DENVER, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOFUEL ENERGY CORP. (NASDAQ: BIOF), an ethanol production company, today announced that, for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, it generated $2.5 million of net income, and $.02 of earnings per diluted share, on revenues of $162.5 million.  Compared to the prior year period, net income improved by $4.3 million, primarily due to improved yield and other operational efficiencies.  

"Our business performed well in the third quarter, and our entire team contributed to the improvement in our results," said Scott H. Pearce, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We were able to effectively manage the tight corn supply during the quarter, while benefiting from the increase in demand and improved commodity margins resulting from the summer driving season.  We also successfully executed on planned improvements during our fall shutdowns and are on track to have corn oil extraction on-stream at our facilities by the end of the year."

Mr. Pearce continued, "Margins strengthened from the second quarter and continued to show strength in October.  With our seasonal downtime behind us, and industry supply and demand tighter than they've been for some time, we believe we are poised for a strong fourth quarter."  

For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company's operating income was $4.5 million, which resulted from $155.5 million in cost of goods sold, including $127.0 million for corn, and $2.5 million in general and administrative expenses.  During the third quarter of 2011 the Company also had $2.0 million in interest expense, which resulted in net income of $2.5 million. For the same period of 2010, our revenues were $114.7 million and our operating income was $1.0 million, which resulted from $110.1 million in cost of goods sold, including $78.2 million for corn, and $3.6 million in general and administrative expenses.  The Company also had $2.8 million of interest expense in the third quarter of 2010, which resulted in a net loss of $1.8 million.  

At September 30, 2011, the Company had $179.9 million in term loans outstanding under its senior debt facility.  At September 30, 2011, the Company held $9.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and equity totaled $95.1 million, including $4.9 million of noncontrolling interest.

The Company plans to host a conference call on Thursday, November 10, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss the results.  To participate, please dial (800) 944-8766.  The participant code for the call is 21760.  Approximately 90 minutes following the call, a phone playback will be available for 30 days by dialing (866) 281-6782.  The access code for the replay is 167271.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws.  Such statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections, which are subject to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks.  Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated are discussed in our Exchange Act filings and our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

BioFuel Energy currently has two 110 million gallons per year ethanol plants in the Midwestern corn belt.  The Company's goal is to become a leading ethanol producer in the United States by acquiring, developing, owning and operating ethanol production facilities.

SOURCE BioFuel Energy Corp.