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Vertex Energy Announces First Quarter 2024 Results and Optimization of Hydrocracking Capacity From Renewables to Conventional Production

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Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTNR) announced its operational and financial results for Q1 2024, showcasing a safe operation of its Mobile, Alabama refinery with increased Adjusted EBITDA and decreased operating expenses. The company plans to optimize hydrocracking capacity between conventional and renewable production. The strategic decision to pause renewable business and pivot to conventional fuels is expected to enhance long-term value potential and improve financials.

Positive
  • Increased Adjusted EBITDA to $18.6 million driven by a 28% improvement in crack spreads compared to the previous quarter.

  • Managed to reduce direct operating expenses by 11% and capital expenditures by 29% compared to previous guidance.

  • Achieved renewable diesel throughput of 4,090 bpd in line with previous guidance.

  • Reported total cash and cash equivalents of $65.7 million, including restricted cash of $3.6 million.

  • Optimizing hydrocracker capacity from renewable diesel to conventional fuels is expected to contribute to additional upgraded conventional product volumes in Q4 2024, enhancing long-term value potential.

Negative
  • The Mobile Renewable Diesel facility operations generated a gross loss of $(10.5) million in Q1 2024.

  • Vertex reported a net loss attributable to the Company of ($17.7) million in Q1 2024.

  • The Company had total debt outstanding of $284 million as of March 31, 2024, with a net debt position of $218.5 million.

  • Renewable diesel production experienced a gross margin decrease in Q1 2024.

  • The strategic pause of renewable business may impact short-term financial performance.

Insights

Analyzing Vertex Energy's Q1 2024 financial results reveals a mixed financial scenario. On the positive side, the increased Adjusted EBITDA to $18.6 million, driven by a 28% improvement in crack spreads, indicates better operational efficiency and profitability in the conventional refining segment. This is a significant uptick when compared to the previous quarter's negative EBITDA, showcasing improved market conditions for the company's products. However, a net loss of <$money>17.7 million, despite being an improvement from the Q4 2023 net loss, suggests that Vertex Energy is still facing challenges in achieving net profitability. The strategic decision to pivot from renewable diesel production to conventional fuels hints at adaptability in the face of macroeconomic headwinds, but investors should consider the risks associated with abandoning a growing renewable sector. The planned pivot aligns with a scheduled catalyst change, which seems to be a well-timed strategic decision to minimize additional costs for the transition. The reported cash and cash equivalents of <$money>65.7 million provide Vertex with a buffer for operational needs and strategic maneuvers. However, an investor should weigh this against the total debt of <$money>284 million when assessing the company's financial health. Given the dynamic and volatile nature of the energy market, this strategic shift may offer a short-term improvement in margins, but investors should remain alert to the long-term implications of forgoing investment in renewables. Rating score reflects a cautiously optimistic view of the company's immediate future, with the caveat that long-term success may hinge on the future of energy markets and the company's ability to navigate them.

From a market perspective, Vertex Energy's operational shift reflects broader trends in the energy sector, where companies are constantly balancing between traditional fossil fuels and the rising demand for renewables. The reported conventional throughput of 64,065 barrels per day indicates robust demand for the company's products. Still, the strategic pause of renewable diesel production raises questions about the long-term positioning within the energy transition narrative. The fuel gross margin of $73.6 million in the conventional segment is a strong indicator of the current profitability of traditional fuel markets. Nonetheless, Vertex's ability to quickly pivot its hydrocracker from renewables back to conventional fuels showcases a tactical flexibility that may be advantageous in navigating short-term market fluctuations. It is essential for investors to track crack spreads and the company's fuel gross margin as indicators of ongoing operational success. In the current energy environment, agility and adaptability are key; Vertex's approach to its hydrocracking capacity could provide a competitive edge if market conditions for renewables do not improve. This strategic redirection, if successful, may result in Vertex establishing a stronger foothold in the conventional fuels market. However, investors should be cautious as a long-term commitment to fossil fuels may have implications in the context of global energy policies and demand shifts toward cleaner energy sources. Rating acknowledges the immediate benefits but also the necessary vigilance required in the evolving energy industry landscape.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTNR) ("Vertex" or the "Company"), a leading specialty refiner and marketer of high-quality refined products and renewable fuels, today announced its operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2024. The Company also announced that it plans to optimize its hyrdrocracking capacity between conventional production and renewables production moving forward.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2024 results today, at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time. Details regarding the conference call are included at the end of this release.

Highlights for the first quarter of 2024 and through the date of this press release include:

  • Continued safe operation of the Company’s Mobile, Alabama refinery (the “Mobile Refinery”) with first quarter 2024 conventional throughput of 64,065 barrels per day (bpd), above the high end of prior guidance;
  • Reduced net loss attributable to the Company to ($17.7) million, or ($0.19) per fully-diluted share compared to the fourth quarter 2023;
  • Increased Adjusted EBITDA to $18.6 million driven by 28% improvement in crack spreads compared to the fourth quarter of 2023;
  • Decreased direct operating expense by 11% and capital expenditures by 29% compared to previous guidance midpoints;
  • Achieved renewable diesel (“RD”) throughput of 4,090 bpd, in line with previous guidance; and
  • Reported total cash and cash equivalents of $65.7 million, including restricted cash of $3.6 million.

Highlights for the strategic redirection of the Company’s renewable business:

  • Announced a production pause and pivot regarding the Company’s renewable business;
    • Optimizing the Mobile Refinery hydrocracker capacity from renewable diesel to conventional fuels;
    • Expect to deplete Company inventories of renewable feedstocks prior to the conversion;
    • Conversion will be timed with a planned catalyst change and maintenance turnaround that was already scheduled for 2024, after which hydrocracker production is expected to contribute additional upgraded conventional product volumes in Q4 2024; and
    • Opportunity to optimize hydrocracker production in conventional service while maintaining the proven renewable diesel production flexibility when market conditions warrant.

Note: Schedules reconciling the Company’s generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP financial results, including Adjusted EBITDA and certain key performance indicators, are included later in this release (see also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators”, below).

Mr. Benjamin P. Cowart, Vertex’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We had a strong operational and financial quarter, as we maintained our commitment to operating safely and reliably. We saw an improved crack spread environment, which drove our Adjusted EBITDA higher by over $50 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Additionally, we saw conventional throughput above our guidance and managed direct operating costs and capital expenditures below our guidance.

“Over the past few years, we have made material advancements and strategic decisions to grow Vertex. For the past two years we have operated safely and efficiently while investing capital into upgrading the Mobile Refinery. We built in flexibility with our capital spend to allow us to redeploy our renewable equipment back into conventional production if our strategy required adjustment. Due to the significant macroeconomic headwinds over the past 12 months, many of which we believe will continue to occur over the next 18 months and potentially beyond, we have decided to strategically pause our renewable diesel business and pivot to producing conventional fuels from the hydrocracker unit. We plan to reconfigure the hydrocracker in conjunction with a planned turnaround on the unit.”

Mr. Cowart continued, “I am appreciative of the team for their work in proving the hydrocracker in renewables service, obtaining multiple pathway approvals, and successfully incorporating a wide variety of renewable feedstocks. In the future, based on economics and macro conditions, we expect to optimize our hydrocracker capacity between conventional and renewables service. We believe this flexibility to produce based on market demand materially enhances our unit’s long-term value potential. Our engineering and operations teams have worked diligently to preserve our optionality for the unit and to not degrade our ability to produce conventional products. We now have a more robust hydrocracking unit in either service mode. Relative to what’s currently available for renewables, we believe that this shift will allow us to optimize available returns through higher yield capabilities and higher margin opportunities for conventional products. When modeling the unit in conventional service against first quarter 2024 historical data, we estimate the unit could have significantly improved our results providing an additional fuel gross margin contribution of roughly $40 million on conventional fuels.”

Mr. Cowart concluded, “Our strategic priorities remain focused on increasing our cash position, reducing our operating costs, and improving margins. We believe that this decision, to allow for more optionality in the hydrocracking unit, is not only prudent but a necessary step toward accomplishing these for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.”

MOBILE REFINERY OPERATIONS

Total conventional throughput at the Mobile Refinery was 64,065 bpd in the first quarter of 2024. Total production of finished high-value, light products, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, represented approximately 64% of total production in the first quarter of 2024, vs. 66% in the fourth quarter of 2023, and in line with management’s original expectations, reflecting a continued successful yield optimization initiative at the Mobile conventional refining facility.

The Mobile Refinery’s conventional operations generated a gross profit of $37.5 million and $73.6 million of fuel gross margin (a key performance indicator (KPI) discussed below) or $12.63 per barrel during the first quarter of 2024, versus generating a gross profit of $7.3 million, and fuel gross margin of $29.6 million, or $4.79 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Total renewable throughput at the Mobile Renewable Diesel facility was 4,090 bpd in the first quarter of 2024. Total production of renewable diesel was 4,003 bpd reflecting a product yield of 98%.

The Mobile Renewable Diesel facility operations generated a gross loss of $(10.5) million and $3.8 million of fuel gross margin (a KPI discussed below) or $10.29 per barrel during the first quarter of 2024.

Renewable Business Pause and Pivot

During the second quarter of 2024, Vertex is pausing renewable fuels production and redirecting the hydrocracking unit to conventional fuels and products. The Company had a previously planned catalyst and maintenance turnaround scheduled for 2024. It will use that planned turnaround to load conventional catalyst and bring the unit out of turnaround in conventional service. In addition, the total cost of about $10 million was previously budgeted as part of the planned catalyst and maintenance turnaround and does not represent a material change to our forecasted capital spend. During the second quarter, Vertex is running the remaining Company inventories of renewable feedstock, which is expected to allow the Company to improve its working capital and margins in the second quarter from the renewable business.

First Quarter 2024 Mobile Refinery Results Summary ($/millions unless otherwise noted)

Conventional Fuels Refinery

4Q23

TTM

1Q24

 

 

 

 

Total Throughput (bpd)

67,083

71,922

64,065

Total Throughput (MMbbl)

6.17

26.32

5.83

Conventional Facility Capacity Utilization1

89.4%

95.9%

85.4%

 

 

 

 

Direct Opex Per Barrel ($/bbl)

$2.46

$2.74

$2.75

Fuel Gross Margin ($/MM)

$29.6

$288.5

$73.6

Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel ($/bbl)

$4.79

$10.96

$12.63

 

 

 

 

Production Yield

 

 

 

Gasoline (bpd)

17,826

17,388

14,678

% Production

25.9%

24.0%

22.9%

ULSD (bpd)

14,510

15,014

13,441

% Production

21.1%

21.6%

21.0%

Jet (bpd)

12,937

13,735

12,595

% Production

18.8%

19.8%

19.6%

Total Finished Fuel Products

45,273

46,137

40,714

% Production

65.9%

63.7%

63.5%

Other2

23,457

26,300

23,428

% Production

34.1%

37.9%

36.5%

Total Production (bpd)

68,730

72,437

64,142

Total Production (MMbbl)

6.32

26.51

5.84

 

 

 

Renewable Fuels Refinery

4Q23

TTM

1Q24

 

 

 

 

Total Renewable Throughput (bpd)

3,926

3,980

4,090

Total Renewable Throughput (MMbbl)

0.36

1.46

0.37

Renewable Diesel Facility Capacity Utilization3

49.1%

49.8%

51.1%

 

 

 

 

Direct Opex Per Barrel ($/bbl)

$27.32

$25.93

$25.20

Renewable Fuel Gross Margin

$4.4

$7.5

$3.8

Renewable Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel ($/bbl)

$12.11

$5.13

$10.29

 

 

 

 

Renewable Diesel Production (bpd)

3,786

3,822

4,003

Renewable Diesel Production (MMbbl)

0.35

1.40

0.36

Renewable Diesel Production Yield (%)

96.4%

96.0%

97.9%

1) Assumes 75,000 barrels per day of conventional operational capacity 2) Other includes naphtha, intermediates, and LNG 3) Assumes 8,000 barrels per day of renewable fuels operational capacity

First Quarter 2024 Financial Update

Vertex reported first quarter 2024 net loss attributable to the Company of ($17.7) million, or ($0.19) per fully-diluted share, versus net loss attributable to the Company of ($63.9) million, or ($0.68) per fully-diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $18.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of ($35.1) million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The improvement in quarter-over-quarter results was primarily driven by improved crack spread pricing, in Vacuum Gas Oil (“VGO”) and gasoline finished products.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity Update

As of March 31, 2024, Vertex had total debt outstanding of $284 million, including $15.2 million in 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes, $196.0 million outstanding on the Company’s Term Loan, finance lease obligations of $68.1 million, and $5.0 million in other obligations. The Company had total cash and equivalents of $65.7 million, including $3.6 million of restricted cash on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2024, for a net debt position of $218.5 million.

As previously announced on January 2, 2024, the Company reached an agreement with its existing lending group to modify certain terms and conditions of the current term loan agreement. The amended term loan provided an incremental $50.0 million in borrowings, the full amount of which was borrowed upon closing on December 29, 2023 and therefore was reflected in Vertex’s year end 2023 cash position.

Vertex management continuously monitors current market conditions to assess expected cash generation and liquidity needs against its available cash position, using the forward crack spreads in the market. Additionally, the Company continues to evaluate strategic financial opportunities seeking further enhancements to its current liquidity position.

Management Outlook

All guidance presented below is current as of the time of this release and is subject to change. All prior financial guidance should no longer be relied upon.

Conventional Fuels

2Q 2024

Operational:

Low

High

Mobile Refinery Conventional Throughput Volume (Mbpd)

68.0

72.0

Capacity Utilization

91%

96%

Production Yield Profile:

 

 

Percentage Finished Products1

64%

68%

Intermediate & Other Products2

36%

32%

 

Renewable Fuels

2Q 2024

Operational:

Low

High

Mobile Refinery Renewable Throughput Volume (Mbpd)

2.0

4.0

Capacity Utilization

25%

50%

Production Yield

96%

98%

Yield Loss

4%

2%

 

Consolidated

2Q 2024

Operational:

Low

 

High

Mobile Refinery Total Throughput Volume (Mbpd)

70.0

 

76.0

Capacity Utilization

84%

 

92%

 

 

 

 

Financial Guidance:

 

 

 

Direct Operating Expense ($/bbl)

$4.11

 

$4.46

Capital Expenditures ($/MM)

$20.00

 

$25.00

 

 

 

 

 

1.) Finished products include gasoline, ULSD, and Jet A

2.) Intermediate & Other products include Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO), Liquified Petroleum Gases (LPGs), and Vacuum Tower Bottoms (VTBs)

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

A conference call will be held today, May 9, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time to review the Company’s financial results, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer session. An audio webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials will also be available in the “Events and Presentation” section of Vertex’s website at www.vertexenergy.com. To listen to a live broadcast, visit the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.

To participate in the live teleconference:

Domestic: (888) 350-3870
International: (646) 960-0308

Conference ID: 8960754

A replay of the teleconference will be available in the “Events and Presentation” section of Vertex’s website at www.vertexenergy.com for up to one year following the conference call.

ABOUT VERTEX ENERGY

Vertex Energy is a leading energy transition company that specializes in producing high-purity fuels and products from conventional, sustainable, and renewable feedstocks. The Company’s innovative solutions are designed to enhance the performance of our customers and partners while also prioritizing sustainability, safety, and operational excellence. With a commitment to providing superior products and services, Vertex Energy is dedicated to shaping the future of the energy industry.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the matters discussed in this communication which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “strategy,” “expects,” “continues,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “would,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “targets” and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. The important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s projected Outlook for the second quarter of 2024, the costs associated with, and outcome of the Company’s plans to optimize conventional fuel and renewable diesel production moving forward,, as discussed above; statements concerning: the Company’s engagement of BofA Securities, Inc., as previously disclosed; the review and evaluation of potential joint ventures, divestitures, acquisitions, mergers, business combinations, or other strategic transactions, the outcome of such review, and the impact on any such transactions, or the review thereof, and their impact on shareholder value; the process by which the Company engages in evaluation of strategic transactions; the Company’s ability to identify potential partners; the outcome of potential future strategic transactions and the terms thereof; the future production of the Company’s Mobile Refinery; anticipated and unforeseen events which could reduce future production at the refinery or delay future capital projects, and changes in commodity and credit values; throughput volumes, production rates, yields, operating expenses and capital expenditures at the Mobile Refinery; the timing of, and outcome of, the evaluation and associated carbon intensity scoring of the Company’s feedstock blends by officials in the state of California; the ability of the Company to obtain low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) credits, and the amounts thereof; the need for additional capital in the future, including, but not limited to, in order to complete capital projects and satisfy liabilities, the Company’s ability to raise such capital in the future, and the terms of such funding, including dilution caused thereby; the timing of capital projects at the Company’s refinery located in Mobile, Alabama (the “Mobile Refinery”) and the outcome of such projects; the future production of the Mobile Refinery, including but not limited to, renewable diesel and conventional production and the breakdown between the two; estimated and actual production and costs associated with the renewable diesel capital project; estimated revenues, margins and expenses, over the course of the agreement with Idemitsu; anticipated and unforeseen events which could reduce future production at the Mobile Refinery or delay planned and future capital projects; changes in commodity and credits values; certain early termination rights associated with third party agreements and conditions precedent to such agreements; certain mandatory redemption provisions of the outstanding senior convertible notes, the conversion rights associated therewith, and dilution caused by conversions and/or the exchanges of convertible notes; the Company’s ability to comply with required covenants under outstanding senior notes and a term loan and to pay amounts due under such senior notes and term loan, including interest and other amounts due thereunder; the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; the level of competition in the Company’s industry and its ability to compete; the Company’s ability to respond to changes in its industry; the loss of key personnel or failure to attract, integrate and retain additional personnel; the Company’s ability to protect intellectual property and not infringe on others’ intellectual property; the Company’s ability to scale its business; the Company’s ability to maintain supplier relationships and obtain adequate supplies of feedstocks; the Company’s ability to obtain and retain customers; the Company’s ability to produce products at competitive rates; the Company’s ability to execute its business strategy in a very competitive environment; trends in, and the market for, the price of oil and gas and alternative energy sources; the impact of inflation on margins and costs; the volatile nature of the prices for oil and gas caused by supply and demand, including volatility caused by the ongoing Ukraine/Russia conflict and/or the Israel/Hamas conflict, changes in interest rates and inflation, and potential recessions; the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with partners; the outcome of pending and potential future litigation, judgments and settlements; rules and regulations making the Company’s operations more costly or restrictive; volatility in the market price of compliance credits (primarily Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) needed to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”)) under renewable and low-carbon fuel programs and emission credits needed under other environmental emissions programs, the requirement for the Company to purchase RINs in the secondary market to the extent it does not generate sufficient RINs internally, liabilities associated therewith and the timing, funding and costs of such required purchases, if any; changes in environmental and other laws and regulations and risks associated with such laws and regulations; economic downturns both in the United States and globally, changes in inflation and interest rates, increased costs of borrowing associated therewith and potential declines in the availability of such funding; risk of increased regulation of the Company’s operations and products; disruptions in the infrastructure that the Company and its partners rely on; interruptions at the Company’s facilities; unexpected and expected changes in the Company’s anticipated capital expenditures resulting from unforeseen and expected required maintenance, repairs, or upgrades; the Company’s ability to acquire and construct new facilities; the Company’s ability to effectively manage growth; decreases in global demand for, and the price of, oil, due to inflation, recessions or other reasons, including declines in economic activity or global conflicts; expected and unexpected downtime at the Company’s facilities; the Company’s level of indebtedness, which could affect its ability to fulfill its obligations, impede the implementation of its strategy, and expose the Company’s interest rate risk; dependence on third party transportation services and pipelines; risks related to obtaining required crude oil supplies, and the costs of such supplies; counterparty credit and performance risk; unanticipated problems at, or downtime effecting, the Company’s facilities and those operated by third parties; risks relating to the Company’s hedging activities or lack of hedging activities; and risks relating to planned and future divestitures, asset sales, joint ventures and acquisitions.

Other important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements included in this communication are described in the Company’s publicly filed reports, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and future Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These reports are available at www.sec.gov. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Vertex’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Vertex cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Vertex undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Vertex. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

PROJECTIONS

The financial projections (the “Projections”) included herein were prepared by Vertex in good faith using assumptions believed to be reasonable. A significant number of assumptions about the operations of the business of Vertex were based, in part, on economic, competitive, and general business conditions prevailing at the time the Projections were developed. Any future changes in these conditions, may materially impact the ability of Vertex to achieve the financial results set forth in the Projections. The Projections are based on numerous assumptions, including realization of the operating strategy of Vertex; industry performance; no material adverse changes in applicable legislation or regulations, or the administration thereof, or generally accepted accounting principles; general business and economic conditions; competition; retention of key management and other key employees; absence of material contingent or unliquidated litigation, indemnity, or other claims; minimal changes in current pricing; static material and equipment pricing; no significant increases in interest rates or inflation; and other matters, many of which will be beyond the control of Vertex, and some or all of which may not materialize. The Projections also assume the continued uptime of the Company’s facilities at historical levels and the successful funding of, timely completion of, and successful outcome of, planned capital projects. Additionally, to the extent that the assumptions inherent in the Projections are based upon future business decisions and objectives, they are subject to change. Although the Projections are presented with numerical specificity and are based on reasonable expectations developed by Vertex’s management, the assumptions and estimates underlying the Projections are subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which will be beyond the control of Vertex. Accordingly, the Projections are only estimates and are necessarily speculative in nature. It is expected that some or all of the assumptions in the Projections will not be realized and that actual results will vary from the Projections. Such variations may be material and may increase over time. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Projections. The projected financial information contained herein should not be regarded as a representation or warranty by Vertex, its management, advisors, or any other person that the Projections can or will be achieved. Vertex cautions that the Projections are speculative in nature and based upon subjective decisions and assumptions. As a result, the Projections should not be relied on as necessarily predictive of actual future events.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

In addition to our results calculated under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), in this news release we also present certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators. Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures include Adjusted Gross Margin, Fuel Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA, for the Company’s Legacy Refining and Marketing segment, and the total Refining and Marketing segment, as a whole, and Net Long-Term Debt and Ratio of Net Long-Term Debt (collectively, the “Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures”). Key performance indicators include Adjusted Gross Margin, Fuel Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA for Conventional, Renewable and the Mobile Refinery as a whole, and Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel of Throughput and Adjusted Gross Margin Per Barrel of Throughput for Conventional, Renewable and the Mobile Refinery as a whole (collectively, the “KPIs”). EBITDA represents net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, for continued and discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA from operations plus or minus unrealized gain or losses on hedging activities, Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) costs (mainly related to Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), and inventory adjustments, acquisition costs, gain on change in value of derivative warrant liability, environmental clean-up, stock-based compensation, (gain) loss on sale of assets, and certain other unusual or non-recurring charges included in selling, general, and administrative expenses. Adjusted Gross Margin is defined as gross profit (loss) plus or minus unrealized gain or losses on hedging activities and inventory valuation adjustments. Fuel Gross Margin is defined as Adjusted Gross Margin, plus production costs, operating expenses and depreciation attributable to cost of revenues and other non-fuel items included in costs of revenues including realized and unrealized gain or losses on hedging activities, RFS costs (mainly related to RINs), fuel financing costs and other revenues and cost of sales items. Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel of Throughput is calculated as fuel gross margin divided by total throughput barrels for the period presented. Operating Expenses Per Barrel of Throughput is defined as total operating expenses divided by total barrels of throughput. RIN Adjusted Fuel Gross Margin is defined as Fuel Gross Margin minus RIN expense divided by total barrels of throughput. RIN Adjusted Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel of Throughput is calculated as RIN Adjusted Fuel Gross Margin divided by total throughput barrels for the period presented. Net Long-Term Debt is long-term debt and lease obligations, adjusted for unamortized discount and deferred financing costs, insurance premiums financed, less cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Ratio of Net Long-Term Debt is defined as Long-Term Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA.

Each of the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs are discussed in greater detail below. The (a) Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures are “non-U.S. GAAP financial measures”, and (b) the KPIs are, presented as supplemental measures of the Company’s performance. They are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We use the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs as supplements to U.S. GAAP measures of performance to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, to allocate resources and to compare our performance relative to our peers. Additionally, these measures, when used in conjunction with related U.S. GAAP financial measures, provide investors with an additional financial analytical framework which management uses, in addition to historical operating results, as the basis for financial, operational and planning decisions and present measurements that third parties have indicated are useful in assessing the Company and its results of operations. The Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs are presented because we believe they provide additional useful information to investors due to the various noncash items during the period. Non-U.S. GAAP financial information and KPIs similar to the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs are also frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. The Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs are unaudited, and have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are: the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs do not reflect cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments; the Non-GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; the Non-GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt or cash income tax payments; although depreciation and amortization are noncash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs represent only a portion of our total operating results; and other companies in this industry may calculate the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. You should not consider the Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under U.S. GAAP. The Company’s presentation of these measures should not be construed as an inference that future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. We compensate for these limitations by providing a reconciliation of each of these non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure below. We encourage investors and others to review our business, results of operations, and financial information in their entirety, not to rely on any single financial measure, and to view these non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures and KPIs in conjunction with the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs, please see the sections titled “Unaudited Reconciliation of Gross Profit (Loss) From Continued and Discontinued Operations to Adjusted Gross Margin, Fuel Gross Margin, Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel of Throughput and Operating Expenses Per Barrel of Throughput”, “Unaudited Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss from Continued and Discontinued Operations”, and “Unaudited Reconciliation of Long-Term Debt to Net Long-Term Debt and Net Leverage”, at the end of this release.

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except number of shares and par value)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

March 31,
2024

 

December 31,
2023

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

62,140

 

 

$

76,967

 

Restricted cash

 

3,609

 

 

 

3,606

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

41,559

 

 

 

36,164

 

Inventory

 

198,979

 

 

 

182,120

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

38,673

 

 

 

53,174

 

Total current assets

 

344,960

 

 

 

352,031

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

332,949

 

 

 

326,111

 

Finance lease right-of-use assets

 

63,524

 

 

 

64,499

 

Operating lease right-of use assets

 

78,802

 

 

 

96,394

 

Intangible assets, net

 

10,789

 

 

 

11,541

 

Other assets

 

4,029

 

 

 

4,048

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

835,053

 

 

$

854,624

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

69,796

 

 

$

75,004

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

69,240

 

 

 

73,636

 

Finance lease liability-current

 

2,497

 

 

 

2,435

 

Operating lease liability-current

 

13,281

 

 

 

20,296

 

Current portion of long-term debt, net

 

12,524

 

 

 

16,362

 

Obligations under inventory financing agreements, net

 

169,656

 

 

 

141,093

 

Total current liabilities

 

336,994

 

 

 

328,826

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net

 

177,772

 

 

 

170,701

 

Finance lease liability-long-term

 

65,576

 

 

 

66,206

 

Operating lease liability-long-term

 

64,345

 

 

 

74,444

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

2,776

 

 

 

2,776

 

Derivative warrant liability

 

3,249

 

 

 

9,907

 

Other liabilities

 

1,377

 

 

 

1,377

 

Total liabilities

 

652,089

 

 

 

654,237

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share;

 

750,000,000 shares authorized; 93,514,346 and 93,514,346 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

 

94

 

 

94

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

384,063

 

 

 

383,632

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(205,113

)

 

 

(187,379

)

Total Vertex Energy, Inc. shareholders' equity

 

179,044

 

 

 

196,347

 

Non-controlling interest

 

3,920

 

 

 

4,040

 

Total equity

 

182,964

 

 

 

200,387

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

835,053

 

 

$

854,624

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2024

 

2023

Revenues

 

$

695,326

 

 

$

691,142

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

652,034

 

 

 

619,352

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to costs of revenues

 

 

8,186

 

 

 

4,337

 

Gross profit

 

 

35,106

 

 

 

67,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

39,782

 

 

 

41,942

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to operating expenses

 

 

1,104

 

 

 

1,016

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

40,886

 

 

 

42,958

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

(5,780

)

 

 

24,495

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

(1,049

)

 

 

1,653

 

Gain (loss) on change in value of derivative warrant liability

 

 

6,658

 

 

 

(9,185

)

Interest expense

 

 

(17,683

)

 

 

(12,477

)

Total other expense

 

 

(12,074

)

 

 

(20,009

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax

 

 

(17,854

)

 

 

4,486

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(1,013

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

(17,854

)

 

 

3,473

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (see note 22)

 

 

 

 

 

50,340

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

(17,854

)

 

 

53,813

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest from continuing operations

 

 

(120

)

 

 

(50

)

Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex Energy, Inc.

 

 

(17,734

)

 

 

53,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders from continuing operations

 

 

(17,734

)

 

 

3,523

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

50,340

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

 

$

(17,734

)

 

$

53,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.19

)

 

$

0.05

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

0.66

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.19

)

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.19

)

 

$

0.04

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

0.64

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.19

)

 

$

0.68

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in computing earnings per share

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

93,514

 

 

 

75,689

 

Diluted

 

 

93,514

 

 

 

78,996

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

(in thousands, except par value)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

$0.001 Par

 

Additional Paid-In Capital

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Non-controlling Interest

 

Total Equity

Balance on January 1, 2024

93,515

 

$

94

 

$

383,632

 

$

(187,379

)

 

$

4,040

 

 

$

200,387

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

431

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,734

)

 

 

(120

)

 

 

(17,854

)

Balance on March 31, 2024

93,515

 

$

94

 

$

384,063

 

$

(205,113

)

 

$

3,920

 

 

$

182,964

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

$0.001 Par

 

Additional Paid-In Capital

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Non-controlling Interest

 

Total Equity

Balance on January 1, 2023

75,670

 

$

76

 

$

279,552

 

$

(115,893

)

 

$

1,685

 

 

$

165,420

Exercise of options

166

 

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

209

Stock based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

365

Non-controlling shareholder contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

980

 

 

 

980

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,863

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

53,813

Balance on March 31, 2023

75,836

 

$

76

 

$

280,126

 

$

(62,030

)

 

$

2,615

 

 

$

220,787

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,
2024

 

March 31,
2023

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(17,854

)

 

$

53,813

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

 

50,340

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(17,854

)

 

 

3,473

 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities

 

 

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

431

 

 

 

365

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,290

 

 

 

5,353

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

 

 

1,013

 

Loss on lease modification

 

35

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale of assets

 

691

 

 

 

3

 

Increase in allowance for credit losses

 

19

 

 

 

882

 

Increase (decrease) in fair value of derivative warrant liability

 

(6,658

)

 

 

9,185

 

(Gain) loss on commodity derivative contracts

 

1,322

 

 

 

(1,516

)

Net cash settlements on commodity derivatives

 

(2,292

)

 

 

3,519

 

Amortization of debt discount and deferred costs

 

4,758

 

 

 

4,572

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and other receivables

 

(4,180

)

 

 

(26,291

)

Inventory

 

(16,859

)

 

 

(52,553

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

14,710

 

 

 

(18,103

)

Accounts payable

 

(5,250

)

 

 

11,005

 

Accrued expenses

 

(7,308

)

 

 

22,486

 

Other assets

 

19

 

 

 

(44

)

Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations

 

(29,126

)

 

 

(36,651

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

Purchase of fixed assets

 

(14,726

)

 

 

(73,936

)

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation

 

 

 

 

87,238

 

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

 

2,576

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations

 

(12,150

)

 

 

13,302

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

Payments on finance leases

 

(586

)

 

 

(310

)

Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants to common stock

 

 

 

 

209

 

Contributions received from noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

980

 

Net change on inventory financing agreements

 

28,313

 

 

 

(11,284

)

Proceeds from note payable

 

3,175

 

 

 

 

Payments on note payable

 

(4,450

)

 

 

(17,165

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations

 

26,452

 

 

 

(27,570

)

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

(150

)

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

(150

)

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(14,824

)

 

 

(51,069

)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period

 

80,573

 

 

 

146,187

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

$

65,749

 

 

$

95,118

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the same amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands).

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

(Continued)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,
2024

 

March 31,
2023

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

62,140

 

 

$

86,689

Restricted cash

 

3,609

 

 

 

8,429

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows

$

65,749

 

 

$

95,118

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

4,811

 

 

$

10,124

Cash paid for taxes

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

ROU assets obtained from new finance leases

$

18

 

 

$

15,024

ROU assets obtained from new operating leases

$

74

 

 

$

15,078

ROU assets disposed under operating leases

$

(17,666

)

 

$

Unaudited segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

 

 

Refining &

Marketing

 

Black Oil & Recovery

 

Corporate and Eliminations

 

Total

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined products

 

$

650,759

 

 

$

31,724

 

 

$

(1,022

)

 

$

681,461

 

Re-refined products

 

 

3,867

 

 

 

5,215

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,082

 

Services

 

 

3,081

 

 

 

1,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,783

 

Total revenues

 

 

657,707

 

 

 

38,641

 

 

 

(1,022

)

 

 

695,326

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

622,974

 

 

 

30,082

 

 

 

(1,022

)

 

 

652,034

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to costs of revenues

 

 

6,541

 

 

 

1,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,186

 

Gross profit

 

 

28,192

 

 

 

6,914

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,106

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

26,147

 

 

 

5,397

 

 

 

8,238

 

 

 

39,782

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to operating expenses

 

 

793

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

1,104

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

1,252

 

 

 

1,445

 

 

 

(8,477

)

 

 

(5,780

)

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense

 

 

(685

)

 

 

(359

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(1,049

)

Gain on change in derivative liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,658

 

 

 

6,658

 

Interest expense

 

 

(4,747

)

 

 

(96

)

 

 

(12,840

)

 

 

(17,683

)

Total other expense

 

 

(5,432

)

 

 

(455

)

 

 

(6,187

)

 

 

(12,074

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax

 

$

(4,180

)

 

$

990

 

 

$

(14,664

)

 

$

(17,854

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

11,299

 

 

$

3,427

 

 

$

 

 

$

14,726

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

 

 

Refining &

Marketing

 

Black Oil & Recovery

 

Corporate and Eliminations

 

Total

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined products

 

$

653,042

 

 

$

29,423

 

 

$

(2,733

)

 

$

679,732

 

Re-refined products

 

 

4,353

 

 

 

4,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,764

 

Services

 

 

1,933

 

 

 

713

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,646

 

Total revenues

 

 

659,328

 

 

 

34,547

 

 

 

(2,733

)

 

 

691,142

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

589,812

 

 

 

30,418

 

 

 

(878

)

 

 

619,352

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to costs of revenues

 

 

3,294

 

 

 

1,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,337

 

Gross profit

 

 

66,222

 

 

 

3,086

 

 

 

(1,855

)

 

 

67,453

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

26,486

 

 

 

4,799

 

 

 

10,657

 

 

 

41,942

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to operating expenses

 

 

808

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

170

 

 

 

1,016

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

38,928

 

 

 

(1,751

)

 

 

(12,682

)

 

 

24,495

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

1,655

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

1,653

 

Loss on change in derivative liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,185

)

 

 

(9,185

)

Interest expense

 

 

(3,876

)

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(8,544

)

 

 

(12,477

)

Total other income (expense)

 

 

(3,876

)

 

 

1,598

 

 

 

(17,731

)

 

 

(20,009

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax

 

$

35,052

 

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(30,413

)

 

$

4,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

69,908

 

 

$

4,028

 

 

$

 

 

$

73,936

 

Unaudited Reconciliation of Gross Profit (Loss) From Continued and Discontinued Operations to Adjusted Gross Margin, Fuel Gross Margin, Fuel Gross Margin Per Barrel of Throughput and Operating Expenses Per Barrel of Throughput.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

In thousands

Conventional

Renewable

Mobile Refinery Total

Gross profit

$

37,508

 

$

(10,462

)

$

27,047

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

(555

)

 

934

 

 

379

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

9,657

 

 

4,592

 

 

14,249

 

Adjusted gross margin

$

46,610

 

$

(4,936

)

$

41,674

 

Variable production costs attributable to cost of revenues

 

25,651

 

 

6,846

 

 

32,497

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to cost of revenues

 

2,558

 

 

3,932

 

 

6,490

 

RINs

 

(857

)

 

-

 

 

(857

)

Realized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

2,577

 

 

(1,783

)

 

794

 

Financing costs

 

(172

)

 

132

 

 

(40

)

Other revenues

 

(2,719

)

 

(362

)

 

(3,081

)

Fuel gross margin

$

73,648

 

$

3,829

 

$

77,477

 

Throughput (bpd)

 

64,065

 

 

4,090

 

 

68,155

 

Fuel gross margin per barrel of throughput

$

12.63

 

$

10.29

 

$

12.49

 

Total OPEX

$

16,061

 

$

9,382

 

$

25,443

 

Operating expenses per barrel of throughput

$

2.75

 

$

25.21

 

$

4.10

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

In thousands

Conventional

Renewable

Mobile Refinery Total

Gross profit

$

7,283

 

$

(17,557

)

$

(10,273

)

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

4,892

 

 

77

 

 

4,969

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

(3,400

)

 

2,152

 

 

(1,248

)

Adjusted gross margin

$

8,775

 

$

(15,328

)

$

(6,553

)

Variable production costs attributable to cost of revenues

 

19,770

 

 

19,497

 

 

39,267

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to cost of revenues

 

2,492

 

 

3,997

 

 

6,489

 

RINs

 

6,662

 

 

-

 

 

6,662

 

Realized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

(3,751

)

 

(3,587

)

 

(7,338

)

Financing costs

 

1,989

 

 

157

 

 

2,146

 

Other revenues

 

(6,361

)

 

(361

)

 

(6,722

)

Fuel gross margin

$

29,576

 

$

4,375

 

$

33,951

 

Throughput (bpd)

 

67,083

 

 

3,926

 

 

71,009

 

Fuel gross margin per barrel of throughput

$

4.79

 

$

12.11

 

$

5.20

 

Total OPEX

$

15,162

 

$

9,868

 

$

25,030

 

Operating expenses per barrel of throughput

$

2.46

 

$

27.32

 

$

3.83

 

Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2024

In thousands

Conventional

Renewable

Mobile Refinery Total

Gross profit

$

137,519

 

$

(49,540

)

$

87,979

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

566

 

 

302

 

 

868

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

15,236

 

 

6,638

 

 

21,874

 

Adjusted gross margin

$

153,321

 

$

(42,600

)

$

110,721

 

Variable production costs attributable to cost of revenues

 

100,954

 

 

39,378

 

 

140,332

 

Depreciation and amortization attributable to cost of revenues

 

11,383

 

 

13,267

 

 

24,650

 

RINs

 

38,273

 

 

-

 

 

38,273

 

Realized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

530

 

 

(1,681

)

 

(1,151

)

Financing costs

 

3,502

 

 

552

 

 

4,054

 

Other revenues

 

(19,494

)

 

(1,437

)

 

(20,931

)

Fuel gross margin

$

288,469

 

$

7,479

 

$

295,948

 

Throughput (bpd)

 

71,922

 

 

3,980

 

 

75,901

 

Fuel gross margin per barrel of throughput

$

10.96

 

$

5.13

 

$

10.65

 

Total OPEX

$

72,242

 

$

37,771

 

$

110,013

 

Operating expenses per barrel of throughput

$

2.74

 

$

25.93

 

$

3.96

 

Unaudited Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss from Continued and Discontinued Operations.

In thousands

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

March 31, 2024

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2024

March 31, 2023

Net income (loss)

$

(17,854

)

$

53,813

 

$

(143,641

)

$

56,619

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,290

 

 

5,498

 

 

35,102

 

 

22,527

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

-

 

 

18,759

 

 

(13,462

)

 

16,269

 

Interest expense

 

17,683

 

 

12,477

 

 

124,773

 

 

88,192

 

EBITDA

$

9,119

 

$

90,547

 

$

2,772

 

$

183,607

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

445

 

 

(255

)

 

448

 

 

(133

)

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

14,249

 

 

(1,532

)

 

21,874

 

 

49,234

 

Gain on change in value of derivative warrant liability

 

(6,658

)

 

9,185

 

 

(23,835

)

 

(2,215

)

Stock-based compensation

 

430

 

 

365

 

 

2,350

 

 

1,689

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

691

 

 

(67,741

)

 

(2,446

)

 

(67,325

)

Acquisition costs

 

-

 

 

4,308

 

 

-

 

 

16,275

 

Environmental clean-up reserve

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,428

 

Other

 

358

 

 

0

 

 

(276

)

 

280

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

18,634

 

$

34,877

 

$

887

 

$

182,841

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile Refinery

Legacy Refining & Marketing

Total Refining & Marketing

Black Oil and Recovery

Corporate

Consolidated

In thousands

Conventional

Renewable

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

17,535

 

$

(22,157

)

$

442

$

(4,180

)

$

990

$

(14,664

)

$

(17,854

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,330

 

 

3,953

 

 

51

 

7,334

 

 

1,717

 

239

 

 

9,290

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

Interest expense

 

2,455

 

 

2,292

 

 

-

 

4,747

 

 

96

 

12,840

 

 

17,683

 

EBITDA

$

23,320

 

$

(15,912

)

$

493

$

7,901

 

$

2,803

$

(1,585

)

$

9,119

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

(555

)

 

934

 

 

20

 

399

 

 

46

 

-

 

 

445

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

9,657

 

 

4,592

 

 

-

 

14,249

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

14,249

 

Gain on change in value of derivative warrant liability

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

(6,658

)

 

(6,658

)

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

430

 

 

430

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

685

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

685

 

 

5

 

1

 

 

691

 

Other

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

354

 

4

 

 

358

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

33,107

 

$

(10,386

)

$

513

$

23,234

 

$

3,208

$

(7,808

)

$

18,634

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Mobile Refinery

Legacy Refining & Marketing

Total Refining & Marketing

Black Oil and Recovery

Corporate

Consolidated

In thousands

Conventional

Renewable

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(11,112

)

$

(30,266

)

$

(2,424

)

$

(43,801

)

$

(1,670

)

$

(18,395

)

$

(63,865

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,252

 

 

4,017

 

 

313

 

 

7,582

 

 

1,476

 

 

167

 

 

9,225

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(517

)

 

2,060

 

 

1,543

 

Interest expense

 

2,473

 

 

2,820

 

 

-

 

 

5,293

 

 

62

 

 

10,675

 

 

16,029

 

EBITDA

$

(5,387

)

$

(23,429

)

$

(2,111

)

$

(30,926

)

$

(649

)

$

(5,493

)

$

(37,068

)

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

4,892

 

 

77

 

 

(7

)

 

4,962

 

 

19

 

 

-

 

 

4,981

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

(3,400

)

 

2,152

 

 

-

 

 

(1,248

)

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(1,248

)

Gain on change in value of derivative warrant liability

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(2,956

)

 

(2,956

)

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

783

 

 

783

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

Acquisition costs

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Other

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

389

 

 

(1

)

 

388

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

(3,895

)

$

(21,200

)

$

(2,118

)

$

(27,212

)

$

(241

)

$

(7,664

)

$

(35,117

)

 

 

Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2024

 

 

Mobile Refinery

Legacy Refining & Marketing

Total Refining & Marketing

Black Oil and Recovery

Corporate

Consolidated

In thousands

Conventional

Renewable

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

49,932

$

(94,694

)

$

(4,782

)

$

(49,544

)

$

48,246

 

$

(142,343

)

$

(143,641

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,387

 

13,343

 

 

932

 

 

28,662

 

 

5,700

 

 

740

 

 

35,102

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

18,682

 

 

(32,144

)

 

(13,462

)

Interest expense

 

11,656

 

7,307

 

 

-

 

 

18,963

 

 

227

 

 

105,583

 

 

124,773

 

EBITDA

$

75,975

$

(74,044

)

$

(3,850

)

$

(1,919

)

$

72,855

 

$

(68,164

)

$

2,772

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on hedging activities

 

566

 

302

 

 

(2

)

 

866

 

 

(418

)

 

-

 

 

448

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

15,236

 

6,638

 

 

-

 

 

21,874

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

21,874

 

Gain on change in value of derivative warrant liability

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(23,835

)

 

(23,835

)

Stock-based compensation

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,350

 

 

2,350

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

685

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

685

 

 

(69,224

)

 

66,093

 

 

(2,446

)

Other

 

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(241

)

 

(35

)

 

(276

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

92,462

$

(67,104

)

$

(3,852

)

$

21,506

 

$

2,972

 

$

(23,591

)

$

887

 

Unaudited Reconciliation of Long-Term Debt to Net Long-Term Debt and Net Leverage.

In thousands

As of

 

March 31, 2024

March 31, 2023

December 31, 2023

Long-Term Debt:

 

 

 

Senior Convertible Note

$

15,230

 

$

95,178

 

$

15,230

 

Term Loan 2025

 

195,950

 

 

152,138

 

 

195,950

 

Promissory Note

 

2,612

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Finance lease liability long-term

 

65,576

 

 

59,325

 

 

66,206

 

Finance lease liability short-term

 

2,497

 

 

1,916

 

 

2,435

 

Insurance premiums financed

 

2,399

 

 

1,359

 

 

6,237

 

Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligations

$

284,264

 

$

309,916

 

$

286,058

 

Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs

 

(25,893

)

 

(77,596

)

 

(30,354

)

Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligations per Balance Sheet

$

258,371

 

$

232,320

 

$

255,704

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(62,140

)

 

(86,689

)

 

(76,967

)

Restricted Cash

 

(3,609

)

 

(8,429

)

 

(3,606

)

Total Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

(65,749

)

$

(95,118

)

$

(80,573

)

Net Long-Term Debt

$

218,515

 

$

214,798

 

$

205,485

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

887

 

$

182,898

 

$

17,130

 

Net Leverage

246.4x

1.2x

12.0x

Note: Net Leverage is calculated using trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA

INVESTOR CONTACT

IR@vertexenergy.com

Source: Vertex Energy, Inc.

FAQ

What were Vertex Energy's Q1 2024 operational and financial results?

Vertex Energy announced its operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2024, including increased Adjusted EBITDA, reduced operating expenses, and optimized hydrocracking capacity.

What was Vertex Energy's renewable diesel throughput in Q1 2024?

Vertex Energy achieved a renewable diesel throughput of 4,090 bpd in Q1 2024.

What strategic decision did Vertex Energy make regarding its renewable business?

Vertex Energy decided to pause its renewable business in Q2 2024 and pivot to producing conventional fuels from the hydrocracker unit.

What was Vertex Energy's net loss in Q1 2024?

Vertex Energy reported a net loss of ($17.7) million in Q1 2024.

What was Vertex Energy's total debt outstanding as of March 31, 2024?

Vertex Energy had total debt outstanding of $284 million as of March 31, 2024.

Vertex Energy, Inc

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