Home / News & Events / RELEASE DETAILS

Release Details

Natural Gas Services Group Announces a 31% Increase in Net Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

May 6, 2008
   25% Increase in EBITDA for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008 to $7.8
                                   million

  32% Increase in EPS (Diluted) for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008 to
                               $0.29 per share

MIDLAND, Texas, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (Amex: NGS), a leading provider of equipment and services to the natural gas industry, announces its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.



    (in thousands of dollars, except              Three Months Ended
     per share amounts)                                March 31,
                                                   2007        2008     Change
                                                      (unaudited)

    Revenue                                       $16,712     $18,933    13 %
    Operating income                                4,203       5,453    30 %
    Net income                                      2,681       3,517    31 %
    EBITDA                                          6,272       7,811    25 %

    EPS (Basic)                                      0.22        0.29    32 %
    EPS (Diluted)                                    0.22        0.29    32 %
    Weighted avg. shares outstanding:
    Basic                                          12,061      12,085
    Diluted                                        12,083      12,144

Revenue: Total revenue increased from $16.7 million to $18.9 million, or 13%, for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to the same period ended March 31, 2007. This increase was primarily the result of a 30% growth in rental revenue.

Operating income: Operating income increased from $4.2 million to $5.5 million, or 30%, for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to the same period ended March 31, 2007. Higher compressor sales gross margins were the largest factor contributing to the increase of operating income.

Net income: Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2008, increased 31% to $3.5 million, as compared to net income of $2.7 million for the same period in 2007. Increased operating income, a lower income tax rate, and lower interest expense from our reduced debt balances contributed to the increase in net income.

EBITDA: EBITDA (see discussion of EBITDA at the end of this release) increased 25% to $7.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, versus $6.3 million for the same period in 2007.

Earnings per Share: Earnings per diluted share were $0.29 during the three months ending March 31, 2008 as compared to $0.22 during the same 2007 period, a 32% increase.

Steve Taylor, President and CEO of Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. said, "Our results this quarter reflect the growth we are experiencing in our market segment and a continuation of our operational effectiveness. Our rental and sales growth rates remain vigorous and we anticipate an active year."

The Company has scheduled a conference call Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, to discuss 2008 First Quarter Results.

What: Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. 2008 First Quarter Financial Results Conference Call

When: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time

How: Live via phone by dialing 800-624-7038. Code: Natural Gas Services. Participants to the Conference call should call in at least 5 minutes prior to the start time.

Steve Taylor, President and CEO of Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. will be leading the call and discussing first quarter's financial results.

About Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS)

NGS is a leading provider of small to medium horsepower, wellhead compression equipment to the natural gas industry with a primary focus on the non-conventional gas industry, i.e., coalbed methane, gas shales and tight gas. The Company manufactures, fabricates, rents and maintains natural gas compressors that enhance the production of natural gas wells. The Company also designs and sells custom fabricated natural gas compressors to particular customer specifications and sells flare systems for gas plant and production facilities. NGS is headquartered in Midland, Texas with manufacturing facilities located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lewiston, Michigan and Midland, Texas and service facilities located in major gas producing basins in the U.S.

    For More Information, Contact:
                       Jim Drewitz, Investor Relations
                                 830-669-2466
                          jim@jdcreativeoptions.com
               Or visit the Company's website at 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 cash flow since it excludes the impact of movements in working capital items, 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 net income to EBITDA and gross margin is as follows:


                                                      Three months ended
    (in thousands of dollars)                              March 31,
                                                     2007           2008
    Net income                                       $2,681         $3,517
      Interest expense                                  300            241
      Provision for income taxes                      1,574          1,928
      Depreciation and amortization                   1,717          2,125
    EBITDA                                           $6,272         $7,811
      Other operating expenses                        1,200          1,350
      Other expense (income)                           (352)          (233)
    Gross margin                                     $7,120         $8,928

We define gross margin as total revenue less cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense). Gross margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a primary measure used by our management as it represents the results of revenue and cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense), which are key components of our operations. Because we use capital assets, depreciation expense is a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate revenue and selling, general and administrative expense is a necessary cost to support our operations and required corporate activities. Management uses this non-GAAP measure as a supplemental measure to other GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of our performance. As an indicator of our operating performance, gross margin should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our gross margin may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate gross margin in the same manner.

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-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                       NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (in thousands, except  per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)
                                                     December 31,  March 31,
                                                          2007       2008
                             ASSETS
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                             $245     $2,111
      Short-term investments                              18,661     14,348
      Trade accounts receivable, net of doubtful
       accounts of $110, both periods                     11,322     10,126
      Inventory, net of allowance for obsolescence of
       $273 and $288, respectively                        20,769     24,490
      Prepaid income taxes                                 3,584          -
      Prepaid expenses and other                             641        203
        Total current assets                              55,222     51,278

    Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
     of $16,810 and $18,454, respectively                 76,025     82,175
    Property and equipment, net of accumulated
     depreciation of $4,792 and $5,175, respectively       8,580      8,442
    Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $325,
     both periods                                         10,039     10,039
    Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of
     $1,145 and $1,224, respectively                       3,324      3,245
    Other assets                                              43         32
        Total assets                                    $153,233   $155,211

           LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current Liabilities:
      Current portion of long-term debt and
       subordinated notes                                 $4,378     $3,378
      Line of credit                                         600          -
      Accounts payable                                     4,072      6,032
      Accrued liabilities                                  3,990      3,762
      Current income tax liability                         3,525         57
      Deferred income                                         81        877
        Total current liabilities                         16,646     14,106

    Long term debt, less current portion                   9,572      8,727
    Deferred income tax payable                           12,635     14,359
        Total liabilities                                 38,853     37,192

    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock, 5,000 shares authorized, no
       shares outstanding                                      -          -
      Common stock, 30,000 shares authorized, par value
       $0.01;12,085 and 12,087 shares issued and
       outstanding, respectively                             121        121
      Additional paid-in capital                          83,460     83,581
      Retained earnings                                   30,799     34,317
        Total stockholders' equity                       114,380    118,019
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $153,233   $155,211



                       NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
                  (in thousands, except earnings per share)
                                 (unaudited)
                                                         Three months ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                          2007       2008
    Revenue:
    Sales, net                                            $9,506     $9,626
    Rental income                                          6,940      9,010
    Service and maintenance income                           266        297
      Total revenue                                       16,712     18,933

    Operating costs and expenses:
    Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation stated
     separately below                                      6,670      6,393
    Cost of rentals, exclusive of depreciation stated
     separately below                                      2,735      3,404
    Cost of service and maintenance, exclusive of
     depreciation stated separately below                    187        208
    Selling, general, and administrative expense           1,200      1,350
    Depreciation and amortization                          1,717      2,125
        Total operating costs and expenses                12,509     13,480

    Operating income                                       4,203      5,453

    Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                        (300)      (241)
    Other income                                             352        233
      Total other income (expense)                            52         (8)

    Income before provision for income taxes               4,255      5,445
    Provision for income taxes                             1,574      1,928
    Net income                                            $2,681     $3,517


          Earnings per share:
          Basic                                            $0.22      $0.29
          Diluted                                          $0.22      $0.29
          Weighted average shares outstanding:
          Basic                                           12,061     12,085
          Diluted                                         12,083     12,144



                       NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (in thousands of dollars)
                                 (unaudited)
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                        2007        2008
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
      Net income                                        $2,681      $3,517
        Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
         cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                        1,717       2,125
    Deferred taxes                                      (1,479)      5,312
    Employee stock options expensed                         97          95
    Gain on sale of property and equipment                  (8)          -
        Changes in current assets and liabilities:
    Trade and other receivables                          2,413       1,196
    Inventory and work in progress                      (2,333)     (3,721)
    Prepaid expenses and other                             (32)        438
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities             2,377       1,732
    Current tax liability                                2,012      (3,468)
    Deferred income                                        534         796
    Other                                                  (42)         18
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES            7,937       8,040

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Purchase of property and equipment                  (4,040)     (8,064)
    Purchase of short-term investments                    (274)       (187)
    Redemption of short-term investments                 3,000       4,500
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment            33           -
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES               (1,281)     (3,751)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Proceeds from line of credit                             -         500
    Repayments of long-term debt                        (1,908)     (1,845)
    Repayments of line of credit                             -      (1,100)
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants   109          22
    NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES               (1,799)     (2,423)

    NET CHANGE IN CASH                                   4,857       1,866

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD     4,391         245
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD          $9,248      $2,111
    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
    Interest paid                                         $305        $290
    Income taxes paid                                     $999         $84

SOURCE  Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.
    -0-                             05/06/2008
    /CONTACT:  Jim Drewitz, Investor Relations of Natural Gas Services Group,
Inc., +1-830-669-2466, jim@jdcreativeoptions.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.ngsgi.com /
    (NGS)

CO:  Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.; NGS
ST:  Texas
IN:  OIL
SU:  ERN CCA

CF-JD
-- CLTU030 --
9555 05/06/2008 09:25 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com