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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 


 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

     FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

     FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO             

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9533

 


 

WORLD FUEL SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Florida   59-2459427
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9800 Northwest 41st Street, Suite 400

Miami, Florida

  33178
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code:  (305) 428-8000

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class:


 

Name of each exchange

on which registered:


Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 


 

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definite proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K  ¨.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨.

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock (which consists solely of shares of common stock) held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $364.3 million (computed by reference to the closing sale price as of March 2, 2004).

 

The registrant had 10,994,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, net of treasury stock, issued and outstanding as of March 2, 2004.

 

Documents incorporated by reference:

 

Part III—Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I.          
Item 1.   

Business

   1
Item 2.   

Properties

   5
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

   7
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   7
PART II.          
Item 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

   8
Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

   12
Item 7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   15
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   27
Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   27
Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   28
Item 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

   28
PART III.          
Item 10.   

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   28
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

   28
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

   28
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   28
Item 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   28
PART IV.          
Item 15.   

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

   29


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

Overview

 

World Fuel Services Corporation was incorporated in Florida in July 1984 and along with its consolidated subsidiaries is referred to collectively in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as “we,” “our” and “us.” Our principal business is the marketing of marine and aviation fuel services. In our marine fuel services business, we market marine fuel and related services to a broad base of international shipping companies and to the United States and foreign militaries. We offer 24-hour around-the-world service, credit terms, and competitively priced fuel. In our aviation fuel services business, we extend credit and provide around-the-world single-supplier convenience, 24-hour service, and competitively priced aviation fuel and other aviation related services, including fuel management and price risk management services, to passenger, cargo and charter airlines, as well as to the United States and foreign militaries. We also offer flight plans and weather reports to our corporate customers.

 

In August 2002, we changed our fiscal year-end from March 31st to a calendar year-end of December 31st. We initiated this change so we could be more directly comparable to other public companies that use a calendar year for their fiscal year. This change was first effective with respect to the nine months ended December 31, 2002. The results for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2001, presented in this Form 10-K for comparison, are unaudited.

 

Our executive offices are located at 9800 Northwest 41st Street, Suite 400, Miami, Florida 33178 and our telephone number at this address is (305) 428-8000. Our website is located at www.worldfuel.com. Our website and information contained on our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. A copy of our latest Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other SEC filings can be obtained, free of charge, on our website. These SEC filings are added to the website as soon as reasonably practicable. In addition, our Corporate Code of Ethics, Board of Directors’ committee charters, and Corporate Governance Principles are shown on our website.

 

Our marine fuel services business is conducted from offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Costa Rica, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. Our aviation fuel services business is conducted from offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Mexico, and Costa Rica. See “Item 2 - Properties” for a list of principal offices by business segment and “Exhibit 21 - Subsidiaries of the Registrant” included in this Form 10-K for a list of our subsidiaries.

 

Financial information with respect to our business segments and the geographic areas of our business is provided in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, included in this Form 10-K.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-K and the information incorporated by reference in it includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in these sections. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans and forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to our industry are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” or “intend” and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We cannot promise you that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Factors that impact such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, quarterly fluctuations in results; the management of growth; fluctuations in world oil prices or foreign currency; changes in political, economic, regulatory or environmental conditions; the loss of key customers, suppliers or members of senior management; uninsured losses; competition; credit risk associated with accounts and notes receivable; and other risks detailed in this Form 10-K and in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. A more detailed description of the principal risks in our business is set forth in “Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

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Description of Business

 

Our principal business is the marketing of marine fuel services to a broad base of international shipping companies and to the United States and foreign militaries, and of aviation fuel services to passenger, cargo and charter airlines, as well as to United States and foreign militaries. We currently employ a total of 401 people worldwide, of which 122 people are employed in our marine fuel business, 201 people are employed in our aviation fuel business, and 78 people are employed in corporate.

 

Marine Fuel Services

 

We market marine fuel and services to a broad base of customers, including international container and tanker fleets, time charter operators, as well as to United States and foreign military vessels. Marine fuel and related services are provided throughout most of the world under the following trade names: World Fuel, Trans-Tec, Bunkerfuels, Oil Shipping, Marine Energy, Norse Bunker, and Casa Petro.

 

Through our extensive network of strategically located sales offices, we provide our customers global market intelligence and rapid access to quality and competitively priced marine fuel, 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Our marine related services include management services for the procurement of fuel, cost control through the use of hedging instruments, quality control and claims management. Our customers need cost effective and professional fuel services because the cost of fuel is a major component of a vessel’s operating overhead.

 

As an increasing number of ship owners, time charter operators, and suppliers continue to outsource their marine fuel purchasing and/or marketing needs, our value added services have become an integral part of the oil and transportation industries’ push to shed non-core functions and reduce costs. Suppliers use our global sales, marketing and financial infrastructure to sell a spot or ratable volume of product to a diverse, international purchasing community. End customers use our real time analysis of the availability, quality, and price of marine fuels in ports worldwide to maximize their competitive position.

 

In our marine operations, we act as a broker and as a source of market information for the end user, negotiate the transaction by arranging the fuel purchase contract between the supplier and the end user, and expedite the arrangements for the delivery of fuel. For this service, we are paid a commission from the supplier. We also act as a reseller, when we purchase the fuel from a supplier, mark it up, and resell the fuel to a customer.

 

We purchase our marine fuel from suppliers worldwide. Our cost of fuel is generally tied to spot pricing, market-based formulas or is governmentally controlled. We are usually extended unsecured trade credit from our suppliers for our fuel purchases. However, certain suppliers require us to provide a letter of credit. We may prepay our fuel purchases to take advantage of financial discounts, or as required to transact business in certain countries.

 

We utilize subcontractors to provide various services to customers, including fueling of vessels in-port and at-sea, and transportation of fuel and fuel products.

 

During each of the periods presented on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income, none of our marine customers accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenue.

 

Aviation Fuel Services

 

We market aviation fuel and services to passenger, cargo and charter airlines, as well as corporate customers and the United States and foreign militaries. Our aviation related services include fuel management, price risk management, flight plans, weather reports, ground handling, and flight permits. We have developed an extensive network that enables us to provide aviation fuel and related services throughout most of the world under the following trade names: World Fuel, Baseops, Airdata, PetroServicios de Mexico, and PetroServicios de Costa Rica.

 

In general, the aviation industry is capital intensive and highly leveraged. Recognizing the financial risks of the airline industry, fuel suppliers generally refrain from extending unsecured lines of credit to smaller airlines and avoid doing business with smaller airlines directly. Consequently, most carriers are required to post a cash collateralized letter of credit or prepay for fuel purchases. This impacts the airlines’ working capital. We recognize that the extension of credit is a risk, but also a significant area of opportunity. Accordingly, we extend unsecured credit to most of our customers.

 

 

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We purchase our aviation fuel from suppliers worldwide. Our cost of fuel is generally tied to market-based formulas or is governmentally controlled. We are usually extended unsecured trade credit from our suppliers for our fuel purchases. However, certain suppliers require us to provide a letter of credit. We may prepay our fuel purchases to take advantage of financial discounts, or as required to transact business in certain countries.

 

Outside of the United States, we do not maintain fuel inventory since we arrange to have the fuel delivered into our customers’ aircraft directly from our suppliers. In the United States, fuel is delivered into our customers’ aircraft or designated storage directly from our suppliers or from our fuel inventory. Inventory is held at multiple locations in the United States for competitive reasons and inventory levels are kept at an operating minimum. We have arrangements with our suppliers and other third parties for the storage and delivery of fuel, and related aviation services.

 

We utilize subcontractors to provide various services to customers, including into-plane fueling at airports, and transportation and storage of fuel and fuel products.

 

During each of the periods presented on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income, none of our aviation customers accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenue.

 

Risk Factors

 

Credit Losses. Our marine and aviation fueling businesses extend unsecured credit to most of their customers. Part of our success in attracting business has been due, in part, to our willingness to extend credit on an unsecured basis to customers which exhibit a high credit risk profile and would otherwise be required to prepay or post letters of credit with their suppliers of fuel and related services. We recognize that extending credit and setting the appropriate reserves for receivables is largely a subjective decision based on knowledge of the customer and the industry. Active management of our credit risk is essential to our success. We do not insure our receivables. Diversification of credit risk is difficult since we sell primarily within the marine and aviation industries. Our sales executives and their respective staff meet regularly to evaluate credit exposure, in the aggregate and by individual credit. Credit exposure also includes the amount of estimated unbilled sales. We also have a credit committee for each of our segments. The credit committees are responsible for approving credit limits above certain amounts, setting and maintaining credit standards, and managing the overall quality of the credit portfolio. The level of credit granted to a customer is influenced by a customer’s credit history with us, including claims experience and payment patterns. In our marine fuel services segment, we have extended lines of credit of at least $5.0 million to 17 non-governmental customers, and four of these customers have lines of credit ranging from $10.0 to $14.0 million (currently, our largest credit lines). In our aviation fuel services segment, our largest credit line, extended to one non-governmental customer, is $4.0 million.

 

World oil prices have been very volatile over the last several years, and since fuel costs represent a significant part of a vessel’s and airline’s operating expenses, the volatility in fuel prices can adversely affect our customers’ business, and consequently our credit losses.

 

Although most of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars, many of our customers are non-U.S. customers and may be required to purchase U.S. dollars to pay for our products and services. A rapid devaluation in currency affecting our customers could have an adverse effect on our customers’ operations and their ability to convert local currency to U.S. dollars to make the required payments to us. This will in turn result in higher credit losses for us.

 

We may also incur credit losses due to other causes, including deteriorating conditions in the world economy, or in the shipping or aviation industries, and continued conflicts and instability in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, as well as potential future terrorist activities and possible military retaliation. Any credit losses, if significant, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

 

Senior Management. Our ability to maintain our competitive position is dependent largely on the services of our senior management and professional team. If we are unable to retain the existing senior management and professional personnel, or to attract other qualified senior management and professional personnel, our businesses will be adversely affected.

 

Revolving Line of Credit. We are a party to a credit facility agreement that imposes certain operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on the payment of dividends in excess of specified amounts. Our failure to comply with obligations under the credit agreement, including meeting certain financial ratios, could result in an event of default. An event of default, if not cured or waived, would permit acceleration of any outstanding indebtedness under the credit agreement, and impair our ability to receive advances and issue letters of credit, and may have a material adverse effect on us.

 

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Market Risks. We are a provider of marine fuel and related services to international container and tanker fleets, time charter operators, and the United States and foreign militaries. We also provide aviation fuel and related services primarily to secondary passenger and cargo airlines, as well as corporate customers and the United States and foreign militaries. Our fuel services are provided through relationships with the large independent oil suppliers, as well as government owned oil companies. We could be adversely affected by industry consolidation, on the customer side, because of increased merger activity in the airline and shipping industries. On the supply side, we could be adversely affected because of increased competition from the larger oil companies who may choose to directly market to smaller airlines and shipping companies or to provide less advantageous credit and price terms to us. Moreover, a rapid and sustained increase in fuel prices could affect the credit limits extended to us by our suppliers, potentially impacting our liquidity and profitability. Conversely, a rapid decline in fuel prices could adversely affect our profitability because of the inventory held by us in the United States.

 

We conduct the vast majority of our business transactions in U.S. dollars. However, in certain markets, primarily in Mexico, payments to our aviation fuel suppliers are denominated in local currency. In addition, in Mexico, payments from some of our customers are also denominated in local currency. This subjects us to foreign currency exchange risk, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We seek to minimize the risks from currency exchange rate fluctuations through our regular operating and financing activities.

 

Competition. We are subject to aggressive competition in all areas of our business. Our competitors are numerous, ranging from large multinational corporations to relatively small and specialized firms. We compete primarily on the basis of credit, price, reliability, customer service and support.

 

Environmental and Other Liabilities; Uninsured Risks. In the marine and aviation fuel segments, we utilize subcontractors to provide various services to customers, including into-plane fueling at airports, fueling of vessels in-port and at-sea, and transportation and storage of fuel and fuel products. We are subject to possible claims by customers, regulators and others who may be injured by a fuel spill or other accident. In addition, we may be held liable for damages to the environment arising out of such events. Although we generally require our subcontractors to carry liability insurance, not all subcontractors carry adequate insurance. Our marine business does not have liability insurance to cover the acts or omissions of our subcontractors. None of our liability insurance covers acts of war and terrorism. If we are held responsible for any acts of war or terrorism, accidents or other events, and our liability is not adequately covered by insurance and is of sufficient magnitude, our financial position and results of operations will be adversely affected.

 

We have exited several businesses which handled hazardous and non-hazardous waste. We treated and/or transported this waste to various disposal facilities. We may be held liable as a potentially responsible party for the clean-up of such disposal facilities, or be required to clean-up facilities previously operated by us, pursuant to current U.S. federal and state laws and regulations. See “Regulation” and “Item 3 – Legal Proceedings.”

 

We continuously review the adequacy of our insurance coverage. However, we lack coverage for various risks, including environmental claims. An uninsured claim arising out of our activities, if successful and of sufficient magnitude, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

 

Regulation

 

The principal laws and regulations affecting our businesses are as follows:

 

Environmental Regulations. Our activities, including discontinued operations, are subject to substantial regulation by federal, state and local government agencies, both in and outside the United States, which enforce laws and regulations governing the transportation, sale, storage and disposal of fuel and the collection, transportation, processing, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, including waste oil and petroleum products. For example, United States Federal and state environmental laws applicable to us include statutes that: (i) allocate the cost of remedying contamination among specifically identified parties, and prevent future contamination; (ii) impose national ambient standards and, in some cases, emission standards, for air pollutants which present a risk to public health or welfare; (iii) govern the management, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes; and (iv) regulate the discharge of pollutants into waterways. International treaties also prohibit the discharge of petroleum products at sea. The penalties for violations of environmental laws include injunctive relief, recovery of damages for injury to air, water or property, and fines for non-compliance. See “Risk Factors,” above, and “Item 3 – Legal Proceedings.”

 

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U.S. Federal, State, and Non-U.S. Taxes on Fuel. Our marine and aviation fueling operations are affected by various U.S. federal and state taxes imposed on the purchase and sale of marine and aviation fuel products. In the United States, federal law imposes a manufacturer’s excise tax on sales of marine and aviation fuel. Sales to aircraft and vessels engaged in non-U.S. trade are exempt from this tax. These exemptions may be realized either through tax-free or tax-reduced sales, if the seller qualifies as a producer under applicable regulations, or, if the seller does not so qualify, through a tax-paid sale followed by a refund to the exempt user. Several states, where we sell marine and aviation fuel, impose excise and sales taxes on fuel sales; certain sales of fuel by us qualify for full or partial exemptions from these state taxes. Non-U.S. jurisdictions also impose certain taxes on fuel, such as VAT and excise taxes. We continuously review our compliance with U.S. and non-U.S. laws which impose taxes on our operations. Sales and excise taxes on fuel are generally added to the sales price and passed on to our customers. However, in certain cases, we may be responsible for these taxes, including cases where the customer fails to reimburse us, or where the customer or we do not qualify for an exemption believed to be available at the time of the sale.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

The following pages set forth our principal leased properties by segment as of March 2, 2004. We consider our properties and facilities to be suitable and adequate for our present needs.

 

WORLD FUEL SERVICES CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES

PROPERTIES

 

Location


  

Principal Use


 

Lease Term


Corporate         

9800 Northwest 41st Street, Suite 400

Miami, FL 33178, United States

   Executive and administrative office   March 2013
Marine Fuel Services         

9800 Northwest 41st Street, Suite 400

Miami, FL 33178, United States

   Executive and administrative office   March 2013
Raritan Plaza III        January 2010

101 Fieldcrest Avenue Suite 2B

Edison, NJ 08837, United States

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

   

2 Greenwich Office Park

Greenwich, CT 06830, United States

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  December 2006

1101 Fifth Avenue, Suite 280

San Rafeal, CA 94901, United States

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  July 2008

101 Thomson Road #13-03/04

United Square, Singapore 307591

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  March 2005

Anglican Church Building, Room 403

3-7, Chung-dong, Chung-ku

Seoul 100-120 South Korea

   Sales office   June 2004

4th floor, Tozan Building, 4-4-2

Nihonbashi Hon-Cho, Chuo-Ku

Tokyo 103-0023, Japan

   Sales office   March 2005

Yam Tze Commercial Building, Unit A, 7th Floor

23 Thompson Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  March 2006

 

(Continued)

 

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WORLD FUEL SERVICES CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES

PROPERTIES

(Continued)

 

Location


  

Principal Use


 

Lease Term


Marine Fuel Services         

Poseidonos 60 Av., Third Floor

Glyfada 166-75 Athens, Greece

   Sales office   February 2005

The Foundry, 4th Floor, Unit 1, Cardiff Road

Green Point, South Africa 8001

   Sales office   August 2007
City Tower 1    Sales office   March 2005
Po Box 24676         
Dubai, United Arab Emirates         
Westminster Tower    Administrative, operations and   March 2010
3 Albert Embankment    sales office    
London SE1 75P         
Gammelbyved 2    Sales office   Month-to-month
Karise, Denmark 4653         
Vasteland 6    Administrative, operations and   Month-to-month
3011 BK Rotterdam, Netherlands    sales office    
Niels Juels gate 11 B    Administrative, operations and   February 2005
0272 Oslo, Norway    sales office    

Oficentro Ejécutivo La Sabana Sur, Edificio #5, Primer Piso

San José, Costa Rica

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  April 2005
Aviation Fuel Services         

9800 Northwest 41st Street, Suite 400

Miami, FL 33178

  

Executive, administrative,

operations, and sales office

  March 2013

333 Cypress Run #200

Houston, Texas 77094

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  January 2006

4995 East Anderson Avenue

Fresno, CA 93727

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  Month-to-month

101 Thomson Road #13-03/04

United Square, Singapore 307591

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  March 2005
Kingfisher House, Northwood Park, Gatwick Road    Administrative, operations and   December 2007
Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 2XN, United Kingdom    sales office    

Oficentro Ejécutivo La Sabana Sur, Edificio #5, Primer Piso

San José, Costa Rica

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  April 2005

Avenida Fuerza Aérea Mexicana No. 465

Colonia Federal, 15700 México, D.F.

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  Month-to-month

Slavjanskaya Business Center, 8th Floor

Europe Square 2, Moscow 121059, Russian Federation

  

Administrative, operations and

sales office

  November 2004

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

In July 2001, we settled litigation filed in February 2000 relating to a product theft off the coast of Nigeria. The settlement resulted in a recovery of $1.0 million. In the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income, the recovery was included as a non-recurring credit in Other income (expense), net for the nine months ended December 31, 2001 and for the year ended March 31, 2002.

 

In July 2001, we received a Summary Judgment from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida which ordered Donald F. Moorehead, Jr., Chairman of EarthCare Company (“EarthCare”) on such date, to pay us compensatory damages of approximately $5.0 million, plus interest from May 1, 2001. This judgment relates to Mr. Moorehead’s default on his agreement to purchase all of the EarthCare stock owned by us for approximately $5.0 million. We received the EarthCare stock as part payment for the sale of our oil-recycling operations in February 2000. We had been pursing collection of this judgment, which included obtaining a court appointed receiver, and we received principal and interest payments totaling $1.1 million from Mr. Moorehead from August 2001 to August 2002. Then, in October 2002, we received $3.0 million as a final payment to settle the remaining balance due on our judgment. Accordingly, in connection with the settlement, we recorded a non-recurring charge of approximately $1.6 million, which included $346 thousand of related legal and receiver fees, for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the nine months ended December 31, 2002.

 

In April 2001, Miami-Dade County, Florida (the “County”) filed suit (the “County Suit”) against 17 defendants to seek reimbursement for the cost of remediating environmental contamination at Miami International Airport (the “Airport”). Page Avjet Fuel Corporation, now known as PAFCO L.L.C. (“PAFCO”), is a defendant. We acquired a 50% interest in PAFCO from Signature Flight Support Corporation (“Signature”) in December 2000. Pursuant to the PAFCO acquisition agreement, Signature agreed to indemnify us for all PAFCO liabilities arising prior to the closing date (“Closing”). Because the Airport contamination occurred prior to Closing, we believe that the County Suit is covered by Signature’s indemnification obligation. We have notified Signature of the County Suit, as stipulated in the acquisition agreement. We expect Signature to defend this claim on behalf of PAFCO and at Signature’s expense.

 

Also in April 2001, the County sent a letter to approximately 250 potentially responsible parties (“PRP’s”), including World Fuel Services Corporation and one of our subsidiaries, advising them of their potential liability for the clean-up costs which are the subject of the County Suit. The County has threatened to add the PRP’s as defendants in the County Suit, unless they agree to share in the cost of the environmental clean-up at the Airport. In May 2001, we advised the County that: (1) neither we nor any of our subsidiaries were responsible for any environmental contamination at the Airport, and (2) to the extent we or any of our subsidiaries were so responsible, our liability was subject to indemnification by the County pursuant to the indemnity provisions contained in our lease agreement with the County.

 

We intend to vigorously defend all claims asserted by the County relating to environmental contamination at the Airport. We believe our liability in these matters (if any) should be adequately covered by the indemnification obligations of Signature as to PAFCO, and the County as to World Fuel Services Corporation and our other subsidiaries.

 

There can be no assurance that we will prevail on the above legal proceedings and management cannot estimate the exposure if we do not prevail. A ruling against us in any of the proceedings described above may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

In addition to the matters described above, we are also involved in litigation and administrative proceedings primarily arising in the normal course of our business. In the opinion of management, except as set forth above, our liability, if any, under any other pending litigation or administrative proceedings, will not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

No matter was submitted to a vote of shareholders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol INT. In August 2002, our stock was delisted from the Pacific Stock Exchange, as requested by us and approved by our Board of Directors.

 

The following table sets forth, for each quarter within 2003 and 2002, the closing sales prices of our common stock as reported by the NYSE.

 

     Price

     High

   Low

Year ended December 31, 2003

             

First quarter

   $ 21.04    $ 19.70

Second quarter

     24.77      19.67

Third quarter

     28.40      23.43

Fourth quarter

     34.00      28.30

Year ended December 31, 2002

             

First quarter

   $ 19.97    $ 16.08

Second quarter

     24.40      19.00

Third quarter

     23.88      18.70

Fourth quarter

     23.89      19.10

 

As of March 2, 2004, there were 263 shareholders of record of our common stock, and the closing price of our stock on the NYSE was $34.69.

 

The following table sets forth the amount, the declaration date, record date, and payment date for each quarterly dividend declared in 2003 and 2002.

 

    

Per Share

Amount


  

Declaration Date


  

Record Date


  

Payment Date


Year ended December 31, 2003

                     

First quarter

   $ 0.075    February 28, 2003    March 14, 2003    April 3, 2003

Second quarter

     0.075    June 2, 2003    June 20, 2003    July 3, 2003

Third quarter

     0.075    September 1, 2003    September 19, 2003    October 2, 2003

Fourth quarter

     0.075    December 1, 2003    December 19, 2003    January 2, 2004

Year ended December 31, 2002

                     

First quarter

   $ 0.075    March 1, 2002    March 15, 2002    April 4, 2002

Second quarter

     0.075    May 31, 2002    June 14, 2002    July 2, 2002

Third quarter

     0.075    August 30, 2002    September 13, 2002    October 3, 2002

Fourth quarter

     0.075    November 29, 2002    December 13, 2002    January 3, 2003

 

Our credit facility agreement restricts the payment of cash dividends to a maximum of 35% of net income for the preceding four quarters. The payments of the above dividends were in compliance with the credit facility agreements. For additional information, see Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, included herein, and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” On February 24, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share for 2004.

 

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Common Stock Grants

 

Pursuant to a stock grant program for our non-employee directors; an annual non-restricted stock grant of 1,000 shares of our common stock is given to each non-employee director. Prior to 2003, each non-employee director was granted 500 shares of our common stock. In 2003, we adopted a Stock Deferral Plan for non-employee directors to provide for the deferral of the non-restricted stock grants. Each non-employee director may elect to have his or her annual non-restricted stock grants paid in stock units, in lieu of stock, with each stock unit being equivalent to one share of our common stock and deferred as provided in the Stock Deferral Plan. As of each cash dividend payment date with respect to common stock, each participant within the Stock Deferral Plan shall have credited to his or her account, as maintained by the company, a number of stock units equal to the quotient obtained by dividing: (a) the product of (i) the cash dividend payable with respect to each share of common stock on such date; and (ii) the total number of stock units credited to his or her account as of the close of business on the record date applicable to such dividend payment date, by (b) the fair market value of one share of common stock on such dividend payment date. The payment of the total number of stock units credited to the participant’s account with an equal number of shares of common stock shall be made in a single distribution upon the participant’s termination of service as a director of the company for any reason or upon a change of control of the company, as defined in the Stock Deferral Plan.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003, we granted to our non-employee directors 4,000 shares of our common stock and 3,025 stock units. For the nine months ended December 31, 2002 and the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2001, we issued 3,500 shares, 3,000 shares and 2,500 shares, respectively, of our common stock to our non-employee directors. In addition, two non-employee directors each received an additional 300 shares of our common stock in September 2002, and one non-employee director received an additional 1,000 shares of our common stock, for additional services performed by such individuals for their respective Board of Directors committees.

 

Treasury Stock

 

Our Board of Directors, from time to time, has authorized certain stock repurchase programs whereby we could repurchase our common stock, subject to certain restrictions pursuant to our credit facility. The following summarizes the status of our treasury stock repurchase programs at December 31, 2003 (in thousands, except average price per share data):

 

    

Authorized

Stock

Repurchases


   Repurchases

  

Remaining

Authorized

Stock

Repurchases


Repurchase Programs


      Shares

  

Aggregate

Cost


  

Average

Price


  

August 1998

   $ 6,000    616    $ 6,000    $ 9.74    $ —  

January 2000

     10,000    1,391      10,000      7.19      —  

September 2000

     10,000    368      3,987      10.83      6,013
           
  

             
            2,375    $ 19,987              
           
  

             

 

Prior to August 1998, with the approval from our Board of Directors, we acquired approximately 22 thousand shares of our common stock with an aggregate cost of $194 thousand.

 

Our Board of Directors also resolved that the repurchased shares may be reissued for any proper corporate purpose, including without limitation, future acquisitions. In March 2002, we began reissuing our repurchased shares in connection with restricted stock grants to employees, non-restricted stock grants to non-employee directors, and exercises of stock options by employee and non-employee directors. The difference between the aggregate cost of the repurchased shares and the fair value of our common stock at the date of grant of restricted and non-restricted stock or the proceeds from the employee and non-employee stock option exercises is recorded in Capital in excess of par value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2003, we have reissued 424 thousand shares of treasury stock with an aggregate cost of $3.6 million.

 

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Employee Stock Options, Non-Employee Directors Stock Options, and Restricted Common Stock

 

In 1986, our shareholders approved the 1986 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “1986 Plan”), as amended. The 1986 Plan expired in 1996. Options granted under the 1986 Plan, but not yet exercised, survive the 1986 Plan until the options expire. Outstanding options at December 31, 2003 under the 1986 Plan expire between January 2005 and March 2005.

 

In 1997, our shareholders approved the 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”), as amended. The 1996 Plan was replaced by the 2001 Omnibus Plan (the “2001 Plan”). Options granted under the 1996 Plan, but not yet exercised, survive the 1996 Plan until the options expire. Outstanding options at December 31, 2003 under the 1996 Plan expire between August 2006 and October 2011.

 

The 2001 Plan was approved by our shareholders in August 2001 and provides a total of 500 thousand shares of our common stock for issuance to our employees. The 2001 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). Additional shares of our common stock that may be granted under the 2001 Plan include any shares of our common stock that are available for future grant under any of our prior stock option plans, and any stock or options granted under the 2001 Plan or any prior plans that are forfeited, expired or canceled. Furthermore, pursuant to the 2001 Plan and upon our Board of Directors’ authorization in January 2002, any shares of our common stock that are reacquired by us in the open market or in private transactions after the effective date of the 2001 Plan, were added to the limitation on the total shares of our common stock which may be issued under the 2001 Plan. As of December 31, 2003, we have repurchased approximately 259 thousand shares since the 2001 Plan’s effective date, and accordingly increased the total number of shares of our common stock which may be delivered to participants in the 2001 Plan by the same number of shares. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2003, the aggregate limit on the total shares of our common stock which may be issued under the 2001 Plan was approximately 797 thousand shares, of which 604 thousand shares are subject to options already issued and an additional 152 thousand shares have been issued as restricted common stock grants. Unvested restricted common stock of 140 thousand shares, at December 31, 2003, will vest between October 2004 and August 2008.

 

Under the provisions of the 2001 Plan, the Compensation Committee is authorized to grant common stock, which can be restricted, or stock options which can be “qualified” or “nonqualified” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or stock appreciation rights, or other stock or non-stock-based awards, including but not limited to stock units, performance units, or dividend equivalent payments. The 2001 Plan is unlimited in duration and, in the event of its termination, the 2001 Plan will remain in effect as long as any of the above items granted by the Compensation Committee are outstanding; provided, however, that no awards may be granted under the 2001 Plan after August 2006. The term and vesting period of awards granted under the 2001 Plan is established by the Compensation Committee, but in no event shall stock options or stock appreciation rights remain exercisable after the five-year anniversary of the date of grant. Outstanding options at December 31, 2003 under the 2001 Plan expire between September 2006 and September 2008.