Ramaco Resources, Inc. quarterly report, Q2 FY2019

Ramaco Resources, Inc. — Q2 2019 Form 10-Q

Reporting period: Quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019. Ramaco produces and develops metallurgical coal in the Appalachian region, selling primarily to steel producers.

Financial performance

MetricQ2 2019Q2 2018Six months 2019Six months 2018
Revenue$65.8 million$65.3 million$123.2 million$121.2 million
Operating income$12.9 million$10.6 million$21.1 million$16.3 million
Net income$10.6 million$10.2 million$17.5 million$15.5 million
Diluted EPS$0.26$0.25$0.43$0.38
Adjusted EBITDA$19.1 million$14.9 million$32.8 million$24.2 million

Q2 operating margin was approximately 19.6% versus 16.3%; net margin was approximately 16.1% versus 15.6%. For the first half, operating margin was approximately 17.2% versus 13.4%, and net margin approximately 14.2% versus 12.8%. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure.

  • Q2 company-produced coal sales were 499,000 tons versus 493,000; third-party purchased coal sales fell to 26,000 tons from 123,000. Total reported tons sold were 525,000 versus 616,000.
  • Q2 domestic revenue increased to $39.5 million from $34.4 million, while export revenue declined to $26.2 million from $30.9 million. Company-reported total coal sales revenue rose modestly, primarily on higher realized prices, partly offset by lower purchased-coal sales.
  • Produced-coal cash cost per ton sold (FOB mine) rose to about $71 in Q2 from $56; first-half cost was about $69 versus $60. Management cited higher sales-linked royalties and severance taxes, temporary adverse roof conditions at the Eagle mine, and a greater production share from the Berwind Development Mine.

Cash flow, debt and liquidity

  • First-half operating cash flow was $13.1 million, compared with $8.1 million; capital expenditures were $19.7 million, compared with $27.5 million. Cash declined by $1.4 million to $5.5 million.
  • At June 30, total debt carrying value was approximately $17.0 million: $7.0 million term debt and $8.0 million revolver borrowings, plus $2.0 million current portion shown on the balance sheet. The filing presents the term loan’s $7.0 million carrying amount and the balance-sheet debt split separately; verify the exact reconciliation. The term loan principal was $7.1 million.
  • The KeyBank facility includes a $10 million term loan and a revolving facility of up to $30 million, with maturity November 2, 2021. The company reported compliance with covenants. Liquidity was $26.7 million, which management expected to support current plans along with operating cash flow and cash on hand.
  • Current assets were $49.8 million and current liabilities $31.2 million. Accounts receivable was $26.1 million, up from $10.7 million at year-end, contributing to working-capital cash use.

Changes, outlook and risks

  • Management targets production of more than 4.0 million clean tons annually over the next three to four years, depending on capital deployment; this is a plan, not firm guidance.
  • Q2 production exceeded 476,000 clean tons. Following the November 2018 failure of an Elk Creek raw-coal storage silo, a bypass system was completed in February 2019 and silo remediation finished in July; the plant returned to full processing capacity in early August.
  • Management said met-coal markets were strong in Q2, but China port restrictions and the U.S.-China trade dispute contributed to a meaningful price decline early in Q3. Longer-term market and global economic effects remained uncertain.
  • Customer concentration remains notable: four customers represented about 55% of revenue in both Q2 and the first half, and approximately 69% of receivables at June 30. Take-or-pay transport and terminal commitments totaled about $2.3 million through March 2020.
  • Asset retirement obligations were $13.2 million, supported by $12.8 million of reclamation surety bonds. The filing reported no material pending litigation, no material change in risk factors, and no material off-balance-sheet arrangements.
  • Management expected 2019 cash taxes below $0.4 million, citing depletion and depreciation deductions and use of net operating loss carryforwards. No specific revenue or earnings forecast was provided.

Key facts for investors to verify

  • How post-quarter China import restrictions, trade tensions, and falling met-coal prices affected realized prices, sales mix, and contract economics.
  • Whether Elk Creek’s return to full capacity in August was sustained and whether Eagle mine roof conditions or mine-development mix continued to pressure unit costs.
  • Receivable collections, customer concentration, remaining revolver availability, and compliance with credit-facility covenants.
  • Progress and funding needs for the production-growth plan, including capital spending, project timing, and the ability to meet rail and export-terminal commitments.
  • The reconciliation of reported balance-sheet debt classifications to the disclosed $7.1 million term-loan principal and $8.0 million revolving balance.