Omega Protein fourth quarter revenues increase 46% to $62.8M

Omega Protein Corporation (NYSE: OME), a nutritional ingredient company and the nation's leading vertically integrated producer of omega-3 fish oil and specialty fish meal products, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Highlights:

• Revenues:  $62.8 million for the quarter, a 46% increase over the 2010 fourth quarter, and $235.2 million for the year, a 40% increase over 2010
• Gross profit margin:  17.2% for the quarter and 23.2% for the year
• Net income: $0.6 million ($0.03 per diluted share) for the quarter and $34.2 million ($1.71 per diluted share) for the year
• Production:  The Company experienced its highest overall production since 2003 and highest fish catch since 2002

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

Omega Protein fourth quarter of 2011 revenues increased 46% to $62.8 million from $43.1 million in the same period last year.  The composition of revenue by nutritional product line was 76% fish meal, 15% fish oil, 5% specialty nutraceutical ingredients, and 4% fish solubles and other.  Fish meal sales prices decreased 27% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.  Fish oil sales prices increased 28% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.  

The Company reported gross profit of $10.8 million, or 17.2% as a percentage of revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2011, versus gross profit of $19.1 million, or 44.2% as a percentage of revenues, for the fourth quarter of 2010.  The decrease in gross profit was due in part to decreased fish meal sales prices and a 41% decrease in fish oil sales volumes, partially offset by increased fish oil sales prices and a 120% increase in fish meal sales volumes.  Gross profit was also adversely affected by low fish oil yields during the 2011 fishing season, which offset the positive impact of an increased fish catch on unit costs.  In addition, on a comparable basis gross profit as a percentage of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 benefited significantly from greater than anticipated inventory production after September 30, 2010.  As a result, standard cost for 2010 inventory, for which sales commenced largely in the third quarter of 2010, was decreased and all previous sales of 2010 inventory production were adjusted during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.  The impact of the change in standard cost to the fourth quarter of 2010 was estimated to be approximately $4.0 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased $3.6 million to $8.4 million compared to $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to the addition of Cyvex's and InCon's combined related expenses of $0.9 million and $1.4 million of increased employee compensation related costs including stock option and restricted stock compensation expense.  In addition, the Company expensed $0.6 million for two legal reserves and incurred $0.6 million of impairment and other non-recurring charges during the fourth quarter of 2011.  

The Company also recorded a net loss on disposal of assets of $1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 primarily related to the write down in value to net realizable value of the Company's experimental catamaran style fishing vessel that the Company does not anticipate using in the future.  

Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 was $0.6 million ($0.03 per diluted share) compared to $8.3 million ($0.44 per diluted share) for the same period last year.  The decrease in net income was a result of the factors previously described, which were partially offset by a tax credit and other tax adjustments. Excluding the expensed legal reserves, impairment and non-recurring charges, loss on disposal of assets, and assuming an effective tax rate of 35.0%, net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 would have been $1.8 million ($0.09 per diluted share).  

"We are pleased with our ability to increase production and as a result improve revenues year-over-year and report record annual net income, despite experiencing lower fish oil yields and lower inventories in 2011 due to fishing restrictions from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill," commented Bret Scholtes, Omega Protein's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Although fish meal prices continue to be pressured, in 2012 we are hopeful Omega Protein will experience another strong fishing season and improved yields compared to 2011."

Mr. Scholtes continued, "Our executive team remains focused on better positioning Omega Protein long-term by improving our ability to penetrate the more profitable human nutrition market with our nutrient-rich fish oils.  We continue to be pleased with our 2010 Cyvex acquisition and the integration of our recent InCon acquisition into our human nutrition business.  Going forward, we expect to continue to build upon our existing nutritional platform and further expand our human nutrition products business. Our strong balance sheet provides us with the opportunity to fund complementary acquisitions and investments as we move further into the food and nutrition market, which we believe will increase shareholder value."

Full Year 2011 Results

Revenues in 2011 increased 40% to $235.2 million compared to revenues of $167.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in revenues was primarily due to higher sales volumes of 67% for the Company's fish meal and higher sales prices of 26% for the Company's fish oil, partially offset by decreased sales prices of 16% for the Company's fish meal and decreased sales volumes of 9% for the Company's fish oil.  Considering fish meal, fish oil and fish solubles sales activities in total, the Company experienced a $13.1 million decrease in revenues due to the decrease in fish meal sales prices and a $65.6 million increase in revenue caused by increased fish meal sales volumes, when comparing 2011 and 2010.  Average revenue per ton for fish meal, oil and solubles declined from $1,034 in 2010 to $982 in 2011.  Cyvex, acquired by the Company in December 2010, contributed $13.1 million of revenue and InCon, acquired by the Company in September 2011, generated $1.2 million of revenue.

The Company reported gross profit of $54.7 million, 23.2% as a percentage of revenues, in 2011, versus gross profit of $49.2 million, 29.3% as a percentage of revenues, for the same period last year.  The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the decrease in fish meal sales prices as well as an increased cost per unit of production in 2011 as compared to 2010.  

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $34.2 million ($1.71 per diluted share) compared to $18.3 million ($0.97 per diluted share) in 2010.  The 2011 net income results include $26.2 million of pre-tax final settlements with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster and $0.8 million for a pre-tax settlement with the Company's former insurance broker.  

Balance Sheet

The Company's balance sheet continues to strengthen with stockholders equity of $196.6 million and working capital of $110.0 million as of December 31, 2011. The Company's cash balance increased $31.6 million to $51.4 million as compared to $19.8 million at December 31, 2010.  This increase was primarily due to the sale of inventory, the final settlement of the Company's claims relating to damages resulting from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster with the GCCF and proceeds from the exercise of stock options.  This increase was partially offset by spending related to the 2011 fishing season, capital spending, debt payments, the acquisition of InCon and final payments related to the acquisition of Cyvex.