Page 1 of 18 pages
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Transition Period from __________________________ to________________________
For Quarter Ended September 30, 2000 Commission File Number 1-5112
ETHYL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
VIRGINIA | 54-0118820 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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330 SOUTH FOURTH STREET P. O. BOX 2189 | |
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA | 23218-2189 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code - (804) 788-5000 |
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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. |
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YES X | NO___ |
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Number of shares of common stock, $1 par value, outstanding as of September 30, 2000: 83,454,650. | |
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | | | | |
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ITEM 1. Financial Statements | | | | |
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ETHYL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
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(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) |
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(Unaudited) |
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| Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |
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| 2000 | | 1999 | | 2000 | | 1999 | |
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Net sales | | $ 204,388 | | $ 216,637 | | $ 617,466 | | $ 628,193 | |
Cost of goods sold | | 159,205 | | 163,920 | | 483,578 | | 483,362 | |
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Gross profit | | 45,183 | | 52,717 | | 133,888 | | 144,831 | |
TEL marketing agreements services | | 10,489 | | 15,649 | | 24,583 | | 43,286 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | 19,932 | | 16,797 | | 57,932 | | 52,757 | |
Research, development and testing expenses | | 19,271 | | 16,291 | | 55,499 | | 47,798 | |
Special items income, net | | 27,185 | | - | | 73,604 | | 7,200 | |
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Operating profit | | 43,654 | | 35,278 | | 118,644 | | 94,762 | |
Interest and financing expenses | | 9,371 | | 9,011 | | 26,935 | | 26,637 | |
Other (expense) income, net | | (1,725 | ) | (1,889 | ) | (668 | ) | 153 | |
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Income before income taxes | | 32,558 | | 24,378 | | 91,041 | | 68,278 | |
Income taxes | | 11,002 | | 7,686 | | 32,392 | | 23,034 | |
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Net income | | $ 21,556 | | $ 16,692 | | $ 58,649 | | $ 45,244 | |
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Basic and diluted earnings per share | | $ .26 | | $ .20 | | $ .70 | | $ .54 | |
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Shares used to compute basic and | |
diluted earnings per share | | 83,463 | | 83,465 | | 83,465 | | 83,465 | |
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Cash dividends declared per share of common stock | | $ - | | $ .0625 | | $ .1250 | | $ .1875 | |
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See accompanying notes to financial statements.
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ETHYL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
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(In thousands) |
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| September 30 | |
| 2000 | | December 31 |
| (unaudited) | | 1999 | |
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ASSETS | | | | | |
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Current assets: | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ 15,379 | | $ 15,846 | |
Accounts receivable, less allowance for | |
doubtful accounts ($961 - 2000; $975 - 1999) | | 128,600 | | 133,291 | |
Receivable - TEL marketing agreements services | | 14,750 | | 22,655 | |
Inventories: | |
Finished goods and work-in-process | | 121,280 | | 145,557 | |
Raw materials | | 19,934 | | 21,094 | |
Stores, supplies and other | | 9,238 | | 8,141 | |
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| | 150,452 | | 174,792 | |
Deferred income taxes and prepaid expenses | | 15,029 | | 18,274 | |
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Total current assets | | 324,210 | | 364,858 | |
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Property, plant and equipment, at cost | | 763,148 | | 769,307 | |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | 466,438 | | 436,331 | |
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Net property, plant and equipment | | 296,710 | | 332,976 | |
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Prepaid pension cost | | 216,519 | | 127,213 | |
Other assets and deferred charges | | 105,216 | | 67,170 | |
Goodwill and other intangibles, net of amortization | | 90,816 | | 99,163 | |
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Total assets | | $1,033,471 | | $ 991,380 | |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |
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Current liabilities: | |
Accounts payable | | $ 56,516 | | $ 64,945 | |
Accrued expenses | | 55,666 | | 53,304 | |
Dividends payable | | - | | 5,217 | |
Long-term debt, current portion | | 87,133 | | 67,088 | |
Income taxes payable | | 7,512 | | 12,538 | |
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Total current liabilities | | 206,827 | | 203,092 | |
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Long-term debt | | 381,864 | | 407,134 | |
Other noncurrent liabilities | | 97,787 | | 102,707 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 84,245 | | 63,238 | |
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Shareholders' equity | |
Common stock ($1 par value) | |
Issued - 83,454,650 in 2000 and | |
83,465,460 in 1999 | | 83,455 | | 83,465 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (12,406 | ) | (11,828 | ) |
Retained earnings | | 191,699 | | 143,572 | |
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| | 262,748 | | 215,209 | |
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Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | $1,033,471 | | $ 991,380 | |
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See accompanying notes to financial statements | |
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ETHYL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
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(In thousands, unaudited) |
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| Nine Months Ended |
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| September 30 |
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| 2000 | 1999 |
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | $ 15,846 | $ 8,403 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income | 58,649 | 45,244 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash |
flows from operating activities: |
Depreciation and amortization | 50,431 | 49,303 |
Deferred income taxes | 22,690 | (1,178) |
Prepaid pension cost | (10,279) | (10,675) |
Gain on sale of certain assets | (2,290) | - |
Special items income, net | (69,554) | - |
Working capital | 20,837 | 4,106 |
Other, net | (1,625) | (2,898) |
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Cash provided from operating activities | 68,859 | 83,902 |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Capital expenditures | (9,090) | (10,580) |
Prepayment for TEL marketing agreements services | (39,448) | - |
Proceeds from sale of certain assets | 2,635 | 2,650 |
Investment in Envera, LLC | (2,496) | - |
Other, net | 101 | 72 |
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Cash used in investing activities | (48,298) | (7,858) |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Repayment of long-term debt | (60,000) | (60,000) |
Net borrowings on revolving credit agreement | 55,000 | - |
Cash dividends paid | (15,650) | (15,650) |
Other, net | (378) | (1,456) |
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Cash used in financing activities | (21,028) | (77,106) |
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Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (467) | (1,062) |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 15,379 | $ 7,341 |
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Supplemental investing and financing noncash transactions |
Assignment of Texaco Inc. note payable | $ - | $ 29,208 |
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See accompanying notes to financial statements |
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ETHYL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (In Thousands Except Per-Share Amounts) (Unaudited)
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1. | In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Ethyl Corporation and Subsidiaries contain all necessary adjustments to present fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2000, as well as the consolidated results of operations for the three-months and nine-months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, and the consolidated cash flows for the nine-months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999. All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the December 31, 1999 Annual Report and Form 10-K. The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. |
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| Ethyl adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (FAS 133), "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities", on January 1, 1999. FAS 133 has been consistently applied for all periods presented. |
2. | Ethyl’s Swiss subsidiaries have entered marketing agreements with Alcor Chemie AG and Alcor Chemie Vertriebs AG (the “Alcor Group”), to market and sell TEL outside North America and the European Economic Area. The Alcor Group was purchased by The Associated Octel Company Limited (“Octel”) in the fall of 1999. These agreements are similar to the marketing agreements currently in place with Octel. On April 19, 2000, a payment of $39.4 million was made to the Alcor Group as a prepayment for services provided under the terms of the marketing agreements. These payments were funded under current loan agreements. These payments are amortized over a period of 10 years using a declining balance method. The proceeds earned by Ethyl under these marketing agreements are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the caption, “TEL Marketing Agreements Services.” |
3. | Long-term debt consists of the following: | September 30 | | December 31 |
| | 2000 | | 1999 |
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| Revolving credit agreement | $270,000 | | $215,000 |
| Term loan agreement | 180,000 | | 240,000 |
| Medium-term notes due through 2001 | 13,500 | | 13,500 |
| Total long-term debt | 463,500 | | 468,500 |
| Obligations under capital lease | 5,544 | | 5,823 |
| Less unamortized discount | (47) | | (101) |
| Net long-term debt | 468,997 | | 474,222 |
| Less current portion | (87,133) | | (67,088) |
| Long-term debt | $381,864 | | $407,134 |
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4. | The components of comprehensive income consist of the following: |
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| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
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| Net income | | $ 21,556 | | $ 16,692 | | $ 58,649 | | $ 45,244 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |
| Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities | 8,172 | | (730 | ) | 7,610 | | (663 | ) |
| Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments | 405 | | (2,684 | ) | 1,752 | | (1,805 | ) |
| Minimum pension liability adjustment | - | | - | | (1,811 | ) | - | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (3,881 | ) | 4,057 | | (8,129 | ) | (5,316 | ) |
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| Other comprehensive income gain (loss) | 4,696 | | 643 | | (578 | ) | (7,784 | ) |
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| Comprehensive income | | $ 26,252 | | $ 17,335 | | $ 58,071 | | $ 37,460 | |
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| Nine months 2000 unrealized gain on marketable equity securities includes a reclassification adjustment for the gain included in other (expense) income, net resulting from the sale of securities of $1.4 million (net of tax). |
| The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of the following: |
| | September 30 | | December 31 |
| | 2000 | | 1999 |
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| Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities | $10,218 | | $2,608 |
| Unrealized loss on derivative instruments | (147) | | (1,899) |
| Minimum pension liability adjustment | (1,811) | | - |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (20,666) | | (12,537) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) | $(12,406) | | $(11,828) |
5. | The third quarter 2000 special items income, net included a net benefit of $28.6 million income ($18.2 million after tax or $.22 per share) from the settlement of certain pension contracts resulting in the recognition of a noncash gain offset by a special retirement charge of $1.4 million ($917 thousand after tax or $.01 per share).
The nine months 2000 amounts consisted of $78.5 million income ($49.8 million after tax or $.60 per share) related to settlements of certain pension contracts resulting in the recognition of noncash gains in the first and third quarters as well as $4.0 million income ($2.6 million after tax or $.03 per share) related to the demutualization of MetLife, Inc. in the second quarter. These items were partly offset by a $7.5 million first quarter charge ($4.8 million after tax or $.06 per share) related to the write-off of plant assets and the third quarter special retirement charge.
In the first and third quarters of 2000, elections were made regarding certain contracts in our U. S. salaried pension plan. These elections resulted in the settlement of liabilities for certain |
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| pension contracts and the recognition of significant gains related to our pension assets. The settlement gains have no cash effect on the Company, nor will any retiree benefits change.
The charge of $7.5 million included in first quarter 2000 special items was for the write-off of the production assets of a previously idled petroleum additives facility. There were no employee or other incremental costs included in this charge. As part of our ongoing cost improvement process, during first quarter 2000 we reviewed a third party supply contract for product as well as our manufacturing facilities. We concluded that the market for product previously produced at this facility had not grown as anticipated and excess supply and production facilities were in place. Further, there are no specific market changes expected to impact these conditions. As a result of this review, we cancelled the original supply contract in first quarter 2000, restructured, and entered a new, more limited supply agreement. There were no one-time charges related to the contract change. We also decided to permanently idle this manufacturing facility and wrote off the book value of these assets in the first quarter. |
6. | The special income item in 1999 consisted of $7.2 million income ($4.4 million after tax or $.05 per share) from a supply contract amendment. |
7. | Other (expense) income, net for third quarter included a $1.8 million charge for our percentage share of the loss Envera, LLC (Envera). Envera is a newly formed, global electronic-marketplace for business to business transactions and services. Ethyl has an equity investment in Envera.
Other (expense) income, net for nine months 2000 includes a second quarter gain on the sale of a nonoperating asset of $2.3 million ($1.4 million after tax or $.02 per share) which was partially offset by a $1.8 million charge related to the equity loss in Envera. |
8. | During nine months 2000, TEL inventory quantities were reduced which resulted in a liquidation of LIFO inventory. The effect of the liquidation was to decrease cost of goods sold by $1.1 million and increase net income by $0.7 million or $.01 per share. |
9. | The Environmental Protection Agency has named Ethyl as a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 for the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at the Sauget Area 2 Sites in Sauget, Illinois. Without admitting any fact, responsibility, fault or liability in connection with this site, Ethyl has agreed to participate with other PRPs to undertake a site investigation and feasibility study. We are responsible for 6.47% of the study cost and have accrued for these estimated expenses. Due to the early stage of the investigation, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the total cost of the investigation, remediation, if required, or Ethyl's share of responsibilities related to this site cleanup, if any. |
10. | During the third quarter, Ethyl announced that we would use a portion of the value tied up in an overfunded U.S. salaried employee pension plan and apply an estimated $50 million toward our aggressive debt repayment schedule established by management. As of December 31, 1999, the pension plan included a surplus in excess of $200 million. The current pension plan will be terminated at December 31, 2000 and Ethyl will use 25% of the surplus to fully fund the new plan for U.S. salaried employees, with similar provisions and benefit formula as the terminated plan. The remaining surplus will be subject to the usual corporate taxes as well as a 20% excise tax. The process remains subject to regulatory approval and is anticipated to |
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| conclude by third quarter 2001. Additionally, in future years, Ethyl will report reduced non-cash pension income as the amount of surplus in the new pension plan will be less than that in the terminated plan. |
11. | On December 3, 1999 the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements". Management is continuing to review the impact that compliance with SAB No. 101 will have on our financial statements and related disclosures. |
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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors affecting our results of operations and changes in financial condition since December 31, 1999. Our reportable segments, petroleum additives and tetraethyl lead (TEL), are strategic business units that we manage separately.
Some of the information presented in the following discussion constitutes forward-looking comments within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking comments may focus on future objectives or expectations about future performance and may include statements about trends or anticipated events.
We believe our forward-looking comments are based on reasonable expectations and assumptions, within the bounds of what we know about our business and operations. However, we offer no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations due to uncertainties and factors that are difficult to predict and beyond our control. We identified certain, but not all, of these factors in the Review of Operations on page 26 of our 1999 Annual Report and incorporate the same herein by reference.
Results of Operations
Net Sales:
Our consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2000 amounted to $204.4 million, representing a decrease of 6% from the 1999 level of $216.6 million. The nine months 2000 consolidated net sales of $617.5 million were 2% below the nine months 1999 amount of $628.2. The table below shows our consolidated net sales by segment.
Net Sales By Segment
(in millions)
Third Quarter Nine Months
2000 1999 2000 1999
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Petroleum additives $198.2 $206.1 $597.9 $609.0
Tetraethyl lead 6.2 10.5 19.6 19.2
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Consolidated net sales $204.4 $216.6 $617.5 $628.2
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Petroleum Additives SegmentPetroleum additives net sales in the third quarter 2000 of $198.2 million were down $7.9 million (4%) from $206.1 million in 1999. The lower net sales reflect lower shipments across most regions and product lines, as well as an unfavorable effect of foreign exchange. These factors were only partially offset by the benefit of higher selling prices.
The nine months petroleum additives net sales of $597.9 million were down $11.1 million (2%) from 1999 net sales of $609.0 million. The lower net sales for the nine months reflect lower volumes shipped in most product lines and most regions except North America, as well as an unfavorable effect of foreign exchange. This was only partially offset by higher selling prices.
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TEL SegmentTetraethyl lead sales under the TEL marketing agreements are not recorded as sales by Ethyl. Consequently, TEL net sales reflected in the table above are made by Ethyl in areas not covered by the agreements as well as sales made to The Associated Octel Company Limited (Octel) under the terms of the TEL marketing agreements.
Segment Operating Profit:Ethyl evaluates the performance of petroleum additives and TEL based on segment operating profit. Corporate departments and other expenses outside the control of the segment manager are not allocated to segment operating profit. Depreciation on segment property, plant, and equipment and amortization of segment intangible assets are included in the operating profit of each segment.
Combined segment operating profit of $21.7 million in the third quarter of 2000 represents a decrease of 43% compared to operating profit of $38.4 million in third quarter 1999. Nine months 2000 segment operating profit was $52.5 million and included a nonrecurring expense of $7.5 million for the write-off of a petroleum additives manufacturing facility. Operating profit for the same 1999 period was $107.1 million and included nonrecurring income of $7.2 million related to a supply contract amendment. Excluding these nonrecurring items, combined segment operating profit was down 40% from 1999 levels.
Operating profit by segment and reconciliation to income before income taxes is shown below followed by a review of the results.
Segment Operating Profit
(in millions)
Third Quarter Nine Months
2000 1999 2000 1999
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Petroleum additives before
Nonrecurring items $8.8 $21.8 $32.6 $60.6
Nonrecurring items - - (7.5) 7.2
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Total petroleum additives 8.8 21.8 25.1 67.8
Tetraethyl lead 12.9 16.6 27.4 39.3
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Segment operating profit 21.7 38.4 52.5 107.1
Corporate unallocated expense (6.5) (5.5) (19.3) (17.3)
Interest expense (9.4) (9.0) (26.9) (26.6)
Other income, net 26.8 0.5 84.7 5.1
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Income before income taxes $32.6 $24.4 $91.0 $68.3
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Petroleum Additives SegmentPetroleum additives operating profit was $8.8 million for the third quarter 2000, which was a 59% decrease from $21.8 million for the third quarter 1999. This decrease from 1999 levels resulted from the impact of significantly higher raw material costs, lower shipments, higher research, development, and testing (R&D) expenses, unfavorable foreign exchange impact, and slightly higher selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses. Although we implemented additional price increase initiatives during the year, rising raw material costs continue to more than offset the benefit of these increases.
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Third quarter 2000 R&D expenses combined with SG&A expenses were about 13% higher than third quarter 1999 primarily reflecting higher R&D expenses. The increase in R&D expenses reflects additional testing as we prepare for the next generation of additive product specifications, as well as ongoing product reformulation.
SG&A, including research, development and testing expense, as a percentage of net sales increased from 14.3% in third quarter 1999 to 16.8% in third quarter 2000, primarily reflecting the effect of higher R&D expenses and lower sales revenue.
Petroleum additives nine months 2000 operating profit was $25.1 million as compared to $67.8 million in the 1999 period. Excluding nonrecurring items, petroleum additives operating profit for nine months of this year of $32.6 million decreased 46% from the same period of 1999 operating profit of $60.6 on the same basis.
The lower profits year to date resulted from significantly higher raw material costs, slightly lower shipments, higher R&D, unfavorable foreign exchange effect, and higher SG&A expenses. The benefit of price increases during 2000 did not significantly offset these factors. The nonrecurring write-off of the idled manufacturing facility in first quarter 2000 is part of our ongoing review of plant rationalization efforts and has improved the petroleum additives cost structure.
R&D expenses for nine months 2000 increased 16% compared to the 1999 period. Testing related to the next generation of additive product specifications, as well as ongoing product reformulation caused the increase in R&D expenses over 1999 levels.
SG&A expenses combined with research, development and testing expense, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 14.4% for nine months 1999 to 16.3% in the same period this year. This increase primarily reflects the effect of higher R&D expenses and slightly lower sales revenue.
TEL SegmentOur TEL operating profit for the third quarter 2000 amounted to $12.9 million and included $10.5 million from the TEL marketing agreements. In comparison, third quarter 1999 operating profit was $16.6 million and included $15.6 million from the marketing agreements.
Nine months 2000 operating profit was $27.4 million and included $24.6 million from the marketing agreements. In comparison, the 1999 period operating profit was $39.3 million and included $43.3 million from the marketing agreements. Nine months 2000 included a second quarter benefit of $1.1 million resulting from the liquidation of certain LIFO inventory. TEL operating profit also benefited from lower environmental cleanup expense in 2000.
As the TEL market continues to decline, the quarter to quarter results will fluctuate at a higher rate due to the timing of customer bulk orders.
TEL results include the cost of certain facilities that are not allocable to the TEL marketing agreements.
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The following discussion references the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 3 of this Form 10Q.
Special Items Income, Net:
The special items income, net for third quarter 2000 totaled $27.2 million. A settlement of certain pension contracts resulted in the recognition of a noncash gain of $28.6 million offset by a special retirement charge of $1.4 million.
The special items income, net for nine months 2000 totaled $73.6 million. Settlements of certain pension contracts resulted in the recognition of noncash gains in the first and third quarters totaling $78.5 million. In addition, the second quarter demutualization of MetLife, Inc. resulted in $4.0 million income. These items were partly offset by a $7.5 million first quarter charge related to the write-off of plant assets and the third quarter special retirement charge of $1.4 million.
The special item income of $7.2 million for first quarter 1999 was the supply contract amendment as noted in the segment operating profit discussion.
Interest and Financing Expenses:
In the third quarter 2000, interest and financing expenses were $9.4 million as compared to $9.0 million in 1999. A higher effective interest rate caused a $1.4 million increase in interest and financing expenses. Lower average debt resulted in a decrease in interest and financing expenses of $0.8 million. These factors were partially offset by lower fees and amortization of financing costs.
Interest and financing expenses for nine months were $26.9 million as compared to $26.6 million in 1999. Higher effective interest rates resulted in an increase of $4.0 million. Lower average debt and lower fees and amortization of financing costs of $3.7 million mostly offset the higher effective interest rates.
Other (Expense) Income, Net:
Other (expense) income, net totaled $1.7 million expense in the third quarter of 2000 including $1.8 million for our percentage share of the loss of Envera, LLC (Envera). Envera is a newly formed, global electronic-marketplace for business to business transactions and services. Ethyl has an equity investment in Envera. Other expense in the third quarter 1999 was $1.9 million.
Other (expense) income, net for the nine months 2000 was $700 thousand expense as compared to $200 thousand income for 1999. The 2000 total includes a second quarter gain of about $2.3 million on the sale of a nonoperating assets, which was partially offset by $1.8 million related to the equity loss in Envera.
Income Taxes:
Income tax expense was $11.0 million for the third quarter 2000 and $7.7 million for the third quarter 1999. A 34% increase in our income before income taxes contributed $2.6 million of the increase in income taxes. The effective income tax rate of 33.8% in 2000 resulted in higher expense of $0.7 million compared the effective tax rate of 31.5% for 1999. The lower rate reflects the recognition of certain income tax benefits in 1999.
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The nine months income tax expense was $32.4 million in 2000 and $23.0 million in 1999. A 33% increase in income before income taxes contributed $7.7 million of the increase in income taxes. The effective income tax rate of 35.6% in 2000 resulted in higher expense of $1.7 million compared the effective tax rate of 33.7% for 1999. The nine months 1999 rate includes the recognition of certain income tax benefits.
Net Income:
Because of the items discussed above, third quarter net income was $21.6 million ($.26 per share) in 2000 and $16.7 million ($.20 per share) in 1999. These results include higher corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses for third quarter 2000 as compared to the same 1999 period. Excluding the nonrecurring items, our third quarter 2000 earnings were $4.3 million ($.05 per share) compared to $16.7 million ($.20 per share) in 1999.
Ethyl’s net income for nine months 2000 was $58.6 million ($.70 per share) as compared to $45.2 million ($.54 per share) for nine months 1999. The nine months 2000 net income also includes increases in corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses from nine months 1999 levels. Nonrecurring income of $48.1 million ($.58 per share) was included in 2000. The nonrecurring item in 1999 amounted to a benefit of $4.4 million ($.05 per share). Excluding the nonrecurring items, our 2000 earnings were $10.5 million ($.12 per share) compared to $40.8 million ($.49 per share) for the 1999 period.
A summary of earnings and earnings per share, both including and excluding, the non-recurring items is shown below:
(In millions except per share amounts)
Third Quarter Nine Months
-------------- -----------
2000 1999 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ----
Net income:
Earnings excluding nonrecurring items $ 4.3 $16.7 $10.5 $40.8
Nonrecurring items (a) 17.3 - 48.1 4.4
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Net income $ 21.6 $16.7 $58.6 $45.2
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Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Earnings excluding nonrecurring items $ .05 $ .20 $ .12 $ .49
Nonrecurring items (a) .21 - .58 .05
------ ------ ------ -----
Net income $ .26 $ .20 $ .70 $ .54
====== ====== ====== =====
(a) Nonrecurring items after income taxes:
Pension contract settlements $ 18.2 $ - $ 49.8 $ -
Special retirement charge (0.9) - 0.9) -
Manufacturing facility write-off - - (4.8) -
Income from demutualization of MetLife - - 2.6 -
Gain on sale of nonoperating assets - - 1.4 -
Supply contract amendment - - - 4.4
----- ----- ------ -----
$17.3 $ - $ 48.1 $ 4.4
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We expect the factors, including the margin compression, which have affected the petroleum additives operating profit for the nine months 2000, will continue into next year. This will result in our fourth quarter 2000 petroleum additive profit being below the fourth quarter 1999.
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Financial Condition and Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2000 totaled $15.4 million, which was a decrease of $467 thousand since December 31, 1999. Our cash flows were more than sufficient to cover operating activities during the 2000 period. Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months of 2000 were $68.9 million. This, as well as the use of cash on hand and other proceeds of almost $3.0 million, was used to fund the prepayment for TEL marketing agreements services of $39.4 million, pay dividends of $15.7 million, fund capital expenditures of $9.1 million, reduce long-term debt $5.0 million, and invest $2.5 million in Envera.
In the third quarter, Ethyl took additional actions to improve cash flows for debt reduction. On July 27, 2000, the Board of Directors suspended our dividend. Also during the third quarter, Ethyl took steps to use a portion of the value tied up in an overfunded U.S. salaried employee pension plan in order to apply an estimated $50 million towards debt repayment.
At December 31, 1999 this pension plan was overfunded in excess of $200 million. Ethyl will terminate the current plan at year-end 2000 and use 25% of the surplus to establish a new fully funded pension plan for U.S. salaried employees with comparable provisions and benefit formula. The surplus not used to fund the new pension plan will be subject to the usual corporate income taxes as well as a 20% excise tax.
The process remains subject to regulatory approval and is anticipated to conclude by third quarter 2001. Additionally, in future years, Ethyl will report reduced non-cash pension income as the amount of surplus in the new pension plan will be less than as that in the terminated plan.
Ethyl plans to refinance our bank debt in the first half of 2001. We expect that the interest rate available under a new financing agreement, based on estimated market conditions, will be higher than the rate under our current agreement. We anticipate that cash provided from operations, our current credit facility, and our ability to obtain financing will be sufficient to meet our needs.
Ethyl has combined current and noncurrent long-term debt of $469 million at September 30, 2000 compared to $474.2 million at December 31, 1999. This net decrease of $5.2 million represents a repayment of $60 million on our term loan mostly offset by an increase of $55 million on the revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit agreement was utilized to fund the almost $40 million prepayment for TEL marketing agreements services.
As a percentage of total capitalization, Ethyl's long-term debt, excluding the current portion, decreased from 65.4% at the end of 1999 to 59.3% at September 30, 2000.
We expect our capital spending during 2000 to be about the same as 1999. Ethyl will continue to finance capital spending through cash provided from operations.
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Ethyl is committed to invest another $2.5 million in Envera. The investment will be $1.25 million in each of the next two quarters.
Our working capital at September 30, 2000 was $117.4 million resulting in a current ratio of 1.57 to 1. At December 31, 1999, the working capital was $161.8 million and the current ratio was 1.80 to 1. The reduction in working capital and the current ratio reflects a decrease in cash, receivables, and inventories, as well as an increase in the current portion of long-term debt and accrued expenses. Partially offsetting these, was a decrease in accounts payable, dividends payable and taxes payable.
Environmental Matters
The Environmental Protection Agency has named Ethyl as a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 for the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at the Sauget Area 2 Sites in Sauget, Illinois. Without admitting any fact, responsibility, fault or liability in connection with this site, Ethyl has agreed to participate with other PRPs to undertake a site investigation and feasibility study. The Company is responsible for 6.47% of the study cost and has accrued for these estimated expenses. Due to the early stage of the investigation, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the total cost of the investigation, remediation, if required, or Ethyl’s share of responsibilities related to this site cleanup, if any.
Other Matters
In an organizational matter, J. Robert Mooney retired from his position as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to become the Chief Executive Officer of Envera, LLC. David A. Fiorenza, Vice President and Treasurer for Ethyl has been named our Principal Financial Officer.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no significant changes in our market risk from the information provided in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
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PART II – Other Information |
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ITEM 6. | Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
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| (a) | Exhibits – None |
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| (b) | No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed. |
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SIGNATURE |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the |
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registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the |
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undersigned thereunto duly authorized. |
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| ETHYL CORPORATION |
| (Registrant) |
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Date: October 27, 2000 | By: s/ David A. Fiorenza |
| David A. Fiorenza |
| Vice President and |
| Treasurer |
| (Principal Financial Officer) |
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Date: October 27, 2000 | By: s/ Wayne C. Drinkwater |
| Wayne C. Drinkwater |
| Controller |
| (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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