SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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1200 Urban Center Drive |
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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 registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes X No
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
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Shares outstanding |
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 Contents |
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PART I |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
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Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial |
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Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About |
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Item 4. |
19 |
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Item 1. |
20 |
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Item 6. |
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. Financial Statements |
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Vulcan Materials Company |
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(Condensed and unaudited) |
March 31 |
December 31 |
March 31 |
Assets Accounts and notes receivable: Accounts and notes receivable, gross Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts and notes receivable, net Inventories: Finished products Raw materials Products in process Operating supplies and other Inventories Deferred income taxes Prepaid expenses Total current assets Investments and long-term receivables Property, plant and equipment: Property, plant and equipment, cost Less: Reserve for depr., depl., & amort. Property, plant and equipment, net Goodwill Deferred charges and other assets Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current maturities of long-term debt Notes payable Trade payables and accruals Other current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term debt Deferred income taxes Other noncurrent liabilities Minority interest in a consolidated subsidiary Shareholders' equity Total Current ratio |
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See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Vulcan Materials Company |
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(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) |
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Three Months Ended |
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(Condensed and unaudited) |
2003 |
2002 |
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Net loss |
$ (17,550) |
$ (8,913) |
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Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization |
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Effective tax rate |
30.3% |
30.1% |
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Vulcan Materials Company |
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(Amounts in Thousands) |
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(Condensed and unaudited) |
2003 |
2002 |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization Cumulative effect of accounting changes Decrease (increase) in assets before effects of business acquisitions Increase in liabilities before effects of business acquisitions Other, net Net cash provided by operating activities |
67,718 18,811 (34,070) 36,293 1,961 73,163 |
63,104 20,537 9,133 2,812 5,956 92,629 |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payment for business acquisitions, net of acquired cash Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Net cash used for investing activities |
- -- 4,771 (46,996) |
(1,207) 1,385 (70,715) |
Payment of short-term debt Payment of long-term debt Dividends paid Other, net Net cash used for financing activities |
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See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of Presentation
Our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with Form 10-Q instructions and thus do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of our management, the statements reflect all adjustments, including those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of the reported interim periods. The statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of accounting policies and notes to financial statements included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K.
Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform with this presentation.
2. Stock-based Compensation
The pro forma effect on our net loss and loss per share if we had applied the fair value recognition provision of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation" (FAS 123), to stock-based employee compensation for the three months ended March 31 is illustrated below (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended |
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Net loss, as reported |
$ (17,550) |
$ (8,913) |
Pro forma net loss |
$ (18,725) |
$ (10,129) |
Loss per share: |
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3. Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS)
We report two separate earnings (loss) per share numbers, basic and diluted. Both are computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic EPS) or weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution (diluted EPS) as detailed below (in thousands of shares):
Three Months Ended |
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2003 |
2002 |
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Weighted-average common shares |
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All dilutive common stock equivalents are reflected in our earnings per share calculation; we had 5,031,980 and 3,500 antidilutive common stock equivalents as of March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
4. Effective Tax Rate
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, it is our practice for each interim reporting period to make an estimate of the effective tax rate expected for the full fiscal year. The rate so determined is used in providing our income taxes on a current year-to-date basis.
5. Derivative Instruments
Natural gas used by us in our Chemicals segment is subject to price volatility caused by supply conditions, political and economic variables and other unpredictable factors. We use over-the-counter commodity swap and option contracts to manage the volatility related to future natural gas purchases. We have designated these instruments as effective cash flow hedges in accordance with SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (FAS 133). Accordingly, the fair value of the open contracts, which extend through December 2004, has been reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income of $4,156,000, less income tax expense of $1,562,000 in our consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2003. If market prices for natural gas remained at the March 31, 2003 level, net earnings of $3,111,000 would be classified into pretax earnings within the next 12 months. Comparatively, our consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2002 reflected the fair value of th
e open contracts, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2,382,000, less an income tax benefit of $935,000.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2002 we elected to terminate early certain of our natural gas swaps. The fair value of such swaps, which totaled $471,000 favorable as of the termination date, will continue to be reported within accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings as the forecasted transaction impacts earnings. There was no impact to earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness during the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.
6. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income represents charges and credits to equity from nonowner sources. Comprehensive income is composed of two subsets: net earnings (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Our other comprehensive income (loss) includes cumulative fair value adjustments to cash flow hedges pertaining to our commodity swap and option contracts to purchase natural gas. Total comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2003 was $17,394,000 and total comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2002 was $2,277,000.
7. Accounting Changes
On January 1, 2003, we adopted SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" (FAS 143). FAS 143 applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets resulting from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the underlying assets.
FAS 143 requires us to recognize a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred, at its estimated fair value. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is accreted through charges to operating expenses. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, we will then recognize a gain or loss on settlement.
Prior to the adoption of FAS 143, we accrued the estimated cost of land reclamation over the life of the reserves based on tons sold in relation to total estimated tons. With the adoption of FAS 143, we recorded all asset retirement obligations, at estimated fair value, for which we have legal obligations for land reclamation. Essentially all of these asset retirement obligations related to our underlying land parcels, including both owned properties and mineral leases. This accounting change resulted in an increase in long-term assets of $44,341,000; an increase in long-term liabilities of $63,152,000; and a cumulative effect of adoption that reduced shareholders' equity and 2003 net earnings by $18,811,000. Additionally, FAS 143 results in ongoing costs related to the depreciation of the assets and accretion of the liability. For the first three months of 2003, we recognized FAS 143 related operating costs totaling $2,380,000.
Our asset retirement obligations are reported in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets within the total for other noncurrent liabilities. A reconciliation of the carrying amount of our asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 is as follows (amounts in thousands):
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Cumulative effect adjustment |
99,259 |
BALANCE AS OF MARCH 31, 2003 |
$ 99,104 |
The asset retirement obligation of $99,104,000 was offset by amounts previously accrued under generally accepted accounting principles in effect prior to the issuance of FAS 143.
On a pro forma basis as required by FAS 143, if we had applied the provisions of FAS 143 as of January 1, 2002 the amount of asset retirement obligations would have been $94,469,000.
In 2002 we adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (FAS 142) and the $20.5 million cumulative loss resulted from the impairment of Performance Chemicals' goodwill.
8. Guarantees
We have guarantee contracts in the form of irrevocable standby letters of credit. Our commercial banks issue these standby letters of credit to secure our obligations to pay or perform when required to do so pursuant to the requirements of an underlying agreement or the provision of goods and services. The standby letters of credit listed below are cancelable only at the option of the beneficiary who is authorized to draw drafts on the issuing bank up to the face amount of the standby letter of credit in accordance with the terms. Because banks consider letters of credit as contingent extensions of credit, we are required to pay a fee until the standby letters of credit expire or are cancelled.
Our standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2003 are summarized in the table below (in thousands of dollars):
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Risk management requirement for |
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Total standby letters of credit |
$ 26,524 |
9. New Accounting Standards
In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" (FAS 146). FAS 146 supersedes Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)". FAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. Under EITF 94-3, a liability was recognized at the date an entity committed to an exit plan. FAS 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. The adoption of FAS 146 will affect the timing of our recognition of future exit or disposal cost. However, we do not expect the impact to be material.
In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" (FIN 45). FIN 45 addresses the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees. FIN 45 also clarifies the requirements related to the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of a guarantee for the guarantor's noncontingent obligations associated with such guarantee. The disclosure requirements of this Interpretation are effective for financial statements of periods ending after December 15, 2002 whereas the initial recognition and measurement provisions are applicable on a prospective basis for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. See Note 8 for our interim disclosure.
In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation--Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123" (FAS 148). FAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. Additionally, FAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of FAS 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements of the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the related pro forma disclosures when the intrinsic value method per Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25), continues to be used. We adopted the annual disclosure provisions of FAS 148 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. As we continue to use the intrinsic value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, we have provided the required interim disclosure in Note 2.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51" (FIN 46). FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 must be applied for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
10. Segment Data
We have two reportable segments, Construction Materials and Chemicals, which are organized around their products and services. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting polices in the notes to our consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K. Our determination of segment earnings (a) reflects allocations of general corporate expenses to the segments; (b) does not reflect interest income or expense; and (c) is before income taxes. Allocations are based on average capital employed and net sales.
Because the majority of our activities are domestic, sales and assets outside the United States are not material.
Following is the comparative segment financial disclosure (amounts in millions):
Three Months Ended |
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NET SALES |
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March 31 |
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IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS |
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11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental information referable to our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31 is summarized below (amounts in thousands):
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW |
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12. Other Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
We are a defendant in various lawsuits incident to the ordinary course of business including those legal proceedings detailed in Item 1 of Part II of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. It is not possible to determine with precision the probable outcome of or the amount of liability, if any, under these lawsuits. However, in our opinion and that of our counsel, the disposition of these lawsuits will not adversely affect our consolidated financial position to a material extent.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial |
GENERAL COMMENTS
Seasonality of our Business
Results of any individual quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year due principally to the effect that weather can have on the sales and production volume of our Construction Materials segment. Normally, the highest sales and earnings of our Construction Materials segment are attained in the third quarter and the lowest are realized in the first quarter when sales and earnings are substantially below the levels realized in all subsequent quarters of the year.
Segment Earnings
Segment earnings are earnings before net interest and income taxes and after allocation of corporate expenses and income. Allocations are based on average capital employed and net sales.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this report contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those associated with general business conditions; the timing and amount of federal, state and local funding for infrastructure; the depressed demand for our chemical products; the highly competitive nature of the industries in which we operate; pricing; weather and other natural phenomena; energy costs; costs of hydrocarbon-based raw materials; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our periodic reports.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The comparative analysis in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on net sales and cost of goods sold, which exclude delivery revenues and costs, and is consistent with the basis on which management reviews our results of operations.
First Quarter 2003 as Compared with First Quarter 2002
Net sales were $550.4 million, a 3% increase from the $534.5 million in the first quarter of 2002. While Chemicals' sales were up from the prior year, sales for our Construction Materials segment were down slightly. Net earnings were in a loss position for both first quarters 2003 and 2002 with unfavorable cumulative effect of accounting changes resulting in both periods' losses. The 2003 first quarter net loss was $17.5 million or $0.17 per share while the 2002 first quarter net loss was $8.9 million or $0.09 per share. Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting changes were $1.3 million or $0.01 per share for first quarter 2003 and $11.6 million or $0.11 per share for the same period 2002. This $0.10 decrease in earnings per share resulted from lower earnings in our Construction Materials segment.
Construction Materials' net sales of $392.0 million were 2% lower than last years' record first quarter sales as aggregates pricing was up 2% and volumes were down 3%. Aggregates shipments in March increased significantly over last year but were not enough to offset the impact of severe weather in February. Lower asphalt volumes in the California operations were due in part to last year's unseasonably dry weather, particularly in Los Angeles, and a reduction in highway project activity in the current year. The Chemicals segment reported first quarter net sales of $158.4 million, an 18% increase over the prior year. Pricing and volume for chlorine were up significantly over the first quarter of last year. Pricing for both chlorine and caustic soda continued to improve, resulting in favorable comparisons to the fourth quarter of last year. Volumes for certain other inorganic products increased modestly from first quarter 2002.
Earnings before interest and income taxes were $14.3 million as compared to $28.8 million in the first quarter of 2002. This $14.5 million shortfall resulted from a $24.5 million shortfall in Construction Materials as the Chemicals segment improved $10.0 million. Reduced production volumes in many of our plants in the Construction Materials segment resulted in higher unit production costs when compared to the first quarter of the prior year. Additionally, segment results were negatively impacted by higher medical and pension costs, higher unit costs for diesel and liquid asphalt, and an asset impairment charge referable to the closure of a lime plant near Chicago, Illinois. In the Chemicals segment, at a loss of $4.8 million, its $10.0 million improvement resulted both from the above-mentioned improved sales activity and a gain from the March 2003 sale of our Performance Chemicals' municipal wastewater business. The segment's chloralkali plants achieved higher operating rates versus the prior year. Natural g
as prices were higher than last year's first quarter but the impact was mitigated by our hedging program.
Selling, administrative and general expenses of $59.5 million decreased 2% from the first quarter 2002 level. Other operating costs of $5.8 million were up $4.7 million due mostly to the above-mentioned asset impairment charge referable to the lime plant closure. The $1.6 million increase in minority interest income resulted from our partner's share in our Chloralkali joint venture's reduced earnings. Other income, net of other charges, of $4.8 million increased $4.2 million from the prior year due mainly to the gain from the sale of our Performance Chemicals' municipal wastewater business.
Interest expense of $13.5 million increased $0.4 million from first quarter of 2002 due to a $0.6 million reduction in the capitalized interest cost credit resulting from the decreased level of capital spending requiring the capitalization of interest.
The cumulative effect of accounting changes resulted from the adoption of new accounting standards. In 2003 we adopted FAS 143 as described in Note 7 to the Financial Statements and recognized a cumulative, one-time, non-cash loss of $18.8 million or $0.18 per share. In 2002 we adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (FAS 142) and the $20.5 million cumulative loss resulted from the impairment of Performance Chemicals' goodwill.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Working Capital
Working capital, the excess of current assets over current liabilities, totaled $494.6 million at March 31, 2003. This represented a $2.7 million increase from our December 31, 2002 level and a $111.3 million increase from our March 31, 2002 level. The increase from the March 2002 level resulted primarily from a $85.3 million increase in cash and a $25.8 million increase in receivables. The increase in receivables was due to the increased amount of sales revenue in the month of March 2003 when compared to March 2002 as days sales outstanding remained constant.
The current ratio was 2.6 as of March 31, 2003. This compares to the 2.7 ratio at year-end 2002 and the 2.2 ratio at March 31, 2002. The increase in the current ratio from March 31, 2002 resulted primarily from the before mentioned $85.3 million increase in cash.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $73.2 million in the first three months of 2003, down from the $92.6 million generated in the same period last year. This $19.4 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities reflected both lower earnings and an increase in working capital requirements, primarily receivables. Net cash used for investing activities of $47.0 million decreased $23.7 million from the first three months of 2002 due to decreased capital spending. Net cash used for financing activities decreased $11.1 million to total $30.6 million for the three months ended March 2003. This decrease resulted primarily from a reduction in debt payments in the current period.
Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
March 31 |
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March 31 |
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Long-term Obligations
Long term obligations measures are summarized below (amounts in thousands, except percentages):
March 31 |
Dec. 31 |
March 31 |
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Guarantees
We have guarantee contracts in the form of irrevocable standby letters of credit. Our commercial banks issue standby letters of credit to secure our obligations to pay or perform when required to do so pursuant to the requirements of an underlying agreement or the provision of goods and services. The standby letters of credit listed below are cancelable only at the option of the beneficiary who is authorized to draw drafts on the issuing bank up to the face amount of the standby letter of credit in accordance with the terms. Because banks consider letters of credit as contingent extensions of credit, we are required to pay a fee until the standby letters of credit expire or are cancelled.
Our standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2003 are summarized in the table below (in thousands of dollars):
Amount |
Term |
Maturity |
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Risk management requirement for |
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Total standby letters of credit |
$ 26,524 |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We follow certain significant accounting policies when preparing our consolidated financial statements. A summary of these policies is included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K. The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expense, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these estimates form our basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Our actual results ma
y differ from these estimates.
We believe that estimates, assumptions and judgments involved in the accounting policies described in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies.
As a result of our January 1, 2003 adoption of FAS 143, we have made changes to our accounting policy for reclamation costs. We consider this revised policy as a critical accounting policy due to the significant level of estimates, assumptions and judgments and its potential significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Reclamation Costs
Reclamation costs resulting from the normal use of long-lived assets are recorded as incurred only if there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from the normal use of a mineral lease are recorded as incurred only if there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement.
In determining the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation tasks including a reasonable profit margin. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is then recorded at fair value using present value techniques and a discount rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement.
In estimating the settlement date, we evaluate the current facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative.
Reclamation obligations are reviewed as least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would either result in a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of a triggering change in the cost would include a new reclamation law or a mineral lease amendment. Examples of a triggering change in the estimated settlement date would include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures |
We are exposed to certain market risks arising from transactions that we enter into in the normal course of business. In order to manage or reduce this market risk, we utilize derivative financial instruments. To date, we have used commodity swap and option contracts to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in prices for natural gas. The fair values of these contracts were as follows: March 31, 2003 - $4.2 million favorable; December 31, 2002 - $3.9 million favorable; and March 31, 2002 - $2.4 million unfavorable. As a result of a hypothetical 10% reduction in the price of natural gas, we would experience a potential decline in the fair value of our underlying commodity swap and option contracts based on the fair value at March 31, 2003 of approximately $2.3 million.
We are exposed to interest rate risk due to our various long-term debt instruments. Because substantially all of our debt is at fixed rates, a decline in interest rates would result in an increase in the fair market value of the liability. At March 31, 2003, the estimated fair market value of our debt instruments was $985.9 million as compared to our book value of $898.5 million. The effect of a hypothetical decline in interest rates of 1% would increase our fair market value of the liability by approximately $31.4 million.
We maintain a system of controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial statements and other disclosures included in this report, as well as to safeguard our assets from unauthorized use or disposition. We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings. No significant changes were made to our internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, we have been named as one of numerous defendants in state court in Mississippi and Texas alleging silicosis arising from exposure to industrial sand used for abrasive blasting which we marketed from 1988 to 1994. To date, 116 lawsuits, involving 11,679 plaintiffs have now been filed. We are seeking dismissal from the cases in Mississippi due to the negligible amount of product sold in that state. The cases are in the early stages of discovery. It is our opinion that the disposition of these described lawsuits will not adversely affect our consolidated financial position to a material extent.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit 99(a) - Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 99(b) - Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
There were no reports on Form 8-K filed for the three months ended March 31, 2003.
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.
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
Date April 30, 2003
/s/ Ejaz A. Khan
Ejaz A. Khan
Vice President, Controller and Chief Information Officer
/s/ Mark E. Tomkins
Mark E. Tomkins
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
I, Donald M. James, certify that:
/s/ Donald M. James
Donald M. James
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
I, Mark E. Tomkins, certify that:
/s/ Mark E. Tomkins
Mark E. Tomkins
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer