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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

          (Mark One)

[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2003

OR

 

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 001-12217

 

MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Organized in the State of Mississippi

Tax Identification No. 64-0292638

P. O. Box 388, Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194

Telephone No. 662+746-4131

 

               Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [x]    No [ ]

               Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]

               The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of January 31, 2004.

Class

Number of Shares

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

24,250,109


MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

     

Page

     

Number

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

 

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

 
       
   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

3

   

     Three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 and

 
   

     Six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 
       
   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

4 - 5

   

     December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003

 
       
   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)

6

   

     Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2003 and

 
   

     Six months ended December 31, 2003

 
       
   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

7

   

     Six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 
       
   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8 - 34

       
 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results

 
   

of Operations and Financial Condition

35 - 55

       
 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About

 
   

Market Risk

56

       
 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

56

       

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION:

 
       
 

Item 3.

Defaults Under Senior Securities

57

       
 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

57

       
 

Signatures

 

57


 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

Revenues:

(In thousands, except per share data)

Net sales

$127,579 

 

$101,753 

 

$210,140 

 

$182,869 

   Other

      1,118 

 

       -      

 

      2,273 

 

         -     

 

128,697 

 

101,753 

 

212,413 

 

182,869 

Operating expenses:

             

Cost of products sold

103,229 

 

101,400 

 

189,256 

 

181,664 

   Selling, general and administrative

5,006 

 

6,954 

 

10,743 

 

13,411 

   Impairment of long-lived assets (see Note 5)

-     

 

12,351 

 

-     

 

12,351 

Other

    1,204 

 

  346 

 

8,471 

 

5,609 

 

  109,439 

 

121,051 

 

208,470 

 

213,035 

Operating income (loss)

19,258 

 

(19,298)

 

3,943 

 

(30,166)

               

Other (expense) income:

             

Interest, net

(4,996)

 

(6,274)

 

(10,341)

 

(11,587)

Other

   453 

 

4,060 

 

1,104 

 

4,603 

               

Income (loss) from continuing operations before

             

  reorganization expense and income taxes

14,715 

 

(21,512)

 

(5,294)

 

(37,150)

               

Reorganization expense (see Note 9)

  8,563 

 

  -     

 

 10,638

 

   -     

               

Income (loss) from continuing operations 

             

  before income taxes

6,152 

 

(21,512)

 

(15,932)

 

(37,150)

               

Income tax expense (benefit) (see Note 10)

    21,565 

 

    (8,042)

 

   14,815  

 

       (770)

               

Loss from continuing operations

(15,413)

 

(13,470)

 

(30,747)

 

(36,380)

               

Discontinued operations (see Note 12):

             

   Income (loss) from operations, net of 

             

     income tax expense (benefit) of $869, 

             

     $(111), $(12,429) and $(977), respectively

2,026  

 

(702)

 

(22,055)

 

(1,297)

               

   Loss on disposal, net of income tax of $6,314

  (11,728)

 

         -       

 

   (11,728)

 

          -       

               

   Loss from discontinued operations

    (9,702)

 

        (702)

 

   (33,783)

 

     (1,297)

               

Net loss

$(25,115)

 

$(14,172)

 

$ (64,530)

 

$ (37,677)

               

Loss per share from continuing

             

   operations - basic and diluted (see Note 6)

$    (0.63)

 

$    (0.51)

 

$ (1.23)

 

$ (1.39)

Loss per share from discontinued operations -

             

   basic and diluted (see Note 6)

$    (0.40)

 

$    (0.03)

 

$     (1.36)

 

$     (0.05)

               

Net loss per share (see Note 6)

$    (1.03)

 

$    (0.54)

 

$     (2.59)

 

$     (1.44)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

   

December 31,

 

June 30,

   

2003

 

2003

   

(In thousands, except per share data)

Current assets:

       

   Cash and cash equivalents

 

$    3,987 

 

$ 6,102 

   Accounts receivable, net

 

48,496 

 

56,375 

         

Inventories:

       

    Finished products

 

11,226 

 

29,121 

    Raw materials and supplies

 

5,920 

 

6,415 

    Replacement parts

 

   26,646 

 

     30,750 

      Total inventories

 

43,792 

 

66,286 

         

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

17,379 

 

5,039 

   Deferred income taxes

 

10,402 

 

3,112 

   Assets of discontinued operations

 

   29,762 

 

        -     

         

      Total current assets

 

153,818 

 

136,914 

         

Investments in affiliates

 

118,157 

 

111,509 

         

Other assets

 

8,126 

 

10,305 

         

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

 

536,049 

 

695,919 

  less accumulated depreciation, depletion and

       

  amortization

 

 (326,488)

 

 (406,557)

      Property, plant and equipment, net

 

   209,561 

 

   289,362 

         
         
   

$ 489,662 

 

$ 548,090 

         

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Continued)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY

 

   

December 31,

 

June 30,

   

2003

 

2003

   

(In thousands, except per share data)

         

Current liabilities:

       

Long-term debt due within one year

 

$165,124 

 

$158,423 

   Accounts payable

 

19,977 

 

15,736 

   Accrued liabilities

 

9,790 

 

4,633 

   Liabilities of discontinued operations

 

      3,800 

 

        -      

       Total current liabilities

 

198,691 

 

178,792 

         

Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits

 

35,084 

 

36,872 

         

Deferred income taxes

 

29,365 

 

26,518 

         

Liabilities subject to compromise

 

234,503 

 

249,132 

         

Shareholders' (deficit) equity:

       

   Common stock ($.01 par, authorized 100,000

       

      shares; issued 27,981)

 

280 

 

280 

   Additional paid-in capital

 

306,063 

 

306,063 

   Accumulated deficit

 

(273,577)

 

(209,047)

   Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 

(12,273)

 

(12,046)

   Treasury stock, at cost (3,731 and 1,769 shares)

 

  (28,474)

 

  (28,474)

Total shareholders' (deficit) equity

 

    (7,981)

 

    56,776 

         
   

$489,662 

 

$548,090 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2003

AND THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Common

Stock

Additional

Paid-In

Capital

 

Accumulated

Deficit

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

Treasury

Stock

 

 

Total

   

(In thousands)

   
             

Balances, July 1, 2002

$     280

$  305,901

$(102,577)

$ 4,983 

$(29,111)

$ 179,476 

  Comprehensive loss:

           

     Net loss

-    

-      

(105,853)

-       

-       

(105,853)

     Net change in

           

        unrealized loss on

           

           hedges, net of tax

           

           benefit of $2,910

       -    

        -      

      -       

      (4,853)

      -       

(4,853)

     Deferred pension

           

       liability, net of tax

           

       benefit of $6,557

       -    

        -      

          -       

    (12,176)

       -       

   (12,176)

             

          Comprehensive loss

-    

-      

(105,853)

(17,029)

-       

(122,882)

             

     Stock-based

           

       compensation

-    

162

-       

-       

-      

162 

     Treasury stock, net

       -    

        -      

     (617)

           -       

         637 

         20 

             

Balances, June 30, 2003

280

306,063

(209,047)

(12,046)

(28,474)

56,776 

  Comprehensive loss:

           

     Net loss

-    

-      

(64,530)

-       

-       

(64,530)

     Net change in

           

        unrealized loss on

           

        hedges, net of tax

           

        benefit of $131

       -    

         -      

           -      

     (227)

        -       

     (227)

             

          Comprehensive loss

       -    

         -      

(64,530)

        (227)

        -       

     (64,757)

             

Balances,

           

   December 31, 2003

$   280 

$306,063 

$(273,577)

$ (12,273)

$(28,474)

$ (7,981)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

   

Six months ended December 31,

   

2003

 

2002

   

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

       

  Net loss

 

$   (64,530)

 

$   (37,677)

  Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating

       

     activities:

       

       Net change in operating assets and liabilities -

       

          continuing operations

 

(3,849)

 

(28,937)

       Net change in operating assets and liabilities -

       

          discontinued operations

 

5,111 

 

4,832 

       Impairment of long-lived assets

 

-     

 

12,351 

       Refund of federal taxes pursuant to the Job

       

           Creation and Workforce Assistance Act of 2002

 

-      

 

14,871 

       Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 13,981 

 

20,576 

       Loss on impairment and sale of discontinued operations

 

52,065 

 

-     

       Change in deferred gain on hedging activities,

       

           net of tax

 

(114)

 

579 

       Deferred income taxes

 

(4,381)

 

(1,409)

       Equity earnings in unconsolidated affiliates

 

(7,529)

 

(3,823)

       Other

 

      3,347 

 

     (2,367)

         

Net cash used in operating activities

 

    (5,899)

 

 (21,004)

         

Cash flows from investing activities:

       

  Purchases of property, plant and equipment -

       

     continuing operations

 

(3,148)

 

(6,833)

  Purchases of property, plant and equipment -

       

     discontinued operations

 

(540)

 

(2,995)

  Proceeds from sale of assets

 

71 

 

33 

  Other

 

         700 

 

     1,000 

         

Net cash used in investing activities

 

     (2,917)

 

     (8,795)

         

Cash flows from financing activities:

       

  Debt proceeds

 

127,401 

 

157,774 

  Debt payments

 

 (120,700)

 

 (125,532)

         

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

      6,701 

 

     32,242 

         

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(2,115)

 

2,443 

         

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

 

      6,102 

 

     1,989 

         

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 

$    3,987 

 

$   4,432 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

NOTE 1 - INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by us without audit, and include Mississippi Chemical Corporation and its subsidiaries. In our opinion, the financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly our results of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, our financial position at December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, our consolidated statements of shareholders' equity for the six months ended December 31, 2003 and the year ended June 30, 2003, and our cash flows for the six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. In our opinion, these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature which are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for the interim periods. We have reclassified certain prior-year information to conform with the current year's presentation.

Certain notes and other information have been condensed or omitted in our interim financial statements presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our June 30, 2003, audited financial statements.

Our business is seasonal; therefore, the results of operations for the periods ended December 31, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year.

 

NOTE 2 - BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

On May 15, 2003 (the "Petition Date"), Mississippi Chemical Corporation and nine of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors"), filed voluntary petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi (the "Court"). The cases are being administered jointly in Joint Case Number 03-02984 WEE, collectively ("Case"). As debtors-in-possession, the Debtors are authorized to operate their business but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the approval of the Court. On May 16, 2003, the Court rendered an Interim Order approving the Debtors' request for interim financing, and on October 2, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order approving debtor-in-possession revolving credit financing of $32.5 million. On December 19, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order approving supplemental debtor-in-possession term loan financing of $96.7 million (the "Supplemental DIP Order").

The Debtors sought relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code because of a lack of liquidity. The combination of the depression in the agricultural sector, several waves of low priced imports, and the extreme increase in price level and price volatility of domestic natural gas, the Company's primary raw material, had resulted in substantial financial losses for the Company for the last five years.

On June 6, 2003, the Court appointed the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors to represent the interests of the unsecured creditors. This committee will monitor our financial condition and restructuring activities. We are required to reimburse certain fees and expenses of the committee, including fees for attorneys and other professionals to the extent allowed by the Court.

As debtors-in-possession, the Debtors, subject to any required Court approval, may elect to assume or reject real estate leases, employment contracts, personal property leases, service contracts, and other unexpired executory pre-petition contracts. We cannot currently determine with certainty the aggregate liability that will result from the filing and settlement of claims related to any rejected contracts.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors are currently developing a plan of reorganization. The principal objective of the plan of reorganization will be to restructure the Debtors' obligations to creditors in a manner which will permit us to continue as a viable business organization. The Bankruptcy Code allows the Debtors the exclusive right to file a plan of reorganization during the first 120 days from the Petition Date, or such time as the Court orders. Upon motion of the Debtors, the Court extended the Debtors' exclusivity period to file a plan of reorganization until March 1, 2004, or until such time as the Court issues its final ruling. Although we expect to file a plan of reorganization, there can be no assurance at this time as to whether or when a plan of reorganization will be proposed by the Debtors, how liabilities and equity interests will be treated in the plan, whether the plan will be approved by the various classes of creditors and equity holders, or whether it will be approved or confirmed by the Court. If the exclusivity period were to be terminated without confirmation of a plan of reorganization, other interested parties, such as creditors, would have the right to propose alternative plans of reorganization. Our plan of reorganization could substantially change the amounts and characterization of assets and liabilities disclosed in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On October 8, 2003, we signed an agreement with Koch Nitrogen Company ("Koch") to sell our interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited ("Point Lisas Nitrogen") for an estimated cash amount of $92.0 million, plus certain assumed liabilities (the "Koch Stalking Horse Agreement"). Subsequently, and in conjunction with the Supplemental DIP Order, we withdrew our motion to sell pursuant to the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement, resulting in the payment of a break-up fee to Koch of approximately $3.8 million (the "Koch Break-Up Fee"). As a result of these events, in December 2003 we recorded our share, approximately $6.4 million, of Point Lisas Nitrogen's earnings for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003. Due to the pending sale, we did not record our equity earnings, approximately $2.4 million, for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

On November 26, 2003, our subsidiaries, Mississippi Potash, Inc. and Eddy Potash, Inc., entered into a stalking horse agreement to sell substantially all of their assets to subsidiaries of Intrepid Mining LLC (the "Intrepid Stalking Horse Agreement"). The estimated purchase price is expected to be approximately $20 to $25 million. The Court entered a Bid Protection Order on December 23, 2003, approving the Intrepid Stalking Horse Agreement and the related auction and bid procedures. However, no competing bids were received by the January 26, 2004, competing bid deadline. On February 12, 2004, the Court entered a final sale order approving the sale of the Potash Assets. The actual purchase price and proceeds from this transaction will be adjusted for working capital levels on the closing date.

Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon, but not limited to, the development and confirmation of a plan of reorganization, continued access to adequate sources of capital, continued compliance with debt covenants under the debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility and supplemental debtor-in-possession term loan, the ability to sustain positive cash flows sufficient to fund operations and repay debt, and retention of key suppliers, customers and employees. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in reorganizing our affairs through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Because of the ongoing nature of the reorganization process, the outcome of which is not determinable until a plan of reorganization is confirmed and implemented, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the resolution of these uncertainties.

 

NOTE 3 - CREDIT AGREEMENTS AND LONG-TERM DEBT DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION CREDIT FACILITY

On May 16, 2003, the Court entered an Interim Order approving our request, on an interim basis, for a debtor-in-possession financing facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank and a syndicate of six other lenders (the "Original DIP Lenders") to provide up to $37.5 million in financing (the "Interim Credit Facility"). On August 13, 2003, the Court denied our request for a Final Order with regard to the Interim Credit Facility, but granted us authority to use our cash collateral (i.e., cash and proceeds of inventory and receivables) for ordinary course operations through October 3, 2003. On October 2, 2003, the Court approved certain amendments to the Interim Credit Facility to permit borrowings up to $32.5 million (the "DIP Credit Facility"). The DIP Credit Facility is a revolving credit facility that terminates upon the earlier to occur of (a) June 30, 2004, (b) the date that a plan of reorganization confirmed by the Court becomes effective, or (c) the date on which the lenders terminate the DIP Credi t Facility in connection with an event of default thereunder. Mississippi Chemical Corporation is the borrower under the DIP Credit Facility and its subsidiaries who are Debtors and Mississippi Chemical Holdings, Inc. ("MCHI"), are guarantors. Pursuant to a Final Order entered on December 19, 2003, the Investors (as defined below in the notes under the heading "Supplemental Debtor-in-Possession Term Loan") concluded a tender offer to the Original DIP Lenders on January 23, 2004 (the "DIP Credit Lenders"). The terms of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the Supplemental DIP Loan are essentially unchanged by the tender offer.

Maximum Borrowings. The DIP Credit Facility provides for maximum borrowings (the "DIP Commitment"), at any time, up to the lesser of (a) $32.5 million, or (b) a borrowing base equal to the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable plus (ii) 65% of eligible inventory, minus (iii) a scheduled excess collateral availability requirement, minus (iv) an amount equal to twice the amount of all the then accrued and unpaid charges owed to warehousemen and other third parties having inventory in their possession that have not executed and delivered to the lenders a warehouseman's waiver, minus (v) an amount equal to six months' rent for all leased facilities where inventories are kept for which the landlord has not executed and delivered to the lenders a landlord's waiver. The DIP Commitment is subject to certain mandatory reductions described below.

Rates and Fees. The loans under the DIP Credit Facility bear interest at rates equal to the prime commercial rate from time to time in effect plus 4%. Upon entry of the Interim Order, we paid a facility fee of $375,000 to the Original DIP Lenders and an administrative fee of $75,000 (of this amount, $60,000 was refunded to us during the quarter ended September 30, 2003) to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as "DIP Agent." Upon entry of the Final Order, we paid an additional facility fee of $375,000 to the Original DIP Lenders and an additional administrative fee of $75,000 to the DIP Agent. The DIP Credit Facility also has a commitment fee equal to 0.5% per annum of the average daily unused amount of the DIP Commitment.

Collateral Security and Guarantees. Pursuant to the Final Order for the DIP Credit Facility, the DIP Credit Lenders have been granted superpriority claim status in the Case that is collateralized by first liens on substantially all of our assets and the assets of the other subsidiaries included in the Case (including all of the proceeds of inventory and accounts receivable and cash collateral). Our use of proceeds of inventories and accounts receivable and all cash collateral generated in the ordinary course of business is limited to the payment of certain expenses and application to the DIP Credit Facility prior to its termination and, following such termination, to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility (defined below in this Note 3 under the heading "Pre-Petition Harris Facility"). All of our subsidiaries that are included in the Case have guaranteed the DIP Credit Facility (the "DIP Guarantors"). As adequate protection for the use of pre-petition cash collateral, the lenders under the Pre-Petitio n Harris Facility have been granted a replacement lien on substantially all of our assets and the assets of the DIP Guarantors, subject only to the lien of the DIP Credit Lenders and certain liens permitted under the DIP Credit Facility.

Covenants. The DIP Credit Facility (a) restricts our ability to incur debt, (b) requires us to generate certain minimum levels of EBITDA, as defined in the agreement, for so long as the amount of obligations under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility exceeds $67.5 million, (c) limits our expenditures to the types set forth in a budget, subject to permitted deviations, (d) provides for mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions from all or part of the net proceeds of certain liquidity events such as asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business, (e) permits the voluntary prepayment of loans under the DIP Credit Facility without penalty, (f) requires that the obligations under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility be reduced according to a schedule, and (g) contains representations, warranties, other affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default that are customary for debtor-in-possession revolving credit facilities. As of December 31, 2003, we were in compliance with all p ost-petition debt covenants.

Asset Dispositions. The DIP Credit Facility requires us to market and dispose of specified assets. The financing order entered by the Court on December 19, 2003, found that the transactions contemplated by the Supplemental DIP Loan (as defined below under the heading "Supplemental Debtor-In-Possession Term Loan") satisfied our disposition requirement with respect to our interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen. Other than any disposition of our interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen, all net cash proceeds of asset dispositions outside the ordinary course in excess of $1.0 million shall be applied to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the DIP Credit Facility on an equal basis, provided that if the obligations under the DIP Credit Facility are otherwise satisfied as described in the DIP Credit Facility, the balance of any such proceeds shall be applied to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. In the event of a disposition of the Company's interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen, all net cash proceeds must be applied f irst to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and then to the DIP Credit Facility.

Standstill Agreement. In connection with entering into the DIP Credit Facility, we entered into an agreement with the lenders under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility (the "Pre-Petition Lenders") pursuant to which such lenders agreed not to take any action to enforce their rights under the MCHI guaranty (see Note 10) of our obligations under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. Upon the termination of the DIP Credit Facility or under certain defaults, the Pre-Petition Lenders may enforce the MCHI guaranty. In the event that MCHI receives proceeds from a refinancing or a disposition event with respect to Point Lisas Nitrogen, MCHI has agreed to apply such proceeds to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility.

SUPPLEMENTAL DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION TERM LOAN

On December 19, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order approving our entering into the Supplemental Post-Petition Credit Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2003, with certain funds or affiliates managed or advised by Delaware Street Capital, L.P. and DDJ Capital Management LLC (together with their participants and assigns, the "Investors"), pursuant to which the Investors made a $96.7 million term loan to us on December 30, 2003 (the "Supplemental DIP Loan"). The proceeds of the Supplemental DIP Loan were used to reduce the principal amount of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility by $90.0 million and to pay certain transaction-related fees and expenses of $6.7 million. The Supplemental DIP Loan matures on the earlier of (a) October 31, 2004, (b) the effective date of a plan of reorganization in our Case, (c) the conversion of our Case to a Chapter 7 case, or (d) the dismissal or appointment of a trustee in any of our Chapter 11 cases.

In addition, the Investors agreed to tender for the approximately $68.4 million remaining secured debt under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the obligations under the DIP Credit Facility, at par plus accrued interest (excluding default interest). The tender was conditioned upon acceptance by at least 51 percent in number of the lenders representing not less than 66-2/3 percent of the outstanding principal amount under these facilities. More than 51 percent in number of the Pre-Petition Lenders and the Original DIP Lenders tendered, respectively, 93 percent and 85 percent of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the DIP Credit Facility. The tender closed on January 23, 2004. As a result, the Investors hold substantially all of our secured debt.

As a result of the Supplemental DIP Loan, we withdrew our motion to sell under the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement, and the Court entered a Final Order terminating such sale process. Accordingly, we paid the Koch Break-Up Fee (see Note 2) from the proceeds of the Supplemental DIP Loan.

Rates and Fees. The Supplemental DIP Loan bears cash interest, payable monthly, at rates equal to the prime commercial rate from time to time in effect plus 4% and accrues additional payment-in-kind interest monthly at the rate of 8% per annum for the first six months and 9% per annum thereafter. In connection with the signing and closing of the Supplemental DIP Loan, we paid aggregate commitment fees of approximately $2.4 million to the Investors. The Investors are also entitled to a Cash Out Commitment Fee of approximately $1.4 million upon the termination of the Supplemental DIP Loan. In addition, the Investors will be entitled to a Lost Opportunity Commitment Fee of approximately $2.9 million payable on termination of the Supplemental DIP Loan if our plan of reorganization is confirmed with a plan sponsor other than the Investors or otherwise unsatisfactory to the Investors.

Guarantees and Collateral Security. The Supplemental DIP Loan is guaranteed by (a) all of our direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the "Domestic Subsidiaries," and together with us, the "Supplemental Loan Parties") and (b) MCHI. MCHI is the indirect holder of our fifty percent equity interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen.

The Supplemental DIP Loan is secured by (a) liens and security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Supplemental Loan Parties and (b) a pledge of all stock and other equity interests owned by each of the Supplemental Loan Parties (provided that such pledge does not include the stock of MCHI, the membership interests in FMCL Limited Liability Company, a 50%-owned Delaware limited liability company that ships product from Point Lisas Nitrogen, or the partnership interests in Houston Ammonia Terminal, L.P., a 50%-owned Delaware limited partnership). The Investors' security interests in the assets of the Supplemental Loan Parties are subordinate to the DIP Credit Facility and the Pre-Petition Harris Facility.

Covenants. The Supplemental DIP Loan has covenants substantially the same as the DIP Credit Facility including (a) restrictions on our ability to incur debt, (b) requirements to generate the same minimum levels of EBITDA required by the DIP Credit Facility, (c) limits on our expenditures to the types set forth in a budget, subject to permitted deviations, (d) limits on the amount of capital expenditures to the same amounts permitted by the DIP Credit Facility, (e) mandatory prepayments from all or part of the net proceeds of certain liquidity events (such as asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business), and (f) other affirmative and negative covenants typical for this type of loan.

PRE-PETITION HARRIS FACILITY

As of the Petition Date, we had a secured revolving credit facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank and a syndicate of twelve other lenders totaling $158.4 million. The Pre-Petition Harris Facility bears interest at rates related to the Prime Rate. As of December 31, 2003, our weighted average interest rate was 9% (which includes the default rate) and we had borrowings outstanding in the amount of $68.4 million. The bankruptcy filing was an event of default under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and, as a result, we can no longer borrow under this Facility. As adequate protection for the use of the Pre-Petition Lenders' cash collateral, we are required to pay interest on the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. Interest is paid monthly in arrears at the non-default rate (Prime Rate + 5% on the first $105 million until this debt is reduced to $52.5 million, at which point such rate is Prime Rate + 3%, with the balance of this debt subject to an interest rate of Prime Rate + 1%). An additional 2% of defau lt rate interest accrues until payoff of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. Since the Pre-Petition Harris Facility is a secured facility, it has not been classified as a liability subject to compromise on our consolidated balance sheets.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS

In August 1997, we issued $14.5 million in industrial revenue bonds, a portion of which were tax-exempt, to finance the development of our east phosphogypsum disposal facility at our Pascagoula, Mississippi, DAP manufacturing plant. On April 1, 1998, we issued $14.5 million in tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds (the "1998 IRBs"), the proceeds of which were used to redeem the initial industrial revenue bonds issued in August 1997. The 1998 IRBs issued on April 1, 1998, mature on March 1, 2022, and carry a 5.8% fixed rate. The 1998 IRBs may be redeemed at our option at a premium from March 1, 2008, to February 28, 2010, and may be redeemed at face value at any time after February 28, 2010, through the maturity date. The 1998 IRBs are the obligation of our subsidiary, Mississippi Phosphates Corporation, but are guaranteed by Mississippi Chemical Corporation. The bankruptcy filing was an event of default under the industrial revenue bonds. At December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, the industrial revenue bonds are reflected as a component of liabilities subject to compromise on our consolidated balance sheets.

THE SENIOR NOTES

On November 15, 1997, we issued $200.0 million of 7.25% Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes") due November 15, 2017, pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Semi-annual interest payments of approximately $7.3 million are due on each May 15 and November 15. The holders may elect to have the Senior Notes repaid on November 15, 2007. The Senior Notes do not contain any financial covenants, but do contain certain cross-default provisions with the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. As a result of our bankruptcy filing, we did not make the semi-annual interest payment due on May 15, 2003 and November 15, 2003, and were in default under the Senior Notes. At December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, the Senior Notes, net of unamortized discounts of $239,000, are reflected as a component of liabilities subject to compromise on our consolidated balance sheets.

 

NOTE 4 - LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

As a result of our Chapter 11 filing, substantially all of our unsecured pre-petition indebtedness is subject to compromise. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise effect payment of pre-Chapter 11 liabilities are stayed. These claims are reflected in the December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003 consolidated balance sheets as liabilities subject to compromise. Pre-petition claims secured by our assets are also stayed, although the holders of such claims have the right to move the Court for relief from the stay. Pre-petition secured claims (primarily representing amounts borrowed under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility) are secured by substantially all of our accounts receivable, inventories, and property, plant and equipment. These secured claims are reflected as long-term debt due within one year on our consolidated balance sheets. Although pre-petition claims are generally stayed as part of the first day orders and subsequent motions granted by the Court, the Court approved our motions to pay certain pre-petition obligations essential for the ongoing operation of our business. We have been paying and intend to continue to pay all undisputed post-petition claims of all vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business.

As of December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, we had liabilities subject to compromise of approximately $234.5 million and $249.1 million, respectively, which included the following;

 

December 31,

 

June 30,

 

2003

 

2003

 

(Dollars in thousands)

       

Senior Notes, net of unamortized discount

$199,761

 

$199,761

Industrial revenue bonds

14,500

 

14,500

Accounts payable - trade

5,987

 

10,159

Other liabilities

    14,255

 

    24,712

       
 

$234,503

 

$249,132

Below are condensed consolidated financial statements for the Company.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2003

 

 

Mississippi

           
 

Chemical

           
 

Corporation

 

Subsidiaries

       
 

and Subsidiaries

 

not in

       
 

in Reorganization

 

Reorganization

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

             
               

Current assets

$ 153,853 

 

$            1 

 

$         (36)

 

$ 153,818 

Investments and long-term

             

   assets

126,248 

 

103,938 

 

(103,903)

 

126,283 

Property, plant and

             

   equipment, net

  209,561 

 

         -     

 

          -     

 

   209,561 

 

$ 489,662 

 

$ 103,939 

 

$(103,939)

 

$ 489,662 

               

LIABILITIES AND

             

  SHAREHOLDERS' 

             

  EQUITY (DEFICIT)

             
               

Current liabilities

$ 198,691 

 

$         36 

 

$        (36)

 

$ 198,691 

Other long-term liabilities 

             

   and deferred credits

64,449 

 

103,903 

 

(103,903)

 

64,449 

Liabilities subject to

             

   compromise

234,503 

 

-     

 

-     

 

234,503 

Shareholders' deficit

     (7,981)

 

        -     

 

         -     

 

     (7,981)

 

$ 489,662 

 

$ 103,939 

 

$(103,939)

 

$ 489,662 

Below are condensed consolidated financial statements for the Company.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

June 30, 2003

 

 

Mississippi

           
 

Chemical

           
 

Corporation

 

Subsidiaries

       
 

and Subsidiaries

 

not in

       
 

in Reorganization

 

Reorganization

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

             
               

Current assets

$ 136,942

 

$         1

 

$       (29)

 

$ 136,914

Investments and long-term

             

   assets

121,786

 

97,507

 

(97,479)

 

121,814

Property, plant and

             

   equipment, net

   289,362

 

       -     

 

        -     

 

   289,362

 

$ 548,090

 

$  97,508

 

$(97,508)

 

$ 548,090

               

LIABILITIES AND

             

  SHAREHOLDERS'  

           
  EQUITY
               

Current liabilities

$ 178,792

 

$        29

 

$      (29)

 

$ 178,792

Other long-term liabilities and

             

   deferred credits

63,390

 

97,479

 

(97,479)

 

63,390

Liabilities subject to

             

   compromise

249,132

 

-     

 

-     

 

249,132

Shareholders' equity

     56,776

 

       -     

 

        -     

 

     56,776

 

$ 548,090

 

$  97,508

 

$(97,508)

 

$ 548,090

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended December 31, 2003

 

 

Mississippi

           
 

Chemical

           
 

Corporation

 

Subsidiaries

       
 

and Subsidiaries

 

not in

       
 

in Reorganization

 

Reorganization

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

               

Total revenues

$ 128,697  

 

$       -      

 

$      -      

 

$ 128,697 

               

Cost of products sold

103,232  

 

(6,431)

 

6,428 

 

103,229 

Selling, general and

             

   administrative

5,003  

 

 

-     

 

5,006 

Other

      1,204  

 

        -      

 

       -     

 

     1,204 

 

  109,439  

 

     (6,428)

 

     6,428 

 

  109,439 

     Operating income (loss)

19,258  

 

6,428 

 

(6,428)

 

19,258 

               

Other expense

    (4,543)

 

        -      

 

       -     

 

    (4,543)

               

Income before 

             
   reorganization expense

   and income taxes

14,715  

 

6,428 

 

(6,428)

 

14,715 

                

Reorganization expense

      8,563  

 

         -     

 

       -     

 

      8,563 

               

Income before income 

             
   taxes and discontinued

   operations

6,152  

 

6,428 

 

(6,428)

 

6,152 

               

Income tax expense -

             

   continuing operations

   21,565  

 

            -       

 

       -     

 

    21,565 

               

Loss from continuing

             

   operations

(15,413)

 

6,428 

 

(6,428)

 

(15,413)

               

Loss from discontinued

             

   operations, net of tax

    (9,702)

 

        -     

 

        -     

 

    (9,702)

               

Net income (loss)

$(25,115)

 

$   6,428 

 

$  (6,428)

 

$(25,115)

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the six months ended December 31, 2003

 

 

Mississippi

           
 

Chemical

           
 

Corporation

 

Subsidiaries

       
 

and Subsidiaries

 

not in

       
 

in Reorganization

 

Reorganization

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

               

Total revenues

$ 212,413 

 

$       -      

 

$       -     

 

$ 212,413 

               

Cost of products sold

189,263 

 

(6,431)

 

6,424 

 

189,256 

Selling, general and

             

   administrative

10,736 

 

 

-     

 

10,743 

Other

      8,471 

 

         -     

 

        -     

 

     8,471 

 

  208,470 

 

     (6,424)

 

     6,424 

 

  208,470 

        Operating income

3,943 

 

6,424 

 

(6,424)

 

3,943 

               

Other expense

    (9,237)

 

         -     

 

        -     

 

    (9,237)

               

(Loss) income before

             

   reorganization expense 

             

   and income taxes

(5,294)

 

6,424 

 

(6,424)

 

(5,294)

               

Reorganization expense

    10,638 

 

        -     

 

        -     

 

    10,638 

               

Income (loss) before 

             

   income taxes and 

             

   discontinued operations

(15,932)

 

6,424 

 

(6,424)

 

(15,932)

               

Income tax expense -

             

   continuing operations

    14,815 

 

        -     

 

        -     

 

    14,815 

               

Loss from continuing

             

   operations

(30,747)

 

6,424 

 

(6,424)

 

(30,747)

               

Loss from discontinued

             

   operations, net of tax

   (33,783)

 

        -     

 

        -     

 

   (33,783)

               

Net income (loss)

$ (64,530)

 

$    6,424 

 

$  (6,424)

 

$(64,530)

               

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the six months ended December 31, 2003

 

Mississippi

           
 

Chemical

           
 

Corporation

 

Subsidiaries

       
 

and Subsidiaries

 

not in

       
 

in Reorganization

 

Reorganization

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash flows from operating

             

   activities:

             

       Net (loss) income

$ (64,530)

 

$    6,424

 

$  (6,424)

 

$ (64,530)

       Reconciliation of net 

             

          (loss) income to net 

             
          cash used in

          operating activities:

             

            Net change in 

             
               operating assets

               and liabilities

1,255 

 

7

 

-     

 

1,262 

            Net change in other

             

               long-term assets 

             

               and liabilities

(8,670)

 

(6,431)

 

6,424 

 

(8,677)

            Non-cash items,

               net

    66,046 

 

       -     

 

       -     

 

    66,046 

Net cash used in operating

             

   activities

    (5,899)

 

       -     

 

       -     

 

     (5,899)

               

Net cash used in investing

             

   activities

    (2,917)

 

       -     

 

        -     

 

    (2,917)

               

Net cash provided by 

             

   financing activities

      6,701 

 

       -     

 

        -     

 

      6,701 

               

Net decrease in cash and 

             

   cash equivalents

(2,115)

 

-     

 

-     

 

(2,115)

               

Cash and cash equivalents -

             

   beginning of period

      6,101 

 

           1

 

        -     

 

     6,102 

               

Cash and cash equivalents -

             

   end of period

$    3,986 

 

$         1

 

$      -     

 

$   3,987 

 

NOTE 5 - IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

On December 19, 2002, we announced plans to close our prilled urea facility located in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, due to continued negative operating results from unfavorable natural gas prices and market conditions. We initially concluded that the long-lived assets associated with the prilling section of the urea plant would be idled indefinitely. The prilled urea assets were determined to be impaired and would not contribute to our ongoing operations. The value of the impaired prilled urea assets was approximately $12.4 million at December 31, 2002. This amount was written off and recorded as a component of operating expenses during the quarter ended December 31, 2002. In November 2003, we restarted our prilled urea facility at reduced rates.

During our first quarter of fiscal 2004, our board of directors authorized our management to actively market for sale the long-lived assets of Mississippi Potash, Inc. and its subsidiary (the "Potash Assets"). Accordingly, at September 30, 2003, the Potash Assets were classified as assets held for sale and all related depreciation expense ceased. As required by SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," we tested the Potash Assets for impairment at September 30, 2003. This test resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $34.0 million, which is reflected as a component of discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2003. Significant judgments and estimates were used in performing the impairment test in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

 

NOTE 6 - LOSS PER SHARE

The number of weighted average common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares, used in our diluted loss per share computations for the three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were 24,408,000 and 26,175,000, respectively. The number of weighted average common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares, used in our diluted loss per share computations for the six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, were 24,937,000 and 26,172,000, respectively. Options outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, were not included in our computations of diluted loss per share as a result of incurring a net loss in each of the three-month and six-month periods, which renders the options anti-dilutive. Weighted average common shares outstanding were lower during the current year periods primarily as a result of abandonments of shares to us by shareholders for purported tax purposes.

 

NOTE 7 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our reportable operating segments, nitrogen, phosphate, potash and melamine, are strategic business units that offer different products. They are managed separately because each business unit requires different technology and marketing strategies. Our nitrogen segment produces anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate, urea, nitrogen solutions and nitric acid. We distribute these products to fertilizer dealers, distributors, and industrial users. Our phosphate segment produces diammonium phosphate fertilizer (commonly referred to as "DAP"). Approximately 30% to 40% of our DAP is marketed to agricultural users in international markets through a separate export association. Our potash segment mines and produces agricultural and industrial potash products that are sold to farmers, fertilizer dealers, distributors, and industrial accounts, primarily for use in the southern and western regions of the United States, and into export markets. On December 1, 2003, we announced our wholly owned subsidiaries in our potash segment had signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of their potash assets. As a result of this agreement, at December 31, 2003, our potash operations have been reflected as discontinued operations. Our melamine segment produces melamine crystal, which is a raw material for manufacturers in the construction/remodeling and automotive industries. Our production of melamine did not begin until June 2003.

Below is our segment information for the three-month and six-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The Other caption includes corporate and consolidating eliminations.

   

Three months ended December 31, 2003

(In thousands)

 

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Potash (1)

Melamine

Other

Total

               
Net sales - external

   customers

 

$ 92,967

$ 27,081 

$     -     

$   7,531 

$    -     

$127,579 

Net sales - intersegment

 

10,419

-     

-     

-     

(10,419)

-      

Operating income (loss)

 

24,955

(2,926)

(481)

(2,044)

(246)

19,258 

Depreciation, depletion 

             

  and amortization

 

3,685

1,297 

-     

16 

973 

5,971 

Capital expenditures

 

68

1,229 

90 

248 

-    

1,635 

Loss from discontinued

             

   operations

 

-    

-     

(9,702)

-    

-    

(9,702)

 

 

   

Three months ended December 31, 2002

(In thousands)

 

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Potash (1)

Melamine

Other

Total

               
Net sales - external

   customers

 

$ 75,256 

$ 26,497 

$     -     

$      -     

$    -       

$101,753 

Net sales - intersegment

 

5,382 

-     

-     

(5,384)

-     

Operating loss

 

(14,400)

(4,013)

(885)

-     

-     

(19,298)

Depreciation, depletion 

             

  and amortization

 

5,788 

1,422 

1,809 

-     

1,469 

10,488 

Capital expenditures

 

3,441 

980 

1,233 

-     

36 

5,690 

Loss from discontinued

             

  operations

 

-     

-     

(702)

-     

-     

(702)

 

 

   

Six months ended December 31, 2003

(In thousands)

 

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Potash (1)

Melamine

Other

Total

               
Net sales - external

   customers

 

$147,817 

$ 52,514 

$     -     

$  9,809 

$     -     

$210,140  

Net sales - intersegment

 

16,288 

-     

-     

-     

(16,288)

-     

Operating income (loss)

 

15,292 

(6,220)

(1,122)

(4,098)

91 

3,943  

Depreciation, depletion 

             

  and amortization

 

7,360 

2,564 

1,650 

16 

2,391 

13,981  

Capital expenditures

 

289 

2,222 

540 

637 

-     

3,688  

Loss from discontinued

             

  operations

 

-     

-     

(33,783)

-     

-     

(33,783)

(1) Operating loss for the potash segment represents corporate allocations, which have not been reclassified as a component of discontinued operations.

 

 

   

Six months ended December 31, 2002

(In thousands)

 

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Potash (1)

Melamine

Other

Total

               
Net sales - external

   customers

 

$129,183 

$ 53,686 

$     -     

$     -     

$     -     

$182,869 

Net sales - intersegment

 

10,058 

17 

-     

-     

(10,075)

-     

Operating loss

 

(23,415)

(4,513)

(1,771)

-     

(467)

(30,166)

Depreciation, depletion 

             

  and amortization

 

11,524 

2,858 

3,567

-     

2,627 

20,576 

Capital expenditures

 

4,976 

1,736 

2,995

-     

121 

9,828 

Loss from discontinued

             

  operations

 

-     

-     

(1,297)

-     

-     

(1,297)

(1) Operating loss for the potash segment represents corporate allocations, which have not been reclassified as a component of discontinued operations.

 

NOTE 8 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Comprehensive loss is the total of net loss and all other non-owner changes in equity. The components of comprehensive loss that relate to us are net loss, unrealized gains or losses on our natural gas derivative transactions, and pension liability adjustments. These derivative transactions may consist of futures contracts, options, swaps, or similar derivative financial instruments related to the price of natural gas. As permitted under the provisions of SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," these are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity. The changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss during the six months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, are included below.

   

2003

Before-Tax Tax Net-of-Tax
   

Amount

 

Effect

 

Amount

   

(In thousands)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

           

   at June 30, 2003

 

$(18,523)

 

$ 6,477 

 

$(12,046)

             

       Net unrealized loss on natural gas hedging

           

          activities arising during period

 

(1,002)

 

356 

 

(646)

       Reclassification adjustment for net gains

           

          realized in net loss

 

       644 

 

     (225)

 

       419 

             

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at

           

  December 31, 2003

 

$(18,881)

 

$  6,608

 

$(12,273)

Total comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended December 31, 2003, was $25.1 million and $64.8 million, respectively.

 

   

2002

Before-Tax Tax Net-of-Tax
   

Amount

 

Effect

 

Amount

   

(In thousands)

Accumulated other comprehensive gain

           

   at June 30, 2002

 

$ 7,973 

 

$ (2,990)

 

$ 4,983 

             

       Net unrealized gain on natural gas hedging

           

          activities arising during period

 

5,888 

 

(2,312)

 

3,576 

       Reclassification adjustment for net gains

           

          realized in net loss

 

  (8,261)

 

   3,160 

 

  (5,101)

             

Accumulated other comprehensive gain at

           

   December 31, 2002

 

$  5,600 

 

$(2,142)

 

$ 3,458 

             

Total comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended December 31, 2002, was $16.7 and

million and $39.2 million, respectively.

 

NOTE 9 - REORGANIZATION EXPENSE

Costs directly related to our reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code are reflected as reorganization expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Reorganization expense for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, was approximately $10.6 million and consisted of legal and other professional fees as well as the Koch Break-Up Fee (see Note 2).

 

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

For the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, our income tax expense from continuing operations was $14.8 million, as compared to an income tax benefit of $770,000 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. The income tax expense was primarily the result of the establishment of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset related to federal net operating loss carryforwards that may expire unutilized, in addition to U.S. tax expense on cumulative foreign earnings triggered by the guarantee by one of our foreign subsidiaries of our debt under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. The income tax benefit for the prior year was primarily the result of our net loss from continued operations.

Our income tax benefit from discontinued operations for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, was $18.7 million, as compared to $977,000 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. The income tax benefit for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, was primarily the result of our net loss on discontinued operations.

We are required to evaluate the likelihood of our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income that will enable us to realize the value of our deferred tax assets. If we, in our judgment, are not more likely than not to realize any deferred tax assets, then we record valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2003, we had recorded deferred tax assets arising from federal and state net operating loss carryovers amounting to approximately $59.2 million and approximately $20.2 million, respectively. We estimate that certain deferred tax assets, primarily those arising from federal net operating loss carryforwards and certain state net operating loss carryforwards, will not be realized. Therefore, as of December 31, 2003, we have recorded federal and state valuation allowances amounting to $17.9 million and $14.9 million, respectively.

Under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility, our wholly owned subsidiary, MCHI, provided a guarantee of the debt. MCHI indirectly owns our 50% joint venture interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen. Under U.S. tax laws, this guarantee resulted in a deemed non-cash distribution to us of earnings from MCHI (and effectively our portion of the earnings from Point Lisas Nitrogen). As of December 31, 2003, these cumulative earnings approximated $44.1 million. No U.S. taxes are currently payable on these earnings due to significant book and tax accounting differences, primarily with respect to depreciation. We have recorded non-current deferred tax liabilities on these earnings of approximately $16.4 million. While the guarantee remains in place, we expect to record U.S. tax expenses on future earnings from MCHI and Point Lisas Nitrogen.

In addition to the U.S. tax expense resulting from the MCHI guarantee, we are providing tax benefits based on an estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 5.7%. This rate reflects approximately $5.5 million of nondeductible reorganization expenses as well as our anticipation of establishing valuation allowances for federal net operating loss carryforwards that may expire unutilized and all deferred state tax assets generated during the year.

 

NOTE 11 - INVESTMENT IN POINT LISAS NITROGEN

Our 50-50 joint venture, Point Lisas Nitrogen, owns and operates a 2,040 short-ton-per-day anhydrous ammonia plant located near Point Lisas, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Point Lisas Nitrogen's financial statements are summarized as follows:

Summarized balance sheet information:

 

December 31,

 

June 30,

 

2003

 

2003

 

(In thousands)

       

Current assets

$ 73,106

 

$  68,639

Non-current assets

255,124

 

259,118

Current liabilities

117,541

 

129,930

Stockholders' equity

210,689

 

197,827

 

 

Summarized statements of operations information:

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

2003

2002

 

2003

2002

 

(In thousands)

           

Revenues

$29,735

$19,243

 

$51,504

$33,963

Operating income

6,598

4,608

 

9,922

3,062

Net income

8,062

6,118

 

12,861

6,086

On October 8, 2003, we signed a Stalking Horse Agreement with Koch to sell our interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen for an estimated cash amount of $92.0 million, plus certain assumed liabilities. Subsequently, and in conjunction with the Supplemental DIP Order, we withdrew our motion to sell pursuant to the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement, resulting in the payment of the Koch Break-Up Fee (see Note 2). In addition, in December we recorded our share, approximately $6.4 million, of Point Lisas Nitrogen's earnings for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003. In accordance with the offtake agreement, we were allowed to purchase product from Point Lisas Nitrogen at prices below the prevailing market prices during the quarter to recover amounts paid in excess of prevailing market prices in previous periods. This benefit amounted to approximately $6.4 million, and is reflected in our consolidated statement of operations as a reduction in cost of products sold.

 

NOTE 12 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During our first quarter of fiscal 2004, our board of directors authorized our management to actively market for sale the long-lived assets of Mississippi Potash, Inc. and its subsidiary (the "Potash Assets"). Accordingly, at September 30, 2003, the Potash Assets were classified as assets held for sale and all related depreciation expense ceased. As required by SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," we tested the Potash Assets for impairment at September 30, 2003. This test resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $34.0 million, which is reflected as a component of discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2003. Significant judgments and estimates were used in performing the impairment test in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

On December 1, 2003, we announced a definitive agreement by our subsidiaries to sell the Potash Assets to two wholly owned subsidiaries of Intrepid Mining LLC, a privately held Denver-based natural resources company. The estimated purchase price is expected to be approximately $20 to 25 million. In addition, certain liabilities are going to be assumed by the purchasers. The sale of these assets is expected to close in late February or early March 2004. On February 12, 2004, the Court entered a final sale order approving the sale of the Potash Assets. The actual purchase price and proceeds from this transaction will be adjusted for working capital levels on the closing date. As a result of this agreement, and meeting the requirements for classification as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144, at December 31, 2003, our potash operation has been reflected as discontinued operations. Potash operations in previous periods presented have also been reclassified in accordance with SFAS N o. 144. We have recorded an estimated after-tax loss on the sale of our potash assets of $11.7 million and an estimated after-tax loss from discontinued operations of $22.1 million, which includes the pretax impairment charge of $34.0 million referred to above. Corporate allocations have been excluded from discontinued operations.

The operating results of Mississippi Potash, Inc. and its subsidiary, excluding the loss on disposal, were as follows:

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

2003

2002

 

2003

2002

           

Net Sales

$ 18,147

$ 15,073 

 

$  34,620 

$ 31,482 

           

Income (loss) from continuing 

         

   operations before income taxes (1)

$   2,414

$ (1,698)

 

$(35,606)

$ (4,045)

(1) An impairment charge was recorded during the company's first fiscal quarter in the amount of $34.0 million (see Note 5). In addition, income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes includes corporate allocations from parent totaling $481, $885, $1,122 and $1,771, respectively, for the periods presented above.

The net assets of Mississippi Potash, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2003, were as follows:

 

2003

Accounts receivable

7,014 

Inventories

2,098 

Other current assets

650 

Property, plant and equipment, net

   20,000 

   Assets of discontinued operations

$ 29,762 

   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$   3,800 

   Liabilities of discontinued operations

$   3,800 

 

NOTE 13 - GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES

Payment obligations under our 7.25% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2017, issued pursuant to that certain indenture, dated as of November 25, 1997, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by Mississippi Nitrogen, Inc., and MissChem Nitrogen, L.L.C. (the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"), our wholly owned direct subsidiary and our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, respectively. Condensed consolidating financial information regarding the parent company, Guarantor Subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries as of and for December 31, 2003 and 2002 is presented below for purposes of complying with the reporting requirements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

   

Three months ended December 31, 2003

   

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(In thousands)

 

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

           

  Net sales

 

$      -      

$ 56,111 

$ 121,554 

$  (50,086)

$ 127,579 

  Other

 

        -      

      1,118 

           -      

            -      

       1,118 

   

-      

57,229 

121,554 

(50,086)

128,697 

             

Operating expenses:

           

  Cost of products sold

 

-      

48,590 

103,830 

(49,191)

103,229 

  Selling, general and

           

    administrative

 

243 

1,188 

3,575 

-      

5,006 

  Other

 

         -      

           (1)

       1,205 

           -      

       1,204 

   

         243 

   49,777 

  108,610 

   (49,191)

  109,439 

Operating income (loss)

 

(243)

7,452 

12,944 

(895)

19,258 

             

Other (expense) income:

           

  Interest, net

 

(4,854)

(30)

(112)

-      

(4,996)

  Other

 

 (10,772)

   11,662 

            67 

         (504)

          453 

             

Income (loss) from continuing

           

   operations before

           

   reorganization expense and

           

   income taxes

 

(15,869)

19,084 

12,899 

(1,399)

14,715 

             

Reorganization expense

 

      8,022 

         354 

          187 

          -      

       8,563 

             

Income (loss) from continuing

           

   operations before income

           

   taxes

 

(23,891)

18,730 

12,712 

(1,399)

6,152 

             

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

      1,224 

      7,295 

    (2,135)

    15,181 

     21,565 

             

Income (loss) from continuing

           

   operations

 

(25,115)

11,435 

14,847 

(16,580)

(15,413)

             

Loss on discontinued

           

   operations

 

         -      

          -      

    (9,702)

          -      

     (9,702)

             

Net income (loss) loss

 

$(25,115)

$   11,435

$   5,145  

$(16,580)

$ (25,115)

             

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

   

Three months ended December 31, 2002

   

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(In thousands)

 

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

           

  Net sales

 

$       -      

$   41,143 

$  102,279  

$  (41,669)

$  101,753 

             

Operating expenses:

           

  Cost of products sold

 

-      

42,866 

99,922  

(41,388)

101,400 

  Selling, general and

           

    administrative

 

(19)

1,451 

5,522  

-      

6,954 

  Impairment of long-lived

           

     assets

 

-      

-      

12,351  

-      

12,351 

  Other

 

    -      

      345 

            1  

        -      

        346 

   

     (19)

 44,662 

 117,796  

 (41,388)

121,051 

Operating income (loss)

 

19 

(3,519)

(15,517)

(281)

(19,298)

             

Other (expense) income:

           

  Interest, net

 

(3,973)

(1,030)

(1,271)

-      

(6,274)

  Other

 

  (5,594)

      368  

    3,718  

    5,568 

   4,060  

             

(Loss) income from

           

   continuing operations

           

   before income taxes

 

(9,548)

(4,181)

(13,070)

5,287 

(21,512)

             

Income tax expense

           

   (benefit)

 

   4,624  

     (117)

  (10,271)

   (2,278)

   (8,042)

             

Loss from continuing

           

   operations

 

(14,172)

(4,064)

(2,799)

7,565 

(13,470)

             

Loss on discontinued

           

   operations

 

          -     

           -     

         (702)

           -     

        (702)

             

Net loss

 

$(14,172)

$   (4,064)

$   (3,501)

$     7,565 

$ (14,172)

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

   

Six months ended December 31, 2003

   

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(In thousands)

 

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

           

  Net sales

 

$        -      

$   80,614 

$ 200,677 

$  (71,151)

$ 210,140 

  Other

 

         -      

        2,273 

          -      

          -      

       2,273 

   

-      

82,887 

200,677 

(71,151)

212,413 

Operating expenses:

           

  Cost of products sold

 

-      

75,170 

184,807 

(70,721)

189,256 

  Selling, general and

           

    administrative

 

(98)

2,904 

7,937 

-      

10,743 

  Other

 

          -      

       5,088 

       3,383 

          -      

        8,471 

   

          (98)

     83,162 

  196,127 

    (70,721)

   208,470 

Operating loss

 

98 

(275)

4,550 

(430)

3,943 

             

Other (expense) income:

           

  Interest, net

 

(10,044)

(71)

(226)

-      

(10,341)

  Other

 

  (45,111)

     10,513 

         143  

    35,559 

       1,104  

             

Income (loss) from continuing

           

   operations before

           

   reorganization expense and

           

   income taxes

 

(55,057)

10,167 

4,467 

35,129 

(5,294)

             

Reorganization expense

 

       9,985 

          392 

          261 

         -      

      10,638 

             

Income (loss) from continuing

           

   operations before income

           

   taxes

 

(65,042)

9,775 

4,206 

35,129 

(15,932)

             

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

        (512)

    10,069 

     (5,750)

    11,008 

      14,815 

             

Income (loss) from continuing

           

   operations

 

(64,530)

(294)

9,956 

24,121 

(30,747)

             

Loss on discontinued

           

  operations

 

           -      

          -      

   (33,783)

          -      

   (33,783)

             

Net loss

 

$ (64,530)

$     (294)

$ (23,827)

$   24,121

$ (64,530)

             

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

   

Six months ended December 31, 2002

   

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(In thousands)

 

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Revenues:

           

  Net sales

 

$      -       

$   71,845 

$  184,027 

$   (73,003)

$  182,869 

             

Operating expenses:

           

  Cost of products sold

 

-       

74,434 

180,828 

(73,598)

181,664 

  Selling, general and

           

    administrative

 

445 

2,863 

10,103 

-       

13,411 

  Impairment of long-lived

           

    assets

 

-       

-      

12,351 

-       

12,351 

  Other

 

       -       

       2,521 

       3,088 

         -       

       5,609 

   

       445 

    79,818  

   206,370 

   (73,598)

   213,035 

Operating loss

 

(445)

(7,973)

(22,343)

595 

(30,166)

             

Other (expense) income:

           

  Interest, net

 

(7,574)

(3,320)

(693)

-      

(11,587)

  Other

 

 (14,137)

        454  

       3,872 

    14,414 

       4,603 

             

Loss from continuing

           

   operations before income

           

   taxes

 

(22,156)

(10,839)

(19,164)

15,009 

(37,150)

             

Income tax expense

           

  (benefit)

 

15,521 

       (650)

  (13,663)

    (1,978)

       (770)

             

Loss from continuing

           

  operations

 

(37,677)

(10,189)

(5,501)

16,987 

(36,380)

             

Loss on discontinued

           

  operations

 

           -     

           -     

       (1,297)

           -     

       (1,297)

             

Net loss

 

$ (37,677)

$ (10,189)

$   (6,798)

$  16,987 

$ (37,677)

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

December 31, 2003

 

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(In thousands)

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Assets

         

Current assets:

         

   Cash and cash equivalents

$    3,959 

$             1 

$            27 

$          -      

$    3,987 

   Receivables, net

30,438 

957 

87,706 

(70,605)

48,496 

   Inventories

-      

18,181 

32,261 

(6,650)

43,792 

   Prepaid expenses and other

         

     current assets

11,051 

4,628 

5,519 

6,583 

27,781 

   Current assets of discontinued

         

     operations

         -      

          -      

     29,762 

           -      

    29,762 

           

    Total current assets

45,448 

23,767 

155,275 

(70,672)

153,818 

           

Investments in affiliates

142,499 

78,218 

104,013 

(206,573)

118,157 

Other assets

226,963 

572 

40,765 

(260,174)

8,126 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      2,481 

  113,652 

     93,428 

           -      

  209,561 

           

          Total assets

$417,391 

$216,209 

$393,481  

$(537,419)

$489,662 

           

Liabilities and Shareholders' 

         

   (Deficit) Equity

         

Current liabilities:

         

   Long-term debt due within

         

       one year

$165,124 

$        -      

$         -      

$         -      

$165,124 

   Accounts payable

21,415 

20,252 

53,422 

(75,112)

19,977 

   Accrued liabilities and other

3,106 

2,041 

6,609 

(1,966)

9,790 

   Current liabilities of

         

     discontinued operations

        -       

          -      

       3,800 

           -      

      3,800 

           

     Total current liabilities

189,645 

22,293 

63,831 

(77,078)

198,691 

           

Other long-term liabilities and

         

   deferred credits

27,145 

34,966 

115,593 

(113,255)

64,449 

Liabilities subject to compromise

208,582 

66,736 

200,768 

(241,583)

234,503 

           

Shareholders' (deficit) equity:

         

   Common stock

280 

58,940 

(58,941)

280 

   Additional paid-in capital

306,063 

324,715 

335,618 

(660,333)

306,063 

   Accumulated deficit

(273,577)

(232,502)

(381,269)

613,771 

(273,577)

   Accumulated other 

         

      comprehensive loss

(12,273)

-      

-      

-      

(12,273)

   Treasury stock, at cost

  (28,474)

            -      

           -      

            -      

   (28,474)

           

   Total shareholders' equity (deficit)

    (7,981)

      92,214 

     13,289 

  (105,503)

     (7,981)

           

          Total liabilities and

         

              shareholders' equity (deficit)

$417,391 

$ 216,209 

$393,481 

$(537,419)

$489,662 

           

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

June 30, 2003

 

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(Dollars in thousands)

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

Assets

         

Current assets:

         

     Cash and cash equivalents

$    6,073 

$            1 

$          28 

$        -      

$    6,102 

     Receivables, net

39,204 

-      

72,215 

(55,044)

56,375 

     Inventories

-      

17,449 

48,700 

137 

66,286 

     Prepaid expenses and

         

         other current assets

      4,095 

      1,091 

      3,925 

       (960)

      8,151 

           

     Total current assets

49,372 

18,541 

124,868 

(55,867)

136,914 

           

Investments in affiliates

187,749 

68,312 

97,579 

(242,131)

111,509 

Other assets

228,011 

-      

16,638 

(234,344)

10,305 

Property, plant and equipment, net

       4,841 

   120,064 

   164,457 

             -     

   289,362 

           

            Total assets

$ 469,973 

$ 206,917 

$ 403,542 

$ (532,342)

$ 548,090 

           

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

         

Current liabilities:

         

     Long-term debt due within

         

         one year

$ 158,423 

$        -      

$      -      

$         -      

$ 158,423 

     Accounts payable

  17,181 

   25,567 

   56,357 

  (83,369)

  15,736 

     Accrued liabilities and other

             22 

       1,042 

     3,577 

             (8)

       4,633 

           

     Total current liabilities

175,626 

26,609 

59,934 

(83,377)

178,792 

           

Other long-term liabilities and

         

   deferred credits

26,213 

15,751 

99,185 

(77,759)

63,390 

           

Liabilities subject to compromise

211,358 

72,050 

207,308 

(241,584)

249,132 

           

Shareholders' equity:

         

     Common stock

280 

58,940 

(58,941)

280 

     Additional paid-in capital

306,063 

324,715 

335,617 

(660,332)

306,063 

     Accumulated deficit

(209,047)

(232,209)

(357,442)

589,651 

(209,047)

     Accumulated other

         

         comprehensive loss

(12,046)

-       

-      

-      

(12,046)

     Treasury stock, at cost

  (28,474)

         -       

        -      

         -      

  (28,474)

           

     Total shareholders' equity

     56,776 

    92,507 

    37,115 

  (129,622)

      56,776 

           

           Total liabilities and

         

               shareholders' equity

$ 469,973 

$ 206,917 

$ 403,542 

$(532,342)

$ 548,090 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

Six months ended December 31, 2003

 

Parent

Guarantor

Non-Guarantor

   

(In thousands)

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

           

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

   Net loss

$(64,530)

$      (294)

$ (23,827)

$ 24,121 

$(64,530)

   Reconciliation of net loss

         

      to net cash (used in) provided by

         

      operating activities:

         

          Net change in operating assets

         

             and liabilities

3,857 

(14,822)

(22,457)

34,684 

1,262 

          Loss on impairment and sale

         

             of discontinued operations

-      

-      

52,065 

-      

52,065 

          Depreciation, depletion and

         

             amortization

2,675 

6,496 

5,094 

(284)

13,981 

Change in deferred gain on

         

   hedging activities, net of tax

(114)

-      

-      

-      

(114)

         Equity earnings in

         

             unconsolidated affiliates

45,070 

(10,599)

(6,442)

(35,558)

(7,529)

         Deferred income taxes and

         

             other

  (11,425)

    18,726 

     14,628 

   (22,963)

    (1,034)

Net cash (used in) provided by

         

   operating activities

  (24,467)

        (493)

     19,061 

           -      

    (5,899)

           

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

   Purchases of property, plant and

         

      equipment

-      

(179)

(3,509)

-      

(3,688)

   Proceeds from sale of assets

-      

6  

65  

-      

71  

   Other

         -      

          693  

               7  

           -      

         700  

           

Net cash provided by (used in)

         

   investing activities

         -      

          520  

      (3,437)

          -      

    (2,917)

           

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

   Debt proceeds

127,401 

-      

-      

-      

127,401 

   Debt payments

(120,700)

-      

-      

-      

(120,700)

   Net change in affiliate notes

    15,652  

          (27)

    (15,625)

          -      

         -       

Net cash provided by (used in)

         

   financing activities

    22,353  

          (27)

    (15,625)

          -      

      6,701  

           

Net decrease in cash and cash

         

   equivalents

(2,114)

-      

(1)

-      

(2,115)

           

Cash and cash equivalents -

         

   beginning of period

      6,073 

              1 

             28 

         -      

      6,102 

           

Cash and cash equivalents -

         

   end of period

$   3,959 

$            1

$           27 

$       -      

$   3,987 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

Six months ended December 31, 2002

  Parent Guarantor Non-Guarantor    

(In thousands)

Company

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

           

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

   Net loss

$ (37,677)

$ (10,189)

$  (6,798)

$    16,987 

$ (37,677)

   Reconciliation of net loss to net

         

      cash (used in) provided by

         

      operating activities:

         

          Net change in operating 

         

             assets and liabilities

(23,268)

19,724 

1,101 

(21,662)

(24,105)

          Depreciation, depletion and

         

             amortization

2,626 

6,303 

11,647 

-      

20,576 

          Change in deferred loss on

         

             hedging activities, net of tax

579 

-      

-      

-      

579 

          Equity earnings in

         

             unconsolidated affiliates

14,087 

(444)

(3,051)

(14,415)

(3,823)

          Refund of federal taxes

         

             pursuant to the Job Creation

         

            Act of 2002

14,871 

-     

-     

-      

14,871 

          Impairment of long-lived assets

-      

-     

12,351 

-      

12,351 

          Deferred income taxes and

         

             other

  12,661 

  (11,449)

  (24,078)

  19,090 

    (3,776)

Net cash (used in) provided by

         

   operating activities

 (16,121)

      3,945 

   (8,828)

      -      

  (21,004)

           

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

   Purchases of property, plant and

         

      equipment

(121)

(4,567)

(5,140)

-      

(9,828)

   Proceeds from sale of assets

-      

-      

33 

-      

33 

   Other

       -      

        990 

          10 

       -      

    1,000 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (121)

   (3,577)

   (5,097)

       -      

  (8,795)

           

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

   Debt proceeds

157,774 

-      

-      

-      

157,774 

   Debt payments

(125,532)

-      

-      

-      

(125,532)

   Net change in affiliate notes

  (13,527)

       (373)

   13,900 

       -      

         -      

Net cash provided by (used in)

         

   financing activities

   18,715 

       (373)

   13,900 

       -      

    32,242 

           

Net increase (decrease) in cash and

         

   cash equivalents

2,473 

(5)

(25)

-      

2,443 

           

Cash and cash equivalents -

         

   beginning of period

     1,920

         16 

         53 

        -      

     1,989 

           

Cash and cash equivalents -

         

   end of period

$   4,393

$       11 

$      28 

$     -      

$   4,432 


 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

GENERAL. The following is management's discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition, which should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PETITION FOR RELIEF UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY CODE.

On May 15, 2003 (the "Petition Date"), Mississippi Chemical Corporation and nine of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors"), filed voluntary petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi (the "Court"). The cases are being administered jointly in Joint Case Number 03-02984 WEE, collectively ("Case"). As debtors-in-possession, the Debtors are authorized to operate their business but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the approval of the Court. On May 16, 2003, the Court rendered an Interim Order approving the Debtors' request for interim financing, and on October 2, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order approving debtor-in-possession revolving credit financing of $32.5 million. On December 19, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order approving supplemental debtor-in-possession term loan financing of $96.7 million (the "Supplemental DIP Order").

The Debtors sought relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code because of a lack of liquidity. The combination of the depression in the agricultural sector, several waves of low priced imports, and the extreme increase in price level and price volatility of domestic natural gas, the Company's primary raw material, had resulted in substantial financial losses for the Company for the last five years.

On June 6, 2003, the Court appointed the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors to represent the interests of the unsecured creditors. This committee will monitor our financial condition and restructuring activities. We are required to reimburse certain fees and expenses of the committee, including fees for attorneys and other professionals to the extent allowed by the Court.

As debtors-in-possession, the Debtors, subject to any required Court approval, may elect to assume or reject real estate leases, employment contracts, personal property leases, service contracts, and other unexpired executory pre-petition contracts. We cannot currently determine with certainty the aggregate liability that will result from the filing and settlement of claims related to any rejected contracts.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors are currently developing a plan of reorganization. The principal objective of the plan of reorganization will be to restructure the Debtors' obligations to creditors in a manner which will permit us to continue as a viable business organization. The Bankruptcy Code allows the Debtors the exclusive right to file a plan of reorganization during the first 120 days from the Petition Date, or such time as the Court orders. Upon motion of the Debtors, the Court extended the Debtors' exclusivity period to file a plan of reorganization until March 1, 2004, or until such time as the Court issues its final ruling. Although we expect to file a plan of reorganization, there can be no assurance at this time as to whether or when a plan of reorganization will be proposed by the Debtors, how liabilities and equity interests will be treated in the plan, whether the plan will be approved by the various classes of creditors and equity holders, or whether it will be approved or confirmed by the Court. If the exclusivity period were to be terminated without confirmation of a plan of reorganization, other interested parties, such as creditors, would have the right to propose alternative plans of reorganization. Our plan of reorganization could substantially change the amounts and characterization of assets and liabilities disclosed in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On October 8, 2003, we signed an agreement with Koch Nitrogen Company ("Koch") to sell our interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited, our ammonia joint venture with Koch in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ("Point Lisas Nitrogen") for an estimated cash amount of $92.0 million, plus assumed liabilities (the "Koch Stalking Horse Agreement"). Subsequently, and in conjunction with the Supplemental DIP Order, in December we withdrew our motion to sell pursuant to the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement, resulting in the payment of a break-up fee to Koch in the amount of $3.8 million (the "Koch Break-Up Fee"). As a result of these events, in December we recorded our share, approximately $6.4 million, of Point Lisas Nitrogen's earnings for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003. Due to the pending sale, we did not record our equity earnings, approximately $2.4 million, for the September 30, 2003 quarter.

On November 26, 2003, our subsidiaries, Mississippi Potash, Inc. and Eddy Potash, Inc., entered into a stalking horse agreement to sell the Potash Assets to subsidiaries of Intrepid Mining LLC (the "Intrepid Stalking Horse Agreement"). The purchase price is expected to be approximately $20 to $25 million. The Court entered a Bid Protection Order on December 23, 2003, approving the Intrepid Stalking Horse Agreement and the resulting auction and bid procedures. However, no competing bids were received by the January 26, 2004, competing bid deadline. On February 12, 2004, the Court entered a final sale order approving the sale of the Potash Assets. The actual purchase price and proceeds from this transaction will be adjusted for working capital levels on the closing date.

Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon, but not limited to, the development and confirmation of a plan of reorganization, continued access to adequate sources of capital, continued compliance with debt covenants under the debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility and supplemental debtor-in-possession term loan, the ability to sustain positive cash flows sufficient to fund operations and repay debt, and retention of key suppliers, customers and employees. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in reorganizing our affairs through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Because of the ongoing nature of the reorganization process, the outcome of which is not determinable until a plan of reorganization is confirmed and implemented, the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the resolution of these uncertainties.

SEGMENTS. Our operations are organized into four strategic business units: nitrogen, phosphate, potash and melamine. Our nitrogen business unit produces nitrogen products that are sold to fertilizer dealers, distributors, and industrial users located primarily in the southern region of the United States. Our phosphate business unit produces diammonium phosphate fertilizer (commonly referred to as "DAP") and exports approximately 30% to 40% of this production through a separate export association, Phosphate Chemicals Export Association, Inc., a Webb-Pomerene corporation known as "PhosChem." Our potash business unit mines and produces agricultural and industrial potash products that are sold to farmers, fertilizer dealers, distributors, and industrial accounts for use primarily in the southern and western regions of the United States and into export markets. On December 1, 2003, we announced our wholly owned subsidiaries in our potash segment had signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of their potash assets. As a result of this agreement, at December 31, 2003, our potash operations have been reflected as discontinued operations. Our melamine segment produces melamine crystal, which is a raw material for manufacturers in the construction/remodeling and automotive industries. Our production of melamine did not begin until June 2003.

SEASONALITY. Consistent with the historical nature of our business, the usage of fertilizer in our trade territory is seasonal, and our quarterly results reflect the fact that more fertilizer is traditionally sold during the last four months of our fiscal year (March through June). Therefore, in most years, a large portion of our agricultural sales are generated in the spring planting season. Since interim period operating results reflect the seasonal nature of our business, they may not necessarily be indicative of results expected for the full fiscal year. We incur substantial expenditures for fixed costs and inventory throughout the year.

OTHER FACTORS. Our products and primary raw materials (particularly natural gas) are commodities, the prices for which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. These prices and the global supply/demand balance for our products do not necessarily change in relation to one another and may impact our performance in different ways. In addition, quarterly results can vary significantly from year to year due to a number of other factors as detailed under "Outlook" and "Forward Looking Statements" in this quarterly report and under the heading "Certain Business Factors" and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

We have identified and described the accounting policies that involve those estimates and assumptions that we believe are critical to an understanding of our financial statements. Our management has discussed the development and selection of each critical accounting estimate with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed these related disclosures. Since application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates. Details regarding these policies are described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies that impacted our financial condition or results of operations during the six-month period ended December 31, 2003.


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

OVERVIEW. For the quarter ended December 31, 2003, we incurred a net loss of $25.1 million (or $1.03 per diluted share) compared to a net loss of $14.2 million (or $0.54 per diluted share) for the same quarter during the prior year. Included in these losses were losses from discontinued operations related to our potash segment of $9.7 million and $702,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. Net sales increased to $127.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, from $101.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. We had operating income of $19.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, compared to an operating loss of $19.3 million, including a $12.4 million charge for impairment of long-lived assets, for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. The significant improvement we have experienced compared to the prior-year period is the result of a substantial increase in nitrogen prices, some to 30-year highs over the last 12 months. In addit ion, our ammonia purchase price from Point Lisas Nitrogen was lowered as we recouped the remaining amounts that were paid in excess of prevailing market prices in prior periods according to the offtake agreement. This benefit amounted to approximately $6.4 million during the quarter and is reflected in our consolidated statement of operations as a reduction in our cost of products sold.

NET SALES

OVERVIEW. Our net sales increased 25% to $127.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, from $101.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of higher average sales prices for our nitrogen and DAP products and sales of melamine that began in June 2003, partially offset by lower sales volumes for our nitrogen and DAP products.

The following tables summarize our sales results by product categories for the three months ended December 31:

       

%

   

2003

2002

Inc.

Net Sales (in thousands):

       

   Nitrogen

 

$ 92,570

$ 75,086

23%

   DAP

 

27,081

26,488

2%

   Melamine

 

7,531

-     

100%

   Other

 

        397

       179

   122%

         

       Net Sales

 

$127,579

$101,753

   25%

         

       

%

   

2003

2002

Inc. (Dec.)

Tons Sold (in thousands):

       

   Nitrogen:

       

       Anhydrous ammonia

 

179

190

(6)%

       Ammonium nitrate

 

223

217

3%

       Urea

 

26

93

(72)%

       Nitrogen solutions

 

91

152

(40)%

       Nitric acid

 

      11

       6

     83%

            Total Nitrogen

 

530

658

(19)%

         

   DAP

 

169

201

(16)%

   Melamine (pounds)

 

19,103

N/A

N/A

       

%

   

2003

2002

Inc.

Average Sales Price Per Ton:

       

   Nitrogen

 

$     175

$     114

54%

   DAP

 

$     160

$     132

21%

   Melamine (per pound)

 

$    0.39

N/A

N/A

 

NITROGEN. Our nitrogen net sales increased 23% as a result of a 54% increase in sales prices offset by a 19% decrease in sales volumes. Declining U.S. nitrogen production capacity and production outages in world markets over the last year have combined with increasing demand to create a tightening of world supply/demand balances. This environment has led to significant price increases for our nitrogen products. Volumes were lower in the current year quarter as a result of fewer tons being available for sale because of production cutbacks in the first quarter. As a result of the lower production rates and sales volumes experienced, nitrogen inventory levels are substantially below prior-year levels.

Our ammonia sales volumes decreased 6%, while our ammonia sales prices increased 54%. During the quarter, we saw an increase in demand from our industrial customers, our primary customer base for ammonia, over the prior-year period as world economies continued to improve. However, this was partially offset by reduced volumes sold to one of our large industrial accounts due to concern about their financial condition. Ammonia prices increased over the prior-year period as a result of reduced supply in world markets caused by downtime over the last 12 months due to maintenance turnarounds, raw material supply issues, and mechanical problems at various production plants around the world. In addition, U.S. production capacity has continued to decrease as a result of the natural gas price/product price relationship over the last 3-4 years. During this time, only limited amounts of new capacity have started in world markets. This supply situation has combined with the increased demand from industrial custo mers and an indication that global fertilizer use will increase due to a lower grain stock-to-use ratio, and has resulted in a strong pricing environment.

Ammonium nitrate sales volumes increased 3%, and sales prices increased 48%. According to The Fertilizer Institute, an industry trade group, U.S. ammonium nitrate production decreased 3% for the July to December 2003 time period compared to the same prior-year period. Decreased production over the last six months, along with uncertainty over U.S. production rates in the future due to continued natural gas price volatility, have combined with the overall upward movement of all nitrogen product prices to result in increased sales prices over the prior-year period.

Urea sales volumes decreased 72%, while sales prices increased 50%. The decrease in sales volumes is due to the closure of our prilled urea facility in February of 2003 because of continued unfavorable market conditions. This facility was restarted in November 2003 to supply specific industrial accounts. The increase in sales prices was a result of lower urea supplies due to our urea prilling closure and the closure of several other U.S. urea plants during the past 12 months. According to The Fertilizer Institute, U.S. urea production decreased 28% for the July to December 2003 time period compared to the same prior-year period. In addition, plants in other parts of the world have incurred downtime or reduced production rates caused by raw material supply issues.

Nitrogen solutions sales volumes decreased 40%, while sales prices increased 50%. Sales volumes decreased because production at our Yazoo City facility during the quarter was reduced by approximately 66,000 tons. Uncertainty over U.S. production rates in the future due to continued natural gas price volatility and the overall upward movement of all nitrogen product prices, led to the increase in sales prices of 50% over the prior-year period.

PHOSPHATES. DAP sales volumes decreased 16%, while sales prices increased 21%. Mechanical problems and high prices of certain raw materials resulted in decreased production. Sales prices were higher because of a tightened supply/demand balance and higher raw material prices.

MELAMINE. In June 2003, we began producing melamine crystal, a raw material for manufacturers in the construction/ remodeling and automotive industries. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, we sold 19.1 million pounds of melamine at an average price of $0.39 per pound. Sales prices and volumes have been below expectations due to our being a new entrant into the market. Since melamine customers generally contract with suppliers for 3 to 6 month periods, it takes time to build a customer base that can meet our full production levels. Our facility can produce approximately 20 million pounds a quarter and we would expect to be at these sales levels during the first part of this calendar year.

OTHER REVENUES

Our other revenues consist of facility fees earned by our Yazoo City facility that supplies nitrogen tetroxide to the United States Department of Defense. This facility was placed into service during the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD

OVERVIEW. Our cost of products sold increased to $103.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, from $101.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold decreased to 81% for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, from 100% for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of higher sales prices for our nitrogen and DAP products partially offset by higher costs per ton for these same products. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, the average natural gas price for our domestic operations, net of futures gains and losses, increased 31% to $4.86 from $3.71 per MMBtu over the quarter ended December 31, 2002.

NITROGEN. Our nitrogen costs per ton increased 12% primarily as a result of higher natural gas costs at our domestic production facilities. The average price of natural gas, net of futures gains and losses, at our domestic nitrogen production facilities increased approximately 32% to $4.87 from $3.70 per MMBtu. In addition, we purchased more anhydrous ammonia at higher prices in the current year due to lower production at our ammonia plants. These higher costs were partially offset by higher equity earnings from Point Lisas Nitrogen. In addition, the purchase price for ammonia from Point Lisas Nitrogen was lower than prevailing market prices during the quarter as we recouped the remaining amounts that were paid in excess of prevailing market prices in prior periods according to the offtake agreement. This benefit amounted to approximately $6.4 million during the quarter. Equity earnings from Point Lisas Nitrogen and the benefit of purchasing ammonia at prices below market are both reflected in our consolidated statements of operations as a reduction in cost of products sold. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, we recorded equity earnings of $6.4 million, which reflected earnings of Point Lisas Nitrogen for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003. During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, we did not record equity earnings from Point Lisas Nitrogen because of an agreement we had entered into to sell our interests in this facility, which was terminated in December 2003. During the prior-year quarter ending December 31, 2002, we recorded equity earnings of $3.1 million.

PHOSPHATES. Our DAP costs per ton increased 22% for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. We produced approximately 25,000 fewer tons compared to the prior-year period. This cost increase was primarily the result of a scheduled maintenance turnaround during the quarter ended December 31, 2003, and higher raw material costs, primarily for ammonia.

MELAMINE. In order to control inventory, we curtailed production in mid-August. Sales increased during September and October, and production resumed the first week in November. The major cost components of melamine include natural gas, anhydrous ammonia and urea melt, the prices of which are currently at historically-high levels.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $5.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, from $7.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. This decrease resulted primarily from reduced labor costs and other cost savings initiatives. In addition, during the prior year, we incurred additional expenses associated with reductions in workforce. These lower costs were partially offset by a noncash increase of approximately $1.5 million in retirement expense due to the freezing of our retirement benefits in April 2003. As a result, we were required to recognize in the prior year all unamortized prior service cost. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 4% at December 31, 2003, from 7% at December 31, 2002.

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Our other operating expenses increased to $1.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, from $346,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. This increase resulted from an increase in idle plant costs. Early during the quarter ended December 31, 2003, portions of our anhydrous ammonia and urea production facilities in Donaldsonville were temporarily idled primarily as a result of the unfavorable relationship between product prices and the cost of natural gas, and to preserve our cash position. Our melamine production facility was idled temporarily to control our inventory. By the end of the quarter, all plants were operating.

INTEREST, NET

Our net interest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, decreased to $5.0 million from $6.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, we did not record any interest expense on our Senior Notes and 1998 IRBs as they are a part of our liabilities subject to compromise. We did record interest expense during the quarter ended December 31, 2003, on our Pre-Petition Harris Facility and our Supplemental DIP Loan as they were adequately secured. In addition, as a result of reclassifying our potash segment as discontinued operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, we transferred approximately $1.4 million of intercompany interest expense for our potash companies from interest, net, to discontinued operations; therefore, lowering our consolidated interest expense for the period.

OTHER INCOME

Other income decreased to $453,000 from $4.1 million. During the quarter ended December 31, 2002, we received $3.6 million in net proceeds from the conclusion of litigation related to a breach of contract claim involving performance guarantees for one of our ammonia plants at our nitrogen facility in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

REORGANIZATION EXPENSE

Costs directly related to our reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code are reflected as reorganization expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Reorganization expense for the three months ended December 31, 2003, was approximately $8.6 million and consisted of legal and other professional fees, as well as a $3.8 million break-up fee paid to Koch for terminating the sale process of our interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

For the quarter ended December 31, 2003, our income tax expense from continuing operations was $21.6 million, as compared to an income tax benefit of $8.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. The income tax expense is primarily the result of the establishment of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset related to federal net operating loss carryforwards that may expire unutilized, in addition to U.S. tax expense on cumulative foreign earnings triggered by the guarantee by one of our foreign subsidiaries of our debt under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. The income tax benefit for the prior year was primarily a result of our net losses from continuing operations.

Our income tax benefit from discontinued operations for the three-month period ended December 31, 2003, was $5.5 million, as compared to $111,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2002. The income tax benefit was primarily the result of our net losses from discontinued operations.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During our first quarter of fiscal 2004, our board of directors authorized our management to actively market for sale the long-lived assets of Mississippi Potash, Inc. and its subsidiary (the "Potash Assets"). Accordingly, at September 30, 2003, the Potash Assets were classified as assets held for sale and all related depreciation expense ceased. As required by SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," we tested the Potash Assets for impairment at September 30, 2003. This test resulted in an impairment charge of approximately $34.0 million. Significant judgments and estimates were used in performing the impairment test in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

On December 1, 2003, we announced a definitive agreement by our subsidiaries to sell the Potash Assets to two wholly owned subsidiaries of Intrepid Mining LLC, a privately held Denver-based natural resources company. The purchase price is expected to be approximately $20 to 25 million. In addition, certain liabilities are going to be assumed by the purchasers. The sale of these assets is expected to close in late February or early March 2004. On February 12, 2004, the Court entered a final sale order approving the sale of the Potash Assets. The actual purchase price and proceeds from this transaction will be adjusted for working capital levels on the closing date. As a result of this agreement, and meeting the requirements for classification as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144, at December 31, 2003, our potash operation has been reflected as discontinued operations. We have recorded an estimated after-tax loss on the sale of our potash assets of $11.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, and estimated after-tax income from discontinued operations of $2.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. Corporate allocations have been excluded from discontinued operations.


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

OVERVIEW. For the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, we incurred a net loss of $64.5 million (or $2.59 per diluted share) compared to a net loss of $37.7 million (or $1.44 per diluted share) for the same six-month period during the prior year. Included in these losses were losses from discontinued operations related to our potash segment of $33.8 million and $1.3 million for the six-month periods ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. Net sales increased to $210.1 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, from $182.9 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. We had operating income of $3.9 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, compared to an operating loss of $30.2 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. During the first three months of the fiscal year, we incurred a substantial amount of downtime at our nitrogen and potash facilities that negatively impacted performance. In addition, we incurred a n asset write-down in September related to the potash business segment that is now classified as discontinued operations.

NET SALES

OVERVIEW. Our net sales increased 15% to $210.1 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, from $182.9 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of higher average sales prices from our nitrogen and DAP products and sales of melamine that began in June 2003, partially offset by lower sales volumes for our nitrogen and DAP products.

The following tables summarize our sales results by product categories for the six months ended December 31:

       

%

   

2003

2002

Inc. (Dec.)

Net Sales (in thousands):

       

   Nitrogen

 

$146,728

$128,824

14%

   DAP

 

52,513

53,663

(2)%

   Melamine

 

9,809

-     

100%

   Other

 

     1,090

        382

   185%

         

       Net Sales

 

$210,140

$182,869

   15%

         

       

%

   

2003

2002

Inc. (Dec.)

Tons Sold (in thousands):

       

   Nitrogen:

       

       Anhydrous ammonia

 

358

348

3%

       Ammonium nitrate

 

315

364

(13)%

       Urea

 

39

180

(78)%

       Nitrogen solutions

 

100

272

(63)%

       Nitric acid

 

      17

      11

     55%

            Total Nitrogen

 

829

1,175

(29)%

         

   DAP

 

326

388

(16)%

   Melamine (pounds)

 

24,142

-   

100%

 

       

%

   

2003

2002

Inc.

Average Sales Price Per Ton:

       

   Nitrogen

 

$     177

$     110

61%

   DAP

 

$     161

$     138

17%

   Melamine (per pound)

 

$    0.41

N/A

N/A

 

NITROGEN. Our nitrogen net sales increased 14% as a result of a 61% increase in sales prices offset by a 29% decrease in sales volumes. The average selling price for ammonia, ammonium nitrate, urea and nitrogen solutions increased 61%, 46%, 51% and 50%, respectively. A decrease in U.S. nitrogen production, along with a tightening of world supply/demand balances, led to these nitrogen price increases. In late June 2003, we shut down significant portions of our Yazoo City facility in an effort to manage inventory levels that were higher than normal as a result of poor spring demand. While production reductions allowed us to conserve cash and avoid producing products with unfavorable margins due to high natural gas prices, sales volumes for ammonium nitrate and nitrogen solutions were negatively affected. The Yazoo City facility returned to production in late September 2003.

Our ammonia sales volumes increased 3%, and our ammonia sales prices increased 61%. Substantially all of our ammonia sales are to industrial customers. During the six-month period, we saw an increase in demand from our industrial customers over the prior-year period as world economies showed signs of improving. Ammonia prices increased over the prior-year period as a result of reduced supply in the world markets caused by industry production downtime during the period. This downtime was the result of maintenance turnarounds, raw material supply issues, and mechanical problems at various production plants.

Ammonium nitrate sales volumes decreased 13%, while sales prices increased 46%. The decrease in sales volumes was due to lower production as mentioned above. This decreased production, along with uncertainty over U.S. natural gas prices, led to the increase in sales prices over the prior-year period.

Urea sales volumes decreased 78%, while sales prices increased 51%. The decrease in sales volumes was due to the closure of our prilled urea facility in February of 2003. However, we restarted prilling in November 2003 at reduced volumes. The increase in sales prices was a result of lower urea supplies due to our urea prilling closure and the permanent closure of several other U.S. urea plants.

Nitrogen solutions sales volumes decreased 63%, while sales prices increased 50%. Sales volumes decreased because of production cutbacks at our Yazoo City production facility during our first fiscal quarter. Production decreases, along with uncertainty over U.S. natural gas prices, led to the increase in sales prices of 50% over the prior-year period.

PHOSPHATES. DAP sales volumes decreased 16%, while sales prices increased 17%. Mechanical problems and reduced production due to the high costs of certain raw materials, primarily sulfuric acid, resulted in less tons available for sale. Sales prices were higher because of a tightened supply/demand balance resulting from lower global production rates and increased demand by China.

MELAMINE. In June 2003, we began producing melamine crystal, a raw material for manufacturers in the construction/remodeling and automotive industries. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, we sold 24.1 million pounds of melamine at an average price of $0.41 per pound. Sales prices and volumes have been below expectations due to the slow economy and our being a new entrant into the market; however, prices are expected to improve early in calendar 2004.

OTHER REVENUES

Our other revenues of $2.3 million consist of facility fees earned by our Yazoo City facility that supplies nitrogen tetroxide to the United States Department of Defense. This facility was placed in service during the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD

OVERVIEW. Our cost of products sold increased to $189.3 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, from $181.7 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold decreased to 90% for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, from 99% for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of higher sales prices for our nitrogen and DAP products, partially offset by higher costs per ton for our nitrogen and DAP products. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, the average natural gas price for our domestic operations, net of futures gains and losses, increased 45% to $4.97 from $3.43 per MMBtu over the six-month period ended December 31, 2002.

NITROGEN. Our nitrogen costs per ton increased 35% primarily as a result of higher natural gas costs at our domestic production facilities. The average price of natural gas, net of futures gains and losses, at our domestic nitrogen production facilities increased approximately 46% to $4.98, from $3.42 per MMBtu. In addition, we purchased more anhydrous ammonia at higher prices in the current year due to lower production at our nitrogen plants as described above. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2002, we recorded a higher-than-normal recovery and sale of precious metals used as catalysts at our Yazoo City production facility. These higher costs were partially offset by higher equity earnings at Point Lisas Nitrogen. These equity earnings are reflected in our consolidated statements of operations as a reduction in cost of products sold.

Our portion of the earnings from Point Lisas Nitrogen was $6.4 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, compared to $3.0 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. Point Lisas Nitrogen's earnings were higher in the current year primarily as a result of increased ammonia sales prices and increased production partially offset by high natural gas costs because its gas contract ties the price of natural gas to the market price of ammonia. In addition, the purchase price for ammonia from Point Lisas Nitrogen was lower than prevailing market prices during the quarter as we recouped the remaining amounts that were paid in excess of prevailing market prices in prior periods according to the offtake agreement. This benefit amounted to approximately $6.4 million during this period and was also recorded as a reduction in our cost of products sold.

PHOSPHATE. Our DAP costs per ton increased 22% for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of higher raw material costs, primarily for ammonia and sulfur. In addition, we experienced lower production rates caused by mechanical problems and a scheduled maintenance turnaround that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2003. We produced approximately 61,000 fewer tons of product during the six-month period ending December 31, 2003, compared to the same prior-year period.

MELAMINE. The major cost components in melamine include natural gas, anhydrous ammonia and urea melt. In order to control inventory resulting from slow entry into this market, we curtailed melamine production in mid-August of the current fiscal year. Sales increased during September and October, and production resumed the first week in November.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $10.7 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, from $13.4 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. This decrease resulted primarily from reduced labor costs and other cost savings initiatives. These lower costs were partially offset by higher retirement expense due to the freezing of our retirement benefits in April 2003. As a result, we were required to recognize in the prior year, all unamortized prior-service cost. In addition, during the prior year, we incurred additional expenses associated with reductions in workforce. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 5% at December 31, 2003, from 7% at December 31, 2002.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

On December 19, 2002, we announced plans to close our prilled urea facility located in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, due to continued negative operating results from unfavorable natural gas prices and market conditions. We concluded that the long-lived assets associated with the prilling section of the urea plant would be idled indefinitely. The prilled urea assets were determined to be impaired and would not contribute to our ongoing operations. The value of the impaired prilled urea assets was approximately $12.4 million at December 2002. This amount was written off and recorded as a component of operating expenses during the quarter ended December 31, 2002. In November 2003, we restarted our prilled urea facility at reduced rates.

As required by SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," we tested the Potash Assets for impairment. This test resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $34.0 million, which is reflected as a component of discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2003. Significant judgments and estimates were used in performing the impairment test in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Our other operating expenses increased to $8.5 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, from $5.6 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. This increase resulted from an increase in idle plant costs. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, portions of our anhydrous ammonia, nitric acid, urea and nitrogen solutions production facilities were temporarily idled primarily as a result of the unfavorable relationship between product prices and the cost of natural gas. Our melamine production facility was also temporarily idled during a portion of the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, in order to control inventory.

INTEREST, NET

Our net interest expense for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, decreased to $10.3 million from $11.6 million for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, we did not record any interest expense on our Senior Notes and 1998 IRBs as they are a part of our liabilities subject to compromise. We did record interest expense during the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, on our Pre-Petition Harris Facility and our Supplemental DIP Loan as they were adequately secured. In addition, as a result of reclassifying our potash segment as discontinued operations for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002, we transferred approximately $2.6 million of intercompany interest expense for our potash companies from interest, net, to discontinued operations; therefore, lowering our consolidated interest expense for that period.

OTHER INCOME

Other income decreased to $1.1 million from $4.6 million. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2002, we received $3.6 million in net proceeds from the conclusion of litigation related to a breach of contract claim involving performance guarantees for one of our ammonia plants at our nitrogen facility in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.

REORGANIZATION EXPENSE

Costs directly related to our reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code are reflected as reorganization expense in our consolidated statement of operations. Reorganization expense for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, was approximately $10.6 million and consisted of legal and other professional fees as well as a $3.8 million break-up fee paid to Koch for terminating the sale of our interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

For the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, our income tax expense from continuing operations was $14.8 million, as compared to a $770,000 benefit for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. The income tax expense for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, was primarily the result of the establishment of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset related to federal net operating loss carryforwards that may expire unutilized. The income tax benefit was primarily the result of our net losses from continuing operations, partially offset by U.S. tax expense on cumulative foreign earnings triggered by the guarantee by one of our foreign subsidiaries of our debt under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility.

Our income tax benefit from discontinued operations for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003, was $18.7 million, as compared to $977,000 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2002. The income tax benefit was primarily the result of our net loss from discontinued operations.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During our first quarter of fiscal 2004, our board of directors authorized our management to actively market for sale the Potash Assets. Accordingly, at September 30, 2003, the Potash Assets were classified as assets held for sale and all related depreciation expense ceased. As required by SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," we tested the Potash Assets for impairment at September 30, 2003. This test resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $34.0 million, which is reflected as a component of discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of operations for the six-months ended December 31, 2003. Significant judgments and estimates were used in performing the impairment test in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

On December 1, 2003, we announced a definitive agreement by our subsidiaries to sell the Potash Assets to two wholly owned subsidiaries of Intrepid Mining LLC, a privately held Denver-based natural resources company. The estimated purchase price is expected to be approximately $20 to 25 million. In addition, certain liabilities are going to be assumed by the purchasers. The sale of these assets is expected to close in late February of 2004. On February 12, 2004, the Court entered a final sale order approving the sale of the Potash Assets. The actual purchase price and proceeds from this transaction will be adjusted for working capital levels on the closing date. As a result of this agreement, and meeting the requirements for classification as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144, at December 31, 2003, our potash operation has been reflected as discontinued operations. We have recorded an estimated after-tax loss on the sale of our potash assets of $11.7 million and an estimated a fter-tax loss from discontinued operations of $22.1 million, which includes the pre-tax impairment charge of $34.0 million. Corporate allocations have been excluded from discontinued operations.


 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At December 31, 2003, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4.0 million, compared to $6.1 million at June 30, 2003, a decrease of approximately $2.1 million.

Debtor-in-Possession Credit Facility.

On May 16, 2003, the Court entered an Interim Order approving our request, on an interim basis, for a debtor-in-possession financing facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank and a syndicate of six other lenders (the "Original DIP Lenders") to provide up to $37.5 million in financing (the "Interim Credit Facility"). On August 13, 2003, the Court denied our request for a Final Order with regard to the Interim Credit Facility, but granted us authority to use our cash collateral (i.e., cash and proceeds of inventory and receivables) for ordinary course operations through October 3, 2003. On October 2, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order that approved certain amendments to the Interim Credit Facility and permits borrowings of up to $32.5 million (the "DIP Credit Facility"). The DIP Credit Facility is a revolving credit facility that terminates upon the earlier to occur of (a) June 30, 2004, (b) the date that a plan of reorganization confirmed by the Court becomes effective, or (c) the date on which the lenders terminate the DIP Credit Facility in connection with an event of default thereunder. Mississippi Chemical Corporation is the borrower under the DIP Credit Facility and its subsidiaries who are Debtors and MCHI are guarantors. Pursuant to a Final Order entered on December 19, 2003, the Investors (as defined below under the heading "Supplemental Debtor-in-Possession Term Loan") concluded a tender offer to the Original DIP Lenders on January 23, 2004 (the "DIP Credit Lenders").

Maximum Borrowings. The DIP Credit Facility provides for maximum borrowings (the "DIP Commitment"), at any time, up to the lesser of (a) $32.5 million, or (b) a borrowing base equal to the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable plus (ii) 65% of eligible inventory, minus (iii) a scheduled excess collateral availability requirement, minus (iv) an amount equal to twice the amount of all the then accrued and unpaid charges owed to warehousemen and other third parties having inventory in their possession that have not executed and delivered to the lenders a warehouseman's waiver, minus (v) an amount equal to six months' rent for all leased facilities where inventory is kept for which the landlord has not executed and delivered to the lenders a landlord's waiver. The DIP Commitment is subject to certain mandatory reductions described below under the heading "Covenants".

Rates and Fees. The loans under the DIP Credit Facility bears interest at rates equal to the prime commercial rate from time to time in effect plus 4%. Upon entry of the Interim Order, we paid a facility fee of $375,000 to the Original DIP Lenders and an administrative fee of $75,000 (of this amount, $60,000 was refunded to us during the quarter ended September 30, 2003) to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as "DIP Agent." Upon entry of the Final Order, we paid an additional fee of $375,000 to the Original DIP Lenders and an additional administrative fee of $75,000 to the DIP Agent. The DIP Credit Facility also has a commitment fee equal to 0.5% per annum of the average daily unused amount of the DIP Commitment.

Collateral Security and Guarantees. Pursuant to the Final Order for the DIP Credit Facility, the DIP Credit Lenders have been granted superpriority claim status in the Case with a first lien on substantially all of the Debtors' assets (including all cash collateral and proceeds of inventory and accounts receivable). Our use of cash collateral and proceeds of inventories and accounts receivable generated in the ordinary course of business is limited to the payment of certain expenses and application to the DIP Credit Facility prior to its termination and, following such termination, to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility (as defined below under the heading "Pre-Petition Harris Facility"). All of our subsidiaries which are Debtors have guaranteed the DIP Credit Facility (the "DIP Guarantors"). As adequate protection for the use of pre-petition cash collateral, the lenders under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility (the "Pre-Petition Lenders") have been granted a replacement lien on substantially al l of our assets and the assets of the DIP Guarantors, subject only to the lien of the DIP Credit Lenders and certain liens permitted under the DIP Credit Facility.

Covenants. The DIP Credit Facility (a) restricts our ability to incur debt, (b) requires us to generate certain minimum levels of EBITDA, as defined in the agreement, as detailed below in this paragraph for so long as the amount of obligations under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility exceeds $67.5 million, (c) limits our expenditures to the types set forth in a budget, subject to permitted deviations, (d) limits the amount of capital expenditures as detailed below in this paragraph, (e) provides for mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions from all or part of the net proceeds of certain liquidity events (such as asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business) as detailed below in this paragraph, (f) permits the voluntary prepayment of the DIP Credit Facility without penalty, (g) requires that the obligations under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility be reduced according to a schedule, and (h) contains representations, warranties, other affirmative and negative covenants, and even ts of default that are customary for debtor-in-possession revolving credit facilities. The minimum cumulative EBITDA requirements are as follows:

   

If No Sale of Interests

 

If Sale of Interests

For October 1, thru the period ending

 

in Point Lisas Nitrogen

 

in Point Lisas Nitrogen

         

October 31, 2003

 

  $(750,000)

 

$(1,250,000)

November 30, 2003

 

    $20,000

 

  $(480,000)

December 31, 2003

 

$1,040,000

 

  $540,000

January 31, 2004

 

$2,960,000

 

$2,440,000

February 29, 2004

 

$3,610,000

 

$2,980,000

March 31, 2004

 

$2,730,000

 

$2,260,000

April 30, 2004

 

$3,800,000

 

$3,140,000

May 31, 2004

 

$3,840,000

 

$3,170,000

June 30, 2004

 

$3,660,000

 

$3,020,000

 

Our cumulative capital expenditures are limited as follows:

   

Cumulative

For October 1, thru the period ending

 

Maximum Permitted

     

October 31, 2003

 

  $2,800,000

November 30, 2003

 

  $5,300,000

December 31, 2003

 

  $6,400,000

January 31, 2004

 

  $7,100,000

February 29, 2004

 

  $7,700,000

March 31, 2004

 

  $9,000,000

April 30, 2004

 

  $9,600,000

May 31, 2004

 

$10,300,000

June 30, 2004

 

$10,800,000

 

We must maintain an excess collateral availability amount under our borrowing base according to the following schedule:

   

Required Excess

Period Ending

 

Collateral Availability

     

October 31, 2003

 

$35,120,000

November 30, 2003

 

$32,980,000

December 31, 2003

 

$32,660,000

January 31, 2004

 

$31,990,000

February 29, 2004

 

$31,270,000

March 31, 2004

 

$30,900,000

April 30, 2004

 

$32,900,000

May 31, 2004

 

$35,510,000

June 30, 2004

 

$36,930,000

 

               Asset Dispositions. The DIP Credit Facility requires us to market and dispose of specified assets. The financing order entered by the Court on December 19, 2003, found that the transactions contemplated by the Supplemental Debtor-In-Possession Term Loan satisfied our disposition requirement with respect to our interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen. Other than any disposition of our interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen, all net cash proceeds of asset dispositions outside the ordinary course in excess of $1.0 million shall be applied to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the DIP Credit Facility on an equal basis, provided that if the obligations under the DIP Credit Facility are otherwise satisfied as described in the DIP Credit Facility, the balance of any such proceeds shall be applied to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. As a result of any such sale, the DIP Commitment shall be automatically and permanently red uced by the amount of each such payment with a corresponding reduction in the DIP Commitment of each DIP Lender. In the event of a disposition of our interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen, all net cash proceeds must be applied first to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and then to the DIP Credit Facility.

               Standstill Agreement. In connection with entering into the DIP Credit Facility, we entered into an agreement with the Pre-Petition Lenders pursuant to which such lenders agreed not to take any action to enforce their rights under the MCHI guaranty, given in connection with the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. Upon the termination of the DIP Credit Facility or in the case of certain defaults, the Pre-Petition Lenders may enforce the MCHI Guaranty. In the event that MCHI receives proceeds from a refinancing or disposition event with respect to Point Lisas Nitrogen, MCHI has agreed to apply such proceeds to the Pre-Petition Harris Facility.

   Supplemental Debtor-In-Possession Term Loan

               On December 19, 2003, the Court entered a Final Order approving our entering into the Supplemental Post-Petition Credit Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2003, with certain funds or affiliates managed or advised by Delaware Street Capital, L.P. and DDJ Capital Management LLC (together with their participants and assigns, the "Investors"), pursuant to which the Investors made a $96.7 million term loan to us on December 30, 2003 (the "Supplemental DIP Loan"). The proceeds of the Supplemental DIP Loan were used to reduce the principal amount of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility by $90.0 million and to pay certain transaction-related fees and expenses of $6.7 million. The Supplemental DIP Loan matures on the earlier of (a) October 31, 2004, (b) the effective date of a plan of reorganization in our Case, (c) the conversion of our Case to a Chapter 7 case, or (d) the dismissal or appointment of a trustee in any of o ur Chapter 11 cases.

               In addition, the Investors agreed to tender for the approximately $68.4 million remaining secured debt under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the obligations under the DIP Credit Facility, at par plus accrued interest (excluding default interest). The tender was conditioned upon acceptance by at least 51 percent in number of the lenders representing not less than 66-2/3 percent of the outstanding principal amount under these facilities. More than 51 percent in number of the Pre-Petition Lenders and the Original DIP Lenders tendered, respectively, 93 percent and 85 percent of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and the DIP Credit Facility. The tender closed on January 23, 2004. As a result, the Investors hold substantially all of our secured debt.

               As a result of the Supplemental DIP Loan, we withdrew our motion to sell under the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement, and the Court entered a Final Order terminating such sale process. Accordingly, we paid the Koch Break-Up Fee from the proceeds of the Supplemental DIP Loan.

               Rates and Fees. The Supplemental DIP Loan bears cash interest, payable monthly, at rates equal to the prime commercial rate from time to time in effect plus 4% and accrues additional payment in-kind interest monthly at the rate of 8% per annum for the first six months and 9% per annum thereafter. In connection with the signing and closing of the Supplemental DIP Loan, we paid aggregate commitment fees of approximately $2.4 million to the Investors. The Investors are also entitled to a Cash Out Commitment Fee of approximately $1.44 million upon the termination of the Supplemental DIP Loan. In addition, the Investors will be entitled to a Lost Opportunity Commitment Fee of approximately $2.9 million payable on termination of the Supplemental DIP Loan if our plan of reorganization is confirmed with a plan sponsor other than the Investors or otherwise unsatisfactory to the Investors.

               Guarantees and Collateral Security. The Supplemental DIP Loan is guaranteed by (a) all of our direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the "Domestic Subsidiaries," and together with us, the "Supplemental Loan Parties") and (b) MCHI. MCHI is the indirect holder of our fifty percent equity interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen.

               The Supplemental DIP Loan is secured by (a) liens and security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Supplemental Loan Parties and (b) a pledge of all stock and other equity interests owned by each of the Supplemental Loan Parties (provided that such pledge does not include the stock of MCHI, the membership interests in FMCL Limited Liability Company, a 50%-owned Delaware limited liability company which ships product from Point Lisas Nitrogen, or the partnership interests in Houston Ammonia Terminal, L.P., a 50%-owned Delaware limited partnership). The Investors' security interests in the assets of the Supplemental Loan Parties are subordinate to the DIP Credit Facility and the Pre-Petition Harris Facility.

               Covenants. The Supplemental DIP Loan has covenants substantially the same as the DIP Credit Facility including (a) restrictions on our ability to incur debt, (b) requirements to generate the same minimum levels of EBITDA required by the DIP Credit Facility, (c) limits on our expenditures to the types set forth in a budget, subject to permitted deviations, (d) limits on the amount of capital expenditures to the same amounts permitted by the DIP Credit Facility, (e) mandatory prepayments from all or part of the net proceeds of certain liquidity events (such as asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business), and (f) other affirmative and negative covenants typical for this type of loan.

               Pre-Petition Harris Facility.

               As of the Petition Date, we had a secured revolving credit facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank and a syndicate of twelve other lenders totaling $158.4 million. The Pre-Petition Harris Facility bears interest at rates related to the Prime Rate. As of December 31, 2003, our weighted average interest rate was 9% (which includes the default rate) and we had borrowings outstanding in the amount of $68.4 million. In December 2003, we paid down $90.0 million on the Pre-Petition Harris Facility with proceeds from the Supplemental DIP Loan. The bankruptcy filing was an event of default under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility and, as a result, we can no longer borrow under this Facility. As adequate protection for the use of the Pre-Petition Lenders' cash collateral, we are required to pay interest on the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. Interest is paid monthly in arrears at the non-default rate (Prime Rate + 5% on the first $105 million until this debt is reduced to $52.5 million at which point such rate is Prime Rate + 3%, with the balance of this debt subject to an interest rate of Prime Rate + 1%). An additional 2% of default rate interest accrues until payoff of the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. Since the Pre-Petition Harris Facility is a secured facility, it has not been classified as a liability subject to compromise on our consolidated balance sheets.

               The Industrial Revenue Bonds

               In August 1997, we issued $14.5 million in industrial revenue bonds, a portion of which were tax-exempt, to finance the development of our east phosphogypsum disposal facility at our Pascagoula, Mississippi, DAP manufacturing plant. On April 1, 1998, we issued $14.5 million in tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds (the "1998 IRBs"), the proceeds of which were used to redeem the initial industrial revenue bonds issued in August 1997. The 1998 IRBs mature on March 1, 2022, and carry a 5.8% fixed rate of interest. The 1998 IRBs may be redeemed at our option at a premium from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2010, and may be redeemed at face value at any time after February 28, 2010, through the maturity date. The bonds are the obligation of our subsidiary, Mississippi Phosphates Corporation, but are guaranteed by Mississippi Chemical Corporation. The bankruptcy filing was an event of default under the industrial rev enue bonds. At December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, the industrial revenue bonds are reflected as a component of liabilities subject to compromise on our consolidated balance sheets.

               The Senior Notes

               On November 25, 1997, we issued $200.0 million of 7.25% Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes") due November 15, 2017, pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The holders may elect to have the Senior Notes repaid on November 15, 2007. The Senior Notes do not contain any financial covenants, but do contain certain cross-default provisions with the Pre-Petition Harris Facility. As a result of our bankruptcy filing, we did not make the semi-annual interest payments due on May 15, 2003 and November 15, 2003, and were in default under the Senior Notes. At December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, the Senior Notes, net of unamortized discounts of $239,000, are reflected as a component of liabilities subject to compromise on our consolidated balance sheets.

               Investment in Point Lisas Nitrogen

               Our 50-50 joint venture, Point Lisas Nitrogen, formerly known as Farmland MissChem Limited, owns and operates a 2,040 short-ton-per-day anhydrous ammonia plant near Point Lisas, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Point Lisas Nitrogen's loan with Export Import Bank of the United States ("Ex-Im Bank") is a non-recourse loan and is not guaranteed by the joint venture partners. In the event of default, Ex-Im Bank could demand immediate payment of all or any portion of the principal amount of its loan with Point Lisas Nitrogen.

               As a result of our filing bankruptcy, we had a payment default of approximately $2.6 million under our ammonia offtake agreement with Point Lisas Nitrogen. The bankruptcy filing also resulted in a default on Point Lisas Nitrogen's loan with Ex-Im Bank. Because of this default, the total loan obligation to Ex-Im Bank continues to be classified as a current liability on Point Lisas Nitrogen's balance sheet. The payment default amount under the ammonia offtake agreement caused us to pay market prices for ammonia from the Petition Date through September 30, 2003, and prevented us from recovering accumulated amounts paid in previous years that were in excess of prevailing market prices. As a result of payment of the cure amount under the offtake agreement, and upon satisfaction of other conditions, Koch and Ex-Im Bank agreed to permit us to recover amounts paid in previous years, approximately $6.4 million, that were in excess of prevailing market prices on purchases after October 1, 2003, which amounts have been recovered. As of the date of this filing, Ex-Im Bank has not demanded that Point Lisas Nitrogen make payment of the outstanding debt. Point Lisas Nitrogen is continuing to repay the loan obligation with Ex-Im Bank based on the original repayment terms.

               On October 8, 2003, we signed the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement with Koch to sell our interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen. Subsequently, and in conjunction with the Supplemental DIP Order, we withdrew our motion to sell pursuant to the Koch Stalking Horse Agreement, resulting in the payment of the Koch Break-Up Fee. As a result of retaining Point Lisas Nitrogen, in December we recorded approximately $6.4 million of Point Lisas Nitrogen's earnings attributable to our interest for the six-month period ended December 31, 2003.

               Sale of Potash Assets

               On November 26, 2003, our potash subsidiaries, Mississippi Potash, Inc. and Eddy Potash, Inc., entered the Intrepid Stalking Horse Agreement with Intrepid Mining LLC. The purchase price is expected to be approximately $20 to $25 million. The Court entered a Bid Protection Order on December 23, 2003, approving the Intrepid Stalking Horse Agreement and the related auction and bid procedures. However, no competing bids were received by the January 26, 2004, competing bid deadline. On February 12, 2004, the Court entered a final sale order approving the sale of the Potash Assets.

                Liquidity

               Based on natural gas and product market prices, particularly for nitrogen and DAP, as of the date of this filing, and our current gas hedge positions, we believe that our existing cash, cash generated from operations, cash from the sale of our Potash Assets, and cash available under the Supplemental Post-Petition Credit Agreement should be sufficient to satisfy our financing requirements for operations and capital projects through fiscal 2004. Natural gas prices remain volatile, and if they increase without corresponding increases in the market prices for our products, our natural gas costs will have a material adverse impact on our liquidity and results of operations. We estimate our remaining capital expenditure requirements for fiscal 2004 to be approximately $8.0 million, which includes normal improvements and modifications to our facilities necessary for safe and efficient operations. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon, but not limited to, the development and confirmation of a plan of reorganization, continued access to adequate sources of capital, compliance with the covenants under the DIP Credit Facility and the Supplemental DIP Loan, the ability to sustain cash flows sufficient to fund operations and repay debt, and retention of key suppliers, customers and employees. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in reorganizing our businesses and successfully emerging from the bankruptcy proceedings.


OUTLOOK

For the remainder of fiscal 2004, there are positive factors in the agricultural outlook. Sales prices are high and the world grain stocks-to-use ratio is expected to be at one of the lowest levels in the last twenty years. Improving grain prices as a result of low stocks, combined with a better economic outlook for the domestic farming community, in part because of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, should result in stronger agricultural fundamentals than have existed for several years.

Notwithstanding this positive outlook, volatility in natural gas prices is still prevalent. As we move into the spring of fiscal 2004, weather, oil prices, and the U.S. economic recovery are among the important influences on natural gas prices. Despite the fact that gas inventories are normal by historical standards, natural gas prices remain at high levels. To maximize results in the current environment, we continue to determine operating levels for our nitrogen plants based on our commitments to customers and the relationship between nitrogen product prices and natural gas prices. We believe that world nitrogen demand growth will exceed supply growth over the next several years as a result of projected increases in world demand and fewer new production facilities announced to come online.

We are encouraged by the strength of ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and nitrogen solutions prices. Although we believe these prices are at the upper limit, we expect pricing to remain strong through the third fiscal quarter. As always, weather will play a role in demand for our nitrogen solutions and ammonium nitrate, but we will enter this spring season with very low product inventories and this will affect the tons available for sale. We expect natural gas prices to decline during the third fiscal quarter from levels experienced thus far as we enter warmer months.

Approximately 30% to 40% of our DAP is sold into the export markets by PhosChem. The strength of international markets will continue to depend on the buying patterns of China and India. We anticipate domestic DAP prices to remain firm relative to current levels due to the tightening of the supply/demand balance caused in part by export sales by domestic producers during the second fiscal quarter.

While our melamine sales are progressing slower than anticipated, we are encouraged by increased pricing which we expect to continue through the third fiscal quarter. Our operations team has performed well in producing a high-quality product, but this segment will continue to face barriers to market entry, primarily from price pressure from larger, more established competitors and customer concerns of reliable supply due to our reorganization.

Other variables can affect our results of operations as stated elsewhere in the discussion under the headings titled "Results of Operations" and "Forward-Looking Statements," as well as under the heading "Certain Business Factors" and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

There have been no new accounting pronouncements issued during the quarter ended December 31, 2003, that we anticipate having a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Refer to our accounting policies in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for the historical statements and discussion contained herein, statements set forth in this report constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," the negatives of such words, or other comparable language. Since these forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events, risks and other uncertainties that are beyond our ability to control, readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Future events, risks and uncertainties that could cause a material difference in such results include, but are not limited to, (i) our ability to operate pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Facility and the Supplemental DIP Loan, (ii) operating constra ints, costs and uncertainties associated with the Case, (iii) our ability to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate a plan of reorganization, (iv) our ability to receive trade credit, (v) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, (vi) changes in matters which affect the global supply and demand of fertilizer products, (vii) high natural gas prices and the volatility of the natural gas market, (viii) a variety of conditions in the agricultural industry such as grain prices, planted acreage, projected grain stock, U. S. government policies, weather, and changes in agricultural production methods, (ix) possible unscheduled plant outages and other operating difficulties, (x) price competition and capacity expansions and reductions from both domestic and international competitors, (xi) foreign government agricultural policies (in particular, the policies of the governments of India and China regarding fertilizer imports), (xii) the relative unpred ictability of international and local economic conditions, (xiii) the relative value of the U.S. dollar, (xiv) regulations regarding the environment and the sale and transportation of fertilizer products, (xv) oil costs and the impact of war in the Middle East, (xvi) the occurrence of any national calamity or crisis, including an act of terrorism, (xvii) the continuing efficacy of unfair trade remedies, and the outcome of pending unfair trade remedy (antidumping) cases, (xviii) our ability to retain key employees, and (xviv) other important factors affecting the fertilizer industry and us as detailed in Item 1 under the heading "Certain Business Factors" and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.

OVERVIEW. We are exposed to changes in natural gas prices and interest rates. For more information about how we manage specific risk exposures, see "Critical Accounting Policies - Hedging Activities," Note 17 - Hedging Activities, and Note 8 - Credit Agreements and Long-Term Debt, in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NATURAL GAS. To manage our natural gas price risks, we enter into derivative transactions as the opportunity arises. These derivative transactions may consist of futures contracts, options, swaps, or similar derivative instruments that mature at various dates. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We maintain formal policies with respect to entering into and monitoring derivative transactions. Our derivative transactions are intended to hedge our future natural gas costs. The volume of natural gas hedged varies from time to time based on management's judgment of market conditions, particularly natural gas prices and nitrogen product prices. Pursuant to an order of the Court, we are subject to volume limitations on our natural gas hedge positions and may only hedge natural gas on a rolling two-month basis.

We prepared a sensitivity analysis to estimate our market risk exposure arising from our open natural gas derivative instruments. At December 31, 2003, the fair value of open positions was calculated by valuing each position using December 31, 2003, quoted market prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") or valuations determined by our counterparties. We define market risk as the potential loss in fair value as a result of a 10% adverse change in market prices of our open natural gas derivative instruments. We estimate that this adverse change in prices would have reduced the fair value of our open positions by approximately $774,000 at December 31, 2003. Changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments have a high correlation to changes in the spot price of natural gas purchased, which prices are affected by a variety of factors including weather conditions, oil prices, industrial production levels, and the state of the U.S. economy.

INTEREST. Under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility, our rates are related to the Prime Commercial Rate, plus an increased margin. The DIP Credit Facility bears interest at rates equal to the Prime Rate from time to time in effect plus 4%. The Supplemental DIP Loan bears interest at rates equal to the Prime Rate from time to time in effect plus 4% and accrues additional payment-in-kind interest monthly at the rate of 8% per annum for the first six months and 9% per annum thereafter. For more information on our debt subject to a variable rate of interest, see the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financial Activities," in Part I, Item 2 of this report.


 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and procedures that we designed to ensure that we record, process, summarize and report in a timely manner the information we must disclose in reports that we file with or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Charles O. Dunn, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Timothy A. Dawson, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, reviewed and participated in this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, Messrs. Dunn and Dawson concluded that our disclosure controls were effective.

INTERNAL CONTROLS. There have not been any significant changes during our most recent fiscal quarter in our internal accounting controls or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UNDER SENIOR SECURITIES

As a result of the commencement of our voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code as further described under "Part I. Item II. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition - Chapter 11 Reorganization," we are currently in default on $68.4 million of indebtedness under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility, $14.5 million of indebtedness under our industrial revenue bonds, and $200.0 million of indebtedness under the Senior Notes. The bankruptcy filing caused a default under substantially all of our debt agreements.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

  1. See Index of Exhibits on page 58.
  2. The following reports on Form 8-K have been filed for the quarter for which this report is filed:

(1)  8-K filed October 3, 2003 (attaching press release regarding court approval of the DIP Credit Facility);

(2)  8-K filed October 9, 2003 (attaching press release regarding Koch stalking horse agreement);

(3)  8-K filed November 19, 2003 (attaching September and October 2003 operating reports);

(4)  8-K filed December 16, 2003 (attaching November 2003 operating report);

(5)  8-K filed December 23, 2003 (attaching press release regarding Supplemental Post-Petition

Credit Agreement), and;

(6)  8-K filed December 31, 2003 (attaching Final Financing Order, Supplemental Post-Petition

Credit Agreement and Mississippi Chemical Holdings, Inc. Guaranty).

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

As a result of the commencement of our voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code as further described under "Part I. Item II. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition - Chapter 11 Reorganization," we are currently in default on $68.4 million of indebtedness under the Pre-Petition Harris Facility, $14.5 million of indebtedness under our industrial revenue bonds, and $200.0 million of indebtedness under the Senior Notes. The bankruptcy filing caused a default under substantially all of our debt agreements.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

  1. See Index of Exhibits on page 58.
  2. The following reports on Form 8-K have been filed for the quarter for which this report is filed:

(1)  8-K filed October 3, 2003 (attaching press release regarding court approval of the DIP Credit        Facility);

(2)  8-K filed October 9, 2003 (attaching press release regarding Koch stalking horse agreement);

(3)  8-K filed November 19, 2003 (attaching September and October 2003 operating reports);

(4)  8-K filed December 16, 2003 (attaching November 2003 operating report);

(5)  8-K filed December 23, 2003 (attaching press release regarding Supplemental Post-Petition       Credit Agreement), and;

(6)  8-K filed December 31, 2003 (attaching Final Financing Order, Supplemental Post-Petition       Credit Agreement and Mississippi Chemical Holdings, Inc. Guaranty).

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

   
   

Date:  February 17, 2004

By: /s/ Timothy A. Dawson

 

Timothy A. Dawson

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial Officer and

 

Chief Accounting Officer)


INDEX OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER


DESCRIPTION

PAGE NO.

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of the Company; filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 Registration Statement filed August 2, 1994, SEC File No. 33-53119, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

3.2

Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company adopted December 12, 2003.

+

3.3

Bylaws of the Company; filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, SEC File No. 0-20411, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

4.1

Shareholder Rights Plan; filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company's Form 8-A Registration Statement dated August 15, 1994, SEC File No. 2-7803, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

4.2

Indenture dated as of November 25, 1997, between the Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee, governing the Company's 7 1/4% debt securities due November 15, 2017; filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 25, 1997, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

4.3

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 1, 1999, among the Company, Mississippi Nitrogen, Inc., MissChem Nitrogen, L.L.C., and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee, supplementing the Indenture dated as of November 25, 1997, between the Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee, governing the Company's 7 1/4% debt securities due November 15, 2017; filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

4.4

Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of February 18, 2000, among the Company, Harris Trust and Savings Bank as the Resigning Trustee, and Trustmark National Bank as the Successor Trustee, under the Indenture dated as of November 25, 1997, governing the Company's 7 1/4% debt securities due November 15, 2017; filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

4.5

Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of March 21, 2003, among the Company, Trustmark National Bank as the Resigning Trustee, and BancorpSouth Bank as the Successor Trustee under the Indenture dated as of November 25, 1997, governing the Company's 7 1/4% debt securities due November 15, 2017; filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

 

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DESCRIPTION

PAGE NO.

4.6

Agreement and Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of June 24, 2003, among the Company, BankcorpSouth Bank as the Resigning Trustee, and HSBC Bank USA (f/k/a Marine Midland Bank) as the Successor Trustee under the Indenture dated as of November 15, 1997, governing the Company's 7-1/4% debt securities due November 15, 2017; filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

4.7

Indenture of Trust dated as of March 1, 1998, between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and Deposit Guaranty National Bank, for the issuance of bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $14.5 million to assist the Company in financing and refinancing the cost of construction and equipping of solid waste disposal facilities at its Pascagoula, Mississippi, facility; filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.1

Agreement made and entered into as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.(1)

*

10.2

Amendment No. 1, effective as of July 1, 1992, to the Agreement effective as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.(2)

*

10.3

Amendment No. 2, effective as of July 1, 1993, to the Agreement effective as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, SEC File No. 000-20411, and incorporated herein by reference.(3)

*

10.4

Amendment No. 3, effective as of January 1, 1995, to the Agreement effective as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, SEC File No. 000-20411, and incorporated herein by reference.(4)

*

10.5

Amendment No. 4, effective as of January 1, 1997, to the Agreement effective as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

 

EXHIBIT NUMBER


DESCRIPTION

PAGE NO.

10.6

Amendment No. 5, effective as of July 1, 2000, to the Agreement effective as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.7

Amendment No. 6, effective as of July 1, 2001, to the Agreement effective as of September 15, 1991, between Office Cherifien des Phosphates and the Company for the sale and purchase of phosphate rock; filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.8

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2002, among the Company and the Lenders Party Thereto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, individually and as Administrative Agent; filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.9

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver dated as of April 14, 2003, among the Company and the Lenders Party Thereto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, individually and as Administrative Agent; filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.10

Mississippi Chemical Corporation Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 15, 2002; filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.11

Mississippi Chemical Holdings, Inc., Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 15, 2002; filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.12

Assumption and Supplemental Guaranty Agreement of the Company's subsidiary, Melamine Chemicals, Inc., dated as of April 21, 2003; filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, SEC File No. 001.12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.13

Post-Petition Credit Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2003, among the Company and each of its subsidiaries executing said Agreement, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to said Agreement, and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, individually and as Agent for the Lenders; filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

 

EXHIBIT NUMBER


DESCRIPTION

PAGE NO.

10.14

Revised First Amendment to Post-Petition Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of October 2, 2003, among the Company and each of its subsidiaries executing said Agreement, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to said Agreement, and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, individually and as Agent for the Lenders; filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.(5)

*

10.15

Supplemental Post-Petition Credit Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2003, among the Company, the Investors from time to time party thereto, and each of the Guarantors signing the Agreement; filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 31, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.16

Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2003, executed by Mississippi Chemical Holdings, Inc., in favor of DSC Advisors, L.P., DDJ Capital Management, L.L.C., and the Investors party to the Supplemental Post-Petition Credit Agreement; filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 31, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.17

Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement, by and between Mississippi Chemical Corporation, as Seller, and Koch Nitrogen Company, as Buyer, dated October 8, 2003, pursuant to which Buyer will purchase all of Seller's interests in Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited, which owns and operates an anhydrous ammonia production facility in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.18

Mississippi Chemical Corporation Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan; filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1999, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.19

Mississippi Chemical Corporation Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors; filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2000, SEC File No. 001-12217, and incorporated herein by reference.

*

10.20

Employee Retention and Severance Programs approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on October 2, 2003.

+

10.21

Form of Key Executive Retention and Severance Agreement applicable to the Named Executive Officers: Charles O. Dunn, Timothy A. Dawson, C. E. McCraw; Robert E. Jones; and Larry W. Holley.

+

 

EXHIBIT NUMBER


DESCRIPTION

PAGE NO.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13e-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

+

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13e-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

+

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

+

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

+

* Incorporated by reference.

+ Attached as an exhibit to this 10-Q filing.

(1) Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 24b-2, confidential business information was redacted from the first, second and third paragraphs of Article IV, Article VII, Article VIII, and from the second and third paragraphs of Article IX, and an application for confidential treatment was filed separately with, and granted by, the SEC. The Agreement in its redacted form was originally filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8 Amendment of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1991, File No. 2-7803, and a complete copy was filed separately with the Secretary of the SEC in connection with our application objecting to disclosure of confidential business information. Our original application for confidential treatment was granted for a term ending June 30, 2001. We filed a new Application Objecting to the Disclosure of Confidential Information and Request for Extension of Previously Granted Order for Co nfidential Treatment, which request was granted on October 17, 2001.

(2) Amendment No. 1, with confidential business information redacted, was originally filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The redacted information was later disclosed; therefore, Amendment No. 1 in its entirety was filed with the SEC.

(3) Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 24b-2, confidential business information was redacted from paragraphs numbered 5 and 8 of Amendment No. 2; from the first paragraph, paragraph numbered 1, paragraph numbered 2, and paragraph numbered 3 of Schedule 1, Exhibit A; from Schedule 2, Exhibit B; from Schedule 3, Exhibit C, and from Schedule 4, Exhibit D; and an application for confidential treatment was filed separately with, and granted by, the SEC.

(4) Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 24b-2, confidential business information was redacted from Schedule 1 to Amendment No. 3, Exhibit B, and an application for confidential treatment was filed separately with, and granted by, the SEC.

(5)   Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 24b-2, confidential business information was redacted from Sections 1.5, 1.7, 1.17, 1.24, and 1.25, and an application for confidential treatment was filed separately with the Secretary of the SEC.