U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. announced its first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2024. As separately announced, U.S. Silica has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management Inc. in an all-cash transaction that values the company at an enterprise value of approximately $1.85 billion.
Net income for the first quarter was $13.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. The first quarter results included $3.2 million pre-tax, or $0.03 per diluted share after-tax, of charges primarily related to the loss on extinguishment of debt. Excluding these charges, adjusted EPS (a non-GAAP measure) was $0.20 per diluted share.
These results compared with net income of $29.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter included $9.1 million pre-tax, or $0.09 per diluted share after-tax, of gains primarily related to asset sales, partially offset by facility closure costs, business optimization, and the loss on extinguishment of debt.
In the first quarter of 2024, the company completed a $25 million voluntary term loan principal repayment, extinguishing the debt at par using excess cash on hand.
“During the first quarter, we continued to execute our strategy,” said Bryan Shinn, the company’s chief executive officer. “We generated robust cash flow from operations to start the year, positioning us well for the remainder of 2024. With the successful repricing of our term loan, we reduced our total interest rate by 85 basis points. We also repurchased and extinguished an additional $25 million of debt.
“In our Oil & Gas segment, volumes were up 5% sequentially, although our margins were impacted by slightly lower pricing, driven in part by lower natural gas prices. We continue to have 80% of our capacity under long-term contracts, with additional amendments and extensions signed in the first quarter. Additionally, our new, patent-pending Guardian frac fluid filtration system continues to gain momentum in the market.
“In our Industrial and Specialty Products segment, revenue and volumes increased 5% and 10% sequentially, respectively, with margins increasing 7% year over year. In the first quarter, we entered into several new customer agreements with favorable pricing and we continue to benefit from ongoing structural cost reductions.
“We are pleased to reach the separately announced agreement with Apollo, which will provide our stockholders with compelling, certain, cash value for their shares. The transaction also provides us with a partner who is committed to helping us achieve our long-term objectives while maintaining our core values and customer-centric approach.”