Financial Condition and Liquidity Working capital was $434.0 million at September 30, 2003 compared with $179.8 million at December 31, 2002. The current ratio was 1.5 at September 30, 2003 compared with 1.1 at December 31, 2002. The percentage of total debt to total capitalization was 29% at September 30, 2003 compared with 36% at December 31, 2002. The variance in cash flows from operating activities primarily occurred in the Materials Services segment and reflects changes in metal positions used to facilitate requirements of the Company, its metals customers and suppliers (see Note 13, “Supplemental Information,” for Materials Services variances). Materials Services routinely enters into a variety of arrangements for the sourcing of metals. Generally, transactions are hedged on a daily basis. Hedging is accomplished primarily through forward, future and option contracts. However, in closely monitored situations for which exposure levels have been set by senior management, the Company from time to time holds large unhedged industrial commodity positions that are subject to future market price fluctuations. These positions are included in committed metal positions along with hedged metal holdings (see Note 10, “Committed Metal Positions and Hedged Metal Obligations,” for these positions). The bulk of hedged metal obligations represent spot short positions. As these positions generate cash, their cash effect is included in the financing activities section of the Company’s “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.” Other than in closely monitored situations, these positions are hedged with forward purchases. In addition, the aggregate fair value of derivatives in a loss position is reported in hedged metal obligations (derivatives in a gain position are included in committed metal positions). Materials Services works to ensure that the Company and its customers have an uninterrupted source of metals, primarily platinum group metals, utilizing supply contracts and commodities markets around the world. Committed metal positions may include significant advances made for the purchase of precious metals that have been delivered to the Company but for which the final purchase price has not yet been determined. As of September 30, 2003, all such contracts have been final priced and settled without any loss to the Company. The variance in cash flows from investing activities is primarily related to liquidating distributions received in connection with the 2002 plan to unwind the Company’s Engelhard-CLAL joint venture, an additional non-equity investment in fuel-cell developer Plug Power Inc. in 2002 and changes in capital expenditures. The variance in cash flows from financing activities was impacted by a change in hedged metal obligations, proceeds received from the issuance of long-term debt in May 2003, a decrease in short-term borrowings and lower net stock repurchase activity. The decrease in hedged metal obligations combined with the decrease in committed metal positions for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 was largely due to the conclusion of a large metal contract, combined with lower levels of industrial demand. In October 2003, the Company announced that it raised its quarterly dividend by 10 percent to 11 cents a share. The new dividend is payable on December 31 to shareholders of record on December 15. Through a public debt offering in May 2003, the Company issued $150 million of 10-year notes. These notes mature on May 15, 2013 and bear an interest rate of 4.25%. As discussed in Note 7, “Derivatives and Hedging,” these notes were effectively changed from a fixed rate debt obligation to a floating rate debt obligation through the use of interest rate swap agreements. The notes were issued under the Company’s existing $300 million shelf registration, effectively reducing the shelf registration to $150 million. In the third quarter of 2003, the Company made a voluntary $35 million cash contribution to its defined benefit pension plans. As a result of this contribution, the Company expects the projected benefit obligation of all its combined defined benefit pension plans to be approximately 80% funded. The Company has determined that its net pension cost is projected to be approximately $27 million in 2004, compared to $21 million in 2003 and $12 million in 2002. 20
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