Record Performance; 44 Percent Increase Over Prior Year
HOUSTON, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT) today reported first quarter 2007 net income of $284.2 million from continuing operations, or $0.82 per diluted share, before non-recurring items. First quarter diluted earnings per share reflected an improvement of 44 percent over the first quarter of 2006 diluted earnings per share of $0.57. The non-recurring items in the first quarter of 2007 results include severance associated with the company's fourth quarter exit and restructuring activities of $2.7 million, after tax.
First quarter revenues were $1,852.3 million, or 21 percent higher than the same period last year, against a backdrop of a five percent increase in rig activity. This is the highest level of quarterly revenues in the company's history.
Sequentially, the company's first quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations improved eight percent over the record fourth quarter 2006 diluted earnings per share of $0.76, before non-recurring items. The first quarter performance reflected gains across nearly all of the company's product and service offerings.
North America
Revenues for the quarter were $1,006.6 million, a nine percent increase above the same quarter in the prior year, as compared to a three percent rig count increase. Sequentially, revenues increased five percent, as compared to a four percent increase in rig count. From a product line perspective, wireline, well construction, completion, and drilling services (both directional drilling and underbalanced) reported sequential increases in revenues of 25 percent, 16 percent, 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Operating income of $297.7 million was 15 percent higher than the same quarter in the prior year, despite more than a 20% drop in Canadian rig count. Operating income was 11 percent higher than the preceding quarter.
Latin America
First quarter revenues of $205.9 million were 27 percent higher than the first quarter of 2006 and three percent lower than the prior quarter. This region's performance reflected sequential improvements in its directional drilling, underbalanced, drilling tools and wireline offerings.
The current quarter's operating income of $48.6 million improved 93 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and five percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. Sequentially, the increase in operating income was primarily driven by increased activity in Brazil and Mexico which more than offset decreased activity in Venezuela. Political concerns in the Orinoco basin dampened market activity, especially in our lift and completion product lines.
Europe/CIS/West Africa
First quarter revenues of $245.0 million were 38 percent higher than the first quarter of 2006 and seven percent higher than the prior quarter. The strongest growth was seen in the completion, drilling services and well construction product lines.
The current quarter's operating income of $53.9 million improved 60 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and 15 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006.
Middle East/North Africa/Asia
First quarter revenues of $394.8 million were 44 percent higher than the first quarter of 2006 and four percent lower than the prior quarter. This region's performance reflected sequential improvements in its wireline, re- entry, drilling tools and underbalanced service lines. Seasonal declines in completion, artificial lift and other product shipments more than offset these increases. In the case of Weatherford, this pattern of seasonal declines in product sales has been consistently the historical norm in this region.
The current quarter's operating income of $83.5 million improved 80 percent as compared to the same quarter in the prior year and decreased 15 percent as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006.
Reclassifications and Non-GAAP
Reclassifications have been made to the company's segments due to a change in organizational structure. All prior periods have been restated to conform to the current presentation and are included for reference. In addition, Non- GAAP performance measures and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures have been provided for meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods.
Conference Call
The company will host a conference call with financial analysts to discuss the 2007 first quarter results on April 25, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT). The company invites investors to listen to a play back of the conference call at the company's website, http://www.weatherford.com in the "investor relations" section.
Weatherford is one of the largest global providers of innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. Weatherford operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 33,300 people worldwide.
Contact: Andrew P. Becnel (713) 693-4136 Chief Financial Officer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning, among other things, Weatherford's prospects for its operations which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties, which are more fully described in Weatherford International Ltd.'s reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, include the impact of oil and natural gas prices and worldwide economic conditions on drilling activity, the demand for and pricing of Weatherford's products and services, domestic and international economic and regulatory conditions and changes in tax and other laws affecting our business. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated.
Weatherford International Ltd. Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited) (In 000's, Except Per Share Amounts) Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 2006 Net Revenues: North America $1,006,633 $922,434 Latin America 205,942 162,095 Europe/West Africa/CIS 244,958 177,224 Middle East/North Africa/Asia 394,752 274,258 1,852,285 1,536,011 Operating Income (Expense): North America 297,656 258,238 Latin America 48,589 25,162 Europe/West Africa/CIS 53,936 33,710 Middle East/North Africa/Asia 83,473 46,314 Research and Development (40,514) (36,443) Equity in Earnings 790 2,634 Corporate Expenses (27,095) (22,256) Exit Costs and Restructuring Charges (4,184) --- 412,651 307,359 Other Income (Expense): Other, Net (2,372) (831) Interest Expense, Net (34,034) (18,988) Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest 376,245 287,540 Provision for Income Taxes: Provision for Operations (91,819) (83,386) Benefit From Exit and Restructuring Charges 1,520 --- (90,299) (83,386) Income Before Minority Interest 285,946 204,154 Minority Interest, Net of Taxes (4,374) (837) Net Income $281,572 $203,317 Earnings Per Share: Basic $0.83 $0.58 Diluted $0.81 $0.57 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 339,010 349,160 Diluted 346,308 358,326 Weatherford International Ltd. Selected Income Statement Information (Unaudited) (In 000's) Three Months Ended 03/31/2007 12/31/2006 09/30/2006 06/30/2006 03/31/2006 Net Revenues: North America $1,006,633 $956,436 $954,007 $839,753 $922,434 Latin America 205,942 211,512 173,953 178,637 162,095 Europe/West Africa/CIS 244,958 229,757 215,270 205,092 177,224 Middle East/ North Africa/ Asia 394,752 409,883 353,523 315,094 274,258 $1,852,285 $1,807,588 $1,696,753 $1,538,576 $1,536,011 Operating Income (Expense): North America $297,656 $269,202 $279,539 $220,957 $258,238 Latin America 48,589 46,413 27,877 33,575 25,162 Europe/West Africa/CIS 53,936 47,082 45,507 44,515 33,710 Middle East/ North Africa/ Asia 83,473 98,086 71,134 57,806 46,314 Research and Development (40,514) (37,384) (38,241) (37,361) (36,443) Equity in Earnings (Losses) 790 93 (190) 3,293 2,634 Corporate Expenses (27,095) (26,625) (24,718) (21,507) (22,256) Exit Costs and Restructuring Charges (4,184) (23,433) --- (2,770) --- $412,651 $373,434 $360,908 $298,508 $307,359 Supplemental Information (Unaudited) (In 000's) Three Months Ended 03/31/2007 12/31/2006 09/30/2006 06/30/2006 03/31/2006 Depreciation and Amortization: North America $61,822 $58,521 $58,130 $53,854 $ 53,503 Latin America 16,739 17,307 16,856 15,251 15,450 Europe/West Africa/CIS 18,238 17,259 16,460 16,084 15,737 Middle East/ North Africa/ Asia 36,167 32,549 29,653 27,263 28,134 Research and Development 1,620 1,819 1,813 1,867 1,896 Corporate 990 1,576 596 700 783 $135,576 $129,031 $123,508 $115,019 $115,503
We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, Weatherford's management believes that certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. One such non-GAAP financial measure we may present from time to time is operating income or income from continuing operations excluding certain charges or amounts. This adjusted income amount is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or other income data prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the table below for supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Weatherford International Ltd. Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, 2007 2006 Operating Income: GAAP Operating Income $412,651 $373,434 Exit costs and restructuring charges 4,184 (a) 23,433 (b) Non-GAAP Operating Income $416,835 $396,867 Provision for Income Taxes: GAAP Provision for Income Taxes $(90,299) $(62,636) Tax impact of charges (1,520)(a) (5,315)(b) Other benefit --- (26,398)(b) Non-GAAP Provision for Income Taxes $(91,819) $(94,349) Net Income: GAAP Net Income $281,572 $272,002 Total charges (gains), net of tax 2,664 (a) (8,280)(b) Non-GAAP Net Income $284,236 $263,722 Diluted Earnings Per Share: GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share $0.81 $0.78 Total charges (gains) 0.01 (a) (0.02)(b) Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share $0.82 $0.76 Note (a): This amount represents charges incurred in connection with the finalization of the Company's fourth quarter restructuring activities. On an after tax basis, these charges approximated $2.7 million, or one cent per diluted share, during the three months ended March 31, 2007. Note (b): This amount represents severance and other charges associated with the Company's exit and restructuring activities. On an after tax basis, these charges approximated $18.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2006. In addition, the Company realized a tax benefit of $26.4 million related to the favorable settlement of certain foreign tax exposures. On an after tax basis, these items resulted in an effect of two cents per diluted share.
SOURCE Weatherford International Ltd.
CONTACT: Andrew P. Becnel, Chief Financial Officer of Weatherford
International Ltd., +1-713-693-4136
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Web site: http://www.weatherford.com