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Westmoreland Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results; Announces Leadership Transition

25.10.2012  |  Business Wire


Westmoreland Coal Company (NasdaqGM:WLB) today reported its third
quarter results for 2012, as well as a transition plan for
Westmoreland′s senior leadership.

Highlights:


'This is a record quarter for the company as measured by Adjusted
EBITDA,? said Keith E. Alessi, Westmoreland′s Chief Executive Officer.
'The strong increases over prior year were largely driven by the
operating results of the Kemmerer mine and the continuing execution of
our low overhead, mine mouth model. To put the quarter in perspective,
the financial results of this single quarter exceeded the financial
results of the entire year of 2009. I feel that we demonstrated during
2010 and 2011 that we repaired the business and built a solid platform.
Now, in 2012, I believe that we are showing that we can grow our
business responsibly and profitably.?


'Year to date Adjusted EBITDA through the first three quarters exceeds
the Adjusted EBITDA we generated during the entire year of 2011. This
has allowed us to continue to deleverage the business and we ended the
quarter in a highly liquid position.?


'The Board of Directors and I have been preparing for a transition of
the day-to-day leadership of the business for some time now. The hiring
of Bob King earlier this year was an important step in this process. He
has made a positive impact on our business and I am confident that his
skills and deep industry experience will benefit the company as it
continues to seek growth opportunities. I look forward to continuing to
work closely with Bob in my role as Executive Chairman beginning in
April 2013. I am also pleased that our current Chairman, Dick ?Klingaman,
has agreed to transition to Lead Independent Director at the time I move
to the Executive Chair role.?


Richard Klingaman, Chairman of the Board, stated, 'I am thrilled that
Keith has agreed to resume the role of Executive Chairman. The
leadership team of Alessi and King brings experience, creativity, and
drive to Westmoreland as it continues to pursue its strategic plan to
create long term shareholder value.?

Safety


Safety performance at Westmoreland mines continues to be significantly
better than the national average for surface operations. Westmoreland
mines had reportable and lost time incident rates year to date through
the third quarter of 2012 of 1.07 and 0.53 versus the national surface
mine rates of 1.68 and 1.14, respectively.


Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2012


 ?

Reportable

 ?

Lost Time

Westmoreland

 ?

1.07

 ?

0.53

National Average

1.68

1.14

Percentage

63.5%

46.8%

 ?


Effective February 1, 2012, Westmoreland′s safety performance statistics
are inclusive of the Kemmerer Mine.

Financial Results


Westmoreland′s Adjusted EBITDA increased to $35.5 million in Q3 2012
from $24.2 million in Q3 2011. This increase was predominately driven by
the January 31st acquisition of the Kemmerer Mine. Q3 2012
Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by reduced tonnage demand due to
reduced demand for power and increased wind generation. In addition,
ROVA was impacted by unscheduled outages.


Westmoreland′s revenues in Q3 2012 increased to $161.3 million compared
with $132.4 million in Q3 2011. This increase was primarily driven by
the addition of the Kemmerer Mine offset by the reduced tonnage and
unscheduled outages described above.


Westmoreland′s Q3 2012 net income increased by $4.9 million over prior
year. This increase was driven by the Kemmerer Mine′s performance, and
was partially offset with increased interest expense and other factors
described above.

Coal Segment Operating Results


The following table summarizes Westmoreland′s Q3 2012 and Q3 2011 coal
segment performance:


 ?
Three Months Ended September 30,

 ?
Increase / (Decrease)
2012
 ?
2011
 ?
$


 ?

%


Revenues (in thousands)

$

138,798

 ?

$

108,823

$

29,975

27.5

%

Operating income (in thousands)

18,025

9,679

8,346

86.2

%

Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)

34,584

22,070

12,514

56.7

%

Tons sold - millions of equivalent tons

6.0

6.0

-

-

%

 ?


Westmoreland′s coal revenues and Adjusted EBITDA both increased
significantly during the third quarter of 2012 over prior year due
primarily to the Kemmerer Mine acquisition and were offset by reduced
tonnage demand due to reduced demand for power and increased wind
generation.

Power Segment Operating Results


The following table summarizes Westmoreland′s Q3 2012 and Q3 2011 power
segment performance:


 ?
Three Months Ended September 30,

 ?

 ?
Increase / (Decrease)
2012
 ?
2011
 ?
$
 ?
%

(In thousands)

Revenues

$

22,534

$

23,626

$

(1,092

)

 ?

(4.6

)%

Operating income

4,023

4,694

(671

)

(14.3

)%

Adjusted EBITDA

6,742

7,441


(699


)


(9.4

)%

Megawatts hours

417

445

(28

)

(6.3

)%

 ?


Westmoreland′s power segment revenues and Adjusted EBITDA decreased in
Q3 2012 as ROVA experienced unplanned outages during the quarter.

Nonoperating Results


Third quarter 2012 corporate expenses increased as a result of higher
long-term compensation expenses. Interest expense for Q3 2012 also
increased to $11.1 million from $7.7 million in Q3 2011 as a result of
the Kemmerer acquisition debt issued in January 2012.

Cash Flow from Operations and Liquidity


Cash and cash equivalents increased to $53.7 million at September ?30,
2012 up from $30.8 million as of December ?31, 2011. Overall cash
increased by $22.9 million driven by the Kemmerer Mine′s strong initial
performance and working capital management following the acquisition.

Conference Call


A conference call regarding Westmoreland Coal Company′s third quarter
2012 results will be held on Friday, October ?26, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.
Eastern Time. Call-in instructions are available on our web site and
have been provided in a separate news release.

About Westmoreland Coal Company


Westmoreland Coal Company is the oldest independent coal company in the
United States. Its coal operations include coal mining in the Powder
River Basin in Montana, sub-bituminous mining in Wyoming, and lignite
mining operations in Montana, North Dakota and Texas. Its power
operations include ownership of the two-unit ROVA coal-fired power plant
in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.westmoreland.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements


Forward-looking statements are based on Westmoreland′s current
expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and
other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to
the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and
changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual
results may differ materially from those contemplated by the
forward-looking statements. Westmoreland cautions you against relying on
any of these forward-looking statements. They are statements neither of
historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements include political,
economic, business, competitive, market, weather and regulatory
conditions.


Any forward-looking statements made by Westmoreland in this news release
speak only as of the date on which it was made. Westmoreland undertakes
no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except
as may be required by law.

Westmoreland Coal Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)


 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2012
 ?
2011
 ?
2012
 ?
2011

(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenues

$

161,332

$

132,449

$

441,410

$

372,353

 ?

Cost, expenses and other:

Cost of sales

117,088

100,164

339,906

288,964

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

15,534

11,612

42,542

33,861

Selling and administrative

11,665

9,884

37,157

28,224

Heritage health benefit expenses

3,881

3,896

11,743

11,115

Loss on sales of assets

14

91

291

415

Other operating income

(2,301

)

(1,769

)

(10,503

)

(5,236

)

145,881

 ?

123,878

 ?

421,136

 ?

357,343

 ?

Operating income

15,451

8,571

20,274

15,010

 ?

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

(11,096

)

(7,650

)

(32,011

)

(22,262

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

(17,030

)

Interest income

475

423

1,371

1,134

Other income (loss)

196

 ?

147

 ?

611

 ?

(2,630

)

(10,425

)

(7,080

)

(30,029

)

(40,788

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

5,026

1,491

(9,755

)

(25,778

)

Income tax benefit from operations

(325

)

(84

)

(1,239

)

(706

)

Net income (loss)

5,351

1,575

(8,516

)

(25,072

)

Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

(2,271

)

(1,154

)

(4,914

)

(2,783

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the Parent company

7,622

2,729

(3,602

)

(22,289

)

Less preferred stock dividend requirements

340

 ?

340

 ?

1,020

 ?

1,020

 ?

Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders

$

7,282

 ?

$

2,389

 ?

$

(4,622

)

$

(23,309

)

 ?

Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shareholders:

Basic

$

0.52

$

0.18

$

(0.33

)

$

(1.79

)

Diluted

$

0.50

$

0.18

$

(0.33

)

$

(1.79

)

 ?

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic

14,104

13,384

13,986

12,990

Diluted

15,326

13,442

13,986

12,990

 ?

 ?

Westmoreland Coal Company and Subsidiaries

Summary Financial Information (Unaudited)


 ?

 ?
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2012
 ?
2011

(In thousands)
Cash Flow
 ?

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

42,349

$

34,028

Net cash used in investing activities

(116,649

)

(15,495

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

97,202

18,921

 ?

September 30,

2012


 ?

December 31,

2011


(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited)

Total cash and cash equivalents

$

53,685

$

30,783

Total assets

971,153

759,172

Total debt

388,096

282,269

Working capital (deficit)

10,120

(21,669

)

Total deficit

(252,747

)

(249,858

)

 ?

Common shares outstanding

14,143

13,811

 ?

 ?

 ?

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2012
 ?
2011
 ?
2012
 ?
2011

(In thousands)
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
 ?

 ?

Coal

$

34,584

$

22,070

$

84,080

$

57,262

Power

6,742

7,441

13,168

20,152

Heritage

(4,149

)

(4,076

)

(12,686

)

(12,062

)

Corporate

(1,657

)

(1,278

)

(7,150

)

(3,663

)

Total

$

35,520

 ?

$

24,157

 ?

$

77,412

 ?

$

61,689

 ?

 ?

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2012
 ?
2011
 ?
2012
 ?
2011

(In thousands)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss
Net income (loss)
$

5,351

$

1,575

$

(8,516

)

$

(25,072

)

 ?

Income tax benefit from continuing operations

(325

)

(84

)

(1,239

)

(705

)

Other loss (income)

(196

)

(147

)

(611

)

2,630

Interest income

(475

)

(423

)

(1,371

)

(1,134

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

17,030

Interest expense

11,096

7,650

32,011

22,262

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

15,534

11,612

42,542

33,861

Accretion of ARO and receivable

3,041

2,700

9,037

8,100

Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities

165

 ?

167

 ?

492

 ?

494

 ?
EBITDA
34,191

23,050

72,345

57,466

 ?

Loss on sale of assets

14

91

291

415

Share-based compensation

1,315

 ?

1,016

 ?

4,776

 ?

3,808

 ?
Adjusted EBITDA
$

35,520

 ?

$

24,157

 ?

$

77,412

 ?

$

61,689

 ?

 ?


EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of financial
performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with,
GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are included in this news release
because they are key metrics used by management to assess Westmoreland′s
operating performance and Westmoreland believes that EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance
because these measures:


Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a measure calculated in accordance
with GAAP. The items excluded from EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are
significant in assessing Westmoreland′s operating results. EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be
considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, analysis of our
results as reported under GAAP. For example, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:


In addition, although depreciation and amortization are non-cash
charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to
be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect
any cash requirements for such replacements. Other companies in our
industry and in other industries may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA differently from the way that Westmoreland does, limiting their
usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, EBITDA
and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of
discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of its
business. Westmoreland compensates for these limitations by relying
primarily on its GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only
as supplemental data.


Westmoreland Coal Company

Kevin Paprzycki, 855-922-6463