Granite Announces Improved First-Quarter 2011 Financial Results

    --  Revenue increased 16 percent from a year ago
    --  SG&A decreased 22 percent in the quarter to $43.4 million
    --  Net loss of $9.0 million compared with net loss in Q1 2010 of $41.0
        million
    --  $335 million in new awards through March 31, 2011
    --  Balance sheet remains strong, with $370.1 million in cash and marketable
        securities

WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE:GVA) today reported a net loss of $9.0 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011 compared with a net loss of $41.0 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010.

"During the first quarter, we began to see the progress we have made on our cost savings initiatives related to our Enterprise Improvement Plan," said Granite President and Chief Executive Officer
James H. Roberts. "We continue to execute on our plan to strengthen the organization by reducing our overall cost structure to allow us to operate more efficiently while also leveraging our core strengths and capabilities to grow the business and create shareholder value over the long-term."

First-quarter 2011 Financial Results

Total Company

    --  Revenue totaled $256.7 million compared with $220.7 million in 2010,
        driven largely by an increase in Large Project revenue.
    --  Gross profit margin was 12 percent compared with 3 percent in 2010,
        driven primarily by a large project in the East reaching the profit
        recognition threshold.
    --  Operating loss for the quarter was $10.7 million compared with $45.1
        million in the prior year.
    --  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter were
        $43.4 million compared with $55.3 million for the same period last year
        as a result of the Company's Enterprise Improvement Project implemented
        in late 2010.
    --  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in joint ventures
        was $1.8 million compared with $3.2 million in 2010.
    --  Total contract backlog at March 31, 2011, was $2.0 billion compared with
        $1.9 billion at December 31, 2010, and $1.6 billion at March 31, 2010.

Construction

    --  Construction revenue for the quarter increased $11.5 million to $92.7
        million due to a higher volume of work completed in the quarter compared
        to a year ago.
    --  Gross profit margin for the first quarter was 6 percent compared with 2
        percent a year ago.

Large Project Construction

    --  Large Project Construction revenue for the quarter increased $31.5
        million to $137.8 million reflecting continued progress on several
        projects including the Queens Bored Tunnels and Structures project in
        the East, the SR 520 project in Washington and the Mountain View
        Corridor project in Utah.
    --  Gross profit margin for the quarter increased to 23 percent compared
        with 9 percent for the same period last year. The increase reflects
        profitability associated with the Queens Bored Tunnel and Structures
        project reaching the percentage of completion threshold.

Construction Materials

    --  Construction Materials revenue for the quarter totaled $23.8 million
        compared with $26.2 million for the same period last year as the Company
        experienced reduced demand for asphalt materials.
    --  Gross loss on the sale of construction materials was $7.3 million in
        2011 compared with $7.1 million in 2010.

Outlook

"Despite the ongoing competitive climate, we are pleased with our bid results for the first quarter as well as the upcoming volume of opportunities to bid work across the country," said Roberts. "On the other hand, the ongoing delays associated with the federal highway bill and the budgetary pressures at the state and local levels are providing some uncertainty as we look further out."

For 2011, Granite expects Construction segment revenue to be $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion with a corresponding gross profit margin between 9 percent and 11 percent. Large Project Construction segment revenue is expected to be $650 million to $850 million with a corresponding gross profit margin of between 13 percent and 15 percent. Construction Materials segment revenue is expected to be $170 million to $200 million with corresponding gross profit margin between 7 percent and 9 percent. In addition, net income attributable to non-controlling interest in joint ventures for the total company is expected to be $15 million to $20 million.

Conference Call

Granite will conduct a conference call tomorrow, May 5, 2011, at 8 a.m. Pacific time/11 a.m. eastern time to discuss the results of the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Access to a live audio webcast is available at www.graniteconstruction.com/investor-relations. The live conference call may be accessed by calling (877) 693-6483. The conference ID for the live call is 61211343. The call will be recorded and will be available for replay approximately two hours after the live audio webcast through May 25, 2011 by calling (800) 642-1687. The conference ID for the replay is also 61211343.

About Granite

Granite is one of the nation's leading infrastructure contractors and is member of the S&P 400 Midcap Index, the FTSE KLD 400 Social Index and the Russell 2000 Index. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Granite is one of the nation's largest diversified heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers serving public- and private-sector clients nationwide. In addition, Granite has one of the oldest and most robust ethics and compliance programs in the industry. The Company was recently recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the second year in a row. For more information, please visit graniteconstruction.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Any statements contained in this news release that are not based on historical facts, including statements regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "future," "outlook," "assumes," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "appears," "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "continue," and the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology or by the context in which they are made. These forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the best judgment of senior management and reflect our current expectations regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based on beliefs, assumptions or estimates that may prove to be incorrect. In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond of our control, which could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those specifically described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under "Item 1A. Risk Factors."

Due to the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our forward-looking statements, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. The reader is also cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited - in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                         March 31,    December 31,  March 31,

                                           2011         2010          2010

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents                $ 240,768    $ 252,022     $ 222,095

Short-term marketable securities           83,084       109,447       76,963

Receivables, net                           170,441      243,986       197,658

Costs and estimated earnings in excess     33,302       10,519        33,445
of billings

Inventories                                56,899       51,018        49,483

Real estate held for development and       77,128       75,716        137,183
sale

Deferred income taxes                      52,583       53,877        31,150

Equity in construction joint ventures      78,773       74,716        71,693

Other current assets                       44,059       42,555        56,033

Total current assets                       837,037      913,856       875,703

Property and equipment, net                468,929      473,607       519,909

Long-term marketable securities            46,251       34,259        90,440

Investments in affiliates                  28,893       31,410        30,823

Other noncurrent assets                    83,478       82,401        80,371

Total assets                             $ 1,464,588  $ 1,535,533   $ 1,597,246

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities

Current maturities of long-term debt     $ 8,351      $ 8,359       $ 8,350

Current maturities of non-recourse debt    17,740       29,760        40,565

Accounts payable                           94,688       129,700       100,102

Billings in excess of costs and            113,347      120,185       142,935
estimated earnings

Accrued expenses and other current         144,584      150,773       156,374
liabilities

Total current liabilities                  378,710      438,777       448,326

Long-term debt                             216,852      217,014       225,203

Long-term non-recourse debt                30,454       25,337        16,895

Other long-term liabilities                47,943       47,996        52,471

Deferred income taxes                      11,048       10,774        27,217

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 38,634,470 shares as of    386          387           388
March 31, 2011, 38,745,542 shares as of
December 31, 2010 and 38,801,232 shares
as of March 31, 2010

Additional paid-in capital                 102,548      104,232       93,688

Retained earnings                          642,354      656,412       689,634

Total Granite Construction Incorporated    745,288      761,031       783,710
shareholders' equity

Noncontrolling interests                   34,293       34,604        43,424

Total equity                               779,581      795,635       827,134

Total liabilities and equity             $ 1,464,588  $ 1,535,533   $ 1,597,246



GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)

                                                 Three Months Ended

                                                 March 31,

                                                   2011         2010

Revenue

Construction                                     $ 92,692     $ 81,186

Large project construction                         137,820      106,325

Construction materials                             23,798       26,164

Real estate                                        2,421        7,008

Total revenue                                      256,731      220,683

Cost of revenue

Construction                                       87,139       79,340

Large project construction                         106,522      96,842

Construction materials                             31,068       33,289

Real estate                                        2,014        5,498

Total cost of revenue                              226,743      214,969

Gross profit                                       29,988       5,714

Selling, general and administrative expenses       43,372       55,292

Gain on sales of property and equipment            2,704        4,452

Operating loss                                     (10,680 )    (45,126 )

Other income (expense)

Interest income                                    1,244        939

Interest expense                                   (3,356  )    (3,734  )

Equity in loss of affiliates                       (257    )    (319    )

Other income, net                                  570          2,897

Total other expense                                (1,799  )    (217    )

Loss before benefit from income taxes              (12,479 )    (45,343 )

Benefit from income taxes                          (5,223  )    (7,613  )

Net loss                                           (7,256  )    (37,730 )

Amount attributable to noncontrolling interests    (1,751  )    (3,224  )

Net loss attributable to Granite Construction    $ (9,007  )  $ (40,954 )
Incorporated

Net loss per share attributable to common
shareholders:

Basic (1)                                        $ (0.24   )  $ (1.09   )

Diluted (1)                                      $ (0.24   )  $ (1.09   )

Weighted average shares of common stock:

Basic                                              37,963       37,688

Diluted                                            37,963       37,688

Note:

(1) Computed using the two-class method, except when in a net loss
position



GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited - in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31,                             2011         2010

Operating activities

Net loss                                               $ (7,256  )  $ (37,730  )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation, depletion and amortization                 15,291       18,662

Gain on sales of property and equipment                  (2,704  )    (4,452   )

Change in deferred income taxes                          1,568        (119     )

Stock-based compensation                                 3,149        3,158

Gain on company owned life insurance                     (550    )    (1,829   )

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects    (8,822  )    (2,044   )
of consolidations

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities      676          (24,354  )

Investing activities

Purchases of marketable securities                       (27,341 )    (47,511  )

Maturities of marketable securities                      24,000       -

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities              14,268       -

Additions to property and equipment                      (11,760 )    (14,712  )

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment            4,623        5,674

Purchase of private preferred stock                      -            (6,400   )

Distributions from affiliates                            1,325        -

Other investing activities, net                          (104    )    (453     )

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities      5,011        (63,402  )

Financing activities

Proceeds from long-term debt                             906          53

Long-term debt principal payments                        (7,235  )    (8,739   )

Cash dividends paid                                      (5,038  )    (5,023   )

Purchase of common stock                                 (3,515  )    (3,296   )

Distributions to noncontrolling partners, net            (2,062  )    (12,103  )

Other financing activities                               3            3

Net cash used in financing activities                    (16,941 )    (29,105  )

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                    (11,254 )    (116,861 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period         252,022      338,956

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period             $ 240,768    $ 222,095



GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

Business Segment Information

(Unaudited - dollars in thousands)

                          Three Months Ended March 31,

                          Construction  Large Project  Construction  Real Estate
                                        Construction   Materials

2011

Revenue                   $ 92,692      $ 137,820      $ 23,798      $ 2,421

Gross profit (loss)       $ 5,553       $ 31,298       $ (7,270 )    $ 407

Gross profit (loss) as a    6.0    %      22.7    %      -30.5  %      16.8  %
percent of revenue

2010

Revenue                   $ 81,186      $ 106,325      $ 26,164      $ 7,008

Gross profit (loss)       $ 1,846       $ 9,483        $ (7,125 )    $ 1,510

Gross profit (loss) as a    2.3    %      8.9     %      -27.2  %      21.5  %
percent of revenue



GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED

Contract Backlog by Segment

(Unaudited - dollars in thousands)

               March 31, 2011        December 31, 2010     March 31, 2010

Construction   $ 696,055    34.7  %  $ 465,271    24.5  %  $ 487,751    30.9  %

Large Project    1,307,622  65.3  %    1,433,899  75.5  %    1,091,251  69.1  %
Construction

Total          $ 2,003,677  100.0 %  $ 1,899,170  100.0 %  $ 1,579,002  100.0 %



 

 


    Source: Granite Construction Incorporated