Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Management believes Seaboard’s combination of internally generated cash, liquidity, capital resources and borrowing capabilities will be adequate for its existing operations and any currently known potential plans for expansion of existing operations in both the short-term and long-term. Management intends to continue seeking opportunities for expansion in the industries in which Seaboard operates, utilizing existing liquidity, available borrowing capacity and other financing alternatives. The terms and availability of such financing may be impacted by economic and financial market conditions, as well as Seaboard’s financial condition and results of operations at the time Seaboard seeks such financing, and there can be no assurances that Seaboard will be able to obtain such financing on terms that will be acceptable or advantageous. Also, from time to time, Seaboard may fund capital calls and issue borrowings for its equity method investments based on specific facts and circumstances.
As of July 3, 2021, Seaboard had cash and short-term investments of approximately $1.6 billion and additional total net working capital of $890 million. Also, Seaboard had available uncommitted lines of credit totaling $599 million and committed lines of credit available totaling $150 million as of July 3, 2021.
As of July 3, 2021, $77 million of the $1.6 billion of cash and short-term investments were held by Seaboard’s foreign subsidiaries. Historically, Seaboard has considered substantially all foreign profits as being permanently invested in its foreign operations, including all cash and short-term investments held by foreign subsidiaries. Seaboard intends to continue permanently reinvesting the majority of these funds outside the U.S. as current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund Seaboard’s U.S. operations. For any planned repatriation to the U.S., Seaboard would record applicable deferred taxes for state or foreign withholding taxes.
Cash and short-term investments as of July 3, 2021 increased $34 million from December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily the result of timing of draws under lines of credit and working capital fluctuations, partially offset by investments in capital expenditures. During the second quarter of 2021, the short-term investment portfolio was repositioned to reduce equity price risk and in anticipation of possibly utilizing short-term investment proceeds to fund capital expenditures. As a result, there was a significant increase in proceeds from the sale of short-term investments and purchase of short-term investments in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended July 3, 2021. Cash from operating activities decreased $68 million for the six months ended July 3, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to higher inventories due to increased commodity prices and higher receivables due to sales growth, partially offset by the increase in trade payables and higher earnings.
During the six months ended July 3, 2021, Seaboard invested $223 million in property, plant and equipment, of which $170 million was in the Pork segment. The Pork segment expenditures were primarily for the construction of the renewable diesel plant in Hugoton, Kansas, and a fuel storage and distribution facility. For the remainder of 2021, management has budgeted capital expenditures totaling approximately $350 million. The Pork segment budgeted approximately $275 million primarily for modifications to convert the Hugoton, Kansas plant to a renewable diesel plant, with operations expected to begin in 2022, and other new investments, including biogas recovery and improvements to the new fuel storage and distribution facility. Management anticipates paying for these capital expenditures from a combination of available cash, short-term investments and borrowing capacity.
During the first quarter of 2021, Seaboard repaid foreign subsidiary debt related to a 2018 acquisition of $46 million upon its maturity. The primary debt outstanding is a Term Loan due in 2028 with a balance of $681 million as of July 3, 2021. Draws under lines of credit have increased to fund working capital.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales for the three and six month periods of 2021 increased $622 million and $998 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020. The increase for the three and six month periods primarily reflected higher prices of commodities sold in the CT&M segment, higher prices for pork products, market hogs and biodiesel sold in the Pork segment and higher cargo volumes in the Marine segment.
Operating income increased $156 million and $185 million for the three and six month periods of 2021, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2020. The increase for the three and six month periods primarily reflected higher margins on pork product and hog sales in the Pork segment and higher voyage revenue in the Marine segment, partially offset by derivative contract losses in the CT&M segment.