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Natural Gas Services Group Announces Third Quarter and Nine Months Financial Results

November 1, 2004
5% Increase in Revenue for the Three Months to $3.9 Million; 21% Increase in Revenue for the Nine Months to $11.2 Million

MIDLAND, Texas, Nov 1, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (Amex: NGS), a leading provider of equipment and services to the natural gas and oil industry, announces its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

Revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2004, increased 5% to $3,870,113 as compared to $3,699,556 for the same period in 2003. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, increased 21% to $11,220,529 as compared to $9,264,116 for the same period in 2003. The increase in revenue during the third quarter and nine months reflects an increase in revenue from the rental of natural gas compressor units and a slight increase in service and maintenance revenue.

Gross margin percentage increased from 52% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, to 56% for the same period ended September 30, 2004. This improvement resulted mainly from the relative increase in leasing revenue as a percentage of the total revenue. Our rental fleet carries a gross margin averaging 70%, and an increase in rentals improves our total gross margin.

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004, increased 17% to $451,074 or $.07 per share (diluted), as compared to net income of $384,407 or $.07 per share (diluted) for the same period in 2003. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, increased 231% to $2,710,568 or $.43 per share (diluted), as compared to net income of $817,442 or $.14 per share (diluted) for same period in 2003. This increase included life insurance proceeds on Mr. Wayne L. Vinson, our former President and C.E.O. who passed away on March 15, 2004. Excluding these proceeds we had a 60% increase for the nine months.

NGS's rental fleet grew by 34% during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The Company ended the period with 533 compressor packages in its rental fleet, up from 399 units at December 31, 2003 and 354 units at September 30, 2003.

EBITDA (see discussion of EBITDA at the end of this release) increased 22% to $1,586,814 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, versus $1,300,933 for the same period in 2003. EBITDA increased 84% to $5,815,434 for nine months ended September 30, 2004, versus $3,164,915 for the same period in 2003.

Wallace Sparkman, President and CEO of Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. said, "We are pleased with our quarter-over-quarter growth. Our Year-To-Date financials are strong and getting stronger." Here are some key indicators comparing the quarter ending September 2004 to same period last year:

     The Company added 45 new gas compressors in the quarter ended 9-30-04.
     Leasing income is up 46% from $1.9 million to $2.7 million.
     Gross margin percentage increased 21% to $2.2 million.
     Operating income up 12% to $942,692.
     Net income up 17% to $451,074.
     EBITDA up 22% to $1.6 million.
     Diluted Earnings Per Share at $.07.

"As the third quarter and nine months financial results show, we have been able to grow our company through organic growth, as evidenced by the fact our core leasing business remains quite profitable. We have been able to do this by delivering a high-value product to the small to mid-sized compressor market that meets their critical needs. As we continue to focus on the execution of our marketing and sales strategies, we are pleased with the increasing acceptance of our products and the acceleration of new account penetration. We have a strong balance sheet, a healthy backlog and now that NGS has acquired Screw Compression Systems, Inc. we are on track for an even more successful fourth quarter and fiscal year 2004. We remain extremely optimistic about our prospects for continued and long term growth."

Conference Call:

As a reminder, the Company has scheduled a conference call Monday, November 1 at 3:00 PM Central Standard Time.

What: Natural Gas Services 2004 Third Quarter & Nine Months Financial Results Conference Call

    When:  Monday, November 1, 2004 - 3:00 PM Central Standard Time

How: Live via phone by dialing 800-936-4602. Code: Natural Gas Services. Participants to the conference call should call in at least 5 minutes prior to the start time.

Wallace Sparkman, President & CEO, Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. will be leading the call and discussing third quarter and nine months financial results, the status of existing and new natural gas compressor leases, the acquisition of Screw Compression Systems, Inc. and a look at the balance of fiscal 2004.

About Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS)

NGS manufactures, fabricates, sells, leases and services natural gas compressors that enhance the production of oil and gas wells. The Company also manufactures and sells flare systems and flare ignition systems for plant and production facilities.

     For More Information, Contact: Wallace Sparkman, President & CEO
                                      800-580-1828
                                    Jim Drewitz, Investor Relations
                                      jdrewitz@comcast.net
                                      972-355-6070
                                         Or

             visit the Company's website at http://www.ngsgi.com

"EBITDA" reflects net income or loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a measure used by analysts and investors as an indicator of operating non-cash charges and financing costs. Therefore, EBITDA gives the investor information as to the cash generated from the operations of a business. However, EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), and should not be considered a substitute for other financial measures of performance. EBITDA as calculated by NGS may not be comparable to EBITDA as calculated and reported by other companies. The most comparable GAAP measure to EBITDA is net income. The reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is as follows:


                              Three months ended        Nine months ended
                                   Sept. 30,                 Sept. 30,
                               2004         2003         2004         2003

    EBITDA                  $1,586,814   $1,300,933   $5,815,434   $3,164,915
      Adjustments to
       reconcile EBITDA
       to net income:
      Amortization and
       depreciation           (641,817)    (455,563)  (1,750,851)  (1,235,118)
      Interest expense        (205,532)    (170,971)    (580,083)    (500,760)
      Provision for income
       tax                    (288,391)    (289,992)    (773,932)    (611,595)
    Net income                $451,074     $384,407   $2,710,568     $817,442

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause NGS's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among other things, the loss of market share through competition or otherwise; the introduction of competing technologies by other companies; a prolonged, substantial reduction in oil and gas prices which could cause a decline in the demand for NGS's products and services; and new governmental safety, health and environmental regulations which could require NGS to make significant capital expenditures. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and NGS undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. A discussion of these factors is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                       Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.
                          Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                 (unaudited)
                              September 30, 2004

                                    ASSETS

    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                       $4,408,170
      Accounts receivable - trade                      1,187,402
      Inventory                                        3,179,066
      Prepaid expenses                                   178,693
        Total current assets                           8,953,332

    Lease equipment, net                              25,818,667
    Other property, plant and equipment, net           3,140,203
    Goodwill, net                                      2,589,655
    Patents, net                                          93,328
    Other assets                                          95,500
        Total assets                                 $40,690,686

                     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Current Liabilities:
      Current portion of long term debt and
       capital lease                                  $3,145,056
      Line of Credit                                     521,461
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities         1,647,514
      Unearned Income                                    118,283
        Total current liabilities                      5,432,315

    Long term debt and capital lease, less
     current portion                                   9,079,435
    Subordinated notes, net                            1,433,060
    Deferred income tax payable                        2,612,013
        Total liabilities                             18,556,823
                             SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Common stock                                          60,683
    Paid in capital                                   16,249,850
    Retained earnings                                  5,823,331
        Total shareholders' equity                    22,133,864
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $40,690,686


                       Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.
                        Consolidated Income Statements
                                 (unaudited)

                              Three months ended        Nine months ended
                                 September 30,             September 30,
                               2004         2003         2004         2003

    Revenue:
      Sales                  $702,679   $1,372,248   $2,444,899   $2,877,358
      Service and
       maintenance
       income                 436,584      452,714    1,370,306    1,346,597
      Leasing income        2,730,851    1,874,594    7,405,325    5,040,161
                            3,870,113    3,699,556   11,220,529    9,264,116
    Cost of revenue:
      Cost of sales           451,334    1,008,771    1,699,003    2,155,568
      Cost of service
       and maintenance        338,312      290,008    1,030,167      961,237
      Cost of leasing         843,725      545,309    2,174,185    1,313,093
                            1,633,371    1,844,088    4,903,355    4,429,898
    Gross Margin            2,236,742    1,855,468    6,317,174    4,834,218

    Operating Cost:
      Selling expense         226,935      159,870      629,545      484,421
      General and
       administrative
       expense                425,299      395,918    1,368,524    1,186,922
      Depreciation and
       amortization           641,817      455,563    1,750,851    1,235,118
                            1,294,050    1,011,351    3,748,919    2,906,461
    Operating income          942,692      844,117    2,568,255    1,927,757

      Interest expense       (205,532)    (170,971)    (580,083)    (500,760)
      Other income              2,306        1,253    1,496,329        2,040
    Income before income
     taxes                    739,466      674,399    3,484,501    1,429,037
      Provision for
       income tax             288,391      289,992      773,932      611,595
    Net income                451,074      384,407    2,710,568      817,442
      Preferred dividends           0       30,530       53,277       92,550
    Net income available
     to common shareholders  $451,074     $353,877   $2,657,291     $724,892

      Earnings per share:
        Basic                   $0.08        $0.07        $0.49        $0.15
        Diluted                 $0.07        $0.07        $0.43        $0.14
      Weighted average
       Shares:
        Basic               5,626,280    4,995,713    5,428,146    4,910,062
        Diluted             6,492,354    5,389,673    6,216,995    5,208,096


                       Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (unaudited)

                                                 Nine Months     Nine Months
                                                     Ended          Ended
                                                 September 30,   September 30,
                                                      2004           2003

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
      Net Income                                  $2,710,568       $817,442
        Adjustments to reconcile net income
         to net cash provided by (used in)
         operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization              1,750,851      1,235,120
        Deferred taxes                               769,507        602,202
        Amortization of debt issuance costs           48,717         48,717
        Gain on disposal of assets                     6,911         10,547
        Changes in operating assets and
         liabilities:
        Trade and other receivables                 (370,807)      (938,817)
        Inventory                                   (624,827)    (1,000,735)
        Prepaid expenses and other                   (71,663)        42,958
        Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     575,362        708,971
        Deferred income                              (88,932)       174,710
        Other                                        (16,745)       (60,436)
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES                                    4,688,942      1,640,679

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Purchase of property and equipment            (786,941)      (713,245)
      Purchase of rental equipment                (8,150,073)    (5,187,208)
      Acquisition of remaining interest in joint
       venture, net of cash acquired                     ---        242,753
      Proceeds from sale of property and equipment    50,123        112,500
      Decrease in lease receivable                       ---        210,512
      Distribution from equity method investment         ---         49,090
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES         (8,886,891)    (5,285,598)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
      Net proceeds from bank loans                 5,031,435      2,649,811
      Net proceeds from line of credit               521,461            ---
      Repayments of long term debt                (1,821,111)    (1,583,951)
      Repayments of line of credit                  (300,000)           ---
      Proceeds from sale of common stock,
       exercised warrants and stock options        5,051,409        216,247
      Dividends paid on preferred stock              (53,277)       (92,550)
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES      8,429,917      1,189,557
    NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS        4,231,968     (2,455,362)
    CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                      176,202      2,713,638
    CASH AT END OF PERIOD                         $4,408,170       $258,276

    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
     INFORMATION:
      Interest paid                                 $580,083       $500,760

SOURCE Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.

Wallace Sparkman, President & CEO of Natural Gas Services
Group, Inc., +1-800-580-1828; or Jim Drewitz, Investor Relations,
+1-972-355-6070, or jdrewitz@comcast.net , for Natural Gas Services Group,
Inc.
http://www.ngsgi.com