Release Details

News Banner

Newpark Resources Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2007 Results

February 22, 2008

Company also announces $25 million stock repurchase program

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007. Total revenues were $159.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to $146.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. The fourth quarter 2007 results include a pretax charge of $4.0 million ($2.7 million after-tax) related to the repayment and termination of the Company's previous credit facilities. As a result, the Company reported income from continuing operations of $5.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Excluding the $4.0 million charge, income from continuing operations was $8.2 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. A Non-GAAP Earnings Reconciliation is included in the financial tables below. The Company also announced a $25 million stock repurchase program.

Paul Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newpark, stated, "The fourth quarter continued to be an extremely tough environment for oil service companies in North America. Many of the headwinds the industry faced during the third quarter remained in effect through the end of the year. Nevertheless, in spite of this uncertain and soft market, our fluids business showed strong revenue growth and improved margins on a sequential basis. We continue to grow this business and gain acceptance in the market place as a leading provider of fluids and related services, as evidenced by market share gains in the Rockies where we picked up work on all of the rigs for a major independent in this region.

"Looking internationally, drilling activity continued to show strength. We've benefited greatly from this long-term trend, as our AVA business grew 41% in 2007, with much of this growth due to a strong North African market. We successfully completed our second test well in Egypt, which now puts us in position to grow our business in this important market. Our AVA business, which consists of our European and North African operations, generated $87 million of revenue for the full year in 2007. We also saw revenues from Brazil for the first time as we are now providing both fluids and services to land-based rigs there. Our goal is to leverage our presence in Brazil and expand into the country's deepwater market.

"Finally, we are very pleased to announce that the Board has authorized a $25 million stock repurchase program. We will look for opportunities to buy back shares as we believe the stock is undervalued at the current share price," concluded Howes.

FOURTH QUARTER 2007 SEGMENT RESULTS

The Fluids Systems and Engineering segment generated revenues of $136.3 million and a 12.9% operating margin in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the $129.1 million of revenue and a 16.0% operating margin generated during the fourth quarter of 2006. Operating margin in the Fluids segment for the 2007 fourth quarter declined from year ago levels primarily due to higher barite, transportation, fuel and labor costs that could not be fully recovered through customer pricing increases.

The Mats and Integrated Services segment generated revenues of $23.5 million and a 5.7% operating margin in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to revenues of $17.7 million and an 11.8% operating margin in the fourth quarter of 2006. The 2007 fourth quarter decline in operating margins is mainly attributable to continued weakness and a falling rig count in southern Louisiana, which contributed to pricing pressure and lower demand for mat rentals and related services.

2007 RESULTS

Total revenues for 2007 were $612.8 million compared to revenues of $581.9 million for 2006. Income from continuing operations was $25.0 million for 2007, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $28.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for 2006. As set forth on the attached Non-GAAP Earnings Reconciliation, 2007 income from continuing operations excluding the fourth quarter charge of $4.0 million related to the termination of the previous credit facility and $2.4 million of legal costs incurred during the first quarter of 2007, was $29.4 million, or $0.32 per diluted share. For 2006, excluding certain items as set forth on the attached Non-GAAP Earnings Reconciliation, income from continuing operations was $28.2 million, or $0.31 per diluted share.

In 2007, the Fluid Systems and Engineering segment generated revenues of $522.7 million and a 12.6% operating margin compared to $481.4 million in revenues and a 13.8% operating margin in 2006. Full-year 2006 results included $4.3 million in business interruption insurance proceeds due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita received during the second and third quarters.

The Mats and Integrated Services segment generated revenues of $90.1 million and a 14.2% operating margin in 2007 compared to revenues of $100.5 million and a 15.1% operating margin in the 2006.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

Newpark's Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase up to $25 million of outstanding shares of Newpark common stock. These purchases will be funded with borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility. As part of the stock repurchase program, the Company's management has been authorized to establish trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which the Company intends to establish as soon as practicable.

CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with this release, Newpark has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time. To participate in the call, dial (303) 262-2139 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 February 29, 2008 and may be accessed by dialing (303) 590-3000 and using pass code 11105800#. 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 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, 2006, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, 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.

     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



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    (Unaudited)             Three Months Ended           Year Ended
    (In thousands, except      December 31,              December 31,
     per share data)        2007         2006         2007         2006

    Revenues              $159,740     $146,748     $612,764     $581,908
    Cost of revenues       140,753      124,034      533,929      500,062
                            18,987       22,714       78,835       81,846

    General and
     administrative
     expenses                5,090        6,180       22,923       20,022
    Operating income        13,897       16,534       55,912       61,824

    Foreign currency
     exchange (gain) loss     (804)         863       (1,083)         367
    Interest expense, net    8,069        4,336       20,251       19,546
    Income from continuing
     operations before
     income taxes            6,632       11,335       36,744       41,911
    Provision for income
     taxes                   1,114        3,915       11,700       13,851
    Income from continuing
     operations              5,518        7,420       25,044       28,060
    Income (loss) from
     discontinued
     operations, net of
     taxes                   1,228      (49,544)       3,231      (60,341)
    Loss from disposal
     of discontinued
     operations, net of
     taxes                       -            -       (1,613)           -
    Net income              $6,746     $(42,124)     $26,662     $(32,281)

    Basic weighted
     average common
     shares outstanding     90,162       89,488       90,015       89,333
    Diluted weighted
     average common shares
     outstanding            90,540       89,961       90,527       89,871

    Net income per
     common share (basic
     and diluted):
      Income from
       continuing operations $0.06        $0.08        $0.28        $0.31
      Income (loss) from
       discontinued
       operations             0.01        (0.55)        0.01        (0.67)
      Net income (loss) per
       common share          $0.07       $(0.47)       $0.29       $(0.36)



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Non-GAAP Earnings Reconciliation
    Continuing Operations

    The table below presents measures not derived in accordance with generally
    accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  Non-GAAP measures of financial
    performance exclude items that the Company believes are infrequent or not
    indicative of operating performance.  Non-GAAP financial measures should
    not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial
    performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The Company believes these
    non-GAAP financial measures are helpful, however, and management uses them
    in comparing the historical results to current results and measuring
    operating earnings trends.

    (Unaudited)                     Quarter Ended          Year Ended
    (In thousands, except            December 31,          December 31,
     per share data)              2007         2006       2007       2006

    Income from continuing
     operations before
     income taxes - GAAP         $6,632      $11,335    $36,744    $41,911

    Adjustments:
      Capitalized
       financing cost
       write-off associated
       with debt re-financing     3,955          -        3,955      1,207
      Business insurance
       proceeds related
       to Hurricanes
       Katrina and Rita             -            -          -       (4,271)
      Legal and accounting
       expenses related
       to 2005 restatement
       and related litigation       -          1,259      2,441      3,275

    Income from continuing
     operations before income
     taxes - Non-GAAP            10,587       12,594     43,140     42,122

    Provision for income taxes
     on adjusted income           2,374        4,331     13,737     13,921

    Income from continuing
     operations - Non-GAAP       $8,214       $8,263    $29,403    $28,201

    Diluted shares outstanding   90,540       89,961     90,527     89,871

    Income from continuing
     operations per common
     share (basic and diluted):
      Net income per
       common share -
       GAAP                       $0.06        $0.08      $0.28      $0.31
      Impact of
       adjustments                 0.03         0.01       0.04       0.00
      Income from
       continuing
       operations per
       common share -
       Non-GAAP                   $0.09        $0.09      $0.32      $0.31



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Operating Segment Results

    (Unaudited)                          Quarter Ended              Year Ended
                            March 31,  June 30,  Sept. 30,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
    (In thousands)            2007       2007      2007      2007      2007

    Segment revenues
      Fluids systems and
       engineering           $125,298  $131,163  $129,986  $136,267  $522,714
      Mats and integrated
       services                23,966    18,819    23,792    23,473    90,050
        Total segment
         revenues            $149,264  $149,982  $153,778  $159,740  $612,764

    Segment operating income
      Fluids systems and
       engineering            $16,630   $16,323   $15,467   $17,645   $66,065
      Mats and integrated
       services                 4,600     2,273     4,555     1,342    12,770
        Total segment
         operating income     $21,230   $18,596   $20,022   $18,987   $78,835

    Segment operating margin
      Fluids systems and
       engineering              13.3%     12.4%     11.9%     12.9%     12.6%
      Mats and integrated
       services                 19.2%     12.1%     19.1%      5.7%     14.2%
        Total segment
         operating margin       14.2%     12.4%     13.0%     11.9%     12.9%


    (Unaudited)                          Quarter Ended              Year Ended
                            March 31,  June 30,  Sept. 30,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
    (In thousands)            2006       2006      2006       2006      2006

    Segment revenues
      Fluids systems and
       engineering           $115,289  $111,868  $125,130  $129,091  $481,378
      Mats and integrated
       services                29,251    31,133    22,489    17,657   100,530
        Total segment
         revenues            $144,540  $143,001  $147,619  $146,748  $581,908

    Segment operating income
      Fluids systems and
       engineering            $12,660   $13,143   $20,178   $20,635   $66,616
      Mats and integrated
       services                 4,343     4,216     4,592     2,079    15,230
        Total segment
         operating income     $17,003   $17,359   $24,770   $22,714   $81,846

    Segment operating margin
      Fluids systems and
       engineering              11.0%     11.7%     16.1%     16.0%     13.8%
      Mats and integrated
       services                 14.8%     13.5%     20.4%     11.8%     15.1%
        Total segment
         operating margin       11.8%     12.1%     16.8%     15.5%     14.1%



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands)                               December 31,    December 31,
                                                     2007            2006
    ASSETS
      Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                     $8,019          $12,736
      Receivables, net                             141,949          141,790
      Inventories                                  120,202          107,778
      Deferred tax asset                            28,439           23,001
      Prepaid expenses and other current
       assets                                       12,131           12,176
      Assets of discontinued operations             86,628           19,880
        Total current assets                       397,368          317,361

      Property, plant and equipment, net           159,094          152,207
      Goodwill                                      62,616           54,624
      Deferred tax asset                               408            7,096
      Other intangible assets, net                  18,474            8,236
      Other assets                                   6,097            7,440
      Assets of discontinued operations                  -           82,485
        Total assets                              $644,057         $629,449

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Foreign bank lines of credit                  $7,297          $10,938
      Current maturities of long-term
       debt                                         11,565            4,058
      Accounts payable                              64,783           56,087
      Accrued liabilities                           20,367           21,439
      Liabilities of discontinued
       operations                                   10,456            9,475
        Total current liabilities                  114,468          101,997

      Long-term debt, less current
       portion                                     158,616          198,037
      Deferred tax liability                         5,923                -
      Other noncurrent liabilities                   4,386            4,344
      Liabilities of discontinued
       operations                                        -            1,928
        Total liabilities                          283,393          306,306

      Common Stock                                     902              897
      Paid-in capital                              450,319          444,763
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                       13,988            7,940
      Retained deficit                            (104,545)        (130,457)
        Total stockholders' equity                 360,664          323,143
                                                  $644,057         $629,449



    Newpark Resources, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    (Unaudited)                                     Year Ended December 31,
    (In thousands)                                   2007              2006

    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income (loss)                              $26,662          $(32,281)

    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash provided by
     operations:
        Net (income) loss from
         discontinued operations                    (3,231)           60,341
        Net loss on disposal of
         discontinued operations                     1,613               -
        Depreciation and amortization               19,285            20,612
        Stock-based compensation expense             3,434             2,000
        Provision for deferred income
         taxes                                       7,983             6,124
        Provision for doubtful accounts              1,282             1,693
        (Loss) gain on sale of assets                   30              (863)
        Change in assets and liabilities:
          Decrease (increase) in
           receivables                               4,038           (13,250)
          Increase in inventories                  (12,762)          (21,017)
          Decrease (increase) in other assets        2,298            (6,262)
          Increase (decrease)  in
           accounts payable                          7,223            (3,895)
          (Decrease) increase in accrued
           liabilities and other                    (5,070)            7,370
    Net operating activities of
     continuing operations                          52,785            20,572
    Net operating activities of
     discontinued operations                        17,681             6,231
    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                     70,466            26,803

    Cash flows from investing activities:
        Capital expenditures                       (17,036)          (25,790)
        Proceeds from sale of property,
         plant and equipment                           986             2,622
        Insurance proceeds from property,
         plant and equipment claim                     -               3,471
        Business acquisitions                      (23,203)              -
    Net investing activities of
     continuing operations                         (39,253)          (19,697)
    Net investing activities of
     discontinued operations                        (1,039)          (10,601)
    Net cash used in investing activities          (40,292)          (30,298)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
    Net borrowings on lines of credit               67,369            10,858
    Principal payments on notes payable
     and long-term debt                           (155,026)         (157,796)
    Long-term borrowings                            50,000           150,132
    Proceeds from exercise of stock
     options and ESPP                                2,243             5,622
    Tax benefit from exercise of stock
     options                                           -                 644
    Net financing activities of
     continuing operations                         (35,414)            9,460
    Net financing activities of
     discontinued operations                          (235)             (887)
    Net cash (used in) provided by
     financing activities                          (35,650)            8,573

    Effect of exchange rate changes                    758               314

    Net (decrease) increase in cash and
     cash equivalents                               (4,717)            5,392

    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of year                              12,736             7,344

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     year                                           $8,019           $12,736

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 /