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Westmoreland Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results

08.11.2011  |  Business Wire


Westmoreland Coal Company (NasdaqGM:WLB) today reported its third
quarter results for 2011.

Highlights:


'We are very pleased with our third quarter results,? said Keith E.
Alessi, Westmoreland′s President and CEO. 'Despite losing significant
tons again this quarter to flooding and record levels of hydropower
generation, we managed to increase both our operating income and
Adjusted EBITDA over the prior year. Additionally, through excellent
preparation and response, our ROVA Power operation minimized its
downtime and mitigated impacts Hurricane Irene had on our third quarter
operations.?


'We are also very pleased with the continuation of our strong safety
performance during the third quarter of 2011 as we again beat the
national surface mine averages. We take great pride in another major
mining award as our Western Energy Mine in Colstrip, Montana received
the Office of Surface Mining′s Directors Award for Excellence in Surface
Coal Mining.?


'During the quarter we made progress on one of our key strategic
initiatives, the addition of new coal reserves, as we continued
negotiations with resource owners at several at our mines. We hope to
complete at least one of these negotiations by year end. In line with
another of our key strategic initiatives, we also continue to explore
opportunities to grow our business through the acquisition of operations
that fit our core mine mouth business model.?


Westmoreland′s 2011 year to date net income includes $17.0 million of
charges related to the refinancing of debt in February 2011 and $3.2
million of expense on the fair value adjustment on the conversion
feature in the Company′s convertible debt that was for the most part
converted to common stock and retired in February 2011. 2010 year to
date net income included $0.9 million of expense related to the impact
of the fair value adjustment of the conversion feature and the related
debt discount. Excluding those items, net income decreased by $0.5
million.


The Company′s revenues in Q3 2011 increased to $132.4 million compared
with $124.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. This increase was
primarily driven by an increase in the Company′s coal segment revenues
due to increased sales at its Absaloka, Beulah, and Jewett Mines.
Favorable pricing also contributed to the increased revenues.


Westmoreland′s Adjusted EBITDA increased to $24.2 million in Q3 2011
from $22.8 million in Q3 2010.

Coal Segment Operating Results


The following table summarizes the Company′s Q3 2011 and Q3 2010 coal
segment performance:


 ?
Three Months Ended September 30,

 ?

 ?
Increase / (Decrease)
2011
 ?

 ?
2010
 ?

 ?
$
 ?

 ?
%

Revenues (in thousands)

$

108,823

 ?

 ?

$

100,482

$

8,341

 ?

 ?

 ?

8.3

%

Operating income (in thousands)

9,679

8,869

810

9.1

%

Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)

22,070

20,839

1,231

5.9

%

Tons sold - millions of equivalent tons

6.0

6.5

(0.5

)

(7.7

)%

Operating income per ton sold

$

1.61

$

1.36

$

0.25

18.2

%


Westmoreland ′s coal revenues for the third quarter of 2011 increased to
$108.8 million compared with $100.5 million in the third quarter of
2010. This $8.3 million increase was primarily due to increased sales at
the Absaloka, Beulah, and Jewett Mines. Favorable pricing also
contributed to the increased revenues. Overall tons sold decreased
during the quarter due to lower sales at the Rosebud Mine as a result of
favorable hydropower conditions, however revenues were largely
unaffected due to favorable pricing.


Coal segment operating income was $9.7 million in the third quarter of
2011 compared to $8.9 million in the third quarter of 2010. This $0.8
million increase was primarily driven by favorable pricing.

Power Segment Operating Results


The following table summarizes the Company′s Q3 2011 and Q3 2010 power
segment performance:


 ?
Three Months Ended September 30,

 ?

 ?
Increase / (Decrease)
2011
 ?

 ?
2010
 ?

 ?
$
 ?

 ?
%

(In thousands)

Revenues

$

23,626

 ?

 ?

$

23,598

$

28

 ?

 ?

 ?

0.1

%

Operating income

4,694

5,059

(365

)

(7.2

)%

Adjusted EBITDA

7,441

7,761

(320

)

(4.1

)%

Megawatts hours

445

439

6

1.4

%


The Company ′s power segment revenues for the third quarter of 2011 were
comparable with our third quarter 2010 power segment revenues.


Power segment operating income decreased to $4.7 million in the third
quarter of 2011 compared to $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2010.
This $0.4 million decrease was primarily from increased property tax
expense.

Heritage Segment Operating Results


The Company′s third quarter 2011 heritage operating expenses of $4.1
million are comparable to $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Corporate Segment Operating Results


The Company′s corporate segment operating expenses for the third quarter
of 2011 of $1.7 million are comparable to $1.4 million in the third
quarter of 2010.

Nonoperating Results


The Company′s interest expense for the third quarter of 2011 increased
to $7.7 million compared with $5.8 million for the third quarter of
2010. This increase was primarily due to the higher overall debt levels
resulting from the February 2011 note offering.


The Company′s other income for the third quarter of 2011 of $0.1 million
was comparable to the third quarter of 2010.

Cash Flow from Operations and Liquidity


Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $3.6 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine months ended
September 30, 2010, primarily due to the increase in interest payments
in 2011 related to the issuance of the Company′s new notes in February
2011.

Safety


Safety performance at Westmoreland mines continued to be significantly
better than the national average for surface operations.


Reportable

 ?

 ?

 ?

Lost Time

Westmoreland Coal

1.01

 ?

 ?

 ?

0.63

National Surface Mine Average

1.82

1.20

Conference Call


A conference call regarding Westmoreland Coal Company′s third quarter
2011 results will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
Eastern Time. Call-in instructions are available on the Company′s web
site and have been provided in a separate news release.

Additional Information


Westmoreland Coal Company is the oldest independent coal company in the
United States. The Company′s coal operations include coal mining in the
Powder River Basin in Montana and lignite mining operations in Montana,
North Dakota and Texas. Its power operations include ownership of the
two-unit ROVA coal-fired power plant in North Carolina. For more
information visit www.westmoreland.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements


This news release contains 'forward-looking statements.? Forward-looking
statements can be identified by words such as 'anticipates,? 'intends,?
'plans,? 'seeks,? 'believes,? 'estimates,? 'expects? and similar
references to future periods. Forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, the Company′s hope to complete at least one of coal
reserve acquisitions by year end.


Forward-looking statements are based on the Company′s current
expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and
other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to
the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and
changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company′s
actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the
forward-looking. The Company cautions you therefore against relying on
any of these forward-looking statements. They are statements neither of
historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements include political,
economic, business, competitive, market, weather and regulatory
conditions and the following:


Any forward-looking statements made by the Company in this news release
speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Factors or events that
could cause the Company′s actual results to differ may emerge from
time-to-time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of
them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.


# # #


 ?

 ?

 ?


 ?

Westmoreland Coal Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)


 ?
Three Months Ended

September 30,
Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2011
 ?

 ?
2010
 ?

 ?
2011
 ?

 ?
2010

(In thousands, except per share data)

Revenues

$

132,449

 ?

 ?

$

124,080

$

372,353

 ?

 ?

$

378,152

 ?

Cost, expenses and other:

Cost of sales

100,164

94,208

288,964

296,366

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

11,612

10,964

33,861

33,435

Selling and administrative

9,884

8,930

28,224

28,578

Heritage health benefit expenses

3,896

4,241

11,115

11,550

Loss on sales of assets

91

165

415

256

Other operating income

(1,769

)

(2,267

)

(5,236

)

(6,519

)

123,878

 ?

116,241

 ?

357,343

 ?

363,666

 ?

Operating income (loss)

8,571

7,839

15,010

14,486

 ?

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

(7,650

)

(5,756

)

(22,262

)

(17,245

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

-

(17,030

)

-

Interest income

423

603

1,134

1,380

Other income (loss)

147

 ?

17

 ?

(2,630

)

907

 ?

(7,080

)

(5,136

)

(40,788

)

(14,958

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

1,491

2,703

(25,778

)

(472

)

Income tax expense (benefit)from operations

(84

)

285

 ?

(706

)

149

 ?

Net income (loss)

1,575

2,418

(25,072

)

(621

)

Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

(1,154

)

(435

)

(2,783

)

(1,878

)

Net income (loss) attributable to the Parent company

2,729

2,853

(22,289

)

1,257

Less preferred stock dividend requirements

340

 ?

340

 ?

1,020

 ?

1,020

 ?

Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders

$

2,389

 ?

$

2,513

 ?

$

(23,309

)

$

237

 ?

 ?

Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shareholders:

Basic

$

0.18

$

0.23

$

(1.79

)

$

0.02

Diluted

0.18

0.23

(1.79

)

0.02

 ?

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic

13,384

10,849

12,990

10,676

Diluted

13,442

10,911

12,990

10,758

 ?

Net income (loss) (from above)

$

1,575

$

2,418

$

(25,072

)

$

(621

)

Other comprehensive income (loss):


Amortization of accumulated actuarial gains or losses,

 ? ?pension


442

332

1,212

996


Amortization of accumulated actuarial gains or losses,

 ? ?transition
obligations and prior service costs,

 ? ?postretirement medical
benefits


(72

)

(68

)

(216

)

(206

)

Tax effect of other comprehensive income gains

(141

)

-

(308

)

-


Unrealized and realized gains and losses on available-for-

sale
securities


(12

)

262

 ?

(203

)

(345

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

1,792

 ?

$

2,944

 ?

$

(24,587

)

$

(176

)

 ?

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 ?

Westmoreland Coal Company and Subsidiaries

Summary
Financial Information (Unaudited)


 ?
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2011
 ?

 ?
2010

(In thousands)
Cash Flow
 ?

 ?

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

34,028

$

37,584

Net cash used in investing activities

(15,495

)

(16,950

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

18,921

(15,083

)

 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?

September 30,

2011


 ?

 ?
December 31,

2010

(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data (Unaudited)

Total assets

$

768,967

$

750,306

Total debt

$

286,460

$

242,104

Working capital deficit

$

(5,906

)

$

(35,793

)

Total deficit

$

(174,368

)

$

(162,355

)

Common shares outstanding

13,762

11,161

 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?
Three Months Ended

September 30,
Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2011
 ?

 ?
2010
 ?

 ?
2011
 ?

 ?
2010

(In thousands)
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?

Coal

$

22,070

$

20,839

$

57,262

$

58,753

Power

7,441

7,761

20,152

18,644

Heritage

(4,076

)

(4,729

)

(12,062

)

(12,745

)

Corporate

(1,278

)

(1,067

)

(3,663

)

(4,234

)

Total

$

24,157

 ?

$

22,804

 ?

$

61,689

 ?

$

60,418

 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?
Three Months Ended

September 30,
Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2011
 ?

 ?
2010
 ?

 ?
2011
 ?

 ?
2010

(In thousands)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss)
 ?

 ?

 ?

 ?
Net income (loss)
$

1,575

$

2,418

$

(25,072

)

$

(621

)

 ?


Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing

 ? ?operations


(84

)

285

(705

)

149

Other loss (income)

(147

)

(17

)

2,630

(908

)

Interest income

(423

)

(603

)

(1,134

)

(1,380

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

-

17,030

-

Interest expense

7,650

5,756

22,262

17,246

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

11,612

10,964

33,861

33,435

Accretion of ARO and receivable

2,700

2,847

8,100

8,687

Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities

167

 ?

112

 ?

494

 ?

348

 ?
EBITDA
23,050

21,762

57,466

56,956

 ?

Loss on sale of assets

91

165

415

256

Share-based compensation

1,016

 ?

877

 ?

3,808

 ?

3,206

 ?
Adjusted EBITDA
$

24,157

 ?

$

22,804

 ?

$

61,689

 ?

$

60,418

 ?

 ?


EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of financial
performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with,
GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are included in this news release
because they are key metrics use d by management to assess the Company′s
operating performance and the Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company′s operating
performance because these measures:


Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a measure calculated in accordance
with GAAP. The items excluded from EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are
significant in assessing the Company′s operating results. EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be
considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, analysis of the
Company′s results as reported under GAAP. For example, EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA:


In addition, although depreciation and amortization are non-cash
charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to
be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect
any cash requirements for such replacements. Other companies in the
Company′s industry and in other industries may calculate EBITDA and
Adjusted EBITDA differently from the way that the Company does, limiting
their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations,
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of
discretionary cash available to the Company to invest in the growth of
its business. The Company compensates for these limitations by relying
primarily on its GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only
as supplemental data.

Westmoreland Coal Company

Kevin Paprzycki, 719-442-2600