Molycorp Reports Record Fiscal Year 2011 Results
HIGHLIGHTS:
Molycorp announced this week the successful launch of the sequential start-up of its new Project Phoenix rare earth manufacturing facility at Mountain Pass, which is ahead of schedule.
The Company confirmed that Project Phoenix remains on its accelerated schedule, with a target of achieving a Phase 1 production run rate of 19,050 metric tons of rare earth oxide (REO) equivalent by the end of Q3 2012 (3 months earlier than originally planned) and Phase 2 mechanical completion by the end of Q4 2012 (6 months earlier than originally planned).
2011 revenues were $396.8 million, up $361.7 million from 2010 revenues of $35.2 million. 2011 sales volumes at Mountain Pass increased 67% over 2010 levels, to 3,050 metric tons REO equivalent. Consolidated sales across all segments reached 3,516 metric tons.
Molycorp reported Q4 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $0.26, or $0.41 adjusted earnings per diluted share. The Company also reported 2011 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $1.27, or $1.73 adjusted earnings per diluted share. Adjusted EPS takes into account certain non-cash and other out-of-ordinary operational and business expansion items.
The Company reported a $169.1 million increase in GAAP net income over the prior year.
Molycorp registered Q4 GAAP net sales revenue of $132.9 million, based on the sale of 886 metric tons of REO equivalent. The Company also reported Q4 gross sales of $145.2 million based on 1,420 metric tons of REO equivalent products.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 23, 2012– Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP) (“Molycorp” or the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011.
“2011 was a very successful year of accomplishment for Molycorp,” said Mark Smith, Molycorp President and Chief Executive Officer. “We solidly turned the corner to profitability and we registered net sales of nearly $400 million. We kept Project Phoenix tracking to an accelerated timeline, and succeeded in becoming the world’s first company outside of China to assemble a fully integrated rare earth mine-to-magnets supply chain. We continue to produce and commercialize new products. And, we remain laser-focused on ensuring that we are operating at peak performance so we can meet growing global demand for rare earths for years to come.”
“This Company is all about execution … about delivering what we said we would deliver,” Smith said. “I could not be more proud of the performance of the Molycorp family.”
QUARTERLY RESULTS
Quarterly net revenues were $132.9 million, down 3.7% from $138.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 and significantly higher than $21.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. By contrast, Smith noted, a weighted basket1 of rare earths — cerium oxide, lanthanum oxide, and didymium oxide — declined 47% over the Q3-Q4 period of 2011, according to prices published by Metal-Pages.com. Molycorp sales volumes of cerium-based products sequentially grew 237%.
Gross profit was $70.3 million, a decrease of 14.7% from the third quarter of 2011 due primarily to higher raw material and chemical costs, and a slight change in product mix. Gross margin of 52.9% decreased 6.8 percentage points compared to the prior quarter.
Operating income during the fourth quarter of 2011 was $46.0 million, down from operating income of $66.9 million during the third quarter of 2011. The decrease was primarily attributed to higher costs of goods sold and higher general administrative costs. However, Q4 operating income was up significantly from an operating loss during the fourth quarter 2010 of $9.9 million.
Fourth quarter net income attributable to common stockholders was $26.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. Adjusted EPS of $0.41 per diluted share takes into account certain non-cash and other out-of-ordinary operational and business expansion items as compared to U.S. GAAP earnings per share.
RECORD FULL YEAR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Net revenues for the full year ended December 31, 2011 were $396.8 million, up $361.7 million from $35.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was due to higher volumes out of Mountain Pass, higher pricing, and expanded sales from the Silmet and MMA operations, which were acquired in the second quarter of 2011.
Gross profit was $218.9 million, a substantial increase compared to a gross loss of $2.4 million during the prior year. Gross margin was 55.2% for the year, compared to a negative margin of 6.9% during 2010.
Operating income for the full year 2011 was $152.9 million, up from an operating loss of $51.2 million during the full year 2010.
The Company generated record full year 2011 net income attributable to common stockholders of $117.5 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $50.8 million, or $0.81 per diluted share in the prior period. On a non-GAAP, adjusted basis, 2011 diluted earnings per share was $1.73.
2011/2012 MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS
Molycorp achieved a number of critical business and operational milestones in 2011, and into the opening weeks of 2012. The Company:
Formally launched the sequential start-up of its new Project Phoenix facility at Mountain Pass this week.
Active mining at a full mine production rate of approximately 2,800 short tons of fresh rare earth ore is in full swing and has been underway for several weeks.
Mechanical completion of the new Crushing Facility has been achieved and the crusher is operational.
Mechanical completion and steam testing of the initial Cracking Facility has been achieved and feedstock from stockpiled material has successfully been fed into the system.
The first test firing of the turbines in the onsite Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant will occur this week.
Assembled the components of its mine-to-magnets strategy by adding metal and alloy manufacturing capabilities, through acquisitions of its Molycorp Metals and Alloy and Molycorp Silmet subsidiaries, and by signing an agreement to form a joint venture with Daido Steel and Mitsubishi Corp. to manufacture permanent rare earth magnets. Construction of the magnet production facility is underway, and operations are expected to commence by the end of 2012.
Achieved its 2011 contracting goal for Phase 1 production capacity, with 78% of Phase 1 being signed in customer agreements or reserved for XSORBX™ production.
Sold a total of 55 metric tons of its proprietary cerium-based XSORBX™ products in 2011, and is on track to sell 20% of its Phase 1 production capacity through XSORBX™ products by the end of 2013.
Entered into a three-year supply agreement with Hitachi Metals for rare earth magnetic materials, such as didymium metal and alloy, and lanthanum oxide.
Made a strategic investment in Boulder Wind Power, which has developed a rare earth magnet powered wind turbine generator that relies on permanent rare earth magnets that require no dysprosium, a rare earth that is truly scarce in today’s markets.
Increased our strategic flexibility through a $390 million capital investment commitment from Molymet.
2012 OUTLOOK
As of February 23, 2012, the Company is re-affirming its annual production of REO equivalent products to be in a range of 8,000 metric tons to 10,000 metric tons for the full year. The Company believes it is positioned for year-over-year sales growth, given existing customer orders and a growing pipeline of global business opportunities.
The Company also anticipates a change to the cost of goods sold (COGS) related to Project Phoenix ramping, as well as higher production costs on a consolidated basis. As a result of costs necessary to successfully prepare for the accelerated completion of Project Phoenix, the ramp up to Phase 1 production levels, and increased chemical costs, Molycorp is estimating that COGS will increase slightly in 2012 on a per-kilogram basis of REO equivalent. Many of these increases however, are expected to normalize moving into 2013 when the Company reaches higher production levels. The Company added that it has sufficient working capital to execute on its stated strategy and its balance sheet remains strong.
Commenting on the new outlook, Smith continued, “Our primary focus remains on executing Project Phoenix and bringing a stable supply of rare earth products to global markets. As we begin the sequential start-up of Project Phoenix, we are shifting into a year of transition to test and ramp our new production capacity. We remain on track in making the necessary investments in our business, to improve our operating and financial performance, and deliver sustainable value for all Molycorp shareholders.”
CONFERENCE CALL TODAY AT 4:30 P.M. EASTERN
Molycorp will conduct a conference call today to discuss these results at 4:30 p.m. EST, hosted by Mark Smith, Chief Executive Officer, and Jim Allen, Chief Financial Officer. Investors interested in participating in the live call from the U.S. should dial +1 (866) 543-6403 and reference passcode number 49932366. Those calling from outside the U.S. should dial +1 (617) 213-8896 and use the same confirmation number. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes through March 23, 2012 by dialing +1 (888) 286-8010 from the U.S., or +1 (617) 801-6888 from international locations, and entering passcode: 84743189.
There will also be a simultaneous live audio webcast available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.molycorp.com/investors. The webcast will be archived on the website for 90 days.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY TABLES
Source: Molycorp, Inc.
Molycorp, Inc.
Jim Sims, +1 303-843-8062
Vice President Corporate Communications
[email protected]
or
Brian Blackman, +1 303-843-8067
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
[email protected]
