GlobeNewswire Inc | Nov 9, 2020 04:05PM EST

November 09, 2020

-- Net income of $14.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $34.1 million -- Adjusted EBITDA for the second half of 2020 expected to be in the range of $50 to $70 million -- Total debt reduced by $29.3 million during the quarter

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX), a leading producer of specialty alcohols and essential ingredients, reported its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

We have realigned our business around specialty alcohols and essential ingredients, focusing on the stable growth markets of Health, Home & Beauty, Food and Beverage and Essential Ingredients, said Mike Kandris, Pacific Ethanols CEO. Our 3rd quarter net income of $14.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $34.1 million reflect our efforts to reposition the company to produce sustainable and profitable results going forward. We have successfully transitioned production at our Pekin, Illinois campus to approximately 50% specialty alcohols. We are further expanding capacity at our Pekin facility and investing in quality assurance and certifications to expand addressable customers and markets to further build our business.

To support these efforts, we raised $75 million in October through an equity offering, the net proceeds of which will significantly reduce legacy debt, improve our balance sheet, and be accretive to 2020 earnings per share on a pro forma basis. We took a further step with the recently announced agreement to sell the grain handling assets at our Burley, Idaho plant for $10 million, which will monetize idled assets at an accretive value. The proceeds will be used to prepay debt.

We have many attractive reinvestment opportunities which we can complete with the support of our strengthened balance sheet. For example, we are investing in a capacity expansion of our yeast facility to increase annual production by 15%. We expect to complete this project by the third quarter of 2021.

We are reaffirming our second half of 2020 guidance of Adjusted EBITDA between $50 and $70 million dollars and $66 and $86 million dollars for the full year, stated Bryon McGregor, Pacific Ethanols CFO. The majority of our 2021 specialty alcohol production has already been contracted at fixed prices for terms of one year or more. We expect long-term tailwinds from continued growth in demand for specialty alcohols and essential ingredients.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019

-- Net sales were $204.7 million, compared to $365.2 million. -- Cost of goods sold was $183.8 million, compared to $380.0 million. -- Gross profit was $20.9 million, compared to a gross loss of $14.8 million. -- Selling, general and administrative expenses were $6.4 million, compared to $8.7 million. -- Operating income was $26.3 million, compared to an operating loss of $23.5 million. -- Income available to common stockholders was $14.9 million, or $0.24 per share, compared to a loss of $27.6 million, or $0.58 per share. -- Adjusted EBITDA was positive $34.1 million, compared to negative $12.4 million. -- Cash and cash equivalents were $38.7 million at September 30, 2020, compared to $19.0 million at December 31, 2019. Subsequent to the third quarter, on October 28, 2020, the company closed an underwritten public offering of common stock and pre-funded warrants and concurrent private offering of warrants, for net proceeds of approximately $70.0 million.

Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019

-- Net sales were $728.2 million, compared to $1.1 billion. -- Cost of goods sold was $689.0 million, compared to $1.1 billion. -- Gross profit was $39.2 million, compared toa gross loss of $13.1 million. -- Selling, general and administrative expenses were $25.2 million, compared to $23.6 million. -- Operating income was $25.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $36.8 million. -- Income available to common stockholders was $4.1 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to a loss of $48.8 million, or $1.04 per share. -- Adjusted EBITDA was positive $50.6 million, compared to negative $3.6 million.

ThirdQuarter 2020 Results Conference Call Management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time / 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, and will deliver prepared remarks via webcast followed by a question and answer session.

The webcast for the call can be accessed from Pacific Ethanols website at www.pacificethanol.com. To gain immediate access to the call, bypass the operator and avoid the queue, you may pre-register by clicking here. Alternatively, you may dial the following number up to twenty minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: (888) 869-1189 or (706) 643-5902 and reference 9127549.

If you are unable to participate in the live call, the webcast will be archived for replay on Pacific Ethanols website for one year. In addition, a telephonic replay will be available at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, through 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056. International callers should dial 00-1 (404) 537-3406. The pass code will be 9127549.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures Management believes that certain financial measures not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") are useful measures of operations. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as unaudited net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. before interest expense, provision (benefit) for income taxes, asset impairments, loss on extinguishment of debt, purchase accounting adjustments, fair value adjustments, and depreciation and amortization expense. A table is provided at the end of this release that provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Management provides this non-GAAP measure so that investors will have the same financial information that management uses, which may assist investors in properly assessing the company's performance on a period-over-period basis. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. or any other measure of performance under GAAP, or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows or as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider this measure in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company's results as reported under GAAP.

Information reconciling forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA to forward-looking net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. would require a forward-looking statement of net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. prepared in accordance with GAAP, which is unavailable to the company without unreasonable effort. The company is not able to provide a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA to forward-looking net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. because certain items required for reconciliation are uncertain, outside of the companys control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, such as fair value adjustments, asset impairments, if any, and provision (benefit) for income taxes, which the company views as the most material components of net income (loss) attributed to Pacific Ethanol, Inc. that are not presently estimable.

About Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (PEIX) is a leading producer of specialty alcohols and essential ingredients. The company is focused on products for four key markets: Health, Home & Beauty, Food & Beverage, Essential Ingredients and Renewable Fuels. The companys customers include major food and beverage companies and consumer products companies. Pacific Ethanols subsidiary, Kinergy Marketing LLC, markets all specialty alcohol products for Pacific Ethanols distilleries as well as fuel grade ethanol for third parties. Pacific Ethanols subsidiary, Pacific Ag. Products LLC, markets wet and dry distillers grains. For more information please visit www.pacificethanol.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995Statements and information contained in this communication that refer to or include Pacific Ethanols estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical expressions of fact are forward-looking statements that reflect Pacific Ethanols current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of the communication. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as anticipate, believe, plan, could, should, estimate, expect, forecast, outlook, guidance, intend, may, might, will, possible, potential, predict, project, or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future market conditions, including the supply of and domestic and international demand for specialty alcohols, fuel-grade ethanol and co-products; the timing and success of Pacific Ethanols efforts to expand production capacity; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to timely close the sale of its grain handling assets at its Burley, Idaho plant; Adjusted EBITDA amounts that Pacific Ethanol might generate; and Pacific Ethanols other plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. It is important to note that Pacific Ethanols plans, objectives, expectations and intentions are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Pacific Ethanols current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Pacific Ethanols business. These factors include, among others, adverse economic and market conditions, including for specialty alcohols, fuel-grade ethanol and co-products; export conditions and international demand for fuel-grade ethanol and co-products; fluctuations in the price of and demand for oil and gasoline; raw material costs, including production input costs, such as corn and natural gas; the continued effects of the novel coronavirus on travel and the demand for transportation fuels, sanitizers and disinfectants; and the ability of Pacific Ethanol to timely and successfully execute on its strategic realignment initiatives and remain in compliance with its debt covenants, including Pacific Ethanols compliance with its prior and continuing obligation to obtain lender approval of a comprehensive plan to restructure its assets and liabilities, the failure of which currently enables its lenders to accelerate Pacific Ethanols debt. These factors also include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial and other projections; the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for Pacific Ethanols products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the specialty alcohols and fuel-grade ethanol production and marketing industries; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to Pacific Ethanols facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in laws, regulations and governmental policies; the loss of key senior management or staff; and other events, factors and risks previously and from time to time disclosed in Pacific Ethanols filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, specifically, those factors set forth in the Risk Factors section contained in Pacific Ethanols Prospectus Supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2020.

Company IR Contact: IR Agency Media Contact: Contact:Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Moriah Shilton Paul Koehler916-403-2755 LHA Pacific Ethanol, Inc.Investorrelations@pacificethanol.com 415-433-3777 916-403-2790 paulk@pacificethanol.com

PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net sales $ 204,727 $ 365,160 $ 728,205 $ 1,067,264 Cost of goods sold 183,797 379,976 688,983 1,080,398 Gross profit (loss) 20,930 (14,816 ) 39,222 (13,134 )Selling, general and (6,404 ) (8,687 ) (25,245 ) (23,630 )administrative expensesGain on litigation 11,750 ? 11,750 ? settlementIncome (loss) from 26,276 (23,503 ) 25,727 (36,764 )operationsInterest expense, net (4,199 ) (5,163 ) (14,153 ) (15,014 )Fair value adjustments (6,856 ) ? (7,497 ) ? Other income (expense), (6 ) (407 ) (1,164 ) 254 netIncome (loss) beforebenefit for income 15,215 (29,073 ) 2,913 (51,524 )taxesBenefit for income ? ? ? ? taxesConsolidated net income 15,215 (29,073 ) 2,913 (51,524 )(loss)Net loss attributed tononcontrolling ? 1,747 2,166 3,662 interestsNet income (loss)attributed to Pacific $ 15,215 $ (27,326 ) $ 5,079 $ (47,862 )Ethanol, Inc.Preferred stock $ (319 ) $ (319 ) $ (949 ) $ (946 )dividendsNet income (loss)available to common $ 14,896 $ (27,645 ) $ 4,130 $ (48,808 )stockholdersNet income (loss) per $ 0.25 $ (0.58 ) $ 0.07 $ (1.04 )share, basicNet income (loss) per $ 0.24 $ (0.58 ) $ 0.07 $ (1.04 )share, dilutedWeighted-average sharesoutstanding, basic and 58,503 47,777 55,620 47,030 dilutedWeighted-average sharesoutstanding, basic and 61,699 47,777 57,958 47,030 diluted

PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(unaudited, in thousands, except par value)

September December 31, 30,ASSETS 2020 2019 Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 38,730 $ 18,997 Accounts receivable, net 44,465 74,307 Inventories 37,706 60,600 Prepaid inventory 1,215 1,528 Assets held-for-sale 6,920 69,764 Derivative instruments 5,792 2,438 Other current assets 2,887 4,430 Total current assets 137,715 232,064 Property and equipment, net 306,251 332,526 Other Assets: Right of use operating lease assets, net 21,710 24,346 Notes receivable 15,624 ? Assets held-for-sale ? 16,500 Intangible assets 2,678 2,678 Other assets 5,484 4,381 Total other assets 45,496 47,905 Total Assets $ 489,462 $ 612,495

PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)(unaudited, in thousands, except par value)

September December 31, 30,LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY 2020 2019 Current Liabilities: Accounts payable ? trade $ 17,582 $ 29,277 Accrued liabilities 11,721 22,331 Current portion ? operating leases 2,541 3,457 Current portion ? long-term debt 74,900 63,000 Liabilities held-for-sale ? 34,413 Derivative instruments ? 1,860 Other current liabilities 8,361 6,060 Total current liabilities 115,105 160,398 Long-term debt, net of current portion 87,989 180,795 Operating leases, net of current portion 19,659 21,171 Other liabilities 21,493 23,086 Total Liabilities 244,246 385,450 Stockholders? Equity: Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Stockholders? Equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000 sharesauthorized; Series A: 0 shares issued and outstanding as of 1 1 September 30, 2020 and December31, 2019 Series B: 927 shares issued and outstanding asof September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000 sharesauthorized; 63,484 and 55,508 shares issued and outstanding 63 56 as of September 30, 2020 and December31, 2019,respectivelyNon-voting common stock, $0.001 par value; 3,553shares authorized; ? ? 1 share issued and outstanding as of September30, 2020 and December31, 2019Additional paid-in capital 963,606 942,307 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,370 ) (2,370 )Accumulated deficit (716,084 ) (720,214 )Total Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Stockholders? Equity 245,216 219,780 Noncontrolling Interests ? 7,265 Total Stockholders? Equity 245,216 227,045 Total Liabilities and Stockholders? Equity $ 489,462 $ 612,495

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,(in thousands) (unaudited) 2020 2019 2020 2019

Net income (loss)attributed to Pacific $ 15,215 $ (27,326 ) $ 5,079 $ (47,862 )EthanolAdjustments: Interest expense, net* 4,003 5,163 13,785 15,014 Fair value adjustments 6,856 ? 7,497 ? Benefit for income taxes ? ? ? ? Depreciation and 8,049 9,751 24,254 29,232 amortization expense*Total adjustments 18,908 14,914 45,536 44,246 Adjusted EBITDA $ 34,123 $ (12,412 ) $ 50,615 $ (3,616 )________________* Adjusted for noncontrolling interests.

Commodity Price Performance

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30,(unaudited) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Production gallons sold (in 43.5 130.1 223.0 365.6 millions)Third party gallons sold (in 76.7 80.2 212.9 258.3 millions)Total gallons sold (in 120.2 210.3 435.9 623.9 millions) Total gallons produced (in 45.2 124.2 209.1 368.0 millions)Production capacity 40 % 82 % 54 % 81 %utilization Average ethanol sales price $ 1.71 $ 1.61 $ 1.60 $ 1.59 per gallonAverage CBOT ethanol price $ 1.27 $ 1.41 $ 1.20 $ 1.38 per gallon Corn cost ? CBOT equivalent $ 3.29 $ 3.85 $ 3.49 $ 3.80 Average basis 0.22 0.47 0.29 0.42 Delivered cost of corn $ 3.51 $ 4.32 $ 3.78 $ 4.22 Total co-product tons sold 255.5 720.4 1,177.5 2,096.0 (in thousands)Co-product return % (1) 50.2 % 30.9 % 44.6 % 35.1 %________________(1) Co-product revenue as a percentage of delivered costof corn.