UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form
For the quarterly period ended
OR
For the transition period from to
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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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.☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).☒
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Large accelerated filer |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
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The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock was
FORM 10-Q OF LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I – Financial Information |
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Item 1. |
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3 |
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Item 2. |
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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18 |
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Item 3. |
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29 |
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Item 4. |
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29 |
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PART II – Other Information |
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Item 1. |
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34 |
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Item 1A. |
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34 |
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Item 2. |
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34 |
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Item 3. |
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34 |
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Item 4. |
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34 |
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Item 5. |
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34 |
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Item 6. |
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35 |
When we refer to "us", "we", "our", "Company" or "LSB" we are describing LSB Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
2
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Information at March 31, 2024 is unaudited)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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(In Thousands) |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
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$ |
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Restricted cash |
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Short-term investments |
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Accounts receivable |
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Allowance for doubtful accounts |
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Accounts receivable, net |
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Inventories: |
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Finished goods |
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Raw materials |
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Total inventories |
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Supplies, prepaid items and other: |
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Prepaid insurance |
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Precious metals |
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Supplies |
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Other |
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Total supplies, prepaid items and other |
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Total current assets |
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
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Other assets: |
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Operating lease assets |
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Intangible and other assets, net |
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Total other assets |
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Total assets |
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$ |
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$ |
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Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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Short-term financing |
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Accrued and other liabilities |
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Current portion of long-term debt |
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Total current liabilities |
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Long-term debt, net |
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Noncurrent operating lease liabilities |
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Other noncurrent accrued and other liabilities |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Stockholders' equity: |
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Common stock, $ |
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Capital in excess of par value |
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Retained earnings |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
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Less treasury stock, at cost: |
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Common stock, |
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Total stockholders' equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) |
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Net sales |
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$ |
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$ |
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Cost of sales |
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Gross profit |
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Selling, general and administrative expense |
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Other expense, net |
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Operating income |
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Interest expense, net |
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Gain on extinguishment of debt |
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Non-operating other income, net |
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Income before provision for income taxes |
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Provision for income taxes |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Income per common share: |
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Basic: |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Diluted: |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
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Common |
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Treasury |
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Common |
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Capital in |
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Retained Earnings |
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Treasury |
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Total |
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(In Thousands) |
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Balance at December 31, 2023 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Net income |
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Stock-based compensation |
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Purchase of common stock |
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Vesting of equity compensation |
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— |
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Shares withheld upon vesting |
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Balance at March 31, 2024 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Balance at December 31, 2022 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Net income |
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Stock-based compensation |
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Vesting of equity compensation |
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Shares withheld upon vesting |
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Balance at March 31, 2023 |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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(In Thousands) |
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Cash flows from operating activities |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Gain on extinguishment of debt |
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Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment |
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Stock-based compensation |
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Other |
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Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities: |
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Accounts receivable |
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Inventories |
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Prepaid insurance |
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Supplies, prepaid items and other |
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Accounts payable |
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Accrued interest |
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Other assets and other liabilities |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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Cash flows from investing activities |
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Expenditures for property, plant and equipment |
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Proceeds from short-term investments |
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Purchases of short-term investments |
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Other investing activities |
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— |
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Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
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Cash flows from financing activities |
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Repurchases of |
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Payments on other long-term debt |
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Payments on short-term financing |
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Acquisition of treasury stock, net |
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Payments of debt-related costs |
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Other financing activities |
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— |
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Net cash used by financing activities |
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Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
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$ |
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$ |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements and notes of LSB have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (our “2023 Form 10-K”), filed with the SEC on March 6, 2024. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements in this report reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2024.
Basis of Consolidation – LSB and its subsidiaries are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and investments in its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.
Nature of Business – We are engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemical products. The chemical products we primarily manufacture, market and sell are ammonia, fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate (“HDAN”) and UAN for agricultural applications, high purity and commercial grade ammonia, high purity ammonium nitrate, sulfuric acids, concentrated, blended and regular nitric acid, mixed nitrating acids, carbon dioxide, and diesel exhaust fluid for industrial applications, and industrial grade ammonium nitrate (“LDAN”) and ammonium nitrate (“AN”) solutions for the mining industry. We manufacture and distribute products in
Sales to customers include farmers, ranchers, fertilizer dealers and distributors primarily in the ranch land and grain production markets in the United States (“U.S.”); industrial users of acids throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada; and explosive manufacturers in the U.S. and other parts of North America.
These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November.
Use of Estimates – The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Repurchase Program – In May 2023, our Board of Directors (our “Board”) authorized a $
Restricted Cash – We classify cash that has been segregated or is otherwise limited in use as restricted. Our restricted cash as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, relates primarily to certain cash collateral held by Wells Fargo under our prior revolving credit facility, terminated in December 2023 and discussed in Note 4 – Long-Term Debt, for letters of credit outstanding as we transition these items to our current revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility) pursuant to that credit agreement, dated December 21, 2023, between us and the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent. All of our restricted cash is classified as a current asset and is separately presented on the face of our consolidated balance sheet
7
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
within the consolidated balance sheet to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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(in Thousands) |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
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$ |
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Restricted cash |
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Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows |
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Short-Term Investments – Investments, which consist of U.S. treasury bills with an original maturity up to and less than 52 weeks, are considered short-term investments and are classified as Level 1. We plan to hold these investments to maturity and have a history of holding investments to maturity. Due to the nature of these investments, as U.S. treasury securities, no impairment is anticipated.
Accounts Receivable – Our accounts receivable are presented at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect any estimate of expected credit losses. Our estimate is based on historical experience and periodic assessment, particularly on accounts that are past due (based upon the terms of the sale). Our periodic assessment is based on our best estimate of amounts that are not recoverable which includes a present collectability review and forward looking assessment, where applicable.
Short-Term Financing – Our short-term financing represents the short-term note related to financing of our insurance premium, which is renewed annually each November.
Contingencies – Certain conditions may exist which may result in a loss, but which will only be resolved when future events occur. We and our legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss has been incurred, we would accrue for such contingent losses when such losses can be reasonably estimated. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Estimates of potential legal fees and other directly related costs associated with contingencies are not accrued but rather are expensed as incurred. Loss contingency liabilities are included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities and are based on current estimates that may be revised in the near term. In addition, we recognize contingent gains when such gains are realized or when the contingencies have been resolved (generally at the time a settlement has been reached).
Derivatives, Hedges and Financial Instruments – Periodically, we entered into certain forward natural gas contracts. Whenever we have such derivative contracts outstanding that are subject to derivative accounting, they are recognized in the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives are recorded in results of operations unless the normal purchase or sale exceptions apply, or hedge accounting is elected.
The fair value amounts recognized for our derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement may be offset. We have the choice to offset or not, but that choice must be applied consistently. A master netting arrangement exists if the reporting entity has multiple contracts with a single counterparty that are subject to a contractual agreement that provides for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in a single currency in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. Offsetting the fair values recognized for the derivative contracts outstanding with a single counterparty results in the net fair value of the transactions reported as an asset or a liability in the balance sheet. When applicable, we present the fair values of our derivative contracts under master netting agreements using a gross fair value presentation.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date:
Level 1 - Valuations of contracts classified as Level 1 are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical contracts.
8
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Level 2 - Valuations of contracts classified as Level 2 are based on quoted prices for similar contracts and valuation inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for these contracts.
Level 3 - Valuations of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
Leases – We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception or modification of a contract and classify each lease as either an operating or finance lease based on the terms of the contract. We reassess lease classification subsequent to commencement upon a change to the expected lease term or a modification to the contract. A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified property or equipment, explicitly or implicitly, for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is conveyed if we obtain the rights to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from the use of the underlying asset.
An operating lease asset represents our right to use the underlying asset as a lessee for the lease term and an operating lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Currently, most of our leases are classified as operating leases and primarily relate to railcars, other equipment and office space. Our leases that are classified as finance leases and other leases under which we are the lessor are not material. Variable payments are excluded from the present value of lease payments and are recognized in the period in which the payment is made. Our current leases do not contain residual value guarantees. Most of our leases do not include options to extend or terminate the lease prior to the end of the term. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recognized in the balance sheet.
Since our leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the lease term and other information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.
As of March 31, 2024, we have executed operating leases with lease terms greater than one year, with total payments of approximately $
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
ASU 2023-07 - In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280)—Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments include a new requirement to disclose significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), extend certain annual disclosures to interim periods, clarify single reportable segment entities must apply Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 280 in its entirety, permit more than one measure of segment profit or loss to be reported under certain conditions and require disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. This update is effective for public entities fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this update on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, while we do not expect it to impact our results of operations or financial position, we expect that it will result in additional disclosures.
Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. We considered all ASUs issued and outstanding or that became effective since January 1, 2024 through the date of these financial statements and determined them not to be applicable or materially impact our financial statements other than those ASU's specifically addressed above.
9
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
2. Net Income per Common Share
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) |
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Numerator: |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Numerator for basic and diluted net |
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$ |
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$ |
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Denominator: |
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Denominator for basic net income per |
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Effect of dilutive securities: |
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Unvested restricted stock and stock units |
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Dilutive potential common shares |
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Denominator for diluted net income per |
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Basic net income per common share |
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$ |
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$ |
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||
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Diluted net income per common share |
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$ |
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$ |
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_____________________________
The following weighted-average shares of securities were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share as their effect would have been antidilutive:
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Restricted stock and stock units |
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Stock options |
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3. Accrued and Other Liabilities
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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||
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2024 |
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2023 |
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(In Thousands) |
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|||||
Accrued interest |
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$ |
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Accrued payroll and benefits |
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Accrued taxes other than income |
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Customer deposits |
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Other |
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Less noncurrent portion |
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Current portion of accrued and other liabilities |
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$ |
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$ |
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10
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
4. Long-Term Debt
Our long-term debt consists of the following:
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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||
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2024 |
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2023 |
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||
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(In Thousands) |
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|||||
Revolving Credit Facility (A) |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
— |
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Senior Secured Notes due 2028, with an interest |
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||
Secured Financing due 2025, with an interest |
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Finance |
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Unamortized debt issuance costs (1) |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
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Less current portion of long-term debt |
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||
Long-term debt due after one year, net |
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$ |
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$ |
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_____________________________
Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of us, either (a) term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for a period of one month (with a fallback to the prime rate if such rate is unavailable), plus
During the first quarter of 2024, we repurchased $
11
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
5. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters - Following is a summary of certain legal matters involving the Company:
A. Environmental Matters
Our facilities and operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws and to other laws regarding health and safety matters (collectively, the “Environmental and Health Laws”), many of which provide for certain performance obligations, substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. Certain Environmental and Health Laws impose strict liability as well as joint and several liability for costs required to remediate and restore sites where hazardous substances, hydrocarbons or solid wastes have been stored or released. We may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently or formerly owned or operated by us or facilities of third parties that received waste generated by our operations regardless of whether such contamination resulted from the conduct of others or from consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken.
In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental, health and safety effects of our operations.
There can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in complying with such laws or in paying fines or penalties for violation of such laws. Our insurance may not cover all environmental risks and costs or may not provide sufficient coverage if an environmental claim is made against us. The Environmental and Health Laws and related enforcement policies have in the past resulted and could in the future result, in significant compliance expenses, cleanup costs (for our sites or third-party sites where our wastes were disposed of), penalties or other liabilities relating to the handling, manufacture, use, emission, discharge or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials at or from our facilities or the use or disposal of certain of its chemical products. Further, a number of our facilities are dependent on environmental permits to operate, the loss or modification of which could have a material adverse effect on their operations and our financial condition.
Historically, significant capital expenditures have been incurred by our subsidiaries in order to comply with the Environmental and Health Laws and significant capital expenditures are expected to be incurred in the future. We will also be obligated to manage certain discharge water outlets and monitor groundwater contaminants at our facilities should we discontinue the operations of a facility.
As of March 31, 2024, our for environmental matters totaled approximately $
1. Discharge Water Matters
Each of our manufacturing facilities generates process wastewater, which may include cooling tower and boiler water quality control streams, contact storm water and miscellaneous spills and leaks from process equipment. The process water discharge, storm-water runoff and miscellaneous spills and leaks are governed by various permits generally issued by the respective state environmental agencies as authorized and overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These permits limit the type and volume of effluents that can be discharged and control the method of such discharge.
In 2017, the Company filed a Permit Renewal Application for its Non-Hazardous Injection Well Permit at the Pryor Facility. Although the Injection Well Permit expired in 2018, we continue to operate the injection well in accordance with an executed November 2023 Consent Order with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (“ODEQ”) that allows for the continued use of the injection well until a wastewater treatment process is designed, built and operational. The Company continues to work with the ODEQ under the terms of the Consent Order. We have identified and selected a wastewater treatment technology using biological processes that can and will treat the nitrogen-containing wastewater streams at our Pryor Facility. We are unable to estimate the costs related to the replacement of the disposal well at this time as we are in the early stages of design for the wastewater treatment process with a wastewater process design engineering firm. We have also commenced preliminary discussions with the ODEQ on permitting the treated wastewater discharges but have not received any confirmation from the ODEQ on their preliminary acceptance of our treated wastewater stream.
In 2006, the Company entered into a Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) that recognizes the presence of nitrate contamination in the shallow groundwater at our El Dorado Facility. The CAO required us to perform semi-annual groundwater monitoring, continue operation of a groundwater recovery system, submit a human health and ecological risk assessment and submit a remedial action plan. The risk assessment was submitted in 2007. In 2015, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) stated that the El Dorado Facility was meeting the requirements of the CAO and should continue semi-annual monitoring. A CAO was signed in 2018, which required an Evaluation Report of the data and effectiveness of the groundwater remedy for nitrate contamination. During 2019,
12
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
the Evaluation Report was submitted to the ADEQ and the ADEQ approved the report. No liability has been established as of March 31, 2024, in connection with this ADEQ matter.
2. Other Environmental Matters
In 2002, certain of our subsidiaries sold substantially all of their operating assets relating to a Kansas chemical facility (the “Hallowell Facility”) but retained ownership of the real property where the facility is located. Our subsidiary retained the obligation to be responsible for and perform the activities under, a previously executed consent order to investigate the surface and subsurface contamination at the real property, develop a corrective action strategy based on the investigation and implement such strategy. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries agreed to indemnify the buyer of such assets for these environmental matters.
As the successor to a prior owner of the Hallowell Facility, Chevron Environmental Management Company (“Chevron”) has agreed in writing, within certain limitations, to pay and has been paying of the costs of the investigation and interim measures relating to this matter as approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (the “KDHE”), subject to reallocation.
During this process, our subsidiary and Chevron retained an environmental consultant that prepared and performed a corrective action study work plan as to the appropriate method to remediate the Hallowell Facility. During 2020, the KDHE selected a remedy of annual monitoring and the implementation of an Environmental Use Control (“EUC”). This remedy primarily relates to long-term surface and groundwater monitoring to track the natural decline in contamination and is subject to a 5-year re-evaluation with the KDHE.
The final remedy, including the EUC, the finalization of the cost estimates and any required financial assurances remains under discussion with the KDHE. Pending the results from our discussions regarding the final remedy, we continue to accrue our allocable portion of costs primarily for the additional testing, monitoring and risk assessments that could be reasonably estimated, which amount is included in our accrued liabilities for environmental matters discussed above. The estimated amount is not discounted to its present value. As more information becomes available, our estimated accrual will be refined, as necessary.
We received a Notice of Potential Violation ("NOV") for ten findings identified from an inspection conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Region IV at our Cherokee Facility in late 2022. We provided written responses to each finding in the inspection report issued in connection with such inspection and to the Notice of Potential Violations and held direct communications with the EPA related to the matter. A meeting was held with the EPA in January 2024 to discuss the NOV and our subsequent responsive actions. During the meeting, the EPA proposed two alternatives for the penalties related to the violations. We accepted one of the proposed alternatives, which included a cash fine and an investment in a community project, for which we accrued an estimate as of December 31, 2023.
B. Other Pending, Threatened or Settled Litigation
West Fertilizer Matter
In 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at the West Fertilizer Company (“West Fertilizer”) located in West, Texas, causing death, bodily injury and substantial property damage. West Fertilizer is not owned or controlled by us, but West Fertilizer was a customer of EDC and purchased HDAN from EDC from time to time. LSB and EDC received letters from counsel purporting to represent subrogated insurance carriers, personal injury claimants and persons who suffered property damages informing LSB and EDC that their clients are conducting investigations into the cause of the explosion and fire to determine, among other things, whether AN manufactured by EDC and supplied to West Fertilizer was stored at West Fertilizer at the time of the explosion and, if so, whether such AN may have been one of the contributing factors of the explosion. Initial lawsuits filed named West Fertilizer and another supplier of AN as defendants.
In 2014, EDC and LSB were named as defendants, together with other AN manufacturers and brokers that arranged the transport and delivery of AN to West Fertilizer, in the case styled City of West, Texas vs. CF Industries, Inc., et al., in the District Court of McLennan County, Texas. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that LSB and EDC were negligent in the production and marketing of fertilizer products sold to West Fertilizer, resulting in death, personal injury and property damage. EDC retained a firm specializing in cause and origin investigations with particular experience with fertilizer facilities, to assist EDC in its own investigation. LSB and EDC placed its liability insurance carrier on notice and the carrier is handling the defense for LSB and EDC concerning this matter.
Our product liability insurance policies have aggregate limits of general liability totaling $
13
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
After more than
Global Industrial Matter
In 2015, we and EDA received written notice from Global Industrial, Inc. (“Global”) of Global’s intention to assert mechanic liens for labor, service, or materials furnished under certain subcontract agreements for the improvement of the ammonia plant (“Ammonia Plant”) at our El Dorado Facility. Global was a subcontractor of Leidos Constructors, LLC (“Leidos”), the general contractor for EDA for the construction of the Ammonia Plant. Leidos terminated the services of Global with respect to their work performed at our El Dorado Facility.
LSB and EDA are pursuing the recovery of any damage or loss caused by Global’s work performed through their contract with Leidos at our El Dorado Facility. In March 2016, EDC and LSB were served a summons in a case styled Global Industrial, Inc. d/b/a Global Turnaround vs. Leidos Constructors, LLC et al., in the Circuit Court of Union County, Arkansas (the “Union County Trial Court”), wherein Global sought damages under breach of contract and other claims. At the time of the summons, our accounts payable included invoices totaling approximately $
During 2018, the Union County Trial Court bifurcated the case into: (1) Global’s claims against Leidos and LSB and (2) the cross-claims between Leidos and LSB. Part (1) of the case was tried in the Union County Trial Court. In March 2020, the Union County Trial Court rendered a judgment and then an amended final judgment in April 2020. The amended final judgment awarded Global (i) approximately $
LSB retains all of its claims against Leidos and intends to vigorously prosecute those claims and vigorously contest the cross-claims in Part (2) of the matter referred to above. We expect the trial to be set for late summer 2024.
No liability was established as of March 31, 2024, in connection with the cross-claims in Part (2) of the matter, except for certain invoices held in accounts payable.
We are also involved in various other claims and legal actions (including matters involving gain contingencies) in the ordinary course of our business. While it is possible that the actual claims results could differ from our estimates, after consultation with legal counsel, we believe that any such differences will not have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
14
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
6. Financial Instruments
Natural Gas Contracts
Periodically, we enter into certain forward natural gas contracts, which are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. We utilize these natural gas contracts as economic hedges for risk management purposes but are not designated as hedging instruments. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had
Financial Instruments
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we did
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Estimated |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Estimated |
|
||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
||||
|
|
(In Millions) |
|
|||||||||||||
Senior Secured Notes (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Short-Term Investments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
_____________________________
7. Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes is as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
|
(In Thousands) |
|
|||||
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Federal |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
State |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total Current |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
||
Deferred: |
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|
|
|
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|
||
Federal |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
State |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total Deferred |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $
We considered both positive and negative evidence in our determination of the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. Information evaluated includes our financial position and results of operations for the current and preceding years, the availability of deferred tax liabilities and tax carrybacks, as well as an evaluation of currently available information about future years. Valuation allowances are reflective of our quarterly analysis of the four sources of taxable income, including the calculation of the reversal of existing tax assets and liabilities, the impact of financing activities and our quarterly results. Based on our analysis, we have determined that it is more-likely-than-not that all of our federal deferred tax assets and a portion of our state deferred tax assets will be utilized. We estimate an approximately $
We will continue to evaluate both the positive and negative evidence on a quarterly basis in determining the need for a valuation allowance with respect to our deferred tax assets. Changes in positive and negative evidence, including differences between estimated
15
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
and actual results, could result in changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets that could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the realization of deferred tax assets over time.
LSB and certain of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the 2020-2023 years remain open for all purposes of examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other major tax jurisdictions. Additionally, the 2013-2019 years remain subject to examination for determining the amount of net operating loss and other carryforwards.
8. Net Sales
Disaggregated Net Sales
We primarily derive our revenues from the sales of various chemical products. The Company’s net sales disaggregation is consistent with other financial information utilized or provided outside of our condensed consolidated financial statements. With our continued focus on optimizing our commercial strategy and product mix going forward we will report revenue by product as opposed to the end market. Accordingly, this approach is reflected in disaggregated net sales, mirroring how the Company manages its net sales by product through contracts with customers.
The following table presents our net sales disaggregated by our principal product types:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
|
(In Thousands) |
|
|||||
Net sales: |
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|
|
|
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|
||
AN & Nitric Acid |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) |
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|
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Ammonia |
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|
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Other |
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|
||
Total net sales |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Other Information
Although most of our
Liabilities associated with contracts with customers (contract liabilities) primarily relate to deferred revenue and customer deposits associated with cash payments received in advance from customers for product shipments. We had approximately $
For most of our contracts with customers, the transaction price from the inception of a contract is constrained to a short period of time (generally one month) as these contracts contain terms with variable consideration related to both price and quantity. At March 31, 2024, we have remaining performance obligations with certain customer contracts, excluding contracts with original durations of less than one year and for service contracts for which we have elected the practical expedient for consideration recognized in revenue as invoiced. The remaining performance obligations totals approximately $
16
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
9. Related Party Transactions
As of March 31, 2024, we had one outstanding financing arrangement with an affiliate of Eldridge as discussed in footnote (C) of Note 4. An affiliate of Eldridge holds $
10. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following provides additional information relating to cash flow activities:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
|
(In Thousands) |
|
|||||
Cash payments (refunds) for: |
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|
|
|
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|
||
Income taxes, net |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Noncash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
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|
||
Property, plant and equipment acquired and not yet paid at end of period |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Gain on extinguishment of debt |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
Accounts payable associated with debt-related costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
11. Subsequent Events
Subsequent to March 31, 2024, through April 26, 2024, we repurchased
17
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with a review of the other Items included in this Form 10-Q and our March 31, 2024 condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. A reference to a “Note” relates to a note in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. This MD&A reflects our operating results, unless otherwise noted. Certain statements contained in this MD&A may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
General
LSB is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and we manufacture and sell chemical products for the agricultural, mining and industrial markets. We own and operate three multi-plant facilities in Cherokee, Alabama, El Dorado, Arkansas and Pryor, Oklahoma and operate a facility on behalf of Covestro in Baytown, Texas. Our products are sold through distributors and directly to end customers primarily throughout the U.S. and other parts of North America.
Key Operating Initiatives for 2024
We expect our future results of operations and financial condition to benefit from the following key initiatives:
As a result, we are currently evaluating and developing projects that could enable us to become a producer and marketer of low-carbon ammonia and other derivative products. These include a low-carbon ammonia project at our El Dorado facility in collaboration with Lapis Energy and a low-carbon ammonia project on the Houston Ship Channel in conjunction with INPEX Corporation (“INPEX”), Air Liquide Group (“Air Liquide”) and Vopak Exolum Houston LLC (f/k/a Vopak Moda Houston LLC), a joint venture between Royal Vopak and Exolum (“Vopak Exolum”). Low-carbon ammonia is produced using natural gas and conventional processes but includes an additional stage where the carbon dioxide emissions are captured and permanently stored in deep underground rock formations. The resulting low carbon emission product, we believe, can be sold at a premium to power generation, marine, industrial, mining and agricultural customers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and potentially capitalize on government incentives.
18
We believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity and become a market leader given our potential to retrofit our existing plants, which we believe can reduce our time to market for low-carbon ammonia and also reduce the upfront capital expenditures necessary to enable us to produce this product. Additionally, we are collaborating with other energy-related companies to develop greenfield projects where we expect to mitigate risk through shared investment of capital as well as by negotiating potential offtake agreements from customers for the output of these plants.
Recent Business Developments
Advanced Low-Carbon Ammonia Initiatives
In October 2023, we announced a collaboration with INPEX, Air Liquide and Vopak Exolum to conduct a pre-FEED for the development of a large-scale, low-carbon ammonia production and export project on the Houston Ship Channel. If the development proceeds, the project’s first phase is targeted to produce more than 1.1 million metric tons per year of low-carbon ammonia by early 2029, with options for future production expansions.
The parties completed a feasibility study on the project during the first quarter of 2023 and the proposed facility’s location on the Houston Ship Channel, the second largest petrochemical corridor in the world, leverages existing infrastructure assets. Vopak Exolum has invested in storage and handling infrastructure for bulk liquid products and currently operates an ammonia terminal that includes storage tanks and a newbuild dock with multiple deep-water berths. The project also has access to utilities and would be near multiple pipelines that could supply raw materials like natural gas and water.
The project partners will bring complementary expertise to the production, operation, storage and export for the advancement of low-carbon ammonia production in the US:
19
In May 2023, we entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (the "MOU") with Amogy Inc. (“Amogy”) aimed at developing the adoption of low-carbon ammonia as a marine fuel, initially for the U.S. inland waterways transportation sector. Through joint efforts, we and Amogy will focus on advancing the understanding, utilization, and advocacy of low-carbon ammonia as a sustainable fuel. Pursuant to the MOU, the companies will collaborate on the evaluation and development of a pilot program that integrates our low-carbon ammonia and Amogy’s ammonia-to-power solution. Upon successful completion of the evaluation and pilot program, the companies expect to further collaborate at a larger-scale, including exploration of opportunities for development of an end-to-end supply chain of low-carbon ammonia and deployment of Amogy technology across multiple applications, including maritime vessels. The evaluation and pilot program includes potential engagement with other parties across the ammonia value chain. We will also collaborate on various advocacy, education, and outreach efforts regarding the use of ammonia as a fuel.
In April 2022, we entered into an agreement with Lapis Energy to develop a project to capture and permanently sequester CO2 at our El Dorado, Arkansas facility. Lapis, backed by Cresta Fund Management, a Dallas-based middle-market infrastructure investment firm, will invest the majority of the capital required for project development. The project is expected to be completed and operational by early 2026, subject to the approval of a Class VI permit, at which time CO2 injections are expected to begin. Once operational, the project at the El Dorado site will initially capture and permanently sequester more than 450,000 metric tons of CO2 per year in underground saline aquifers. The permanently sequestered CO2 generated from the facility’s ammonia production is expected to qualify for federal tax credits under Internal Revenue Code Section 45Q, which are $85 per metric ton of CO2 captured and pay us a fee for each ton of CO2 captured and permanently sequestered beginning in 2026. Once in operation, the sequestered CO2 is expected to reduce our scope 1 GHG emissions by approximately 25% from current levels. In addition, sequestering more than 450,000 metric tons of CO2 annually is expected to enable LSB to produce over 375,000 metric tons of low-carbon ammonia annually, a product that could potentially be sold at higher price levels than conventional ammonia. In February 2023, a key milestone was achieved in the advancement of our low-carbon ammonia project at El Dorado by filing a pre-construction Class VI permit application with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”). The EPA recognized the application as complete in March 2023 and is currently in the review process.
Stronger Sales Volume Offset by Lower Product Selling Prices
Sales volumes of our products increased in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same quarter of 2023. These favorable volume trends were driven, in part, by strong demand for fertilizers during the pre-plant and early Spring application seasons coupled with the success of our strategic commercial efforts, supported by stronger nitric acid and urea production at our facilities resulting from our plant reliability initiatives. The increase in sales volumes was more than offset by the impact of lower selling prices for our products relative to the first quarter of 2023.
Nitrogen chemical prices declined from 2022 peak levels through much of 2023 due to a variety of domestic and international factors. One of the most significant of these factors was the decline in natural gas costs in Europe. Natural gas is the primary feedstock for the production of ammonia and a key driver of ammonia selling prices globally. During the second half of 2022 and first half of 2023, natural gas prices in Europe dropped as relatively warm winter temperatures reduced demand, which, combined with a rise in imports of liquified natural gas from the U.S., resulted in ample supply and high gas storage inventories. After having production largely curtailed for much of 2022 due to the high input costs, lower natural gas prices enabled a majority of European ammonia facilities to resume operations over the course of 2023, increasing global supply for nitrogen products. These gas supply dynamics persisted in the early part of 2024, keeping natural gas costs in Europe at levels similar to much of 2023. However, natural gas prices in Europe remain significantly higher than those in the U.S., making European operators the high cost, or marginal producers, of ammonia globally.
A slowdown in Far East Asian industrial activity combined with lower demand for phosphate products also contributed to lower nitrogen prices during much of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. Ammonia is a feedstock for various downstream chemicals that are produced in Asia, such as caprolactam and acrylonitrile, and markets for these products continue to be weak, resulting in reduced ammonia demand.
Despite the pressures on nitrogen pricing, ammonia prices thus far in 2024 have been significantly above 2023 lows reached in July, supported by a combination of global factors, including: strong U.S. demand for nitrogen fertilizers in the fourth quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2024, multiple unplanned production outages in the U.S. due to cold weather events, constrained ammonia imports into Europe from the Middle East due to the disruption of shipping through the Suez canal, and the delayed start-up of new production capacity. We believe ammonia pricing could moderate over the balance of 2024 for a variety of reasons, including: the start-up of new production capacity during the second half of the year, an increase in Russian exports during the second half of the year, and
20
continued depressed demand for nitrogen products from the global industrial sector, particularly in Asia. Upside to our 2024 pricing expectations could be driven by a variety of factors, including: an increase in energy prices, a strengthening Chinese economy driving increased industrial market demand, further delays in new production capacity coming online and supportive weather dynamics.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced that the results of its producer survey revealed that U.S. farmers intend to plant approximately 90 million acres of corn in 2024, down 5% from 2023. Despite the year-over-year decline, we believe this level of plantings should continue to support strong demand for fertilizers over the balance of the planting season. Looking ahead, we believe corn futures prices are at levels that would suggest that farmers will be incentivized to optimize fertilizer application in late 2024 and early 2025 to maximize yields next year.
Despite global economic challenges, demand for our industrial and mining products is stable. Nitric acid demand has been healthy, reflecting the resilience of the U.S. economy. Demand for AN for use in mining applications is steady due, in part, to strong prices for metals including gold and copper, as well as continued attractive market fundamentals for quarrying and aggregate production relating to infrastructure construction. While some degree of economic uncertainty persists, we believe that we have a meaningful degree of downside protection in our industrial and mining business given our diverse customer base, the nature of our contracts and our ability to shift our production mix to products where demand and pricing are strongest.
See a more detailed discussion below under “Key Industry Factors.”
Key Industry Factors
Supply and Demand
Fertilizer
The price at which our agricultural products are ultimately sold depends on numerous factors, including the supply and demand for nitrogen fertilizers which, in turn, depends upon world grain demand and production levels, the cost and availability of transportation and storage, weather conditions, competitive pricing and the availability of imports. Additionally, expansions or upgrades of competitors’ facilities and international and domestic political and economic developments continue to play an important role in the global nitrogen fertilizer industry economics. These factors can affect, in addition to selling prices, the level of inventories in the market which can cause price volatility and affect product margins.
From a farmer’s perspective, the demand for fertilizer is affected by the aggregate crop planting decisions including farm economics, weather and fertilizer application rate decisions of individual farmers. Individual farmers make planting decisions based largely on prospective profitability of a harvest, while the specific varieties and amounts of fertilizer they apply depend on factors such as their financial resources, soil conditions, weather patterns and the types of crops planted.
Additionally, changes in corn prices, as well as soybean, cotton and wheat prices, can affect the number of acres of corn planted in a given year and the number of acres planted will drive the level of nitrogen fertilizer consumption, likely affecting prices.
According to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report dated April 11, 2024 (“April Report”), farmers planted approximately 94.6 million acres of corn in 2023, up 7.3% compared to the 2022 planting season. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) estimates the U.S. ending stocks for the 2023 Harvest will be approximately 53.9 million metric tons, a 55.8% increase from the 2022 Harvest. The USDA's expected yield for the 2023 Harvest is 177.3, up approximately 2.2% from a year ago.
The following April 2024 estimates are associated with the corn market:
|
|
2024 Crop |
|
|
2023 Crop |
|
|
|
|
2022 Crop |
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
(2023 Harvest) |
|
|
(2022 Harvest) |
|
|
Percentage |
|
(2021 Harvest) |
|
|
Percentage |
|
|||||
|
|
April Report (1) |
|
|
April Report (1) |
|
|
Change (2) |
|
April Report (1) |
|
|
Change (3) |
|
|||||
U.S. Area Planted (Million acres) |
|
|
94.6 |
|
|
|
88.2 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
% |
|
92.9 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
U.S. Yield per Acre (Bushels) |
|
|
177.3 |
|
|
|
173.4 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
|
176.7 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
U.S. Production (Million bushels) |
|
|
15,342 |
|
|
|
13,651 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
% |
|
15,018 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
U.S. Ending Stocks (Million metric tons) |
|
|
53.9 |
|
|
|
34.6 |
|
|
|
55.8 |
% |
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
54.0 |
% |
World Ending Stocks (Million metric tons) |
|
|
318.3 |
|
|
|
302.2 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
310.8 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
% |
The current USDA corn outlook for the U.S. is for reduced supplies, lower food, seed, and industrial use and larger ending stocks. Corn production for the 2024 Crop is forecast at 15.3 billion bushels, up 12.4% over the 2023 Crop. From a demand perspective, corn
21
prices continue to be close to the 10-year averages, which we expect to incentivize farmers to optimize fertilizer applications during the first half of 2024 in order to maximize yields.
Industrial and Mining Products
Our industrial products sales volumes are dependent upon general economic conditions, primarily in the housing, automotive and paper industries. Demand for our industrial products has remained steady in the first quarter of 2024. Nitric acid demand is stable as the demand impacts of high inflation in the U.S. have been offset by global producers shifting production from international facilities to their U.S. operations in order to take advantage of lower domestic input costs. Our sales prices generally vary with the market price of ammonia or natural gas, as applicable, in our pricing arrangements with customers.
Our mining products are LDAN and AN solution, which are primarily used as AN fuel oil and specialty emulsions for usage in the quarry and the construction industries, for metals mining and to a lesser extent, for coal. Demand for AN for use in mining applications is robust due to attractive market fundamentals for quarrying and aggregate production and U.S. metals.
While economic concerns persist for 2024, we believe that for both our industrial and mining products we have a meaningful degree of downside protection from the potential impacts of a recession given the nature of our contracts and our ability to shift our production mix to products where demand and pricing are strongest.
Natural Gas Prices
Natural gas is the primary feedstock used to produce nitrogen fertilizers at our manufacturing facilities. In recent years, U.S. natural gas reserves have increased significantly due to, among other factors, advances in extracting shale gas, which has reduced and stabilized natural gas prices, providing North America with a cost advantage over certain imports. As a result, our competitive position and that of other North American nitrogen fertilizer producers has been positively affected.
We historically have purchased natural gas either on the spot market, through forward purchase contracts, or a combination of both and have used forward purchase contracts to lock in pricing for a portion of our natural gas requirements. These forward purchase contracts are generally either fixed-price or index-price, short-term in nature and for a fixed supply quantity. We are able to purchase natural gas at competitive prices due to our connections to large distribution systems and their proximity to interstate pipeline systems.
The following table shows the volume of natural gas purchased and the average cost per MMBtu:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Natural gas volumes (MMBtu in millions) |
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
Natural gas average cost per MMBtu |
|
$ |
2.33 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
Transportation Costs
Costs for transporting nitrogen-based products can be significant relative to their selling price. We continue to evaluate the recent rising costs of freight domestically. As a result of increases in demand for available rail, truck and barge options to transport product, primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, higher transportation costs have and could continue to impact our margins if we are unable to fully pass through these costs to our customers. Additionally, continued truck driver shortages could impact our ability to fulfill customer demand. As a result, we continue to evaluate supply chain efficiencies to reduce or counter the impact of higher logistics costs.
Key Operational Factors
Facility Reliability
Consistent, reliable and safe operations at our chemical plants are critical to our financial performance and results of operations. The financial effects of planned downtime at our plants, including Turnarounds is mitigated through a diligent planning process that considers the availability of resources to perform the needed maintenance and other factors. Unplanned downtime of our plants typically results in lost contribution margin from lost sales of our products, lost fixed cost absorption from lower production of our products and increased costs related to repairs and maintenance. All Turnarounds result in lost contribution margin from lost sales of our products, lost fixed cost absorption from lower production of our products and increased costs related to repairs and maintenance, which repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Our Cherokee Facility is currently on a three-year ammonia plant Turnaround cycle with the next ammonia plant Turnaround planned in the fourth quarter of 2024. Our El Dorado Facility is currently on a three-year ammonia plant Turnaround cycle with the next ammonia plant Turnaround planned in the third quarter of 2025. Our Pryor Facility is currently on a two-year ammonia plant Turnaround cycle with the next ammonia plant Turnaround planned in the third quarter of 2024.
22
Ammonia Production
Ammonia is the basic product used to produce all of our upgraded products. The ammonia production rates of our plants affect the total cost per ton of each product produced and the overall sales of our products. For 2024, we are targeting total ammonia production of approximately 790,000 tons to 810,000 tons.
Forward Sales Contracts
We use forward sales of our fertilizer products to optimize our asset utilization, planning process and production scheduling. These sales are made by offering customers the opportunity to purchase product on a forward basis at prices and delivery dates that are agreed upon, with dates typically occurring within 12 months. We use this program to varying degrees during the year depending on market conditions and our view of changing price environments. Fixing the selling prices of our products months in advance of their ultimate delivery to customers typically causes our reported selling prices and margins to differ from spot market prices and margins available at the time of shipment.
Consolidated Results of the First Quarter of 2024
Our consolidated net sales for the first quarter of 2024 were $138.2 million compared to $181.0 million for the same period in 2023. Our consolidated operating income for the first quarter of 2024 was $11.3 million compared to operating income of $30.5 million for the same period in 2023. The items impacting our operating results are discussed in more detail below and under “Results of Operations.”
Items Affecting Comparability of Results of the First Quarter
Selling Prices
For the first quarter of 2024, average selling prices for our key products decreased compared to the first quarter of 2023. As discussed above under “Recent Business Developments,” declining European natural gas prices resulted in ammonia production costs in Europe declining substantially, translating into increased global supply and lower selling prices for ammonia and ammonia derivative fertilizers.
For the first quarter of 2024, average industrial selling prices for our products were also lower compared to the same period of 2023, primarily driven by the $262 per metric ton decrease in the Tampa Ammonia benchmark price, as many of our industrial contracts are indexed to the Tampa Ammonia benchmark price.
23
Results of Operations
The following Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and accompanying notes and the discussions under “Overview” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in this MD&A.
We present the following information about our results of operations. Net sales to unaffiliated customers are reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and gross profit represents net sales less cost of sales. Net sales are reported on a gross basis with the cost of freight being recorded in cost of sales.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
The following table contains certain financial information:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
Change |
|
||||
|
|
(Dollars In Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Net sales: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
AN & Nitric Acid |
|
$ |
48,435 |
|
|
$ |
58,272 |
|
|
$ |
(9,837 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
)% |
Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) |
|
|
41,192 |
|
|
|
46,590 |
|
|
|
(5,398 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
)% |
Ammonia |
|
|
39,530 |
|
|
|
63,415 |
|
|
|
(23,885 |
) |
|
|
(38 |
)% |
Other |
|
|
9,047 |
|
|
|
12,687 |
|
|
|
(3,640 |
) |
|
|
(29 |
)% |
Total net sales |
|
$ |
138,204 |
|
|
$ |
180,964 |
|
|
$ |
(42,760 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Gross profit: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted gross profit (1) |
|
$ |
40,287 |
|
|
$ |
59,015 |
|
|
$ |
(18,728 |
) |
|
|
(32 |
)% |
Depreciation and amortization (2) |
|
|
(17,094 |
) |
|
|
(17,416 |
) |
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
(2 |
)% |
Turnaround expense |
|
|
(915 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
(921 |
) |
|
N/M |
|
|
Total gross profit |
|
|
22,278 |
|
|
|
41,605 |
|
|
|
(19,327 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
)% |
Selling, general and administrative expense |
|
|
10,294 |
|
|
|
9,867 |
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
Other expense, net |
|
|
724 |
|
|
|
1,203 |
|
|
|
(479 |
) |
|
|
(40 |
)% |
Operating income |
|
|
11,260 |
|
|
|
30,535 |
|
|
|
(19,275 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
)% |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
9,729 |
|
|
|
12,212 |
|
|
|
(2,483 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
)% |
Gain on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
(1,134 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,134 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Non-operating other income, net |
|
|
(3,561 |
) |
|
|
(3,476 |
) |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
2 |
% |
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
603 |
|
|
|
5,898 |
|
|
|
(5,295 |
) |
|
|
(90 |
)% |
Net income |
|
$ |
5,623 |
|
|
$ |
15,901 |
|
|
$ |
(10,278 |
) |
|
|
(65 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Other information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Gross profit percentage (3) |
|
|
16.1 |
% |
|
|
23.0 |
% |
|
|
(6.9 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted gross profit percentage (3) |
|
|
29.2 |
% |
|
|
32.6 |
% |
|
|
(3.4 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment expenditures |
|
$ |
18,287 |
|
|
$ |
18,437 |
|
|
$ |
(150 |
) |
|
|
|
_____________________________
N/M-Not meaningful.
The following tables provide key operating metrics for the fertilizer and major industrial and mining products:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|||||||
Product (tons sold) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
Change |
|
||||
AN & Nitric Acid |
|
|
128,801 |
|
|
|
122,745 |
|
|
|
6,056 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) |
|
|
134,933 |
|
|
|
113,026 |
|
|
|
21,907 |
|
|
|
19 |
% |
Ammonia |
|
|
94,831 |
|
|
|
88,997 |
|
|
|
5,834 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
Total |
|
|
358,565 |
|
|
|
324,768 |
|
|
|
33,797 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
24
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|||||||
Gross Average Selling Prices (price per ton) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
Change |
|
||||
AN & Nitric Acid |
|
$ |
376 |
|
|
$ |
475 |
|
|
$ |
(99 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
)% |
Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) |
|
$ |
305 |
|
|
$ |
412 |
|
|
$ |
(107 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
)% |
Ammonia |
|
$ |
417 |
|
|
$ |
713 |
|
|
$ |
(296 |
) |
|
|
(42 |
)% |
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
|
|||||||
Average Benchmark Prices (price per ton) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
Change |
|
||||
Tampa Ammonia Benchmark |
|
$ |
466 |
|
|
$ |
728 |
|
|
$ |
(262 |
) |
|
|
(36 |
)% |
NOLA UAN |
|
$ |
251 |
|
|
$ |
318 |
|
|
$ |
(67 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
)% |
Net Sales
Net sales of our primary products decreased during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year period driven by the impact of lower selling prices relative to the first quarter of 2023 for all of our products. Partially offsetting weaker pricing was an increase in sales volume driven by strong demand for fertilizers enhanced by our strategic commercial efforts. Additionally, we benefited from a healthy increase in downstream production volumes.
Demand for our industrial and mining products remains stable despite continued global economic challenges. Our contractual agreements with industrial customers that specify minimum volumes and our product mix flexibility helps us mitigate the impact of a reduction in demand from certain end markets by shifting production to products with stronger demand.
Gross Profit
As noted in the table above, we recognized a gross profit of $22.3 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $41.6 million for the same period in 2023, or a $19.3 million reduction. Overall, our gross profit percentage was 16.1% compared to a gross profit percentage of 23.0% for the same period in 2023. Our adjusted gross profit percentage decreased to 29.2% for the first quarter of 2024 from 32.6% for the first quarter of 2023.
The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by lower sales prices for our products partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower natural gas costs.
Selling, General and Administrative
Our SG&A expenses were $10.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $0.4 million compared to the same period in 2023. The net increase was primarily driven by increases in payroll related items partially offset by a reduction in expense relating to professional fees, insurance and other miscellaneous expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the first quarter of 2024 was $9.7 million compared to $12.2 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease primarily relates to reduced interest expense as a result of the repurchase of our 6.25% Senior Secured Notes made during beginning in the second quarter of 2023 and during March of 2024.
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt
During the first quarter of 2024, we repurchased $32.9 million of our Senior Secured Notes through open market transactions for approximately $31.3 million. As a result, we recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt, net of issuance costs, of approximately $1.1 million.
Other Expense, net
Other expense, net during the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 primarily relates to impairment and asset disposal expense partially offset by short-term rental income.
Non-operating Other Income, net
Non-operating other income, net for the first quarter of 2024 was $3.6 million compared to $3.5 million for the same period of 2023, primarily related to interest income earned during both periods from our short-term investments.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the first quarter of 2024 was $0.6 million compared to $5.9 million for the same period of 2023. The resulting effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 9.7% compared to 27.1% for the same period of 2023. For the first quarter of 2024, the effective tax rate is lower than the statutory rate primarily due to nondeductible compensation and state taxes. For
25
the first quarter of 2023, the effective tax rate is greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of state taxes including state valuation allowances on certain newly generated state tax attributes. See discussion in Note 7.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following table summarizes our cash flow activities for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
|
|
(In Thousands) |
|
|||||||||
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
$ |
24,107 |
|
|
$ |
59,247 |
|
|
$ |
(35,140 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net cash flows from investing activities |
|
$ |
47,902 |
|
|
$ |
(63,379 |
) |
|
$ |
111,281 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net cash flows from financing activities |
|
$ |
(44,518 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,688 |
) |
|
$ |
(33,830 |
) |
Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $24.1 million for the first three months ended 2024 compared to $59.2 million for the same period of 2023, a change of $35.1 million. The decrease was primarily a result of a reduction in net sales partially offset by lower cost of sales, working capital changes and higher interest income from short-term investments.
Net Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $47.9 million for the first three months ended 2024 compared to net cash used of $63.4 million for the same period of 2023, a change of $111.3 million.
For the first three months ended 2024, the net cash provided primarily relates to proceeds from short-term investments of $100.9 million, partially offset by purchases of short-term investments of $34.7 million and expenditures for PP&E of $18.3 million.
For the first three months ended 2023, the net cash used primarily relates to purchases of short-term investments of $133.7 million and expenditures for PP&E of $18.4 million, partially offset by proceeds from short-term investments of $88.7 million.
Net Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used by financing activities was $44.5 million for the first three months ended 2024 compared to net cash used of $10.7 million for the same period of 2023, a change of $33.8 million.
For the first three months ended 2024, the net cash used primarily consists of repurchases of our 6.25% Senior Secured Notes of $31.3 million, payments on other long-term debt and short-term financing of $5.8 million and payments of $7.2 million for the purchase of treasury stock.
For the first three months ended 2023, the net cash used primarily consists of payments on other long-term debt and short-term financing of $8.2 million and payments of $2.5 million for other financing activities.
26
Capitalization
The following is our total cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term debt and stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
|
|
(In Millions) |
|
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
126.0 |
|
|
$ |
98.5 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
|
139.2 |
|
|
|
207.4 |
|
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
|
$ |
265.2 |
|
|
$ |
305.9 |
|
Long-term debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Revolving Credit Facility |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (1) |
|
|
542.1 |
|
|
|
575.0 |
|
Secured Financing due 2025 |
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
14.1 |
|
Finance Leases |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
Unamortized debt issuance costs (2) |
|
|
(7.5 |
) |
|
|
(8.4 |
) |
Total long-term debt, including current portion, net |
|
$ |
549.6 |
|
|
$ |
581.7 |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
518.2 |
|
|
$ |
518.3 |
|
We currently have a revolving credit facility pursuant to that credit agreement, dated December 21, 2023, between us and the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), with a borrowing base up to an initial maximum of $75 million, with an option to increase the maximum by an additional $25 million (which amount is uncommitted). Availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base and an availability block of $7.5 million which is applied against the $75 million initially reducing the maximum (which can be removed by us at our sole discretion, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions). The Revolving Credit Facility provides for a sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10 million, with the outstanding amount of any such letters of credit reducing availability for borrowings. As of March 31, 2024, our Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn and had approximately $45.4 million of availability. See Note 4 for further discussion on the facility.
For the full year of 2024, we expect capital expenditures to be approximately $60 million to $80 million. This capital spending is primarily planned for reliability and maintenance capital projects.
From time to time, when the Company exceeds the funding threshold in our natural gas purchase commitments the Company is required to fund cash collateral to our counterparty.
As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately $265.2 million of cash and short-term investments. From time to time, we may seek to deploy capital through additional share repurchases or the retirement or purchase of outstanding debt. Such repurchases may be made in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
We believe that the combination of our cash on hand, short-term investments, the availability on our Revolving Credit Facility and our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our anticipated liquidity needs for the next twelve months.
Compliance with Long - Term Debt Covenants
As discussed in Note 4, the Revolving Credit Facility requires, among other things, that we meet a financial covenant. The Revolving Credit Facility does not include financial covenant requirements unless a defined covenant trigger event has occurred and is continuing. As of March 31, 2024, no trigger event had occurred.
Loan Agreements
Senior Secured Notes due 2028 – LSB has $542 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.25% Senior Secured Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2024. Interest is to be paid semiannually in arrears on May 15th and October 15th, maturing October 15, 2028.
Secured Financing due 2025 – We are a party to a $30 million secured financing arrangement with an affiliate of Eldridge. Principal and interest are payable in 60 equal monthly installments with a final balloon payment of approximately $5 million due in August 2025.
27
Revolving Credit Facility – At March 31, 2024, our Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn and had approximately $45.4 million of availability, based on our eligible collateral, less outstanding letters of credit as of that date. Also see discussion above under “Compliance with Long-Term Debt Covenants.”
Finance leases – Our finance leases consist primarily of leases on railcars. Most of our railcar leases are classified as operating leases.
Capital Expenditures – First Quarter 2024
For the first quarter of 2024, capital expenditures relating to PP&E were $18.3 million. The capital expenditures were funded primarily from cash and working capital.
See discussion above under “Capitalization” for our expected capital expenditures.
Equity and debt repurchases
In May 2023, our Board authorized a $150 million stock repurchase program. The program is intended as a means to maximize shareholder value by returning capital to shareholders. Under the repurchase program, we are authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market or privately negotiated transactions. Such purchases may be made pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans or other means as determined by our management and in accordance with the requirements of the SEC. The repurchase program does not obligate us to purchase any particular number or type of securities.
During the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, we repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of common stock at an average cost of $7.82 per share for a total of approximately $5.4 million. Total repurchase authority remaining under the repurchase program was $116 million as of March 31, 2024. The repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason.
During the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, we repurchased approximately $32.9 million in principal value of our Senior Secured Notes for approximately $31.3 million. The debt repurchase was intended as a means to deleverage our balance sheet and reduce future interest costs while maintaining a balanced capital allocation strategy that provides an appropriate level of liquidity to fund our operations and future growth opportunities.
Expenses Associated with Environmental Regulatory Compliance
We are subject to specific federal and state environmental compliance laws, regulations and guidelines. As a result, our expenses were $1.3 million for the first three months ended March 31, 2024 in connection with environmental projects. For the remainder of 2024, we expect to incur expenses ranging from $2.8 million to $3.2 million in connection with additional environmental projects. However, it is possible that the actual costs could be significantly different than our estimates.
Seasonality
We believe fertilizer products sold to the agricultural industry are seasonal, while sales into the industrial and mining sectors generally are less susceptible to seasonal fluctuations. The selling seasons for fertilizer products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November in the geographical markets where we distribute the majority of our fertilizer products. As a result, we typically increase our inventory of fertilizer products prior to the beginning of each planting season in order to meet the demand for our products. In addition, the amount and timing of sales to the agricultural markets depend upon weather conditions and other circumstances beyond our control.
Performance and Payment Bonds
We are contingently liable to sureties in respect of insurance bonds issued by the sureties in connection with certain contracts entered into by subsidiaries in the normal course of business. These insurance bonds primarily represent guarantees of future performance of our subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2024, we have agreed to indemnify the sureties for payments, up to $9.7 million, made by them in respect of such bonds. All of these insurance bonds are expected to expire or be renewed in 2024.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 for recently issued accounting standards.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” Item 7 of our 2023 Form 10-K. In addition, the preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosures of contingencies and fair values, including, but not limited to, various environmental and legal matters, including matters discussed under footnote A of Note 5.
Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We establish valuation allowances if we believe it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of deferred tax assets will not be
28
realized. Significant judgment is applied in evaluating the need for and the magnitude of appropriate valuation allowances against deferred tax assets.
It is also reasonably possible that the estimates and assumptions utilized as of March 31, 2024, could change in the near term. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments, as additional information becomes known.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
General
Our results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices of ammonia and natural gas and changes in market interest rates.
Forward Sales Commitments Risk
Periodically, we enter into forward firm sales commitments for products to be delivered in future periods. As a result, we could be exposed to embedded losses should our product costs exceed the firm sales prices at the end of a reporting period. At March 31, 2024, we had no embedded losses associated with sales commitments with firm sales prices.
Commodity Price Risk
A substantial portion of our products and raw materials are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. Since we are exposed to commodity price risk, we periodically enter into contracts to purchase natural gas for anticipated production needs to manage risk related to changes in prices of natural gas commodities. Generally, these contracts are considered normal purchases because they provide for the purchase of natural gas that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business, these contracts are exempt from the accounting and reporting requirements relating to derivatives. At March 31, 2024, we had no outstanding natural gas contracts which are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis.
Interest Rate Risk
Generally, we are exposed to variable interest rate risk with respect to our Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings on this credit facility and no other variable rate borrowings. We currently do not hedge our interest rate risk associated with our variable interest loan.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act designed to provide reasonable assurance that the 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. These include controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information 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. Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2024, at the reasonable assurance level. There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
29
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained within this report may be deemed “Forward-Looking Statements.” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. All statements in this report other than statements of historical fact are Forward-Looking Statements that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are difficult to predict or outside of the Company’s control, which could cause actual results and performance of the Company to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, such statements. Any such Forward-Looking Statements are not guarantees of future performance. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” and similar expressions identify Forward-Looking Statements. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied of projected by, such forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking Statements contained herein, and the associated risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
While we believe, the expectations reflected in such Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance such expectations will prove to have been correct. There are a variety of factors which could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those described in this report, including, but not limited to, the following:
30
Given these uncertainties, all parties are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such Forward-Looking Statements. Except to the extent required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
31
The following is a list of terms used in this report.
ADEQ |
- |
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. |
|
|
|
AN |
- |
Ammonium nitrate. |
|
|
|
April Report |
- |
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report dated April 11, 2024. |
|
|
|
ASUs |
- |
Accounting Standard Updates. |
|
|
|
ATR |
- |
AutoThermal Reforming. |
|
|
|
CAO |
- |
A consent administrative order. |
|
|
|
Cherokee Facility |
- |
Our chemical production facility located in Cherokee, Alabama. |
|
|
|
Chevron |
- |
Chevron Environmental Management Company. |
|
|
|
COVID-19 |
- |
The novel coronavirus disease of 2019. |
|
|
|
EDA |
- |
El Dorado Ammonia L.L.C. (now merged into LSB Chemical, L.L.C. a subsidiary of LSB Industries, Inc.). |
|
|
|
EDC |
- |
El Dorado Chemical Company (now merged into LSB Chemical, L.L.C. a subsidiary of LSB Industries, Inc.). |
|
|
|
El Dorado Facility |
- |
Our chemical production facility located in El Dorado, Arkansas. |
|
|
|
Eldridge |
- |
Eldridge Industries, L.L.C. |
|
|
|
Environmental and Health Laws |
- |
Numerous federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws. |
|
|
|
EUC |
- |
Environmental Use Control. |
|
|
|
FASB |
- |
Financial Accounting Standards Board. |
|
|
|
FEED |
- |
Front end engineering design. |
|
|
|
Global |
- |
Global Industrial, Inc., a subcontractor asserting mechanics liens for work rendered to the Company. |
|
|
|
Hallowell Facility |
- |
A chemical facility previously owned by two of our subsidiaries located in Kansas. |
|
|
|
HDAN |
- |
High density ammonium nitrate prills used in the agricultural industry. |
|
|
|
IRS |
- |
Internal Revenue Service. |
|
|
|
KDHE |
- |
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment. |
|
|
|
LDAN |
- |
Low density ammonium nitrate prills used in the mining industry. |
|
|
|
Leidos |
- |
Leidos Constructors L.L.C. |
|
|
|
LSB |
- |
LSB Industries, Inc. |
|
|
|
MD&A |
- |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
|
|
|
MMBtu |
- |
Million British thermal units. |
|
|
|
MOU |
- |
Memorandum of understanding. |
|
|
|
Note |
- |
A note in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
ODEQ |
- |
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. |
|
|
|
PP&E |
- |
Plant, property and equipment. |
|
|
|
Pryor Facility |
- |
Our chemical production facility located in Pryor, Oklahoma. |
|
|
|
SEC |
- |
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secured Financing due 2025 |
- |
A secured financing arrangement between EDA and an affiliate of Eldridge which matures in August 2025. |
|
|
|
Senior Secured Notes |
- |
The senior secured notes issued on October 14, 2021 and the senior secured notes issued March 8, 2022, taken together both due on October 15, 2028 with a stated interest rates of 6.25% maturing in October 2028. |
|
|
|
SG&A |
- |
Selling, general and administrative expense. |
|
|
|
Ton |
- |
A unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds. |
|
|
|
Turnaround |
- |
A planned major maintenance activity. |
|
|
|
UAN |
- |
Urea ammonium nitrate. |
|
|
|
U.S. |
- |
United States. |
|
|
|
U.S. GAAP |
- |
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. |
|
|
|
USDA |
- |
United States Department of Agriculture. |
|
|
|
32
West Fertilizer |
- |
West Fertilizer Company. |
|
|
|
Revolving Credit Facility |
- |
Our secured revolving credit facility pursuant to that credit agreement, dated December 21, 2023, between us and the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent. |
|
|
|
2022 Crop |
- |
Corn crop marketing year (September 1 - August 31), which began in 2021 and ended in 2022 and primarily relates to corn planted and harvested in 2021. |
|
|
|
2023 Crop |
- |
Corn crop marketing year (September 1 - August 31), which began in 2022 and will end in 2023 and primarily relates to corn planted and harvested in 2022. |
|
|
|
2024 Crop |
- |
Corn crop marketing year (September 1 - August 31), which began in 2023 and will end in 2024 and primarily relates to corn planted and harvested in 2023. |
33
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Other Litigation
We are from time to time subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, examinations by the Internal Revenue Service. For further discussion of our legal matters, see “Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies—Legal Matters” in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Reference is made to Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2024. There are no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table summarizes the Company’s purchase of its common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2024:
Period |
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased |
|
(b) Average Price Paid per Share |
|
(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Program (1) |
|
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Program |
|
||||
January 1 – January 31, 2024 |
|
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
— |
|
$ |
121,489,988 |
|
February 1 – February 29, 2024 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
121,489,988 |
|
March 1 – March 31, 2024 |
|
690,326 |
|
|
7.82 |
|
|
690,326 |
|
|
116,093,081 |
|
Total |
|
690,326 |
|
$ |
7.82 |
|
|
690,326 |
|
$ |
116,093,081 |
|
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
Not applicable
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable
Item 5. Other Information
Adoption of 10b5-1 Trading Plans by Our Officers and Directors
During our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, certain of our officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) entered into contracts, instructions or written plans for the purchase or sale of our securities that are intended to satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act for an affirmative defense against liability for trading in securities on the basis of material nonpublic information. We refer to these contracts, instructions, and written plans as a “Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.” We describe the material terms of this Rule 10b5-1 trading plans below.
Michael J. Foster, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
On
Kristy D. Carver, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
On
34
changes to our common stock. The total vested and unvested common shares held by Ms. Carver is
Item 6. Exhibits
See “Index to Exhibits” on page 35.
Index to Exhibits Item 6.
Exhibit Number |
|
Exhibit Title |
|
Incorporated by Reference to the Following |
|
|
|
|
|
3(i).1 |
|
|
Exhibit 3(i).1 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(i).2 |
|
|
Exhibit 3(i).2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on November 16, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(ii) |
|
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of LSB Industries, Inc., dated July 19, 2021 |
|
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed July 20, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
31.1(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.2(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.1(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.2(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.INS(a) |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.SCH(a) |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.CAL(a) |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.DEF(a) |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.LAB(a) |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101.PRE(a) |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104(a) |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
|
|
35
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has caused the undersigned, duly authorized, to sign this report on its behalf on this 30th day of April 2024.
LSB INDUSTRIES, INC. |
|
/s/ Cheryl A. Maguire |
Cheryl A. Maguire |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
36
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Mark T. Behrman, certify that:
Date: April 30, 2024
/s/ Mark T. Behrman |
Mark T. Behrman |
President, Chief Executive Officer |
and Director |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Cheryl A. Maguire, certify that:
Date: April 30, 2024
/s/ Cheryl A. Maguire |
Cheryl A. Maguire |
Executive Vice President |
and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”). I, Mark T. Behrman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSB, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
/s/ Mark T. Behrman |
Mark T. Behrman |
President, Chief Executive Officer |
(Principal Executive Officer) and |
Director |
April 30, 2024
This certification is furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission solely for purpose of 18 U.S.C. §1350 subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other purpose.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Cheryl A. Maguire, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of LSB, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
/s/ Cheryl A. Maguire |
Cheryl A. Maguire |
Executive Vice President |
and Chief Financial Officer |
(Principal Financial Officer) |
April 30, 2024
This certification is furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission solely for purpose of 18 U.S.C. §1350 subject to the knowledge standard contained therein and not for any other purpose.