|
ARCTIC GLACIER ANNOUNCES Q3 2002 RESULTS
Best Quarterly Results in Company's History
WINNIPEG, November 26, 2002 - Arctic Glacier Income Fund (TSX:AG.UN)
today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine
months ended September 30, 2002.
Third Quarter Highlights
· Sales increase by 6%, over record breaking Q3 2001 results
· EBITDA reaches new high of $19.6 million
· Net Earnings up 61% over same quarter in 2001
"We are pleased to report that we have set new records with
our third quarter 2002 financial results," said Robert Nagy,
Chairman and CEO, Arctic Glacier Income Fund. "This is the
second full quarter of operations as an income fund, and our results
reflect a number of benefits of the new structure."
Third Quarter and Nine Month Financial Review
Sales for the third quarter of 2002 totaled $44.6 million, an increase
of 6% compared to record breaking sales of $42.0 million in the
same period of 2001. This represents the highest level of quarterly
sales in the company's history. The increase can be attributed to
increased sales in existing markets, as no acquisitions were made
since the third quarter of 2001.
For the first nine months of 2002, sales totaled $80.3 million,
an increase of 3% compared to $78.2 million in the same period of
2001. Strong third quarter sales in 2002 has more than offset the
effect of the unseasonably cool spring and the disposition of non-core
operations earlier this year.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization (EBITDA)
and non-recurring expenses reached a new high of $19.6 million in
the third quarter of 2002, an increase of 9% compared to $18.0 million
in the third quarter of 2001. This was the combined result of increased
unit volumes and cost savings from the company's improvements in
efficiency and rationalization of operations. EBITDA for the nine
months ended September 30, 2002 totaled $25.5 million, an increase
of 1% compared to the record pace of $25.3 million for the same
period last year.
Net earnings for the third quarter were $11.0 million, an improvement
of $4.2 million or 61% compared to $6.9 million for the same period
in 2001. On per unit basis, earnings for the third quarter were
$0.70 per unit (basic) compared to $1.12 in 2001, as a result of
the larger number of units outstanding in 2002 subsequent to the
initial public offering of the Fund in March.
Net earnings for the nine months to date were $11.4 million, which
represents an improvement of $12.6 million compared to a year ago.
On a per unit basis, earnings for the first nine months of 2002
were $0.88 per unit (basic) compared to a loss of $0.23 per unit
for the same period in 2001.
Earnings from operations, comprised of earnings before taxes, gains
or losses on disposal of assets, and non-recurring charges, were
$16.6 million in the third quarter of 2002. This represents an increase
of 34% compared to $12.4 million for the third quarter of 2001.
This increase is attributable to an improvement in EBITDA and a
reduction in interest costs. For the nine months ended September
30, 2002, earnings from operations totaled $14.9 million, an increase
of 62% compared to $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2001.
Cash on hand at the end of the third quarter was $12.7 million,
an increase of $8.2 million compared to the same time last year.
The Fund declared distributions to unitholders totalling $4.1 million
or $0.2625 per unit during the quarter ended September 30, 2002.
From March 22, 2002 to September 30, 2002, distributions totaled
$8.6 million or $0.5525 per unit, equivalent to $1.05 per unit on
an annualized basis. Monthly distributions to the end of the third
quarter have been $0.0875.
Operational Review
The company's Canadian and U.S. sales regions, with the exception
of the southern U.S., enjoyed hot and dry weather during the month
of July. August remained hot and dry in the company's eastern Canadian
sales regions, although this was mitigated by unseasonably cooler
conditions in most of the other sales regions.
"The third quarter finished with a surge as seasonal norms
were restored in most sales regions in September, accompanied by
a return to more normal consumer patterns compared to a year ago,"
said Mr. Nagy. "We continue to realize the benefits of the
investments that we have made over the last several years in rationalizing
operations and improving efficiency."
Outlook
Going forward, Arctic Glacier Income Fund is in an exceptionally
strong position to continue organic growth and is examining opportunities
for accretive acquisitions. The Fund's operating company, Arctic
Glacier Inc., boasts efficient operations, well-established market
share, a solid financial position and seasoned management team that
make it a highly competitive player.
Forward Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which are subject
to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. A number of factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from the results
discussed in these forward-looking statements, and there is no assurance
that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are made as at the
date of this document, and the Fund assumes no obligation to update
or revise them, either publicly or otherwise, to reflect new events,
information or circumstances.
Arctic Glacier will host a conference call
with a live audio webcast on Tuesday, November 26, 2002
at 11:00 am (EST) for investors and analysts. To access
the simultaneous webcast, please visit Arctic Glacier's website
at www.arcticglacierinc.com
or CCN Matthew's website at www.cdn-news.com
for directions. Please note that the webcast allows participants
to listen only.
|
Arctic Glacier Income Fund, through its operating company, Arctic
Glacier Inc., is a leading producer, marketer and distributor of
high-quality packaged ice to consumers in Canada and the United
States under the brand name of Arctic Glacier® Premium Ice.
Arctic Glacier operates 17 production plants and 32 distribution
facilities across Canada and the central United States servicing
35,000 retail accounts.
Arctic Glacier Income Fund trust units are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the trading symbol AG.UN. There are 15.66 million
trust units outstanding.
Contact Information
For further information, call Arctic Glacier Inc. TOLL FREE at 1-888-573-9237
or visit the Arctic Glacier Web Site at www.arcticglacierinc.com
(Signed) On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Arctic Glacier Income
Fund, Robert Nagy, Chairman & CEO.
The Toronto Stock Exchange does not approve or disapprove of the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
|