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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 Quarterly Period Ended October 31, 2004
OR
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to ______________
Commission File Number 0-8675
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 36-2048898
-------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
410 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 400 60611-4213
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ----------
----------------- (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
The Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 321-1515
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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
at least the past 90 days.
Yes x No
------- ------
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer:
Yes No x
------- ------
The aggregate market value of the Registrant's Common Stock owned by
non-affiliates as of January 31, 2004 for accelerated filer purposes was
$66,598,000.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.
Common Stock - 5,700,085 Shares (Including 1,653,971 Treasury Shares)
Class B Stock - 1,792,583 Shares (Including 342,241 Treasury Shares)
CONTENTS
PAGE
PART I
ITEM 1: Financial Statements.............................................3 - 11
ITEM 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition
And Results Of Operations.......................................12 - 15
ITEM 3: Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk...........16
ITEM 4: Controls And Procedures..............................................16
PART II
ITEM 6: Exhibits.............................................................17
SIGNATURES...................................................................18
EXHIBITS................................................................19 - 23
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
OCTOBER 31,
2004 July 31,
ASSETS (UNAUDITED) 2004
----------------------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,616 $ 6,348
Investment in treasury securities 12,438 13,942
Investment in debt securities 1,887 2,779
Accounts receivable, less allowance of
$584 and $608 at October 31, 2004 and July
31, 2004, respectively 23,870 24,169
Inventories 12,958 12,399
Prepaid overburden removal expense 2,203 2,407
Deferred income taxes 2,330 2,330
Prepaid expenses and other assets 4,184 3,607
---------- ---------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 64,486 67,981
---------- ---------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Cost 146,930 145,498
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (99,294) (97,696)
---------- ----------
TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 47,636 47,802
---------- ----------
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill 5,162 5,162
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of
$2,722 and $2,611 at October 31, 2004 and
July 31, 2004, respectively 2,282 2,389
Deferred income taxes 1,556 1,556
Other 3,885 3,985
---------- ---------
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 12,885 13,092
---------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS $125,007 $128,875
========== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY OCTOBER 31,
2004 JULY 31,
(UNAUDITED) 2004
------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of notes payable $ 1,580 $ 4,080
Accounts payable 4,898 5,701
Dividends payable 565 513
Accrued expenses
Salaries, wages and commissions 2,239 4,747
Trade promotions and advertising 5,742 4,715
Freight 1,557 1,088
Other 5,749 6,192
----------- -----------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 22,330 27,036
----------- -----------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Notes payable 23,240 23,320
Deferred compensation 3,703 3,455
Other 3,066 2,806
----------- -----------
TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 30,009 29,581
----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 52,339 56,617
----------- -----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share,
issued 5,700,085 shares at October 31,
2004 and 5,583,960 shares at July 31, 2004 570 559
Class B Stock, par value $.10 per share,
issued 1,792,583 shares at October 31,
2004 and 1,792,583 shares at July 31, 2004 179 179
Additional paid-in capital 10,709 9,301
Retained earnings 91,700 90,985
Restricted unearned stock compensation (2) (9)
Cumulative translation adjustment (663) (694)
----------- -----------
102,493 100,321
Less Treasury stock, at cost (1,653,971
Common and 342,241 Class B shares at
October 31, 2004 and 1,538,571 Common and
342,241 Class B shares at July 31, 2004) (29,825) (28,063)
----------- -----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 72,668 72,258
----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $125,007 $128,875
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 31
--------------------------
2004 2003
------------- -----------
NET SALES $ 44,121 $ 46,292
Cost of Sales 34,453 35,414
------------- -----------
GROSS PROFIT 9,668 10,878
Selling, General and
Administrative Expenses (7,643) (8,109)
------------- -----------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 2,025 2,769
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense (442) (531)
Interest income 85 40
Other, net 50 142
------------- -----------
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE, NET (307) (349)
------------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1,718 2,420
Income taxes 438 702
------------- -----------
NET INCOME 1,280 1,718
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year 90,985 88,002
Less cash dividends declared 565 508
------------- -----------
RETAINED EARNINGS - OCTOBER 31 $ 91,700 $ 89,212
============= ===========
NET INCOME PER SHARE
BASIC COMMON $ 0.25 $ 0.34
============= ===========
BASIC CLASS B COMMON $ 0.19 $ 0.25
============= ===========
DILUTED $ 0.22 $ 0.30
============= ===========
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
BASIC COMMON 4,053 4,038
============= ===========
BASIC CLASS B COMMON 1,450 1,423
============= ===========
DILUTED 5,949 5,744
============= ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 31
------------------------------
2004 2003
-------------- -------------
NET INCOME $1,280 $1,718
Other Comprehensive Income:
Cumulative Translation Adjustments 31 85
-------------- -------------
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $1,311 $1,803
============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 31
--------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2004 2003
------------ ------------
NET INCOME $ 1,280 $ 1,718
------------ ------------
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,926 2,082
Amortization of investment discount (20) (22)
Provision for bad debts 51 78
Loss (Gain) on the sale of property,
plant and equipment 112 (85)
(Increase) Decrease in:
Accounts receivable 248 (1,815)
Inventories (559) (560)
Prepaid overburden removal expense 204 (25)
Prepaid expenses (577) (2,729)
Other assets (46) 2,134
Increase (Decrease) in:
Accounts payable (644) (1,471)
Accrued expenses (1,455) (1,232)
Deferred compensation 248 (211)
Other liabilities 260 410
------------ ------------
TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS (252) (3,446)
------------ ------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1,028 (1,728)
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
------------------------------------
Capital expenditures (1,748) (1,040)
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment -- 125
Purchases of investments in debt
securities -- --
Maturities of investments in debt
securities 1,015 --
Purchases of treasury securities (7,799) (12,000)
Dispositions of treasury securities 9,341 14,428
------------ ------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES 809 1,513
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
------------------------------------
Principal payments on long-term debt (2,580) (2,500)
Dividends paid (513) (461)
Purchase of treasury stock (1,762) (438)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,261 --
Other, net 25 51
------------ ------------
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (3,569) (3,348)
------------ ------------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,732) (3,563)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 6,348 4,753
------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, OCTOBER 31 $ 4,616 $ 1,190
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
The financial statements and the related notes are condensed and should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for
the year ended July 31, 2004, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.
The unaudited financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the
opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the statements
contained herein.
Under the terms of its sales agreements with customers, the Company recognizes
revenue when title is transferred. Upon shipment an invoice is generated that
sets the fixed and determinable price. Sales returns and allowances, which have
historically not been material, are reviewed to determine if any additional
reserve is necessary. Allowance for doubtful accounts are evaluated by the
Company utilizing a combination of a historical percentage of sales by division
and specific customer account analysis. The Company maintains and monitors a
list of customers whose creditworthiness has diminished. This list is used as
part of the specific customer account analysis.
As part of its overall operations, the Company mines sorbent materials on
property that it either owns or leases. A significant part of the Company's
overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden
(non-usable material) from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material
that is then used in a majority of the Company's production processes. The cost
of the overburden removal is recorded in a prepaid expense account and, as the
usable sorbent material is mined, the prepaid overburden removal expense is
amortized over the estimated available material. As of October 31, 2004, the
Company had $2,203,000 of prepaid overburden removal expense recorded on its
consolidated balance sheet. During the first three months of fiscal 2005, the
Company amortized to current expense approximately $740,000 of previously
recorded prepaid expense.
During the normal course of the Company's overburden removal activities the
Company performs on-going reclamation activities. As overburden is removed from
a pit, it is hauled to a previously mined pit and used to refill the older site.
This process allows the Company to continuously reclaim older pits and dispose
of overburden simultaneously, therefore minimizing the liability for the
reclamation function.
Additionally, it is Oil-Dri's policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and
mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate
fees. The costs of obtaining mineral patents, including legal fees and drilling
expenses, are also capitalized. Development costs of determining the nature and
amount of mineral reserves and any prepaid royalties that are offsetable against
future royalties due upon extraction of the mineral are also capitalized. All
exploration related costs are expensed as incurred.
2. INVENTORIES
The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands of dollars):
OCTOBER 31 JULY 31
(UNAUDITED)
-------------------------
2004 2004
-------------------------
Finished goods $ 7,972 $ 7,529
Packaging 3,228 3,130
Other 1,758 1,740
----------- -----------
$12,958 $12,399
=========== ===========
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and
other overhead costs. The Company performs a detailed review of its inventory
items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment is necessary. The
review surveys all of the Company's operating facilities and sales divisions to
ensure that both historical issues and new market trends are considered. The
allowance not only considers specific items, but also takes into consideration
the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date. The inventory
obsolescence reserve values at October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004 were $494,000
and $641,000, respectively.
3. PENSION AND OTHER POST RETIREMENT BENEFITS
In December 2003, the FASB issued a revision to Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 132 (revised 2003), "Employers' Disclosures
about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits," effective for fiscal periods
beginning after December 15, 2003. This revised statement requires additional
annual disclosures regarding types of plan assets, investment strategy, future
plan contributions, expected benefit payments and other items. The statement
also requires quarterly disclosure of the components of net periodic benefit
cost and plan contributions. The Company has adopted SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003)
for the quarter ending October 31, 2004 and has presented below the required
disclosure.
The components of net periodic pension benefits cost of the Company sponsored
defined benefit plans were as follows:
------------------------
PENSION PLANS
Three Months Ended
------------------------
October 31, October 31,
2004 2003
------------------------
Components of net periodic pension benefit cost (dollars in thousands)
------------------------
Service cost $ 197 $ 194
Interest cost 239 227
Expected return on plan assets (232) (204)
Net amortization 12 21
------------------------
$ 216 $ 238
========================
The Company did not make a contribution to its pension plan during the first
quarter of fiscal year ending July 31, 2005. The Company intends to make a
contribution to the pension plan during the third quarter of the current fiscal
year equal to the annual cost. The Company estimates the annual cost to be
$500,000.
-------------------------
POST RETIREMENT
HEALTH BENEFITS
Three Months Ended
-------------------------
October 31, October 31,
2004 2003
-------------------------
Components of net periodic (dollars in thousands)
postretirement benefit cost -------------------------
Service cost $13 $14
Interest cost 12 11
Amortization of net transition obligation 4 4
Net actuarial loss -- 1
-------------------------
Recognized actuarial loss $29 $30
=========================
The Company's plan covering postretirement health benefits is an unfunded plan.
4. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In November 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 151, "Inventory Costs," effective for fiscal years beginning after
June 15, 2005. This statement amends the guidance in ARB 43, Chapter 4,
"Inventory Pricing", to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle
facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). The
Company is currently reviewing this pronouncement, but does not currently
believe it will have a material impact to the financial statements.
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on
Issue 03-06, "Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under SFAS 128
on EPS" ("EITF 03-06"). EITF 03-06 provided guidance in determining when the
"Two-Class" method, as defined in SFAS No. 128 "Earnings per Share" is to be
utilized in calculating earnings per share. The Company was required to adopt
EITF 03-06 for the quarter and year ended July 31, 2004. The Common Stock of the
Company has a 33.3% dividend preference to the Class B Stock. The Class B Stock,
which has ten votes per share as opposed to one vote per share for the Common
Stock, may be converted at any time on a one for one basis for the Common Stock
at the option of the holder of the Class B Stock. EITF 03-06 requires the income
per share for each class of common stock to be calculated assuming 100% of the
Company's earnings are distributed as dividends to each class of common stock.
The effective result of EITF 03-06 has been that the basic earnings per share
for the Common Stock will be approximately 33% greater than the basic earnings
per share of the Class B Stock.
5. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company has four reportable operating segments: Consumer Products Group,
Specialty Products Group, Crop Production and Horticultural Products Group, and
Industrial and Automotive Products Group. These segments are managed separately
because each business has different economic characteristics.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note
1 of the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Management does not rely on any segment asset allocations and does not consider
them meaningful because of the shared nature of the Company's production
facilities. However the Company has estimated the segment asset allocations as
follows:
----------------------
OCTOBER 31, JULY 31,
2004 2004
----------------------
ASSETS
----------------------
(in thousands)
Consumer Products Group............................ $ 53,159 $ 55,240
Specialty Products Group........................... $ 15,594 $ 14,594
Crop Production and Horticultural Products Group... $ 11,376 $ 11,452
Industrial and Automotive Products Group........... $ 8,506 $ 8,646
Unallocated Assets................................. $ 36,372 $ 38,943
--------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS $125,007 $128,875
========= =========
-------------------------------------
Three Months Ended October 31,
-------------------------------------
Net Sales Income
-------------------------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
-------- -------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Consumer Products Group.................. $27,914 $28,619 $ 3,782 $ 4,559
Specialty Products Group................. 7,866 6,704 1,916 1,687
Crop Production and Horticultural
Products Group......................... 2,594 5,486 (249) 702
Industrial and Automotive Products Group. 5,747 5,483 13 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
TOTAL SALES/OPERATING INCOME............. $44,121 $46,292 5,462 6,948
======== ========
Less:
Corporate Expenses........................................ 3,387 4,037
Interest Expense, net of Interest Income.................. 357 491
-------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES.................................. 1,718 2,420
Income Taxes................................................ 438 702
-------- --------
NET INCOME.................................................. $1,280 $1,718
======== ========
6. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE
The Company applies the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board
Opinion ("APB") No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and related
other interpretations to account for its stock option plans. All the outstanding
options issued under the plans have had exercise prices equal to the market
value on the day of issue. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any
compensation expense associated with its issuance of stock options. The Company
has recorded as expense the fair market value on the date of issue of any
restricted stock awards granted. The fair value of the issued stock options is
estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Method. Had
the Company accounted for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company would have reported
in the first three months of fiscal 2005 and 2004 additional employee
compensation expense (net of related tax effect) of approximately $62,000 and
$78,000 respectively.
The following table details the effect on net income and earnings per share if
compensation expense for the stock plans had been recorded based on the fair
value method under SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation."
---------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
October 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS,
EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 2004 2003
---------------------------------------------------------
Reported net income $1,280 $1,718
Add: Total stock-based 5 5
employee compensation expense
included in reported net income,
net of related tax effects
Deduct: Total stock-based (67) (83)
employee compensation expense
determined under fair value
method for all awards
net of related tax effects
---------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net income $1,218 $1,640
---------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share:
Basic Common - as reported $0.25 $0.34
Basic Common - pro forma $0.24 $0.32
---------------------------------------------------------
Basic Class B Common - as reported $0.19 $0.25
Basic Class B Common - pro forma $0.18 $0.24
---------------------------------------------------------
Diluted - as reported $0.22 $0.30
Diluted - pro forma $0.20 $0.29
---------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004 COMPARED TO
THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2004 were
$44,121,000, a decrease of 4.7% from net sales of $46,292,000 in the first three
months of fiscal 2004. Net income for the first three months of fiscal 2005 was
$1,280,000 a decrease of 25.5% from $1,718,000 earned in the first three months
of fiscal 2004. Fiscal 2005's net income was positively impacted by improved
sales and income from the Specialty Products Group, but negatively impacted by
sales and income reductions seen in the Consumer and Crop Production and
Horticultural Products Groups. Volume declines were experienced by all Groups
except Specialty Products. General price increases helped to offset some of the
volume declines, however the substantial sales decline experienced by the Crop
Production and Horticultural Products Group, which is discussed below, more than
offset the price increases. Diluted net income per share for the first three
months of fiscal 2005 was $0.22 versus $0.30 diluted net income per share
reported for the first three months of fiscal 2004. While sales and earnings
performance for the first quarter were lower than the first quarter of fiscal
2004, they were in line with our budgeted plan for the year.
Net sales of the Consumer Products Group for the first three months of fiscal
2005 were $27,914,000, a decrease of 2.5% from net sales of $28,619,000 in the
first three months of fiscal 2004. This segment's operating income decreased
17.0% from $4,559,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2004 to $3,782,000 in
the first three months of fiscal 2005. Contributing to the sales and profit
decline was heavy promotional spending associated with the Jonny Cat scoopable
cat litter rollout. Overall, branded product sales were up, but private label
sales were down. Scoopable cat litter showed sales growth, but coarse litter
experienced a sales decline. Price increases helped to mitigate cost increases
in freight, packaging and materials. However, the Group saw a small negative
volume change for the quarter as compared to last year.
Net sales of the Specialty Products Group for the first three months of fiscal
2005 were $7,866,000, an increase of 17.3% from net sales of $6,704,000 in the
first three months of fiscal 2004. This segment's operating income increased
13.6% from $1,687,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2004 to $1,916,000 in
the first three months of fiscal 2005. Sales growth was seen in the bleaching
earth sector, with Perform, PureFlo and UltraClear products achieving solid
growth in the quarter. Price increases along with volume growth to new customers
have enhanced both sales and profits for the Group. Offsetting some of the
positive factors were freight cost increases due to fuel surcharges and
temporary animal health and nutrition market weakness in Asia due to the bird
flu concerns.
Net sales of the Crop Production and Horticultural Products Group for the first
three months of fiscal 2005 were $2,594,000, a decrease of 52.7% from net sales
of $5,486,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2004. The net sales decrease
resulted from production delays at major agricultural chemical formulators,
primarily those formulating chemicals to combat corn rootworm. These formulators
delayed their production start-ups due to inventory carryover from last season
and the beginning effects of genetically modified ("GMO") seed in the market.
These formulators have also been conservative in their ordering patterns this
year as they are unsure of how much GMO seed will affect their overall volume.
This volume reduction adversely impacted the Group's gross profit, which
translated into an operating loss for the quarter. The significant decrease in
agricultural carrier production also reduced the product availability of the
Group's Flo-Fre product line, which in turn caused a further reduction of net
sales. The segment's operating income decreased from a $702,000 profit in the
first quarter of fiscal 2004 to a loss of $249,000 in the first quarter of
fiscal 2005. The decrease in operating income was driven by the reduction in
sales described above.
Net sales of the Industrial and Automotive Products Group for the first three
months of fiscal 2005 were $5,747,000, an increase of 4.8% from net sales of
$5,483,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2004. The segment reported
operating income of $13,000 for the first three months of fiscal 2005 compared
to essentially breakeven results for the first three months of fiscal 2004.
Price increases were the key factor that allowed the Group to report increased
sales in the quarter. Volume, customers and product lines were relatively flat
for the first quarter as compared to last year. However, freight and resin costs
have continued to increase for the Group. Fuel surcharges and resin price
increases associated with the increased cost of oil offset some of the sales
price increases that the Group was able to generate.
Consolidated gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the first three
months of fiscal 2005 decreased to 21.9% from 23.5% in the first three months of
fiscal 2004. As discussed above, the heavy promotional spending in the Consumer
Products Group, along with the significant sales decline in the Crop Production
and Horticultural Products Group, had a negative impact on the quarter's gross
profit. Most of the groups also saw increased freight costs associated with the
increase in oil prices. Non-fuel manufacturing costs rose 10.6%, which had a
negative impact on gross profit. Much of the non-fuel manufacturing cost
increase was caused by decreased fixed cost coverage associated with the reduced
demand. The cost of fuel used in the manufacturing processes remained relatively
flat due to the Company's forward purchase program. General price increases
positively impacted the results.
Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the first three months of
fiscal 2005 decreased to 17.3% compared to the 17.5% for the first three months
of fiscal 2004. The reduction was consistent with the results for the first
quarter.
Interest expense was down during the time period due to the reduction in debt.
Interest income increased $45,000 from the first three months of fiscal 2004 due
to the change in the investment portfolio of the Company.
The Company's effective tax rate was 25.5% of pre-tax income in the first three
months of fiscal 2005 versus 29% in the first three months of fiscal 2004. The
decrease in the effective tax rate for fiscal 2005 was due to a change in
estimate in calculating the Company's depletion deduction and by the Company's
decision to change from a separate company federal tax filing (e.g. each
subsidiary filing individually) to a consolidated company federal tax filing,
which has allowed the Company to better utilize its various tax attributes.
Total assets of the Company decreased $3,868,000 or 3.0% during the first three
months of fiscal 2005. Current assets decreased $3,495,000 or 5.1% from fiscal
2004 year-end balances, primarily due to decreases in cash and investment
securities and prepaid overburden removal expense. Offsetting these decreases
were increases in accounts receivable, inventory and other prepaid assets. Much
of the decline in cash and investments was due to a payment of the current
portion of the long-term notes payable and the payment of the fiscal 2004
discretionary bonus.
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, decreased
$166,000 or 0.3% during the first three months of fiscal 2005. The decrease was
a result of normal depreciation expense exceeding capital expenditures.
Total liabilities decreased $4,278,000 or 7.6% during the first three months of
fiscal 2005. Current liabilities decreased $4,706,000 or 17.4% during the first
three months of fiscal 2005. The decrease in current liabilities was driven by a
decrease in the current maturities of notes payable, accounts payable, salary
and wages payable and other payables. Increases were seen in trade promotions
payable, freight payable and dividends payable. The increase in trade promotions
payable was consistent with the previously discussed increase in trade spending
in the Consumer Products Group. The decrease in current notes payable and
salaries payable was consistent with the reduction in cash and investments
discussed above. Noncurrent liabilities increased $428,000 largely due to an
increase in deferred compensation.
EXPECTATIONS
The Company believes based on the first three month actual results, that
consolidated net sales for fiscal 2005 will be flat to slightly above fiscal
2004. The Crop Production and Horticultural Products Group anticipates regaining
some of the first quarter sales shortfall in the second and third quarters of
fiscal 2005. The Consumer Products Group should see some positive results from
the trade promotions for the new Jonny Cat Scoop business in upcoming quarters.
The Specialty Products Group expects to continue to see positive trends in its
markets. Unfortunately, the Company expects to incur further price increases in
packaging, freight and other commodities. The Company believes that improvements
in manufacturing efficiencies will help offset these anticipated cost increases.
The Company continues to believe that its previous earnings guidance of $1.20 to
$1.30 per diluted share is still appropriate.
Given the Company's July 31, 2005 compliance deadline, the Company expects to
devote significant internal and external resources to its Sarbanes-Oxley Section
404 readiness effort. Because the Company is geographically dispersed and
operates in a decentralized manner, this process may prove to be more costly,
challenging and time consuming compared to similarly-sized public companies
without these characteristics.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Working capital increased $1,211,000 during the first three months of fiscal
2005 to $42,156,000, primarily due to increases in inventories and prepaid
expenses and decreases in current maturities of notes payable, accrued expenses
and accounts payable.
Cash was used during the three months ended October 31, 2004 to fund capital
expenditures of $1,748,000, to make payments on long-term debt of $2,580,000, to
purchase treasury stock of $1,762,000 and to make dividend payments of $514,000.
Cash and investment securities decreased $4,128,000 during the first three
months of fiscal 2005. Most of the cash and investment decline was attributable
to debt and interest payments and the payment in September 2004 of the fiscal
2004 discretionary bonus.
Total cash and investment balances held by the Company's foreign subsidiaries at
October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004 were $4,220,000 and $3,633,000, respectively.
The improved cash position at the Company's foreign subsidiaries was driven by
the improved operating performance in the Company's Canadian subsidiary.
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts, decreased 1.2% during
the first three months of fiscal 2005. The Company maintains policies and
practices to monitor the creditworthiness of its customers. These policies
include maintaining and monitoring a list of customers whose creditworthiness
has diminished. The total balance of accounts receivable for accounts on that
list represents approximately 1.5% of the Company's outstanding receivables at
October 31, 2004.
The table listed below depicts the Company's Contractual Obligations and
Commercial Commitments at October 31, 2004 for the timeframes listed:
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD
--------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACTUAL TOTAL LESS THAN 1 - 3 4 - 5 AFTER 5
OBLIGATIONS 1 YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS
- ---------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Long-Term Debt $24,820,000 $ 1,580,000 $ 7,160,000 $ 8,080,000 $8,000,000
Operating Leases 13,470,000 1,980,000 3,200,000 2,110,000 6,180,000
Unconditional
Purchase
Obligations 3,048,000 2,964,000 68,000 16,000 --
Obligations
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Total
Contractual
Cash Obligations $41,338,000 $ 6,524,000 $10,428,000 $10,206,000 $14,180,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ==========
OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
AMOUNT OF COMMITMENT EXPIRATION PER PERIOD
--------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER TOTAL
COMMERCIAL AMOUNTS LESS THAN 1 - 3 4 - 5 AFTER 5
COMMITMENTS COMMITTED 1 YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Standby Letters
of Credit $ 3,270,000 $ 3,270,000 -- -- --
Guarantees 500,000 500,000 -- -- --
Other Commercial
Commitments 6,406,000 3,906,000 -- 2,500,000 --
------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Total Commercial
Commitments $10,176,000 $ 7,676,000 $ -- $ 2,500,000 $ --
============ =========== =========== =========== ==========
The Company's liquidity needs have been, and are expected to be, met through
internally generated funds and, to the extent needed, borrowings under the
Company's revolving credit facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank. During
the second quarter of fiscal 2004 the Company extended this agreement to January
2005. As of October 31, 2004, the Company had $7,500,000 available under the
credit facility. The agreement, as amended, contains restrictive covenants that,
among other things and under various conditions (including a limitation on
capital expenditures), limit the Company's ability to incur additional
indebtedness or to acquire or dispose of assets and to pay dividends.
The Company believes that cash flow from operations, availability under
its revolving credit facility and current cash and investment balances will
provide adequate cash funds for foreseeable working capital needs, capital
expenditures at existing facilities and debt service obligations. The Company's
ability to fund operations, to make planned capital expenditures, to make
scheduled debt payments and to remain in compliance with all of the financial
covenants under debt agreements, including, but not limited to, the Harris Trust
and Savings Bank credit agreement, depends on its future operating performance,
which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial,
business and other factors.
The Company, as part of its normal course of business, guarantees certain debts
and trade payables of its wholly owned subsidiaries. These arrangements are made
at the request of the subsidiaries creditors, as separate financial statements
are not distributed for the wholly owned subsidiaries. As of October 31, 2004,
the value of these guarantees was $500,000 of short-term liabilities and
$2,500,000 of long-term debt.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
Net sales by the Company's foreign subsidiaries during the three months ended
October 31, 2004 were $3,489,000 or 7.9% of total Company sales. This represents
an increase of 3.4% from the first three months of fiscal 2004, in which foreign
subsidiary sales were $3,374,000 or 7.3% of total Company sales. This increase
in sales was seen largely in the Company's Canadian subsidiary where positive
currency movements of the Canadian dollar and price increases have driven the
improvement. For the three months ended October 31, 2004, the foreign
subsidiaries reported net income of $133,000, a reduction of $118,000 from the
$251,000 income reported in the first three months of fiscal 2004.
Identifiable assets of the Company's foreign subsidiaries as of October 31, 2004
were $11,637,000 compared to $10,136,000 as of October 31, 2003. Most of the
increase was reported in cash and investments.
PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED
PURCHASERS
The following chart summarizes Common Stock repurchases for the three months
ended October 31, 2004.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Number of (d) Maximum
(a) Total (b) Shares Purchased Number of Shares
For the Three Number of Average as Part of that may yet be
Months Ended Shares Price Paid Announced Plans Purchased Under
October 31, 2004 Purchased Per Share or Programs Plans or Programs
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 1, 2004 to
August 31, 2004 -- -- -- 182,504
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 1, 2004 to
September 30, 2004 -- -- -- 182,504
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1, 2004 to
October 31, 2004 115,400 $15.26 115,400 67,104
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this report, including, but not limited to, those under
the heading "Expectations" and those statements elsewhere in this report that
use forward-looking terminology such as "expect," "would," "should,"
"estimates," "anticipates," and "believes" are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of that term in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Actual results may differ materially from those reflected in these
forward-looking statements, due to uncertainties such as continued vigorous
competition in the grocery, mass merchandiser and club markets and specialty
product markets, the level of success of new products, and the cost of product
introductions and promotions in the consumer market. Forward-looking
statements are also subject to the risk of changes in market conditions in the
overall economy, energy prices, the risk of war or international instability
and, for the fluids purification and agricultural markets, changes in planting
activity, crop quality and overall agricultural demand, including export demand,
increasing regulation of the food chain and foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
Other factors affecting these forward-looking statements may be detailed from
time to time in other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
TRADEMARK NOTICE
Oil-Dri, Agsorb, Cat's Pride, Jonny Cat, ConditionAde and Pro's Choice are all
registered trademarks of Oil-Dri Corporation of America. PelUnite Plus is a
trademark of Oil-Dri Corporation of America.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk and employs policies and procedures
to manage its exposure to changes in the market risk of its cash equivalents and
short-term investments. The Company had two interest rate swap agreements as of
October 31, 2004. The Company believes that the market risk arising from
holdings of its financial instruments is not material.
The Company is exposed to currency risk as it relates to certain accounts
receivables and the Company's foreign operations. The Company has always
determined that the currency risk is immaterial to the overall presentation of
the financial statements. However, the Company began a program in fiscal 2004 of
hedging certain receivable balances in a further attempt to minimize the risk.
The Company is exposed to regulatory risk in the fluid purification, animal
health and agricultural markets, principally as a result of the risk of
increasing regulation of the food chain in the United States and Europe. The
Company actively monitors developments in this area, both directly and through
trade organizations of which it is a member.
The Company is exposed to commodity price risk with respect to natural gas. As
of October 31, 2004, the Company had contracted for a portion of its fuel needs
for fiscal 2005 using forward purchase contracts to manage the volatility
related to this exposure. The weighted average cost of the 2005 contracts has
been estimated to be approximately 11.5% higher than the contracts for fiscal
2004. These contracts were entered into during the normal course of business and
no contracts were entered into for speculative purposes.
The tables below provide information about the Company's natural gas future
contracts, which are sensitive to changes in commodity prices, specifically
natural gas prices. For the future contracts the table presents the notional
amounts in MMBtu's, the weighted average contract prices, and the total dollar
contract amount, which will mature by July 31, 2005. The Fair Value was
determined using the "Most Recent Settle" price for the "Henry Hub Natural Gas"
option contract prices as listed by the New York Mercantile Exchange on November
16, 2004.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
COMMODITY PRICE SENSITIVITY
NATURAL GAS FUTURE CONTRACTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JULY 31, 2005
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Expected 2005 Fair
Maturity Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Natural Gas Future Volumes (MMBtu) 464,400 --
Weighted Average Price (Per MMBtu) $ 6.31 --
Contract Amount ($ U.S. in thousands) $2,932.5 $3,234.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Factors that could influence the fair value of the natural gas contracts,
include, but are not limited to, the creditworthiness of the Company's natural
gas suppliers, the overall general economy, developments in world events, and
the general demand for natural gas by the manufacturing sector, seasonality and
the weather patterns throughout the United States and the world. Some of these
same events have allowed the Company to mitigate the impact of the natural gas
contracts by the continued and in some cases expanded use of recycled oil in our
manufacturing processes. Accurate estimates of the impact that these contracts
may have on the Company's fiscal 2005 financial results are difficult to make
due to the inherent uncertainty of future fluctuations in option contract prices
in the natural gas options market.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Based on their evaluation within 90 days prior to the filing
date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company's
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and
procedures as defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are effective for
gathering, analyzing, and disclosing the information the
Company is required to disclose in reports filed under the
Act.
(b) There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect those controls since
the date of last evaluation of those internal controls.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) EXHIBITS:
Exhibit 11: Statement Re: Computation of per share earnings
Exhibit 31: Rule 13a - 14(a) Certifications
Exhibit 32: Section 1350 Certifications
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
(Registrant)
BY /S/ ANDREW N. PETERSON
Andrew N. Peterson
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
BY /S/ DANIEL S. JAFFEE
Daniel S. Jaffee
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: December 9, 2004
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 11: Statement Re: Computation of per share earnings
Exhibit 31: Rule 13a - 14(a) Certifications
Exhibit 32: Section 1350 Certifications
Exhibit 11:
OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 31
2004 2003
---- ----
Net income available to stockholders $ 1,280 $ 1,718
(numerator) ======= =======
Shares Calculation
(denominator)
Average shares outstanding -
Basic Common 4,053 4,038
Average shares outstanding -
Basic Class B Common 1,450 1,423
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Potential Common Stock relating
to stock options 446 283
------- -------
Average shares outstanding -
Assuming dilution 5,949 5,744
======= =======
Net Income Per Share:
Basic Common $0.25 $0.34
======= =======
Net Income Per Share:
Basic Class B Common $0.19 $0.25
======= =======
Diluted $0.22 $0.30
======= =======
Exhibit 31:
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO RULE 13A -14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
I. I, Daniel S. Jaffee, Chief Executive Officer of Oil-Dri Corporation of
America, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Oil-Dri
Corporation of America ("Oil-Dri");
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows of Oil-Dri as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
4. Oil-Dri's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for Oil-Dri and we have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
Oil-Dri, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known
to us by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or
caused such internal control over financial reporting to be
designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of Oil-Dri's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of
October 31, 2004 based on such evaluation; and
d. Disclosed in this report any change in Oil-Dri's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during Oil-Dri's first
fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, Oil-Dri's internal control over
financial reporting; and
5. Oil-Dri's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to Oil-Dri's auditors and the audit committee of Oil-Dri's board of
directors:
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the
design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect Oil-Dri's ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial information;
and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in Oil-Dri's internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: December 9, 2004
--------------------------
By: /s/ Daniel S. Jaffee
--------------------------
Daniel S. Jaffee
President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31:
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO RULE 13A -14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED
I. I, Andrew N. Peterson, Chief Financial Officer of Oil-Dri Corporation of
America, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Oil-Dri
Corporation of America ("Oil-Dri");
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to
the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows of Oil-Dri as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
4. Oil-Dri's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for Oil-Dri and we have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
Oil-Dri, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known
to us by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or
caused such internal control over financial reporting to be
designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of Oil-Dri's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of
October 31, 2004 based on such evaluation; and
d. Disclosed in this report any change in Oil-Dri's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during Oil-Dri's first
fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, Oil-Dri's internal control over
financial reporting; and
5. Oil-Dri's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to Oil-Dri's auditors and the audit committee of Oil-Dri's board of
directors:
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the
design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect Oil-Dri's ability
to record, process, summarize and report financial information;
and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in Oil-Dri's internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: December 9, 2004
--------------------------
By: /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
--------------------------
Andrew N. Peterson
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32:
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned officer of Oil-Dri
Corporation of America (the "Company") hereby certifies that the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2004 (the
"Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as
applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information
contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operation of the Company.
Dated: December 9, 2004
/s/ Daniel S. Jaffee
- ----------------------------
Name: Daniel S. Jaffee
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Oil-Dri Corporation of America and will be retained by Oil-Dri
Corporation of America and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission
or its staff upon request.
CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned officer of Oil-Dri
Corporation of America (the "Company") hereby certifies that the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2004 (the
"Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as
applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information
contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operation of the Company.
Dated: December 9, 2004
/s/ Andrew N. Peterson
- -----------------------------
Name: Andrew N. Peterson
Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Oil-Dri Corporation of America and will be retained by Oil-Dri
Corporation of America and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission
or its staff upon request.