UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 14, 2020

  

ARGAN, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   001-31756   13-1947195

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

One Church Street, Suite 201, Rockville, MD   20850
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 315-0027

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨   

 

Title of Each Class:   Trading Symbol(s):   Name of each exchange on
which registered:
Common Stock, $0.15 par value   AGX   NYSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On April 14, 2020, Argan, Inc. (“Argan”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2020. A copy of Argan’s press release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. 

 

Description

   
99.1   Press Release issued by Argan on April 14, 2020

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No. 

 

Description 

     
99.1   Press Release issued by Argan on April 14, 2020

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  ARGAN, INC.
     
Date: April 14, 2020 By:

/s/ David H. Watson 

    David H. Watson   
    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Argan, Inc. Reports Year-End and Fourth Quarter Results

 

April 14, 2020 – ROCKVILLE, MD – Argan, Inc. (NYSE: AGX) (“Argan” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended January 31, 2020. For additional information, please read the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which the Company intends to file today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Annual Report can be retrieved from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from the Company’s website at www.arganinc.com.

 

Summary Information: (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

 

   January 31,     
   2020   2019   Change 
For the Fiscal Year Ended:            
Revenues  $238,997   $482,153   $(243,156)
Gross (loss) profit   (6,820)   82,438    (89,258)
Gross margins   (2.9)%   17.1%   (20.0)%
Net (loss) income attributable to the stockholders of the Company  $(42,689)  $52,036   $(94,725)
Diluted per share   (2.73)   3.32    (6.05)
Cash dividends paid per share   1.00    1.00     

 

   January 31,     
As of:  2020   2019   Change 
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments  $327,862   $296,531   $31,331 
Net liquidity (1)   277,721    335,032    (57,311)
RUPO (2)   781,400    99,400    682,000 
Project backlog   1,334,000    1,094,000    240,000 

 

(1)We define net liquidity, or working capital, as our total current assets less our total current liabilities.
(2)The amount of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations (“RUPO”) represents the unrecognized amounts of transaction price for active contracts with customers, which is a subset of project backlog.

 

Fiscal Year 2020 Results:

 

Consolidated revenues for the year ended January 31, 2020 were $239.0 million, which represented a decline of $243.2 million from consolidated revenues of $482.2 million reported for the prior year. As Gemma Power Systems (“GPS”) has prepared to proceed fully with new projects, its revenues have remained at a low level. However, the increasing construction activities for the Guernsey Power Station should result in improved revenues over the coming year. The revenues of the power industry services segment were 56.8% of consolidated revenues for the current year, compared to 76.3% for the prior year.

 

The industrial services business of The Roberts Company (“TRC”) reported revenues of $94.7 million for the current year, which represented a decrease of $7.0 million, or 6.9%, from revenues reported by TRC for the prior year. Revenues provided by this reportable business segment represented 39.6% and 21.1% of corresponding consolidated revenues for the years ended January 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

 

 

 

The significant contract loss incurred during the current year by Atlantic Projects Company (“APC”) in the amount of $33.6 million, primarily recognized in the first quarter, caused us to report a consolidated gross loss of $6.8 million for the year. The contract loss on the TeesREP project prompted us to record an impairment loss related to the goodwill of APC in the amount of $2.1 million during the first quarter as well. In addition, primarily due to reductions in the amounts of forecasted future revenues, we determined a goodwill impairment loss related to TRC in the amount of $2.8 million, which was recorded in the last quarter of the year ended January 31, 2020.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses rose by 8.4%, to $44.1 million for the current year from an amount of $40.7 million for the prior year, primarily due to the cost of maintaining core GPS staff whose time is typically charged to projects. Included in other income for the current year, investment income was $5.0 million, which represented a decline from the amount earned last year, $5.9 million, as investment balances were reduced during the current year. An income tax benefit was recorded for each year, with the current year amount of $7.1 million reflecting primarily a bad debt loss on certain inter-company loans and the prior year amount including a significant benefit related to the recognition of research and development credits that were generated in prior years. Financial results for the current year also reflected net income attributable to non-controlling interests in the amount of approximately $2.0 million.

 

Due substantially to the reduced level of revenues reported for the current year, the APC contract loss and the goodwill impairment losses that are identified above, we incurred a consolidated loss before income taxes of $47.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2020. The net loss attributable to our stockholders was $42.7 million, or $(2.73) per diluted share, for the year ended January 31, 2020 compared to net income attributable to our stockholders of $52.0 million, or $3.32 per diluted share, for the prior year. In January 2020, the Company paid its fourth regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share for total dividends paid during the current year of $1.00 per share.

 

As of January 31, 2020, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $328 million and net liquidity was $278 million; plus, we had no debt. Our RUPO, which represents a value for active work and is a subset of project backlog, has increased to approximately $0.8 billion as of January 31, 2020 from $0.1 billion as of January 31, 2019. Our project backlog has been increased to approximately $1.3 billion as of January 31, 2020 from $1.1 billion as of January 31, 2019.

 

Subsequent to the current year end, we announced that GPS had entered into two engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) services contracts. In February 2020, GPS entered into an EPC services contract with ESC Brooke County Power I, LLC to construct Brooke County Power, a 920 MW natural gas-fired power plant, in Brooke County, West Virginia. In March 2020, GPS entered into an EPC services contract with NTE Connecticut, LLC to construct Killingly Energy Center, a 650 MW natural gas-fired power plant, in Killingly, Connecticut.

 

The aggregate amount of the rated power represented by the natural gas-fired power plants for which we have signed EPC services contracts is approximately 7.3 gigawatts with an aggregate contract value in excess of $3.0 billion. For those contracts not already included in project backlog, we anticipate adding them closer to their respective expected start dates when the projects achieve remaining key development milestones and obtain financing commitments. For all projects, the start date for construction is generally controlled by the project owners.

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter Results:

 

Revenues decreased 22% to $68.0 million, compared to $87.7 million for the fourth quarter last year which primarily reflected an overall decrease in revenues at APC and TRC of $40.2 million, partially offset by an increase in revenues at GPS of $21.6 million as construction work at the Guernsey Power Station begins to pick up. Gross profit decreased 22% to $5.2 million, compared to $6.7 million for the prior year’s fourth quarter. The gross margin percentage was 7.7% for both quarterly periods, as the results for both quarters were negatively affected by TeesRep project margin adjustments.

 

The other factors contributing to a decreased bottom line between the fourth quarter of the current year and the prior year’s fourth quarter were the increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $2.8 million, increased goodwill impairment loss of $1.3 million at TRC, and decreased other income of $1.3 million partially offset by an increased tax benefit of $2.0 million. As a result, net loss attributable to our stockholders for the three months ended January 31, 2020 increased to $7.2 million, or $(0.46) per diluted share, compared to a loss of $2.2 million, or $(0.14) per diluted share, for the prior year’s fourth quarter.

 

COVID-19 Impacts:

 

The world-wide outbreak of COVID-19 is having a significant impact on our APC activities. Almost all planned power plant outage and maintenance projects for APC have been postponed for an indefinite period other than emergency tasks, which necessitated the temporary lay-off of the majority of APC’s workers. Construction on the TeesREP project was suspended on March 24, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pending preparations being made by the contractors and subcontractors to comply with new and evolving government guidance concerning public health protocols. At the time of the suspension of work on the TeesREP project, APC had completed approximately 90% of its subcontracted work. The project shutdowns will have a significant impact on the revenues and profitability of APC for the foreseeable future until, at a minimum, the COVID-19 outbreak reduces materially.  

 

GPS continues to progress the works on the Guernsey Power Station in the state of Ohio. GPS has implemented measures to help keep workers safe as required under the state order. To the extent possible under the circumstances, current work on the project, which includes primarily site preparation efforts, design engineering and early phases of construction has continued. However, as the project ramps-up into heavier construction phases later this year, COVID-19 impacts could become more meaningful. GPS is monitoring supply-chain issues for impacts on equipment delivery delays related to the COVID-19 health crisis. The ultimate impacts of the health crisis on this major GPS project and the related future revenues and financial performance are not known. The force majeure clauses of the Company’s fixed-price construction contracts provide certain relief that helps to mitigate these adverse effects.

 

The operational activities of our other subsidiaries have not been meaningfully affected by the COVID-19 outbreak yet. Nonetheless, revenues of these other businesses for the first few quarters of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2021 are expected to be less than revenues of the comparable periods of Fiscal 2020.

 

We intend to pursue, where possible, government assistance to help offset the negative impacts of COVID-19 on our employees primarily. Please understand that the Company is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely as it continues to evolve on a daily basis. We expect that the Company’s future actions and decisions will be responsive to the changing environment and are hopeful that we will minimize the adverse effects of this crisis, to the extent possible, on our employees, our customers, our operations and the overall performance of the Company.

 

 

 

 

Management Comment:

 

Commenting on Argan’s results, Rainer Bosselmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “It has been a trying year for us as we struggle to finish the TeesREP project, see a number of our power plant project start dates push out to the right and manage through this COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are a number of reasons to be optimistic for Argan. We have great employees who are very adaptable to the changing circumstances. We have over $325 million in cash and no debt which should enable us to withstand any potential prolonged pandemic. We have over $3.0 billion in signed EPC contracts for power plant projects, and have begun construction on the Guernsey Power Station which is our largest project in Company history. While many factors are out of our control, we are optimistic that we will receive the go ahead to start construction on several of these new projects over the next year and look forward to a rebound in our revenues later in the year and into the next. We appreciate our loyal shareholders and extend our best wishes for safety during these challenging times.”

 

About Argan, Inc.

 

Argan’s primary business is providing a full range of services to the power industry, including the engineering, procurement and construction of natural gas-fired power plants, along with related commissioning, operations management, maintenance, project development and consulting services, through its Gemma Power Systems and Atlantic Projects Company operations. Argan also owns SMC Infrastructure Solutions, which provides telecommunications infrastructure services, and The Roberts Company, which is a fully integrated fabrication, construction and industrial plant services company.

 

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and our future financial performance is subject to risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the Company’s ability to mitigate losses related to APC’s loss contract, the Company’s successful addition of new contracts to project backlog, the Company’s receipt of corresponding notices to proceed with contract activities, the Company’s ability to successfully complete the projects that it obtains, and the Company’s success in minimizing the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses and asset valuations. The Company has entered into several EPC contracts that have not started and may not start as planned due to market and other circumstances out of the Company’s control. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to the number of factors described from time to time in Argan’s filings with the SEC. In addition, reference is hereby made to the cautionary statements made by us with respect to risk factors set forth in the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other SEC filings.

 

Company Contact: Investor Relations Contact:
Rainer Bosselmann David Watson
301.315.0027 301.315.0027

 

 

 

 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Years Ended
January 31,
 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
REVENUES  $67,988   $87,658   $238,997   $482,153 
Cost of revenues   62,739    80,912    245,817    399,715 
GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)   5,249    6,746    (6,820)   82,438 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   12,364    9,548    44,125    40,710 
Impairment losses   2,823    1,491    4,895    1,491 
(LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS   (9,938)   (4,293)   (55,840)   40,237 
Other income, net   603    1,860    8,075    6,981 
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (9,335)   (2,433)   (47,765)   47,218 
Income tax benefit   2,117    142    7,053    4,651 
NET (LOSS) INCOME   (7,218)   (2,291)   (40,712)   51,869 
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests   (30)   (84)   1,977    (167)
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.
   (7,188)   (2,207)   (42,689)   52,036 
                     
Foreign currency translation adjustments   55    596    (770)   (1,768)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.  $(7,133)  $(1,611)  $(43,459)  $50,268 
                     
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ARGAN, INC.                    
Basic  $(0.46)  $(0.14)  $(2.73)  $3.34 
Diluted  $(0.46)  $(0.14)  $(2.73)  $3.32 
                     
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING                    
Basic   15,634    15,573    15,621    15,569 
Diluted   15,634    15,573    15,621    15,693 
                     
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE  $0.25   $0.25   $1.00   $1.00 

 

 

 

 

ARGAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   As of January 31, 
   2020   2019 
ASSETS          
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $167,363   $164,318 
Short-term investments   160,499    132,213 
Accounts receivable, net   37,192    36,174 
Contract assets   33,379    58,357 
Other current assets   23,322    25,286 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   421,755    416,348 
Property, plant and equipment, net   22,539    19,778 
Goodwill   27,943    32,838 
Other purchased intangible assets, net   5,001    6,137 
Deferred taxes   7,894    1,257 
Right-of-use and other assets   2,408    290 
TOTAL ASSETS  $487,540   $476,648 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
           
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable  $35,442   $39,870 
Accrued expenses   35,907    33,097 
Contract liabilities   72,685    8,349 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   144,034    81,316 
Other noncurrent liabilities   2,476    960 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   146,510    82,276 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES          
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share – 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding        
Common stock, par value $0.15 per share – 30,000,000 shares authorized; 15,638,202 and 15,577,102 shares issued at January 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively; 15,634,969 and 15,573,869 shares outstanding at January 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively   2,346    2,337 
Additional paid-in capital   148,713    144,961 
Retained earnings   189,306    247,616 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,116)   (346)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   339,249    394,568 
Non-controlling interests   1,781    (196)
TOTAL EQUITY   341,030    394,372 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY  $487,540   $476,648