BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., Oct. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAP) today reported net sales for the third quarter of 2020 of $37.4 million, a decrease of 28.7% from $52.5 million in the second quarter of 2020, and 33.8% lower than $56.6 million in the third quarter of 2019.

Sales of premium alloys in the third quarter of 2020 were $9.2 million, or 24.5% of sales, compared with $12.4 million, or 23.7% of sales, in the second quarter of 2020, and $8.0 million, or 14.2% of sales, in the third quarter of 2019.

Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Oates commented: “The third quarter was consistent with our expectation for a sequential step-down in quarterly sales and operating activity, which took its toll on profitability. COVID-19 continues to impact demand, especially in the aerospace and oil & gas end markets.

“On a more promising note, order entry improved over second quarter levels, with September bookings at their highest level since March. Additionally, cancellations slowed during the quarter. We continue to expect measured improvement in activity levels beginning in 2021.

“Amid challenging third quarter conditions, we remained focused on execution, and saw a further shift in our sales mix to premium alloys, which reached nearly one-quarter of total third quarter sales. Premium alloys are our highest priority for targeted growth, and we continued to see demand for defense and specialty applications. Our new product development and approval activity continues as well.

“While aided by our premium alloy sales, third quarter margins were negatively impacted by lower activity levels and included fixed cost absorption direct charges in the quarter, which was expected.

“We focused on working capital reduction in the third quarter which resulted in positive cash flow. This focus resulted in both inventory and debt declines compared to the second quarter, with inventory reduced by $14.1 million, and debt levels reduced by nearly $12.0 million.

“Looking towards the balance of the year, we will continue to execute our strategy to pursue market opportunities while adapting our operations to current activity levels as well as maintaining our focus on inventory and debt reduction.”

Mr. Oates concluded: “Our team has made commendable progress thus far in 2020 under extremely difficult conditions through their unrelenting determination and effort. With the ongoing support of our customers and our focus on producing the critical products required by our markets, we look forward to an improved 2021.”

COVID-19 Response Summary

• Each of the Company’s facilities is an essential operation and continues to remain operational in accordance with the laws of the states in which the facilities are located.
• The Company continues to monitor the pandemic’s impact on the markets the Company serves, including the aerospace and oil & gas markets. The Company’s sales to the aerospace market have declined, primarily due to the cancellation or delay in orders for new airplanes due to the fall-off in air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a sharp decline in aftermarket sales due to the significant reduction in air travel. The Company also has experienced extreme pressure in demand from the oil & gas market.
• On April 15, 2020, the Company entered into a $10.0 million term note pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The Company applied for full forgiveness of the PPP term note in the 2020 third quarter, and the PPP loan forgiveness process is currently underway.
• While the Company expects the effects of the pandemic and the related responses to continue to negatively impact its results of operations, cash flows and financial position, the uncertainty over the duration and severity of the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the Company cannot reasonably estimate the related future impacts at this time.
• The Company continues to adapt its operations due to lower activity levels. As a result, the Company has taken measures to align its cost structure with current forecasted revenue and operating levels.

Quarterly and Year-to-Date Results of Operations

For the first nine months of 2020, net sales totaled $148.4 million, compared with $187.8 million in the same period of 2019. Sales of premium alloys were $29.3 million, or 19.7% of sales, year-to-date in 2020, compared with $30.2 million, or 16.1% of sales, in the first nine months of 2019.

The Company's gross margin for the third quarter of 2020 was a loss of $4.4 million, or (11.8%) of sales, compared with $1.9 million, or 3.7% of sales, in the second quarter of 2020, and $5.3 million, or 9.4% of sales, in the third quarter of 2019. Third quarter gross margin included $4.3 million of fixed cost absorption charges incurred due to reduced production levels. Excluding these charges, third quarter 2020 gross margin was at a break-even level.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.2 million, or 11.1% of sales, in the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of 23.0% from $5.4 million, or 10.3% of sales, in the second quarter of 2020, and an 8.2% decrease from $4.5 million, or 8.0% of sales, in the third quarter of 2019.

The net loss for the third quarter of 2020 was $7.0 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $3.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2020, and net income of $0.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019. The third quarter 2020 net loss, excluding $4.3 million of fixed cost absorption charges and a $0.3 million gain on insurance proceeds, totaled $3.9 million, or $0.44 per diluted share.

For the first nine months of 2020, the net loss was $11.7 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, compared with net income of $4.1 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2019.

The Company’s EBITDA for the third quarter of 2020 was a loss of $3.6 million, compared with $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2020, and $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2019. Third quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA, excluding the fixed cost absorption charges and insurance gain, totaled $0.6 million.

Managed working capital at September 30, 2020 totaled $135.0 million, compared with $151.8 million at June 30, 2020, and $144.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2019. The 11.1% sequential decrease in managed working capital compared in the 2020 third quarter was due mainly to reduced accounts receivable and inventory levels. Inventory totaled $120.9 million at the end of the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of $14.1 million, or 10.5%, from $135.1 million at the end of the second quarter of 2020. Year-to-date inventories have been reduced by $26.5 million or 17.9%.

Backlog (before surcharges) at September 30, 2020 was $54.8 million, compared with $71.8 million at June 30, 2020, and $118.3 million at the end of the 2019 third quarter.

The Company’s total debt at September 30, 2020 was $60.6 million, a decrease of $11.9 million from June 30, 2020, and a decrease of $5.5 million from the end of the 2019 third quarter. Total debt at September 30, 2020 includes a $10.0 million term note, issued on April 15, 2020, pursuant to PPP. In the third quarter, the Company applied for full PPP loan forgiveness.

Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2020 totaled $1.3 million, compared with $3.2 million for the second quarter of 2020, and $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. Year-to-date capital expenditures totaled $8.5 million.

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., established in 1994 and headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and heavy equipment manufacturing. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.