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EX-95.1 - EX-95.1 - UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INCa15-17810_1ex95d1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INCa15-17810_1ex31d2.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INCa15-17810_1ex32d2.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INCa15-17810_1ex31d1.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INCa15-17810_1ex32d1.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

 

OR

 

o         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 is 000-4197

 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

TEXAS

 

75-0789226

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

5429 LBJ Freeway, Suite 230, Dallas, TX

 

75240

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(972) 991-8400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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 o

 

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.  (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a 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 o  No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  As of October 30, 2015, 5,599,704 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value, were outstanding.

 

 

 



 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30, 
2015

 

December 31, 
2014

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

54,519

 

$

58,332

 

Trade receivables, net

 

19,214

 

17,444

 

Inventories

 

14,121

 

13,436

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

927

 

2,550

 

Total current assets

 

88,781

 

91,762

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

268,505

 

262,462

 

Less accumulated depreciation and depletion

 

(163,941

)

(153,949

)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

104,564

 

108,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets, net

 

138

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

193,483

 

$

200,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of debt

 

$

 

$

16,667

 

Accounts payable

 

4,075

 

5,166

 

Accrued expenses

 

3,771

 

3,132

 

Total current liabilities

 

7,846

 

24,965

 

Debt, excluding current installments

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities, net

 

19,491

 

19,259

 

Other liabilities

 

1,151

 

1,505

 

Total liabilities

 

28,488

 

45,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

654

 

652

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

21,353

 

20,418

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,024

)

Retained earnings

 

193,211

 

184,710

 

Less treasury stock, at cost

 

(50,223

)

(50,065

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

164,995

 

154,691

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

193,483

 

$

200,420

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2



 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lime and limestone operations

 

$

36,452

 

98.4

%

$

37,855

 

96.9

%

$

97,593

 

98.0

%

$

110,226

 

96.3

%

Natural gas

 

577

 

1.6

 

1,218

 

3.1

%

1,950

 

2.0

%

4,214

 

3.7

%

 

 

37,029

 

100.0

%

39,073

 

100.0

%

99,543

 

100.0

%

114,440

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labor and other operating expenses

 

22,695

 

61.3

%

25,461

 

65.2

%

64,563

 

64.8

%

74,590

 

65.2

%

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

3,967

 

10.7

%

3,729

 

9.5

%

11,736

 

11.8

%

10,952

 

9.5

%

 

 

26,662

 

72.0

%

29,190

 

74.7

%

76,299

 

76.6

%

85,542

 

74.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

10,367

 

28.0

%

9,883

 

25.3

%

23,244

 

23.4

%

28,898

 

25.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,467

 

6.7

%

2,404

 

6.2

%

7,266

 

7.3

%

7,004

 

6.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

7,900

 

21.3

%

7,479

 

19.1

%

15,978

 

16.1

%

21,894

 

19.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

57

 

0.1

%

369

 

0.9

%

969

 

1.0

%

1,176

 

1.0

%

Other (income) expense, net

 

(54

)

(0.1

)%

10

 

0.0

%

651

 

0.7

%

(43

)

(0.0

)%

 

 

3

 

0.0

%

379

 

0.9

%

1,620

 

1.7

%

1,133

 

1.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

7,897

 

21.3

%

7,100

 

18.2

%

14,358

 

14.4

%

20,761

 

18.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

2,221

 

6.0

%

1,674

 

4.3

%

3,758

 

3.8

%

5,125

 

4.5

%

Net income

 

$

5,676

 

15.3

%

$

5,426

 

13.9

%

$

10,600

 

10.6

%

$

15,636

 

13.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.01

 

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

 

$

1.89

 

 

 

$

2.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

1.01

 

 

 

$

0.97

 

 

 

$

1.89

 

 

 

$

2.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends per share of common stock

 

$

0.125

 

 

 

$

0.125

 

 

 

$

0.375

 

 

 

$

0.375

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Net income

 

$

5,676

 

$

5,426

 

$

10,600

 

$

15,636

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark to market of interest rate hedges, net of tax expenses of $0 and $83, respectively, for the three-month periods, and $241 and $245, respectively, for the nine-month periods

 

 

145

 

422

 

430

 

Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of tax expenses of $344 for the 2015 nine-month period and $0 for each of the other periods

 

 

 

602

 

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

 

145

 

1,024

 

430

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

5,676

 

$

5,571

 

$

11,624

 

$

16,066

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

10,600

 

$

15,636

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

11,916

 

11,091

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

25

 

34

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(353

)

165

 

(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

 

(137

)

54

 

Stock-based compensation

 

908

 

822

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables, net

 

(1,770

)

(5,590

)

Inventories

 

(685

)

829

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,623

 

213

 

Other assets

 

(20

)

1

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

208

 

(267

)

Other liabilities

 

585

 

298

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

22,900

 

23,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(8,080

)

(8,725

)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

263

 

246

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(7,817

)

(8,479

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of term loans

 

(16,667

)

(3,750

)

Cash dividends paid

 

(2,099

)

(2,092

)

Exercise of stock options

 

28

 

 

Purchase of treasury shares

 

(158

)

(168

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(18,896

)

(6,010

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,813

)

8,797

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

58,332

 

49,475

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

54,519

 

$

58,272

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.              Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (the “Company”) without independent audit.  In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods presented have been made.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014.  The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year.

 

2.    Organization

 

The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and operates through two business segments.  Through its Lime and Limestone Operations, the Company is a manufacturer of lime and limestone products, supplying primarily the construction (including highway, road and building contractors), metals (including steel producers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), oil and gas services, industrial (including paper and glass manufacturers), roof shingle and agriculture (including poultry and cattle feed producers) industries.  The Company operates lime and limestone plants and distribution facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Arkansas Lime Company, Colorado Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company — Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company — St. Clair and U.S. Lime Company — Transportation.

 

The Company’s Natural Gas Interests segment is held in its wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company — O & G, LLC (“U.S. Lime O & G”).  Under a lease agreement (the “O & G Lease”), U.S. Lime O & G has royalty interests ranging from 15.4% to 20% and a 20% non-operating working interest, resulting in an overall average revenue interest of 34.7%, with respect to oil and gas rights in 33 wells drilled and currently producing on the Company’s approximately 3,800 acres of land located in Johnson County, Texas, in the Barnett Shale Formation. Through U. S. Lime O & G, the Company also has a drillsite and production facility lease agreement and subsurface easement (the “Drillsite Agreement”) relating to approximately 538 acres of land contiguous to the Company’s Johnson County, Texas property.  Pursuant to the Drillsite Agreement, the Company receives a 3% royalty interest and a 12.5% non-operating working interest, resulting in a 12.4% revenue interest, in the six wells drilled and currently producing from pad sites located on the Company’s property.

 

3.    Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition.  The Company recognizes revenue for its Lime and Limestone Operations in accordance with the terms of its purchase orders, contracts or purchase agreements, which are generally upon shipment, and when payment is considered probable. Revenues include external freight billed to customers with related costs in cost of revenues.  The Company’s returns and allowances are minimal.  External freight billed to customers included in 2015 and 2014 revenues was $6.4 million and $7.0 million for the three-month periods, and $17.9 million and $20.4 for the nine-month periods, respectively, which approximates the amount of external freight included in cost of revenues.  Sales taxes billed to customers are not included in revenues.  For its Natural Gas Interests, the Company recognizes revenue in the month of production and delivery.

 

6



 

Successful-Efforts Method Used for Natural Gas Interests.  The Company uses the successful-efforts method to account for oil and gas exploration and development expenditures.  Under this method, drilling, completion and workover costs for successful exploratory wells and all development well costs are capitalized and depleted using the units-of-production method.  Costs to drill exploratory wells that do not find proved reserves are expensed.

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments.  Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”  The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values, in determining the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities.  These tiers include:  Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.  There were no changes in the methods and assumptions used in measuring fair value during the period, which include, as of the valuation date, LIBOR rates over the term of the outstanding debt.  The Company’s financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Significant Other 
Observable Inputs (Level 2)

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2015

 

December 31, 
2014

 

September 30, 
2015 

 

December 31,
2014

 

Valuation
 Technique

 

Interest rate swap liabilities

 

$

 

$

(661

)

$

 

$

(661

)

Cash flows approach

 

 

Comprehensive Income.  Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as mark-to-market gains or losses of interest rate hedges, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet.  Such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

 

4.   Business Segments

 

The Company has identified two business segments based on the distinctness of their activities and products:  Lime and Limestone Operations and Natural Gas Interests.  All operations are in the United States.  In evaluating the operating results of the Company’s segments, management primarily reviews revenues and gross profit.  The Company does not allocate corporate overhead or interest costs to its business segments.

 

7



 

The following table sets forth operating results and certain other financial data for the Company’s two business segments (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lime and limestone operations

 

$

36,452

 

37,855

 

$

97,593

 

110,226

 

Natural gas interests

 

577

 

1,218

 

1,950

 

4,214

 

Total revenues

 

$

37,029

 

39,073

 

$

99,543

 

114,440

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lime and limestone operations

 

$

3,786

 

3,514

 

$

11,175

 

10,293

 

Natural gas interests

 

181

 

215

 

561

 

659

 

Total depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

$

3,967

 

3,729

 

$

11,736

 

10,952

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lime and limestone operations

 

$

10,320

 

9,271

 

$

22,826

 

26,637

 

Natural gas interests

 

47

 

612

 

418

 

2,261

 

Total gross profit

 

$

10,367

 

9,883

 

$

23,244

 

28,898

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lime and limestone operations

 

$

1,766

 

3,171

 

$

8,069

 

8,702

 

Natural gas interests

 

4

 

7

 

11

 

23

 

Total capital expenditures

 

$

1,770

 

3,178

 

$

8,080

 

8,725

 

 

5.              Income Per Share of Common Stock

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Net income for basic and diluted income per common share

 

$

5,676

 

5,426

 

$

10,600

 

15,636

 

Weighted-average shares for basic income per share

 

5,600

 

5,578

 

5,599

 

5,578

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee and director stock options (1)

 

4

 

11

 

6

 

10

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed exercises for diluted income per share

 

5,604

 

5,589

 

5,605

 

5,588

 

Basic net income per common share

 

$

1.01

 

0.97

 

$

1.89

 

2.80

 

Diluted net income per common share

 

$

1.01

 

0.97

 

$

1.89

 

2.80

 

 


(1)  Excludes 35.0 and 15.0 stock options for the 2015 and 2014 periods, respectively, as anti-dilutive because the exercise price exceeded the average per share market price for the periods presented.

 

8



 

6.              Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The following table presents the components of comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

Net income

 

$

5,676

 

5,426

 

$

10,600

 

15,636

 

Minimum pension liability adjustments

 

 

 

946

 

 

Reclassification to interest expense

 

 

225

 

678

 

710

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

(83

)

(585

)

(245

)

Mark to market of interest rate hedges

 

 

3

 

(15

)

(35

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

5,676

 

5,571

 

$

11,624

 

16,066

 

 

Amounts reclassified to interest expense were for payments made by the Company pursuant to the Company’s interest rate hedges.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,
2015

 

December 31,
2014

 

Mark to market of interest rate hedges, net of tax benefit

 

$

 

$

(422

)

Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of tax benefit

 

 

(602

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

$

 

$

(1,024

)

 

7.              Inventories

 

Inventories are valued principally at the lower of cost, determined using the average cost method, or market.   Costs for raw materials and finished goods include materials, labor, and production overhead.   Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,
2015

 

December 31,
2014

 

Lime and limestone inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

5,821

 

$

5,693

 

Finished goods

 

2,281

 

2,283

 

 

 

8,102

 

7,976

 

Service parts inventories

 

6,019

 

5,460

 

 

 

$

14,121

 

$

13,436

 

 

8.  Banking Facilities and Debt

 

On May 7, 2015, the Company amended its credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lender”) to, among other things, provide for a $75 million revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Facility”) and reductions to interest rate margins and commitment fees (the “Amendment”).   The Amendment also provides for an incremental four-year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the Lender or another lender selected by the Company.  The terms of the Amendment provide for a final maturity of the New Revolving Facility and any incremental loan on May 7, 2020; interest rates, at the Company’s option, of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.000% to 2.000% or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to plus 1.000%; and a commitment fee range of 0.200% to 0.350% on the undrawn portion of the New Revolving Facility.  The New Revolving Facility interest rate margins and commitment fee are determined quarterly in accordance with a pricing grid based upon the Company’s Cash Flow Leverage Ratio, defined as the ratio of the Company’s total funded senior indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and stock-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) for the 12 months ended on the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, plus pro forma EBITDA from any businesses acquired during the period.  Pursuant to a security agreement,

 

9



 

dated August 25, 2004, the New Revolving Facility is secured by the Company’s existing and hereafter acquired tangible assets, intangible assets and real property.  The maturity of the New Revolving Facility and any incremental loans can be accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the credit agreement, occurs.

 

Prior to the Amendment, the Company’s credit agreement had included a ten-year $40 million term loan (the “Term Loan”), a ten-year $20 million multiple draw term loan (the “Draw Term Loan”) and a $30 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”).  The Term Loan required quarterly principal payments of $0.8 million, with a final principal payment of $10.0 million due on December 31, 2015.  The Draw Term Loan required quarterly principal payments of $0.4 million, with a final principal payment of $6.7 million due on December 31, 2015.  The Revolving Facility was scheduled to mature on June 1, 2015.  The maturity of the Term Loan, the Draw Term Loan and the Revolving Facility could have been accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the Credit Facilities, had occurred.

 

The Revolving Facility commitment fee had ranged from 0.250% to 0.400%.  The Credit Facilities had borne interest, at the Company’s option, at either LIBOR plus a margin of 1.750% to 2.750%, or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to plus 1.000%.

 

The Company had interest rate hedges, with the Lender as the counterparty to the hedges, that fixed LIBOR through maturity at 4.695%, 4.875% and 5.500% on the outstanding balance of the Term Loan, 75% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan and 25% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan, respectively.  As discussed below, the Company repurchased these hedges during the second quarter 2015.  Based on the LIBOR margin of 1.750% prior to the Amendment, the Company’s interest rates had been: 6.445% on the outstanding balance of the Term Loan; 6.625% on 75% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan; and 7.250% on 25% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan.

 

The hedges had been effective as defined under applicable accounting rules.  Therefore, changes in fair value of the hedges were reflected in comprehensive income.  The Company would have been exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the hedges.   The Company’s mark to market of its hedges, at December 31, 2014, resulted in a liability of $0.7 million, which was included in accrued expenses on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company paid $0.2 million in quarterly settlement payments pursuant to its hedges during the first quarter 2015 and $0.2 million and $0.7 million in the prior year three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively.  These payments were included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

On May 7, 2015, the Company paid off the $15.4 million balance then outstanding on the Term Loan and Draw Term Loan, as well as paid $0.5 million to repurchase the related hedges, from cash on hand.  The cost to repurchase the hedges was included in interest expense.

 

A summary of outstanding debt at the dates indicated is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan

 

$

 

$

10,000

 

Draw Term Loan

 

 

6,667

 

Revolving Facility (1)

 

 

 

Total current installments of debt

 

$

 

$

16,667

 

 


(1) The Company had letters of credit totaling $0.7 million issued on the New Revolving Facility at September 30, 2015 and the Revolving Facility at December 31, 2014.

 

As the Company’s debt bore interest at floating rates, the Company estimated that the carrying values of its debt at December 31, 2014 approximated fair value.

 

10



 

9. Income Taxes

 

The Company has estimated that its effective income tax rate for 2015 will be approximately 26.2%.  As in prior periods, the primary reason for the effective rate being below the federal statutory rate is due to statutory depletion, which is allowed for income tax purposes and is a permanent difference between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income.

 

10. Dividends

 

On September 18, 2015, the Company paid $0.7 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.125 (12.5 cents) per share on its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 28, 2015. On each of March 19 and June 19, 2015, the Company paid $0.7 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.125 (12.5 cents) per share on its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 27 and May 29, 2015, respectively.

 

11. Employee Retirement Plan

 

During the second quarter 2015, after receipt of a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, the Company terminated a noncontributory defined benefit plan that, prior to the termination, covered substantially all of the union employees previously employed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Corson Lime Company (the “Corson Plan”).  In 1997, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Corson Lime Company, and the benefits for participants in the Corson Plan were frozen.  As a result of the termination of the Corson Plan, the Company made a cash payment of $0.2 million and recognized a second quarter expense of $0.9 million ($0.6 million, net of tax benefit), included in other (income) expense, net, that was previously included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

The following table sets forth the funded status of the Corson Plan as of December 31, 2014 and Pre-Settlement, Settlement and Post-Settlement as of June 30, 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

June 30, 2015

 

 

 

2014

 

Pre-Settlement

 

Settlement

 

Post-Settlement

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

 2,137

 

$

 2,039

 

$

 (2,039

)

$

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

1,862

 

2,039

 

(2,039

)

 

Underfunded status

 

$

  (275

)

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

The liability recognized for the Corson Plan on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 
2014

 

September 30, 
2015

 

Accrued benefit cost

 

$

  275

 

 

 

The following table provides the components of the Corson Plan net periodic benefit cost for the period ended September 30, 2015 (in thousands):

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

  91

 

Settlement charge

 

814

 

Total net periodic benefit cost

 

$

  905

 

 

11



 

12. Subsequent Events

 

On October 28, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 (12.5 cents) per share on the Company’s common stock.  This dividend is payable on December 18, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2015.

 

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

 

Forward-Looking Statements.   Any statements contained in this Report that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements in this Report, including without limitation statements relating to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, are identified by such words as “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,”  “believe,” “possible,” “potential,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “schedule,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” and “project.”  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.  The Company cautions that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including without limitation the following:  (i) the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, and intentions are subject to change at any time at the Company’s discretion; (ii) the Company’s plans and results of operations will be affected by its ability to maintain and manage its growth; (iii) the Company’s ability to meet short-term and long-term liquidity demands, including servicing any Company debt, meeting the Company’s operating and capital needs, including for possible modernization and expansion and development projects and acquisitions, and paying dividends, conditions in the credit and equity markets, and changes in interest rates, including the ability of the Company’s customers and the lender under the Company’s revolving credit facility to meet their obligations;  (iv) interruptions to operations and increased expenses at the Company’s facilities resulting from changes in mining methods or conditions, variability of chemical or physical properties of the Company’s limestone and its impact on process equipment and product quality, inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, IT systems failures or disruptions, including due to cybersecurity incidents, or regulatory requirements; (v) volatile coal, petroleum coke, diesel, natural gas, electricity, transportation and freight costs and the consistent availability of trucks and rail cars to deliver the Company’s products to its customers and solid fuels to its plants on a timely basis; (vi) unanticipated delays, difficulties in financing, technical feasibility issues or cost overruns in completing modernization and expansion and development projects; (vii) the Company’s ability to expand its Lime and Limestone Operations through acquisitions of businesses with related or similar operations, including obtaining financing for such acquisitions, and to successfully integrate acquired operations and sell any resulting increased production at acceptable prices; (viii) inadequate demand and/or prices for the Company’s lime and limestone products due to conditions in the U.S. economy, recessionary pressures in particular industries, including highway, road and building construction, steel, and oil and gas services, effects of governmental fiscal and budgetary constraints, including the level of highway construction funding, and legislative impasses, inclement weather conditions and inability to continue to increase or maintain prices for the Company’s products; (ix) uncertainties of development, production, pipeline capacity, prices and regulations with respect to the Company’s Natural Gas Interests, including the absence of drilling activities on the Company’s O & G Properties, unitization of existing wells, inability to explore for new reserves, declines in production rates and plugging and abandoning of existing wells; (x) ongoing and possible new regulations, investigations, enforcement actions and costs, legal expenses, penalties, fines, assessments, litigation, judgments and settlements, taxes and disruptions and limitations of operations, including those related to climate change and health and safety and those that could impact the Company’s ability to continue or renew its operating permits or successfully secure new permits in connection with its modernization and expansion and development projects; and (xi) other risks and uncertainties set forth in this Report or indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

12



 

Overview.

 

The Company has two operating segments:  Lime and Limestone Operations and Natural Gas Interests.  Revenues and gross profit are the primary items utilized to evaluate the operating results of the Company’s segments and to allocate resources.

 

Through its Lime and Limestone Operations, the Company is a manufacturer of lime and limestone products, supplying primarily the construction (including highway, road and building contractors), metals (including steel producers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), oil and gas services, industrial (including paper and glass manufacturers), roof shingle and agriculture (including poultry and cattle feed producers) industries.  The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operates lime and limestone plants and distribution facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Arkansas Lime Company, Colorado Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company — Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company — St. Clair and U.S. Lime Company — Transportation.  The Lime and Limestone Operations represent the Company’s principal business.

 

The Company’s Natural Gas Interests are held in its wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company — O & G, LLC, and consist of royalty and non-operating working interests under the O & G Lease with EOG Resources, Inc. and the Drillsite Agreement with XTO Energy, Inc. related to the Company’s Johnson County, Texas property, located in the Barnett Shale Formation, on which Texas Lime Company conducts its lime and limestone operations.

 

Revenues from the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations decreased 3.7% and 11.5% in the third quarter and first nine months 2015, respectively, as compared to last year’s comparable periods, primarily because of decreased sales volumes of approximately 5.6% and 12.5%, respectively, for the Company’s lime and limestone products, partially offset by average product price increases of approximately 1.9% and 1.0% realized for the Company’s lime and limestone products in the third quarter and first nine months 2015, respectively, compared to the comparable 2014 periods.  The decrease in lime and limestone revenues in the third quarter 2015, compared to the third quarter 2014, resulted primarily from decreased sales volumes of the Company’s lime and limestone products due to decreased demand, principally from its oil and gas services and steel customers due to decreased drilling activities and decreased steel production, respectively, partially offset by increased demand from its construction customers.  The decrease in lime and limestone revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the comparable prior year period, resulted primarily from decreased demand from the Company’s oil and gas services, steel, industrial and construction customers.  The decrease in demand from the Company’s construction customers resulted primarily from adverse weather conditions in the first and second quarters 2015, compared to the prior year comparable quarters.

 

The Company’s gross profit from its Lime and Limestone Operations increased by 11.3% in the third quarter 2015 to $10.3 million, compared to $9.3 million in the third quarter 2014.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s gross profit from its Lime and Limestone Operations decreased by 14.3% to $22.8 million from $26.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The increased gross profit in the third quarter 2015, compared to the third quarter 2014, resulted primarily from lower energy costs as well as less discretionary outside contractor stripping costs in the Company’s quarries.  These decreased costs were partially offset by the decreased revenues discussed above.  The decreased gross profit for the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations in the first nine months 2015 resulted primarily from the decreased revenues discussed above.

 

13



 

Revenues from the Company’s Natural Gas Interests decreased 52.6% in the third quarter 2015, compared to the comparable 2014 quarter, due to decreased production volumes (approximately 8.4%) resulting from the normal declines in production rates on the Company’s 39 existing natural gas wells and lower natural gas and natural gas liquids prices (approximately 44.2%).  Revenues from Natural Gas Interests decreased 53.7% in the first nine months 2015, compared to the comparable 2014 period, resulting from lower natural gas and natural gas liquids prices (approximately 45.9%), and decreased production volumes (approximately 7.8%).  The Company’s gross profit from its Natural Gas Interests decreased to $47 thousand in the third quarter 2015, from $0.6 million in the comparable 2014 quarter, and decreased to $0.4 million in the first nine months 2015, from $2.3 million in the comparable 2014 period.

 

In the second quarter 2015, the Company repaid the $15.4 million then-outstanding balance of its term loans, as well as paid $0.5 million to repurchase the related hedges, from cash on hand.  At the same time, the Company amended its credit facilities to provide for a new five-year $75 million revolving credit facility.  The amendment also provides for an incremental four-year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the lender, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or another lender selected by the Company.  At September 30, 2015, the Company had no debt outstanding on the new revolving credit facility, other than $0.7 million of letters of credit.

 

The Company, after receipt of a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, terminated its noncontributory defined benefit plan (the “Corson Plan”) in the second quarter 2015, which required a cash payment of $0.2 million and resulted in an expense of $0.9 million ($0.6 million, net of tax benefit), included in other (income) expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, that was previously included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  See Notes 6 and 11 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  As a result of the termination of the Corson Plan, the Company will not have to make any future contributions to the Plan.

 

The Company paid its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 (12.5 cents) per share on its common stock in each of the first three quarters 2015.  On October 28, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 (12.5 cents) per share on the Company’s common stock.  This dividend is payable on December 18, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2015.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $22.9 million in the first nine months 2015, compared to $23.3 million in the comparable 2014 period, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 1.7%.  Net cash provided by operating activities is composed of net income, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), deferred income taxes and other non-cash items included in net income, and changes in working capital.  In the first nine months 2015, cash provided by operating activities was principally composed of $10.6 million net income and $11.9 million DD&A, compared to $15.6 million net income and $11.1 million DD&A in the first nine months 2014.  The most significant changes in working capital items in the first nine months 2015 were a net increase in trade receivables of $1.8 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1.6 million and a $0.7 million increase in inventories.  The most significant changes in working capital items in the first nine months 2014 were a net increase in trade receivables of $5.6 million and a decrease in inventories of $0.8 million.  The net increases in trade receivables in the 2015 and 2014 periods primarily resulted from increases in revenues in the third quarters 2015 and 2014, compared to the fourth quarters 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

The Company had $8.1 million in capital expenditures in the first nine months 2015, compared to $8.7 million in the comparable period last year.

 

14



 

Net cash used in financing activities was $18.9 million and $6.0 million in the 2015 and 2014 first nine-month periods, respectively, consisting primarily of repayments of $16.7 million and $3.8 million of term loan debt in the first nine months 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $0.2 million for purchase of treasury shares in each of the first nine months 2015 and 2014.  Additionally, the Company paid $2.1 million in dividends during the first nine months of each of 2015 and 2014.  Cash and cash equivalents decreased $3.8 million to $54.5 million at September 30, 2015 from $58.3 million at December 31, 2014.

 

On May 7, 2015, the Company amended its credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lender”) to, among other things, provide for a $75 million revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Facility”) and reductions to interest rate margins and commitment fees (the “Amendment”).   The Amendment also provides for an incremental four-year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the Lender or another lender selected by the Company.  The terms of the Amendment provide for a final maturity of the New Revolving Facility and any incremental loan on May 7, 2020; interest rates, at the Company’s option, of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.000% to 2.000% or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to plus 1.000%; and a commitment fee range of 0.200% to 0.350% on the undrawn portion of the New Revolving Facility.  The New Revolving Facility interest rate margins and commitment fee are determined quarterly in accordance with a pricing grid based upon the Company’s Cash Flow Leverage Ratio, defined as the ratio of the Company’s total funded senior indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and stock-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) for the 12 months ended on the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, plus pro forma EBITDA from any businesses acquired during the period.  Pursuant to a security agreement, dated August 25, 2004, the New Revolving Facility is secured by the Company’s existing and hereafter acquired tangible assets, intangible assets and real property.  The maturity of the New Revolving Facility and any incremental loans can be accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the credit agreement, occurs.

 

Prior to the Amendment, the Company’s credit agreement had included a ten-year $40 million term loan (the “Term Loan”), a ten-year $20 million multiple draw term loan (the “Draw Term Loan”) and a $30 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”).  The Term Loan required quarterly principal payments of $0.8 million, with a final principal payment of $10.0 million due on December 31, 2015.  The Draw Term Loan required quarterly principal payments of $0.4 million, with a final principal payment of $6.7 million due on December 31, 2015.  The Revolving Facility was scheduled to mature on June 1, 2015.  The maturity of the Term Loan, the Draw Term Loan and the Revolving Facility could have been accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the Credit Facilities, had occurred.

 

The Revolving Facility commitment fee had ranged from 0.250% to 0.400%.  The Credit Facilities had borne interest, at the Company’s option, at either LIBOR plus a margin of 1.750% to 2.750%, or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to plus 1.000%.

 

The Company had interest rate hedges, with the Lender as the counterparty to the hedges, that fixed LIBOR through maturity at 4.695%, 4.875% and 5.500% on the outstanding balance of the Term Loan, 75% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan and 25% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan, respectively.  As discussed below, the Company repurchased these hedges during the second quarter 2015.   Based on the LIBOR margin of 1.750% prior to the Amendment, the Company’s interest rates had been: 6.445% on the outstanding balance of the Term Loan; 6.625% on 75% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan; and 7.250% on 25% of the outstanding balance of the Draw Term Loan.

 

The hedges had been effective as defined under applicable accounting rules.  Therefore, changes in fair value of the hedges were reflected in comprehensive income.  The Company would have been exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the hedges.   The Company’s mark to market of its hedges, at December 31, 2014, resulted in a liability of $0.7 million, which was included in accrued expenses on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company paid $0.2 million in quarterly settlement payments pursuant to its hedges during

 

15



 

the first quarter 2015 and $0.2 million and $0.7 million in the prior year three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively.  These payments were included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

On May 7, 2015, the Company paid off the $15.4 million balance then outstanding on the Term Loan and Draw Term Loan, as well as paid $0.5 million to repurchase the related hedges, from cash on hand.  The cost to repurchase the hedges is included in interest expense and resulted in additional interest expense of approximately $0.3 million in the second quarter 2015.

 

The Company is not contractually committed to any planned capital expenditures for its Lime and Limestone Operations until actual orders are placed for equipment.  As of September 30, 2015, the Company had no material open orders or commitments that are not included in current liabilities on the September 30, 2015 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had no debt outstanding and no draws on the New Revolving Facility other than the $0.7 million of letters of credit.  The Company believes that cash on hand and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet the Company’s operating needs, ongoing capital needs, including capital for possible modernization and expansion and development projects, and other liquidity needs, service any debt it may incur under the New Revolving Facility and pay regular cash dividends for the near future.

 

Results of Operations.

 

Revenues in the third quarter 2015 were $37.0 million, compared to $39.1 million in the comparable 2014 quarter, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 5.2%.  Revenues from the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations in the third quarter 2015 decreased $1.4 million, or 3.7%, to $36.5 million from $37.9 million in the comparable 2014 quarter, while revenues from its Natural Gas Interests decreased $0.6 million, or 52.6%, to $0.6 million from $1.2 million in the comparable prior year quarter.  In the first nine months 2015, revenues were $99.5 million, compared to $114.4 million in the comparable 2014 period, a decrease of $14.9 million, or 13.0%.  Revenues from the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations in the first nine months 2015 decreased $12.6 million, or 11.5%, to $97.6 million from $110.2 million in the comparable 2014 period, while revenues from its Natural Gas Interests decreased $2.3 million, or 53.7%, to $2.0 million from $4.2 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

As discussed above, the decreases in Lime and Limestone Operations revenues in the third quarter and first nine months 2015, compared to last year’s comparable periods, resulted primarily from decreased sales volumes of the Company’s lime and limestone products, partially offset by slight increases in prices realized for the Company’s lime and limestone products.  Production volumes from the Company’s Natural Gas Interests in the third quarter 2015 totaled 177 thousand MCF, sold at an average price of $3.25 per MCF, compared to 209 thousand MCF, sold at an average price of $5.84 per MCF, in the comparable 2014 quarter.  Production volumes in the first nine months 2015 from Natural Gas Interests totaled 548 thousand MCF, sold at an average price of $3.56 per MCF, compared to the first nine months 2014 when 641 thousand MCF was produced and sold at an average price of $6.57 per MCF.  The Company’s 2015 average prices per MCF were lower than the prior year’s average prices primarily due to decreases in natural gas and natural gas liquids prices.

 

The Company’s gross profit was $10.4 million in the third quarter 2015, compared to $9.9 million in the comparable 2014 quarter, an increase of $0.5 million, or 4.9%. Gross profit in the first nine months 2015 was $23.2 million, a decrease of $5.7 million, or 19.6%, from $28.9 million in the first nine months 2014.

 

Included in gross profit in the third quarter and first nine months 2015 were $10.3 million and $22.8 million, respectively, from the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations, compared to $9.3 million and $26.6 million, respectively, in the comparable 2014 periods.  The Company’s gross profit margin as a percent of revenues from its Lime and Limestone Operations increased to 28.3% in the third quarter 2015, from 24.5% in the third quarter 2014, and decreased to 23.4% in the first nine months 2015, from 24.2% in the comparable prior year period. As discussed above, the increased gross

 

16



 

profit and gross profit margin in the third quarter 2015 resulted primarily from reduced costs, partially offset by the decrease in revenues.  The decreased gross profit and gross profit margin in the first nine months 2015 resulted primarily from the decrease in revenues discussed above.

 

Gross profit from the Company’s Natural Gas Interests was $47 thousand and $0.4 million in the third quarter and first nine months 2015, respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $2.3 million, in the comparable 2014 periods.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $2.5 million in the third quarter 2015, an increase of $63 thousand, or 2.6%, compared to $2.4 million in the third quarter 2014.  As a percentage of revenues, SG&A increased to 6.7% in the 2015 quarter, compared to 6.2% in the comparable 2014 quarter.  SG&A was $7.3 million and $7.0 million in the first nine months 2015 and 2014, respectively, an increase of $0.3 million, or 3.7%.  As a percentage of revenues, SG&A in the first nine months 2015 increased to 7.3%, compared to 6.1% in the comparable 2014 period.

 

Interest expense in the third quarter 2015 decreased $0.3 million, or 84.6%, to $57 thousand from $0.4 million in the third quarter 2014 primarily as a result of the repayment of debt in the second quarter 2015.  Interest expense decreased $0.2 million, or 17.6%, in the first nine months 2015 to $1.0 million from $1.2 million in the first nine months 2014, primarily as a result of the repayment of debt, partially offset by cost to repurchase the Company’s interest rate hedges in the second quarter 2015.  Interest expense included quarterly settlement payments on the hedges of none and $0.2 million during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to payments of $0.2 million and $0.7 million in the comparable prior year three- and nine-month periods, respectively.

 

Other (income) expense, net was $54 thousand income and $0.7 million expense in the third quarter and first nine months 2015, respectively, compared to $10 thousand expense and $43 thousand income in the third quarter and first nine months 2014, respectively.  The expense in the first nine months 2015 resulted primarily from the termination of the Corson Plan discussed above.

 

Income tax expense increased to $2.2 million in the third quarter 2015 from $1.7 million in the third quarter 2014, an increase of $0.5 million, or 32.7%.   In the first nine months 2015, income tax expense decreased to $3.8 million from $5.1 million in the comparable 2014 period, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 26.7%.  The increase in income tax expense in the third quarter 2015 was principally due to the increase in the Company’s income before income taxes, compared to the third quarter 2014, and an increase in the Company’s effective state income tax rate as a result of the full realization of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards in one state.  The decrease in income tax expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the comparable prior year period, was principally due to the decrease in the Company’s income before income taxes.

 

The Company’s net income was $5.7 million ($1.01 per share diluted) in the third quarter 2015, compared to net income of $5.4 million ($0.97 per share diluted) in the third quarter 2014, an increase of $0.3 million, or 4.6%.  Net income in the first nine months 2015 was $10.6 million ($1.89 per share diluted), a decrease of $5.0 million, or 32.2%, compared to the first nine months 2014 net income of $15.6 million ($2.80 per share diluted).

 

ITEM 3:     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Interest Rate Risk.

 

The Company would be exposed to changes in interest rates, primarily as a result of floating interest rates on the New Revolving Facility.  There was no outstanding balance on the New Revolving Facility subject to interest rate risk at September 30, 2015.  Any future borrowings under the New Revolving Facility would be subject to interest rate risk.  See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ITEM 4:     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report.  Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report were effective.

 

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No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.           OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 4:             MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of SEC Regulation S-K, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include disclosures regarding certain mine safety results in its periodic reports filed with the SEC.  The operation of the Company’s quarries, underground mine and plants is subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.  The required information regarding certain mining safety and health matters, broken down by mining complex, for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 is presented in Exhibit 95.1 to this Report.

 

The Company believes it is responsible to employees to provide a safe and healthy workplace environment. The Company seeks to accomplish this by: training employees in safe work practices; openly communicating with employees; following safety standards and establishing and improving safe work practices; involving employees in safety processes; and recording, reporting and investigating accidents, incidents and losses to avoid reoccurrence.

 

Following passage of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, MSHA significantly increased the enforcement of mining safety and health standards on all aspects of mining operations. There has also been an increase in the dollar penalties assessed for citations and orders issued in recent years.

 

ITEM 6:             EXHIBITS

 

31.1                        Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

31.2                        Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

32.1                        Section 1350 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

32.2                        Section 1350 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

95.1                        Mine Safety Disclosures.

101                           Interactive Data Files.

 

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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.

 

 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.

 

 

 

 

November 2, 2015

By:

/s/ Timothy W. Byrne

 

 

Timothy W. Byrne

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2, 2015

By:

/s/ M. Michael Owens

 

 

M. Michael Owens

 

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Quarter Ended

September 30, 2015

 

Index to Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT

 

 

NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

95.1

 

Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive Data Files.

 

20