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 For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2003 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from_________________to__________________ COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-1287 STERLING SUGARS, INC. ____________________________________________________________________ Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter Louisiana 72-0327950 _______________________________ ______________________________ State or other jurisdiction of IRS employer identification incorporation or organization number P. O. Box 572, Franklin, La. 70538 ____________________________________________________________________ Address of principal executive offices Zip Code Registrant's telephone number including area code 337 828 0620 Not Applicable ____________________________________________________________________ Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report. Indicate by check mark whether 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 such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirments for the past 90 days. YES X NO Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No X There were 2,500,000 common shares outstanding at November 28, 2003. Total number of pages 17 STERLING SUGARS, INC. I N D E X PAGE NUMBER PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION: ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Condensed balance sheets October 31, 2003 (unaudited) and July 31, 2003 I-1 Statements of earnings and retained earnings Three months ended October 31, 2003 (unaudited) and 2002 (unaudited) I-2 Statements of cash flows Three months ended October 31, 2003 (unaudited) and 2002 (unaudited) I-3 Notes to condensed financial statements Three months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002 I-5 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS I-6 ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES I-9 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION: ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS II-1 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8K II-1 -2- STERLING SUGARS, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS October 31, July 31, 2003 2003 UNAUDITED NOTE ASSETS: --------------------------- CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and short-term investments $ 386,250 $ 1,110 Accounts receivable 3,014,409 195,943 Inventories at lower of cost or market 9,114,937 2,638,131 Deferred income taxes 1,576,000 1,576,000 Other current assets 325,522 415,183 ------------- ------------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS $ 14,417,118 $ 4,826,367 ------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment - net $ 26,782,723 $ 24,928,615 ------------- ------------- Expenditures for future crops $ 379,654 $ 379,654 ------------- ------------- Notes receivable - No allowance for doubtful accounts considered necessary $ 244,147 $ 255,646 ------------- ------------- Other assets $ 56,497 $ 50,583 ------------- ------------- $ 41,880,139 $ 30,440,865 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: CURRENT LIABILITIES: Notes Payable $ 12,000,000 $ 4,207,023 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 2,760,480 1,449,124 Due cane growers 3,211,956 2,202,392 Current portion long-term debt 618,250 618,250 ------------- ------------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 18,590,686 $ 8,476,789 ------------- ------------- Long-term debt $ 3,077,655 $ 3,167,085 ------------- ------------- Deferred income taxes $ 2,475,000 $ 2,475,000 ------------- ------------- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock $ 2,500,000 $ 2,500,000 Additional paid in capital 40,455 40,455 Retained earnings 15,196,343 13,781,536 ------------- ------------- $ 17,736,798 $ 16,321,991 ------------- ------------- $ 41,880,139 $ 30,440,865 ============= ============= NOTE: The balance sheet at July 31, 2003 has been taken from the audited financial statements at that date and condensed. See notes to condensed financial statements I-1 -3- STERLING SUGARS, INC. STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND RETAINED EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31 ----------------------------- 2003 2002 ------ ------ (Unaudited) (Unaudited) REVENUES: Sugar and molasses sales $ 6,422,358 $ 8,440,926 Interest earned 920 781 Mineral leases and royalties 130,356 86,274 Other (Note B) 2,160,254 438,370 ------------ ------------ $ 8,713,888 $ 8,966,351 ------------ ------------ COSTS AND EXPENSES: Cost of products sold $ 6,082,543 $ 10,348,164 General and administrative 212,984 259,767 Interest expense 136,414 81,306 ------------ ------------ $ 6,431,941 $ 10,689,237 ------------ ------------ NET EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES $ 2,281,947 $ (1,722,886) INCOME TAX EXPENSE (CREDIT) 867,140 (654,697) ------------ ------------ NET EARNINGS (LOSS) $ 1,414,807 $ (1,068,189) RETAINED EARNINGS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 13,781,536 16,015,819 ------------ ------------ RETAINED EARNINGS AT END OF PERIOD $ 15,196,343 $ 14,947,630 ============ ============ NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ .57 $ (.43) ============ ============ See notes to condensed financial statements I-2 -4- STERLING SUGARS, INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31 ----------------------------- 2003 2002 ------ ------ (Unaudited) (Unaudited) OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net earnings (Loss) $ 1,414,807 $ (1,068,189) Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation 607,224 493,018 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase in accounts receivable (2,818,466) (5,311,017) (Increase) decrease in inventories (6,476,806) 1,725,780 Increase (decrease) in other current assets ( 89,661) 35,205 Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and due cane growers 2,320,920 1,367,909 Other items - net 184,907 (175,073) ------------- ------------ Net cash used in operating activities $ (4,857,075) $ (2,932,367) ------------- ------------ INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, plant and equipment $ (2,461,332) $ (444,551) Proceeds from sale of land - 110,000 ------------- ------------- Net cash used in investing activities $ (2,461,332) $ (334,551) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from short-term debt $ 10,580,000 $ 7,163,200 Payments on short-term debt (2,787,023) (3,941,200) Proceeds from long-term debt - 244,140 Payments on long-term debt ( 89,430) ( 253,708) ------------- ------------ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ 7,703,547 $ 3,212,432 ------------- ------------ Increase (decrease) in cash and temporary investments $ 385,140 $ (54,486) Cash and temporary investments at the beginning of the period 1,110 3,866 ------------- ------------ Cash and temporary investments at the end of the period $ 386,250 $ (50,620) ============= ============= Continued See notes to condensed financial statements I-3 -5- STERLING SUGARS, INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31 ------------------------------ 2003 2002 -------- --------- (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Supplemental information: Interest paid $ 141,357 $ 30,724 ========== ========== Income taxes paid $ - - ========== ========== I-4 -6- STERLING SUGARS, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 (UNAUDITED) A. CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The condensed balance sheet as of October 31, 2003, the statements of earnings and retained earnings for the three months ending October 31, 2003 and 2002, and the condensed statements of cash flows for the three month periods then ended have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at October 31, 2003 and for all periods presented have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the July 31, 2003 annual report to stockholders and the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2003. The results of operations for the period ending October 31, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. B. DISASTER RELIEF SUBSIDY Under the Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has been directed to pay $60,000,000 in compensation to Louisiana sugarcane producers and processors suffering economic losses from the effects of Tropical Storm Isadore, Hurricane Lili and excessive rains in October, 2002. Under the plan, the CCC paid, in October, 2003, the processors a calculated portion of the total based on a predetermined formula, less a 7% holdback for appeals purposes. The processors paid the cane suppliers based on existing contracts between the mills and the farmers. The 7% holdback will be disbursed at the conclusion of the appeals process. Management estimates the gross amount to be paid to the Company to be $4,386,000 before the 7% holdback and payments to farmers of 65%. After farmer payments, the Company's portion of the proceeds is estimated to be approximately $1,535,000. These amounts are before rentals to be received from producers on Company owned land. These rentals, including the 7% holdback, are estimated to be $106,875 resulting in a total due the Company of $1,641,875. I-5 -7- STERLING SUGARS, INC. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Forward -Looking Information ---------------------------- This Form 10-Q contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than historical statements, in this Form 10-Q that address activities, events or developments that the Company intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on assumptions and analysis made by management of the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate. The forward-looking statements in the Form 10-Q are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including weather conditions in south Louisiana during the sugarcane growing season, the success of sugarcane pest and disease abatement procedures, the quality and quantity of the sugarcane crops, mechanical failures at the Company's sugar mill, and prices for sugar and molasses produced by the Company. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results. Development and business decisions may differ from those envisioned by such forward-looking statements. Results of Operations: ---------------------- General Information: -------------------- The Company commenced grinding on September 24, 2003. Weather has been generally good for harvesting and grinding cane compared to the storms last year which damaged the cane and delayed the start of grinding until October 10, 2002. As of December 5, 2003, the Company is averaging 207 pounds of sugar per ton of cane compared to 172 and 200 pounds of sugar per ton for the last two years, respectively. Although sugar yields are up compared to the previous two years, the dry weather has reduced the tonnage of sugarcane per acre. The Company expects to grind approximately 900,000 tons of cane this crop compared to 1,027,182 and 1,063,646 tons for the previous two years, respectively. In all probability, the Company will produce about the same total pounds of sugar as last year or possibly slightly more. Lost time percent is 4.96 percent for the current crop compared to 7.94 percent and 4.71 percent for the previous two years. Average tons ground per crop day was 9,827 at December 5, 2003 compared to 9,911 and 10,585 on the same day for the previous two years. The raw sugar price has increased compared to the previous two years. The basis price paid to farmers for the years 2002, 2001 and 2000 was $20.68 cents per pound, $20.45 and $18.40, respectively. The price for the current year (2003 crop) is expected to be slightly higher than the price for the 2002 crop. I-6 -8- Sugar and Molasses Sales: ------------------------- Sugar and molasses sales for the three months ended October 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows: 2003 2002 ------ ------ Raw sugar sales $ 6,135,213 $ 8,281,411 Molasses sales 287,145 159,515 ------------ ------------- $ 6,422,358 $ 8,440,926 ============ ============= As of October 31, 2003, the Company had shipped 14,416 tons of raw sugar compared to 15,333 tons shipped as of October 31, 2002. Raw sugar sales are down from last year and inventories up due to lesser deliveries of sugar to refiners as compared to last year. Shipments of raw sugar are dictated by the refiners based on their needs and production schedules. Molasses production is up slightly at 5.27 gallons per ton of sugarcane as of October 31, 2003 compared to 4.92 gallons per ton and 6.07 gallons per ton for the last two years. The increased production this year has resulted in increased sales for the current year. As of October 31, 2003, the Company had shipped 1,061,662 gallons of molasses compared to 522,747 gallons the previous year. The molasses price is down substantially this year over the previous two years. Currently, the molasses price is quoted at $53.75 per ton compared to $60 and $68 for the previous two years. Interest Earned: ---------------- Interest earned was $920 for the three months ending October 31, 2003 compared to $781 for the same period last year. Mineral Leases and Royalties: ----------------------------- Mineral leases and royalties were $130,356 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $86,274 for 2002 and $126,298 for 2001. There were no new oil and gas leases granted for the three month period ended October 31, 2003. The increase in 2003 compared to 2002 is a result of royalties received on a new well completed in May, 2003. The new well is currently producing approximately 60 barrels of oil per day and no natural gas. When completed the well was producing 80 barrels of oil per day. All royalties are applied to the Company's long-term debt. Other Revenues: --------------- Other revenues consist mainly of miscellaneous income and cane land rentals. Cane land rentals for the three months ended October 31, 2003 were $473,864 compared to $315,121 for the same period in the prior year. The increase in cane rental income is primarily because of I-7 -9- the earlier start of grinding which resulted in more tonnage ground as of October 31, 2003 compared to the previous year and that coupled with the increased sugar yields per ton of cane increased rental income from Company lands. Also included in other income is a disaster relief payment totaling $1,641,875 received in October, 2003. Please refer to Note B to the financial statements for a more complete explanation. Cost of Products Sold: ---------------------- Cost of products sold decreased to $6,082,543 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 compared to $10,148,364 for the three month period ending October 31, 2002. The two storms during last year's crop contributed to the large cost of products sold at October 31, 2002. Good weather this year has lowered costs of production considerably. Costs relating to sales are charged to cost of products sold. General and Administrative Expenses: ------------------------------------ General and administrative expenses were $212,984 for the current period and $259,767 for the same period last year. The decrease reflects a general overall decrease in the various costs, such as clerical salaries and franchise taxes, included in this category. Interest Expense: ----------------- Interest expense increased to $136,414 for the three months ended October 31, 2003 from $81,306 for the three months ended October 31, 2002. The increase is attributable to higher short-term borrowings. The interest rate for short-term borrowings for the two years was 4 percent at October 31, 2002 and 3.75% at October 31, 2003. Income Taxes: ------------- Income taxes (credit) for the three month periods ending October 31, 2003 and 2002 were recorded at the statutory rate of 38 percent which reflects the 34 percent federal corporate rate plus 4 percent state income taxes. Liquidity and Capital Resources: -------------------------------- At October 31, 2003, the Company had negative working capital of $4,173,568 compared to negative working capital of $1,564,947 at October 31, 2002. Working capital ratios were .77:1 and .85:1 respectively. Typically, the Company begins short-term borrowing during the idle season to finance company operations and capital additions. At July 31, 2003, short-term debt outstanding was $4,207,023 and at October 31, 2003 short-term debt had increased to $12,000,000. At July 31, 2002, short-term debt was $3,512,000 and had increased to $6,719,000 by October 31, 2002. The $12,000,000 short-term debt outstanding at October 31, 2003 includes financing for a new boiler costing approximately $3,200,000 installed and placed in service in early October, 2003. In November, 2003 the Company financed $3,000,000 payable in twelve consecutive semi-annual payments of $250,000 plus interest at the rate of 5.75% per annum. The first payment I-8 -10- on the note is due March 31, 2004. The Company will continue to use the proceeds from oil and gas royalties to pay down long-term debt. The Company has a $12,000,000 line of credit with a bank. ITEM 4 - DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our 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, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act. INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. I-9 -11- PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS There have been no material developments in the legal proceedings reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2003. ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8K (a) Exhibits Exhibit Description Page ---------------------------------------------------- 11 Computation of Earnings per Share 14 31.1 Section 906 Certification of Chief 14 Executive Officer 31.2 Section 906 Certification of Chief 15 Financial Officer 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 16 Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (b) Reports on Form 8K No reports on Form 8-K have been filed for the period. II-1 -12- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. STERLING SUGARS, INC. --------------------- (REGISTRANT) DATE December 12, 2003 By /s/ Craig P. Caillier --------------------------- ------------------------ CRAIG P. CAILLIER PRESIDENT AND CEO DATE December 12, 2003 By /s/ Stanley H. Pipes ---------------------------- ------------------------- STANLEY H. PIPES VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER II-2 -13- EXHIBIT 11 				STERLING SUGARS, INC. COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE Years Ended October 31 ----------------------- 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ Primary Income (Loss) $ 1,414,807 $(1,068,189) ============ ============ Shares Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 2,500,000 2,500,000 ---------- ---------- Primary earnings (loss) per share $.57 $(.43) ========== ========== EXHIBIT 31.1 CERTIFICATIONS I, Craig P. Caillier, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sterling Sugars, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report. 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report if being prepared; b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the restrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and -14- c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: December 12, 2003 ---------------- /s/ Craig P. Caillier ---------------------- Craig P. Caillier President and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT 31.2 I, Stanley H. Pipes, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Sterling Sugars, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report. 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report if being prepared; -15- b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the restrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: December 12, 2003 ----------------- /s/ Stanley H. Pipes -------------------- Stanley H. Pipes Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) EXHIBIT 32.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report of Sterling Sugars, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending October 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Craig P. Caillier, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and I, Stanley H. Pipes, Vice President and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. -16- /s/ Craig P. Caillier Date: December 12, 2003 --------------------- Craig P. Caillier President and Chief Executive Officer Date: December 12, 2003 /s/ Stanley H. Pipes ____________________ Stanley H. Pipes Vice President & Treasurer -17-