Just as your pulse is checked during a routine physical, free cash flow is used as an indicator of a company's health. It equals the cash brought in from operations minus the money needed to pay the bills. Think about leftover money in your checking account after you pay this month's bills.

Investors and analysts see this leftover money as a gauge of a company's ability to perform. It is available for transactions such as handing out dividends and working on new products.

Some argue free cash flow is wrongly overshadowed by the emphasis often placed on earnings. Earnings numbers can be manipulated and don't always tell the whole story -- and earnings don't mean much if there's nothing left over after a company pays its expenses. Even if you bring in a six-figure salary, but no money left after paying the bills, are you in great financial shape?

You don't have to be Einstein to figure out free cash flow. To calculate the number, subtract the company's expenditures and dividends from its operating cash flow.

If the free cash flow is written in red ink, it doesn't necessarily signal curtains. This is common for young companies looking to grow. It also could be a result of heavy investments, which in the long run could be worth a standing ovation.

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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Trico Marine Announces Its Recently Filed Registration Statement On Form S-3 Declared Effective by SEC

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Comtex

HOUSTON, Jul 3, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX) ----Trico Marine Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRMA) (the "Company" or "Trico Marine") today announced that the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-151666), relating to (i) Trico's previously issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Convertible Debentures due 2028 (the "convertible debentures"), (ii) up to 7,422,069 shares of Trico Marine Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible debentures, and (iii) 1,352,558 shares of Trico Common Stock issuable upon conversion of certain phantom stock units previously issued to West Supply IV AS in connection with the acquisition by Trico Shipping AS of certain shares of DeepOcean ASA from West Supply IV, has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission as of July 3, 2008.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. The registration statement and all other SEC filings by the Company are available for review at www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus included in the registration statement may be obtained from Investor Relations, Trico Marine Services, Inc., 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2950, Houston, TX 77027.

About Trico Marine

Trico Marine is an integrated provider of subsea and marine support vessels and services. Trico Marine recently increased its subsea market presence through its acquisition of DeepOcean, a recognized market leader in the provision of high quality subsea services including, IMR, survey and construction support, subsea intervention and decommissioning, marine trenching and the laying and burying of subsea cable. DeepOcean controls a well equipped fleet of 14 vessels and operates a fleet of modern ROVs and trenching equipment. Trico Marine also continues to provide a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry through use of its diversified fleet of vessels including the transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews to drilling rigs and other offshore facilities; towing drilling rigs and equipment, and support for the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of offshore facilities. Trico Marine is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has a global presence with operations in the North Sea, West Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Southeast Asia as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

For more information about Trico Marine Services, Inc. visit us on the web at www.tricomarine.com.

The Trico Marine Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5229

This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com

SOURCE: Trico Marine Services, Inc.

Trico Marine Services, Inc. Geoff Jones, VP & Chief Financial Officer (713) 780-9926

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