Granite Construction Incorporated Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Results

WATSONVILLE, Calif., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE: GVA) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2006. Revenue for the quarter totaled $715.2 million compared with $679.6 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005. Revenue for the year totaled $2.96 billion compared with $2.64 billion in 2005.

The Company reported net income for the quarter of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, including $18.0 million for a write down of goodwill related to the Heavy Construction Division's Granite Northeast operation. On a pro forma non-GAAP basis, excluding this goodwill charge and the related tax benefits, net income for the fourth quarter 2006 was $11.6 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with $35.8 million, or $0.86 per diluted share for the same period last year. Pro forma non-GAAP net income for fiscal year 2006 was $89.2 million, or $2.15 per diluted share, compared with $83.2 million, or $2.02 per diluted share in the prior year.

The following table reconciles GAAP net income to net income on a pro forma non-GAAP basis (in thousands):

                               Three months ended          Years ended
                                  December 31,             December 31,
                                2006        2005         2006        2005

    GAAP net income              $628     $35,812      $78,220     $83,150
    Goodwill impairment
     charge                    18,011          --       18,011          --
    Tax benefit of goodwill
     impairment charge         (7,006)         --       (7,006)         --

    Non-GAAP net income       $11,633     $35,812      $89,225     $83,150

    Non-GAAP diluted
     earnings per share          0.28        0.86         2.15        2.02

"I am very pleased to report that 2006 was another record-breaking year for the Branch Division," said William G. Dorey, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am extremely proud of what our team was able to accomplish this year in both our construction and aggregate materials businesses. Thanks to mild weather in the West, we were able to work late into the season and have a strong finish to the year. More importantly, we are successfully capitalizing on what we consider to be one of the best construction markets in our history."

"Unfortunately, our fourth quarter and full-year 2006 financial results for HCD were considerably below our expectations. As outlined in our operational realignment announcement made today, we are implementing key strategic changes in our operating structure that will allow us to more effectively and profitably manage our large, complex projects. We are committed to doubling our efforts in all aspects of this business so that we can successfully capture the profit potential on this work."

He added, "As our financial results reflect, we are writing down the $18.0 million of goodwill from the 2001 acquisition of Halmar Builders of New York, Inc. While our performance to date does not support our original investment, we remain confident in our new management team and believe that the New York market will continue to present profitable opportunities for us going forward."

Operating Results -- Quarter and Year-To-Date

Total gross profit as a percent of revenue for the fourth quarter 2006 decreased to 7.2% compared with 15.6% for the same period last year.

Other income for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 was positively impacted primarily by interest income which increased $2.6 million to $7.4 million as a result of higher average yield on a higher level of interest- bearing investments.

Total gross profit as a percent of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 decreased to 9.8% compared with 12.1% last year. Operating income for the year decreased to $83.3 million compared with $134.9 million for the same period in 2005. Total company backlog at December 31, 2006 was essentially flat at $2.3 billion.

Results by Segment

Branch Division revenue for the quarter totaled $472.3 million, an increase of $70.4 million or 18% over the same period in 2005. Backlog for the Branch Division increased to $807.6 million compared with $728.3 million for the fourth quarter 2005. Gross profit as a percent of revenue increased for the fourth quarter 2006 to 21.6% compared with 19.1% for the fourth quarter 2005 due to record levels of profitability on our construction work and the sales of our construction materials. Branch Division operating income increased $27.5 million for the quarter to a record $79.4 million compared with $51.8 million for the fourth quarter last year. The increase includes approximately $4.8 million for the partial reversal of a previously recorded legal provision related to settlement of a civil lawsuit in Nevada.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, Branch Division revenue totaled $1.8 billion compared with $1.6 billion for the same period last year. Gross profit as a percent of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased to 19.7% compared with 16.0% last year. Operating income for the division increased to a record $264.5 million for the same period compared with $153.7 million in 2005.

HCD revenue for the quarter totaled $242.6 million versus $260.7 million for the same period last year. HCD backlog decreased to $1.4 billion compared with $1.6 billion as of year end 2005. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was a loss of 21.0% compared with a profit of 6.8% in the prior period. This decrease reflects a net reduction in gross profit of approximately $70.0 million resulting from changes in estimates of project profitability compared with a net increase of $1.5 million from such changes in the fourth quarter last year. Largely as a product of these estimate changes in the fourth quarter 2006, operating loss for HCD totaled $76.5 million compared with operating income of $4.3 million for the same period in 2005.

The two largest downward forecast adjustments affecting the fourth quarter were on the State Route 22 Design-Build project in Southern California and the US-20 Design-Build project in Oregon. The Company believes it has strong contractual support for additional revenue on both projects and is hopeful that it will recover these costs through negotiations with the owners. However, there is no guarantee of recovery and no additional revenue recognition is reflected in our financial results.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, HCD revenue totaled $1.1 billion compared with $1.0 billion for the same period last year. Gross margin as a percent of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 was a loss of 8.5% compared with a profit of 4.9% last year. Operating loss for HCD totaled $142.6 million in 2006 compared with operating income of $12.5 million in 2005.

Business Outlook

The outlook for the Branch Division in 2007 is extremely positive. Driven by healthy funding levels and strong local economies, the branches continue to experience one of the best public sector construction markets they have witnessed in many years. Pricing for construction materials is expected to be healthy in 2007 as demand for aggregates from both the public and private sector remains strong.

The Company is currently forecasting HCD to break even in 2007 followed by a return to acceptable operating margins as the existing backlog is worked off and the benefits of the organizational realignment are realized.

Financial Results

The financial information in this announcement reflects the Company's preliminary results subject to completion of the annual audit. Audited financial results will appear in Granite's Form 10-K, which will be filed on or before March 1, 2007.

Use of Non-GAAP Financials

In addition, to supplement the GAAP financial information, we have provided non-GAAP net income and earnings per share information that exclude the $18.0 million ($11.0 million net of tax) non-cash write down of goodwill. The goodwill impairment was primarily due to our recent reevaluation of our strategy in New York, which was largely driven by continuing losses. We are providing this information because we believe doing so provides a more meaningful and consistent comparison of our ongoing operating results compared with historical results. A table reconciling the GAAP financial information to non-GAAP information is included in today's release.

Conference Call

Granite will conduct a conference call today at 2:30 p.m. PT/ 5:30 p.m. ET to discuss its financial results and organizational realignment. The conference call will be webcast live and can be accessed at http://www.graniteconstruction.com/investor-relations. The live conference call may also be accessed by calling (877) 864-2735 in the U.S. and Canada and (706) 634-7039 for international listeners. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the live call through Friday, March 2nd by calling (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291. The conference ID for both the live call and the replay is 6555946.

Company Description

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

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 http://www.graniteconstruction.com.

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

                             Three Months Ended
                                December 31,                  Variance

    Operations                2006         2005       Amount      Percent


    Revenue
      Construction        $608,624     $583,831      $24,793          4.2
      Material sales      $106,603      $95,721      $10,882         11.4
        Total revenue     $715,227     $679,552      $35,675          5.2
    Cost of revenue
      Construction        $581,661     $501,690     $(79,971)       (15.9)
      Material sales       $82,423      $71,838     $(10,585)       (14.7)
        Total cost of
         revenue          $664,084     $573,528     $(90,556)       (15.8)
      Gross profit         $51,143     $106,024     $(54,881)       (51.8)
        Gross profit as a
         percent of
         revenue              7.2%        15.6%        (8.4%)          --
    General and
     administrative
     expenses              $48,530      $53,767       $5,237          9.7
      G&A expenses as a
       percent of
       revenue                6.8%         7.9%         1.1%           --
    Provision for legal
     judgment              $(4,800)          --       $4,800           --
    Impairment of
     goodwill              $18,011           --     $(18,011)          --
    Gain on sales of
     property and
     equipment                $891       $3,579      $(2,688)       (75.1)

    Other income (expense)
      Interest income       $7,380       $4,753       $2,627         55.3
      Interest expense       $(387)     $(1,531)      $1,144         74.7
      Equity in income
       of affiliates          $636       $1,489        $(853)       (57.3)
      Other, net             $(96)       $1,806      $(1,902)        ****
        Total other
         income             $7,533       $6,517       $1,016         15.6

    Income (loss) before
     provision for
     (benefit from)
     income taxes and
     minority interest     $(2,174)     $62,353     $(64,527)        ****
    Minority interest         $951      $(8,447)      $9,398         ****
    Net income                $628      $35,812     $(35,184)       (98.2)

    Net income per share:
      Basic                  $0.02        $0.88       $(0.86)       (97.7)
      Diluted                $0.02        $0.86       $(0.84)       (97.7)

    Weighted average
     shares of common
     stock:
      Basic                 40,935       40,676          259          0.6
      Diluted               41,581       41,417          164          0.4


                              Year Ended
                              December 31,                 Variance

    Operations             2006          2005         Amount      Percent


    Revenue
      Construction      $2,554,745   $2,307,062     $247,683         10.7
      Material sales      $410,159     $334,290      $75,869         22.7
        Total revenue   $2,964,904   $2,641,352     $323,552         12.2
    Cost of revenue
      Construction      $2,361,155   $2,060,680    $(300,475)       (14.6)
      Material sales      $313,329     $261,300     $(52,029)       (19.9)
        Total cost of
         revenue        $2,674,484   $2,321,980    $(352,504)       (15.2)
    Gross profit          $290,420     $319,372     $(28,952)        (9.1)
      Gross profit as
       a percent of
       revenue                9.8%        12.1%        (2.3%)          --

    General and
     administrative
     expenses             $204,281     $183,392     $(20,889)       (11.4)
      G&A expenses
       as a percent
       of revenue             6.9%         6.9%           --           --

    Provision for
     legal judgment        $(4,800)      $9,300      $14,100         ****
    Impairment of
     goodwill              $18,011           --     $(18,011)          --
    Gain on sales of
     property and
     equipment             $10,408       $8,235       $2,173         26.4
    Other income
     (expense)
      Interest income      $24,112      $11,573      $12,539         ****
      Interest expense     $(4,492)     $(6,932)      $2,440         35.2
      Equity in income
       of affiliates        $2,157       $1,497         $660         44.1
      Other, net            $2,604       $1,258       $1,346         ****
        Total other
         income            $24,381       $7,396      $16,985         ****

    Income (loss)
     before provision
     for (benefit from)
     income taxes and
     minority interest    $107,717     $142,311     $(34,594)       (24.3)
    Minority interest       $7,720     $(17,748)     $25,468         ****
    Net income             $78,220      $83,150      $(4,930)        (5.9)

    Net income per share:
      Basic                  $1.91        $2.05       $(0.14)        (6.8)
      Diluted                $1.89        $2.02       $(0.13)        (6.4)
    Weighted average
     shares of common
     stock:
      Basic                 40,874       40,614          260          0.6
      Diluted               41,471       41,249          222          0.5


    **** Represents percentages greater than 100%


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

                                                 December 31,     December 31,
                                                    2006              2005

                                      Assets

    Current assets
       Cash and cash equivalents                  $204,893          $199,881
       Short-term marketable securities            141,037            68,540
       Accounts receivable, net                    492,229           476,453
       Costs and estimated earnings in
        excess of billings                          15,797            43,660
       Inventories                                  41,529            33,161
       Real estate held for sale                    55,888            46,889
       Deferred income taxes                        38,237            22,996
       Equity in construction joint
        ventures                                    31,912            27,408
       Other current assets                         63,144            57,960

           Total current assets                  1,084,666           976,948

    Property and equipment, net                    429,966           397,111

    Long-term marketable securities                 48,948            32,960

    Investment in affiliates                        21,471            15,855

    Other assets                                    50,798            49,356

                 Total assets                   $1,635,849        $1,472,230

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

    Current liabilities
       Current maturities of long-term
        debt                                       $28,660           $26,888
       Accounts payable                            257,612           232,807
       Billings in excess of costs and
        estimated earnings                         292,543           208,883
       Accrued expenses and other current
        liabilities                                189,928           140,569

           Total current liabilities               768,743           609,147

    Long-term debt                                  78,576           124,415

    Other long-term liabilities                     58,419            46,556

    Deferred income taxes                           22,324            37,325

    Minority interest in consolidated
     subsidiaries                                   15,532            33,227

    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 in 2006 and 100,000,000
        shares in 2005;
          issued and outstanding
           41,833,559 shares in
          2006 and 41,682,010 shares in
           2005                                        418               417
       Additional paid-in capital                   78,620            80,619
       Retained earnings                           610,586           549,101
       Accumulated other comprehensive
        income                                       2,631             1,602
       Unearned compensation                            --           (10,179)

           Total shareholders' equity              692,255           621,560

                 Total liabilities and
                  shareholders' equity          $1,635,849        $1,472,230


                                                 December 31,     December 31,
    Financial Position                              2006               2005

       Working capital                            $315,923          $367,801
       Current ratio                                  1.41              1.60
       Debt to total capitalization                   0.13              0.20
       Total liabilities to equity ratio              1.36              1.37


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


                                 BY MARKET SECTOR

                                                   Revenue

                                Year Ended December 31,          Variance
                                 2006            2005         Amount  Percent

      Public Sector           $2,021,301      $1,808,026     $213,275  11.8
      Private Sector             533,444         499,036       34,408   6.9
      Aggregate sales            410,159         334,290       75,869  22.7
                              $2,964,904      $2,641,352     $323,552  12.2

                                                    Backlog

                                     December 31,                 Variance
                                 2006            2005          Amount  Percent

      Public Sector           $2,066,950      $2,083,824      $(16,874)  (0.8)
      Private Sector             189,037         247,716       (58,679) (23.7)
                              $2,255,987      $2,331,540      $(75,553)  (3.2)


                                BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA

                                                   Revenue

                                      Year Ended December 31,     Variance
                                         2006        2005      Amount  Percent

      California                      $1,294,323  $1,028,041  $266,282   25.9
      West (Excl. CA)                    866,092     788,682    77,410    9.8
      Midwest                             58,726      92,931   (34,205) (36.8)
      Northeast                          281,552     324,477   (42,925) (13.2)
      Southeast                          244,233     176,088    68,145   38.7
      South                              219,978     231,133   (11,155)  (4.8)
                                      $2,964,904  $2,641,352  $323,552   12.2

                                                     Backlog

                                           December 31,          Variance
                                         2006        2005      Amount  Percent

       California                       $559,169    $598,914  $(39,745)  (6.6)
       West (Excl. CA)                   516,614     585,269   (68,655) (11.7)
       Midwest                           443,909      76,464   367,445   ****
       Northeast                         248,605     491,944  (243,339) (49.5)
       Southeast                         272,881     224,549    48,332   21.5
       South                             214,809     354,400  (139,591) (39.4)
                                      $2,255,987  $2,331,540  $(75,553)  (3.2)

     **** Represents percentages greater than 100%

SOURCE Granite Construction Incorporated