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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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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1200 Urban Center Drive |
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Registrant's telephone number including area code |
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 SEPTEMBER 30, 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. |
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Item 1. |
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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) |
September 30 |
December 31 |
September 30 |
Assets Short-term investments 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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Vulcan Materials Company |
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(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) |
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Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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(Condensed and unaudited) |
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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Net earnings |
$ 99,149 |
$ 76,819 |
$ 137,624 |
$ 133,275 |
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Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization |
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Effective tax rate |
24.8% |
25.0% |
27.1% |
27.5% |
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Vulcan Materials Company |
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Nine Months Ended |
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(Condensed and unaudited) |
2003 |
2002 |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization Cumulative effect of accounting changes Increase in assets before effects of business acquisitions Increase in liabilities before effects of business acquisitions Other, net Net cash provided by operating activities |
208,097 18,811 (107,641) 106,190 (12,927) 350,154 |
198,230 20,537 (56,641) 6,954 11,274 313,629 |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payment for business acquisitions, net of acquired cash Increase in short-term investments Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Net cash used for investing activities |
(2,493) (4,972) 48,387 (100,321) |
(42,138) - -- 18,014 (228,481) |
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.
Due to the substantial divestiture of the components of the Chemicals segment's Performance Chemicals business unit (Note 3), the operating results of these businesses have been presented as discontinued operations in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.
2. Stock-based Compensation
The pro forma effect on our net earnings and earnings 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 and the nine months ended September 30 is illustrated below (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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Net earnings, as reported |
$ 99,149 |
$ 76,819 |
$ 137,624 |
$ 133,275 |
Pro forma net earnings |
$ 98,084 |
$ 75,603 |
$ 134,239 |
$ 129,626 |
Earnings per share: |
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3. Discontinued Operations
In May 2003, we announced our intention to sell substantially all of our Performance Chemicals businesses. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", (FAS 144) the financial results of these operations have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings for all periods presented. The Performance Chemicals business unit consisted of specialty chemicals manufacturing and services businesses and was one of the two business units within our Chemicals segment.
The following transactions resulted in our disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Performance Chemicals business unit:
March 2003 |
Sold the assets of the municipal wastewater business to ALTIVIA Corporation and recognized a pretax gain on disposal of $1.9 million. |
June 2003 |
Sold our Smyrna, Georgia manufacturing facility and our Dalton, Georgia distribution center to Lynx Chemical Group resulting in a pretax loss on disposal of $12.4 million. |
May 2003 |
Announced our intention to sell the assets of our industrial water treatment and pulp and paper businesses to Kemira Oy, of Finland, including our Columbus, Georgia manufacturing plant and research and development facility, as well as manufacturing facilities in Shreveport, Louisiana and Vancouver, British Columbia. This sale was subsequently closed in July 2003 and resulted in a pretax gain on disposal of $17.0 million. |
Results of our discontinued operations which excludes gain on disposal were as follows (amounts in millions):
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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Net sales |
$ 5.2 |
$ 34.5 |
$ 62.5 |
$ 106.2 |
Assets and liabilities of our discontinued operations were not considered material for separate presentation in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
4. Earnings Per Share (EPS)
We report two separate earnings per share numbers, basic and diluted. Both are computed by dividing net earnings 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 |
Nine Months Ended |
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2003 |
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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 4,099,500 and 2,880,603 antidilutive common stock equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. For the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, we had 4,095,000 and 4,206,075 antidilutive common stock equivalents, respectively.
5. 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.
6. Derivative Instruments
Natural gas used 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 $1,865,000 less income tax expense of $702,000 in our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2003. If market prices for natural gas remained at the September 30, 2003 level, net earnings of $1,439,000 would be classified into pretax earnings within the next 12 months. Comparatively, our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2002 reflected the fair value of
the open contracts, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss of $29,000, less income tax benefit of $11,000. There was no impact to earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness during the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
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.
7. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes charges and credits to equity from nonowner sources. Comprehensive income is composed of two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income. Our other comprehensive income includes fair value adjustments to cash flow hedges pertaining to our commodity swap and option contracts to purchase natural gas. Total comprehensive income is detailed below (in thousands of dollars):
Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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Net earnings |
$ 99,149 |
$ 76,819 |
$ 137,624 |
$ 133,275 |
8. 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 three months ended September 30, 2003, we recognized FAS 143 related operating costs totaling $2,554,000 including $7,000 related to discontinued operations. For the first nin
e months of 2003, we recognized FAS 143 related operating costs totaling $7,355,000 including $68,000 related to discontinued operations.
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 nine months ended September 30, 2003 is as follows (amounts in thousands):
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Cumulative effect adjustment |
99,259 |
BALANCE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 |
$ 108,763 |
The asset retirement obligation of $99,259,000 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 $20,537,000 cumulative loss resulted from the impairment of Performance Chemicals' goodwill.
9. 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 its terms. Since 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 September 30, 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 |
$ 26,138 |
10. New Accounting Standards
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity" (FAS 150). FAS 150 clarifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity and requires that those instruments be classified as liabilities in statements of financial position. Previously, many of these financial instruments were classified as equity. FAS 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period after June 15, 2003. However, on October 29, 2003 the FASB voted to indefinitely defer the application of paragraphs 9 and 10 of FAS 150 as it relates to mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests. With the exception of paragraphs 9 and 10, we adopted the provisions of FAS 150 on July 1, 2003 with no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51" (FIN 46). FIN 46 requires variable interest entities, as defined, to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity. 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 ending after December 15, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (FAS 149). FAS 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under FAS 133. FAS 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of FAS 149 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
11. 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 our latest annual report 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 |
Nine Months Ended |
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2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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NET SALES |
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Sept. 30 |
Dec. 31 |
Sept. 30 |
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IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS |
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As the result of our decision to sell our Performance Chemicals businesses, the results of operations of this business unit, which were previously included in our Chemicals segment's earnings have been reclassified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
12. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental information referable to our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30 is summarized below (amounts in thousands):
2003 |
2002 |
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW |
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13. 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 from continuing operations 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; increasing pension and healthcare costs; and other risks, assumptions 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.
Third Quarter 2003 as Compared with Third Quarter 2002
Continuing Operations:
We reported record third quarter net sales of $747.6 million and earnings from continuing operations of $94.1 million, or $0.91 per diluted share. Last year's third quarter net sales were $679.8 million and earnings from continuing operations were $77.3 million, or $0.75 per diluted share.
For the quarter, Construction Materials reported record net sales of $616.3 million. The 9% sales growth over the prior year was driven by strong aggregates shipments in most markets. Record aggregates shipments benefited from favorable weather conditions after being impacted by significantly wet weather in the first half of the year. Pricing for aggregates remained relatively flat with the prior year, reflecting a higher proportion of sales from lower-priced products and geographic markets. Asphalt volumes reflected a slight decline. Our Chemicals segment reported third quarter net sales of $131.3 million, up $18.2 million from the prior year. Sales prices for caustic soda and chlorine were higher than the third quarter of 2002.
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes of $137.8 million were up $21.7 million or 19% from the third quarter of 2002. This increase resulted from improved results in both segments: Construction Materials up $12.3 million and Chemicals up $9.4 million. Construction Materials segment earnings were $144.1 million compared to $131.8 million in the prior year. Aggregates margins were up despite the impact of higher costs for diesel, pension and healthcare. Margins from asphalt were lower due to the effects of a slight decline in volume and higher costs for liquid asphalt and natural gas. At a loss of $6.3 million versus the $15.7 million loss in the third quarter of 2002, our Chemicals segment was favorably impacted by improvements in product pricing and the results of cost reduction efforts. These improvements were somewhat offset by higher costs for energy and key raw materials.
Selling, administrative and general expenses of $56.8 million increased $7.5 million or 15% from the third quarter 2002 level due mainly to higher pension and healthcare costs and costs for charitable contributions. Other operating costs of $3.4 million were down slightly.
Other income, net of other charges, of $2.8 million decreased $2.9 million from the prior year due primarily to lower gains on asset sales.
Interest expense of $13.8 million was essentially the same as the third quarter of 2002.
Our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 24.8% for the third quarter of 2003, down slightly from the 2002 rate of 25.0% for the comparable period.
Discontinued Operations:
As described in Note 3 to the Financial Statements, our Performance Chemicals business unit is reported in discontinued operations pursuant to FAS 144. The $5.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, third quarter gain on discontinued operations, net of taxes, resulted from the gain on the disposal of our industrial water treatment and pulp and paper businesses offset in part by a loss on operating the discontinued operations. Comparatively, in the third quarter 2002, discontinued operations reported a loss of $0.5 million, or $0.00 per diluted share.
Net earnings, which include discontinued operations, were $99.1 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, as compared to $76.8 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, in third quarter 2002.
Year-to-Date Comparisons as of September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002
Continuing Operations:
Net sales of $2.0 billion for the first nine months of 2003 increased nearly 8% from the comparable 2002 total of $1.8 billion. Earnings from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting changes were $162.5 million, or $1.58 per diluted share. Comparable 2002 earnings were $159.2 million, or $1.55 per diluted share.
Construction Materials' net sales of $1.6 billion were up 3% from the 2002 level of $1.5 billion. Aggregates volume was up 5% from the prior year with pricing essentially flat due to a higher proportion of sales from lower-priced products and geographic markets. Asphalt volumes were lower due to both the prior year's unseasonably dry weather in California and a reduction in California highway project activity in the current year. Chemicals' net sales for the first nine months of 2003 of $396.3 million reflected an increase of 27% from year-to-date September 2002. This increase was due mostly to higher chorine and caustic soda prices.
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes were $260.8 million as compared to $257.6 million in the same period last year. Earnings in our Construction Materials segment were down $23.4 million or 8% from the first nine months of 2002 due to several factors including significantly wet weather in the first half; higher pension and healthcare costs; higher costs for diesel and liquid asphalt; lower aggregates production levels and an asset impairment charge referable to the lime plant closure in the first quarter. Year-to-date earnings in our Chemicals segment improved from a $48.1 million loss in the first nine months of 2002 to a loss of $21.5 million in 2003. This improvement was due primarily to higher chlorine and caustic soda prices, increased volumes, and improved plant operating performance, offset in part by increased costs for energy and key raw materials.
Selling, administrative and general expenses were up 9% when compared to the first nine months of 2002 due primarily to higher pension and healthcare costs. Other operating costs of $12.1 million increased by $5.9 million due mostly to the above-mentioned asset impairment charge referable to the lime plant closure. Other income, net of other charges, of $8.9 million was down $0.4 million from the prior year.
Interest expense of $40.9 million increased $0.3 million from the prior year due primarily to a $1.1 million reduction in the capitalized interest cost due to a decreased level of capital spending.
Our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 27.1% for the year, as projected through September 30, 2003, down slightly from 27.5% for the comparable period of 2002.
Discontinued Operations and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes:
The discontinued operations resulted from the divestiture of our Performance Chemicals business unit as described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Loss on discontinued operations totaled $6.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2003 compared with a $5.4 million loss, or $0.05 per diluted share, in 2002. The 2003 results included gain on disposal of discontinued operations in the pretax amount of $6.4 million.
The cumulative effect of accounting changes resulted from our adoption of a new accounting standard as described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In the first quarter of 2003, we adopted FAS 143 and recognized a cumulative, one-time, non-cash loss of $18.8 million or $0.18 per diluted share. In 2002, we adopted FAS No. 142 and the $20.5 million cumulative loss resulted from the impairment of Performance Chemicals' goodwill.
Net earnings for the first nine months of 2003 of $137.6 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, reflected both the $6.1 million loss, or $0.06 per diluted share impact, from the divestiture of our Performance Chemicals business unit, and the $18.8 million charge, or $0.18 per diluted share impact, from the adoption of the accounting standard, FAS 143. Comparatively, the net earnings for the first nine months of 2002 of $133.3 million included the write-down of Performance Chemicals goodwill for an after-tax impact of $20.5 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, as prescribed by the accounting standard, FAS 142.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Working Capital
Working capital, the excess of current assets over current liabilities, totaled $451.7 million at September 30, 2003. This represented a $40.3 million decrease from our December 31, 2002 level and a $14.5 million decrease from our September 30, 2002 level. Both of these working capital comparative decreases resulted primarily from the reclassification of $243.0 million of five-year notes issued in 1999, due on April 1, 2004, offset in part by the increase in cash and cash equivalents. We expect to pay these notes upon maturity using available cash balances and, to the extent necessary, by issuing commercial paper to fund any shortfall. We have $350 million in unused bank lines of credit which serve as liquidity support for commercial paper outstanding.
The current ratio was 1.8 as of September 30, 2003. This compares to the 2.7 ratio at year-end 2002 and the 2.5 ratio at September 30, 2002. These decreases in the current ratio resulted primarily from the above mentioned reclassification of $243.0 million of notes.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $350.2 million in the first nine months of 2003, up nearly 12% from the $313.6 million generated in the same period last year. This $36.6 million increase in cash provided by operating activities resulted primarily from an increase in current liabilities. Net cash used for investing activities of $100.3 million decreased $128.2 million from the first nine months of 2002 due to a reduction in capital spending and an increase in proceeds from asset sales. Net cash used for financing activities decreased $12.8 million to total $90.4 million for the nine months ended September 2003. This decrease resulted primarily from a $17.1 million reduction in debt payments in the current period.
Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
Sept. 30 |
Dec. 31 |
Sept. 30 |
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Long-term Obligations
Long term obligations measures are summarized below (amounts in thousands, except percentages):
Sept. 30 |
Dec. 31 |
Sept. 30 |
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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 its terms. Since 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 September 30, 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 |
$ 26,138 |
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 under 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 at 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 amendment of an existing mineral lease. 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: September 30, 2003 - $1,865,000 favorable; December 31, 2002 - $3,906,000 favorable; and September 30, 2002 - $29,000 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 September 30, 2003 of approximately $2,304,000.
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 September 30, 2003, the estimated fair market value of our debt instruments was $969,051,000 as compared to our book value of $892,971,000. The effect of a hypothetical decline in interest rates of 1% would increase our fair market value of the liability by approximately $26,100,000.
We are exposed to certain economic risks related to the costs of our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. These economic risks include changes in the discount rate for AA-rated corporate bonds, the expected return on plan assets, the rate of compensation increase for salaried employees and the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits. The impact of a change in these assumptions on our annual pension and other postretirement benefits costs is discussed in our latest annual report on Form 10-K.
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 (as defined in Sections 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Act of 1934) under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly 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 control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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 in multiple lawsuits filed in state and federal court claiming damages for personal injuries allegedly resulting from releases of chemicals at our Geismar, Louisiana chloralkali plant. A trial date for some of the plaintiffs related to the April 3, 2001 release is set for January 5, 2004.
As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003, 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 was marketed by us from 1988 to 1994. To date, 175 lawsuits, involving 12,540 plaintiffs have been filed.
As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, we are involved in a number of cases relating to our sale of the chemical product perchloroethylene. The action brought by the City of Modesto is scheduled to begin on March 22, 2004, and a claim involving a former IBM employee is tentatively scheduled for March 2004.
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 31(a) - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31(b) - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32(a) - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32(b) - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
We filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 29, 2003, pursuant to which we furnished our earnings release dated July 28, 2003, regarding our second quarter 2003 financial results.
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 November 7, 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