MAUMEE, Ohio, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE) today announced third quarter net income attributable to the company of $16.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.1 billion. In the third quarter of 2011, the company reported results of $10.9 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, on revenues of $939 million. For the first nine months of 2012, the company earned $64.5 million, or $3.43 per diluted share, on revenues of $3.6 billion. In the same period of 2011, The Andersons reported results of $73.4 million, or $3.92 per diluted share, on $3.3 billion of revenues.

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The Rail Group achieved record third quarter operating income of $19.1 million on revenues of $60 million. In the same three month period of 2011, the group earned $1.1 million and revenues were $24 million. This quarter, the group recognized $13.5 million in gains on sales of railcars and related leases and non-recourse transactions (where the company continues to provide car management services to the purchaser and typically holds an option to purchase the railcars at the end of the assigned lease). In the third quarter of 2011, the company recognized a gain on similar transactions of $0.7 million. Gross profit from the leasing business was significantly higher due primarily to an increase in the average lease rate. The average utilization rate for the quarter was approximately 84 percent, which is down slightly from 85 percent last year. The rail fleet has increased to approximately 23,400 cars from 22,300 last year. The group's first nine months operating income was $34.3 million on $128 million of revenues. In 2011, operating income through September was $7.4 million and revenues were $82 million. These results include gains similar to those aforementioned of $22.2 million and $7.7 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The Grain Group had operating income of $10.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 versus $8.3 million for the same period last year. The group benefited from an early harvest, which resulted in higher gross profit on sales in comparison to the prior year third quarter. Space income was down considerably, as expected. This was offset by record third quarter earnings from the company's investment in Lansing Trade Group. Revenues for the Grain Group were $677 million and $539 million for the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the bushels sold. The Grain Group's operating income for the first nine months of the year was $45.5 million on revenues of $2.1 billion. Last year, its operating income through September was $60.0 million on revenues of $2.0 billion. As announced last week, the group has entered into an agreement to purchase the majority of the grain and agronomy assets of Green Plains Grain Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. This acquisition includes seven facilities in Iowa and five in Tennessee, with a combined grain storage capacity of approximately 32 million bushels, which increases the group's storage capacity by nearly 30 percent. The Iowa locations also have 30,000 tons of fertilizer storage space.

The Plant Nutrient Group's third quarter operating income was $0.8 million on revenues of $135 million. In the same three month period of 2011, the group had operating income of $6.6 million on revenues of $138 million. Margins in the third quarter were solid; however, in the prior year margins were significantly higher. The group's first nine months' operating income was $34.5 million on $619 million of revenues. Last year, its operating income through September was $35.8 million on revenues of $521 million. Increased revenues this year are due to both increased volume and higher selling prices.

The Ethanol Group had an operating loss of $0.9 million in the third quarter, compared to earnings of $4.4 million during the same period last year. The loss was primarily the result of a decrease in the company's earnings from its ethanol investment affiliates, whose income continues to be significantly impacted by lower ethanol margins that have resulted from increased corn costs and lower ethanol demand. Partially offsetting the group's lower margins are service income and income from co-products such as corn-oil, DDGs, E-85, and CO2. Total revenues for the quarter in 2012 and 2011 were $210 million and $179 million, respectively. Revenues were up due to the addition of the Denison, Iowa facility in May. The group's operating loss through September was $2.9 million on revenues of $528 million. Last year, its nine month operating income was $16.8 million on revenues of $477 million.

The Turf & Specialty Group had an operating loss of $1.6 million in the third quarter on $22 million of revenues. Last year, the group reported an operating loss of $1.2 million on $23 million of revenues for the same period. Through the first nine months of 2012, the group's operating income was $3.4 million on $110 million of revenues. Last year, its operating income was $3.8 million for the same period on revenues of $112 million.

The Retail Group had an operating loss of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 on revenues of $35 million. In the comparable period last year, the group's operating loss was $1.2 million and total revenues were $36 million. Through nine months, the group recorded a loss of $3.1 million and total revenues of $110 million. Last year through September the group lost $2.0 million on total revenues of $112 million.

"We had a great quarter, due in a large part to the exceptional results seen in our Rail Group, which has had record results every quarter this year due to skillful management of its railcar assets," CEO Mike Anderson stated. "We also had good results in the Grain Group, although some of its income has been accelerated due to the early harvest. The Grain Group's performance was impacted by record Lansing Trade Group earnings," added Mr. Anderson. "Our expectations for the remainder of the year still remain tempered by the drought, which will continue to impact our grain and ethanol businesses through the first half of 2013. Our recent acquisitions and capital expansions, however, will pay dividends in the future. These include the acquisition of Mt. Pulaski Products, which was finalized last week, breaking ground on a new, state of the art, railcar blast and paint facility, the recent opening of our Anselmo, Nebraska grain elevator, and the previously mentioned Green Plains Grain Company, LLC acquisition. We will effectively manage through the 2012 drought, as we have to date, and will continue our focus on long term earnings growth," concluded Mr. Anderson.

The company will host a webcast on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. ET, to discuss its performance. This can be accessed under the heading "Investor" on its website at www.andersonsinc.com.

The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company rooted in agriculture. Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, the company conducts business across North America in the grain, ethanol, and plant nutrient sectors, railcar leasing, turf and cob products, and consumer retailing.

This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Without limitation, these risks include economic, weather and regulatory conditions, competition, and the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the assumptions upon which the financial information and its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct.

The Andersons, Inc. is located on the Internet at www.andersonsinc.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW . . .

    The Andersons, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Unaudited)(In thousands)
                                      
                                      
                                                    September 30, 2012                                      December 31, 2011                                        September 30, 2011
                                                    ------------------                                      -----------------                                        ------------------
    Assets
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                               $80,370                                                 $20,390                                                   $38,510
    Restricted cash                                                             160                                                  18,651                                                    11,920
    Accounts receivable, net                                                199,158                                                 167,640                                                   158,757
    Inventories                                                             682,292                                                 760,459                                                   458,314
    Commodity derivative assets -
     current                                                                166,264                                                  83,950                                                   143,010
    Deferred income taxes                                                    20,627                                                  21,483                                                    17,233
    Other current assets                                                     41,568                                                  34,649                                                    41,559
                                                                             ------                                                  ------                                                    ------
    Total current assets                                                  1,190,439                                               1,107,222                                                   869,303
    Other assets:
    Commodity derivative assets -
     noncurrent                                                               7,047                                                   2,289                                                     3,907
    Other assets, net                                                        67,801                                                  53,327                                                    48,010
    Equity method investments                                               190,057                                                 199,061                                                   189,118
                                                                            -------                                                 -------                                                   -------
                                                                            264,905                                                 254,677                                                   241,035
    Railcar assets leased to others,
     net                                                                    252,702                                                 197,137                                                   183,346
    Property, plant and equipment,
     net                                                                    283,394                                                 175,087                                                   164,893
                                                                            -------                                                 -------                                                   -------
    Total assets                                                         $1,991,440                                              $1,734,123                                                $1,458,577
                                                                         ==========                                              ==========                                                ==========
                                                                                                                                                                                                       
    Liabilities and equity
    Current liabilities:
    Borrowings under short-term
     line of credit                                                        $275,522                                                 $71,500                                                  $105,000
    Accounts payable for grain                                              250,066                                                 391,905                                                    77,813
    Other accounts payable                                                  204,347                                                 142,762                                                   137,872
    Customer prepayments and
     deferred revenue                                                        77,278                                                  79,557                                                    82,785
    Commodity derivative liabilities
     - current                                                               43,589                                                  15,874                                                    55,354
    Accrued expenses and other
     current liabilities                                                     53,631                                                  60,445                                                    49,487
    Current maturities of long-term
     debt                                                                    32,655                                                  32,208                                                    45,171
                                                                             ------                                                  ------                                                    ------
    Total current liabilities                                               937,088                                                 794,251                                                   553,482
                                                                                                                                                                                                       
    Other long-term liabilities                                              14,083                                                  43,014                                                    35,421
    Commodity derivative liabilities
     - noncurrent                                                               590                                                   1,519                                                     6,903
    Employee benefit plan
     obligations                                                             49,478                                                  52,972                                                    30,132
    Long-term debt, less current
     maturities                                                             312,404                                                 238,885                                                   235,729
    Deferred income taxes                                                    75,377                                                  64,640                                                    64,841
                                                                             ------                                                  ------                                                    ------
    Total liabilities                                                     1,389,020                                               1,195,281                                                   926,508
    Total equity                                                            602,420                                                 538,842                                                   532,069
                                                                            -------                                                 -------                                                   -------
    Total liabilities and equity                                         $1,991,440                                              $1,734,123                                                $1,458,577
                                                                         ==========                                              ==========                                                ==========
                                                                                                                                                                                                       

    The Andersons, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)

                                      Three months ended September 30,          Nine months ended September 30,
    (in thousands,
     except per share
     data)
                    2012                                                  2011                                   2012       2011
                    ----                                                  ----                                   ----       ----

    Sales and
     merchandising
     revenues                                                       $1,138,402                               $938,660 $3,591,369  $3,278,501
    Cost of sales and
     merchandising
     revenues                                                        1,060,086                                873,696  3,324,533   3,012,080
                                                                     ---------                                -------  ---------   ---------
    Gross profit                                                        78,316                                 64,964    266,836     266,421
    Operating,
     administrative and
     general expenses                                                   58,029                                 54,486    177,339     165,923
    Interest expense                                                     5,482                                  5,711     16,192      20,609
    Other income:
    Equity in earnings
     of affiliates                                                       6,027                                  9,731     15,406      29,489
    Other income, net                                                    3,492                                  1,217      9,409       5,541
                                                                         -----                                  -----      -----       -----
    Income before income
     taxes                                                              24,324                                 15,715     98,120     114,919
    Income tax provision                                                 9,133                                  4,484     36,730      40,265
                                                                         -----                                  -----     ------      ------
    Net income                                                          15,191                                 11,231     61,390      74,654
    Net income (loss)
     attributable to the
     noncontrolling
     interests                                                          (1,693)                                   306     (3,100)      1,245
                                                                        ------                                    ---     ------       -----
    Net income
     attributable to The
     Andersons, Inc.                                                   $16,884                                $10,925    $64,490     $73,409
                                                                       =======                                =======    =======     =======

    Per common share:
    Basic earnings
     attributable to The
     Andersons, Inc.
     common shareholders                                                 $0.91                                  $0.59      $3.47       $3.96
                                                                         =====                                  =====      =====       =====
    Diluted earnings
     attributable to The
     Andersons, Inc.
     common shareholders                                                 $0.90                                  $0.59      $3.43       $3.92
                                                                         =====                                  =====      =====       =====
    Dividends paid                                                       $0.15                                  $0.11      $0.45       $0.33
                                                                         =====                                  =====      =====       =====

    Segment Data

                                                                                   Grain                                 Ethanol                          Plant Nutrient                         Rail                                Turf & Specialty                              Retail                             Other               Total
    Quarter ended September 30, 2012
    Revenues from external customers                                                            $677,484                               $209,634                         $135,144                             $59,703                                        $21,509                             $34,928                                -        $1,138,402

    Gross profit                                                                                  21,166                                  3,846                           15,297                              22,892                                          5,296                               9,819                                -            78,316

    Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates                                                        9,249                                 (3,224)                               2                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -             6,027

    Other income, net                                                                                526                                      1                              523                               1,695                                            181                                 117                              449             3,492

    Income (loss) before income taxes                                                             10,807                                 (2,629)                             759                              19,071                                         (1,571)                             (1,769)                            (344)           24,324

    Loss attributable to the noncontrolling
     interests                                                                                         -                                 (1,693)                               -                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -            (1,693)

    Operating income (loss) (a)                                                                  $10,807                                  $(936)                            $759                             $19,071                                        $(1,571)                            $(1,769)                           $(344)          $26,017

    Quarter ended September 30, 2011
    Revenues from external customers                                                            $538,723                               $179,331                         $137,637                             $24,067                                        $23,051                             $35,851                               $-          $938,660

    Gross profit                                                                                  20,757                                  3,079                           20,977                               5,180                                          4,714                              10,257                                -            64,964

    Equity in earnings of affiliates                                                               6,459                                  3,270                                2                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -             9,731

    Other income (expense), net                                                                      652                                     38                              282                                 604                                            167                                 130                             (656)            1,217

    Income (loss) before income taxes                                                              8,313                                  4,749                            6,622                               1,123                                         (1,245)                             (1,233)                          (2,614)           15,715

    Income attributable to the noncontrolling
     interest                                                                                          -                                    306                                -                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -               306

    Operating income (loss) (a)                                                                   $8,313                                 $4,443                           $6,622                              $1,123                                        $(1,245)                            $(1,233)                         $(2,614)          $15,409

                                                                                   Grain                                 Ethanol                          Plant Nutrient                         Rail                                Turf & Specialty                              Retail                             Other               Total
    Nine months ended September 30, 2012
    Revenues from external customers                                                          $2,096,256                               $528,062                         $619,301                            $127,608                                       $110,481                            $109,661                               $-        $3,591,369

    Gross profit                                                                                  80,207                                  8,544                           78,272                              47,020                                         20,785                              32,008                                -           266,836

    Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates                                                       22,706                                 (7,305)                               5                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -            15,406

    Other income, net                                                                              1,842                                     37                            1,651                               3,295                                            671                                 396                            1,517             9,409

    Income (loss) before income taxes                                                             45,519                                 (6,020)                          34,540                              34,288                                          3,384                              (3,090)                         (10,501)           98,120

    Loss attributable to the noncontrolling
     interests                                                                                         -                                 (3,100)                               -                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -            (3,100)

    Operating income (loss) (a)                                                                  $45,519                                $(2,920)                         $34,540                             $34,288                                         $3,384                             $(3,090)                        $(10,501)         $101,220

    Nine months ended September 30, 2011
    Revenues from external customers                                                          $1,973,820                               $476,783                         $521,109                             $82,478                                       $111,872                            $112,439                               $-        $3,278,501

    Gross profit                                                                                 103,529                                 12,373                           78,312                              18,712                                         20,458                              33,037                                -           266,421

    Equity in earnings of affiliates                                                              18,117                                 11,366                                6                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -            29,489

    Other income (expense), net                                                                    1,754                                    133                              541                               2,198                                            716                                 430                             (231)            5,541

    Income (loss) before income taxes                                                             59,955                                 18,089                           35,813                               7,432                                          3,811                              (2,020)                          (8,161)          114,919

    Income attributable to the noncontrolling
     interest                                                                                          -                                  1,245                                -                                   -                                              -                                   -                                -             1,245

    Operating income (loss) (a)                                                                  $59,955                                $16,844                          $35,813                              $7,432                                         $3,811                             $(2,020)                         $(8,161)         $113,674

    (a) Operating income (loss) for each Group is defined as net sales and merchandising revenues plus identifiable other income less all identifiable operating expenses, including interest expense for carrying working capital and long-term assets and is reported net of the noncontrolling interest share of (income) loss.

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