impact of 45G benefit, asset sales and impairments is shown below.

As previously announced, RailAmerica, Inc. will present its first quarter earnings on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time via live teleconference and webcast.  Those interested in participating via teleconference may dial (877) 756-2088.  Callers outside the U.S. may dial (706) 643-9763.  The conference ID number is 69716160.  Participants should dial in no later than 10 minutes prior to the call.  Presentation materials and access to the live webcast will be available in the Investors section of RailAmerica's website (www.railamerica.com).  Following the earnings call, a webcast replay will be archived on the Company's website.  A telephone replay will be available through May 10, 2012 beginning approximately two hours after the call.  The recording can be accessed by dialing (800) 585-8367 or (404) 537-3406.  The conference ID number is 69716160.

RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 44 individual railroads with approximately 7,400 miles of track in 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain items in this press release and other information we provide from time to time may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to, statements relating to future events and financial performance. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "appears," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements. RailAmerica, Inc. can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ materially from RailAmerica, Inc.'s expectations include, but are not limited to, prolonged capital markets disruption and volatility, general economic conditions and business conditions, our relationships with Class I railroads and other connecting carriers, our ability to obtain railcars and locomotives from other providers on which we are currently dependent, legislative and regulatory developments including rulings by the Surface Transportation Board or the Railroad Retirement Board, strikes or work stoppages by our employees, our transportation of hazardous materials by rail, rising fuel costs, goodwill assessment risks, acquisition risks, competitive pressures within the industry, risks related to the geographic markets in which we operate; and other risks detailed in RailAmerica, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for RailAmerica, Inc. to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. RailAmerica, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

[1] See schedule at end of press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measure.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP MEASURES

Adjusted net income (loss) is a supplemental measure of profitability that is not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  We use non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement to our GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.  However, Adjusted net income (loss) has limitations as an analytical tool.  It is not a measurement of our profitability under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to Net income (loss) as a measure of profitability.

Adjusted net income (loss) assists us in measuring our performance and profitability of our operations without the impact of transaction costs related to debt and credit facility extinguishment, acquisitions, impairment of assets and swap termination. The following table sets forth the reconciliation of Adjusted net income (loss).

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP MEASURES

Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit, Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit, Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments and Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments are supplemental measures of profitability that are not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  We use non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement to our GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.  However, Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit, Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit, Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments and Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments have limitations as analytical tools.  They are not measurements of our profitability under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to Operating Income or Operating Ratio as measures of profitability.

Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit and Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit assist us in measuring our performance and profitability of our operations without the impact of monetizing the 45G tax benefit.  Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments and Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments assist us in measuring our performance and profitability of our operations without the impact of monetizing the 45G tax benefit, Asset Sales and Impairments.  The following table sets forth the reconciliation of Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit from our Operating Income, Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit from our Operating Ratio, Operating Income Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments from our Operating Income and Operating Ratio Excluding 45G Benefit, Asset Sales & Impairments from our Operating Ratio.

SOURCE RailAmerica, Inc.