Cash Flow
During the 2011 second quarter, the company had operating cash flow of $198.7 million, compared to operating cash use of $225.1 million in the 2011 first quarter and operating cash flow of $118.8 million in the 2010 second quarter. Higher operating cash flow was driven in part by improved working capital management. The Suntech and related contract matters were non-cash items in the second quarter, though $48.5 million of the Suntech contract matter was treated as both an operating cash inflow and financing outflow.
Capital expenditures were $102.7 million in the 2011 second quarter, down from $205.4 million in the first quarter, and were primarily related to ongoing investments in low cost solar wafer capacity and semiconductor 300mm wafer production capacity.
Construction of solar energy systems for SunEdison projects of $174.1 million for the 2011 second quarter includes projects currently classified as owned and carried as fixed assets. The majority of these projects become sale lease-back transactions in which the assets are financed with non-recourse debt. Projects expected to result in direct sales are held in inventory, thus impacting operating cash flows.
MEMC ended the 2011 second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $651.9 million, excluding $58.1 million of long and short-term restricted cash.
Following is additional detail on second quarter 2011 results by segment.
Semiconductor Materials
Semiconductor Materials revenue was $275.3 million, an increase of 9% compared to the 2011 first quarter and 10% compared to the 2010 second quarter. The sequential increase was driven by higher volume due to seasonal effects and volume recovery from the Japan earthquake. Year-over-year revenue increased despite the negative effects of the Japan earthquake. The year-over-year increase was primarily the result of higher pricing and volume, which included market share gains.
Segment operating profit was $3.4 million, compared to $8.4 million in the 2011 first quarter, and $24.3 million in the 2010 second quarter. Second quarter 2011 operating profit included a $14.2 million unfavorable impact from the earthquake in Japan and $8.1 million in restructuring charges related to actions taken to improve productivity in Italy and cease production at higher cost facilities in the U.S. The 2011 first quarter included an adverse impact of $9.3 million from the earthquake in Japan and the 2010 second quarter included a benefit of $8.0 million from an insurance settlement and $1.4 million in restructuring charges. Excluding these items, operating profit would have increased $8.0 million sequentially and year-over-year.
Solar Materials
Solar Materials revenue was $323.1 million, a decrease of 1% from the 2011 first quarter and an increase of 92% from the 2010 second quarter. Second quarter revenue included a $149.4 million benefit related to the Suntech contract resolution. Excluding the Suntech contract resolution, revenue was down $152.6 million sequentially, driven by lower wafer volume and prices, and was up slightly year-over-year as a result of higher wafer volume, offset by lower prices. According to independent industry reports, solar wafer pricing fell approximately 40% sequentially during the 2011 second quarter.