Green Plains (GPRE) 8-K Green Plains Reports Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Green Plains Reports Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

• Net income attributable to the company of $7.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share

• Company completes nearly $500 million in acquisitions over the last 45 days

• Based on current markets, the company expects a stronger fourth quarter

OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2016. Net income attributable to the company was $7.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2016 compared with net income of $6.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015. Revenues were $841.9 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared with $742.8 million for the same period last year.

“We generated $42 million of segment operating income for the third quarter of 2016, which is our best performance since the end of 2014. Based on current markets, we expect a stronger fourth quarter,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer. “We have grown significantly over the last year as we have increased our ethanol production capacity organically and through acquisitions by nearly 50 percent to approximately 1.5 billion gallons per year, and acquired Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company. We continue to focus on our core competencies as we efficiently integrate these acquisitions and aggressively grow our platform to create long-term shareholder value.”

During the third quarter, Green Plains produced 292.2 million gallons of ethanol compared with 215.6 million gallons for the same period in 2015. The consolidated ethanol crush margin was $52.6 million, or $0.18 per gallon, for the third quarter of 2016 compared with $34.9 million, or $0.16 per gallon, for the same period in 2015. The consolidated ethanol crush margin is the ethanol production segment’s operating income before depreciation and amortization, which includes corn oil production, plus intercompany storage, transportation and other fees, net of related expenses.

Revenues were $2.5 billion for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2016, compared with $2.2 billion for the same period in 2015. Net loss for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2016, was $(8.0) million, or $(0.21) per diluted share, compared with net income of $10.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015.

“We experienced a stable ethanol margin environment in the third quarter as we continued to see strong ethanol demand worldwide driven by increasing consumption of gasoline and broader appetites for an efficient source of octane,” added Becker. “As we continue to expand and diversify our operations, we expect to immediately benefit from the recently acquired businesses.”

Recent Highlights

• On Aug. 15, 2016, Green Plains completed a private offering of $170 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% convertible senior notes that will mature on Sept. 1, 2022. The net proceeds from the offering were used to finance the recent acquisitions.

• On Sept. 23, 2016, Green Plains acquired three ethanol plants located in Madison, Ill., Mount Vernon, Ind. and York. Neb. for approximately $237 million in cash plus certain working capital adjustments from Abengoa BioEnergy. Concurrently, the ethanol storage assets were sold to Green Plains Partners LP for $90 million. All three plants are currently operational and will add 236 million gallons per year of ethanol production capacity.

• On Oct. 3, 2016, Green Plains acquired SCI Ingredients Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, Inc., for approximately $250 million, financing the transaction with $135 million of debt and the balance with cash on hand. Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company will operate as a standalone business.

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Results of Operations

Consolidated revenues increased $99.1 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015. Revenues from ethanol, corn oil and cattle sales increased $82.7 million, $20.9 million and $13.1 million, respectively, while revenues from grain decreased $17.1 million. Ethanol and cattle revenues were affected by increased volumes sold,partially offset by lower average realized prices. Corn oil revenues were impacted by increased volumes sold. Grain revenues were impacted by both lower volumes sold and lower average realized prices.

Operating income increased $11.0 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2016, compared with the same period last year primarily due to increased margins on ethanol production and cattle. Interest expense increased $1.6 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2016, compared with the same period last year primarily due to higher average debt outstanding. Income tax expense was $5.1 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2016, compared with income tax benefit of $0.6 million for the same period in 2015.

Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the third quarter of 2016 was $49.1 million compared with $36.3 million for the same period last year.

GREEN PLAINS INC.

SEGMENT OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			% Var.			2016			2015			% Var.
Revenues:
Ethanol production	$	532,441		$	389,917			36.6	%	$	1,471,757		$	1,286,519			14.4	%
Agribusiness		443,330			310,190			42.9			1,300,862			974,883			33.4
Marketing and distribution		735,983			670,327			9.8			2,173,826			1,980,360			9.8
Partnership		26,205			21,410			22.4			75,487			28,251			*
Intersegment eliminations		(896,107	)		(649,047	)		38.1			(2,543,149	)		(2,044,338	)		24.4
		841,852			742,797			13.3			2,478,783			2,225,675			11.4
Gross margin:
Ethanol production		38,216			24,569			55.5			61,037			101,924			(40.1	)
Agribusiness		8,748			2,195			298.5			22,651			11,904			90.3
Marketing and distribution		9,660			13,393			(27.9	)		26,023			30,033			(13.4	)
Partnership		26,205			21,410			22.4			75,487			28,251			*
Intersegment eliminations		140			1,882			(92.6	)		490			5,184			(90.5	)
		82,969			63,449			30.8			185,688			177,296			4.7
Operating income (loss):
Ethanol production		15,311			5,528			177.0			(7,385	)		43,139			(117.1	)
Agribusiness		6,251			365			*			15,039			5,833			157.8
Marketing and distribution		5,252			9,406			(44.2	)		13,908			17,446			(20.3	)
Partnership		15,084			11,030			36.8			42,958			416			*
Intersegment eliminations		141			1,882			(92.5	)		491			5,264			(90.7	)
Segment operating income		42,039			28,211			49.0			65,011			72,098			(9.8	)
Corporate activities		(11,184	)		(8,378	)		33.5			(29,393	)		(23,759	)		23.7
	$	30,855		$	19,833			55.6	%	$	35,618		$	48,339			(26.3	)%

* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.

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GREEN PLAINS INC.

OPERATING DATA BY PRODUCT

(unaudited, in thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		% Var.			2016		2015		% Var.
Ethanol production
Ethanol sold (gallons)		292,238		215,561		35.6	%		813,464		686,791		18.4	%
Distillers grains sold (tons)		790		577		36.8			2,170		1,837		18.1
Corn oil sold (pounds)		72,176		55,918		29.1			196,530		175,975		11.7
Corn consumed (bushels)		102,113		75,538		35.2			284,282		241,720		17.6
Agribusiness
Grain sold (bushels)		112,754		63,171		78.5			320,612		206,554		55.2
Marketing and distribution
Ethanol sold (gallons)		335,980		294,348		14.1			1,017,806		869,989		17.0
Partnership
Storage and throughput (gallons)		292,238		215,561		35.6			813,464		215,561		*

* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.    

GREEN PLAINS INC.

CONSOLIDATED CRUSH MARGIN

(unaudited, in thousands except per gallon amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
	($ in thousands)				($ per gallon produced)
Ethanol production operating income	$	15,311	$	5,528	$	0.05	$	0.03
Depreciation and amortization		15,725		13,887		0.06		0.06
Total ethanol production		31,036		19,415		0.11		0.09
Intercompany fees, net:
Storage and logistics (partnership)		15,675		11,852		0.05		0.05
Marketing and agribusiness fees		5,885		3,622		0.02		0.02
Consolidated crush margin	$	52,596	$	34,889	$	0.18	$	0.16

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

On Sept. 30, 2016, Green Plains had $441.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $168.9 million available under revolving credit agreements, some of which are subject to restrictions and other lending conditions. Total debt outstanding was $923.5 million, including $229.1 million outstanding under working capital revolvers and other short-term borrowing arrangements for the marketing and distribution, and agribusiness segments at Sept. 30, 2016.

Conference Call Information

On Nov. 1, 2016, Green Plains Inc. and Green Plains Partners LP will host a joint conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time) to discuss third quarter 2016 financial and operating results for each company. Domestic and international participants can access the conference call by dialing 888.765.5576 and 913.312.0837, respectively. Participants are advised to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternatively, the conference call and presentation can be accessed on Green Plains’ website athttp://investor.gpreinc.com/events.cfm. A transcript of the conference call will also be made available on the company’s website as soon as practicable.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management uses earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and consolidated ethanol crush margin to measure the company’s financial performance and to internally manage its businesses. Management believes these measures provide useful information to investors for comparison with peer and other companies. These measures should not be considered an alternative to net income or segment operating income, which are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. EBITDA calculations may vary from company to company. Accordingly, the company’s computation of EBITDA may not be comparable with a similarly-titled measure of another company.

About Green Plains Inc.

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production; grain handling and storage; a cattle feedlot; and commodity marketing and distribution services. The company is the second largest consolidated owner of ethanol production facilities in the world, with 17 dry mill plants, producing nearly 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol at full capacity. Green Plains, through its wholly owned subsidiary Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, provides specialized ingredient solutions for leading food and feed manufacturers. Green Plains owns a 62.5% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners. For more information about Green Plains, visitwww.gpreinc.com.

About Green Plains Partners LP

Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visitwww.greenplainspartners.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goal,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “will,” and other words with similar meanings in connection with future operating or financial performance. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations, which are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcomes, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Green Plains may experience significant fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, including competition in the industries in which Green Plains operates; commodity market risks, including those resulting from current weather conditions; financial market risks; counterparty risks; risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation; risks related to closing and achieving anticipated results from acquisitions; risks associated with the joint venture to commercialize algae production and growth potential of the algal biomass industry; risks associated with the recent acquisitions of three Abengoa BioEnergy ethanol plants and Fleischmann’s Vinegar; and other risks detailed in Green Plains’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Green Plains is not obligated nor intends to update its forward-looking statements at any time unless it is required by applicable securities laws. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this release could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

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Consolidated Financial Results

GREEN PLAINS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	407,359	$	384,867
Restricted cash		34,219		27,018
Accounts receivable, net		132,574		96,150
Inventories		324,287		353,957
Other current assets		54,583		50,585
Total current assets		953,022		912,577
Property and equipment, net		1,139,592		922,070
Other assets		84,344		83,273
Total assets	$	2,176,958	$	1,917,920
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	129,317	$	166,963
Accrued and other liabilities		46,373		32,026
Short-term notes payable and other borrowings		229,086		226,928
Current maturities of long-term debt		13,244		4,507
Other current liabilities		24,927		8,245
Current liabilities		442,947		438,669
Long-term debt		681,182		432,139
Other liabilities		87,290		88,203
Total liabilities		1,211,419		959,011
Stockholders’ equity
Total Green Plains stockholders’ equity		849,833		797,830
Noncontrolling interests		115,706		161,079
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,176,958	$	1,917,920

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GREEN PLAINS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			% Var.			2016			2015			% Var.
Revenues
Product	$	839,786		$	740,634			13.4	%	$	2,472,741		$	2,219,319			11.4	%
Service		2,066			2,163			(4.5	)		6,042			6,356			(4.9	)
Total revenues		841,852			742,797			13.3			2,478,783			2,225,675			11.4
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold		758,883			679,348			11.7			2,293,095			2,048,379			11.9
Operations and maintenance		8,564			7,715			11.0			25,713			21,850			17.7
General and administrative		24,264			19,280			25.9			68,225			58,473			16.7
Depreciation and amortization		19,286			16,621			16.0			56,132			48,634			15.4
Total costs and expenses		810,997			722,964			12.2			2,443,165			2,177,336			12.2
Operating income		30,855			19,833			55.6			35,618			48,339			(26.3	)
Other income (expense)
Interest income		484			319			51.7			1,263			749			68.5
Interest expense		(11,819	)		(10,196	)		15.9			(33,117	)		(29,918	)		10.7
Other, net		(1,553	)		(519	)		199.2			(2,050	)		(2,484	)		(17.5	)
Total other expense		(12,888	)		(10,396	)		24.0			(33,904	)		(31,653	)		7.1
Income before income taxes		17,967			9,437			90.4			1,714			16,686			(89.7	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		5,083			(604	)		*			(4,339	)		2,171			*
Net income		12,884			10,041			28.3			6,053			14,515			(58.3	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		4,956			3,862			28.3			14,072			3,862			264.4
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains	$	7,928		$	6,179			28.3	%	$	(8,019	)	$	10,653			(175.3	)%
Earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains - basic	$	0.21		$	0.16					$	(0.21	)	$	0.28
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains - diluted	$	0.20		$	0.16					$	(0.21	)	$	0.27
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		38,282			38,066						38,301			37,966
Diluted		39,136			38,556						38,301			39,266

* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.    

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GREEN PLAINS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	6,053		$	14,515
Noncash operating adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		56,132			48,634
Deferred income taxes		(16,413	)		(39,645	)
Other		14,549			11,745
Net change in working capital		660			(42,729	)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		60,981			(7,480	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(35,658	)		(44,464	)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(252,488	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries		(1,388	)		(3,309	)
Net cash used by investing activities		(289,534	)		(47,773	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds (payments) - long-term debt		296,422			(16,419	)
Net proceeds (payments) - short-term borrowings		1,843			(9,285	)
Other		(47,220	)		151,310
Net cash provided by financing activities		251,045			125,606
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		22,492			70,353
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		384,867			425,510
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	407,359		$	495,863

GREEN PLAINS INC.

RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(unaudited, in thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015			2016			2015
Net income	$	12,884	$	10,041		$	6,053		$	14,515
Interest expense		11,819		10,196			33,117			29,918
Income taxes		5,083		(604	)		(4,339	)		2,171
Depreciation and amortization		19,286		16,621			56,132			48,634
EBITDA	$	49,072	$	36,254		$	90,963		$	95,238

Contact:Jim Stark, Vice President - Investor and Media Relations, Green Plains Inc. (402) 884-8700

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