Amen Properties (Pink Sheets: AMEN) today announced financial results
for its fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. The Company
posted quarterly revenue of $2.3 million and net income of $401 thousand
versus revenue of $1.0 million and net income of $6 thousand in the
fourth quarter of 2008. This improvement in earnings was driven by a 42%
increase in Priority Power revenue which resulted from a large
reengineering project. Priority delivered full year earnings of $1.4
million in 2009, an increase of 6% over 2008.
For the full year 2009, Amen reported revenue of $8.6 million and net
income of $451 thousand, versus revenue of $4.5 million and net income
of $550 thousand in 2008. The significant increase in 2009 revenue was
caused by the consolidation of SFF Production, in which the Company
purchased a controlling interest at the end of 2008. The decrease in
profitability versus 2008 was driven by decreases in oil and gas prices,
depletion expense for SFF Production and the recognition of a gain of
$703 thousand in 2008 related to the liquidation of the Company’s
holdings in Santa Fe Energy Trust. After payment of preferred dividends,
the Company generated a loss per common share of $(0.11) for 2009,
compared to earnings per share of $0.05 in 2008 (diluted).
Amen recognized income of $184 thousand in 2009 from its minority
investment in HPG Acquisition, LLC, an entity which owns commercial real
estate in Midland, Texas. Additionally, the Company’s corporate overhead
decreased over $500 thousand in 2009 as a result of the Company’s
decision to delist from NASDAQ and other cost-cutting measures.
"Despite our negative accounting results caused by significant depletion
expense, our oil and gas investments delivered over $2.3 million in cash
flow in 2009, leaving Amen in a very strong financial position with
nearly $6 million in cash and less than $2 million in debt at the end of
the year,” said Kris Oliver, Amen’s Chief Executive Officer. "We expect
our oil and gas properties to continue to drive significant cash flow
but little or no accounting income in the near term until the properties
are fully depleted, after which our NOL will allow us to maximize cash
flow by shielding the earnings from taxes.”
Mr. Oliver also mentioned that Amen accrued a tithing liability of $48
thousand for 2009 in accordance with its bylaws. Amen donates 10% of its
net income to Christian charities with an emphasis on benevolence and
youth ministry.
The Company’s 2009 fourth quarter report is available for viewing or
download from the company’s web site – www.amenproperties.com.
About Amen Properties:
Amen is a Christian corporation with a strategic asset – a net operating
loss accumulated during the Company’s "dot com” past totaling $28
million which can be used to offset tax liabilities arising from future
earnings. Amen seeks to own strong energy-related assets and businesses
with earnings which can be shielded from taxes via the Company’s NOL.
Currently, Amen owns business and assets which fall into two categories:
Energy Services and Energy Resources.
Energy Services: Priority Power (www.prioritypower.net)
Priority Power is an independent energy management and consulting
services firm whose sole purpose is to act as an extension of our
clients’ staff to mitigate the risk and overcome the challenges
associated with energy supply, information, and demand management.
Priority Power has 1,200 clients representing over 7.1 billion kilowatt
hours and $650 million in annual energy consumption.
Energy Resources: Oil and Gas Interests
Amen owns royalty and working interests in over 1,200 properties in
twelve states through its ownership of SFF Royalty, LLC (33.3%
ownership) and SFF Production, LLC (79.1% owner), the entities which own
the interests formerly held by Santa Fe Energy Trust.
