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Newpark Resources Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

May 1, 2008

Company reports income from continuing operations of $0.10 per diluted share

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2008. Total revenues were $178.5 million for the first quarter of 2008 compared to $149.3 million for the first quarter of 2007. Income from continuing operations was $8.7 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to $5.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2007. Net income was $11.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $7.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2007.

Paul Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newpark, stated, "We are pleased to report continued improvement in our Fluids Systems and Engineering segment, which accounts for over 80% of the Company's revenue. This segment experienced solid revenue growth of 25% in a year-over-year comparison and 15% sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2007. However, we are experiencing continued softness in our Mats and Integrated Services business, primarily in the Gulf Coast region where the declining rig count in southern Louisiana has impacted demand and pricing.

"I am very pleased to announce that we have signed a multi-year contract with a super major to provide drilling fluids and related services for the deepwater market in Brazil. With this new contract, we are investing in a new fluids plant and supporting infrastructure in Brazil, which we believe will position us for growth in one of the fastest developing deepwater markets in the world," added Howes. "Additionally, we began repurchasing our shares during the quarter, and have continued to do so in April," concluded Howes.

Segment Results

The Fluids Systems and Engineering segment generated revenues of $157.2 million and a 13.4% operating margin in the first quarter of 2008 compared to revenues of $125.3 million and a 13.3% operating margin during the first quarter of 2007. First quarter 2008 revenues were driven by strong growth in both the North American and Mediterranean regions. North American revenues increased 17% over the first quarter of 2007 and included solid revenue gains from both the U.S. and Canadian markets, while Mediterranean region revenues increased 87%, compared to the first quarter of 2007.

The Mats and Integrated Services segment generated revenues of $21.3 million and a 0.2% operating margin in the first quarter of 2008 compared to revenues of $24.0 million and a 19.2% operating margin in the first quarter of 2007. The 2008 first quarter decline in this segment's operating margin is primarily attributable to continued weakness in the South Louisiana land rig count, resulting in reduced demand along with pricing pressure for mat rentals and related services. In addition, the first quarter 2008 results include pre-tax charges of $1.2 million related primarily to inventory and receivable write downs, as well as severance costs associated with restructuring activities within the segment.

Share Repurchase Program Update

In February 2008, Newpark's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to purchase up to $25 million of outstanding shares of Newpark common stock. As part of this stock repurchase program, the Company established a repurchase program under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the first quarter and repurchased 784,000 outstanding shares for an aggregate price of $3.8 million, at an average per share price of $4.80.

CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with this release, Newpark has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time. To participate in the call, dial (303) 262-2130 and ask for the Newpark Resources conference call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or access it live over the Internet at http://www.newpark.com. For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay will be available through May 9, 2008 and may be accessed by dialing (303) 590-3000 and using pass code 11111119#. Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at http://www.newpark.com for 90 days.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of drilling fluids, temporary worksites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets, and environmental waste treatment solutions. For more information, visit our website at http://www.newpark.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the timing and completion of the proposed sale of the environmental business, Newpark's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Newpark, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, Newpark's successful completion of the proposed sale of the environmental business, the investigation of the certain accounting matters by the Securities and Exchange Commission; changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which Newpark does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost of raw materials, research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance; and seasonality of sales of Newpark products. Newpark's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at http://www.sec.gov, as well as through our website at http://www.newpark.com.



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    (Unaudited)                                   Three Months Ended March 31,
    (In thousands, except per share data)              2008              2007

      Revenues                                      $178,467          $149,264

      Cost of revenues                               157,309           128,034
                                                      21,158            21,230

      General and administrative expenses              4,781             8,155

      Operating income                                16,377            13,075

      Foreign currency exchange loss                     296               109
      Interest expense, net                            3,227             4,420

      Income from continuing operations
       before income taxes                            12,854             8,546
      Provision for income taxes                       4,177             2,777

      Income from continuing operations                8,677             5,769
      Income from discontinued operations,
       net of tax                                      2,674             1,465

      Net income                                     $11,351            $7,234


    Basic weighted average common shares
     outstanding                                      90,099            89,829
    Diluted weighted average common
     shares outstanding                               90,332            90,248

    Income  per common share (basic and
     diluted):
      Income from continuing operations                $0.10             $0.06
      Income from discontinued operations               0.03              0.02
      Net income per common share                      $0.13             $0.08



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Operating Segment Results

    (Unaudited)                                   Three Months Ended
                                           March 31,  December 31,  March 31,
    (In thousands)                             2008        2007        2007

    Segment revenues
        Fluids systems and engineering      $157,216    $136,267    $125,298
        Mats and integrated services          21,251      23,473      23,966
           Total segment revenues           $178,467    $159,740    $149,264

    Segment operating income
        Fluids systems and engineering       $21,107     $17,645     $16,630
        Mats and integrated services              51       1,342       4,600
           Total segment operating income    $21,158     $18,987     $21,230

    Segment operating margin
        Fluids systems and engineering         13.4%       12.9%       13.3%
        Mats and integrated services            0.2%        5.7%       19.2%
           Total segment operating margin      11.9%       11.9%       14.2%




    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                   March 31,     December 31,
    (In thousands, except share data)                2008              2007
                                                 (unaudited)
    ASSETS
      Cash and cash equivalents                     $8,200            $5,741
      Receivables, net                             168,069           141,949
      Inventories                                  133,247           120,202
      Deferred tax asset                            36,227            28,439
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets     11,402            12,131
      Assets of discontinued operations             85,744            86,628
        Total current assets                       442,889           395,090

      Property, plant and equipment, net           159,551           159,094
      Goodwill                                      63,283            62,616
      Deferred tax asset, net                          395               408
      Other intangible assets, net                  17,558            18,474
      Other assets                                   5,958             6,097
        Total assets                              $689,634          $641,779

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Foreign bank lines of credit                 $10,429            $7,297
      Current maturities of long-term debt          11,399            11,565
      Accounts payable                              64,081            62,505
      Accrued liabilities                           27,449            20,367
      Liabilities of discontinued operations         8,458            10,456
        Total current liabilities                  121,816           112,190

      Long-term debt, less current portion         178,190           158,616
      Deferred tax liability                        18,313             5,923
      Other noncurrent liabilities                   2,524             4,386
        Total liabilities                          320,843           281,115

      Common stock, $0.01 par value,
       100,000,000 shares authorized
       90,623,560 and 90,215,175 shares
       issued, respectively                            906               902
      Paid-in capital                              451,685           450,319
      Accumulated other comprehensive income        13,210            13,988
      Retained deficit                             (93,194)         (104,545)
      Less treasury stock, at cost;
       795,000 shares                               (3,816)                -
        Total stockholders' equity                 368,791           360,664
      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                                     $689,634          $641,779



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    (Unaudited)                                   Three Months Ended March 31,
    (In thousands)                                   2008              2007

    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                     $11,351            $7,234
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     to net cash provided by operations:
      Net income from discontinued operations       (2,674)           (1,465)
      Depreciation and amortization                  5,892             4,912
      Stock-based compensation expense               1,656               682
      Provision for deferred income taxes            5,618             3,341
      Provision for doubtful accounts                  660                18
      Gain on sale of assets                           (16)              (33)
      Change in assets and liabilities:
        Increase in receivables                    (24,755)           (6,861)
        (Increase) decrease in inventories         (11,396)            6,251
        Decrease in other assets                     1,830             1,295
        Increase (decrease) in accounts payable        178            (4,562)
        Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities
         and other                                   1,885            (5,671)
      Net operating activities of continuing
       operations                                   (9,771)            5,141
      Net operating activities of discontinued
       operations                                    1,693             5,162
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating
     activities                                     (8,078)           10,303

    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Capital expenditures                          (5,728)           (3,399)
      Proceeds from sale of property, plant
       and equipment                                    16               457
    Net investing activities of continuing
     operations                                     (5,712)           (2,942)
    Net investing activities of discontinued
     operations                                        (81)           (2,001)
    Net cash used in investing activities           (5,793)           (4,943)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Net borrowings (payments) on lines of
       credit                                       22,401           (12,310)
      Principal payments on notes payable and
       long-term debt                                 (592)           (6,491)
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options
       and ESPP                                          -               970
      Purchase of treasury stock                    (3,197)                -
    Net financing activities of continuing
     operations                                     18,612           (17,831)
    Net financing activities of discontinued
     operations                                        (52)              402
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing
     activities                                     18,560           (17,429)

    Effect of exchange rate changes                 (2,230)               88

    Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                     2,459           (11,981)

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   5,741            12,736

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year        $8,200              $755

    Cash paid for:
      Income taxes (net of refunds)                   $854            $1,130
      Interest                                      $3,081            $4,463


     Contacts: James E. Braun, CFO
               Newpark Resources, Inc.
               281-362-6800

               Ken Dennard, Managing Partner
               Dennard Rupp Gray & Easterly, LLC
               ksdennard@drg-e.com
               713-529-6600

SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc.

CONTACT: James E. Braun, CFO of Newpark Resources, Inc.,
+1-281-362-6800; or Ken Dennard, Managing Partner of Dennard Rupp Gray &
Easterly, LLC, +1-713-529-6600, ksdennard@drg-e.com, for Newpark Resources,
Inc./
Web site: http://www.newpark.com /
(NR)