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Novamerican Reports Record Profit In Fourth Quarter 2003
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 07, 2004 2:05 AM
- CCNMatthews
TONS
15.11 -0.99
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Jan 7, 2004 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- Novamerican Steel Inc. (TONS) announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended November 29, 2003. This was the 24th consecutive profitable quarter for the Company. (All amounts are in U.S. dollars).
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and tons data)
QUARTER ENDED
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November November
29, 2003 30, 2002 Change
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Net sales $140,833 $121,880 $18,953 15.6%
Gross margin 24.0% 24.5% -0.5% -2.0%
Net income $7,473 $7,265 $208 2.9%
Net income per share $0.77 $0.75 $0.02 2.7%
Tons sold 238,013 209,473 28,540 13.6%
Tons processed 216,281 224,158 (7,877) -3.5%
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454,294 433,631 20,663 4.8%
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YEAR ENDED
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November November
29, 2003 30, 2002 Change
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(52 weeks) (53 weeks)
Net sales $507,067 $465,501 $41,566 8.9%
Gross margin 21.0% 24.6% -3.6% -14.6%
Net income $13,081 $20,118 ($7,037) -35.0%
Net income per share $1.35 $2.07 ($0.72) -34.8%
Tons sold 870,250 866,632 3,618 0.4%
Tons processed 794,011 737,198 56,813 7.7%
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1,664,261 1,603,830 60,431 3.8%
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FOURTH QUARTER AND ANNUAL RESULTS
Sales for the fourth quarter increased by $19.0 million, or 15.6%, to $140.8 million from $121.9 million for the same period in 2002.
Sales for the year ended November 29, 2003 (52 weeks) increased by $41.6 million, or 8.9%, to $507.1 million from $465.5 million for the same period in 2002 (53 weeks).
Tons sold and processed in the fourth quarter of 2003 increased by 20,663 tons, or 4.8%, to 454,294 tons from 433,631 tons in the fourth quarter of 2002.
Tons sold and processed for the year ended November 29, 2003 increased by 60,431 tons, or 3.8%, to 1,664,261 tons from 1,603,830 tons for the same period in 2002.
The gross margin for the fourth quarter 2003 decreased to 24.0% from 24.5% for the same period in 2002.
The gross margin for the year ended November 29, 2003 decreased to 21.0% from 24.6% for the same period in 2002.
Net income for the fourth quarter increased by $0.2 million, or 2.9%, to $7.5 million, or $0.77 per share, versus $7.3 million, or $0.75 per share, for the same period in 2002.
Net income for the year ended November 29, 2003 decreased by $7.0 million, or 35.0%, to $13.1 million, or $1.35 per share, versus $20.1 million, or $2.07 per share for the same period in 2002.
OPERATIONS
The year 2003 was highlighted by record sales, tons sold and tons processed. All operations reported a strong fourth quarter as demand in the North American economy continued to improve. The Company attributes these results to continued successful expansion and diversification into new products and new geographical and industrial markets.
OUTLOOK
The Company is expecting continued strong demand through the first six months of 2004. Many customers are reporting healthy backlogs heading into 2004. Steel consuming industries such as energy, agriculture, mining, shipbuilding, automotive and construction are forecasting improved conditions to start the new year.
Management believes that steel prices are likely to increase as the supply/demand balance shifts toward greater demand and that imports are not likely to impact the North American market significantly in the near term.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Novamerican Steel Inc., based in Montreal, Canada with thirteen operating locations in Canada and eleven operating locations in the United States, processes and distributes carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum products, including carbon steel tubing for structural and automotive markets.
FORWARD-LOOKING (SAFE HARBOUR) STATEMENTS
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, product demand, competition, regulatory approvals, the effect of economic conditions and technological difficulties and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Conference call: Wednesday January 7, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. Please call 514-368-6455 for details.
Novamerican Steel Inc. - Consolidated Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in accordance with U.S. GAAP, in thousands of U.S.
dollars, except per share and tons data)