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8-K - 8-K - COMMERCIAL METALS Cocmc-8312016pr8xk.htm

Exhibit No. 99.1

News Release newsreleaselogoa01a04a02.jpg


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR EARNINGS

Irving, TX - October 27, 2016 - Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended August 31, 2016. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, earnings from continuing operations were $72.5 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, on net sales of $4.6 billion. This compares to earnings from continuing operations of $99.1 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, on net sales of $6.0 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. For the three months ended August 31, 2016, earnings from continuing operations were $1.0 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.2 billion compared to $12.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, on net sales of $1.4 billion for the three months ended August 31, 2015. Included in earnings from continuing operations were after-tax impairment charges on long-lived assets of $24.3 million in fiscal year 2016 and goodwill impairment charges of $4.6 million in fiscal year 2015.

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations was $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to $38.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $73.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to $80.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents increased approximately $32.2 million to end the year at $517.5 million. Including cash and available credit facilities, liquidity was approximately $1.1 billion at August 31, 2016.

Joe Alvarado, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, commented, "Despite continued margin pressure from imports both in the U.S. and Poland, we achieved many financial and operational successes during our 2016 fiscal year. In particular, our Americas Fabrication segment posted its highest fiscal year adjusted operating profit since 2008 and our International Mill segment had its most profitable fourth quarter since fiscal 2008. With $586.9 million in operating cash flow for the fiscal year, the highest since fiscal 2009, and an organization dedicated to focused execution, we are poised to face ongoing market challenges as we enter fiscal 2017."

On October 25, 2016, the board of directors of CMC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of CMC common stock for stockholders of record on November 9, 2016. The dividend will be paid on November 23, 2016.




(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 2)


Business Segments - Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2016 Review
Our Americas Recycling segment recorded adjusted operating loss of $45.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to adjusted operating loss of $13.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 loss was largely due to the $38.9 million pre-tax impairment charge related to long-lived assets in our Americas Recycling segment. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we recorded a $7.3 million pre-tax goodwill impairment charge upon completion of our annual goodwill impairment assessment. Ferrous shipments increased 2% while the average ferrous metal margin decreased 5%, in each case compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. Nonferrous shipments decreased 6% while the average nonferrous metal margin improved 11%, in each case compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Our Americas Mills segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $45.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to adjusted operating profit of $60.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The decrease in adjusted operating profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was due to a 4% decrease in total shipments and a 15% decrease in average metal margin compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The decrease in total shipments was driven by a 33,000 ton decrease in shipments of our higher margin finished products, including reinforcement bar ("rebar") and merchants, partially offset by a 6,000 ton increase in shipments of billets, in each case compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

Our Americas Fabrication segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $9.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to adjusted operating profit of $18.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The decrease in adjusted operating profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was due to a 4% decrease in total shipments and a 9% decrease in the average composite metal margin, in each case compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The margin compression was caused by selling prices falling to a greater degree than material costs.

Our International Mill segment recorded adjusted operating profit of $18.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to adjusted operating profit of $6.4 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. The current quarter's adjusted operating profit was the highest fourth quarter since fiscal 2008 and represented a $13.2 million increase over third quarter fiscal 2016. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, total shipments increased 4% compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year, coupled with a 3% increase in average metal margin.





(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 3)


Our International Marketing and Distribution segment recorded adjusted operating loss of $3.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to adjusted operating loss of $14.3 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. The $10.8 million decline in adjusted operating loss in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 was the result of increases in shipments for our raw materials division headquartered in the U.S. and our operations in Asia, coupled with increased average margins for our steel trading division headquartered in the U.S. and our operations in Europe. However, shipments for our steel trading division headquartered in the U.S. and our operations in Europe declined due to continued global steel overcapacity and weak oil and gas tubular demand. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, we made the decision for an orderly exit of our steel trading operation in Cardiff, Wales, UK, and this segment recorded an expense of approximately $2.2 million associated with this action.

Fiscal 2016 Full Year Review
Net earnings attributable to CMC for fiscal 2016 were $54.8 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. For the year ended August 31, 2016, net cash flow from operating activities was $586.9 million, earnings from continuing operations were $72.5 million and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $314.4 million. As of August 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $517.5 million, an increase of 7% from the end of our 2015 fiscal year.
 
Pursuant to our share repurchase program that was approved in October 2014, during fiscal 2016, we purchased approximately 2.3 million shares of our common stock for $30.6 million.

Loss from discontinued operations for fiscal year 2016 was $17.8 million, which primarily consisted of losses related to our Australian steel distribution business.
Outlook
Mr. Alvarado concluded, "Forward looking indicators we track point toward modest strength in the demand for our products, with a slow start to the fiscal year. One of our primary end use markets in the U.S. is non-residential construction, where spending was up 4% year over year in August. Additionally, the Architectural Billings Index for the southern U.S., an important geography for CMC, has steadily improved over the last several months. However, we continue to believe our operations will face pressure in volumes, pricing and margins due to high steel import activity into the U.S. and the strong U.S. dollar. We believe the increased import activity is a result of unfair trading practices by certain foreign producers which we are actively challenging through international trade cases. While global economies appear to be stabilizing, we see few indications of significant improvements in international steel markets due to overcapacity. As an organization we remain focused on navigating through these market challenges while staying committed to our long-term strategy. In the near term we will manage the items within our control, namely: controlling costs; prudent allocation of long-term capital and working capital; and cost savings through supply chain optimization.





(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 4)


"Historically, our first quarter has been a seasonally slower period as the construction season winds down before the onset of the winter months. We believe our Americas Mills and International Mill operations will remain stable, partially offset by margin compression in our Americas Fabrication business."

Conference Call
CMC invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its fourth quarter fiscal 2016 conference call today, Thursday, October 27, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. ET. Joe Alvarado, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Barbara Smith, COO, and Mary Lindsey, 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 broadcast are located on CMC's website under “Investors”.
    
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 CMC's expectations relating to economic conditions, U.S. construction activity, demand for finished steel products, the effects of global steel overcapacity and international trade, a strong U.S. dollar and CMC's operating plans and segment 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, CMC 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.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from CMC's expectations include the following: overall global economic conditions, including the ongoing recovery from the last recession, continued sovereign debt problems in the Euro-zone and construction activity or lack thereof, and their impact in a highly cyclical industry; rapid and significant changes in the price of metals, potentially impairing our inventory values due to declines in commodity prices; excess capacity in our industry, particularly in China, and product availability from competing steel mills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing; compliance with and changes in environmental laws and regulations, including increased regulation associated with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; potential limitations in our or our customers' ability to access credit and non-compliance by our customers with our contracts;




(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 5)


financial covenants and restrictions on the operation of our business contained in agreements governing our debt; currency fluctuations; global factors, including political uncertainties and military conflicts; availability of electricity and natural gas for mill operations; information technology interruptions and breaches in security data; ability to hire and retain key executives and other employees; our 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 or from competitors that have a lower cost structure or access to greater financial resources; losses or limited potential gains due to hedging transactions; litigation claims and settlements, court decisions, regulatory rulings and legal compliance risks; risk of injury or death to employees, customers or other visitors to our operations; and increased costs related to health care reform legislation.




(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 6)



COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
OPERATING STATISTICS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Three Months Ended
(short tons in thousands)
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
11/30/15
 
02/29/16
 
05/31/16
Americas Recycling
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ferrous tons shipped
423

 
417

 
1,614

 
1,778

 
389

 
379

 
423

Non-ferrous tons shipped
52

 
55

 
201

 
225

 
52

 
48

 
49

Americas Recycling tons shipped
475

 
472

 
1,815

 
2,003

 
441

 
427

 
472

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Steel Mills
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rebar shipments
411

 
435

 
1,631

 
1,644

 
394

 
364

 
462

Merchant and other shipments
247

 
250

 
999

 
1,043

 
246

 
244

 
262

Total Americas Steel Mills tons shipped
658

 
685

 
2,630

 
2,687

 
640

 
608

 
724

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average FOB selling price (total sales)
$
531

 
$
592

 
$
524

 
$
637

 
$
556

 
$
510

 
$
501

Average cost ferrous scrap utilized
$
234

 
$
244

 
$
207

 
$
282

 
$
198

 
$
179

 
$
213

Americas Steel Mills metal margin
$
297

 
$
348

 
$
317

 
$
355

 
$
358

 
$
331

 
$
288

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Mill
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tons shipped
341

 
328

 
1,254

 
1,226

 
278

 
282

 
353

Average FOB selling price (total sales)
$
409

 
$
444

 
$
391

 
$
480

 
$
408

 
$
363

 
$
378

Average cost ferrous scrap utilized
$
211

 
$
252

 
$
195

 
$
274

 
$
207

 
$
178

 
$
187

International Mill metal margin
$
198

 
$
192

 
$
196

 
$
206

 
$
201

 
$
185

 
$
191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Fabrication
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rebar shipments
284

 
294

 
1,028

 
1,026

 
249

 
225

 
270

Structural and post shipments
30

 
32

 
127

 
135

 
28

 
29

 
40

Total Americas Fabrication tons shipped
314

 
326

 
1,155

 
1,161

 
277

 
254

 
310

Americas Fabrication average selling price (excluding stock and buyout sales)
$
805

 
$
905

 
$
841

 
$
943

 
$
889

 
$
842

 
$
827






(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 7)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
FINANCIAL STATISTICS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Three Months Ended
(in thousands)
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
11/30/15
 
02/29/16
 
05/31/16
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Recycling
$
195,724

 
$
222,387

 
$
705,754

 
$
1,022,621

 
$
179,207

 
$
148,346

 
$
182,477

Americas Mills
381,406

 
441,295

 
1,498,848

 
1,841,812

 
384,532

 
336,429

 
396,481

Americas Fabrication
385,917

 
449,445

 
1,489,455

 
1,624,238

 
382,314

 
336,144

 
385,080

International Mill
147,842

 
153,855

 
517,186

 
626,251

 
120,448

 
107,458

 
141,438

International Marketing and Distribution
310,079

 
376,329

 
1,189,596

 
1,897,617

 
283,037

 
276,876

 
319,604

Corporate
2,973

 
(3,298
)
 
7,082

 
852

 
2,391

 
(2,867
)
 
4,585

Eliminations
(215,361
)
 
(228,517
)
 
(797,395
)
 
(1,024,786
)
 
(197,070
)
 
(182,689
)
 
(202,275
)
Total net sales
$
1,208,580

 
$
1,411,496

 
$
4,610,526

 
$
5,988,605

 
$
1,154,859

 
$
1,019,697

 
$
1,227,390

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating profit (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas Recycling
$
(45,113
)
 
$
(13,897
)
 
$
(61,284
)
 
$
(29,157
)
 
$
(6,548
)
 
$
(7,645
)
 
$
(1,978
)
Americas Mills
45,012

 
60,069

 
209,751

 
255,507

 
59,064

 
50,699

 
54,976

Americas Fabrication
9,638

 
18,654

 
68,602

 
22,424

 
21,345

 
14,825

 
22,794

International Mill
18,703

 
6,367

 
28,892

 
17,555

 
2,771

 
1,951

 
5,467

International Marketing and Distribution
(3,517
)
 
(14,293
)
 
(7,087
)
 
35,376

 
(2,169
)
 
(2,293
)
 
892

Corporate
(25,670
)
 
(22,319
)
 
(95,085
)
 
(77,832
)
 
(18,072
)
 
(28,801
)
 
(22,542
)
Eliminations
3,086

 
3,657

 
5,319

 
1,409

 
(330
)
 
1,232

 
1,331

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations
2,139

 
38,238

 
149,108

 
225,282

 
56,061

 
29,968

 
60,940

Adjusted operating profit (loss) from discontinued operations
(1,122
)
 
257

 
(17,798
)
 
(18,923
)
 
(522
)
 
(405
)
 
(15,749
)
Adjusted operating profit
$
1,017

 
$
38,495

 
$
131,310

 
$
206,359

 
$
55,539

 
$
29,563

 
$
45,191






(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 8)



COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands, except share data)
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
Net sales
$
1,208,580

 
$
1,411,496

 
$
4,610,526

 
$
5,988,605

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
1,040,485

 
1,253,793

 
3,974,513

 
5,311,756

Selling, general and administrative expenses
126,417

 
109,943

 
437,084

 
443,275

Impairment of assets
40,028

 
9,839

 
40,028

 
9,839

Interest expense
12,565

 
18,932

 
62,231

 
77,760

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 
11,480

 

 
1,219,495

 
1,392,507

 
4,525,336

 
5,842,630

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(10,915
)
 
18,989

 
85,190

 
145,975

Income taxes (benefit)
(11,865
)
 
6,744

 
12,647

 
46,844

Earnings from continuing operations
950

 
12,245

 
72,543

 
99,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes
(1,146
)
 
117

 
(17,949
)
 
(20,124
)
Income taxes (benefit)
(65
)
 
9

 
(168
)
 
(436
)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(1,081
)
 
108

 
(17,781
)
 
(19,688
)
 
 
 
 
 


 


Net earnings (loss)
(131
)
 
12,353

 
54,762

 
79,443

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to CMC
$
(131
)
 
$
12,353

 
$
54,762

 
$
79,443

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
$
0.01

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.63

 
$
0.85

Loss from discontinued operations
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.15
)
 
(0.17
)
Net earnings
$

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.48

 
$
0.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
$
0.01

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.62

 
$
0.84

Loss from discontinued operations
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.15
)
 
(0.17
)
Net earnings
$

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per share
$
0.12

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.48

 
$
0.48

Average basic shares outstanding
114,728,278

 
115,695,791

 
115,211,490

 
116,527,265

Average diluted shares outstanding
114,728,278

 
117,244,463

 
116,623,826

 
117,949,898







(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 9)



COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
August 31,
2016
 
August 31,
2015
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
517,544

 
$
485,323

Accounts receivable, net
765,784

 
900,619

Inventories, net
652,754

 
880,484

Other current assets
112,043

 
93,643

Current deferred tax assets

 
3,310

Assets of businesses held for sale

 
17,008

Total current assets
2,048,125

 
2,380,387

Net property, plant and equipment
895,049

 
883,650

Goodwill
66,373

 
66,383

Other assets
121,322

 
109,531

Total assets
$
3,130,869

 
$
3,439,951

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable-trade
$
243,532

 
$
260,984

Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit
5

 
41,473

Accrued expenses and other payables
264,112

 
290,677

Current maturities of long-term debt
313,469

 
10,110

Notes payable

 
20,090

Liabilities of businesses held for sale

 
5,276

Total current liabilities
821,118

 
628,610

Deferred income taxes
63,021

 
55,803

Other long-term liabilities
121,351

 
101,919

Long-term debt
757,948

 
1,272,245

Total liabilities
1,763,438

 
2,058,577

Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC
1,367,272

 
1,381,225

Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
159

 
149

Total equity
1,367,431

 
1,381,374

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
3,130,869

 
$
3,439,951






(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 10)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Year Ended August 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
54,762

 
$
79,443

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
126,940

 
132,779

Provision for losses on receivables, net
 
6,878

 
3,481

Share-based compensation
 
26,335

 
23,484

Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain
 
(7,597
)
 
(7,597
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
 
11,480

 

Deferred income taxes
 
(3,889
)
 
(13,071
)
Tax expense from stock plans
 
1,697

 
1,213

Net gain on sale of a subsidiary, cost method investment and other
 
(2,591
)
 
(8,489
)
Write-down of inventory
 
15,555

 
37,652

Asset impairments
 
55,793

 
14,610

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
142,510

 
206,633

Advance payments on sale of accounts receivable programs, net
 
(19,472
)
 
(117,753
)
Inventories
 
209,555

 
127,583

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables
 
(43,577
)
 
(180,517
)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities
 
12,486

 
14,010

Net cash flows from operating activities
 
586,865

 
313,461

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(163,332
)
 
(119,580
)
Increase in restricted cash
 
(21,777
)
 

Proceeds from the sale of subsidiaries
 
4,349

 
27,831

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other
 
5,113

 
14,925

Net cash flows used by investing activities
 
(175,647
)
 
(76,824
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Repayments on long-term debt
 
(211,394
)
 
(11,335
)
Decrease in documentary letters of credit, net
 
(41,468
)
 
(80,482
)
Cash dividends
 
(55,342
)
 
(55,945
)
Treasury stock acquired
 
(30,595
)
 
(41,806
)
Short-term borrowings, net change
 
(20,090
)
 
7,802

Debt issuance and extinguishment costs
 
(11,127
)
 

Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures
 
(6,034
)
 
(1,492
)
Tax expense from stock plans
 
(1,697
)
 
(1,213
)
Decrease in restricted cash
 
1

 
3,742

Contribution from noncontrolling interests
 
29

 
38

Net cash flows used by financing activities
 
(377,717
)
 
(180,691
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(1,280
)
 
(5,548
)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
32,221

 
50,398

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
485,323

 
434,925

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 
$
517,544

 
$
485,323





(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 11)


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)

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 from Continuing Operations is a non-GAAP financial measure. 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 from continuing operations should not be considered as an alternative to earnings from continuing operations or net earnings, as determined by GAAP. Management uses adjusted operating profit from continuing operations to evaluate the financial performance of CMC. 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
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Three Months Ended
(in thousands)
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
11/30/15
 
02/29/16
 
05/31/16
Earnings from continuing operations
$
950

 
$
12,245

 
$
72,543

 
$
99,131

 
$
25,633

 
$
10,849

 
$
35,111

Income taxes (benefit)
(11,865
)
 
6,744

 
12,647

 
46,844

 
11,772

 
2,064

 
10,676

Interest expense
12,565

 
18,932

 
62,231

 
77,760

 
18,304

 
16,625

 
14,737

Discounts on sales of accounts receivable
489

 
317

 
1,687

 
1,547

 
352

 
430

 
416

Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations
$
2,139

 
$
38,238

 
$
149,108

 
$
225,282

 
$
56,061

 
$
29,968

 
$
60,940


Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is the sum of 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 long-lived asset impairment charges, which are also non-cash. There were no net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, and the interim reporting periods therein. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations should not be considered an alternative to earnings from continuing operations or 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 from continuing operations provides relevant and useful information, which is often used by analysts, creditors and other interested parties in our industry. Additionally, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is the target benchmark for our annual and long-term cash incentive performance plans for management. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Three Months Ended
(in thousands)
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
08/31/16
 
08/31/15
 
11/30/15
 
02/29/16
 
05/31/16
Earnings from continuing operations
$
950

 
$
12,245

 
$
72,543

 
$
99,131

 
$
25,633

 
$
10,849

 
$
35,111

Interest expense
12,565

 
18,932

 
62,231

 
77,760

 
18,304

 
16,625

 
14,737

Income taxes (benefit)
(11,865
)
 
6,744

 
12,647

 
46,844

 
11,772

 
2,064

 
10,676

Depreciation and amortization
31,516

 
32,950

 
126,940

 
132,503

 
31,991

 
31,550

 
31,883

Impairment charges
39,952

 
9,651

 
40,028

 
9,839

 

 

 
76

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations
$
73,118

 
$
80,522

 
$
314,389

 
$
366,077

 
$
87,700

 
$
61,088

 
$
92,483






(CMC Year End 2016 - Page 12)


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.
 
 
August 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
Total Facility
 
Availability
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
517,544

 
$
517,544

Revolving credit facility
 
350,000

 
346,987

U.S. receivables sale facility
 
200,000

 
127,975

International accounts receivable sales facilities
 
81,250

 
66,927

Bank credit facilities — uncommitted
 
44,785

 
43,316

Total liquidity
 
$
1,193,579

 
$
1,102,749




Media Contact:
Susan Gerber
214.689.4300