McGrath RentCorp Announces Results for Third Quarter 2015

Rental revenues increase 1%

EPS increases 2% to $0.54 for the Quarter

LIVERMORE, Calif., Oct. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McGrath RentCorp (NASDAQ:MGRC) (the "Company"), a diversified business to business rental company, today announced total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 of $113.0 million, unchanged from the third quarter of 2014. The Company reported net income of $13.6 million, or $0.54 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2015, compared to net income of $13.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2014.

Dennis Kakures, President and CEO of McGrath RentCorp, made the following comments regarding these results and future expectations:

"Our overall Company earnings results for the third quarter reflect the impact of higher rental equipment utilization, a larger fleet and lower equipment processing costs in our modular division, despite the continuing market challenges in both our electronics and liquid and solid containment rental businesses. Modular division quarter-end rental equipment utilization based on original acquisition cost reached 77.9%, our highest level since the first quarter of 2009. During the third quarter, we repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of the Company's common stock, plus an additional approximately 0.5 million shares thus far during the fourth quarter. The accretive EPS impact from these buybacks will be more fully reflected in our future quarterly results.

Modular division-wide rental revenues for the quarter increased $4.7 million, or 19%, to $30.2 million from a year ago. This is the tenth consecutive year over year quarterly rental revenue increase. During the third quarter, we experienced a 6% increase in division-wide year over year first month's rental revenue bookings for modular buildings compared to exceptionally strong third quarter 2014 booking levels. Third quarter 2015 modular division average utilization was 76.7%, an increase from 73.3% a year ago. Period end utilization for the third quarter was 77.9% compared to 74.2% in 2014. Modular division EBIT, or income from operations, for the quarter increased to $12.2 million, or by 86%, from the same period a year ago. EBIT margin for the quarter increased to 23% from 14% last year. This favorable increase in EBIT profit and margin was driven primarily by higher rental revenues and rental revenue margin expansion. Gross margin on rental revenues increased to 59% for the quarter from 47% a year ago. Modular division EBIT results also benefited from higher profit on rental related services, offset by higher SG&A expenses and lower profit on equipment sales from last year's quarter.

Rental revenues for TRS-RenTelco, our electronics division, declined by $2.9 million for the quarter, or 11%, to $22.6 million from a year ago. The year over year reduction in rental revenues was driven entirely by lower communications test equipment business activity. We continued to experience a significantly slower wireless communications network upgrade environment compared to the first nine months of 2014. General-purpose test equipment rental activity, as measured by rental revenues for these products, was higher during the third quarter as it has been throughout 2015, compared to 2014 levels. EBIT for the quarter declined by $2.8 million, or 29%, from the same period in 2014. The reduction in rental revenue of $2.9 million was the primary contributor to lower year over year EBIT along with higher laboratory costs and lower gross profit on equipment sales, partially offset by lower SG&A and depreciation expenses. The higher percentage drop in year over year EBIT at 29%, compared to rental revenues at 11% is primarily due to equipment mix and depreciation expense typically making up between 70 to 75% of direct rental costs. In other words, within any given quarter, we only have a limited amount of variable cost associated with rental revenue generation that can easily and responsibly be taken out of the business. In particular, with communications test equipment having much shorter depreciable lives than for general-purpose test equipment, there is significantly higher monthly depreciation expense, but also much higher rental rates than for general-purpose test equipment. As a result, when communications test equipment is underutilized it impacts profitability more significantly than for general-purpose test equipment due to its higher carrying costs without its matching higher rental rates and revenues. Average equipment utilization was 61.0% for the third quarter, compared to 62.5% for the same period in 2014. Average rental rates for the third quarter of 2015 declined by 11% to 4.62% from 5.20% a year ago, primarily due to the on-rent equipment mix increasing for general-purpose and decreasing for communications test equipment. General-purpose test equipment has longer depreciable lives and lower rental rates than communications test equipment.

Rental revenues at Adler Tank Rentals, our liquid and solid containment tank and box division, declined by $1.3 million for the quarter, or 7%, to $17.4 million from a year ago. Adler Tank Rentals serves a wide variety of market segments including industrial plant, petrochemical, pipeline, oil & gas, waste management, environmental field service and construction. Average utilization and total original cost of rental equipment were 58.6% and $306 million, respectively for the quarter compared to 62.7% and $294 million a year ago. Third quarter average equipment on rent at original cost was $179 million compared to $184 million a year ago, and we ended the period at $175 million. Average monthly rental rates also declined to 3.25% for the quarter from 3.39% in 2014. The reduction in both utilization and rental rates from a year ago is directly related to lower crude oil prices and the significant decline in wellhead related drilling and completions activity. These dynamics have put increasing downward pressure on 21K multi-purpose tank utilization and rental rates in upstream, midstream and downstream energy sectors, as well as in other market verticals. We remain cautious in our outlook for our liquid and solid containment rental business for the foreseeable future as market forces drive a material reset of both the oil and natural gas industries. EBIT for the quarter decreased $2.2 million, or 30%, to $5.1 million from a year ago. The higher percentage decrease in EBIT at 30% as compared to rental revenues at 7% was primarily a result of higher equipment processing costs, increased SG&A expenses associated with a larger sales organization and higher depreciation expense, all from a year ago.

Mobile Modular Portable Storage made good progress during the third quarter in building its customer following, increasing booking levels, and growing both rental revenues and profitability. First month's rent booking levels and rental revenues for the third quarter grew by 37% and 29%, respectively, from the same period a year ago. EBIT for our storage container rental business was up two-fold from the third quarter of 2014. We are working hard to make each of our portable storage operating geographies increasingly successful. We are making good progress towards building a meaningfully sized storage container rental business with attractive operating metrics.

There are very compelling factors supporting our share buyback activity thus far in 2015. Over the past few years, we have been through a significant investment cycle in the Company. During this period, we launched our portable storage business, expanded our modular business to the mid-Atlantic region from Georgia to Washington D.C., entered the liquid and solid containment rental industry through the acquisition of Adler Tank Rentals and created a national footprint for the business. We have also shepherded the turnaround and continuing recovery of our modular business to improving financial health from having lost approximately $1.00 of annual EPS due to effects of the Great Recession. Historically, our modular division has been our largest earnings engine. We are well on our way to creating four large rental businesses whose combined annual earnings horsepower will be materially greater than we have experienced to date. As both a business manager and an investor in McGrath RentCorp, I can fully appreciate the challenges associated with getting four different rental businesses all performing at favorable levels consistently. Cyclical challenges with our different rental businesses will occur from time to time, just as we are experiencing today with our electronics and liquid and solid containment divisions. However, that shouldn't overshadow the significant potential future financial performance of these rental businesses over time. The Company's management and board are confident in the foundation for growth in place today supporting greater shareholder value in our future. Our buyback efforts in 2015 are a clear signal we believe the longer-term intrinsic value of McGrath RentCorp has not been reflected in our share price more recently."

All comparisons presented below are for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 to the quarter ended September 30, 2014 unless otherwise indicated.

MOBILE MODULAR

For the third quarter of 2015, the Company's Mobile Modular division reported a $5.6 million increase in income from operations, or 86%, to $12.2 million. Rental revenues increased 19% to $30.2 million, depreciation expense increased 16% to $4.9 million and other direct costs decreased 19% to $7.5 million, which resulted in an increase in gross profit on rental revenues of 49% to $17.7 million. Rental related services revenues increased 41% to $14.3 million, with gross profit on rental related services revenues increasing 49% to $4.2 million. Sales revenues decreased 19% to $8.5 million, with gross profit on sales revenues decreasing 27% to $2.0 million, primarily due to lower used equipment sales in the third quarter of 2015. Selling and administrative expenses increased 8% to $11.8 million, primarily due to higher allocated corporate expenses.

TRS-RENTELCO

For the third quarter of 2015, the Company's TRS-RenTelco division reported a $2.8 million decrease in income from operations, or 29%, to $7.1 million. Rental revenues decreased 11% to $22.6 million, depreciation expense decreased 3% to $9.9 million and other direct costs increased 12% to $3.4 million, which resulted in a decrease in gross profit on rental revenues of 24% to $9.3 million. Sales revenues decreased 9% to $5.4 million. Gross profit on sales revenues decreased 11% to $2.6 million, with gross margin percentage decreasing to 49% from 50%, primarily due to lower margins on used equipment sales in the third quarter of 2015. Selling and administrative expenses decreased 7% to $5.4 million, primarily due to lower allocated corporate expenses.

ADLER TANKS

For the third quarter of 2015, the Company's Adler Tanks division reported a $2.2 million decrease in income from operations, or 30%, to $5.1 million. Rental revenues decreased 7% to $17.4 million, depreciation expense increased 4% to $4.0 million and other direct costs increased 18% to $3.1 million, which resulted in a decrease in gross profit on rental revenues of 16% to $10.3 million. Rental related services revenues decreased 2% to $6.7 million, with gross profit on rental related services increasing 21% to $1.7 million. Selling and administrative expenses increased 7% to $6.9 million, primarily due to increased marketing and administrative expenses.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• Debt increased $44.9 million during the quarter to $382.1 million, with the Company's funded debt (notes payable) to equity ratio increasing from 0.79 to 1 at June 30, 2015 to 0.98 to 1 at September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had capacity to borrow an additional $147.9 million under its lines of credit.
• Dividend rate increased 2% to $0.25 per share for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. On an annualized basis, this dividend represents a 3.5% yield on the October 28, 2015 close price of $28.74 per share.
• Share Repurchases of the Company's common stock during the third quarter 2015 were 1,754,636 shares for an aggregate repurchase price of $45.7 million, or an average repurchase price of $26.02 per share. There were no repurchases of the Company's common stock made during the third quarter of 2014.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 1% to $47.0 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. At September 30, 2015, the Company's ratio of funded debt to the last twelve months actual Adjusted EBITDA was 2.26 to 1, compared to 2.00 to 1 at June 30, 2015. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation. A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities can be found at the end of this release.

You should read this press release in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's latest Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other SEC filings. You can visit the Company's web site at www.mgrc.com to access information on McGrath RentCorp, including the latest Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other SEC filings.

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

The Company confirms its previous 2015 full-year earnings guidance range of $1.55 to $1.65 per diluted share.

ABOUT MCGRATH RENTCORP

Founded in 1979, McGrath RentCorp is a diversified business-to-business rental company. The Company's Mobile Modular division rents and sells modular buildings to fulfill customers' temporary and permanent classroom and office space needs in California, Texas, Florida, and the Mid-Atlantic from Washington D.C. to Georgia. The Company's TRS-RenTelco division rents and sells electronic test equipment and is one of the leading rental providers of general purpose and communications test equipment in the Americas. The Company's Adler Tank Rentals subsidiary rents and sells containment solutions for hazardous and nonhazardous liquids and solids with operations today serving key markets throughout the United States. In 2008, the Company entered the portable storage container rental business under the trade name Mobile Modular Portable Storage. Today, the business is located in the key markets of California, Texas, Florida, Northern Illinois, New Jersey and most recently entered the North Carolina region. For more information on McGrath RentCorp and its operating units, please visit our websites:

Corporate – www.mgrc.com
Tanks and Boxes – www.AdlerTankRentals.com
Modular Buildings – www.MobileModularRents.com
Portable Storage – www.MobileModularRents-PortableStorage.com
Electronic Test Equipment – www.TRS-RenTelco.com
School Facilities Manufacturing – www.Enviroplex.com

CONFERENCE CALL NOTE

As previously announced in its press release of October 8, 2015, McGrath RentCorp will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) on October 29, 2015 to discuss the third quarter 2015 results. To participate in the teleconference, dial 1-877-876-9177 (in the U.S.), or 1-785-424-1666 (outside the U.S.), or visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.mgrc.com. Telephone replay of the call will be available for 7 days following the call by dialing 1-888-203-1112 (in the U.S.), or 1-719-457-0820 (outside the U.S.). The pass code for the call replay is 159257. In addition, a live audio webcast and replay of the call may be found in the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://mgrc.com/Investor/EventsAndArchive

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding McGrath RentCorp's business strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues or losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives are forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "future," "intend," "hopes," "goals" or "certain" or the negative of these terms or other variations or comparable terminology. In particular, the statements made in this press release about the following topics are forward looking statements: optimism about the Company's ability to create four large rental businesses with collectively materially greater annual earnings horsepower than current results, belief in the longer-term intrinsic value of the Company not being reflected in its share price more recently and reaffirmation of full year EPS guidance range.

Management cautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the following: the extent of and timetable for the recovery underway in our modular building division; the state of the wireless communications network upgrade environment; the utilization levels of our Adler Tanks liquid and sold containment tank and box rental assets; the potential for continuing softness in communications test equipment rental demand in our electronics division; the extent of economic recovery, particularly in California, including the impact on funding for school facility projects and residential and commercial construction sectors; our customers' need and ability to rent our products; failure by third parties to manufacture and deliver our products in a timely manner and to our specifications; our ability to successfully integrate and operate acquisitions, as well as manage expansions; our ability to effectively manage our rental assets; the risk that we may be subject to litigation under environmental, health and safety and product liability laws and claims from employees, vendors and other third parties; effect on our Adler Tanks business from reductions to the price of oil or gas; new or modified statutory or regulatory requirements; success of our strategic growth initiatives; risks associated with doing business with government entities; seasonality of our businesses; intense industry competition including increasing price pressure; our ability to timely deliver, install and redeploy our rental products; significant increases in raw materials, labor, and other costs; and risks associated with operating internationally.

Our future business, financial condition and results of operations could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties including the risks set forth above, those discussed in Part II—Item 1A "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and those that may be identified from time to time in our reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and are based on management's reasonable assumptions; however, these assumptions can be wrong or affected by known or unknown risks and uncertainties.  Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  Except as otherwise required by law, we do not undertake any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations. 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures

To supplement the Company's financial data presented on a basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), the Company presents "Adjusted EBITDA", which is defined by the Company as net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure as management believes it provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's liquidity and financial condition and because management, as well as the Company's lenders, use this measure in evaluating the performance of the Company. 

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to GAAP measures to further evaluate the Company's period-to-period operating performance, compliance with financial covenants in the Company's revolving lines of credit and senior notes and the Company's ability to meet future capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Management believes the exclusion of non-cash charges, including share-based compensation, is useful in measuring the Company's cash available for operations and performance of the Company. Because management finds Adjusted EBITDA useful, the Company believes its investors will also find Adjusted EBITDA useful in evaluating the Company's performance.  

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows, or other consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of the Company's profitability or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA is not in accordance with or an alternative for GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Unlike EBITDA, which may be used by other companies or investors, Adjusted EBITDA does not include share-based compensation charges. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is of limited use in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and does not accurately reflect real cash flow. In addition, other companies may not use Adjusted EBITDA or may use other non-GAAP measures, limiting the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of comparison. The Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that the Company will not incur expenses that are the same as or similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should only be used to evaluate the Company's results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The Company compensates for the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA by relying upon GAAP results to gain a complete picture of the Company's performance. Because Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC, the Company includes in the tables below reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

CONTACT: Keith E. Pratt
         Chief Financial Officer
         925 606 9200