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Ag Growth Announces First Quarter 2016 Results; Declares Dividends

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - May 5, 2016) - Ag Growth International Inc. (AFN.TO) ("AGI" or the "Company") today announced its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, and declared dividends for June, July and August 2016.

Overview of Results

(thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended
March 31

2016

2015

Trade sales (1)(2)

113,672

86,627

Adjusted EBITDA (1)(2)(3)

19,800

17,271

Net profit (loss)

5,697

(3,409)

Diluted profit (loss) per share

$0.38

$(0.26)

Adjusted net profit (1)

5,760

7,404

Diluted adjusted profit per share (1)(4)

$0.39

$0.56

(1)

See "Non-IFRS Measures".

(2)

See "Basis of Presentation".

(3)

See "Adjusted EBITDA".

(4)

See "Diluted profit per share and Diluted adjusted profit per share" below in Summary of Results.

Trade sales increased over 2015 as contributions from recent acquisitions and higher sales of Commercial handling equipment in North America more than offset the anticipated low level of demand for Farm equipment and lower first quarter international sales. Adjusted EBITDA increased as higher trade sales were complemented by strong gross margins at recently acquired Westeel and VIS and higher margins at legacy AGI divisions that were achieved despite a less favourable product sales mix. An increase in acquisition related non-cash depreciation and amortization and higher debt service costs were more than offset by higher adjusted EBITDA and a small gain on foreign exchange, resulting in an increase in net profit and net profit per share.

"We achieved record sales and adjusted EBITDA in the quarter delivered by mixed results from our Farm and Commercial businesses along with rebounding results from Westeel," said Tim Close, President and CEO of AGI. "The expected weakness in our Farm business was offset by domestic results in our Commercial business demonstrating the benefits of diversification across these markets. Margins were strong at our Westeel business as we start to see the impact of the synergies we achieved post acquisition and we are very proud of the team and their progress. For the remainder of the year we see the Commercial business weighted toward the second half given timing of projects in our pipeline, some continued weakness into Q2 on the Farm but also expect to see positive contribution from our recent acquisitions including VIS, NuVision and Frame."

Diluted profit (per share) and Diluted adjusted profit (per share)

A reconciliation of net profit (loss) and diluted profit (loss) per share to adjusted profit (loss) and adjusted diluted profit (loss) per share is below.