Granite Construction Incorporated Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results

WATSONVILLE, Calif., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE: GVA) today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007. The Company reported net income for the quarter of $43.8 million, or $1.05 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $33.3 million, or $0.80 per diluted share for the same period last year. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, net income was $41.6 million or $1.00 per share on a diluted basis compared with $31.9 million or $0.77 per share for the same period in 2006.

William G. Dorey, president and chief executive officer, said, "I am very pleased with our financial results this quarter. Our branch business in the west achieved record gross margin results driven by excellent execution on a strong backlog of work. With regard to the large projects in our Granite East division, I am particularly encouraged by the profit potential of our backlog and the overall financial improvement we are beginning to see from this business."

Operating Results - Quarter and Year-To-Date

For the second quarter of 2007, total revenue decreased 5.1% to $770.9 million compared with $812.0 million a year ago. Total gross profit as a percent of revenue increased to 16.6% compared with 11.5% for the same period last year. Operating income increased to $66.9 million compared with $48.2 million for the second quarter of 2006.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, revenue totaled $1.26 billion compared with $1.31 billion for the same period last year. Total gross profit as a percent of revenue increased to 14.0% compared with 10.2% last year. Operating income increased to $61.3 million compared with $44.4 million for the same period in 2006.

Total Company backlog at June 30, 2007 remained flat at $2.5 billion compared to a year ago. New awards for the second quarter 2007 included the award of a $92.6 million highway project in Florida and a $37.3 million highway project in Texas. Also included in backlog at June 30, 2007 is approximately $47.6 million related to our 20% share of a joint venture project at the World Trade Center in New York.

General and Administrative expenses for the quarter totaled $65.1 million or 8.4% of revenue compared with $48.9 million or 6.0% of revenue in 2006. The $16.2 million increase is due primarily to increased personnel and related expenses to support our growth strategy, particularly in Granite West. Variable compensation increased due to higher income and greater participation in our incentive compensation plans in the 2007 periods.

Results by Segment

The following results by segment are presented reflecting changes to the Company's segment reporting structure. As of the quarter ended June 30, 2007, financial performance of our two largest operating units will be reported under two new segments; Granite West and Granite East. These new reportable segments conform to the Company's organizational and strategic realignment that was announced in February 2007. The Company formerly reported results under the Branch Division and Heavy Construction Division (HCD). Prior period results have been reclassified to conform to the new organizational structure.

Granite East revenue for the quarter totaled $218.0 million versus $292.8 million for the same period last year. Granite East backlog increased to $1.52 billion compared to $1.25 billion last year. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 6.6% compared with a negative 3.8% in the prior period. Operating income for Granite East totaled $7.1 million compared with an operating loss of $18.9 million for the same period in 2006. This improved performance was due primarily to a net positive impact from significant project forecast adjustments in the quarter compared to a net negative impact in the same period last year.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, Granite East revenue totaled $402.7 million compared with $528.9 million for the same period last year. Gross margin as a percent of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was 1.6% compared with a negative 2.7% last year. Operating loss for Granite East totaled $10.2 million for the six-month period compared with an operating loss of $31.0 million for the same period in 2006.

Granite West revenue for the quarter totaled $542.4 million, an increase of $56.9 million, or 11.7%, over the same period in 2007. Backlog for Granite West decreased to $986.3 million compared with $1.24 billion a year ago. Gross profit as a percent of revenue increased for the second quarter 2007 to 20.2% compared with 17.9% for the second quarter 2006 due to an increase in profitability on our construction work. Granite West operating income increased $14.2 million for the quarter to $75.7 million compared with $61.5 million for the second quarter last year.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, Granite West revenue totaled $840.5 million compared with $745.4 million for the same period last year. Gross profit as a percent of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased to 19.2% compared with 17.5% last year. Operating income for Granite West increased to $96.7 million for the same period compared with $80.3 million in 2006.

Outlook

The Company's outlook for Granite West in 2007 remains positive. However, there has been an increase in competition for public sector projects in California which may affect Granite West's ability to meet or exceed last year's record operating performance. While the Company did not anticipate that the projects funded by the ballot measures approved by California voters last November would have a significant impact on bottom line results in 2007, the delay in project lettings, coupled with the slowdown in the private sector market, is creating a more competitive public sector bidding environment in California than was experienced last year.

The Company believes Granite East should achieve breakeven operating results in 2007. This guidance reflects our current forecasts of large projects in the newly realigned Granite East business. As outlined below, the Granite East business includes the former HCD projects, less three projects that were reassigned to Granite West. The gross profit associated with the three reassigned projects for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2007 was $3.0 and $4.6 million, respectively.

Reporting Segment Profiles

Granite West is comprised of decentralized branch offices in the western United States that perform various heavy civil construction projects with a large portion of the work focused on new construction and improvement of streets, roads, highways and bridges as well as site preparation for housing and commercial development. Although most Granite West projects are started and completed within a year, the division also has the capability of constructing larger projects. Each of the 13 Granite West branch locations are aligned under one of three operating groups: Northwest, Northern California and Southwest.

All of the Company's revenue from the sale of construction materials is from Granite West. Each of the branch locations under Granite West operate facilities that process aggregates into construction materials for internal use or for sales to third parties. These activities are vertically integrated into the Granite West construction business, providing a source of profits and a competitive advantage to our construction business.

Granite East operates in the eastern portion of the United States with a focus on large, complex infrastructure projects including major highways, large dams, mass transit facilities, bridges, pipelines, canals, tunnels, waterway locks and dams, and airport infrastructure. Granite East operates out of three regional offices: the Central Region, based in Lewisville, Texas; the Southeast Region, based in Tampa, Florida; and the Northeast Region, based in Tarrytown, New York. Granite East construction contracts are typically greater than two years.

Projects Affecting New Segment Reporting Structure

    Three projects from the Company's legacy Heavy Construction Division were
reassigned to the new Granite West division. The following table shows the
impact to Granite West and Granite East revenue and gross profit relating to
these three projects:


                                  Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
            Granite West                 June 30,                June 30,
            (in thousands)           2007        2006        2007        2006
            Branch Division
             revenue             $511,862    $471,297    $793,304    $722,395
            Reassigned
             projects revenue      30,585      14,261      47,237      22,994
            Granite West
             Division revenue     542,447     485,558     840,541     745,389
            Branch Division
             gross profit         106,394      86,886     157,146     130,495
            Reassigned
             projects gross
             profit                 3,015          --       4,593          --
            Granite West
             Division gross
             profit               109,409      86,886     161,739     130,495



                                   Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
             Granite East                June 30,                June 30,
            (in thousands)           2007        2006        2007        2006
            Heavy Construction
             Division revenue    $248,613    $307,091    $449,914    $551,931
            Reassigned
             projects revenue     (30,585)    (14,261)    (47,237)    (22,994)
            Granite East
             Division revenue     218,028     292,830     402,677     528,937
            Heavy Construction
             Division gross
             profit (loss)         17,426     (11,242)     10,995     (14,200)
            Reassigned
             projects gross
             profit                (3,015)         --      (4,593)         --
            Granite East
             Division gross
             profit (loss)         14,411     (11,242)      6,402     (14,200)

The backlog related to the three projects reassigned was $199.1 million, $195.5 and $264.9 million at June 30, 2007, March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2006, respectively.

Financial Results

The financial information in this announcement reflects the Company's preliminary results subject to completion of the quarterly review. The final quarterly financial results will appear in Granite's Form 10-Q, which will be filed on or before August 9, 2007.

Conference Call

Granite will conduct a conference call tomorrow, July 26, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. ET/ 8:00 a.m. PT to discuss the results for the quarter. Access to a live audio webcast and presentation slides is available at www.graniteconstruction.com/investor-relations. The live conference call may be accessed by calling (877) 864-2735 in the U.S. and Canada and (706) 634- 7039 for international listeners. The conference ID for the call is 6841772. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay from approximately two hours after the live call through August 9, 2007 by calling (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291. The conference ID for the recording is 6841772.

About Granite

Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Midcap Index, the Domini 400 Social Index and the Russell 2000. Granite Construction Company, a wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the nation's largest diversified heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite Construction Company serves public and private sector clients through its offices and subsidiaries nationwide. For the 4th straight year, Granite was named to FORTUNE'S List of 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information about Granite, please visit their website at www.graniteconstruction.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represents our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events such as statements related to the existence of bidding opportunities and economic conditions on the Company's future results. Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that can be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "appears," "may," "will," "should," "look for," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy.

All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of operations and financial condition and other events, as well as the timing thereof, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Specific risk factors include, without limitation, changes in the composition of applicable federal and state legislation appropriation committees; federal and state appropriation changes for infrastructure spending; the general state of the economy; job productivity; accuracy of project estimates; weather conditions; competition and pricing pressures; and state referendums and initiatives. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. You should also understand that many important factors in addition to those discussed, referred to or incorporated by reference in this press release, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In light of these risks and uncertainties, it is important to be aware that the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Granite's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" and "Risk Factors" sections of Granite's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Granite's investor relations department at (831) 724-1011 or at Granite's website at www.graniteconstruction.com.

                        GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
                          COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL SUMMARY
                (Unaudited - In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                Three Months Ended
                                     June 30,                Variance
                                 2007        2006      Amount      Percent

    Revenue
     Construction              $660,384    $669,837     $(9,453)      (1.4)
     Material sales            $100,091    $108,551     $(8,460)      (7.8)
     Real estate                $10,401     $33,649    $(23,248)     (69.1)
      Total revenue            $770,876    $812,037    $(41,161)      (5.1)
    Cost of revenue
     Construction              $557,926    $621,843     $63,917       10.3
     Material sales             $78,878     $80,674      $1,796        2.2
     Real estate                 $6,438     $16,410      $9,972       60.8
      Total cost of revenue    $643,242    $718,927     $75,685       10.5
    Gross profit               $127,634     $93,110     $34,524       37.1
     Gross profit as a
      percent of revenue          16.6%       11.5%        5.1%         --
    General and
     administrative expenses    $65,130     $48,935    $(16,195)     (33.1)
     G&A expenses as a
      percent of revenue           8.4%        6.0%      (2.4%)         --
    Gain on sales of property
     and equipment               $4,346      $4,049        $297        7.3
    Other income (expense)
     Interest income             $6,439      $4,944      $1,495       30.2
     Interest expense           $(2,028)    $(1,391)      ($637)     (45.8)
     Equity in (loss) income
      of affiliates                $(29)       $828       $(857)      ****
     Other, net                   $(433)     $3,314     $(3,747)      ****
      Total other income         $3,949      $7,695     $(3,746)     (48.7)

    Income before provision
     for income taxes and
     minority interest          $70,799     $55,919     $14,880       26.6
    Minority interest           $(4,799)    $(5,585)       $786       14.1
    Net income                  $43,846     $33,289     $10,557       31.7

    Net income per share:
     Basic                        $1.07       $0.81       $0.26       32.1
     Diluted                      $1.05       $0.80       $0.25       31.3
    Weighted average shares
     of common stock:
     Basic                       41,096      40,896         200        0.5
     Diluted                     41,631      41,466         165        0.4

                                 Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,                Variance
                                 2007        2006      Amount       Percent

    Revenue
     Construction            $1,077,016  $1,104,145    $(27,129)      (2.5)
     Material sales            $166,202    $170,181     $(3,979)      (2.3)
     Real estate                $15,318     $33,679    $(18,361)     (54.5)
      Total revenue          $1,258,536  $1,308,005    $(49,469)      (3.8)
    Cost of revenue
     Construction              $942,080  $1,025,378     $83,298        8.1
     Material sales            $132,986    $132,447       $(539)      (0.4)
     Real estate                 $7,800     $16,835      $9,035       53.7
      Total cost of revenue  $1,082,866  $1,174,660     $91,794        7.8
    Gross profit               $175,670    $133,345     $42,325       31.7
     Gross profit as a
      percent of revenue          14.0%       10.2%        3.8%         --
    General and
     administrative expenses   $119,467     $97,191    $(22,276)     (22.9)
     G&A expenses as a
     percent of revenue            9.5%        7.4%      (2.1%)         --
    Gain on sales of
     property and equipment      $5,059      $8,287     $(3,228)     (39.0)
    Other income (expense)
     Interest income            $13,282      $9,677      $3,605       37.3
     Interest expense           $(3,114)    $(2,786)      $(328)     (11.8)
     Equity in (loss)
     income of affiliates          $322        $751       $(429)     (57.1)
     Other, net                   $(666)     $2,708     $(3,374)      ****
      Total other income         $9,824     $10,350       $(526)      (5.1)

    Income before provision
     for income taxes and
     minority interest          $71,086     $54,791     $16,295       29.7
    Minority interest           $(7,246)    $(6,652)      $(594)      (8.9)
    Net income                  $41,597     $31,867      $9,730       30.5

    Net income per share:
     Basic                        $1.01       $0.78       $0.23       29.5
     Diluted                      $1.00       $0.77       $0.23       29.9
    Weighted average shares
     of common stock:
     Basic                       41,044      40,818         226        0.6
     Diluted                     41,560      41,378         182        0.4

    **** Represents percentages greater than 100%



                        GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           (Unaudited - In thousands, except share and per share data)



                                                   June 30,      December 31,
                                                    2007           2006

                                      Assets

    Current assets
       Cash and cash equivalents                  $246,278           $204,893
       Short-term marketable securities             98,199            141,037
       Accounts receivable, net                    489,435            492,229
       Costs and estimated earnings in
        excess of billings                          39,710             15,797
       Inventories                                  53,320             41,529
       Real estate held for sale                    54,722             55,888
       Deferred income taxes                        36,015             36,776
       Equity in construction joint
        ventures                                    32,400             31,912
       Other current assets                         57,811             63,144

           Total current assets                  1,107,890          1,083,205

    Property and equipment, net                    490,328            429,966

    Long-term marketable securities                 61,582             48,948

    Investment in affiliates                        24,816             21,471

    Other assets                                    72,490             49,248

                 Total assets                   $1,757,106         $1,632,838


                       Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

    Current liabilities
       Current maturities of long-term debt        $35,040           $28,660
       Accounts payable                            268,054           257,612
       Billings in excess of costs and
        estimated earnings                         242,469           287,843
       Accrued expenses and other current
        liabilities                                223,311           189,328

           Total current liabilities               768,874           763,443

    Long-term debt                                 139,715            78,576

    Other long-term liabilities                     67,378            58,419

    Deferred income taxes                           19,478            22,324

    Minority interest in consolidated
     subsidiaries                                   30,675            15,532

    Shareholders' equity
       Preferred stock, $0.01 par value,
        authorized 3,000,000 shares; none
        outstanding                                     --                --
       Common stock, $0.01 par value,
        authorized 150,000,000 shares;
        issued and outstanding
        41,947,610 shares in
        2007 and 41,833,559 shares in 2006             419               418
       Additional paid-in capital                   81,293            78,620
       Retained earnings                           645,448           612,875
       Accumulated other comprehensive income        3,826             2,631

           Total shareholders' equity              730,986           694,544

                 Total liabilities and
                  shareholders' equity          $1,757,106        $1,632,838


                                                  June 30,        December 31,
    Financial Position                              2007               2006

       Working capital                            $339,016          $319,762
       Current ratio                                  1.44              1.42
       Debt to total capitalization                   0.19              0.13
       Total liabilities to equity ratio              1.40              1.35


                         GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
                           REVENUE AND BACKLOG ANALYSIS
                        (Unaudited - Dollars In Thousands)


                                 BY MARKET SECTOR

                                                 Revenue

                                 Three Months Ended June 30,       Variance
                                     2007          2006        Amount  Percent

      Public Sector                $545,784      $554,059      $(8,275)  (1.5)
      Private Sector                114,600       115,778       (1,178)  (1.0)
      Aggregate sales               100,091       108,551       (8,460)  (7.8)
      Real Estate                    10,401        33,649      (23,248) (69.1)
                                   $770,876      $812,037     $(41,161)  (5.1)

                                                 Backlog

                                       June 30,                  Variance
                                 2007            2006          Amount  Percent

      Public Sector           $2,315,479      $2,175,021      $140,458    6.5
      Private Sector             187,622         317,845      (130,223) (41.0)
                              $2,503,101      $2,492,866       $10,235    0.4


                                BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA

                                                    Revenue

                                     Three Months Ended June 30,    Variance
                                            2007      2006     Amount  Percent

      California                          $321,054  $333,215  $(12,161)  (3.6)
      West (Excl. CA)                      246,296   246,901      (605)  (0.2)
      Midwest                               26,594    19,162     7,432   38.8
      Northeast                             57,270    75,575   (18,305) (24.2)
      Southeast                             79,688    70,985     8,703   12.3
      South                                 39,974    66,199   (26,225) (39.6)
                                          $770,876  $812,037  $(41,161)  (5.1)

                                                 Backlog

                                            June 30,             Variance
                                        2007        2006      Amount   Percent

       California                      $436,591    $655,071  $(218,480) (33.4)
       West (Excl. CA)                  581,023     723,387   (142,364) (19.7)
       Midwest                          380,190      17,134    363,056   ****
       Northeast                        173,562     312,105   (138,543) (44.4)
       Southeast                        743,054     463,437    279,617   60.3
       South                            188,681     321,732   (133,051) (41.4)
                                     $2,503,101  $2,492,866    $10,235    0.4

     **** Represents percentages greater than 100%

SOURCE Granite Construction Incorporated