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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

or

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission File No. 001-15903

 

 

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		72-1100013
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

575 North Dairy Ashford

Suite 300

Houston, TX 77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

(281) 921-6400

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer		x		Accelerated filer		¨
Non-accelerated filer		¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company		¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of October 30, 2014, 23,093,276 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 

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CARBO CERAMICS INC.

Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

						PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Item 1.		Financial Statements			3
				Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013			3
				Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			4
				Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			5
				Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			6
				Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)			7-10
		Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			11-15
		Item 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			15
		Item 4.		Controls and Procedures			16
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
		Item 1.		Legal Proceedings			16
		Item 1A.		Risk Factors			16
		Item 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			17
		Item 3.		Defaults Upon Senior Securities			17
		Item 4.		Mine Safety Disclosure			17
		Item 5.		Other Information			17
		Item 6.		Exhibits			18
Signatures							19
Exhibit Index							20

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

 

		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		(Unaudited)				(Note 1)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	30,104			$	94,250
Trade accounts and other receivables, net			112,825				125,179
Inventories:
Finished goods			107,009				87,218
Raw materials and supplies			35,706				47,042
Total inventories			142,715				134,260
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			7,066				5,442
Prepaid income taxes			5,299				1,888
Deferred income taxes			12,756				10,363
Total current assets			310,765				371,382
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and land improvements			36,711				31,163
Land-use and mineral rights			21,110				12,751
Buildings			77,082				72,702
Machinery and equipment			642,364				535,529
Construction in progress			103,028				109,735
Total			880,295				761,880
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			313,197				283,345
Net property, plant and equipment			567,098				478,535
Goodwill			12,164				12,164
Intangible and other assets, net			19,490				16,870
Total assets		$	909,517			$	878,951
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	30,776			$	24,570
Accrued payroll and benefits			11,373				13,650
Dividends payable			7,621				—
Other accrued expenses			19,227				18,468
Total current liabilities			68,997				56,688
Deferred income taxes			56,132				53,676
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000 shares authorized, none outstanding			—				—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized; 23,094,721 and 23,080,632 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively			231				231
Additional paid-in capital			57,684				56,782
Retained earnings			739,185				714,835
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(12,712	)			(3,261	)
Total shareholders’ equity			784,388				768,587
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	909,517			$	878,951

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Revenues		$	155,402			$	201,477			$	480,527			$	502,879
Cost of sales			113,252				138,718				340,365				358,402
Gross profit			42,150				62,759				140,162				144,477
Selling, general and administrative expenses			18,087				18,578				53,960				51,069
Start-up costs			—				—				811				—
Loss (gain) on disposal or impairment of assets			5,055				(16	)			4,864				(56	)
Operating profit			19,008				44,197				80,527				93,464
Other income, net			48				202				342				527
Income before income taxes			19,056				44,399				80,869				93,991
Income taxes			5,312				14,251				25,680				29,960
Net income		$	13,744			$	30,148			$	55,189			$	64,031
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.60			$	1.31			$	2.39			$	2.77
Diluted		$	0.60			$	1.31			$	2.39			$	2.77
Other information:
Dividends declared per common share (See Note 4)		$	0.66			$	0.60			$	1.26			$	1.14

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Net income		$	13,744			$	30,148			$	55,189			$	64,031
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(5,680	)			1,016				(7,695	)			(1,712	)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit			(2,461	)			(356	)			(1,756	)			599
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax			(8,141	)			660				(9,451	)			(1,113	)
Comprehensive income		$	5,603			$	30,808			$	45,738			$	62,918

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014				2013
Operating activities
Net income		$	55,189			$	64,031
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			37,059				35,146
Provision for doubtful accounts			395				28
Deferred income taxes			(1,673	)			3,865
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation			(372	)			(67	)
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment			2,798				—
Loss (gain) on disposal or impairment of assets			4,864				(56	)
Foreign currency transaction loss, net			82				2
Stock compensation expense			5,887				4,519
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts and other receivables			11,358				(52,708	)
Inventories			(21,020	)			10,901
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(1,746	)			(3,772	)
Long-term prepaid expenses			157				1,973
Accounts payable			8,501				2,460
Accrued expenses			(1,572	)			3,730
Accrued income taxes, net			(3,123	)			1,185
Net cash provided by operating activities			96,784				71,237
Investing activities
Capital expenditures			(131,232	)			(61,186	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(131,232	)			(61,186	)
Financing activities
Dividends paid			(21,500	)			(19,427	)
Purchase of common stock			(6,892	)			(6,821	)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation			372				67
Net cash used in financing activities			(28,020	)			(26,181	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			(1,678	)			(748	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(64,146	)			(16,878	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			94,250				90,635
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	30,104			$	73,757
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid		$	20			$	3
Income taxes paid		$	30,476			$	24,909

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

1.	Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of CARBO Ceramics Inc. have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the annual report on Form 10-K of CARBO Ceramics Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CARBO Ceramics Inc. and its operating subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Disposal or Impairment of Assets and Lower of Cost or Market Inventory Adjustment

During the three month period ended September 30, 2014, market conditions changed with regard to demand for certain products offered by the Company. The Company evaluated its operations and reviewed the carrying values of related long-lived assets and inventories and concluded that certain assets had been impacted by the change in market conditions. The Company made a decision that it will not move forward with construction of a resin coating plant in Marshfield, Wisconsin for which the Company had previously developed engineering plans and procured certain equipment that had long-lead delivery times. These assets were classified as available for sale, and with certain other unrelated long-lived assets, the Company recognized a $4,955 loss in adjusting the carrying value to $1,638, which represented the fair value less cost to sell at September 30, 2014. Additionally, due to increasing competition in the China proppant market, the Company evaluated the carrying values of its inventories in China and concluded that current market prices were below carrying costs. Consequently, the Company recognized a $2,798 loss in cost of sales to adjust finished goods and raw materials carrying values to the lower market prices.

U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine the fair value. These levels include: Level 1, defined as inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for use when little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The carrying value of related long-lived assets were adjusted to fair value less cost to sell based on estimates for similar used equipment, which are Level 3 inputs.

 

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2.	Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income		$	13,744			$	30,148			$	55,189			$	64,031
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of participating securities			(90	)			(183	)			(379	)			(410	)
Net income available under the two-class method		$	13,654			$	29,965			$	54,810			$	63,621
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares			22,944,840				22,940,794				22,946,956				22,961,251
Effect of dilutive potential common shares			—				—				—				—
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average shares			22,944,840				22,940,794				22,946,956				22,961,251
Basic earnings per share		$	0.60			$	1.31			$	2.39			$	2.77
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.60			$	1.31			$	2.39			$	2.77

 

3.	Common Stock Repurchase Program

On August 28, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of the Company’s common stock. Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repurchased and retired 47,424 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $5,175. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had repurchased and retired 2,000,000 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $89,309.

 

4.	Dividends Paid

On July 22, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.33 per common share payable to shareholders of record on August 1, 2014. The dividend was paid on August 15, 2014. On September 23, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.33 per common share payable to shareholders of record on November 3, 2014. This dividend is payable on November 17, 2014 and is presented in Current Liabilities at September 30, 2014.

 

5.	Stock Based Compensation

The 2014 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan”) provides for granting of cash-based awards, stock options (both non-qualified and incentive) and other equity-based awards (including stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred share units or share-denominated performance units) to employees and non-employee directors. As of September 30, 2014, 742,534 shares were available for issuance under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Although the Company’s 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan has expired, unvested shares granted under that plan remain outstanding in accordance with its terms.

A summary of restricted stock activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:

 

		Shares				Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2014			136,195			$	90.50
Granted			76,085			$	111.99
Vested			(53,152	)		$	97.08
Forfeited			(4,747	)		$	100.99
Nonvested at September 30, 2014			154,381			$	98.50

 

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As of September 30, 2014, there was $9,067 of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to restricted shares granted under both the expired 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $5,160.

The Company also made phantom stock awards to key international employees pursuant to the expired 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan prior to its expiration. The units subject to an award vest and cease to be forfeitable in equal annual installments over a three-year period. Participants awarded units of phantom stock are entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the vesting date. In no event will Common Stock of the Company be issued with regard to outstanding phantom stock awards. As of September 30, 2014, there were 18,180 units of phantom stock granted under the expired 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, of which 9,397 have vested and 1,570 have been forfeited, with a total value of $427, a portion of which is accrued as a liability within Accrued Payroll and Benefits.

 

6.	Bank Borrowings

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit agreement with a bank. On October 31, 2014 the Company entered into a third amendment to this credit agreement that (i) extends the maturity date of the credit agreement from July 25, 2018 to October 31, 2019 and (ii) increases the size of the revolving credit facility from $50,000 to $100,000. The Company has the option of choosing either the bank’s fluctuating Base Rate or LIBOR Fixed Rate, plus an Applicable Margin, all as defined in the credit agreement. The terms of the credit agreement provide for certain affirmative and negative covenants and require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. Commitment fees are payable quarterly at an annual rate between 0.375% and 0.50% of the unused line of credit.

 

7.	Foreign Currencies

As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled $68,086 and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $12,712, net of deferred income tax benefit. This cumulative translation loss is included in and is the only component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. There were no amounts reclassified to net income during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.

 

8.	New Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” (“ASU 2014-15”) which provides guidance in U.S. GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 will be effective for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or related footnote disclosures.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” (“ASU 2014-12”) which amends current guidance for stock compensation tied to performance targets. The amendments require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. ASU 2014-12 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” (“ASU 2014-09”) which amends current revenue guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with no early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

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9.	Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

10.	Subsequent Events

Subsequent to September 30, 2014, the Company drew down $10,000 on its existing revolving credit facility to support internal growth and expansion along with other commitments. As of November 4, 2014, the balance outstanding on the Company’s revolving credit facility was $10,000.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business

The Company generates revenue primarily through the sale of production enhancement products and services to the oil and natural gas industry. The Company’s principal business consists of manufacturing and selling proppant products for use primarily in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells. These proppant products include ceramic, resin-coated sand and raw sand. The Company also provides the industry’s most widely used hydraulic fracture simulation software, FracPro®, as well as hydraulic fracture design and consulting services. In addition, the Company provides a broad range of technologies for spill prevention, containment and countermeasures.

Gross profit margin for the Company’s ceramic proppant business is principally impacted by sales volume, product mix, sales price, distribution costs, manufacturing costs, including natural gas, and the Company’s production levels as a percentage of its capacity. In 2013 and 2014, gross profit margin was also impacted by spending to bring the Company’s new KRYPTOSPHERE^TM proppant technology to a commercial state.

During 2012, the Company experienced lower pricing for its proppant products due to market conditions resulting from a decline in North American activity in the natural gas industry caused by a drop in natural gas prices and an over-supply of imported ceramic proppant. The lingering effects of the conditions driving these pricing pressures have continued into 2014.

As a result of the decline in North American activity in natural gas basins experienced in 2012, the oil and natural gas industry experienced an increased amount of activity in infrastructure-limited, liquids-rich basins, which introduced supply chain challenges to the industry. These challenges resulted in higher supply chain costs for the Company. As a result, the Company has invested in strategic projects to enhance its distribution network in order to meet the present and future demands of its clients. The Company believes these investments should help address the quarterly fluctuations in industry activity and the increased amount of proppant being used per well. These enhancements are important as the tight supply of available trucks in certain areas creates additional challenges with transporting proppants to the well site throughout the industry.

Although most direct manufacturing costs have been relatively stable or predictable over time, the cost of natural gas, which is used in production by the Company’s domestic manufacturing facilities, is subject to volatility. The cost of natural gas has been a significant component of total monthly domestic direct production expense. In recent years, the price of natural gas has been low compared to historical prices, as well as fairly stable from period to period. However, in an effort to mitigate potential volatility in the cost of natural gas purchases and reduce exposure to short-term spikes in the price of this commodity, the Company has contracted in advance for the majority of its future expected natural gas requirements. Despite the efforts to reduce exposure to changes in natural gas prices, it is possible that, given the significant portion of manufacturing costs represented by this item, gross profit margins as a percentage of sales may decline and changes in net income may not directly correlate to changes in revenue.

In 2012, the Company expanded its resin coating operations and also began processing raw sand for use in resin coating operations. In 2013, the Company began selling raw frac sand. Resin coated sand and raw frac sand products sell at much lower prices and with lower gross profit margins than the Company’s ceramic proppant. While gross profit is generally not meaningfully impacted by the sale of these products, given the current sales volumes, the Company’s overall gross profit margin as a percent of revenues can be impacted as can the overall average selling price of all proppants sold.

In late June 2014, the Company completed the first production line at the new Millen, Georgia facility. Once this first production line reaches its stated capacity, the Company’s total annual ceramic capacity will be two billion pounds. Construction on Millen Line 2 is proceeding, and the Company will continue to monitor market conditions with respect to the completion date. In addition, the retrofit of an existing plant to produce 250 million pounds of KRYPTOSPHERE LD annually is still on schedule for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2015.

 

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In addition, during the third quarter of 2014, a growing number of E&P operators experimented with the use of raw frac sand, and some clients’ pad well completions were delayed. These events, along with an oversupplied ceramic proppant market, drove both domestic and international competitors to lower prices.

Critical Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions (see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013). The Company believes that some of its accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity than others. As of December 31, 2013, critical accounting policies for the Company included revenue recognition, estimating the recoverability of accounts receivable, inventory valuation, accounting for income taxes and accounting for long-lived assets. These critical accounting policies are discussed more fully in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no changes in the Company’s evaluation of its critical accounting policies since December 31, 2013.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Revenues. Revenues of $155.4 million for the third quarter of 2014 decreased 23% compared to $201.5 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease was mainly attributed to a decrease in ceramic proppant sales volumes, partially offset by an increase in Northern White Sand sales volumes. The decline in ceramic sales volume was largely attributed to a growing number of E&P operators experimenting with the use of raw frac sand and delays in some well completions during the third quarter of 2014. Worldwide proppant sales volumes in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 were as follows.

 

		Three months ended
Proppant Sales Volumes		September 30,
(in million pounds)		2014				2013
Ceramic			382				534
Resin Coated Sand			36				59
Northern White Sand			289				16
Total			707				609

North American (defined as Canada and the U.S.) proppant sales volume increased 18% on higher sales of Northern White Sand. North American ceramic proppant sales volume decreased 32%, partly as a result of some customers experimenting with more sand proppant and delays in some well completions during the third quarter of 2014. International (excluding Canada) sales volumes were flat.

Average selling prices per pound for proppants sold during the third quarter of 2014 were as follows: Ceramic $0.33; Resin Coated Sand $0.24; and Northern White Sand $0.03. Primarily due to the change in product mix, the average selling price per pound of all proppant was $0.20 during the third quarter of 2014 compared to $0.31 for the same period in 2013. In addition to product mix, average selling prices can be impacted by sales prices, geographic areas of sale, customer requirements and delivery methods.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2014 was $42.2 million, or 27% of revenues, compared to $62.8 million, or 31% of revenues, for the same period in 2013. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of lower ceramic proppant sales volumes. In addition, due to increasing competition in the China proppant market, the Company recorded a $2.8 million loss to adjust finished goods and raw materials carrying values to their lower market prices. The increase in sales volumes for Northern White Sand did not materially impact gross profit.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) and Other Operating Expenses. SG&A expenses totaled $18.1 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $18.6 million for the same period in 2013. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses increased to 11.6% compared to 9.2% for the same period in 2013, primarily due to the decline in revenues. Loss on disposal or impairment of assets of $5.1 million in 2014 consisted primarily of an impairment of long-lived assets. The Company made a decision that it will not move forward with construction of a resin coating plant in Marshfield, Wisconsin for which the Company had previously developed

 

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engineering plans and procured certain equipment that had long-lead delivery times. These assets were classified as available for sale, and with certain other unrelated long-lived assets, the Company recognized a loss in adjusting the carrying value to net realizable value.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $5.3 million, or 27.9% of pretax income, for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $14.3 million, or 32.1% of pretax income, for the same period in 2013. The $8.9 million decrease was primarily due to lower pre-tax income and a lower effective tax rate primarily associated with the final preparation and filing of the Company’s prior year income tax returns.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Revenues. Revenues of $480.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased 4% compared to $502.9 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease was mainly attributed to a decrease in ceramic proppant sales volumes, principally during the third quarter of 2014, and a decrease in Falcon revenues, partially offset by an increase in Northern White Sand sales volumes.

Worldwide proppant sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 were as follows.

 

		Nine months ended
Proppant Sales Volumes		September 30,
(in million pounds)		2014				2013
Ceramic			1,209				1,309
Resin Coated Sand			127				153
Northern White Sand			718				48
Total			2,054				1,510

North American (defined as Canada and the U.S.) proppant sales volume increased 40% due to higher sales of Northern White Sand. North American ceramic proppant sales volume decreased 7%. International (excluding Canada) sales volume increased 9% primarily due to increased Northern White Sand sales volumes in Mexico, partially offset by decreased ceramic proppant sales volumes in China.

Average selling prices per pound for proppants sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows: Ceramic $0.33; Resin Coated Sand $0.22; and Northern White Sand $0.03. Primarily due to the change in product mix, the average selling price per pound of all proppant was $0.22 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $0.30 for the same period in 2013. In addition to product mix, average selling prices can be impacted by sales prices, geographic areas of sale, customer requirements and delivery methods.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $140.2 million, or 29% of revenues, compared to $144.5 million, or 29% of revenues, for the same period in 2013. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of lower ceramic proppant sales volumes and a decrease in Falcon gross profit, partially offset by a favorable change in ceramic sales mix to higher margin lightweight ceramic proppants and improved margins on resin coated sand proppants. In addition, due to increasing competition in the China proppant market, during the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $2.8 million loss to adjust finished goods and raw materials carrying values to their lower market prices. The increase in sales volumes for Northern White Sand did not materially impact gross profit.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) and Other Operating Expenses, and Start-up Costs. SG&A expenses totaled $54.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $51.1 million for the same period in 2013. The increase of $2.9 million was driven by higher compensation costs and increased research and development activities. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses increased to 11.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 10.2% for the same period in 2013. Start-up costs of $0.8 million related to the start-up of the new manufacturing facility in Millen, Georgia. Loss on disposal or impairment of assets of $4.9 million in 2014 consisted primarily of an impairment of long-lived assets. The Company made a decision that it will not move forward with construction of a resin coating plant in Marshfield, Wisconsin for which the Company had previously developed engineering plans and procured certain equipment that had long-lead delivery times. These assets were classified as available for sale, and with certain other unrelated long-lived assets, the Company recognized a loss in adjusting the carrying value to net realizable value.

 

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Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $25.7 million, or 31.8% of pretax income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $30.0 million, or 31.9% of pretax income for the same period in 2013. The $4.3 million decrease was primarily due to lower pre-tax income.

Outlook

Experimentation with the use of more sand, higher ceramic proppant imports, and increased domestic ceramic proppant capacity all pose challenges for the ceramic proppant market in the near-term. However, the physics and chemistry of today’s reservoirs have not changed, and continued education needs to occur in the industry on the benefits of using a high-quality, high-conductivity ceramic to drive increased production and EUR. Ultimately, a balance needs to be struck between contact area (by using large amounts of proppant) and conductivity (by using a high-quality, high-conductivity ceramic proppant) to achieve an optimized completion.

Ceramic proppant volumes for the fourth quarter have the potential to be higher than the third quarter of 2014, subject to seasonality. The fourth quarter is a historically seasonal time of the year where weather and holidays negatively impact industry activity. Also, given current market conditions and the possible impact lower oil and gas prices could have on the Company’s E&P clients’ financial condition, the Company will likely see lower pricing for its ceramic proppant.

In the long-term, the Company is focused on maintaining a strong position in the ceramic proppant market, and expects new technology to drive more business. Bringing technology to the market, which increases the recoverable reserves of the Company’s clients’ wells, will play a significant role in the Company maintaining its position as a leader in production enhancement.

KRYPTOSPHERE HD, a high-performance ceramic proppant engineered to deliver exceptional conductivity and durability in the highest closure stress wells, is slated to be pumped in its first well during the fourth quarter of 2014. Additionally, there is the potential for more Gulf of Mexico operators to utilize KRYPTOSPHERE HD in 2015 as more wells will be ready for completion.

The retrofit of an existing plant to produce 250 million pounds of KRYPTOSPHERE LD annually is still on schedule for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2015. KRYPTOSPHERE is a key technology that will continue to set the Company apart from its competitors in the ceramic proppant industry.

The Company continues to be excited about its production assurance technology platform products it is developing. Initial test wells utilizing SCALEGUARD, a ceramic proppant infused with scale-inhibiting chemicals, have been very positive. As a result, the Company expects SCALEGUARD sales to increase over the coming quarters.

Through investments in its distribution and logistics network over the last several quarters, the Company has enhanced its facilities and increased its storage capacity. We believe this will help differentiate the Company’s ceramic proppant business, as it is now better positioned to deal with logistical challenges in the industry.

It is a priority to clearly show the value-add of the Company’s ceramic proppant over lower-conductivity proppant. While experimentation occurs frequently in the oil and gas industry, the Company will use production studies to continue to show the benefits of optimizing conductivity in today’s reservoirs to increase production and EURs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $30.1 million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $94.3 million at December 31, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company generated $96.8 million of cash from operating activities. Uses of cash included $131.2 million for capital expenditures, $21.5 million for the payment of cash dividends and $6.9 million for repurchases of the Company’s common stock.

 

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Subject to the Company’s financial condition, the amount of funds generated from operations and the level of capital expenditures, the Company’s current intention is to continue to pay quarterly dividends to holders of its common stock. On September 23, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.33 per common share payable to shareholders of record on November 3, 2014. This dividend is payable on November 17, 2014. The Company estimates its total capital expenditures for the remainder of 2014 will be between $50.0 million and $60.0 million. Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2014 are expected to include costs associated with the construction of the new manufacturing facility in Millen, Georgia, retrofitting an existing plant with the new proppant technology, expansion of the Company’s distribution infrastructure, as well as various other projects and additions.

The Company maintains an unsecured line of credit with a bank. On October 31, 2014, this line of credit was increased from $50.0 million to $100.0 million, and the expiration date of the facility was extended to October 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2014, there was no outstanding debt under the credit agreement. As of November 4, 2014, the Company’s outstanding debt under the credit agreement was $10.0 million. The Company anticipates that cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities and funds provided by its line of credit will be sufficient to meet planned operating expenses, tax obligations, capital expenditures and other cash needs for the next 12 months. The Company also believes that it could acquire additional debt financing, if needed. Based on these assumptions, the Company believes that its fixed costs could be met even with a moderate decrease in demand for the Company’s products.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2014.

Forward-Looking Information

The statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical statements, including statements regarding our future financial and operating performance and liquidity and capital resources, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Among these factors are:

 

•

changes in overall economic conditions,

 

•

changes in the cost of raw materials and natural gas used in manufacturing our products,

 

•

ability to manage distribution costs effectively,

 

•

changes in demand and prices charged for our products,

 

•

changes in the demand for, or price of, oil and natural gas,

 

•

risks of increased competition,

 

•

technological, manufacturing and product development risks,

 

•

loss of key customers and end users,

 

•

changes in foreign and domestic government regulations, including environmental restrictions on operations and regulation of hydraulic fracturing,

 

•

changes in foreign and domestic political and legislative risks,

 

•

the risks of war and international and domestic terrorism,

 

•

risks associated with foreign operations and foreign currency exchange rates and controls, and

 

•

weather-related risks and other risks and uncertainties.

Additional factors that could affect our future results or events are described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). See in particular our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 under the caption “Risk Factors” and similar disclosures in subsequently filed reports with the SEC. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s major market risk exposure is to foreign currency fluctuations that could impact its investments in China and Russia. As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled $68.1 million and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $12.7 million, net of deferred income tax benefit. This cumulative translation loss is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. From time to time, the Company may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. There were no such foreign exchange contracts outstanding at September 30, 2014.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)	Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of September 30, 2014, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurances of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)	Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, those controls.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Not applicable

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 except as follows. The risk factor below updates the respective risk factor previously disclosed in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K:

We rely upon, and receive a significant percentage of our revenues from, a limited number of key customers and end users.

During 2013, our key customers included several of the largest participants in the worldwide petroleum pressure pumping industry. Two of these customers accounted collectively for approximately 48% of our 2013 revenues. However, the end users of our products are numerous operators of natural gas and oil wells that hire pressure pumping service companies to hydraulically fracture wells. During 2014, a majority of our ceramic proppant sales have been directed to a concentrated number of end users. We generally supply our domestic pumping service customers with products on a just-in-time basis, with transactions governed by individual purchase orders. Continuing sales of product depend on our direct customers and the end user well operators being satisfied with product quality, pricing, availability and delivery performance. While we believe our relations with our customers and our end users are satisfactory, a material decline in the level of sales to any one of our major customers or loss of a key end user due to unsatisfactory product performance, pricing, delivery delays or any other reason could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information about the Company’s repurchases of Common Stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2014:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan(1)				Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan(1)
07/01/14 to 07/31/14			—				—				—				10,455
08/01/14 to 08/31/14			10,455			$	106.45				10,455				0
09/01/14 to 09/30/14			—				—				—				0
Total			10,455								10,455

 

(1)	On August 28, 2008, the Company announced the authorization by its Board of Directors for the repurchase of up to two million shares of its Common Stock.

 

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

 

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Our U.S. manufacturing facilities process mined minerals, and therefore are viewed as mine operations subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the recently proposed Item 106 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.106) is included in Exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.

 

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

On October 31, 2014, the Company entered into a third amendment (“Amendment No. 3”) to its Credit Agreement, dated January 29, 2010 (as so amended, the “Credit Agreement”), with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing line lender, and the financial institutions party thereto.

In summary, Amendment No. 3 (i) extends the maturity date of the Credit Agreement from July 25, 2018 to October 31, 2019 and (ii) increases the size of the Company’s revolving credit facility from $50 million to $100 million.

The foregoing description of Amendment No. 3 is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Amendment No. 3, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

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ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: November 4, 2014

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT		DESCRIPTION
10.1		Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing line lender, and the lenders named therein.
31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary A. Kolstad.
31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Ernesto Bautista III.
32		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
95		Mine Safety Disclosure
101		The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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