Pacific Ethanol, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results

Highlights

- Net sales for Q2 of 2007 up 145% over Q2 of 2006 and up 151% for the six months ended June 30, 2007

- EBITDA for Q2 of 2007 improved by $4.6 million to $3.5 million compared to negative EBITDA of $1.1 million for Q2 of 2006

- Net income of $2.2 million in Q2 of 2007, after $1.5 million of non- recurring amortization, compared to a net loss of $0.2 million in Q2 of 2006

- EPS of $0.03 per diluted share in Q2 of 2007 compared to a net loss per share of $2.56 for the same period in 2006

- Gross profit margin in Q2 of 2007 improved to 10% from 7% in Q2 of 2006

- Gallons sold in Q2 of 2007 increased 122% from Q2 of 2006 to 43.9 million gallons

- Boardman, Oregon plant in start up phase; three plants now under construction

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEIX), the largest West Coast-based marketer and producer of ethanol, today announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the Company reported net sales of $113.8 million, an increase of $67.3 million, or 145%, compared to $46.5 million for the same period in 2006. This increase in net sales resulted from an increase in the Company's sales volume. For the period, the Company sold 43.9 million gallons of ethanol, an increase of 24.1 million gallons, or 122%, over 19.8 million gallons for the same period in 2006. The sales volume for the period was up sequentially from the three months ended March 31, 2007, by 13%. The Company's average sales price of ethanol increased by $0.04 per gallon to $2.32 per gallon from an average sales price of $2.28 per gallon in the second quarter of 2006. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2007 totaled $11.1 million compared to $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2006. Gross profit margin increased to 10% for the second quarter of 2007 compared to 7% for the same period in 2006. Gross profit was reduced by a loss of $2.6 million related to derivative instruments, of which $1.7 million was from the change in fair value of non-designated derivative instruments which will settle in future periods.

Net income for the second quarter of 2007 was $2.2 million compared to a net loss of $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2006. Net of our preferred stock dividend, income available to common stockholders for the second quarter of 2007 was $1.1 million compared to a loss available to common stockholders of $85.1 million for the second quarter of 2006, of which $84.0 million was a non-cash deemed dividend in respect of preferred stock acquired by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. in the second quarter of 2006 and included in the Company's results for the first six months of 2006. The Company reported diluted earnings per common share of $0.03 for the second quarter of 2007 as compared to a net loss per common share of $2.56 for the same period in 2006. The Company's weighted-average number of diluted shares outstanding for the second quarter of 2007 totaled 40.3 million. The quarter included $1.5 million of costs related to the amortization of intangible assets associated with the acquisition of the Company's 42% interest in Front Range Energy, LLC.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company reported net sales of $213.0 million, an increase of $128.3 million, or 151%, compared to $84.7 million for the same period in 2006. This increase in net sales resulted from an increase in the Company's sales volume. For the period, the Company sold 82.8 million gallons of ethanol, an increase of 43.1 million gallons, or 109%, compared to 39.7 million gallons for the same period in 2006. The Company's average sales price of ethanol grew by $0.19 per gallon to $2.29 per gallon compared to an average sales price of $2.10 per gallon in the six months ended June 30, 2006. Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2007 totaled $26.5 million compared to $5.6 million for comparable period in 2006. Gross profit margin increased to 12% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to 7% for the same period in 2006. Gross profit was reduced by a loss of $2.8 million related to derivative instruments, of which $1.6 million was from the change in fair value of non-designated derivative instruments which will settle in future periods.

The increases in gross profit and gross profit margin for both the three and six month periods are the result of higher producer margins obtained from sales originating from the Company's ethanol production facility in Madera, CA and the contribution of its interest in Front Range Energy, LLC, complemented by the Company's ethanol marketing business and risk management programs.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was $5.1 million compared to a loss of $0.8 million for the same period in 2006. Net of our preferred stock dividend, income available to common stockholders for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was $3.0 million compared to a loss available to common stockholders of $85.7 million for the same period in 2006, of which $84.0 million was a non-cash deemed dividend in respect of preferred stock acquired by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. in the second quarter of 2006 and included in the Company's results for the first six months of 2006. The Company reported diluted earnings per common share of $0.08 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to a net loss per common share of $2.73 for the same period in 2006. The Company's weighted-average number of diluted shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2007 totaled 40.3 million. The six months ended June 30, 2007 included $3.0 million of non-recurring costs related to the amortization of intangible assets associated with the acquisition of the Company's 42% interest in Front Range Energy, LLC.

The Company's President and CEO, Neil Koehler, observed that, "We are pleased with our second quarter and first half results, which saw net sales more than double year over year. These financial results demonstrate how our destination strategy and low cost position enable us to grow our business in a rapidly expanding ethanol marketplace. We are very pleased by regulations recently enacted in both California and Oregon encouraging an emphasis on low carbon fuels and the blending of ethanol in transportation fuel up to 10%. These actions alone represent well over one billion gallons of incremental demand in our key markets and validate our strategy of being the low cost, low carbon fuel leader in the Western United States."

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net income (loss)

This press release contains, and the Company's conference call will include, references to unaudited earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), a financial measure that is not in accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures ("GAAP"). The table set forth below provides a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income (loss). Management believes that EBITDA is a meaningful measure of liquidity and the Company's ability to service debt because it provides a measure of cash available for such purposes. Additionally, management provides an EBITDA measure so that investors will have the same financial information that management uses with the belief that it will assist investors in properly assessing the Company's performance on a period-over-period basis. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or any other measure of performance under GAAP, or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

Earnings Call

The Company will host a live conference call at 10:00 AM EST on August 9, 2007. To listen to the conference call by phone, United States callers may dial 866-202-3048. International callers may dial 617-213-8843. All callers should enter access code 76224559.

A link to the live audio webcast of the Company's earnings conference call as well as a slide presentation to accompany the webcast may be found on the Company's website at www.pacificethanol.net.

Approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call, an audio replay of the call will be available. To listen to the replay by phone, United States callers may dial 888-286-8010. International callers may dial 617-801-6888. All callers should enter access code 48847287. The replay will be available through August 23, 2007.

About Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

Pacific Ethanol is the largest West Coast-based marketer and producer of ethanol. Pacific Ethanol has ethanol plants in Madera, California, and in Boardman, Oregon, and has three additional plants under construction in Burley, Idaho; in the Imperial Valley near Calipatria, California; and in Stockton, California. Pacific Ethanol also owns a 42% interest in Front Range Energy, LLC which owns an ethanol plant in Windsor, Colorado. Central to its growth strategy is its destination business model, whereby each respective ethanol plant achieves lower process and transportation costs by servicing local markets for both fuel and feed. In February 2007, Pacific Ethanol obtained a $325 million credit facility to provide financing for its first five ethanol production facilities. Pacific Ethanol's goal is to achieve 220 million gallons per year of ethanol production capacity by the middle of 2008 and to increase total production capacity to 420 million gallons per year by the end of 2010. In addition, Pacific Ethanol is working to identify and develop other renewable fuel technologies, such as cellulose-based ethanol production and bio-diesel.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Pacific Ethanol could differ from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the ability of Pacific Ethanol to successfully and timely complete, in a cost-effective manner, construction of its three ethanol plants under construction; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to obtain all necessary financing to complete the construction of its other planned ethanol production facilities; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to timely complete its ethanol plant build-out program and to successfully capitalize on its internal growth initiatives; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to operate its plants at their planned production capacities; the price of ethanol relative to the price of gasoline; the effect of federal and state governmental regulations on the demand for ethanol; and the factors contained in the "Risk Factors" section of Pacific Ethanol's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2007.



                            PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

                                    Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                         June 30,             June 30,
                                       2007     2006       2007       2006

    Net sales                        $113,763  $46,461   $213,005    $84,700
    Cost of goods sold                102,642   43,153    186,543     79,067
    Gross profit                       11,121    3,308     26,462      5,633
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses            8,320    4,759     17,822      7,743
    Income (loss) from operations       2,801   (1,451)     8,640     (2,110)
    Other income, net                   1,235    1,269      1,310      1,316
    Income (loss) before
     non-controlling interest in
     variable interest entity           4,036     (182)     9,950       (794)
    Non-controlling interest in
     variable interest entity          (1,880)       -     (4,819)         -
    Net income (loss) before
     provision for income taxes         2,156     (182)     5,131       (794)
    Provision for income taxes              -        -          -          -
    Net income (loss)                  $2,156    $(182)    $5,131      $(794)
    Preferred stock dividends         $(1,050)   $(898)   $(2,100)     $(898)
    Deemed dividend on preferred
     stock                                 $- $(84,000)        $-   $(84,000)
    Income (loss) available to
     common stockholders               $1,106 $(85,080)    $3,031   $(85,692)

    Net income (loss) per share,        $0.03   $(2.56)     $0.08     $(2.73)
     basic
    Net income (loss) per share,        $0.03   $(2.56)     $0.08     $(2.73)
     diluted
    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding, basic                39,894   33,215     39,784     31,411
    Weighted-average shares
     outstanding, diluted              40,273   33,215     40,256     31,411



                            PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (in thousands)

                                                      June 30,    December 31,
                         ASSETS                         2007          2006
                                                    (unaudited)         *
    Current Assets:
       Cash and cash equivalents                        $35,929      $44,053
       Investments in marketable securities              14,457       39,119
       Accounts receivable, net                          19,180       29,322
       Restricted cash                                    2,475        1,567
       Inventories                                       19,791        7,595
       Prepaid expenses                                     752        1,053
       Prepaid inventory                                  3,754        2,029
       Other current assets                               5,784        2,307
          Total current assets                          102,122      127,045
    Property and Equipment, Net                         305,793      196,156

    Other Assets:
       Restricted cash                                   36,665       24,851
       Deposits and advances                                 64        9,040
       Goodwill                                          85,307       85,307
       Intangible assets, net                             6,777       10,155
       Other assets                                       8,873        1,266
           Total other assets                           137,686      130,619
    Total Assets                                       $545,601     $453,820

    *  Amounts derived from the audited financial statements for the year
       ended December 31, 2006.



                            PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
                 (in thousands, except par value and shares)

                                                        June 30,  December 31,
          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY            2007        2006
                                                      (unaudited)       *
    Current Liabilities:
       Accounts payable - trade                          $11,759     $11,483
       Other liabilities - related parties                 4,107       9,422
       Accrued liabilities                                13,420       5,467
       Derivative instruments                              2,449          97
       Contract retention                                  3,376           -
       Current portion - notes payable                     3,574       4,125
       Other current liabilities                           1,108           -
          Total current liabilities                       39,793      30,594

    Notes payable, net of current portion                104,246      28,970
    Deferred tax liability                                 1,091       1,091
    Other liabilities                                         19         357
    Total Liabilities                                    145,149      61,012
    Commitments and Contingencies
    Non-controlling interest in variable
     interest entity                                      96,753      94,363

    Stockholders' Equity:
       Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000
        shares authorized; 5,250,000 shares issued and
        outstanding as of June 30, 2007 and
        December 31, 2006                                      5           5
       Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000
        shares authorized; 40,580,478 and 40,269,627 shares
        issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2007
        and December 31, 2006, respectively                   41          40
       Additional paid-in capital                        400,539     397,535
       Other comprehensive income (loss)                    (237)        545
       Accumulated deficit                               (96,649)    (99,680)
          Total stockholders' equity                     303,699     298,445
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          $545,601    $453,820

    *  Amounts derived from the audited financial statements for the year
       ended December 31, 2006.



    Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net income (loss)

                                       Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                            June 30,             June 30,
    (in thousands) (unaudited)           2007     2006       2007       2006

    Net income (loss)                  $2,156    $(182)    $5,131      $(794)
    Adjustments:
     Interest expense*                    254       --        570          2
     Interest income*                  (1,532)  (1,277)    (3,205)    (1,336)
     Income taxes                          --       --         --         --
     Depreciation and amortization
      expense*                          2,601      381      5,785        596
        Total adjustments               1,323     (896)     3,150       (738)

    EBITDA                             $3,479  $(1,078)    $8,281    $(1,532)

    *  adjusted for non-controlling interest.


    Commodity Price Performance

                                    Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                         June 30,             June 30,
     (unaudited)                         2007     2006       2007       2006

     Ethanol sales (million gallons)     43.9     19.8       82.8       39.7
     Ethanol sales price per gallon     $2.32    $2.28      $2.29      $2.10
     Delivered corn cost per bushel     $4.23               $3.90
     Average basis                      $0.64               $0.62
     Corn cost - CBOT equivalent        $3.59               $3.28

     Co-product return % (1)             26.5%               28.5%
     Production commodity margin per
      gallon (2)                        $1.10               $1.21

     (1) Co-product revenue as a percentage of delivered cost of corn
     (2) Ethanol sales price per gallon less net cost of corn
         (delivered cost of corn less co-product revenue)

SOURCE Pacific Ethanol, Inc.