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8-K - 8-K - Intrepid Potash, Inc.q320148-k.htm
Intrepid Potash Announces Third Quarter 2014 Results
Delivered Strong Sales Volume at Sequentially Higher Prices
Record September Rainfall Elevated Production Costs

DENVER; Oct. 29, 2014 - Intrepid Potash Inc. (Intrepid) (NYSE: IPI) today announced financial results and operating highlights for its third quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Financial results for the third quarter of 2014 include:

Potash sales volume up 46% in the third quarter and 34% for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same periods last year.

Trio® sales volume up 95% in the third quarter and 47% for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the same periods last year.

Net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared with net income of $2.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2013.

Adjusted net loss(1) of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared with adjusted net income of $3.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2013.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $20.5 million, compared with $20.3 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Results in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 included a lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustment of $3.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively, compared with $2.1 million during each of the same periods in 2013.

Cash flow from operating activities of $104.8 million for the first nine months of 2014, compared with $62.1 million in the comparable period of 2013. Cash paid for capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2014 was $55.3 million.

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $73.9 million at September 30, 2014.

"I am pleased that Intrepid delivered strong adjusted EBITDA and cash flow in the quarter driven by our strong sales volumes and sequentially higher average prices. We achieved this through our well designed close-to-the-customer strategy which involves a thoughtful approach to serving a diverse set of customers in locations where we have a freight advantage and our





objective of selling all the product we produce. By successfully executing on this strategy, we were able to navigate the challenging railroad logistics to maximize sales volumes during this period of strong demand. We believe that we will continue to earn the highest average net realized sales price(1) in North America,” said Robert Jornayvaz, Intrepid's co-founder, Executive Chairman, President and CEO.

In Carlsbad, New Mexico, as a result of the unprecedented rainfall in September, Intrepid voluntarily shut down its East facility for six days and all of Intrepid's Carlsbad facilities were periodically without power supply due to regional outages. As a result, Intrepid's third quarter production was lower than expected and the corresponding cash operating costs per ton(1) for potash and Trio® were higher than expected. The elevated cash operating costs for potash added to the lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustment, leading to the net loss for the quarter.

Third quarter 2014 highlights include:

Potash

Average net realized sales price per ton was $336 ($370 per metric tonne), a 2% increase from the previous quarter. Last year's third quarter average net realized sales price was $363 per ton ($400 per metric tonne).

Cash operating costs were $204 per ton compared with $198 per ton in the third quarter of 2013.

Potash sales volume was 227,000 tons in the third quarter, up 46% from the same quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, potash sales volume of 705,000 tons increased 34% from the comparable period of 2013.

Potash production was 194,000 tons, up 16% compared with the same period a year ago. In the first nine months of this year, production volume was 605,000 tons, an increase of 6% from the first nine months of 2013.

The growth in sales volume year over year is attributable to Intrepid's ability to meet customer demand and make timely shipments. Intrepid successfully utilizes strategically located facilities, truck markets, and field warehouses to implement its close-to-the-customer sales strategy and to minimize the impact of domestic rail challenges.

In the third quarter, on a per ton basis for potash, Intrepid's cash operating costs and cost of goods sold increased both year over year and sequentially. While these increases were expected from previously scheduled maintenance, the weather event amplified the increases.
  
The full-year 2014 outlook for cash operating costs per ton and total cost of goods sold per ton for potash have been increased slightly from the previous outlook to reflect the elevated costs in the third quarter. Intrepid's continued expectation is for per ton potash cash operating costs and





total cost of goods sold to benefit in the fourth quarter from the second, larger harvest from the HB Solar Solution mine.

Langbeinite - Trio® 

Average net realized sales price per ton for langbeinite, which is marketed as Trio®, in the third quarter was $351 ($387 per metric tonne), relatively flat compared with the second quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2013.

Cash operating costs were $206 per ton, meaningfully improved from $243 per ton in the third quarter of 2013. Cash operating costs were up 7% sequentially from the second quarter of 2014.

Trio® sales volume was 43,000 tons, up from 22,000 tons for the same period in the prior year. Sales volume for the first nine months of this year increased 47% to 141,000 tons compared with the same period in 2013.

Production was 34,000 tons compared with 40,000 tons in the third quarter of 2013.

Demand for granular- and premium-sized Trio® is strong, yielding solid increases in sales volume for the quarter and year to date with relatively stable pricing trends that reflect the value customers place on this specialty fertilizer.

Trio®, which is produced solely at the East facility, experienced sequentially lower production volume and a correlating increase in per ton cash operating costs and cost of goods sold in the third quarter mostly due to shutdowns for weather and scheduled maintenance.

Market conditions and outlook:

Intrepid expects to continue to achieve strong potash sales for the remainder of this year while sustaining its average net realized sales price advantage. Intrepid drives sales and realized price success by placing product forward in the market ahead of demand, by serving markets where a freight advantage exists, and by selling a diverse set of products to end users across the agricultural, industrial and feed markets.

Fourth quarter demand and pricing have remained solid as positive market conditions persist, and as the Canadian producers announced another $20 per ton price increase in early October. Based on the nine month sales volume and the level of committed sales in the fourth quarter, Intrepid has tightened its potash sales volume guidance and expects pricing in the fourth quarter to be relatively consistent with levels realized in the third quarter.

Intrepid has three solar solution facilities located where the arid climate is conducive for evaporation allowing these facilities to operate at relatively low production costs. In the solar solution mining process, rates of evaporation and precipitation are key variables in the timing





and amount of production. As a result of the third quarter 2014 abnormal rainfall levels, Intrepid expects combined production volume from its solar solution properties in 2015 to be similar to 2014 volume. At this expected production level, Intrepid’s 2015 company-wide cash operating costs per ton for potash are currently expected to approximate the full-year 2014 guidance. The potash production gains from HB in 2015 will be offset by lower production at Wendover, which is Intrepid’s lowest cost facility.

Intrepid's outlook for the full year of 2014 is presented below. This information is Intrepid's best estimate at the current time and will be impacted by actual market conditions, results of operations, and production results.

 
 
 
Full-Year
 
 
 
2014
Potash
 
 
 
Production (tons)
 
 
850,000 - 860,000
Sales (tons)
 
 
900,000 - 910,000
Cash operating costs ($/ton)
 
 
$195 - $205
Total COGS ($/ton)
 
 
$275 - $285
 
 
 
 
Trio®
 
 
 
Production (tons)
 
 
145,000 - 155,000
Sales (tons)
 
 
175,000 - 185,000
Cash operating costs ($/ton)
 
 
$195 - $205
Total COGS ($/ton)
 
 
$275 - $285
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
 
$5.5 - $6.5 million
Depreciation, depletion, and accretion
 
 
$77 - $81 million
Selling and administrative expense (excludes approximately $1.8 million of restructuring charges in the first quarter)
 
 
$26 - $28 million
Capital investment
 
 
$40 - $50 million

Notes

(1) Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA), average net realized sales price per ton, and per ton cash operating costs are non-GAAP financial measures. See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this press release for additional information.

Unless expressly stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to “tons” in this press release refer to short tons. One short ton equals 2,000 pounds. One metric tonne, which many international competitors use, equals 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds.






Conference Call Information

A teleconference to discuss the quarter is scheduled for October 30, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The dial in number is 800-319-4610 for U.S. and Canada, and is 631-982-4565 for other countries. A recording of the conference call will be available two hours after the completion of the call at 800-319-6413 for U.S. and Canada, or 631-883-6842 for other countries. The replay of the call will require the input of the conference identification number 763324. The call will also be streamed on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com. An audio recording of the conference call will be available at www.intrepidpotash.com through December 1, 2014.

About Intrepid

Intrepid (NYSE: IPI) is the largest producer of potash in the U.S. and is dedicated to the production and marketing of potash, which is essential for healthy crop development; and Trio®, a specialty fertilizer supplying three key nutrients, potassium, magnesium and sulfate, in a single particle. Intrepid owns six active production facilities across New Mexico and Utah. Intrepid is unique in the U.S. in its utilization of low-cost solar solution mining at three of its facilities, including the newly constructed HB Solar Solution mine.

Intrepid routinely posts important information, including information about upcoming investor presentations and press releases, on its website under the Investor Relations tab. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll on the Intrepid website,
www.intrepidpotash.com to receive automatic email alerts or Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements - that is, statements about future, not past, events. The forward-looking statements in this document often relate to our future performance and management's expectations for the future, including statements about our financial outlook. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are uncertain. For us, the particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our forward-looking statements include the following:

changes in the price, demand, or supply of potash or Trio®/langbeinite
circumstances that disrupt or limit our production, including operational difficulties or operational variances due to geological or geotechnical variances
interruptions in rail or truck transportation services, or fluctuations in the costs of these services
increased labor costs or difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified employees and contractors, including workers with mining, mineral processing, or construction expertise





the costs of, and our ability to successfully construct, commission, and execute, any of our strategic projects
adverse weather events, including events affecting precipitation and evaporation rates at our solar solution mines
changes in the prices of raw materials, including chemicals, natural gas, and power
the impact of federal, state, or local governmental regulations, including environmental and mining regulations; the enforcement of those regulations; and governmental policy changes
our ability to obtain any necessary governmental permits relating to the construction and operation of assets
changes in our reserve estimates
competition in the fertilizer industry
declines or changes in U.S. or world agricultural production or fertilizer application rates
declines in the use of potash products by oil and gas companies in their drilling operations
changes in economic conditions
our ability to comply with covenants in our debt-related agreements to avoid a default under those agreements, or the total amount available to us under our credit facility is reduced, in whole or in part, because of covenant limitations
disruption in the credit markets
our ability to secure additional federal and state potash leases to expand our existing mining operations
the other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q

In addition, new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make.

All information in this document speaks as of October 29, 2014. New information or events after that date may cause our forward-looking statements in this document to change. We have no duty to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to conform the statements to actual results or to reflect new information or future events.

Contact:
Gary Kohn, Investor Relations        
Phone: 303-996-3024
Email: gary.kohn@intrepidpotash.com







INTREPID POTASH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Sales
 
$
102,280

 
$
70,569

 
$
312,104

 
$
262,506

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Freight costs
 
10,925

 
5,952

 
32,616

 
20,575

Warehousing and handling costs
 
3,270

 
2,854

 
9,070

 
9,527

Cost of goods sold
 
77,794

 
46,780

 
235,750

 
155,556

Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments
 
3,403

 
2,080

 
8,110

 
2,092

Gross Margin
 
6,888

 
12,903

 
26,558

 
74,756

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative
 
6,466

 
7,921

 
20,276

 
26,052

Accretion of asset retirement obligation
 
405

 
375

 
1,217

 
1,124

Restructuring expense
 

 

 
1,827

 

Other operating expense (income)
 
2

 
2,921

 
(3,249
)
 
1,752

Operating Income
 
15

 
1,686

 
6,487

 
45,828

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(1,632
)
 
(248
)
 
(4,569
)
 
(680
)
Interest income
 
35

 
165

 
110

 
380

Other income (expense)
 
343

 
73

 
803

 
(1,747
)
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes
 
(1,239
)
 
1,676

 
2,831

 
43,781

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
 
3

 
350

 
1,139

 
(15,519
)
Net (Loss) Income
 
$
(1,236
)
 
$
2,026

 
$
3,970

 
$
28,262

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
75,528,235

 
75,394,377

 
75,496,365

 
75,372,879

Diluted
 
75,528,235

 
75,404,138

 
75,611,070

 
75,394,731

(Loss) Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.05

 
0.37

Diluted
 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.05

 
0.37




7



INTREPID POTASH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND DECEMBER 31, 2013
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
70,833

 
$
394

Short-term investments
 
3,019

 
15,214

Accounts receivable:
 
 
 
 
Trade, net
 
32,558

 
20,837

Other receivables
 
5,662

 
7,457

Refundable income taxes
 
527

 
15,722

Inventory, net
 
78,676

 
105,011

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
5,456

 
5,653

Current deferred tax asset
 
5,228

 
8,341

Total current assets
 
201,959

 
178,629

 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties, net
 
799,095

 
826,569

Long-term parts inventory, net
 
15,248

 
12,469

Long-term investments
 
1

 
9,505

Other assets, net
 
4,134

 
4,252

Non-current deferred tax asset
 
146,987

 
143,849

Total Assets
 
$
1,167,424

 
$
1,175,273

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable:
 
 
 
 
Trade
 
$
17,905

 
$
27,552

Related parties
 
233

 
50

Accrued liabilities
 
20,037

 
29,845

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
13,680

 
9,122

Other current liabilities
 
1,171

 
2,059

Total current liabilities
 
53,026

 
68,628

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
150,000

 
150,000

Asset retirement obligation
 
21,051

 
19,959

Other non-current liabilities
 
2,784

 
2,715

Total Liabilities
 
226,861

 
241,302

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 75,528,235 and
 
 
 
 
75,405,410 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively
 
76

 
75

Additional paid-in capital
 
575,225

 
572,616

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
2

 
(10
)
Retained earnings
 
365,260

 
361,290

Total Stockholders' Equity
 
940,563

 
933,971

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
1,167,424

 
$
1,175,273




8



INTREPID POTASH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
 
$
(1,236
)
 
$
2,026

 
$
3,970

 
$
28,262

Deferred income taxes
 
(3
)
 
773

 
(31
)
 
16,299

Items not affecting cash:
 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion, and accretion
 
20,107

 
15,561

 
59,630

 
44,040

Stock-based compensation
 
689

 
1,204

 
3,220

 
3,881

Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments
 
3,404

 
2,080

 
8,110

 
2,092

Other
 
224

 
751

 
172

 
2,112

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable, net
 
478

 
10,428

 
(11,722
)
 
6,114

Other receivables, net
 
(560
)
 
2,249

 
1,794

 
757

Refundable income taxes
 
14,207

 
(1,123
)
 
15,196

 
(1,199
)
Inventory, net
 
2,936

 
(20,763
)
 
15,446

 
(39,373
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(1,855
)
 
(2,765
)
 
(3
)
 
(1,273
)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued employee
compensation and benefits
 
10,702

 
4,658

 
9,995

 
1,253

Other liabilities
 
(107
)
 
(396
)
 
(942
)
 
(838
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
48,986

 
14,683

 
104,835

 
62,127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties
 
(10,186
)
 
(62,468
)
 
(55,325
)
 
(186,227
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties
 

 
40

 

 
108

Purchases of investments
 

 
(1
)
 
(7
)
 
(80,235
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
 
964

 
10,824

 
21,547

 
32,663

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(9,222
)
 
(51,605
)
 
(33,785
)
 
(233,691
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 

 

 

 
150,000

Debt issuance costs
 

 
(429
)
 

 
(1,032
)
Employee tax withholding paid for restricted stock upon vesting
 

 

 
(611
)
 
(577
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 

 
(429
)
 
(611
)
 
148,391

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
39,764

 
(37,351
)
 
70,439

 
(23,173
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
 
31,069

 
47,797

 
394

 
33,619

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
70,833

 
$
10,446

 
$
70,833

 
$
10,446


9




INTREPID POTASH, INC.
SELECTED OPERATIONS DATA (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Production volume (in thousands of tons):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
194

 
167

 
605

 
571

   Langbeinite
 
34

 
40

 
109

 
136

Sales volume (in thousands of tons):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
227

 
156

 
705

 
525

   Trio®
 
43

 
22

 
141

 
96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross sales (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
$
84,142

 
$
61,170

 
$
253,443

 
$
222,142

   Trio®
 
18,138

 
9,399

 
58,661

 
40,364

   Total
 
102,280

 
70,569

 
312,104

 
262,506

Freight costs (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
7,846

 
4,499

 
23,003

 
14,316

   Trio®
 
3,079

 
1,453

 
9,613

 
6,259

   Total
 
10,925

 
5,952

 
32,616

 
20,575

Net sales (in thousands)(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
76,296

 
56,671

 
230,440

 
207,826

   Trio®
 
15,059

 
7,946

 
49,048

 
34,105

   Total
 
$
91,355

 
$
64,617

 
$
279,488

 
$
241,931

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Potash statistics (per ton):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Average net realized sales price(1)
 
$
336

 
$
363

 
$
327

 
$
396

   Cash operating costs(1)(2) 
 
204

 
198

 
199

 
182

   Depreciation and depletion
 
73

 
54

 
68

 
49

   Royalties
 
12

 
1

 
11

 
12

      Total potash cost of goods sold
 
$
289

 
$
253

 
$
278

 
$
243

   Warehousing and handling costs
 
12

 
16

 
11

 
15

      Average potash gross margin(1)
 
$
35

 
$
94

 
$
38

 
$
138

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trio® statistics (per ton):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Average net realized sales price(1)
 
$
351

 
$
353

 
$
348

 
$
354

   Cash operating costs(1)
 
206

 
243

 
202

 
194

   Depreciation and depletion
 
59

 
61

 
60

 
54

   Royalties
 
18

 
18

 
17

 
18

      Total Trio® cost of goods sold
 
$
283

 
$
322

 
$
279

 
$
266

   Warehousing and handling costs
 
12

 
17

 
10

 
15

      Average Trio® gross margin(1)
 
$
56

 
$
14

 
$
59

 
$
73


(1) Net sales, average net realized sales price, cash operating costs and average gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this press release for additional information.
(2) On a per ton basis, by-product credits were $7 and $7 for the third quarter of 2014, and 2013, respectively. By-product credits were $1.6 million and $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2014, and 2013, respectively. On a per ton basis, by-product credits were $7 and $8 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively. By-product credits were $4.7 million and $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Cash operating costs and GAAP total cost of goods sold are shown net of by-product credits.

10


INTREPID POTASH, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use several non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and evaluate our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted EBITDA, net sales, average net realized sales price, cash operating costs, average potash and Trio® gross margin, and free cash flow. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures varies among companies, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors for analysis of our business. We also refer to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the potash mining industry. Many investors use the published research reports of these professional research analysts and others in making investment decisions.

Below is additional information about our non-GAAP financial measures, including, if applicable, reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures:

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share

Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated as net income or earnings per diluted share adjusted for certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period. These items include, among others, restructuring expenses and reversal of the allowance associated with the employment-related high wage tax credits in New Mexico. We consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be useful because they allow for period-to-period comparisons of our operating results excluding items that we believe are not indicative of our fundamental ongoing operations.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Income (Loss)
$
(1,236
)
 
$
2,026

 
$
3,970

 
$
28,262

Adjustments

 

 

 

     Allowance for New Mexico employment credits(1)

 
2,811

 
(2,563
)
 
2,811

     Restructuring expense

 

 
1,827

 

     Loss on settlement of pension obligation termination

 

 

 
1,871

     Compensating tax refund

 

 

 
(1,705
)
     Calculated income tax effect(2)

 
(1,124
)
 
294

 
(1,191
)
     Change in blended state tax rate

 


 

 

        to value deferred income tax asset

 

 

 
1,260

          Total adjustments

 
1,687

 
(442
)
 
3,046

Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
$
(1,236
)
 
$
3,713

 
$
3,528

 
$
31,308


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(1) In the third quarter of 2013, Intrepid received notification that its application for certain New Mexico employment-related high wage tax credits had been denied and established a pre-tax, non-cash allowance of approximately $2.8 million for the credits relating to the denied periods. In March of 2014, Intrepid received notification from the State of New Mexico that the vast majority of the credits will be allowed and therefore has reversed most of the allowance to reflect the expected amount of cash to be received.
(2) Assumes an annual effective tax rate of 40%.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.37

Adjustments
 
 
 
 

 

     Allowance for New Mexico employment credits

 
0.04

 
(0.03
)
 
0.04

     Restructuring expense

 

 
0.02

 

     Loss on settlement of pension obligation termination

 

 

 
0.02

     Compensating tax refund

 

 

 
(0.02
)
     Calculated income tax effect

 
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.02
)
     Change in blended state tax rate
 
 
 
 

 

        to value deferred income tax asset

 

 

 
0.02

          Total adjustments

 
0.03

 
(0.01
)
 
0.04

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share
$
(0.02
)
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.41



Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (or adjusted EBITDA) is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net income adjusted for the reversal of the allowance associated with the employment-related high wage tax credits in New Mexico, restructuring expenses, interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, depletion, and amortization, and asset retirement obligation accretion. We consider adjusted EBITDA to be useful because it reflects our operating performance before the effects of certain non-cash items and other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operations. We use adjusted EBITDA to assess operating performance and as one of the measures under our performance-based compensation programs for employees.    

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
(1,236
)
 
$
2,026

 
$
3,970

 
$
28,262

     Allowance for New Mexico employment credits
 

 
2,811

 
(2,563
)
 
2,811

     Restructuring expense
 

 

 
1,827

 

     Interest expense
 
1,632

 
248

 
4,569

 
680

     Income tax benefit
 
(3
)
 
(350
)
 
(1,139
)
 
15,519

     Depreciation, depletion, and accretion
 
20,107

 
15,561

 
59,630

 
44,040

          Total adjustments
 
21,736

 
18,270

 
62,324

 
63,050

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Depreciation and Amortization
 
$
20,500

 
$
20,296

 
$
66,294

 
$
91,312



Net Sales and Average Net Realized Sales Price per Ton

Net sales and average net realized sales price are non-GAAP financial measures. Net sales are calculated as sales less freight costs. Average net realized sales price is calculated as net sales,

12


divided by the number of tons sold in the period. We consider net sales and average net realized sales price to be useful because they remove the effect of transportation and delivery costs on sales and pricing. When we arrange transportation and delivery for a customer, we include in revenue and in freight costs the costs associated with transportation and delivery. However, many of our customers arrange for and pay their own transportation and delivery costs, in which case these costs are not included in our revenue and freight costs. We use net sales and average net realized sales price as key performance indicators to analyze sales and price trends. We also use net sales as one of the measures under our performance-based compensation programs for employees.

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
Sales
 
$
84,142

 
$
18,138

 
$
102,280

 
$
61,170

 
$
9,399

 
$
70,569

Freight costs
 
7,846

 
3,079

 
10,925

 
4,499

 
1,453

 
5,952

   Net sales
 
$
76,296

 
$
15,059

 
$
91,355

 
$
56,671

 
$
7,946

 
$
64,617

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Divided by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tons sold (in thousands)
 
227

 
43

 
 
 
156

 
22

 
 
   Average net realized sales price per ton
 
$
336

 
$
351

 
 
 
$
363

 
$
353

 
 


 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
Sales
 
$
253,443

 
$
58,661

 
$
312,104

 
$
222,142

 
$
40,364

 
$
262,506

Freight costs
 
23,003

 
9,613

 
32,616

 
14,316

 
6,259

 
20,575

   Net sales
 
$
230,440

 
$
49,048

 
$
279,488

 
$
207,826

 
$
34,105

 
$
241,931

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Divided by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tons sold (in thousands)
 
705

 
141

 
 
 
525

 
96

 
 
   Average net realized sales price per ton
 
$
327

 
$
348

 
 
 
$
396

 
$
354

 
 


Cash Operating Costs per Ton

Cash operating costs per ton is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as total of cost of goods sold divided by the number of tons sold in the period and then adjusted to exclude per-ton depreciation, depletion, and royalties. Total cost of goods sold is reported net of by-product credits and does not include warehousing and handling costs. We consider cash operating costs to be useful because it represents our core, per-ton costs to produce potash and Trio®. We use cash operating costs as an indicator of performance and operating efficiencies and as one of the measures under our performance-based compensation programs for employees.

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Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
Cost of goods sold
 
$
65,670

 
$
12,124

 
$
77,794

 
$
39,547

 
$
7,233

 
$
46,780

Divided by sales volume (in thousands of tons)
 
227

 
43

 
 
 
156

 
22

 
 
   Cost of goods sold per ton
 
$
289

 
$
283

 
 
 
$
253

 
$
322

 
 
Less per-ton adjustments
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
   Depreciation and depletion
 
$
73

 
$
59

 
 
 
$
54

 
$
61

 
 
   Royalties
 
12

 
18

 
 
 
1

 
18

 
 
Cash operating costs per ton
 
$
204

 
$
206

 
 
 
$
198

 
$
243

 
 


 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
Cost of goods sold
 
$
196,289

 
$
39,461

 
$
235,750

 
$
130,030

 
$
25,526

 
$
155,556

Divided by sales volume (in thousands of tons)
 
705

 
141

 
 
 
525

 
96

 
 
   Cost of goods sold per ton
 
$
278

 
$
279

 
 
 
$
243

 
$
266

 
 
Less per-ton adjustments
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
   Depreciation and depletion
 
$
68

 
$
60

 
 
 
$
49

 
$
54

 
 
   Royalties
 
11

 
17

 
 
 
12

 
18

 
 
Cash operating costs per ton
 
$
199

 
$
202

 
 
 
$
182

 
$
194

 
 


Average Potash and Trio® Gross Margin per Ton

Average potash and Trio® gross margin per ton are non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated as average net realized sales price less per ton total cost of goods sold and per ton warehousing and handling costs. We consider average potash and Trio® gross margin per ton to be useful because they represent the average margin we realize on each ton of potash and Trio® sold. The reconciliations of average potash and Trio® net realized sales price to GAAP sales is set forth separately above under the heading “Net Sales and Average Net Realized Sales Price per Ton.”
 

14


 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Potash
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average potash net realized sales price
 
$
336

 
$
363

 
$
327

 
$
396

Less total potash cost of goods sold
 
289

 
253

 
278

 
243

Less potash warehousing and handling costs
 
12

 
16

 
11

 
15

   Average potash gross margin per ton
 
$
35

 
$
94

 
$
38

 
$
138



 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Trio®
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Trio® net realized sales price
 
$
351

 
$
353

 
$
348

 
$
354

Less total Trio® cost of goods sold
 
283

 
322

 
279

 
266

Less Trio® warehousing and handling costs
 
12

 
17

 
10

 
15

   Average Trio® gross margin per ton
 
$
56

 
$
14

 
$
59

 
$
73



Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as cash flows from operating activities less cash paid for capital expenditures. We consider free cash flow to be a useful measure of liquidity because it indicates cash generated by normal business operations, including capital expenditures. Free cash flow does not represent cash available for discretionary expenditures because we have non-discretionary obligations, such as debt service obligations, that are not deducted from this measure.


15