News

HOUSTON, May 03, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE: FIX), a leading provider of commercial, industrial and institutional heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") services, today announced a net loss of $5,170,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as compared to net income of $1,927,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010. The Company reported revenues of $282,059,000 in the current quarter. On a same-store basis, the Company reported revenue of $241,240,000, as compared to $236,475,000 in 2010. The Company also reported negative free cash flow of $21,179,000 in the current quarter, as compared to negative free cash flow of $12,580,000 in the first quarter of 2010. Backlog as of March 31, 2011 was $619,482,000 compared to $617,898,000 as of December 31, 2010.

Bill Murdy, Comfort Systems USA's Chairman and CEO, said, "Seasonally low activity levels and the continued effects of a deep construction recession combined to produce our first quarterly operating loss in eight years. The loss was caused by generally weak results at most of our locations and by specific job write-downs at our South Alabama operation, which was recently consolidated into a successful neighboring operation in the Florida Panhandle. As in past years, first quarter cash flow was negative, but we expect that cash flow will improve in future quarters. Backlog remained at overall solid levels this quarter."

Bill Murdy concluded, "Despite the weak start, we expect to be profitable and achieve positive free cash flow in 2011. Although market conditions remain difficult, especially in new construction, we believe that we remain well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities when construction markets improve."

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its financial results and position in more depth on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. The call-in number for this conference call is 1-888-680-0890 and enter 24812045 as the passcode. Participants may pre-register for the call at https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PXJE3DWMK. Pre-registrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing into the live call which will provide quick access to the conference by bypassing the operator upon connection. The call can also be accessed on the Company's website at www.comfortsystemsusa.com under the Investor tab. A replay of the entire call will be available until 6:00 p.m. Central Time, Wednesday, May 11, 2011 by calling 1-888-286-8010 with the conference passcode of 11069608, and will also be available on our website on the next business day following the call.

Comfort Systems USA^(R) is a premier provider of business solutions addressing workplace comfort, with 84 locations in 70 cities around the nation. For more information, visit the Company's website atwww.comfortsystemsusa.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current plans and expectations of future events of Comfort Systems USA, Inc. and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others, the use of incorrect estimates for bidding a fixed-price contract, undertaking contractual commitments that exceed our labor resources, failing to perform contractual obligations efficiently enough to maintain profitability, national or regional weakness in construction activity and economic conditions, financial difficulties affecting projects, vendors, customers, or subcontractors, our backlog failing to translate into actual revenue or profits, difficulty in obtaining or increased costs associated with bonding and insurance, impairment to goodwill, errors in our percentage-of-completion method of accounting, the result of competition in our markets, our decentralized management structure, shortages of labor and specialty building materials, retention of key management, seasonal fluctuations in the demand for HVAC systems, the imposition of past and future liability from environmental, safety, and health regulations including the inherent risk associated with self-insurance, adverse litigation results and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed under "Item 1A. Company Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this filing. Comfort Systems USA, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, developments, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

- Financial tables follow -

Note 1: The diluted earnings per share data presented above reflects the dilutive effect, if any, of stock options and contingently issuable restricted stock which were outstanding during the periods presented.

Supplemental Non-GAAP Information - Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") (Unaudited):

Note 1: The Company defines adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ( "Adjusted EBITDA") as net income (loss), excluding discontinued operation, income taxes, other (income) expense, interest expense, net, gain on sale of assets and depreciation and amortization. Other companies may define Adjusted EBITDA differently. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a financial measure that is frequently requested by third parties. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not considered under generally accepted accounting principles as a primary measure of an entity's financial results, and accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to operating income (loss), net income (loss), or cash flows as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.

Note 1: Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less customary capital expenditures, plus the proceeds from asset sales. Other companies may define free cash flow differently. Free cash flow is presented because it is a financial measure that is frequently requested by third parties. However, free cash flow is not considered under generally accepted accounting principles as a primary measure of an entity's financial results, and accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to operating income, net income, or cash flows as determined under generally accepted accounting principles and as reported by the Company.

SOURCE: Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.
William George, 713-830-9600
Chief Financial Officer