SUGAR LAND, Texas, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Trecora Resources (NYSE: TREC) a leading provider of high purity specialty hydrocarbons and waxes, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. 

First quarter 2015 Financial Highlights

• Gross profit of $15.7 million, up more than 80% from $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2014
• Gross profit margin of 28.5% compared with 13.6% in the first quarter of 2014
• Adjusted EBITDA of $12.5 million compared with $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2014
• Adjusted EBITDA margins of 22.7% compared with 9.0% in the first quarter of 2014
• Diluted EPS of $0.23 compared with $0.10 in the year-ago period
• Trecora Chemical contributes revenue of $6.4 million and EBITDA of $2.1 million, including $1.7 million in revenue from an annual contract that was recognized in full during the quarter.

First Quarter Results
Total revenue in the first quarter was $55.1 million compared with $64.1 million in the first quarter of 2014. The decline in reported revenue was driven by a 47% reduction in the average per gallon cost of petrochemical feedstock in the first quarter which rolls over into the formula pricing mechanism for petrochemical product sales. The average petrochemical product selling price decreased over 21%.  The lower costs more than offset the formula-driven price reductions and combined with production improvements, resulted in higher profit margins.

Gross profit margin increased to 28.5% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with 13.6% in the year-ago period. This increase in gross profit margin reflects the impact of lower petrochemical feedstock prices, as well as the contribution from Trecora Chemical for processing fees recognized during the quarter.

Total adjusted EBITDA was $12.5 million, representing an increase of 117% over adjusted EBITDA of $5.8 million in the year-ago period. The adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 22.7% in the first quarter of 2015 compared with 9.0% in the first quarter of 2014.

Net income for the first quarter was $5.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared with net income of $2.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2014.

Trecora President and CEO Nick Carter commented, "I am very pleased with our financial and operating results in the first quarter. In our South Hampton Resources division, we were able to generate significant profit and margin growth despite a sharply lower average selling price. Additionally, Trecora Chemical generated a modest profit during the quarter, reflecting our continued progress integrating the business and improving internal processes and product quality. Finally, AMAK was essentially break-even, and given recent operational improvements, we continue to strive for sustained profitability ahead of AMAK's planned IPO next year in Saudi Arabia."

South Hampton Resources (SHR)
Petrochemical volume in the first quarter was 18.1 million gallons, a 3.8 % decrease from the first quarter of 2014. Product volume was affected by continued variability in demand from SHR's Canadian oil sands customer as it strives to begin the second phase of the project. It is important to note that excluding Canadian oils sands, prime product volumes were up over 9% from a year ago to 12 million gallons in 1Q15, which indicates a healthy growth of non-oil sands business. The initial phase of SHR's D-Train expansion which added 1,000 barrels of feedstock capacity per day (bpd) is now online with an additional 3,000 bpd of feedstock capacity to be added by the end of the year. International volume represented 28.3% of total petrochemical volume during the quarter. SHR continues to engage in active discussions with several potential customers in Asia.

Trecora Chemical (TC)
The Company continues to make significant progress integrating TC and improving product quality. TC's first quarter revenue of $6.4 million includes $1.7 million in custom processing fees generated during the twelve months ended March 31, 2015. Due to contract wording dealing with performance timing, annual recognition is required although the payments flow ratably. There is one year left on that particular contract. The expansion of the custom processing distillation and hydrogenation capability is underway with completion expected in the first quarter of 2016.  

Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company (AMAK)
AMAK was essentially neutral to the Company's results during the first quarter. Maintenance shutdowns and lack of copper shipments due to logistical delays impacted their results.  The new management continues to make progress including achieving operational efficiencies, improving metal recoveries, and activating the precious metal circuit. The Company believes that with the operational improvements that have been implemented, coupled with the projected stronger metal prices in the second half of the year, AMAK can become additive to the Company's financial results as the year progresses.

Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $9.0 million compared with $8.5 million at the close of 2014. Total debt was $78.7 million. Capital expenditures during the quarter were $7.7 million which included D-train expansion construction.

Earnings Call
The conference call and presentation slides will be simulcast live on the Internet, and can be accessed on the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://www.trecora.com or at http://public.viavid.com/player/index.php?id=114058.  A replay of the call will also be available through the same link.

To participate via telephone, callers should dial in five to ten minutes prior to the 4:30 pm Eastern start time; domestic callers (U.S. and Canada) should call 1-888-503-8175 or 1-719-325-2177 if calling internationally, using the conference ID 2671562. To listen to the playback, please call 1-877-870-5176 if calling within the United States or 1-858-384-5517 if calling internationally. Use pin number 2671562 for the replay.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  This press release contains the non-GAAP measures: EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.  Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon our belief, as well as, assumptions made by and information currently available to us. Because such statements are based upon expectations as to future economic performance and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ from those projected. These risks, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in Trecora Resources' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Trecora Resources' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release.

About Trecora Resources (TREC)
TREC owns and operates a facility located in southeast Texas, just north of Beaumont, which specializes in high purity hydrocarbons and other petrochemical manufacturing. TREC also owns and operates a leading manufacturer of specialty synthetic waxes and provider of custom processing services located in the heart of the Petrochemical complex in Pasadena, Texas.  In addition, the Company is the original developer and a 35% owner of Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co., a Saudi Arabian joint stock company. 

Company Contact:
Nick Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer
(409) 385-8300
ncarter@trecora.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Glenn Garmont or Don Markley
The Piacente Group
212-481-2050
trecora@tpg-ir.com

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SOURCE Trecora Resources