Granite Construction Incorporated Reports First Quarter 2007 Results

WATSONVILLE, Calif., April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Granite Construction Incorporated today announced a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007. This compares with a net loss of $1.4 million or $0.03 per share for the same period last year.

William G. Dorey, president and chief executive officer, said, "The branches are off to a good start this year. A profitable backlog, mild weather in the quarter and exceptional execution by our team fueled the branch results in the quarter. Conversely, our Heavy Construction Division ("HCD") results reflect the fact that we have underperforming projects to complete before we are able to fully realize the benefits of both our recent organizational realignment as well as the newer, more profitable work in our backlog."

Total Company Operating Results

The operating loss for the quarter was $5.6 million compared with $3.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006. Revenue for the first quarter 2007 totaled $487.7 million compared with $496.0 million a year ago. Total gross profit as a percent of revenue increased from 8.1% to 9.9%. Backlog at March 31, 2007 was essentially flat at $2.5 billion compared to a year ago.

General and Administrative expenses for the quarter totaled $54.3 million or 11.1% of revenue compared with $48.3 million or 9.7% of revenue for 2006. The increase reflects costs to support the continued growth of our business in the West.

Operating Results by Division

Branch Division operating income for the quarter increased slightly to $19.4 million compared with $18.8 million a year ago. Revenue for the division totaled $281.4 million, an increase of $30.3 million or 12.1% over the same period in 2006. Backlog decreased 13.4% to $760.2 million compared with $877.5 million at March 31, 2006. Branch Division gross profit as a percent of revenue increased to 18.0% compared with 17.4% for the first quarter 2006.

HCD operating loss for the quarter was $15.7 million compared with a loss of $12.1 million in the first quarter 2006. The loss primarily reflects the recognition of increases in the estimated costs to complete four large projects. HCD revenue for the quarter totaled $201.3 million versus $244.8 million for the same period last year. Backlog increased to $1.74 billion at March 31, 2007 compared with $1.67 billion at March 31, 2006. HCD incurred a loss at the gross margin level of 3.2% of revenue compared with a loss of 1.2% of revenue for the first quarter 2006.

Outlook

"Our branches started the year with excellent results and our outlook for the year remains positive. While it is still too early in our construction season to predict how the Branch Division will fare compared to last year's financial results, we are optimistic that 2007 will be another excellent year for our business in the West. The public funding pipeline in most of our markets is very healthy. As was expected, some of our markets are beginning to see an increase in competition for public sector work as a result of the slowdown in the residential market. In this type of market, our strategy is to be patient and cautious in our bidding strategy so that we do not commit our capacity to lower margin work if we believe better opportunities are going to be available later in the year. In addition, we are excited about the opportunities ahead, particularly in California as a result of the transportation-related Propositions passed last year. While some of those projects may impact our backlog in late 2007, they are not expected to significantly affect the division's bottom line results until 2008," Dorey said.

"Our 2007 outlook for our HCD business remains guarded, particularly in light of the losses we incurred in the first quarter, as well as our ongoing negotiations with the Oregon Department of Transportation to terminate our contract on the US 20 project. As we have noted, most of the underperforming projects that have plagued us will be completed this year. In many cases, those projects are being replaced with projects that were bid more conservatively, with higher gross margins. Although there is the potential that operating income in HCD could be breakeven in 2007, our expectation is that our large project business will post increasingly positive returns in 2008 and beyond."

Subsequent Events

In a press release dated April 11, 2007, Granite announced that it had formally requested that the Oregon Department of Transportation ("ODOT") terminate its contract to build the US 20 Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville Design-Build project. The $130 million contract was awarded in July 2005 to Yaquina River Constructors ("YRC"), a joint venture of Granite and its majority-owned subsidiary, Wilder Construction Company. While clearing and excavating the site, numerous and massive landslides throughout the seven-mile project site were discovered. The costs and time associated with these slides is currently estimated to be approximately $61 million and would add two years to the duration of the project. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate resolution of these issues and the ongoing termination discussions, Granite has not recorded any adjustments to the project forecast during the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Should the Company reach agreement with ODOT to terminate the contract, Granite will adjust the forecast to reflect the estimated cost associated with the settlement, which is currently not determinable. If ODOT elects not to terminate the contract, Granite would reflect additional costs associated with the geotechnical and/or other changes when they are definitive and quantifiable. These costs could be significant. Granite would pursue additional compensation related to these issues from ODOT, but would not recognize any revenue until a change order was signed in accordance with our policy.

The results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 do not include results of operations from the Company's acquisition in April 2007 of the Superior Group of Companies ("Superior"). Superior's results will be included from the date of acquisition in the second quarter ending June 30, 2007.

Financial Results

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

Conference Call

Granite will conduct a conference call tomorrow, April 26, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. ET/ 8:00 a.m. PT to discuss the results for the quarter. The conference call will be webcast live and can be accessed at http://www.graniteconstruction.com/investor-relations. The live conference call may be accessed by calling [phone] in the U.S. and Canada and [phone] for international listeners. The conference ID for the call is 5564265. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay from approximately two hours after the live call through May 17, 2007 by calling [phone] or [phone]. The conference ID for the recording is 5564265.

About Granite

Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Midcap Index, the Domini 400 Social Index and the Russell 2000. Granite Construction Company, a wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the nation's largest diversified heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite Construction Company serves public and private sector clients through its offices nationwide. For more information about Granite, please visit their website at http://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 [phone] 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 March 31, Variance Operations 2007 2006 Amount Percent Revenue Construction $421,549 $434,338 $(12,789) (2.9) Material sales $66,111 $61,630 $4,481 7.3 Total revenue $487,660 $495,968 $(8,308) (1.7) Cost of revenue Construction $385,516 $403,960 $18,444 4.6 Material sales $54,108 $51,773 $(2,335) (4.5) Total cost of revenue $439,624 $455,733 $16,109 3.5 Gross profit $48,036 $40,235 $7,801 19.4 Gross profit as a percent of revenue 9.9% 8.1% 1.8% -- General and administrative expenses $54,337 $48,256 $(6,081) (12.6) G&A expenses as a percent of revenue 11.1% 9.7% (1.4%) -- Gain on sales of property and equipment $713 $4,238 $(3,525) (83.2) Other income (expense) Interest income $6,843 $4,733 $2,110 44.6 Interest expense $(1,086) $(1,395) $309 22.2 Equity in income (loss) of affiliates $351 $(77) $428 **** Other, net $(233) $(606) $373 61.6 Total other income $5,875 $2,655 $3,220 **** Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes and minority interest $287 $(1,128) $1,415 **** Minority interest $(2,447) $(1,067) $(1,380) **** Net loss $(2,249) $(1,422) $(827) (58.2) Net loss per share: Basic $(0.05) $(0.03) $(0.02) (66.7) Diluted $(0.05) $(0.03) $(0.02) (66.7) Weighted average shares of common stock: Basic 40,992 40,739 253 0.6 Diluted 40,992 40,739 253 0.6 **** Represents percentages greater than 100% GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited - In thousands, except share and per share data) March 31, December 31, 2007 2006 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $207,647 $204,893 Short-term marketable securities 93,313 141,037 Accounts receivable, net 413,267 492,229 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings 25,666 15,797 Inventories 47,337 41,529 Real estate held for sale 58,192 55,888 Deferred income taxes 36,552 36,776 Equity in construction joint ventures 37,422 31,912 Other current assets 65,930 63,144 Total current assets 985,326 1,083,205 Property and equipment, net 444,570 429,966 Long-term marketable securities 49,882 48,948 Investment in affiliates 23,585 21,471 Other assets 43,341 49,248 Total assets $1,546,704 $1,632,838 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt $29,962 $28,660 Accounts payable 214,395 257,612 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings 270,641 287,843 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 170,042 189,328 Total current liabilities 685,040 763,443 Long-term debt 70,530 78,576 Other long-term liabilities 64,315 58,419 Deferred income taxes 19,798 22,324 Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries 18,227 15,532 Shareholders' equity Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 3,000,000 shares; none outstanding -- -- Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 41,942,130 shares in 2007 and 41,833,559 shares in 2006 420 418 Additional paid-in capital 79,596 78,620 Retained earnings 605,797 612,875 Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,981 2,631 Total shareholders' equity 688,794 694,544 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,546,704 $1,632,838 March 31, December 31, Financial Position 2007 2006 Working capital $300,286 $319,762 Current ratio 1.44 1.42 Debt to total capitalization 0.13 0.13 Total liabilities to equity ratio 1.25 1.35 GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED REVENUE AND BACKLOG ANALYSIS (Unaudited - Dollars In Thousands) BY MARKET SECTOR Revenue Three Months Ended March 31, Variance 2007 2006 Amount Percent Public Sector $338,829 $352,961 $(14,132) (4.0) Private Sector 77,803 81,347 (3,544) (4.4) Aggregate sales 66,111 61,630 4,481 7.3 Other 4,917 30 4,887 **** $487,660 $495,968 $(8,308) (1.7) Backlog March 31, Variance 2007 2006 Amount Percent Public Sector $2,311,722 $2,219,442 $92,280 4.2 Private Sector 186,748 327,293 (140,545) (42.9) $2,498,470 $2,546,735 $(48,265) (1.9) BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA Revenue Three Months Ended March 31, Variance 2007 2006 Amount Percent California $191,107 $212,871 $(21,764) (10.2) West (Excl. CA) 124,274 103,928 20,346 19.6 Midwest 18,289 12,910 5,379 41.7 Northeast 46,556 69,442 (22,886) (33.0) Southeast 70,965 47,730 23,235 48.7 South 36,469 49,087 (12,618) (25.7) $487,660 $495,968 $(8,308) (1.7) Backlog March 31, Variance 2007 2006 Amount Percent California $506,628 $671,689 $(165,061) (24.6) West (Excl. CA) 497,223 629,501 (132,278) (21.0) Midwest 425,836 65,111 360,725 **** Northeast 683,323 428,112 255,211 59.6 Southeast 204,324 452,019 (247,695) (54.8) South 181,136 300,303 (119,167) (39.7) $2,498,470 $2,546,735 $(48,265) (1.9) **** Represents percentages greater than 100%