Hunting Regulatory News (HTG)

Hunting PLC

("Hunting" or "the Company" or "the Group")

Results for the six months to 30 June 2018

Hunting PLC (LSE:HTG), the international energy services group, today announces its results for the six months to 30 June 2018.

Financial Summary1

1 - Underlying results are before amortisation of acquired intangible assets and exceptional items. Reported results are based on the statutory results as reported under International Financial Reporting Standards.

2 - 2017 financial data has been restated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Operational Highlights

· Strong increase in volumes manufactured during H1 2018 compared to the prior period reflecting the improvement in drilling and completion activity in US onshore markets and more stability globally.

· Sustained, strong performance by Hunting Titan throughout the reporting period, given the WTI oil price trading range and continued growth in activity within US onshore shale basins:

o Global manufacturing of perforating guns expanded - production in Canada, China Mexico and US;

o Expansion of charge manufacturing facility commenced at the Group's Milford facility. Scheduled completion in Q2 2019, with a 30% increase in production capacity;

o Expansion and automation of perforating gun manufacturing at the Group's Pampa facility. Scheduled completion Q1 2019 with a 15% and 30% increase in production capacity for conventional perforating guns and H-1 Perforating Systems respectively; and

o Progress with new technology development - commercial launch of autonomous cutting tool and enhanced H-1 Perforating System planned for H2 2018 and Q1 2019 respectively.

· Commercial launch of three TEC-LOCK™ semi-premium connection variants achieved during the period. Target markets include onshore conventional and shale projects.

Financial Highlights

· Increased revenue and EBITDA reported in the period and a return to underlying and reported profit before tax.

· Gross margin of 31% (H1 2017 - 22%) and EBITDA margin of 16% (H1 2017 - 4%) achieved in the period on the back of a lower cost base and operating leverage benefits.

· Hunting Titan and US operations report operating profits as markets improve. Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Middle East and E&P segments remain loss making.

· Recommencement of shareholder distributions - interim dividend of 4.0 cents declared, absorbing approximately $6.6m, payable to shareholders on 24 October 2018, with a record date of 5 October 2018.

Board Changes and Executive Committee

· Carol Chesney and Keith Lough joined the Board as independent non-executive Directors on 23 April 2018. Mrs Chesney was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee, following the retirement of John Nicholas on 18 April 2018.

· John Hofmeister retires from the Board today after nine years of service. Annell Bay has been appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Keith Lough has been appointed Senior Independent Director.

· Formation of Executive Committee comprising the executive Directors plus segment heads to manage the Group.

Commenting on the results Jim Johnson, Chief Executive, said:

"The Group's results for the first half of the year are underpinned by a strong market environment within US onshore completions, which has led to outstanding results for Hunting Titan and improving profitability for Hunting's US operations.

"Outside the US, Hunting's other reporting segments are seeing improving markets. However, there are headwinds given the introduction of trading tariffs for steel and the continuing volatile geopolitical environment."

"Given the interim financial results reported today and the more stable outlook, the Board is pleased to be re-instating dividend distributions to shareholders."

Half Year Management Report

For access to the Half Year Management Report narrative for the six months to 30 June 2018 please click on the following link.

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1849Z_1-2018-8-29.pdf

Financial Statements and Notes to the Accounts

For access to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes for the six months to 30 June 2018 please click on the following link.

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1849Z_2-2018-8-29.pdf

The attached documents provide complete access to the Group's 2018 Half Year Report. The Report can also be accessed at www.huntingplc.com. 

Analyst Briefing and Webcast

Hunting PLC will host an analyst briefing on Thursday 30 August 2018 at 9.30a.m. at the offices of Buchanan, 107 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DN.

An audio webcast will be available on:

http://webcasting.buchanan.uk.com/broadcast/5b27a6d08688316b8cc3712b

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

About Hunting PLC

Hunting PLC is an international energy services provider to the world's leading upstream oil and gas companies. Established in 1874, it is a premium listed public company traded on the London Stock Exchange. The Company maintains a corporate office in Houston and is headquartered in London. As well as the United Kingdom, the Company has principal operations in Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

Hunting PLC's Legal Entity Identifier is 2138008S5FL78ITZRN66.

This announcement, with accompanying attachments, is deemed to contain inside information. Ben Willey, the Group's Company Secretary, is responsible for release of this announcement.