Hallador Energy Company Reports Record Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA for 2023; Signs MOU to attract data centers to Merom Power Plant | HNRG Stock News

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    Hallador Energy Company (NASDAQ: HNRG) reports strong financial performance for full year 2023 with net income of $44.8 million, basic earnings per share of $1.35, operating cash flow of $59.4 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $107 million. The company secured nearly $500 million in new long-term contracts and restructured its coal division to enhance margins. Additionally, Hallador signed a significant MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC to explore non-traditional energy sales at the Merom site, aiming to drive increased margins and support the power grid’s transition to new energy sources.

    Positive

    • Hallador Energy Company achieved notable financial results for full year 2023, including a net income of $44.8 million.
    • The company’s basic earnings per share stood at $1.35, showcasing strong profitability.
    • Operating cash flow for 2023 reached $59.4 million, reflecting sound financial management.
    • Hallador reported an adjusted EBITDA of $107 million, indicating robust operational performance.
    • The company secured approximately $500 million in new long-term capacity and energy contracts through 2028.
    • Hallador restructured its coal division to enhance margins and adapt to current market conditions, reducing capital expenditure and maintaining high-margin coal production.
    • Through ATM and unsecured notes, the company raised approximately $19 million to support liquidity and strategic initiatives.
    • The MOU signed with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC aims to explore new energy sales opportunities at the Merom site, targeting high-density power users for increased margins and operational efficiency.

    The reported increase in net income and adjusted EBITDA for Hallador Energy Company represents a significant improvement in the company’s profitability and operational efficiency. The restructuring of their coal division, aimed at increasing margins and adjusting to current market conditions, suggests a strategic move to optimize operations amidst volatile market conditions. The reduction in capital expenditure and employee headcount, along with the idling of high-cost surface mines, indicates a focus on cost management and operational agility.

    From a financial perspective, the raising of approximately $19 million through ATM and unsecured notes is a noteworthy development. It reflects an active approach to managing liquidity and signals confidence from the board members who provided the unsecured notes. However, it’s essential to monitor the terms of these notes and the potential dilution effect of the ATM on existing shareholders.

    The secured long-term capacity and energy contracts worth nearly $500 million through 2028 provide revenue visibility and a degree of stability in cash flows. The average contracted prices for coal and power, along with the percentage of energy and capacity sold, are critical metrics for investors to assess the company’s future revenue streams and pricing power in the market.

    The MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC could open up new revenue streams for Hallador Energy by tapping into the demand from non-traditional energy consumers like data centers and AI providers. This diversification strategy could mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in traditional energy markets. The focus on supplying reliable electricity to high-density power users aligns with broader industry trends, where energy companies are seeking partnerships with growing sectors to bolster demand for their output.

    Additionally, the forward-looking statements regarding the potential for increased margins and operational efficiency at the Merom site should be evaluated in light of the broader transition to renewable energy sources. While the company is positioning itself to support the power grid through this transition, investors should consider the long-term sustainability of coal as an energy source against the backdrop of increasing regulatory pressures and shifts in public sentiment towards greener alternatives.

    The energy sector is undergoing significant changes with the transition to new energy sources. Hallador Energy’s strategic initiatives, including the diversification into power sales and capacity agreements, are timely as they align with the sector’s evolution. The company’s ability to secure substantial long-term contracts insulates it from some of the risks associated with this transition, but it’s important to consider the long-term implications of a potential decline in coal demand.

    The detailed breakdown of contracted coal revenues and power energy contracts provides transparency into the company’s future revenue projections. However, the energy sector’s shift towards renewables could impact the valuation of these contracts. An understanding of the MISO accreditation and its implications for capacity revenue is essential, as it reflects the reliability and performance of the company’s assets in meeting energy demands.

    TERRE HAUTE, Ind., March 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hallador Energy Company (NASDAQ – HNRG) reports full year 2023 net income of $44.8 million, $1.35 basic earnings per share, operating cash flow of $59.4 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $107 million, all respectively.

    Brent Bilsland, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Hallador had a solid year as a company. Our coal division had near record margins for the full year, the continued integration of Hallador Power shows tremendous promise for future sales of energy and capacity and our recent MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC will allow us to market our Merom site to data centers, AI providers and other high-density power users to more efficiently operate the plant and drive increased margins to what we are seeing today. While the fourth quarter presented challenges in all sectors, we believe that our recent restructuring in our coal division, agreements like the MOU and the momentum that we are seeing in forward power sales will all continue to improve the long-term outlook for the company.”

    Below are highlights for the full year results of 2023:

    • We increased Net Income, Operating Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA for the Year
      • Net income increased by approximately $27 million to $45 million for 2023.    
      • Operating Cash Flow increased by approximately $5 million to $59.4 million for 2023.  
      • Adjusted EBITDA* improved to $107 million for the year, an increase of approximately $51 million.
    • Since January 1, 2023, We Secured Nearly $500 Million in New Long-Term Capacity and Energy Contracts
      • We have secured approximately $225 million in new capacity deals through 2028.  
      • We have secured approximately $275 million in new energy deals through 2028.
    • We Restructured our Coal Division to Increase Margins and Adjust to Current Market Conditions
      • The restructuring will reduce capital expenditure at the Oaktown Mining Complex by $10 million.  
      • Maintains 4.5 million tons of annual production of our highest margin coal.  
      • Reduced employee headcount by 110.  
      • Idled highest cost surface mines.
    • We Raised Approximately $19 Million Through ATM and Unsecured Notes to Support Liquidity
      • ATM raised $7.3 million in December and $6.6 million in January.  
      • Raised $5 million in unsecured one-year notes from members of the Board of Directors in March 2024.  
      • Capital used to support liquidity and accelerate strategic initiatives.
    • We Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC to Provide Opportunities for Non-Traditional Energy Sales at the Merom Site
      • Allows us to potentially capture additional margins above our traditional wholesale energy markets.  
      • Allows us to market industrial users of power, such as data centers, AI providers and power dense manufacturers, to the Merom property.  
      • We believe utilizing our plant to help supply these large users of energy with reliable, resilient electricity should allow us to operate more efficiently in a volatile power environment, generate increased margins and support the fragile power grid as it navigates the challenges of transition to new sources of energy in the coming decades.
                                     
      2024     2025     2026     2027     2028     Total
    Coal                                            
    Priced tons – 3rd party (in millions)   3.4       1.8       0.5       0.5             6.2
    Average price per ton – 3rd party $ 51.82     $ 50.57     $ 56.09     $ 56.09     $        
    Priced tons (in millions) – Merom   1.5       2.3       2.3       2.3       2.3       10.7
    Average price per ton – Merom $ 51.00     $ 51.00     $ 51.00     $ 51.00     $ 51.00        
    Contracted coal revenue (in millions) $ 252.69     $ 208.33     $ 145.35     $ 145.35     $ 117.30     $ 869.02
    % Priced   109 %     91 %     62 %     62 %     51 %      
                                                 
    Committed & unpriced tons (in millions) – 3rd party         1.0       1.0       1.0             3.0
    Committed & unpriced tons (in millions) – Merom                                
    Total contracted tons (in millions)   4.9       5.1       3.8       3.8       2.3       19.9
                                                 
    % Coal Sold*   109 %     113 %     84 %     84 %     51 %      
                                                 
    Average cost per ton of coal sold was $33.67 for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($26.98 after eliminating for intercompany sales to Merom)                                            
                                                 
    2024 Coal Capex Budget (in millions) $ 25.00                                        
                                                 
    Power                                            
    Energy                                            
    Contracted MWh (in millions)   1.87       1.90       1.83       1.78       1.09       8.47
    Average contracted price per MWh $ 35.23     $ 36.06     $ 55.37     $ 54.65     $ 52.98        
    Contracted revenue (in millions) $ 65.88     $ 68.51     $ 101.33     $ 97.28     $ 57.75     $ 390.75
    % Energy Sold*   31 %     32 %     31 %     30 %     18 %      
                                                 
    Capacity                                            
    Average daily contracted capacity   810       748       743       623       454        
    % Capacity Contracted**   94 %     87 %     86 %     72 %     53 %      
    Average contracted capacity price per MWd $ 200     $ 210     $ 230     $ 226     $ 224        
    Contracted capacity revenue (in millions) $ 59.13     $ 57.33     $ 62.37     $ 51.39     $ 37.12     $ 267.34
                                                 
    Total Energy & Capacity Revenue                                            
    Contracted Power Revenue (in millions) $ 125.01     $ 125.84     $ 163.70     $ 148.67     $ 94.87     $ 658.09
    Contracted Power Revenue per MWh* $ 45.69     $ 47.05     $ 67.40     $ 66.47     $ 64.70        
                                                 
    2023 average cost per MWh sold was $33.67 for the year ended December 31, 2023 ($26.98 assuming intercompany sales of coal were sold at cost)                                            
                                                 
    2024 Power Capex Budget (in millions) $ 18.00                                        
                                                 
    TOTAL CONTRACTED REVENUE (IN MILLIONS) $ 377.70     $ 334.17     $ 309.05     $ 294.02     $ 212.17     $ 1,527.11
    * Based on coal production of 4.5 million tons and 6.0 million MWh annually.
    ** Based on a MISO accreditation of 860MW per day.  Accreditations are adjusted annually based on 3-year rolling performance metrics.
       

    The table below represents some of our critical metrics (in thousands, except for per ton data):

      December 31,  
      2023     2022  
    Net income $ 44,793     $ 18,105  
    Total revenues $ 634,480     $ 361,991  
    Tons sold (consolidated basis, after eliminations)   5,595       6,341  
    Average price per ton (consolidated basis, after eliminations) $ 60.97     $ 45.64  
    Tons sold (before elimination)   6,922       6,341  
    Average price per ton (segment basis, before eliminations) $ 62.54     $ 45.64  
    Bank debt $ 91,500     $ 85,213  
    Operating cash flow $ 59,414     $ 54,169  
    Adjusted EBITDA* $ 107,376     $ 56,233  

    ——————————–

    *Non-GAAP financial measure, defined as operating cash flows less effects of certain subsidiary and equity method investment activity, plus bank interest, less effects of working capital period changes, plus other amortization
     

    Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.  Our method of computing Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other companies.

    Management believes the non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, is an important measure in analyzing our liquidity and is a key component of certain material covenants contained within our Credit Agreement, specifically a maximum leverage ratio and a debt service coverage ratio.  Noncompliance with the leverage ratio or debt service coverage ratio covenants could result in our lenders requiring the Company to immediately repay all amounts borrowed.  If we cannot satisfy these financial covenants, we would be prohibited under our Credit Agreement from engaging in certain activities, such as incurring additional indebtedness, making certain payments, and acquiring and disposing of assets.  Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is critical to the assessment of our liquidity.  The required amount of Adjusted EBITDA is a variable based on our debt outstanding and/or required debt payments at the time of the quarterly calculation based on a rolling prior 12-month period.

    Reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, to cash provided by operating activities, the most comparable GAAP measure, is as follows (in thousands) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

    Reconciliation of GAAP “Cash provided by operating activities” to non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” (in thousands)

      Twelve Months Ended  
      December 31,  
      2023     2022  
    Cash provided by operating activities $ 59,414     $ 54,169  
    Current income tax benefit   (164 )      
    W/O of deferred financing costs   1,541        
    Loss from Hourglass Sands & Sunrise Indemnity   10       8  
    Distribution from Sunrise Energy   (625 )      
    Bank and other interest expense   10,478       8,278  
    Working capital period changes   21,998       (5,861 )
    Other long-term asset and liability changes          
    Cash paid on asset retirement obligation reclamation   3,384       3,162  
    Market adjustments – Merom acquisition         (9,009 )
    ASC 606 Capacity Adjustment   3,703        
    Other amortization   7,637       5,486  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 107,376     $ 56,233  
                   
    Cash used in investing activities $ (75,290 )   $ (53,365 )
                   
    Cash used in financing activities $ 16,573     $ (207 )
                   

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (theSecurities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (theExchange Act).  Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such asexpects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “guidance,” “target,” “potential,” “possible,orprobableor statements that certain actions, events or resultsmay,” “will,” “should,orcouldbe taken, occur or be achieved.  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Hallador and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances that involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements.  These risks include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Hallador’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Hallador undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

    Conference Call

    As previously announced, the Company will host a live conference call on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For US callers dial (833)-470-1428 and use access code 135892.

    A replay of the conference call will be available for seven days.  For US callers to listen to the replay, dial (866) 813-9403 and use access code 573916.

    The conference call will also be available via a live listen-only webcast on the Company’s website at www.halladorenergy.com.

    Hallador is headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sunrise Coal, LLC and Hallador Power, LLC, produces coal and electricity in the Illinois Basin for the electric power generation industry. To learn more about Hallador, visit our website at www.halladorenergy.com.

    Contact: Investor Relations
    Phone: (303) 839-5504
       
    Hallador Energy Company
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    As of December 31,
    (in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
      2023     2022  
    ASSETS              
    Current assets:              
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,842     $ 3,009  
    Restricted cash   4,281       3,417  
    Accounts receivable   19,937       29,889  
    Inventory   23,075       49,796  
    Parts and supplies   38,877       28,295  
    Contract asset – coal purchase agreement         19,567  
    Prepaid expenses   2,262       4,546  
    Total current assets   91,274       138,519  
    Property, plant and equipment:              
    Land and mineral rights   115,486       115,595  
    Buildings and equipment   537,131       534,129  
    Mine development   158,642       140,108  
    Finance lease right-of-use assets   12,346        
    Total property, plant and equipment   823,605       789,832  
    Less – accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization   (334,971 )     (309,370 )
    Total property, plant and equipment, net   488,634       480,462  
    Investment in Sunrise Energy   2,811       3,988  
    Other assets   7,061       7,585  
    Total assets $ 589,780     $ 630,554  
                   
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
    Current liabilities:              
    Current portion of bank debt, net   24,438     $ 33,031  
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   62,908       82,972  
    Current portion of lease financing   3,933        
    Deferred revenue   23,062       35,485  
    Contract liability – power purchase agreement and capacity payment reduction   43,254       88,114  
    Total current liabilities   157,595       239,602  
    Long-term liabilities:              
    Bank debt, net   63,453       49,713  
    Convertible notes payable   10,000       10,000  
    Convertible notes payable – related party   9,000       9,000  
    Long-term Lease Financing   8,157        
    Deferred income taxes   9,235       4,606  
    Asset retirement obligations   14,538       17,254  
    Contract liability – power purchase agreement   47,425       84,096  
    Other   1,789       1,259  
    Total long-term liabilities   163,597       175,928  
    Total liabilities   321,192       415,530  
    Commitments and contingencies              
    Stockholders’ equity:              
    Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; none issued          
    Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 34,052 and 32,983 issued and outstanding, respectively   341       330  
    Additional paid-in capital   127,548       118,788  
    Retained earnings   140,699       95,906  
    Total stockholders’ equity   268,588       215,024  
    Total liabilities and stockholdersequity $ 589,780     $ 630,554  
                   
    Hallador Energy Company
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    For the years ended December 31,
    (in thousands, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
      2023     2022  
    SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES:              
    Coal sales $ 361,926     $ 289,376  
    Electric sales   267,927       66,252  
    Other revenues   4,627       6,363  
    Total sales and operating revenues   634,480       361,991  
    OPERATING EXPENSES:              
    Operating expenses   473,390       266,608  
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization   67,211       46,875  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion   1,804       1,010  
    Exploration costs   904       651  
    General and administrative   26,159       16,417  
    Total operating expenses   569,468       331,561  
                   
    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS   65,012       30,430  
                   
    Interest expense (1)   (13,711 )     (11,012 )
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   (1,491 )      
    Equity method investment (loss) income   (552 )     443  
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   49,258       19,861  
                   
    INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT):              
    Current   (164 )      
    Deferred   4,629       1,756  
    Total income tax expense   4,465       1,756  
                   
    NET INCOME $ 44,793     $ 18,105  
                   
    NET INCOME PER SHARE:              
    Basic $ 1.35     $ 0.57  
    Diluted $ 1.25     $ 0.55  
                   
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:              
    Basic   33,133       32,043  
    Diluted   36,827       33,649  
                   
    ____________              
                   
    (1) Interest Expense:              
    Interest on bank debt $ 8,636     $ 7,563  
    Other interest   1,842       715  
    Amortization and swap related interest:              
    Payments on interest rate swap, net of changes in value         (867 )
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   3,233       3,601  
    Total amortization and swap related interest   3,233       2,734  
    Total interest expense $ 13,711     $ 11,012  
                   
    Hallador Energy Company
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    For the years ended December 31,
    (in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
      2023     2022  
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:              
    Net income $ 44,793     $ 18,105  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Deferred income taxes   4,629       1,756  
    Equity income (loss) – Sunrise Energy   552       (443 )
    Cash distribution – Sunrise Energy   625        
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization   67,211       46,875  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   1,491        
    Loss (gain) on sale of assets   398       (264 )
    Payments on interest rate swap, net of changes in value         (867 )
    Amortization of debt issuance costs   3,233       3,601  
    Asset retirement obligations accretion   1,804       1,010  
    Cash paid on asset retirement obligation reclamation   (3,384 )     (3,162 )
    Stock-based compensation   3,554       1,269  
    Provision for loss on customer contracts         159  
    Amortization of contract asset and contract liabilities   (39,791 )     (19,731 )
    Change in current assets and liabilities:              
    Accounts receivable   9,952       (16,305 )
    Inventory   15,548       (25,863 )
    Parts and supplies   (10,582 )     (6,271 )
    Prepaid expenses   1,186       (5,941 )
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (18,992 )     24,037  
    Deferred revenue   (23,423 )     35,485  
    Other   610       719  
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 59,414     $ 54,169  
                   
    Hallador Energy Company
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    For the years ended December 31,
    (in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
    (continued)
      2023     2022  
    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:              
    Capital expenditures $ (75,352 )   $ (54,020 )
    Proceeds from sale of equipment   62       655  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (75,290 )     (53,365 )
                   
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:              
    Payments on bank debt   (59,713 )     (78,225 )
    Borrowings of bank debt   66,000       51,700  
    Proceeds from sale and leaseback arrangement   11,082        
    Issuance of convertible notes payable         11,000  
    Issuance of related party convertible notes payable         18,000  
    Debt issuance costs   (6,013 )     (2,097 )
    Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests         (585 )
    ATM Offering   7,318        
    Taxes paid on vesting of RSUs   (2,101 )      
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   16,573       (207 )
    Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash   697       597  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year   6,426       5,829  
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year $ 7,123     $ 6,426  
                   
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH:              
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,842     $ 3,009  
    Restricted cash   4,281       3,417  
      $ 7,123     $ 6,426  
                   
    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:              
    Cash paid for interest $ 9,966     $ 8,123  
                   
    SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH FLOW INFORMATION:              
    Change in capital expenditures included in accounts payable and finance lease $ 1,882     $ 3,440  
                   
    Hallador Energy Company
    Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
    (in thousands)
    (Unaudited)
     
                      Additional             Total  
      Common Stock Issued     Paid-in     Retained     Stockholders’  
      Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Equity  
    BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2021   30,785     $ 308     $ 104,126     $ 77,801       182,235  
    Stock-based compensation               1,269             1,269  
    Cancellation of redeemable noncontrolling interests               3,415             3,415  
    Stock issued on redemption of convertible note   232       2       998             1,000  
    Stock issued on redemption of related party convertible notes   1,966       20       8,980             9,000  
    Net income                     18,105       18,105  
    BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2022   32,983       330       118,788       95,906       215,024  
    Stock-based compensation               3,554             3,554  
    Stock issued on vesting of RSUs   473       5       (5 )            
    Taxes paid on vesting of RSUs   (198 )     (2 )     (2,099 )           (2,101 )
    Stock issued in ATM offering   794       8       7,310             7,318  
    Net income                     44,793       44,793  
    BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2023   34,052       341       127,548       140,699       268,588  


    Hallador Energy Company reported a net income of $44.8 million for full year 2023.

    Hallador Energy Company’s basic earnings per share for 2023 stood at $1.35.

    Hallador Energy Company reported an operating cash flow of $59.4 million for 2023.

    Hallador Energy Company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $107 million for 2023.

    Hallador Energy Company secured approximately $500 million in new capacity and energy contracts through 2028.

    Hallador Energy Company restructured its coal division to increase margins and adapt to market conditions.

    Hallador Energy Company raised approximately $19 million through ATM and unsecured notes to support liquidity.

    Hallador Energy Company signed an MOU with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC for non-traditional energy sales at the Merom site.

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