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8-K - 8-K - COMMERCIAL METALS Cocmc-05312015xpr8xk.htm

News Release


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY REPORTS THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $0.49, EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS OF $0.58, AND ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.12 PER SHARE

Irving, TX - June 25, 2015 - Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended May 31, 2015. Net earnings attributable to CMC for the three months ended May 31, 2015 were $56.7 million ($0.49 per diluted share) on net sales of $1.5 billion. This compares to net earnings attributable to CMC of $23.6 million ($0.20 per diluted share) on net sales of $1.7 billion for the third quarter ended May 31, 2014.

Earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 were $67.1 million ($0.58 per diluted share), compared with earnings from continuing operations of $24.5 million ($0.21 per diluted share) for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
 
Joe Alvarado, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO, commented, "Fiscal third quarter adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations represents our highest adjusted EBITDA since the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Our domestic mills continued to benefit from expanding metal margins as a result of lower raw material prices when compared to one year ago. Although shipments from a number of our locations in the central and eastern regions of the U.S. were delayed as a result of record amounts of rainfall in Texas and the surrounding states in the latter part of our third quarter, we are confident in our expectation that U.S. construction activity will continue to improve during the summer months translating into strong activity levels within our domestic business."

Results for the three months ended May 31, 2015 included after-tax LIFO income from continuing operations of $24.1 million ($0.21 per diluted share), compared with after-tax LIFO income from continuing operations of $5.3 million ($0.04 per diluted share) for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations was $126.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, our highest adjusted operating profit since the first quarter of fiscal 2009. This compares with adjusted operating profit from continuing operations of $58.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $158.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared with adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $90.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
        
The Company's financial position at May 31, 2015 remained strong with cash and cash equivalents of $381.0 million and approximately $1.0 billion in total liquidity. Pursuant to our share repurchase program that was approved in October 2014, we purchased approximately 139 thousand shares of our common stock for $2.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2015.



(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 2)


    
On June 24, 2015, the board of directors of CMC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share for shareholders of record on July 9, 2015. The dividend will be paid on July 23, 2015.

Business Segments
Our Americas Recycling segment recorded adjusted operating loss of $2.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to adjusted operating loss of $1.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, ferrous volumes declined 23% on flat average ferrous metal margins compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2014. Additionally, during the third quarter of fiscal 2015, average nonferrous selling prices declined 13%, which outweighed a decline in average nonferrous material cost and compressed average nonferrous metal margins by 16%, further contributing to the increase in adjusted operating loss compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
    
Our Americas Mills segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $84.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to adjusted operating profit of $74.1 million for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the average cost of ferrous scrap consumed decreased $105 per short ton, which more than offset a $71 per short ton decrease in the average selling price and resulted in a 10% increase in average metal margin compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Additionally, this segment benefited from a $13.9 million favorable change in pre-tax LIFO compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Our Americas Fabrication segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $22.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and represented this segment's best fiscal quarter since the first quarter of fiscal 2009. This compares to adjusted operating profit of $1.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. The increase in adjusted operating profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was partially due to an increase in the average composite selling price coupled with a 3% decrease in average composite material cost, which resulted in a 24% increase in average metal margin compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. Heavy rainfall during May 2015 delayed construction activity in the central and eastern regions of the U.S. and pushed scheduled shipments into our fiscal 2015 fourth quarter. As a result, we expect to see an increase in this segment's volumes as these shipments will be fulfilled during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
    
Our International Mill segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $6.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to adjusted operating profit of $2.0 million for the corresponding period in fiscal 2014 and $0.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Adjusted operating profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 increased as we continued to realize the benefits from the commissioning of a new, state-of-the art electric arc furnace in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Our International Marketing and Distribution segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $37.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to adjusted operating profit of $2.0 million for the same period in the prior




(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 3)


fiscal year. The increase in adjusted operating profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was attributed to an increase in volumes for one of our trading divisions headquartered in the U.S. Additionally, this segment recorded a $36.4 million net benefit as a result of a termination of a contract with a customer, partially offset by inventory write-downs, in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. In addition, for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, one of our trading divisions headquartered in the U.S. benefited from a favorable change in pre-tax LIFO of $9.0 million compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2014.

Year to Date Results
Net earnings attributable to CMC for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 were $147.4 million ($1.25 per diluted share) on net sales of $4.6 billion, compared with net earnings attributable to CMC of $80.6 million ($0.68 per diluted share) on net sales of $5.0 billion for the nine months ended May 31, 2014. The Company recorded after-tax LIFO income of $75.2 million ($0.64 per diluted share) for the nine months ended May 31, 2015, compared with after-tax LIFO expense of $9.7 million ($0.08 per diluted share) for the nine months ended May 31, 2014. Additionally, results for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 included an after-tax gain of $15.5 million ($0.13 per diluted share) associated with the sale of the Company’s wholly owned copper tube manufacturing operation, Howell Metal Company. For the nine months ended May 31, 2015, adjusted operating profit was $292.3 million, compared with $182.4 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2014. Adjusted EBITDA was $393.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2015, compared with $282.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2014.

Outlook
Alvarado concluded, "As we enter our fiscal fourth quarter, our key market indicators point toward a strong finish to our fiscal 2015. The demand for our finished steel products in the U.S. and Poland remains high. Additionally, unfavorable weather in May in the central region of the U.S. resulted in certain construction projects being pushed out into our fiscal fourth quarter, which we expect should provide some upside to the fourth quarter's results. Elevated levels of imports continue to pressure margins for our U.S. and Polish operations. Our International Marketing and Distribution segment also continues to be challenged by the strong U.S. dollar."

Conference Call
CMC invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its third quarter of fiscal 2015 conference call today, Thursday, June 25, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. ET. Joe Alvarado, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, and Barbara Smith, Senior Vice President and CFO, will host the call. The call is accessible via our website at www.cmc.com. In the event you are unable to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived and available for replay on our website on the next business day. Financial and statistical information presented in the webcast will be located on CMC's website under "Investors."





(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 4)


About Commercial Metals Company
Commercial Metals Company and its subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and market steel and metal products, related materials and services through a network including steel minimills, steel fabrication and processing plants, construction-related product warehouses, metal recycling facilities and marketing and distribution offices in the United States and in strategic international markets.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's expectations relating to U.S. construction activity, economic conditions, prices, volumes and the Company's operating plans and future financial results. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as we, CMC or its management "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "intends," "plans to," "ought," "could," "will," "should," "likely," "appears" or other similar words or phrases. There are inherent risks and uncertainties in any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our expectations are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, new information or circumstances or otherwise.

Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following: absence of global economic recovery or possible recession relapse and the pace of overall global economic activity and its impact in a highly cyclical industry; construction activity or lack thereof; continued sovereign debt problems in the Euro-zone; success or failure of governmental efforts to stimulate the economy including restoring credit availability and confidence in a recovery; significant reductions in China’s steel consumption or increased Chinese steel production; rapid and significant changes in the price of metals; increased capacity and product availability from competing steel minimills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing; passage of new, or interpretation of existing, environmental laws and regulations; increased legislation associated with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; solvency of financial institutions and their ability or willingness to lend; customers' inability to obtain credit and non-compliance with contracts; financial covenants and restrictions on the operation of our business contained in agreements governing our debt; currency fluctuations; global factors including political and military uncertainties; availability of electricity and natural gas for minimill operations; information technology interruptions and breaches in security data; ability to retain key executives; execution of cost reduction strategies; industry consolidation or changes in production capacity or utilization; ability to make necessary capital expenditures; availability and pricing of raw materials over which we exert little influence, including scrap metal, energy, insurance and supply prices; unexpected equipment failures; competition from other materials; losses or limited potential gains due to hedging transactions; litigation claims and settlements, court decisions and regulatory rulings; risk of injury or death to employees, customers or other visitors to our operations; increased costs related to health care reform legislation; and those factors listed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" included in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014.




(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 5)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
OPERATING STATISTICS AND BUSINESS SEGMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
(short tons in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Americas Recycling tons shipped
 
471

 
596

 
1,531

 
1,728

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Steel Mills rebar shipments
 
421

 
424

 
1,209

 
1,155

Americas Steel Mills merchant and other shipments
 
252

 
310

 
793

 
886

Total Americas Steel Mills tons shipped
 
673

 
734

 
2,002

 
2,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Steel Mills average FOB selling price (total sales)
 
$
612

 
$
683

 
$
653

 
$
672

Americas Steel Mills average cost ferrous scrap consumed
 
$
244

 
$
349

 
$
294

 
$
350

Americas Steel Mills metal margin
 
$
368

 
$
334

 
$
359

 
$
322

Americas Steel Mills average ferrous scrap purchase price
 
$
204

 
$
275

 
$
249

 
$
298

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Mill tons shipped
 
323

 
322

 
898

 
953

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Mill average FOB selling price (total sales)
 
$
455

 
$
610

 
$
493

 
$
613

International Mill average cost ferrous scrap consumed
 
$
258

 
$
345

 
$
283

 
$
357

International Mill metal margin
 
$
197

 
$
265

 
$
210

 
$
256

International Mill average ferrous scrap purchase price
 
$
219

 
$
287

 
$
237

 
$
303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Fabrication rebar tons shipped
 
260

 
266

 
732

 
703

Americas Fabrication structural and post tons shipped
 
34

 
44

 
103

 
114

Total Americas Fabrication tons shipped
 
294

 
310

 
835

 
817

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Fabrication average selling price (excluding stock and buyout sales)
 
$
953

 
$
921

 
$
951

 
$
924

(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
Net sales
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Americas Recycling
 
$
225,096

 
$
335,104

 
$
800,234

 
$
1,015,574

Americas Mills
 
446,821

 
527,574

 
1,400,517

 
1,465,574

Americas Fabrication
 
417,895

 
409,425

 
1,174,793

 
1,093,533

International Mill
 
156,318

 
207,558

 
472,396

 
618,070

International Marketing and Distribution
 
518,244

 
549,745

 
1,521,288

 
1,533,551

Corporate
 
601

 
193

 
4,150

 
11,544

Eliminations
 
(258,973
)
 
(291,006
)
 
(796,269
)
 
(784,717
)
Total net sales
 
$
1,506,002

 
$
1,738,593

 
$
4,577,109

 
$
4,953,129

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating profit (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Recycling
 
$
(1,970
)
 
$
(1,085
)
 
$
(3,285
)
 
$
(1,109
)
Americas Mills
 
84,237

 
74,063

 
258,108

 
183,939

Americas Fabrication
 
22,878

 
1,244

 
31,642

 
(1,869
)
International Mill
 
6,146

 
2,047

 
11,188

 
25,647

International Marketing and Distribution
 
37,669

 
2,023

 
71,599

 
8,552

Corporate
 
(19,502
)
 
(18,227
)
 
(55,513
)
 
(51,340
)
Eliminations
 
(3,480
)
 
(1,930
)
 
(2,248
)
 
88

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations
 
125,978

 
58,135

 
311,491

 
163,908

Adjusted operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations
 
(10,604
)
 
(892
)
 
(19,180
)
 
18,521

Adjusted operating profit
 
$
115,374

 
$
57,243

 
$
292,311

 
$
182,429





(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 6)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
(in thousands, except share data)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales
 
$
1,506,002

 
$
1,738,593

 
$
4,577,109

 
$
4,953,129

Costs and expenses:
 

 

 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
 
1,270,044

 
1,560,174

 
3,933,516

 
4,455,481

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
110,347

 
121,402

 
333,332

 
336,334

Interest expense
 
20,519

 
18,849

 
58,828

 
57,234

 
 
1,400,910

 
1,700,425

 
4,325,676

 
4,849,049

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
 
105,092

 
38,168

 
251,433

 
104,080

Income taxes
 
37,964

 
13,700

 
84,252

 
32,657

Earnings from continuing operations
 
67,128

 
24,468

 
167,181

 
71,423

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
 
(10,871
)
 
(1,042
)
 
(20,241
)
 
17,969

Income taxes (benefit)
 
(424
)
 
(137
)
 
(445
)
 
8,766

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
 
(10,447
)
 
(905
)
 
(19,796
)
 
9,203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
56,681

 
23,563

 
147,385

 
80,626

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 
1

Net earnings attributable to CMC
 
$
56,681

 
$
23,563

 
$
147,385

 
$
80,625

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.58

 
$
0.21

 
$
1.43

 
$
0.61

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
 
(0.09
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.17
)
 
0.08

Net earnings
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.20

 
$
1.26

 
$
0.69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.58

 
$
0.21

 
$
1.42

 
$
0.60

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
 
(0.09
)
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.17
)
 
0.08

Net earnings
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.20

 
$
1.25

 
$
0.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per share
 
$
0.12

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.36

Average basic shares outstanding
 
115,742,534

 
117,705,133

 
116,807,469

 
117,400,198

Average diluted shares outstanding
 
116,759,215

 
118,769,675

 
117,871,228

 
118,521,816






(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 7)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
 
May 31,
2015
 
August 31,
2014
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
381,006

 
$
434,925

Accounts receivable, net
 
987,146

 
1,028,425

Inventories, net
 
944,611

 
935,411

Current deferred tax assets
 
32,656

 
49,455

Other current assets
 
98,525

 
105,575

Assets of businesses held for sale
 
69,682

 

Total current assets
 
2,513,626

 
2,553,791

Net property, plant and equipment
 
872,027

 
925,098

Goodwill
 
73,762

 
74,319

Other noncurrent assets
 
120,311

 
135,312

Total assets
 
$
3,579,726

 
$
3,688,520

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable-trade
 
$
294,226

 
$
423,807

Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit
 
166,717

 
125,053

Accrued expenses and other payables
 
277,071

 
322,000

Notes payable
 
4,796

 
12,288

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
9,753

 
8,005

Liabilities of businesses held for sale
 
28,863

 

Total current liabilities
 
781,426

 
891,153

Deferred income taxes
 
60,338

 
55,600

Other long-term liabilities
 
105,303

 
112,134

Long-term debt
 
1,279,369

 
1,281,042

Total liabilities
 
2,226,436

 
2,339,929

Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC
 
1,353,141

 
1,348,480

Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
149

 
111

Total stockholders' equity
 
1,353,290

 
1,348,591

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
3,579,726

 
$
3,688,520






(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 8)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
147,385

 
$
80,626

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
99,829

 
101,130

Provision for losses on receivables, net
 
2,525

 
(1,705
)
Stock-based compensation
 
18,288

 
16,054

Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain
 
(5,698
)
 
(5,698
)
Deferred income taxes
 
26,396

 
28,560

Tax benefits from stock plans
 
(122
)
 
(625
)
Net gain on sale of a subsidiary and other
 
(1,737
)
 
(28,032
)
Write-down of inventory
 
11,697

 

Asset impairment
 
3,390

 
1,227

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 

Accounts receivable
 
90,412

 
(59,479
)
Accounts receivable sold, net
 
(98,033
)
 
124,415

Inventories
 
(111,675
)
 
(176,766
)
Other assets
 
11,055

 
(18,486
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables
 
(129,322
)
 
38,328

Other long-term liabilities
 
(5,601
)
 
(5,244
)
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities
 
58,789

 
94,305

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(75,976
)
 
(67,718
)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other
 
10,143

 
6,773

Proceeds from the sale of a subsidiary
 
2,354

 
52,276

Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities
 
(63,479
)
 
(8,669
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Documentary letters of credit, net change
 
51,722

 
2,985

Short-term borrowings, net change
 
(7,492
)
 
(1,333
)
Repayments on long-term debt
 
(8,038
)
 
(4,826
)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures
 
(1,389
)
 
(860
)
Treasury stock acquired
 
(41,806
)
 

Cash dividends
 
(42,073
)
 
(42,290
)
Tax benefits from stock plans
 
122

 
625

Decrease in restricted cash
 
3,630

 
18,037

Contribution from (purchase of) noncontrolling interests
 
38

 
(37
)
Payments for debt issuance costs
 

 
(430
)
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities
 
(45,286
)
 
(28,129
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(3,943
)
 
933

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(53,919
)
 
58,440

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
434,925

 
378,770

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
381,006

 
$
437,210

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental information:
 
 
 
 
Noncash activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital lease additions and changes in accounts payable related to purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
$
11,882

 
$
9,143





(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 9)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)

This press release contains financial measures not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided below.
Adjusted Operating Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses adjusted operating profit to evaluate the financial performance of CMC. Adjusted operating profit is the sum of adjusted operating profit from continuing operations and adjusted operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations. Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations is the sum of our earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense and discounts on sales of accounts receivable. Adjusted operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations is the sum of our earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes (benefit), interest expense and discounts on sales of accounts receivable. For added flexibility, we may sell certain trade accounts receivable both in the U.S. and internationally. We consider sales of accounts receivable as an alternative source of liquidity to finance our operations, and we believe that removing these costs provides a clearer perspective of CMC's operating performance. Adjusted operating profit may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
67,128

 
$
24,468

 
$
167,181

 
$
71,423

Income taxes
 
37,964

 
13,700

 
84,252

 
32,657

Interest expense
 
20,519

 
18,849

 
58,828

 
57,234

Discounts on sales of accounts receivable
 
367

 
1,118

 
1,230

 
2,594

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations
 
125,978

 
58,135

 
311,491

 
163,908

Adjusted operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations
 
(10,604
)
 
(892
)
 
(19,180
)
 
18,521

Adjusted operating profit
 
$
115,374

 
$
57,243

 
$
292,311

 
$
182,429

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is the sum of adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is the sum of our earnings from continuing operations before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, interest expense and income taxes. It also excludes CMC's largest recurring non-cash charge, depreciation and amortization, as well as impairment charges, which are also non-cash. Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations is the sum of our earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, interest expense and income taxes (benefit). It also excludes the largest recurring non-cash charge from discontinued operations, depreciation and amortization, as well as impairment charges from discontinued operations, which are also non-cash. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or as a better measure of liquidity than net cash flows from operating activities, as determined by GAAP. However, we believe that adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information, which is often used by analysts, creditors and other interested parties in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense is a covenant test in certain of CMC's debt agreements. Adjusted EBITDA is also the target benchmark for our annual and long-term cash incentive performance plans for management. Adjusted EBITDA may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
67,128

 
$
24,468

 
$
167,181

 
$
71,423

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 
1

Interest expense
 
20,519

 
18,849

 
58,828

 
57,234

Income taxes
 
37,964

 
13,700

 
84,252

 
32,657

Depreciation and amortization
 
32,840

 
33,393

 
99,553

 
99,784

Impairment charges
 
39

 

 
188

 
905

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations
 
158,490

 
90,410

 
410,002

 
262,002

Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations
 
(7,582
)
 
(439
)
 
(16,460
)
 
20,159

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
150,908

 
$
89,971

 
$
393,542

 
$
282,161

Adjusted EBITDA to interest coverage ratio for the quarter ended May 31, 2015:
$150,908
/
$20,519
=
7.4




(CMC Second Quarter Fiscal 2015 - Page 10)


Total Liquidity is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the sum of the Company's cash and cash equivalents and availability under its revolving credit facility, U.S. and international accounts receivables sales facilities and its uncommitted bank lines of credit. The table below reflects the Company's cash and cash equivalents, credit facilities and availability to liquidity.
 
 
May 31, 2015
(in thousands)
 
Total Facility
 
Availability
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
381,006

 
$
381,006

Revolving credit facility
 
350,000

 
326,555

U.S. receivables sale facility
 
200,000

 
185,000

International accounts receivable sales facilities
 
99,267

 
64,100

Bank credit facilities — uncommitted
 
92,462

 
91,660

Total Liquidity
 
$
1,122,735

 
$
1,048,321


Total Capitalization:
Total capitalization is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the sum of stockholders' equity attributable to CMC, long-term debt and deferred income taxes. The ratio of debt to total capitalization is a measure of current debt leverage. The following reconciles total capitalization to the most comparable GAAP measure, stockholders’ equity attributable to CMC:
(in thousands)
 
May 31, 2015
Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC
 
$
1,353,141

Long-term debt
 
1,279,369

Deferred income taxes
 
60,338

Total capitalization
 
$
2,692,848


OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Long-term debt to capitalization ratio as of May 31, 2015:
$1,279,369
/
$2,692,848
=
47.5%

Total debt to capitalization plus short-term debt plus notes payable ratio as of May 31, 2015:
(
$1,279,369
+
$9,753
+
$4,796
)
/
(
$2,692,848
+
$9,753
+
$4,796
)
=
47.8%

Current ratio as of May 31, 2015:
Current assets divided by current liabilities
$2,513,626
/
$781,426
=
3.2


Contact: Barbara Smith
Senior Vice President and CFO
214.689.4300