Endeavour Silver Reports 2014 Financial Results; Conference Call at 1pm PST (4pm EST) Today, March 5, 2015


VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - March 05, 2015) - Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK) (TSX: EDR) (FRANKFURT: EJD) announces its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2014, based on the Company's 10th consecutive year of growing silver production. Endeavour owns and operates three underground silver-gold mines in Mexico: the Guanaceví mine in Durango state, and the Bolañitos and El Cubo mines in Guanajuato state.

The complete financial statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis can be viewed on the Company's website, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All shareholders can receive a hard copy of the Company's complete audited financial statements free of charge upon request. All amounts are reported in US$.

Highlights of Fiscal 2014 (Compared to Fiscal 2013)

Financial

  • Net loss of $74.5 million ($0.74 per share) which includes a $83.0 million impairment of the El Cubo mine compared to a loss of $89.5 million ($0.90 per share) which included a $135.1 million impairment on the Guanaceví and El Cubo mines plus El Cubo goodwill
  • Adjusted earnings (loss)(1) decreased 256% to $17.2 million ($0.17 loss per share) compared to adjusted earnings of $11.1 million ($0.11 per share)
  • EBITDA(1) decreased 55% to $42.6 million
  • Cash flow from operations before working capital changes decreased 64% to $29.3 million
  • Mine operating cash flow(1) decreased 40% to $70.5 million
  • Revenue decreased 29% to $196.9 million
  • Realized silver price decreased 19% to $18.76 per ounce (oz) sold (consistent with 2014 average spot price)
  • Realized gold price decreased 7% to $1,273 per oz sold (consistent with 2014 average spot price)
  • Cash costs(1) increased 5% to $8.31 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
  • All-in sustaining costs decreased 8% to $16.79 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
  • Bullion inventory at year-end of 418,564 oz silver and 1,052 oz gold, up sharply year-on-year
  • Concentrate inventory at year-end of 88,518 oz silver and 1,326 oz gold, also up sharply
  • Cash and equivalents decreased 11% to $31.0 million at year-end compared to $35.0 million

Operations

  • Silver production increased 6% to 7,212,074 oz, 10th consecutive year of record silver production
  • Gold production decreased 17% to 62,895 oz
  • Silver equivalent production increased 2% to 11.6 million(2)
  • Beat silver production and cost guidance
  • Replaced silver reserves and grew silver resources by 14%
  • Completed mine expansion at El Cubo to fill the plant to capacity
  • Delineated new discoveries at all three mines
  • Delineated the new high-grade Terronera discovery on and received mine development permit for the San Sebastián property
  • Received "Socially Responsible Company" award for all three mines

Highlights of Fourth Quarter 2014 (Compared to Fourth Quarter 2013)

Financial

  • Net loss of $66.9 million ($0.67 per share) which includes a $83 million impairment of the El Cubo mine compared to a loss of $115.8 million ($1.16 per share) which included a $137 million impairment on the Guanaceví and El Cubo mines plus El Cubo goodwill
  • Adjusted loss of $11.0 million ($0.11 per share) compared to adjusted loss of $12.1 million ($0.12 per share)
  • EBITDA(1) decreased 56% to $7.7 million
  • Cash flow from operations before working capital changes decreased 130% to a loss of $5.3 million
  • Revenue decreased 28% to $48.6 million on 2,000,253 silver oz sold and 13,635 gold oz sold
  • Realized silver price decreased 21% to $16.23 per oz sold (2% lower than Q4 average spot price)
  • Realized gold price decreased 28% to $1,189 per oz sold (consistent with Q4 average spot price)
  • Cash costs(1) increased 12% to $8.33 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)
  • All-in sustaining costs increased 8% to $15.37 per oz silver payable (net of gold credits)

Operations

  • Silver production increased 4% to 2,009,172 oz
  • Gold production decreased 14% to 15,127 oz
  • Silver equivalent production increased 3% to 3.1 million oz(2)
(1)Adjusted earnings, mine operating cash flow, EBITDA and cash costs are non-IFRS measures. Please refer to the definitions in the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis.
(2)2013 silver equivalents are calculated using a 60:1 ratio and 2014 silver equivalents are calculated using a 70:1 ratio.

Endeavour CEO Bradford Cooke stated: "Lower precious metals prices continued to beset the mining industry in 2014. I am proud of our site management and operations teams for their efforts to successfully reduce our all-in sustaining costs in this difficult environment. We remain focused on optimizing our mining operations further in order to ensure that each mine generates positive operating cash flow through this current metal price downturn.

"Low metal prices and an impairment charge on El Cubo both weighed on our financial performance in 2014 but the El Cubo operating turn-around was completed in December with the mine output rising to fill the plant to capacity. Management is now preparing alternative mine plans for El Cubo to further reduce its all-in sustaining costs and improve its financial performance in 2015. The support of the miner's union at El Cubo is required for any of the alternative mine plans to be successful."

Financial Results (Consolidated Statement of Operations appended below)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company generated revenue totaling $196.9 million (2013 - $276.8 million). During the year, the Company sold 6,539,686 oz silver and 58,323 oz gold at realized prices of $18.76 and $1,273 per oz respectively, compared to sales of 7,151,963 oz silver and 81,119 oz gold at realized prices of $23.10 and $1,375 per oz respectively in 2013.

After cost of sales of $182.6 million (2013 - $219.9 million), mine operating earnings amounted to $14.3 million (2013 - $56.9 million) from mining and milling operations in Mexico.

Excluding depreciation and depletion of $54.3 million (2013 - $53.6 million), stock-based compensation of $0.5 million (2013 - $0.5 million), and a write-down of inventory of $1.3 million (2013 - $5.9 million), mine operating cash flow before taxes was $70.5 million (2013 - $116.9 million) in 2014. Operating loss was $91.5 million (2013 - $102.9 million) driven by impairment charges of $83.0 million on the El Cubo mine.

At December 31, 2014, the Company determined there were indicators of potential impairment of its producing mineral properties, including the sustained decline in precious metal prices. The net after-tax impairment totaled $55.9 million related to the carrying value of the El Cubo mine.

Net earnings also included a mark-to-market derivative liabilities loss related to share purchase warrants issued in 2009 denominated in Canadian dollars, while the Company's functional currency is the US dollar. Under IFRS, these warrants are classified and accounted for as financial liability at fair market value with adjustments recognized through net earnings. The appreciation of these warrants resulted in a derivative liability loss of $1.4 million (2012 - gain of $3.8 million).

Excluding the net impairment charges and the mark-to market derivative liabilities loss, adjusted loss of $17.2 million ($0.17 per share) compared to adjusted earnings of $11.1 million ($0.11 per share) in 2013. The drop in precious metal prices, payment of the new Mexican mining taxes and increased inventories were the primary reasons for the decrease in the Company's earnings year over year.

Effective January 1, 2014 the Mexican government passed tax reform legislation. The tax reform included, a Special Mining Duty of 7.5% on taxable mine revenue, less allowable deductions excluding interest and capital depreciation, and a 0.5% Environmental Tax on gold and silver revenue. The Company incurred a $4.6 million current tax expense as a result of this duty.

Despite the production taxes, which amounted to $3.24 per tonne, consolidated operating costs fell 1% to $96.11 per tonne for a net reduction of over $4 per tonne due to the Company's focus on reducing operating costs. Cash cost per ounce, net of by-product credits, which is a non-IFRS measure and a standard of the Silver Institute, rose 5% to $8.31 per ounce of payable silver compared to $7.92 per ounce in 2013. The lower by-product credit attributable to the lower gold production and price was the primary contributor to the higher cash costs, partly offset by higher consolidated grades and recoveries. All-in sustaining costs fell 8% due to reduced operating costs, while mine development in response to falling precious metal prices.

The Company invested a total of $41.8 million in property, plant and equipment during 2014. Of this, $21.2 million was invested at El Cubo, $9.3 million at Bolañitos, and $10.2 million at Guanaceví, with all mines primarily focused on sustaining mine development and tailings dam expansions.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the results will be held today, Thursday, March 5 at 1:00pm PST (4:00pm EST). To participate in the conference call, please dial the following:

Toll-free in Canada and the US: 1-800-319-4610
Local Vancouver: 604-638-5340
Outside of Canada and the US: 1-604-638-5340

No pass-code is necessary to participate in the conference call.

A replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 1-800-319-6413 in Canada and the US (toll-free) or 1-604-638-9010 outside of Canada and the US. The required pass-code is 4890 followed by the # sign. The replay will also be available on the Company's website at www.edrsilver.com.

All shareholders can receive a hard copy of the Company's complete audited financial statements free of charge upon request. To receive this material in hard copy, please contact Meghan Brown, Director Investor Relations at 604-640-4804 or toll free 1-877-685-9775.

About Endeavour - Endeavour Silver is a mid-tier silver mining company focused on growing production, reserves and resources in Mexico. Since start-up in 2004, Endeavour has posted 10 consecutive years of accretive growth of its silver mining operations. Endeavour's three silver-gold mines in Mexico combined with its strategic acquisition and exploration programs should facilitate Endeavour's goal to become a premier senior silver producer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding Endeavour's anticipated performance in 2015 and the timing and results of exploration drill programs. The Company does not intend to, and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties; fluctuations in the prices of commodities and their impact on reserves and resources as well as those factors described in the section "risk factors" contained in the Company's most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Company's mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management's expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
COMPARATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
       
Three Months Ended
December 31
    Year Ended
December 31
2014  2013  % Change  2014 Highlights   2014  2013  % Change
         Production         
2,009,172  1,931,717  4%  Silver ounces produced  7,212,074  6,813,069  6%
15,127  17,686  (14%)  Gold ounces produced  62,895  75,578  (17%)
1,950,037  1,855,108  5%  Payable silver ounces produced  6,996,916  6,593,805  6%
14,557  16,612  (12%)  Payable gold ounces produced  60,518  72,562  (17%)
3,068,062  2,992,877  3%  Silver equivalent ounces produced (1)  11,614,724  11,347,749  2%
8.33  7.46  12%  Cash costs per silver ounce(2)(3)  8.31  7.92  5%
14.36  14.59  (2%)  Total production costs per ounce(2)(4)  16.37  15.69  4%
15.37  14.24  8%  All-in sustaining costs per ounce(2)(5)  16.79  18.31  (8%)
374,212  379,480  (1%)  Processed tonnes  1,404,406  1,537,984  (9%)
89.63  90.72  (1%)  Direct production costs per tonne(2)(6)  96.11  97.00  (1%)
10.76  11.45  (6%)  Silver co-product cash costs (7)  11.76  13.19  (11%)
788  695  13%  Gold co-product cash costs (7)  798  785  2%
         Financial         
48.6  67.9  (28%)  Revenue ($ millions)  196.9  276.8  (29%)
2,000,253  2,155,326  (7%)  Silver ounces sold  6,539,686  7,151,963  (9%)
13,635  18,960  (28%)  Gold ounces sold  58,323  81,119  (28%)
16.23  20.52  (21%)  Realized silver price per ounce  18.76  23.10  (19%)
1,189  1,246  (5%)  Realized gold price per ounce  1,273  1,375  (7%)
(66.9)  (115.8)  (42%)  Net earnings (loss) ($ millions)  (74.5)  (89.5)  (17%)
(11.0)  (12.1)  (9%)  Adjusted net earnings (8) ($ millions)  (17.2)  11.1  (256%)
2.3  9.9  (77%)  Mine operating earnings ($ millions)  14.4  56.9  (75%)
13.9  26.4  (47%)  Mine operating cash flow(9) ($ millions)  70.5  116.9  (40%)
(5.3)  18.0  (130%)  Operating cash flow before working capital changes (10)  29.3  81.6  (64%)
7.7  17.5  (56%)  Earnings before ITDA (11)  42.6  94.5  (55%)
21.2  32.2  (34%)  Working capital ($ millions)  21.2  32.2  (34%)
         Shareholders         
(0.67)  (1.16)  42%  Earnings (loss) per share - basic  (0.74)  (0.90)  18%
(0.11)  (0.12)  10%  Adjusted earnings per share - basic (8)  (0.17)  0.11  (253%)
(0.05)  0.18  (129%)  Operating cash flow before working capital changes per share (10)  0.29  0.82  (65%)
101,881,133  99,720,704  2%  Weighted average shares outstanding  101,314,393  99,770,293  2%
             
 
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
   
  Years Ended  
  December 31,  December 31  
  2014   2013  
   
Operating activities          
Net earnings (loss) for the year $(74,533 ) $(89,465 )
Items not affecting cash:          
 Share-based compensation  3,600    3,544  
 Impairment of non-current assets  83,000    95,815  
 Impairment of goodwill  -    39,245  
 Depreciation and depletion  54,659    53,898  
 Deferred income tax provision (recovery)  (42,827 )  (20,464 )
 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)  (72 )  682  
 Mark-to-market loss (gain) on derivative liability  1,434    (3,750 )
 Mark-to-market loss (gain) on contingent liability  (99 )  (8,398 )
 Finance costs  1,240    1,513  
 Allowance for IVA receivable  1,002    -  
 Write down of inventory to net realizable value  1,255    5,874  
 Write off of exploration property  631    -  
 Loss (gain) on marketable securities  -    3,091  
Net changes in non-cash working capital  9,473    (5,041 )
Cash from (used in) operating activities  38,763    76,544  
   
Investing activites          
 Property, plant and equipment expenditures  (41,748 )  (88,518 )
 Investment in short term investments  -    (130 )
 Proceeds from sale of short term investments  -    5,328  
 Investment in long term deposits  (82 )  (65 )
Cash used in investing activities  (41,830 )  (83,385 )
   
Financing activities          
 Proceeds from revolving credit facility  2,000    30,000  
 Repayment of revolving credit facility  (6,000 )  (6,000 )
 Debt issuance costs  -    (144 )
 Interest paid  (981 )  (1,101 )
 Exercise of options and warrants  4,447    528  
 Share issuance costs  (10 )  -  
Cash from (used in) financing activites  (544 )  23,283  
   
Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents  (348 )  (55 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (3,611 )  16,442  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  35,004    18,617  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $31,045   $35,004  
       

This statement should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the related notes contained therein.

 
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
(expressed in thousands of US dollars, except for shares and per share amounts)
     
  Years Ended  
  December 31,  December 31,  
  2014  2013  
   
Revenue $196,928  $276,783  
       
Cost of sales:         
 Direct production costs  125,309   158,582  
 Royalties  1,146   1,328  
 Share-based compensation  537   515  
 Depreciation and depletion  54,312   53,569  
 Write down of inventory to net realizable value  1,255   5,874  
   182,559   219,868  
       
Mine operating earnings  14,369   56,915  
       
Expenses:         
 Exploration  12,548   13,168  
 General and administrative  9,692   11,605  
 Impairment of non-current assets  83,000   95,815  
 Impairment of goodwill  -   39,245  
 Write off of exploration property  631   -  
   105,871   159,833  
       
Operating earnings (loss)  (91,502 ) (102,918 )
       
Mark-to-market loss/(gain) on derivative liabilities  1,434   (3,750 )
Mark-to-market loss/(gain) on contingent liability  (99 ) (8,398 )
Finance costs  1,382   1,513  
       
Other income (expense):         
 Foreign exchange  (1,709 ) (2,597 )
 Investment and other  (546 ) (1,079 )
   (2,255 ) (3,676 )
Earnings (loss) before income taxes  (96,474 ) (95,959 )
       
Income tax expense (recovery):         
 Current income tax expense  20,886   13,970  
 Deferred income tax expense (recovery)  (42,827 ) (20,464 )
   (21,941 ) (6,494 )
Net earnings (loss) for the year  (74,533 ) (89,465 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax         
 Net change in fair value of available for sale investments  (677 ) 1,250  
   
Comprehensive income (loss) for the year $(75,210 )$(88,215 )
   
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share based on net earnings $(0.74 )$(0.90 )
   
Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding  101,314,393   99,720,704  
       

This statement should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the related notes contained therein.

 
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(expressed in thousands of US dollars)
        
  December 31,  December 31,  
  2014  2013  
ASSETS         
       
Current assets         
 Cash and cash equivalents $31,045  $35,004  
 Investments  786   1,463  
 Accounts receivable  19,715   23,749  
 Inventories  21,604   23,647  
 Prepaid expenses  2,656   3,341  
Total current assets  75,806   87,204  
       
Non-current deposits  1,048   1,186  
Deferred income tax asset  6,253   -  
M ineral properties, plant and equipment  182,730   278,533  
Total assets $265,837  $366,923  
   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS ' EQUITY         
       
Current liabilities         
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $17,408  $17,221  
 Income taxes payable  8,181   3,259  
 Derivative liabilities  -   1,491  
 Revolving credit facility  29,000   33,000  
Total current liabilities  54,589   54,971  
   
Provision for reclamation and rehabilitation  6,496   6,652  
Contingent liability  -   99  
Deferred income tax liability  12,479   49,053  
Total liabilities  73,564   110,775  
   
Shareholders' equity         
Common shares, unlimited shares authorized, no par value, issued and outstanding 101,976,901 shares (Dec 31, 2013 - 99,784,409 shares)  367,853   358,408  
Contributed surplus  8,430   14,836  
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss)  (4,758 ) (4,081 )
Retained earnings (deficit)  (179,252 ) (113,015 )
Total shareholders' equity  192,273   256,148  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $265,837  $366,923  
       

This statement should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the related notes contained therein.

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact:
Meghan Brown
Director Investor Relations
Toll free: 1-877-685-9775
Tel: 604-640-4804
Fax: 604-685-9744
Email: mbrown@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com