Acasta Enterprises Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter of 2019 Results

Mar 03, 2020 07:41 pm
TORONTO -- 

Acasta Enterprises Inc. (TSX: AEF) (“Acasta” or the “Company”) today announced the release of its audited consolidated financial statements for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 and management discussion and analysis (MD&A). These documents will be posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All values in this news release and the Company’s financial disclosures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenues were $41.8 million and $167.1 million for the three months ended and the year ended December 31, 2019 respectively compared with $44.4 million $176.7 million in the comparative period. The lower revenue is the result of an initiative to re-focus the product mix on higher profitability products rather than maximizing volumes and top line revenues.
  • EBITDA of negative $1.7 million and $11.3 million for the three months ended and the year ended December 31, 2019 respectively compared with EBITDA of negative $37.8 million and negative $134.8 million in the comparative periods. Q4 2019 results contain $3.1 million of executive awards including a discretionary portion awarded by the Board for 2019 operational achievements including the negotiation regarding the restructuring of the Company’s debt which was completed on August 2, 2019. The Company received $0.6 million of negotiated interest income compensation in Q4 2019 from Stellwagen associated with delayed settlement of the Profit Participation Notes.
  • Debt totalled $65.7 million at December 31, 2019. The Company closed the previously announced $50 million asset-based credit facility with a three year term and $8 million term facility with a one year term on August 2, 2019. The new facility is expected to reduce the operating service expenses of the Corporation. $31.1 million of the debt at December 31, 2019 is now non-current with a maturity date on the new facility of August 2, 2022.

Please refer to our Management’s Discussion & Analysis which will provide additional detail on the Company’s results from operations.

Advisories:

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes forward looking statements. All such statements constitute forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities law and are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable securities laws. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to statements about other anticipated future events or results, including comments with respect to Company’s future financial performance and condition. Forward looking statements are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions and are identified by words such as “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates” or similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on current expectations of the Company’s management and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is presented for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding the Company’s business and strategic priorities and objectives. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual outcomes or financial results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this news release, including, among other factors, those referenced in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2018, a copy of which is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com under the Company’s profile. Forward looking statements contained in this news release are not guarantees of future outcomes performance and, while forward looking statements are based on certain assumptions that the Company considers reasonable, actual events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward looking statements made by the Company. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to the Company and to not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Circumstances affecting the Company may change rapidly. Except as may be expressly required by applicable law, Acasta does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These cautionary statements expressly qualify all forward looking statements in this new release.

Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures (Unaudited)

Adjusted net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not recognized measures under IFRS and this data may not be comparable to data presented by other companies.

Adjusted net income (loss) is calculated by adjusting net income (loss) as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the exclusion of certain other income and expense items determined in accordance with IFRS. The Company believes that this generally accepted measure allows the evaluation of the results of continuing operations and is useful in making comparisons between periods. Adjusted net income (loss) is intended to provide investors with information about the Company’s continuing income generating capabilities. Management uses this measure to monitor and plan for the operating performance of the Company in conjunction with other data prepared in accordance with IFRS.

EBITDA is calculated by adjusting net income (loss) as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for finance costs, current and deferred income tax, depreciation and amortization expenses. The Company believes that this measure allows the evaluation of the results of continuing operations and is useful in making comparisons between periods. EBITDA is intended to provide investors with information about the Company’s continuing income generating capabilities. Management uses this measure to monitor and plan for the operating performance of the Company in conjunction with other data prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adjusting net income (loss) as recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the exclusion of certain other income and expense items determined in accordance with IFRS, being the calculation for adjusted net income (loss) and then further adjusting for finance costs, current and deferred income tax, depreciation and amortization expenses. The Company believes that this generally accepted measure allows the evaluation of the results of continuing operations and is useful in making comparisons between periods. Adjusted EBITDA is intended to provide investors with information about the Company’s continuing income generating capabilities. Management uses this measure to monitor and plan for the operating performance of the Company in conjunction with other data prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Acasta Enterprises Inc.
[email protected]
Fred Leigh
416-861-5933
www.acastaenterprises.com