Legal claims arising in the normal course of business have been filed against subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company.
Gadot has received third party notices in a number of lawsuits regarding pollution of the Kishon River in Israel. These lawsuits have been filed by various claimants who claim harm by the polluted water of the river, including soldiers from various units in the Israeli Defense Forces who trained in the river, fishermen who fished in the river, the Haifa rowing club and industrial companies that use the river. Some of the lawsuits are claims for monetary damages and some are for injunctions against further pollution of the river. The monetary claims are mostly unlimited in amount and one of them is for approximately $6 million, Therefore, the Company cannot currently estimate the range of possible loss. Gadot denies liability in all of these claims and has filed statements of defense for each claim. Part of Gadot’s storage tank facility is leased from the Haifa port authority. In 2001 the port authority requested that Gadot participate in an offer to find a consultant to examine ground contamination in the area surrounding the facility. Gadot responded, denying the existence of ground contamination and, in any case, that it is the source of such contamination. Gadot believes that if there is contamination, its source is the contaminated waters of the Kishon River or the Mediterranean Sea.
Pursuant to the 012 Agreement, the following claims involving 012 have been assumed by 012 Smile, which will incur any of the liabilities or benefits resulting from such claims.
On October 13, 2010, MAE, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and 012 Smile, a company formed under the laws of Israel and a wholly owned subsidiary of MAE, entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “012 Smile Agreement”) with Partner Communications Company Ltd., a company formed under the laws of Israel (“Partner”), for the sale by MAE of all of the outstanding shares of 012 Smile.
The aggregate purchase price is approximately NIS 692 million (approximately $191 million), of which approximately NIS 42 million (approximately $11.6 million) will be paid through an assignment of a third party receivable to MAE. Concurrently with the execution of the 012 Smile Agreement, NIS 30 million (approximately $8.3 million) was deposited by Partner with MAE which, under certain circumstances, will be retained by MAE if the 012 Smile Agreement is terminated. As part of the 012 Smile Agreement, Partner has also agreed to guarantee approximately NIS 764 million (approximately $208.5 million) of total debt of 012 Smile.
The 012 Smile Agreement contains, among others, customary covenants, representations and indemnities by the parties. The representations and warranties made by the parties survive for a limited period of one year.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals of the Ministry of Communications and the Israeli Antitrust Commissioner. The transaction is expected to close within two to three months from the signing date of the 012 Smile Agreement. Ampal expects to record a gain from this transaction.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
AMPAL-AMERICAN ISRAEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of Ampal-American Israel Corporation's ("Ampal", and collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Company") consolidated financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") which requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. To facilitate the understanding of Ampal’s business activities, described below are certain Ampal accounting policies that are relatively more important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations and that require management’s subjective judgments. Ampal bases its judgments on its experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Please refer to Note 1 to Ampal’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 for a summary of all of Ampal’s significant accounting policies.
No significant updates have occurred since the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when (a) the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have been transferred to the buyer; (b) the Company retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold; (c) the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; (d) it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Company; and (e) the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
Chemical income derives from the following activities: sales of a wide range of liquid chemicals, providing maritime shipping services of chemicals by ships and providing other services which include logistics and storage services for chemicals.
Revenue from services is recognized as follows:
| · | Revenues arising from the provision of marine transport services proportionally over the period of the marine transport services. As to voyages uncompleted in which a loss is expected, a full provision is made in the amount of the expected loss. |
| · | Revenues from chemical brokerage commissions are recognized when the right to receive them is created. |
| · | Rental income is recorded over the rental period. Revenues from services provided to country club subscribers are recognized ratably over the contractual period. |
| · | Income from other services is recognized over the period during which those services are performed. |
Revenue derived from usage of the Company’s networks, including business, residential and carrier long distance traffic, data and Internet traffic services revenues, is recognized when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed or product delivered and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.
For traditional voice services, revenue is earned based on the number of minutes of a call and is recorded upon completion of a call. Revenue for a period is calculated based on information received through the Company’s network switches. Revenue on prepaid calling cards is recognized as service is provided until expiration when all unused minutes, which are no longer available to customers, are recognized as revenue.
For broadband and data services, revenue is earned on a fixed monthly fee basis for the provision of services. Broadband and data services include monthly fees collected for the provision of dedicated and dial-up access at various speeds and bandwidths, and also web and server hosting. These fees are recognized as services are provided. The Company records payments received in advance for services and services to be provided under contractual agreements, such as Internet broadband, as deferred revenue until such related services are provided.
The Company also offers value-added services including web faxing services, anti-spam and anti-virus protection. Generally, these enhanced features and data applications generate additional service revenues through monthly subscription fees or increased usage through utilization of the features and applications. Revenues from enhanced features and optional services are recognized when earned.
Revenues from sales of equipment such as routers, that are not contingent upon the delivery of additional products or services are recognized when products are delivered to and accepted by customers. Pursuant to ASC 605-25, "Multiple-Element Arrangements" (formerly Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”), the Company determined that the sale of equipment with accompanying services constitutes a revenue arrangement with multiple deliverables. Accordingly, consideration received for equipment, that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional items (such as the services), is recognized as equipment revenue, based on their relative fair value, upon the delivery of the equipment to the subscriber and when all other revenue recognition criteria are met. C onsideration for services is recognized as services revenue when earned.
The Company reports any taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between the Company and a customer on a net basis (excluded from revenues).
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157)
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements”. This Update requires new disclosures for transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and separate presentation of purchases, sales, issuance and settlements in the reconciliation of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. This Update also clarifies existing disclosures for level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 disclosures, will be effective for fiscal years beginning after Dece mber 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those years. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
ASU 2009-13 (formerly EITF 08-1):
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)” (“ASU 2009-13”), which amends ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements.” ASU 2009-13 addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting and how to allocate consideration to each unit of accounting in the arrangement. ASU 2009-13 replaces all references to fair value as the measurement criteria with the term selling price and establishes a hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. ASU No. 2009-13 also eliminates the use of the residual value method for determining the allocation of arrangement consi deration. Additionally, ASU 2009-13 requires expanded disclosures and is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted with required transition disclosures based on the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-13 on its financial statements.
Results of Operations
Chemicals
Changes in pricing and demand for chemicals
The overall demand for chemical products, especially commodity chemicals, is highly dependent on general economic conditions. In the past quarter, the price of crude oil was stable, accordingly there was no significant change in the prices of commodity chemicals. Recent economic indicators, especially in the U.S. markets, continue to show a softening of chemical demands and the average freight prices were stable, while the European markets show signs of recovery. However, it is too soon to designate that it is the end of the slow-down as private consumption is still slow.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company included the following certain data of Gadot Chemical Tankers and Terminals Ltd. ("Gadot"):
| | 2010 | | | | 2009(*) | |
| | (U.S. dollars in millions) | |
Chemical income | | $ | 357.6 | | | $ | 299.2 | |
Chemical expense | | $ | 327.2 | | | $ | 272.5 | |
Marketing and sales expense | | $ | 5.8 | | | $ | 4.8 | |
Other expense (mainly general and administrative) | | $ | 23.0 | | | $ | 17.4 | |
Interest expense | | $ | 8.5 | | | $ | 5.5 | |
(*) Retroactively adjusted to reflect acquisition under common control (see note 9)
Communications
We acquired the business of 012 Smile Communications Ltd. ("012") through our indirect wholly owned subsidiary 012 Smile Telecom Ltd. ("012 Smile", formerly Ampal Investments and Communications 2009 Ltd.). Through this business we offer services to residential and business customers, as well as to Israeli cellular operators and international communication services providers, or carriers, through our integrated multipurpose network, which allows us to provide services to almost all of the homes and businesses in Israel. We estimate our market share of the international telephony market was 36% based on the number of incoming and outgoing minutes in Israel. We estimate that our market share of the broadband Internet access market was 33% based on previous broadband market analysis by 012. We provided services to approximately one million registered household customers and approximately 87,000 registered business customers.
We operate in a highly regulated industry in Israel, which has undergone significant changes in the past decade, transitioning from a slow moving market, with a single state-owned carrier, Bezeq, to one that, although still highly-regulated, has grown rapidly and is highly competitive in nearly every segment.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company included the following certain data of 012 Smile relating to the period from the Closing Date on January 31, 2010 to September 30, 2010:
| | 2010 | |
| | (U.S. dollars in millions) | |
Communications income | | $ | 211.4 | |
Communications expense | | $ | 151.6 | |
Marketing and sales expense | | $ | 36.0 | |
Other expense (mainly general and administrative) | | $ | 10.2 | |
Interest expense | | $ | 10.6 | |
Ampal's management has been managing the strategy and day to day operations of the acquired business since January 1, 2010. According to GAAP, the net income in the amount of $0.6 million that was generated by the acquired business in the period from January 1, 2010 to the Closing Date on January 31, 2010 was not included in Ampal's statements of operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. See also Note 18 regarding the 012 Smile Share Sale Agreement.
Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009
The Company recorded a consolidated net loss of $35.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a net loss of $19.2 million for the corresponding period in 2009. The loss in 2010 is primarily attributable to the interest expenses resulting from the loans obtained for the financing of the purchase of 012's business and depreciation of the intangible assets.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $41.8 million of marketing and sales expense, as compared to a $4.8 million marketing and sales expense in the corresponding period in 2009. These expenses are attributable to Gadot and 012 Smile and composed mainly of salary and commission expenses. The increase is primarily the result of the marketing and sales expense of 012 Smile which the Company included for the first time in 2010, amounting to $36.0 million.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $47.1 million of general, administrative and other expense, as compared to $29.8 million in the corresponding period in 2009. The increase is primarily the result of the general, administrative and other expense of 012 Smile which the Company included for the first time in 2010, amounting to $10.2 million and an increase in the Chemicals segment.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $2.9 million of net gain attributable to noncontrolling interests, as compared to $0.8 million of net gain attributable to noncontrolling interests in the corresponding period in 2009. These gains are mainly attributable to translation loss in the notes issued to the partners in Merhav Ampal Energy, LP, an Israeli limited partnership (the "Joint Venture"), resulting from the revaluation of the New Israeli Shekel compared to the U.S. Dollar.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a $44.1 million interest expense, as compared to a $25.9 million interest expense for the corresponding period in 2009. The interest expense relates to the financing the Company obtained in order to purchase 012's ongoing business and Gadot, the Company's debentures, the Company's notes payable and the interest expense resulting from the swap agreements.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a $7.1 million translation loss, as compared to a $3.7 million translation gain for the corresponding period in 2009. The increase in translation loss is related to a change in the valuation of the New Israeli Shekel as compared to the U.S. Dollar, which decreased 3.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to a decrease of 0.4% for the corresponding period in 2009.
The Company recorded a $0.2 million net loss in Equity in losses of affiliates for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a $1.2 million net loss in Equity in losses of affiliates for the corresponding period in 2009.
Results of operations analyzed by segments for the nine months ended September 30:
| | 2010 | | | | 2009(*) | |
| | (U.S. Dollars in thousands) | |
| | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Chemicals | | $ | 357,567 | | | $ | 299,183 | |
Communications | | | 211,416 | | | | - | |
Finance | | | 6,082 | | | | 10,114 | |
Leisure-time | | | 2,240 | | | | 2,086 | |
Total | | | 577,305 | | | | 311,383 | |
(*) Retroactively adjusted to reflect acquisition under common control (see Note 9)
The Chemicals income relates solely to Gadot and was derived from the following activities: sales of a wide range of liquid chemicals, providing maritime shipping services of chemicals by ships and providing other services which include logistics and storage services for chemicals.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $577.3 million in revenue which was comprised of $357.6 million in the Chemicals segment, $211.4 million in the Communications segment, $6.1 million in the Finance segment and $2.2 million in the Leisure-time segment, as compared to $311.4 million for the same period in 2009, which was comprised of $299.2 million in the Chemicals segment, $10.1 million in the Finance segment and $2.1 million in the Leisure-time segment. The increase in Chemicals revenues is primarily attributable to the recovery in the markets, especially in Europe, which led to an increase in quantities sold and product prices. The demand for chemical carriers shows moderate growth during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Average freight prices are slightly higher mainly as a result of a rise in prices for the Mediterranean to U.S. voyages.
The Communications income relates solely to 012 Smile and was derived mainly from the sale of broadband and traditional voice services. Revenues from the Communications segment continued to grow in the third quarter of 2010. The Company continues to increase its market share in the local telephony market in Israel.
Broadband services revenues primarily consist of monthly subscriptions for broadband access to the Internet. We also earn revenues from offering a diverse suite of value-added services that are incremental to our core broadband Internet access services, such as e-mail, global remote access, wireless and wired home networking, various security services and virtual private network services. We also provide specialized data services to bandwidth-intensive organizations and international carriers, allowing them to transmit electronic data from point to point or from point to multi-points. Our fee structure for these services depends on three main factors: capacity, distance and the type of technology used.
Revenues from traditional voice services are generated from payments based on the number of minutes the service is used by subscribers and the destination of the calls. In addition, we bill Israeli carriers for their customers’ use of our services. We provide termination services to over 80 international carriers for their calls originating outside of Israel. We also provide hubbing-traffic routing to our international carrier customers and roaming and signaling services for cellular operators.
| | 2010 | | | | 2009(*) | |
| | (U.S. Dollars in thousands) | |
| | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Chemicals | | $ | 364,630 | | | $ | 294,787 | |
Communications | | | 210,151 | | | | - | |
Finance | | | 41,816 | | | | 36,302 | |
Leisure-time | | | 2,253 | | | | 1,999 | |
| | | 618,850 | | | | 333,088 | |
Equity in losses of affiliates | | | 156 | | | | 1,203 | |
Total | | $ | 619,006 | | | $ | 334,291 | |
(*) Retroactively adjusted to reflect acquisition under common control (see Note 9)
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $619.0 million in expenses which was comprised of $364.6 million of expenses in the Chemicals segment, $210.2 million of expenses in the Communications segment, $41.8 million of expenses in the Finance segment, $2.3 million of expenses in the Leisure-time segment and a $0.2 million loss in Equity in earnings of affiliates, as compared to $334.3 million in expenses for the same period in 2009 which was comprised of $294.8 million of expenses in the Chemicals segment, $36.3 million of expenses in the Finance segment, $2.0 million of expenses in the Leisure-time segment and a $1.2 million loss in Equity in earnings of affiliates. Chemical commodity pricing is derivative of crude oil pricing. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the price of crude oil slightly in creased, which led to a moderate increase in the Chemical commodity prices.
Our Communications expenses consist primarily of costs of network services, salaries and related expenses, direct cost of the equipment sold to customers, selling and marketing expenses, facilities costs, and depreciation and amortization expenses.
The main cost items for the broadband services are the Internet connectivity costs and the technical support costs. The Internet connectivity costs include the connections between our regional network operations centers, points of presence and the Internet backbone. For the traditional voice services, the main cost item is the international and local termination costs. We have entered into interconnect agreements with several international carriers to allow us to provide global connectivity to our customers, and have spent significant sums on acquiring rights of use, or ROU, of international submarine fiber-optic cables to ensure the availability of adequate domestic and international bandwidth.
Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009
The Company recorded a consolidated net loss of $25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a net loss of $18.0 million for the corresponding period in 2009. The increase in loss in the period ended September 30, 2010 is primarily attributable to the translation loss during the period, depreciation of the intangible assets and interest related to the Company's debentures and notes payable.
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $15.7 million of marketing and sales expense, as compared to a $1.5 million marketing and sales expense in the corresponding period in 2009. These expenses are attributable to Gadot and 012 Smile and composed mainly of salary and commission expenses. The increase is primarily the result of the marketing and sales expense of 012 Smile which the Company included for the first time in 2010, amounting to $13.9 million.
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $16.6 million of general, administrative and other expense, as compared to $10.1 million in the corresponding period in 2009. The increase is primarily the result of the general, administrative and other expense of 012 Smile which the Company included for the first time in 2010, amounting to $4.0 million.
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $5.6 million of net gain attributable to noncontrolling interests, as compared to $4.0 million of net gain attributable to noncontrolling interests in the corresponding period in 2009. These gains are mainly attributable to translation in the notes issued to the partners in the Joint Venture, resulting from the devaluation of the New Israeli Shekel ("NIS") compared to the U.S. Dollar.
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a $18.8 million interest expense, as compared to a $13.2 million interest expense for the corresponding period in 2009. The interest expense relates to the financing the Company obtained in order to purchase 012's on-going business and to Gadot, the Company's debentures, the Company's notes payable and the interest expense resulting from the swap agreements.
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a $17.7 million translation loss, as compared to a $8.2 million translation loss for the corresponding period in 2009. The monetary value of denominated NIS balances reported on our balance sheet changes with currency exchange rates resulting in the translation gain or loss. The net translation loss is related to a change in the valuation of the New Israeli Shekel as compared to the U.S. Dollar, which increased 5.4% in the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to an increase of 4.1% for the corresponding period in 2009 and an increase in the NIS denominated debt.
The Company recorded a minor net gain in Equity in earnings of affiliates for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a $1.0 million net loss in Equity in losses of affiliates for the corresponding period in 2009.
Results of operations analyzed by segments for the three months ended September 30:
| | 2010 | | | | 2009(*) | |
| | (U.S. Dollars in thousands) | |
| | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Chemicals | | $ | 121,243 | | | $ | 105,249 | |
Communications | | | 81,261 | | | | - | |
Finance | | | 2,074 | | | | 949 | |
Leisure-time | | | 770 | | | | 778 | |
| | | 205,348 | | | | 106,976 | |
Equity in losses of affiliates | | | 42 | | | | - | |
Total | | $ | 205,390 | | | $ | 106,976 | |
(*) Retroactively adjusted to reflect acquisition under common control (see Note 9)
The Chemicals income relates solely to Gadot and was derived from the following activities: sales of a wide range of liquid chemicals, providing maritime shipping services of chemicals by ships and providing other services which include logistics and storage services for chemicals.
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $205.4 million in revenue which was comprised of $119.6 million in the Chemicals segment, $81.3 million in the Communications segment, $3.7 million in the Finance segment and $0.8 million in the Leisure-time segment, as compared to $107.0 million for the same period in 2009, which was comprised of $105.2 million in the Chemicals segment, $0.9 million in the Finance segment and $0.8 million in the Leisure-time segment. The increase in Chemicals revenues is primarily attributable to the recovery in the markets, especially in Europe, which led to an increase in quantities sold and product prices. The demand for chemical carriers shows moderate growth during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and the average freight prices were stable.
The Communications income relates solely to 012 Smile and was derived mainly from the sale of broadband and traditional voice services. Revenues from the Communications segment continued to grow in the third quarter of 2010. The Company continues to increase its market share in the local telephony market in Israel.
Broadband services revenues primarily consist of monthly subscriptions for broadband access to the Internet. We also earn revenues from offering a diverse suite of value-added services that are incremental to our core broadband Internet access services, such as e-mail, global remote access, wireless and wired home networking, various security services and virtual private network services. We also provide specialized data services to bandwidth-intensive organizations and international carriers, allowing them to transmit electronic data from point to point or from point to multi-points. Our fee structure for these services depends on three main factors: capacity, distance and the type of technology used.
Revenues from traditional voice services are generated from payments based on the number of minutes the service is used by subscribers and the destination of the calls. In addition, we bill Israeli carriers for their customers’ use of our services. We provide termination services to over 80 international carriers for their calls originating outside of Israel. We also provide hubbing-traffic routing to our international carrier customers and roaming and signaling services for cellular operators.
| | 2010 | | | | 2009(*) | |
| | (U.S. Dollars in thousands) | |
| | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Chemicals | | $ | 125,580 | | | $ | 101,433 | |
Communications | | | 81,780 | | | | - | |
Finance | | | 30,358 | | | | 27,118 | |
Leisure-time | | | 841 | | | | 959 | |
| | | 238,559 | | | | 129,510 | |
Equity in losses of affiliates | | | - | | | | 928 | |
Total | | $ | 238,559 | | | $ | 130,438 | |
(*) Retroactively adjusted to reflect acquisition under common control (see Note 9)
In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $238.6 million in expenses which was comprised of $125.6 million of expenses in the Chemicals segment, $81.8 million of expenses in the Communications segment, $30.4 million of expenses in the Finance segment and a $0.8 million of expenses in the Leisure-time segment, as compared to $130.4 million in expenses for the same period in 2009 which was comprised of $101.4 million in the Chemicals segment, $27.1 million in the Finance segment, $1.0 million in the Leisure-time segment and a $0.9 million loss in Equity in earnings of affiliates. During the period of three months ended September 30, 2010, the price of crude oil slightly increased, which led to a moderate increase in the Chemical commodity prices.
Our Communications expenses consist primarily of costs of network services, salaries and related expenses, direct cost of the equipment sold to customers, selling and marketing expenses, facilities costs, and depreciation and amortization expenses.
The main cost items for the broadband services are the Internet connectivity costs and the technical support costs. The Internet connectivity costs include the connections between our regional network operations centers, points of presence and the Internet backbone. For the traditional voice services, the main cost item is the international and local termination costs. We have entered into interconnect agreements with several international carriers to allow us to provide global connectivity to our customers, and have spent significant sums on acquiring rights of use, or ROU, of international submarine fiber-optic cables to ensure the availability of adequate domestic and international bandwidth.
The increase in the Finance segment expenses is primarily attributable to the translation loss related to a 5.4% increase in value of the New Israeli Shekel to the U.S. Dollar in the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to a decrease of 4.1% for the corresponding period in 2009, and the increase in loans payable.
Income taxes
In the nine month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported a tax benefit of $3.1 million as compared to approximately $2.8 million of tax benefit in the corresponding period in 2009. In the three month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported a tax benefit of $1.8 million as compared to approximately $1.4 million of tax benefit in the corresponding period in 2009. The tax benefit which was recorded pertains mainly to losses of the Company for tax purposes and losses from affiliates for which we created a deferred tax asset. The Company intends to apply a tax planning strategy of selling all or a portion its cost method investment, which currently has sufficient unrealized gains, to fully utilize the net deferred tax assets that are attributable to foreign tax credits and loss carryforwards arising in the U.S., due to unrealized gain from several investments which the Company holds.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
On September 30, 2010, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $55.2 million, as compared with $100.8 million at December 31, 2009. The decrease is mainly attributable to the acquisition of 012's business and partly offset by the issuance of the Series C debentures.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had $0.9 million of marketable securities as compared to $29.3 million as of December 31, 2009. The decrease is attributable to the sale of marketable securities to finance the acquisitions made by the Company and its subsidiaries.
The Company may also receive cash from operations and investing activities and amounts available under credit facilities, as described below. The Company believes that these sources are sufficient to fund the current requirements of operations, capital expenditures, investing activities and other financial commitments of the Company for the next 12 months. However, to the extent that contingencies and payment obligations described below and in other parts of this report require the Company to make unanticipated payments, the Company would need to further utilize these sources of cash. The Company may need to draw upon its other sources of cash, which may include additional borrowing, refinancing of its existing indebtedness or liquidating other assets, the value of which may also decline.
On September 30, 2010 the ratio between the current assets and the current liabilities was less than 1. However, the current liabilities as of September 30, 2010 consisting of approximately $103 million of revolving credit lines bring the ratio to greater than 1. The Company has the ability and intends to renew these facilities so that the repayment obligations are extended beyond 2011. Therefore these facilities and the expected future operating cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund the financial commitments of the Company for the next 12 months.
In addition, Ampal’s interest in Gadot has been pledged and cash equivalents equal to $1.5 million have been allocated as a compensating balance for various loans provided to the Company.
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities totaled approximately $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to approximately $20.0 million provided by operating activities for the corresponding period in 2009. The increase in cash used in operating activities is primarily attributable to the increase in other assets and inventories as compared to the corresponding period in 2009.
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities totaled approximately $392.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to approximately $8.3 million used in investing activities for the corresponding period in 2009. The change in cash used in investing activities is primarily attributable to the acquisitions of 012’s, ADPO Ghent N.V.'s (“ADPO”) and Merhav Agro Ltd.'s business.
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $371.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to approximately $8.0 million of net cash used in financing activities for the corresponding period in 2009. The change in cash provided by financing activities is primarily attributable to the notes payable received for the acquisitions of 012’s and ADPO's business and issuance of the Series C debentures.
Investments
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company made additional investments in the amount of a $0.4 million loan to Bay Heart Ltd. ("Bay Heart").
Debt
Notes issued to institutional investors in Israel, the convertible note issued to Merhav M.N.F Ltd. ("Merhav") and other loans payable pursuant to bank borrowings are either in U.S. Dollars, linked to the Consumer Price Index (the "CPI") in Israel or in unlinked New Israeli Shekels, with interest rates varying depending upon their linkage provisions and mature between 2010-2019.
The Company finances its general operations and other financial commitments through bank loans from Bank Hapoalim, Union Bank of Israel Ltd. ("UBI") and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. ("IDB"). As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding indebtedness under these bank loans totaled $649.7 million, and the loans mature between 2010-2019.
In November, 2006, the Company entered into a trust agreement with Hermetic Trust (1975) Ltd. pursuant to which the Company issued Series A debentures to institutional investors in Israel in the principal aggregate amount of NIS 250.0 million (approximately $58.0 million) with an annual interest rate of 5.75%, which is linked to the CPI. The debentures were registered for trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in August 2007. The debentures rank pari passu with our unsecured indebtedness. The debentures will be repaid in five equal annual installments commencing on November 20, 2011, and the interest is paid semi-annually. As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding debt under the Series A debentures amounts to $71.0 million.
On April 29, 2008, Ampal completed a public offering in Israel of NIS 577.8 million (approximately $166.8 million) aggregate principal amount of its Series B debentures, due in 2016. The debentures are linked to the CPI and carry an annual interest rate of 6.6%. The debentures rank pari passu with Ampal’s unsecured indebtedness. The debentures will be repaid in five equal annual installments commencing on January 31, 2012, and the interest will be paid semi-annually. As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding debt under the Series B debentures amounts to $150.0 million, due to the change in valuation of the NIS as compared to the U.S. Dollar and the repurchase plan. Ampal deposited an amount equal to $44.6 million with Clal Finance Trustees 2007 Ltd. in accordance with a trust agreement dated April 6, 2008, to secure the first fou r years worth of payments of interest on the debentures. As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding amount of the deposit was $15.7 million. The debt offering was made solely to certain non-U.S. institutional investors in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. securities laws, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons without registration unless an exemption from such registration is available.
On September 13, 2010, Ampal completed a public offering in Israel of NIS 170.0 million (approximately $45.0 million) aggregate principal amount of its Series C debentures, due in 2019. The debentures are linked to the CPI and carry an annual interest rate of 6.95%. The Series C debentures rank pari passu with Ampal’s unsecured indebtedness. The debentures will be repaid in six equal annual installments commencing on September 7, 2014, and the interest will be paid semi-annually. As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding debt under the debentures amounts to $46.6 million. Ampal deposited an amount equal to $12.5 million with Ziv Haft Trust Company Ltd. in accordance with a trust agreement dated August 31, 2010, to secure the first four years worth of payments of interest on the debentures. As of September 30, 2010, the outstandin g amount of the deposit was $12.8 million. The debt offering was made solely to certain non-U.S. institutional investors in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. securities laws, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons without registration unless an exemption from such registration is available.
Midroog Ltd. (an affiliate of Moody's Investors Service) currently rates Ampal's Series A, Series B and Series C Debentures as A3 with a negative outlook.
Ampal funded the Gadot acquisition with a combination of available cash and the proceeds of the credit facility, dated November 29, 2007 (the "Credit Facility"), between Merhav Ampal Energy Ltd. ("MAE") and IDB, for approximately $60.7 million, which amount was increased, on the same terms and conditions, on June 3, 2008 by approximately $11.3 million in order to fund the second stage of the transaction and on September 23, 2008 by approximately $15.4 million in order to fund the third stage of the transaction. The Credit Facility is divided into two equal loans of approximately $43.7 million. The first loan is a revolving loan that has no principal payments and may be repaid in full or in part on December 31 of each year until 2019, when a single balloon payment will become due. The second loan also matures in 2019, has no principal p ayments for the first one and a half years, and shall thereafter be paid in equal installments over the remaining 9.5 years of the term. As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding debt under the loan amounts to $39.8 million. Interest on both loans accrues at a floating rate equal to LIBOR plus 2% and is payable on a current basis. Ampal has guaranteed all the obligations of MAE under the Credit Facility and Ampal’s interest in Gadot has also been pledged to IDB as a security for the Credit Facility. Yosef Maiman has agreed with IDB to maintain ownership of a certain amount of the Company’s Class A Stock. The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company has a $5.0 million loan with UBI that bears interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2% to be repaid in six annual installments commencing on April 2, 2008 and various other loans with UBI in the aggregate amount of $5.5 million linked to the CPI, bearing interest of 2.9% to be repaid during 2010 and 2011.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company has a $13.5 million loan with Bank Hapoalim as part of a $27 million dollar loan facility. The funds borrowed under the loan facility are due in six annual installments commencing on December 31, 2007 and bear interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2%. The related loan agreement contains financial and other covenants including an acceleration of payment upon the occurrence of certain changes in the ownership of the Company’s Class A Stock.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company has a $100.0 million loan from institutional investors who own 50% of Merhav Ampal Energy Holdings, LP. The loan is not linked to the CPI, bears no interest and is repayable upon agreement by both parties.
The Company has a short-term loan from Bank Hapoalim in the aggregate amount of $3.5 million that bears interest at an annual rate of 2.88%, to be repaid by October 31, 2010.
As of September 30, 2010, Gadot had $2.3 million outstanding under its other debentures. These debentures are not convertible into shares and are repayable in five equal annual installments on September 15 of each of the years 2008 through 2012. The outstanding balance of the principal of the debentures bears interest at an annual rate of 5.3%. The principal and interest of the debentures are linked to the CPI and the interest is payable in semi-annual installments on March 15 and September 15 of each of the years 2006 through 2012.
As of September 30, 2010, Gadot has short-term loans, including current maturities, payable in the amount of $134.7 million and long-term loans payable in the amount of $127.4 million. The various short term-loans payable are either unlinked or linked to the USD or Euro and bear interest at rates between 2.2% to 6.0%. The various long-term loans payable are either unlinked or linked to the CPI or linked to the U.S. Dollar or Euro and bear interest at annual rates between 1.8% to 9.1%.
As of September 30, 2010, 012 Smile has short-term loans, including current maturities, payable in the amount of $54.0 million and long term-loans payable in the amount of $161.4 million.
The weighted average interest rates and the balances of these short-term borrowings at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were 3.0% on $257.8 million and 2.4% on $170.9 million, respectively.
Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, dated January 31, 2010 (the "012 Loan Agreement"), between MAE, 012 Smile, Harel Insurance Company Ltd. and its affiliates (collectively, "Harel"), and Menora Mivtachim Insurance Ltd. and its affiliates (collectively, "Menora" and together with Harel, the "Institutional Lenders"), the NIS 220 million (or approximately $59 million) principal of the loan is payable in equal semi-annual installments on January 31 and July 31 of each year, with the first payment due on January 31, 2012. The interest on the loan accrues at a rate of 7% per year, payable in equal semi-annual installments on January 31 and July 31 of each year, with the first payment due on January 31, 2011. The principal and interest payments are linked to the CPI. The loan is also subject to a semi-annual fee at a rate o f 0.5% of the unpaid principal and a semi-annual fee based, among other things, on the EBITDA of 012 Smile. As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding amount of the loan is $61.0 million.
012 Smile's rights and assets are pledged to the Institutional Lenders as security for the 012 Loan Agreement. MAE also pledged to the Institutional Lenders all the equity and debt it holds in or is owed by 012 Smile. The Company has also guaranteed all the obligations of 012 Smile under the 012 Loan Agreement. An amount of NIS 20 million (or approximately $5.2 million) from the loan amount was also deposited in a special account, which was pledged by MAE in favor of the Institutional Lenders.
The loan under the 012 Credit Facility, dated January 31, 2010 (the "012 Credit Facility"), between 012 Smile, Bank Leumi Le' Israel B.M ("Leumi") and IDB (together with Leumi, the "Bank Lenders"), was funded 80% by Leumi and 20% by IDB. Leumi was appointed arranger on behalf of the Bank Lenders. The 012 Credit Facility, denominated in NIS, is divided into three tranches as follows: NIS 500 million (or approximately $129 million), NIS 200 million (or approximately $51.6 million) and NIS 100 million (or approximately $25.8 million), respectively, which are subject to the following terms:
| · | The first tranche matures in 2017, with the principal payable in fourteen equal semi-annual installments, with the first payment due on July 31, 2010. The interest on the first tranche accrues at a rate of 4.2% per year, payable every three months, with the first payment due on April 30, 2010. The principal and interest payments are linked to the CPI. |
| · | The second tranche has no principal payments until maturity in 2017, when a single balloon payment will become due. The interest on the second tranche accrues at a rate of 5.1% per year, payable every three months, with the first payment due on April 30, 2010. The principal and interest payments are linked to the CPI. |
| · | The third tranche is a revolving loan for terms of three, six or twelve months, at the discretion of 012 Smile, provided that the final maturity of the loan is no later than July 31, 2013. The interest on the third tranche is based on the prime interest plus a spread and accrues at a rate of prime plus 0.75% per year, payable every three months, with the first payment due three months after receipt of the relevant loan amount. |
012 Smile's rights and assets have been pledged to Leumi and IDB as security for the 012 Credit Facility. The Company and MAE have also guaranteed all the obligations of 012 Smile under the 012 Credit Facility, as well as up to NIS 43 million (approximately $11.1 million) of additional credit from Leumi and IDB. MAE also pledged Leumi and IDB all the equity it holds in or debt owed to it by 012 Smile. Yosef Maiman has agreed with Leumi and IDB to remain the controlling stockholder of the Company. The 012 Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type.
| | Payments due by period as of September 30, 2010 (in thousands) | |
| | Total | | | Less than 1 year | | | 1 – 3 years | | | 3-5 years | | | More than 5 years | |
Short-Term Debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gadot - working capital | | $ | 96,898 | | | $ | 96,898 | | | | | | | | | | |
Gadot - revolving credit line | | $ | 31,814 | | | $ | 31,814 | | | | | | | | | | |
Ampal - revolving credit line | | $ | 43,736 | | | $ | 43,736 | | | | | | | | | | |
012 - revolving credit line (*) | | $ | 27,285 | | | $ | 27,285 | | | | | | | | | | |
Other (**) | | $ | 58,659 | | | $ | 58,659 | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-Term Debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ampal | | $ | 203,038 | | | | | | | $ | 19,777 | | | $ | 19,390 | | | $ | 163,871 | |
Gadot: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vessels | | $ | 66,878 | | | | | | | $ | 15,111 | | | $ | 6,033 | | | $ | 45,734 | |
Other | | $ | 60,482 | | | | | | | $ | 14,652 | | | $ | 15,832 | | | $ | 29,998 | |
012 (*) | | $ | 161,413 | | | | | | | $ | 38,205 | | | $ | 38,673 | | | $ | 84,535 | |
Debentures | | $ | 269,912 | | | | | | | $ | 60,724 | | | $ | 96,155 | | | $ | 113,033 | |
Total | | $ | 1,020,115 | | | $ | 258,392 | | | $ | 148,469 | | | $ | 176,083 | | | $ | 437,171 | |
(*) These amounts will be disposed of upon the closing of the sale agreement of 012.
(**) Out of which $19.8 million will be disposed of upon the closing of the sale agreement of 012.
Over the next 12 months the Company intends to refinance or rollover approximately $258 million in indebtedness maturing over such 12-month period. The Company and its subsidiaries have loans of $103 million, which by their terms give the Company the sole option to extend the facilities as long as the Company is not in breach of its obligations under the credit agreements. The Company also has short-term bank credit of approximately $71 million for financing the current activities of the Company, such as working capital and current operations, and, consistent with Israeli practice, is renewed on a regular basis. However, there is no contractual obligation for the banks to renew these short-term loans. The Company is not aware of any change in the Company's financial condition which is likely to result in the banks electing not to renew these short-term credit facilities (including, but not limited to, meeting the covenants in the loan agreements). Management believes that similar debt under similar terms is readily available from other banking institutions in Israel to the extent any bank in the Company’s current banking group does not participate further. The Company has an additional $84 million of short-term current debt obligations. The Company anticipates using a portion of its $55.0 million of cash and marketable securities and its operating cash flows (including those resulting from its recent acquisitions of 012 Smile and ADPO in 2010) and the Company intends to renew or refinance during the next 12 months. To the extent the Company cannot refinance any of the foregoing indebtedness with the current financing banks, the Company will turn to other banks and/or the financial markets, such as by publicly offering debentures in Israel, which the Company has done i n the past.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had issued guarantees in the aggregate principal amount of $44.4 million. These include:
1. | A $8.7 million guarantee on indebtedness incurred by Bay Heart in connection with the development of property. There can be no guarantee that Bay Heart will generate sufficient cash to repay its outstanding indebtedness without relying on the Company’s guarantee. |
2. | A $27.8 million guarantee of outstanding indebtedness of Gadot. |
3. | A $7.9 million guarantee of outstanding indebtedness of 012 Smile. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than the foreign currency contracts specified below, the Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist of foreign currency forward exchange contracts to purchase or sell U.S. dollars. These contracts are utilized by the Company, from time to time, to manage risk exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates. None of these contracts have been designated as hedging instruments. These contracts are recognized as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at their fair value, which is the estimated amount at which they could be settled, based on market prices or dealer quotes, where available, or based on pricing models. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had open foreign currency forward exchange contracts to purchase U.S. Dollars and sell Euros in the amount of $1.7 million.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report (including but not limited to factors discussed above, in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) includes forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of management of the Company as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of the Company. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and similar exp ressions, as they relate to the Company or the management of the Company, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events or future financial performance of the Company, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including among others, the economic and political conditions in Israel and the Middle East and the global business and economic conditions in the different sectors and markets where the Company’s portfolio companies operate.
Should any of those risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. These risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, those described in this report, in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
MARKET RISKS AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, index rates and equity price changes. The following analysis presents the hypothetical loss in earnings, cash flows and fair values of the financial instruments which were held by the Company at September 30, 2010, and are sensitive to the above market risks.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, there have been no material changes in the market risk exposures facing the Company as compared to those the Company faced in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Interest Rate Risks
On May 15, 2008, the Company entered into a swap agreement with respect to its Series B debentures, in the principal amount of $134.3 million, due 2016. As a result of this agreement the Company is currently paying an effective annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 5.12% on $43.9 million of these debentures, as compared to the original 6.6% fixed annual interest rate which is linked to the CPI.
On April 1, 2009, the Company entered into a interest rate swap agreement with respect to its loan to finance the purchase of Gadot in the principal amount of $43.7 million, due 2019. As a result of this agreement the Company is currently paying a fixed annual interest rate of 2.95% as compared to LIBOR in the original loan agreement.
As of September 30, 2010, the value of the currency swap's contracts resulted in $3.7 million in other assets, $1.5 million in other liabilities and $0.9 million in interest and translation expenses.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had financial assets totaling $105.2 million and financial liabilities totaling $1,019.6 million. For fixed rate financial instruments, interest rate changes affect the fair market value but do not impact earnings or cash flows. Conversely, for variable rate financial instruments, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company did not have fixed rate financial assets and had variable rate financial assets of $105.2 million. A ten percent decrease in interest rates would not increase the unrealized fair value of the fixed rate assets.
As of September 30, 2010, the Company had fixed rate debt of $387.3 million and variable rate debt of $632.3 million. A ten percent decrease in interest rates would increase the unrealized fair value of the financial debts in the form of the fixed rate debt by approximately $7.2 million.
The net decrease in earnings and cash flows for the next year resulting from a ten percent interest rate increase would be approximately $0.9 million, holding other variables constant.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Sensitivity Analysis
The Company’s exchange rate exposure on its financial instruments results from its investments and ongoing operations. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had open foreign currency forward exchange contracts to purchase U.S. Dollars and sell Euros in the amount of $1.7 million. Holding other variables constant, if there was a ten percent devaluation of each of the foreign currencies, the Company’s cumulative translation loss reflected in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss would increase by $7.6 million, and regarding the statements of operations, a ten percent increase in the U.S. Dollar exchange rate would result in a net increase in losses and cash flows of $23.7 million, and a ten percent increase in the Euro exchange rate would result in a net increase in losses and cash flows of $8.1 million.
On May 15, 2008, the Company entered into a swap agreement with respect to its Series B debentures, in the principal amount of $165.7 million, due 2016. As a result of these agreements the Company is currently paying an effective annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 5.12% on $43.9 million of these notes, as compared to the original 6.6% fixed annual interest rate which is linked to the CPI. As of September 30, 2010, the value of the currency swap resulted in $3.7 million in other assets and $2.1 million in translation gain.
On April 1, 2009, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with respect to its loan to finance the purchase of Gadot in the principal amount of $43.7 million, due 2019. As a result of this agreement the Company is currently paying a fixed annual interest rate of 2.95% as compared to a LIBOR in the original loan agreement. As of September 30, 2010, the value of the currency swap resulted in $1.5 million in other liabilities and $3.1 million in interest expense.
Equity Price Risk
The Company’s investments at September 30, 2010 included trading marketable securities which are recorded at a fair value of $0.4 million, including a net unrealized gain of $0.1 million, and $0.5 million of trading securities that are classified as available for sale, including a net unrealized loss of $0.3 million. Those securities have exposure to equity price risk. The estimated potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical ten percent decrease in prices quoted on stock exchanges is approximately $0.1 million. There would be no impact on cash flow resulting from a hypothetical ten percent decrease in prices quoted on stock exchanges.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to dis close material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II – | OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings: |
For information on the legal proceedings, please see Note 15 to the financial statements incorporated in this Form 10-Q.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. |
None.
Item 3. | Defaults upon Senior Securities |
None.
Item 4. | [Removed and Reserved] |
Item 5. | Other Information. |
None.
10.1 | Stock Purchase Agreement between Merhav-Ampal Energy Ltd. and Partner Communications Company Ltd., dated October 13, 2010. |
11.1 | Schedule Setting Forth Computation of Earnings Per Share of Class A Stock. |
31.1 | Certification of Yosef A. Maiman pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | Certification of Irit Eluz pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 | Certification of Yosef A. Maiman and Irit Eluz pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
AMPAL-AMERICAN ISRAEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| AMPAL-AMERICAN ISRAEL CORPORATION |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Yosef A. Maiman | |
| | Yosef A. Maiman |
| | Chairman of the Board |
| | President & Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Irit Eluz | |
| | Irit Eluz |
| | CFO and Senior Vice President, |
| | Finance and Treasurer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Zahi Ben-Atav | |
| | Zahi Ben-Atav |
| | VP Accounting and Controller |
| | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
| | |
Date: November 7, 2010 | | |
AMPAL-AMERICAN ISRAEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Exhibit Index
10.1 | Stock Purchase Agreement between Merhav-Ampal Energy Ltd. and Partner Communications Company Ltd., dated October 13, 2010. |
11.1 | Schedule Setting Forth Computation of Earnings Per Share of Class A Stock. |
31.1 | Certification of Yosef A. Maiman pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | Certification of Irit Eluz pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 | Certification of Yosef A. Maiman and Irit Eluz pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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