ION reports first quarter 2020 results

HOUSTON, May 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ION Geophysical Corporation (NYSE: IO) today reported total net revenues of $56.4 million in the first quarter 2020, a 53% increase compared to total net revenues of $37.0 million one year ago primarily due to an increase in 2D multi-client data library sales. ION's operating income was $6.3 million compared to an operating loss of $15.9 million in the first quarter 2019. ION's net loss was $2.3 million, or a loss of $0.16 per share, compared to a net loss of $21.4 million, or a loss of $1.52 per share in the first quarter 2019. Excluding special items in both periods, the Company reported an Adjusted net income of $4.7 million, or $0.33 per share, compared to an Adjusted net loss of $16.9 million, or a loss of $1.20 per share in the first quarter 2019. A reconciliation of special items to the reported financial results can be found in the tables of this press release.

The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $22.9 million for the first quarter 2020, an increase from $(0.1) million one year ago. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the closest comparable GAAP numbers can be found in the tables of this press release.

"We achieved the best first quarter performance in six years despite challenges from both coronavirus and oil price volatility," said Chris Usher, ION's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong revenues of $56 million generated positive operating income and $23 million in Adjusted EBITDA, and, as a result, we expect our liquidity position to improve as revenues are collected in the second quarter. Our first quarter results reflect the value of our offshore data library and validate the combined effectiveness of our strategic refocus and over $20 million cost reductions. Our team creatively closed a number of large multi-client contracts, some of which were delayed from the fourth quarter, even after E&P market dynamics changed. I remain confident in ION's value proposition to cost-effectively support customers' data-driven decision-making in this lower-for-longer exploration and production environment.

"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price volatility, we worked closely with our clients to understand the impact of E&P budget reductions and proactively re-planned the business. Our asset light strategy avoids significant fixed costs and provides flexibility to quickly scale the business to meet demand. In April, we announced another $18 million of cost reductions, building on the over $20 million of cost savings made in January, to preserve cash and manage liquidity. We also qualified for and received $6.9 million of government relief in April. In addition, we expect the sale of our 49% share in the non-strategic INOVA land seismic equipment joint venture with BGP to deliver an additional $12 million liquidity boost in the second half of the year, subject to closing conditions.

"I couldn't be prouder of our team's response during this unprecedented pandemic. They rallied and rapidly adjusted to new ways of working while maintaining business continuity and accelerating our strategy execution. Our employees were dynamic in their response and looked for opportunities instead of simply hunkering down and cutting costs. We quickly shifted to new digital engagement models with customers and deployed new technology solutions that facilitate remote offshore operations management. For example, Marlin(TM) SmartPort is being used by port staff to control port operations from home, and our Software group launched a 'smart operations' navigation and simultaneous operations offering for E&P customers to remotely oversee their offshore operations.

"I am also gratified to have resolved our decade-long patent litigation with WesternGeco, closing a significant chapter that once threatened the survival of our business. Over the course of the case, the companies' portfolios and competitive landscape changed dramatically and we both believe expanding our mutually beneficial multi-client collaboration makes more sense moving forward.

"The combination of our business continuity plans and cost reduction initiatives enable ION to remain agile and support clients while navigating these uncertain times. I believe we are better positioned given our first quarter results, and with backlog and recurring revenue in some parts of our business, that we can mitigate some of the immediate impacts of the market disruption."

FIRST QUARTER 2020

The Company's segment revenues for the first quarter were as follows (in thousands):

                         Three Months Ended March 31,


                    2020                              2019      % Change



     E&P                  $
            46,514                   $
        27,103      72
      Technology
      & Services                                                              %


     Operations
      Optimization 9,900                               9,853              
     %


     Total                $
            56,414                   $
        36,956      53

                                                                              %


Within the E&P Technology & Services segment, multi-client revenues were $41.6 million, an increase of 78%. This result was driven by increased sales of ION's global 2D data library, partly offset by a reduction in new venture revenues. Imaging and Reservoir Services revenues were $4.9 million, an increase of 34%, from working through existing backlog.

Within the Operations Optimization segment, Optimization Software & Services revenues were $4.4 million, a 12% decrease from the first quarter 2019 due to reduced command and control hardware sales, and to a lesser extent, a COVID-19 reduced seismic activity and associated services demand. Devices revenues were $5.5 million, a 14% increase from the first quarter 2019, due to increased sales of towed streamer equipment spares and repairs.

Consolidated gross margin for the quarter was 50%, compared to 27% in the first quarter 2019. Gross margin in E&P Technology & Services was 51% compared to 20% one year ago. The improved E&P Technology & Services gross margin resulted from the increase in 2D data library revenues. Operations Optimization gross margin was 47%, a slight increase compared to 46% one year ago.

Consolidated operating expenses were $22.0 million, compared to $25.8 million, and operating margin was 11%, compared to (43)% in the first quarter 2019. Excluding special items, consolidated operating expenses, as adjusted, were $15.9 million, compared to $21.4 million in the first quarter 2019, and operating margin, as adjusted, was 24%, compared to (31)% in the first quarter 2019. The improvement in operating margin, as adjusted, was primarily due to the increase in revenues, combined with lower operating expenses, from cost reduction measures.

Income tax expense was $5.9 million compared to $1.4 million in the first quarter 2019. The income tax expense includes $2.2 million of valuation allowance established against our recognized deferred tax assets in our non-U.S. businesses. The Company's income tax expense primarily relates to results generated by our non-U.S. businesses.

At March 31, 2020, the Company had total liquidity of $53.8 million, consisting of $42.7 million of cash on hand and $11.1 million of remaining available borrowing capacity under its maximum $50.0 million revolving credit facility. In response to the market uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and weaker oil and gas prices, the Company drew $27.0 million under its revolving credit facility in March that remains outstanding and in its cash balances. As of May 5, 2020, the Company's cash on hand increased to a balance of $52.8 million, including revolver borrowings of $27.0 million, compared to $42.7 million at March 31, 2020.

CONFERENCE CALL

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, May 7, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time that will include a slide presentation to be posted in the Investor Relations section of the ION website by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 407-0672 at least 10 minutes before the call begins and ask for the ION conference call. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live broadcast ends and will be accessible until May 21, 2020. To access the replay, dial (877) 660-6853 and use pass code 13698479#.

Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live over the Internet by visiting iongeo.com. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call on the Company's website.

About ION

Leveraging innovative technologies, ION delivers powerful data-driven decision-making to offshore energy, ports and defense industries, enabling clients to optimize operations and deliver superior returns. Learn more at iongeo.com.

Contact

Mike Morrison
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
+1.281.552.3011

The information herein contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include information and other statements that are not of historical fact. Actual results may vary materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the risks associated with the timing and development of ION Geophysical Corporation's products and services; pricing pressure; decreased demand; changes in oil prices; political, execution, regulatory, and currency risks; the COVID-19 pandemic; and agreements made or adhered to by members of OPEC and other oil producing countries to maintain production levels. For additional information regarding these various risks and uncertainties, see our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed on February 6, 2020. Additional risk factors, which could affect actual results, are disclosed by the Company in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks filed during the year. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements.

Tables to follow

                       
              
                ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                          
              
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                          
              
                (In thousands, except per share data)

                                       
              
                (Unaudited)




                                                               Three Months Ended March 31,


                                             2020                                        2019

                                                                                         ---

      Service revenues                               $
              47,485                            $
        28,128


      Product revenues                      8,929                                         8,828


      Total net revenues                   56,414                                        36,956



      Cost of services                     22,275                                        22,446


      Cost of products                      4,628                                         4,598


      Impairment of multi-
       client data library                  1,167




     Gross profit                         28,344                                         9,912




     Operating expenses:


      Research, development and
       engineering                          4,008                                         5,357


      Marketing and sales                   4,858                                         5,793


      General, administrative
       and other operating
       expenses                             9,002                                        14,699


      Impairment of goodwill                4,150



      Total operating expenses             22,018                                        25,849



      Income (loss) from
       operations                           6,326                                      (15,937)


      Interest expense, net               (3,221)                                      (3,112)


      Other income (expense),
       net                                    429                                         (792)



      Income (loss) before
       income taxes                         3,534                                      (19,841)


      Income tax expense                    5,874                                         1,407




     Net loss                            (2,340)                                     (21,248)


      Less: Net (income) loss
       attributable to
       noncontrolling interest                 77                                         (112)


      Net loss attributable to
       ION                                          $
              (2,263)                         $
        (21,360)




     Net loss per share:



     Basic                                          $
              (0.16)                           $
        (1.52)



     Diluted                                        $
              (0.16)                           $
        (1.52)


      Weighted average number of common shares
       outstanding:



     Basic                                14,230                                        14,033



     Diluted                              14,230                                        14,033

                                        
              
            ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                
             
             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                       
          
                (In thousands)

                                                        
          
                (Unaudited)




            
              ASSETS                                         March 31,                                     December 31,
                                                                           2020                              2019

                                                                                                             ---


     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $
              42,663                             $
       33,065



     Accounts receivable, net                                           51,149                              29,548



     Unbilled receivables                                                8,356                              11,815



     Inventories, net                                                   12,820                              12,187


      Prepaid expenses and other current
       assets                                                             5,681                               6,012




     Total current assets                                              120,669                              92,627


      Deferred income tax asset, net                                      7,905                               8,734


      Property, plant and equipment, net                                 12,706                              13,188


      Multi-client data library, net                                     54,344                              60,384



     Goodwill                                                           18,298                              23,585



     Right-of-use assets                                                42,166                              32,546



     Other assets                                                        3,299                               2,130




     Total assets                                                                $
              259,387                            $
       233,194



                     
              LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT



     Current liabilities:


      Current maturities of long-term
       debt                                                                        $
              28,646                              $
       2,107



     Accounts payable                                                   43,827                              49,316



     Accrued expenses                                                   29,078                              30,328


      Accrued multi-client data library
       royalties                                                         21,424                              18,831



     Deferred revenue                                                    4,882                               4,551


      Current maturities of operating
       lease liabilities                                                  9,873                              11,055




     Total current liabilities                                         137,730                             116,188


      Long-term debt, net of current
       maturities                                                       119,296                             119,352


      Operating lease liabilities, net of
       current maturities                                                40,531                              30,833


      Other long-term liabilities                                           433                               1,453




     Total liabilities                                                 297,990                             267,826



     Deficit:



     Common stock                                                          142                                 142


      Additional paid-in capital                                        957,254                             956,647



     Accumulated deficit                                             (976,554)                          (974,291)


      Accumulated other comprehensive loss                             (21,099)                           (19,318)



      Total stockholders' deficit                                      (40,257)                           (36,820)



     Noncontrolling interest                                             1,654                               2,188




     Total deficit                                                    (38,603)                           (34,632)



      Total liabilities and deficit                                               $
              259,387                            $
       233,194


                         
              
                ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                             
              
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                        
              
                (In thousands)

                                          
              
                (Unaudited)




                                                                      Three Months Ended March 31,


                                                    2020                                       2019

                                                                                               ---


     Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net loss                                             $
              (2,340)                        $
        (21,248)


      Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash
       provided by (used in) operating activities:


      Depreciation and amortization
       (other than multi-client data
       library)                                      840                                        1,035


      Amortization of multi-client
       data library                                8,020                                       11,100


      Stock-based compensation
       expense                                       617                                        1,293


      Impairment of multi-client data
       library                                     1,167


      Impairment of goodwill                       4,150



     Deferred income taxes                          421                                      (1,398)


      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                       (21,868)                                     (2,870)



     Unbilled receivables                         2,666                                       29,498



     Inventories                                  (772)                                          81


      Accounts payable, accrued
       expenses and accrued royalties              1,688                                      (2,013)



     Deferred revenue                               355                                        (333)


      Other assets and liabilities               (1,910)                                         253



      Net cash (used in) provided by
       operating activities                      (6,966)                                      15,398




     Cash flows from investing activities:


      Investment in multi-client data
       library                                   (9,668)                                     (8,767)


      Proceeds from purchase of
       property, plant and equipment               (496)                                       (807)


      Net cash used in investing
       activities                               (10,164)                                     (9,574)




     Cash flows from financing activities:


      Borrowings under revolving line
       of credit                                  27,000


      Payments on notes payable and
       long-term debt                              (760)                                       (715)


      Other financing activities                    (10)                                       (239)



      Net cash provided by (used in)
       financing activities                       26,230                                        (954)



      Effect of change in foreign
       currency exchange rates on
       cash, cash equivalents and
       restricted cash                               470                                           81



      Net increase in cash, cash
       equivalents and restricted cash             9,570                                        4,951


      Cash, cash equivalents and
       restricted cash at beginning of
       period                                     33,118                                       33,854



      Cash, cash equivalents and
       restricted cash at end of
       period                                               $
              42,688                           $
        38,805


                           
             
              ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                  
           
                SUMMARY OF SEGMENT INFORMATION

                                       
              
                (In thousands)

                                        
              
                (Unaudited)




                                                               Three Months Ended March 31,


                                               2020                               2019

                                                                                  ---


     Net revenues:



     E&P Technology & Services:



     New Venture                                      $
              1,441                                    $
        13,471



     Data Library                           40,131                                             9,948



      Total multi-client revenues            41,572                                            23,419


      Imaging and Reservoir
       Services                               4,942                                             3,684




     Total                                  46,514                                            27,103




     Operations Optimization:



     Devices                                 5,473                                             4,820


      Optimization Software &
       Services                               4,427                                             5,033




     Total                                   9,900                                             9,853



      Total net revenues                              $
              56,414                                    $
        36,956




     Gross profit (loss):


      E&P Technology & Services                       $
              23,730                          (1)        $
        5,440


      Operations Optimization                 4,614                                             4,516



      Segment gross profit                   28,344                                             9,956



     Other                                       -                                             (44)



      Total gross profit                              $
              28,344                                     $
        9,912




     Gross margin:


      E&P Technology & Services        51
            %                                     20
            %


      Operations Optimization          47
            %                                     46
            %

                                                                                                      ---

      Total gross margin               50
            %                                     27
            %

                                                                                                      ===


     Income (loss) from operations:


      E&P Technology & Services                       $
              17,952                          (1)      $
        (1,615)


      Operations Optimization               (3,259)                               (2)            170



     Support and other                     (8,367)                                         (14,492)



      Income (loss) from
       operations                             6,326                                          (15,937)


      Interest expense, net                 (3,221)                                          (3,112)


      Other income (expense), net               429                                             (792)


      Income (loss) before income
       taxes                                           $
              3,534                                  $
        (19,841)





              
                (1)              Includes impairment of multi-
                                               client data library of $1.2
                                               million for the three months
                                               ended March 31, 2020.



              
                (2)              Includes impairment of
                                               goodwill of $4.2 million for
                                               the three months ended March
                                               31, 2020.

           
           
             ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

            
           
             Summary of Net Revenues by Geographic Area

                      
            
                (In thousands)

                        
            
                (Unaudited)




                                              Three Months Ended March  31,


                           2020                                  2019

                                                                 ---

     North America                $
              31,810                         $
      7,157


     Latin America        9,804                                  13,531


     Asia Pacific         9,288                                   1,867


     Europe               3,810                                  10,392


     Middle East            954                                   1,359


     Africa                 591                                   2,389


     Other                  157                                     261



     Total net
      revenues                    $
              56,414                        $
      36,956


ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss
(Non-GAAP Measure)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

The term EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) represents net loss before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-recurring charges such as impairment charges and severance expenses. The term Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) but also excludes the impact of fair value adjustments related to the Company's outstanding stock appreciation awards. EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income (loss) or cash flow measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. Additionally, EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company has included EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental disclosure because its management believes that EBITDA (excluding non-recurring items) and Adjusted EBITDA provides investors a helpful measure for comparing its operating performance with the performance of other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates.

                               Three Months Ended March 31,


                      2020                              2019



     Net loss              $
       (2,340)                        $
        (21,248)


     Interest
      expense,
      net            3,221                               3,112


     Income
      tax
      expense        5,874                               1,407


      Depreciation
      and
      amortization
      expense        8,860                              12,135


      Impairment
      of
      multi-
      client
      data
      library        1,167


      Impairment
      of
      goodwill       4,150


      Severance
      expense        3,102



     EBITDA
      excluding
      non-
      recurring
      items         24,034                             (4,594)


     Stock
      appreciation
      rights
      (credit)
      expense      (1,094)                              4,460



     Adjusted
      EBITDA                $
       22,940                           $
         (134)


ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Description of Special Items and Reconciliation of GAAP (As Reported) to Non-GAAP (As Adjusted) Measures
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The financial results are reported in accordance with GAAP. However, management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide users of this financial information, additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. One such non-GAAP financial measure is adjusted income (loss) from operations or adjusted net income (loss), which excludes certain charges or amounts. This adjusted income (loss) amount is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for income (loss) from operations, net income (loss) or other income data prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the tables below for supplemental financial data and the corresponding reconciliation to GAAP financials for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

                                            
          
      Three Months Ended March 31, 2020                                               
           
          Three Months Ended March 31, 2019


                            As Reported                                    Special                  As Adjusted              As Reported                                     Special                      As Adjusted
                                                                                 Items                                                                             Items



      Net revenues                       $
        56,414                                               
              $                                                                       $
            56,414                                       $
         36,956                     
     $                $
       36,956


      Cost of sales              28,070                                                     (1,167)                    (1)         26,903                                                         27,044                                                                27,044



      Gross profit               28,344                                                       1,167                                 29,511                                                          9,912                                                                 9,912


      Gross margin         50
            %                                                  2
          %                          52
            %                                                   27
           %                                           %              27
           %


      Operating expenses         22,018                                                     (6,158)                    (2)         15,860                                                         25,849                            (4,460)                  (3)        21,389



      Income (loss) from
       operations                 6,326                                                       7,325                                 13,651                                                       (15,937)                             4,460                            (11,477)


      Operating margin     11
            %                                                 13
          %                          24
            %                                                          (43)                          12
        %                               (31)
                                                                                                                                                                                                     %                                                                    %


      Interest expense,
       net                      (3,221)                                                                                          (3,221)                                                       (3,112)                                                              (3,112)


      Other income
       (expense), net               429                                                                                               429                                                          (792)                                                                (792)



      Income (loss) before
       income taxes               3,534                                                       7,325                                 10,859                                                       (19,841)                             4,460                            (15,381)


      Income tax expense          5,874                                                         350                     (1)          6,224                                                          1,407                                                                 1,407



      Net income (loss)         (2,340)                                                      6,975                                  4,635                                                       (21,248)                             4,460                            (16,788)


      Less: Net income
       attributable to
       noncontrolling
       interest                      77                                                                                                77                                                          (112)                                                                (112)



      Net income (loss)
       attributable to ION              $
        (2,263)                                                            $
     6,975                                                               $
            4,712                                     $
         (21,360)                           $
       4,460 $
       (16,900)



      Net loss per share:



     Basic                              $
        (0.16)                                                                                      $
       0.33                                                                  $
     (1.52)                                                     $
       (1.20)



     Diluted                            $
        (0.16)                                                                                      $
       0.33                                                                  $
     (1.52)                                                     $
       (1.20)


      Weighted average
       number of common
       shares outstanding:



     Basic                      14,230                                                                             14,230                                                      14,033                                                                14,033



     Diluted                    14,230                                                                             14,286                                                      14,033                                                                14,033




              
                (1)              Represents the impairment of
                                               multi-client data library of
                                               $1.2 million and the related
                                               tax impact of $0.4 million for
                                               the three months ended March
                                               31, 2020.



              
                (2)              Represents impairment of
                                               goodwill of $4.2 million and
                                               severance expense of $3.1
                                               million, partially offset by
                                               stock appreciation right
                                               awards credit of $1.1 million
                                               for the three months ended
                                               March 31, 2020.



              
                (3)              Represents stock appreciation
                                               right awards expense for the
                                               three months ended March 31,
                                               2019.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ion-reports-first-quarter-2020-results-301054261.html

SOURCE ION Geophysical Corporation