Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

United States

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended

December 31, 2008

Commission File Number 1-12984

LOGO

 

 

Eagle Materials Inc.

 

 

Delaware

(State of Incorporation)

75-2520779

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3811 Turtle Creek Blvd., Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75219

(Address of principal executive offices)

(214) 432-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the 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 for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of February 5, 2009, the number of outstanding shares of common stock was:

 

Class

  

Outstanding Shares

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value    43,554,826

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Eagle Materials Inc. and Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q

December 31, 2008

Table of Contents

 

          Page
   PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)   

Item 1.

   Consolidated Financial Statements   
   Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three and Nine months Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007    1
   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2008    2
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007    3
   Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements    4

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition    17

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    29

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    29

Item 5.

   Other Information    29
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1a.

   Risk Factors    30

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    34

Item 6.

   Exhibits    34

SIGNATURES

   35


Table of Contents

Eagle Materials Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
   For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

REVENUES

           

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 61,393    $ 73,371    $ 217,374    $ 266,761

Cement

     45,874      57,697      161,955      204,069

Paperboard

     15,555      19,433      55,710      61,947

Concrete and Aggregates

     14,901      22,148      54,682      70,434

Other, net

     106      356      3,845      1,494
                           
     137,829      173,005      493,566      604,705
                           

COSTS AND EXPENSES

           

Gypsum Wallboard

     58,593      66,493      221,302      217,463

Cement

     32,544      40,951      115,642      138,846

Paperboard

     11,517      14,217      43,615      48,692

Concrete and Aggregates

     14,495      19,013      50,801      59,148

Corporate General and Administrative

     5,140      4,300      14,110      14,393

Interest Expense, net

     7,671      5,811      23,791      13,666
                           
     129,960      150,785      469,261      492,208
                           

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURE

     8,681      9,854      25,421      25,304
                           

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     16,550      32,074      49,726      137,801

Income Taxes

     5,291      9,615      14,992      43,279
                           

NET EARNINGS

   $ 11,259    $ 22,459    $ 34,734    $ 94,522
                           

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

           

Basic

   $ 0.26    $ 0.51    $ 0.80    $ 2.07
                           

Diluted

   $ 0.26    $ 0.50    $ 0.79    $ 2.05
                           

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

           

Basic

     43,517,844      44,019,262      43,473,363      46,227,109
                           

Diluted

     43,826,789      44,596,051      43,869,479      46,834,390
                           

CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE:

   $ 0.10    $ 0.20    $ 0.50    $ 0.60
                           

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Eagle Materials Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

 

     December 31,
2008
    March 31,
2008
 
    
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current Assets -

    

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 47,824     $ 18,960  

Accounts and Notes Receivable

     50,614       62,949  

Inventories

     102,246       98,717  
                

Total Current Assets

     200,684       180,626  
                

Property, Plant and Equipment -

     1,086,826       1,079,742  

Less: Accumulated Depreciation

     (407,514 )     (374,186 )
                

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

     679,312       705,556  

Notes Receivable

     6,828       7,286  

Investment in Joint Venture

     38,016       40,095  

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

     152,971       153,449  

Other Assets

     27,115       27,835  
                
   $ 1,104,926     $ 1,114,847  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities -

    

Accounts Payable

   $ 25,140     $ 50,961  

Federal Income Taxes Payable

     2,470       —    

Accrued Liabilities

     46,909       56,315  
                

Total Current Liabilities

     74,519       107,276  

Long-term Debt

     400,000       400,000  

Other Long-term Liabilities

     88,521       84,342  

Deferred Income Taxes

     116,648       117,542  
                

Total Liabilities

     679,688       709,160  

Stockholders’ Equity -

    

Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01; Authorized 5,000,000 Shares; None Issued

     —         —    

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01; Authorized 100,000,000 Shares; Issued and Outstanding 43,548,826 and 43,430,297 Shares, respectively

     435       434  

Capital in Excess of Par Value

     6,576       —    

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses

     (1,368 )     (1,368 )

Retained Earnings

     419,595       406,621  
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     425,238       405,687  
                
   $ 1,104,926     $ 1,114,847  
                

See notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Eagle Materials Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited – dollars in thousands)

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net Earnings

   $ 34,734     $ 95,856  

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities -

    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     38,533       32,354  

Gain on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment

     (2,596 )     —    

Deferred Income Tax Provision

     (1,827 )     (6,777 )

Stock Compensation Expense

     4,839       4,814  

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Joint Venture

     (25,421 )     (25,304 )

Excess Tax Benefits from Share Based Payment Arrangements

     (603 )     (1,235 )

Distributions from Joint Venture

     27,500       30,000  

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

    

Accounts and Notes Receivable

     12,793       24,993  

Inventories

     (3,529 )     (7,090 )

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

     (25,788 )     (23,706 )

Other Assets

     (1,434 )     (901 )

Income Taxes Payable

     4,862       (21,499 )
                

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     62,063       101,505  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Property, Plant and Equipment Additions

     (12,846 )     (75,937 )

Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment

     3,996       —    
                

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (8,850 )     (75,937 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Increase in Long-term Debt

     —         200,000  

Dividends Paid to Stockholders

     (26,087 )     (26,793 )

Purchase and Retirement of Common Stock

     —         (153,445 )

Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises

     1,135       2,040  

Excess Tax Benefits from Share Based Payment Arrangements

     603       1,235  
                

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

     (24,349 )     23,037  
                

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     28,864       48,605  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     18,960       17,215  
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 47,824     $ 65,820  
                

See notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Eagle Materials Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2008

 

(A) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, include the accounts of Eagle Materials Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries (the “Company”, “us” or “we”) and have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2008.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the information in the following unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure certain financial instruments and other eligible items at fair value when the items are not otherwise currently required to be measured at fair value. Under SFAS 159, the decision to measure items at fair value is made at specified election dates on an irrevocable instrument-by-instrument basis. We adopted SFAS 159 on April 1, 2008 and decided not to elect the fair value option.

 

(B) SHARE-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

Long-Term Compensation Plans

Options. We granted a target number of stock options during June 2007 to certain individuals (the “Fiscal 2008 Stock Option Grant”) that may be earned, in whole or in part, if certain performance conditions are satisfied. The Fiscal 2008 Stock Option Grant will vest over a seven year period depending upon the achievement of specified levels of earnings per share and operating earnings. Options are vested as they are earned, and any options not earned at the end of the seven year period will be forfeited. These stock options were valued at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Certain other employees that were not included in the original grant were granted options under the Fiscal 2008 Stock Option Grant during the first quarter of fiscal 2009. These awards vest identically to the original grant, and expire on the same day as the original grants. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to value the option awards in fiscal 2009 are as follows: annual dividend rate of 2.0%, expected volatility of 36%, risk free interest rate of 3.3% and expected life of 6.0 years. We are expensing the fair value of the options granted in fiscal 2009 over a five year period, as adjusted for expected forfeitures.

 

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Table of Contents

In July 2008, we granted options to members of the Board of Directors (the “Fiscal 2009 Board of Directors Grant”). Options granted under the Fiscal 2009 Board of Directors Grant vested immediately, and can be exercised from the date of grant until their expiration at the end of seven years. In August 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved an incentive equity award to certain individuals that may be earned, in whole or in part, if certain performance conditions are satisfied (the “Fiscal 2009 Stock Option Grant”). The Fiscal 2009 Stock Option Grant is structured to provide short-term incentives to address the changed circumstances in the economy and our business since the issuance of the Fiscal 2008 Stock Option Grant. The performance and vesting criteria for the Fiscal 2009 Stock Option Grant is based on the achievement of specified levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as well as achievement of certain safety metrics for the nine month period ending March 31, 2009. The options have a term of seven years, and are vested as earned. Any awards not earned at March 31, 2009 will be forfeited. These stock options were valued at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to value the option awards granted in fiscal 2009 are as follows: annual dividend rate of 2.0%, expected volatility of 36%, risk free interest rate of 3.4% and expected life of 6.0 years. We are expensing the fair value of the Fiscal 2009 Stock Option Grant over a nine month period, as adjusted for expected forfeitures.

Stock option expense for all outstanding stock option awards totaled approximately $1.7 million and $3.9 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to $1.1 million and $4.5 million expensed for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007, respectively. At December 31, 2008, there was approximately $8.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 5.3 years.

The following table represents stock option activity for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008:

 

     Number
of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding Options at Beginning of Period

     2,787,047     $ 34.26

Granted

     912,910     $ 27.84

Exercised

     (104,241 )   $ 11.01

Cancelled

     —         —  
          

Outstanding Options at End of Period

     3,595,716     $ 33.30
          

Options Exercisable at End of Period

     1,387,945    
          

Weighted-Average Fair Value of Options Granted during the Period

   $ 9.07    

 

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008:

 

     Outstanding Options    Exercisable Options

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number of
Shares
Outstanding
   Weighted - Average
Remaining
Contractual

Life
   Weighted - Average
Exercise

Price
   Number of
Shares
Outstanding
   Weighted - Average
Exercise

Price

$ 6.80 - $ 8.15

   237,215    1.99    $ 7.57    237,215    $ 7.57

$ 9.57 - $ 13.43

   411,524    3.80    $ 12.05    411,524    $ 12.05

$ 21.52 - $ 29.08

   1,103,970    6.01    $ 26.08    492,970    $ 25.33

$ 34.09 - $ 40.78

   416,670    4.65    $ 37.06    209,870    $ 38.50

$ 47.53 - $ 62.83

   1,426,337    5.58    $ 48.20    36,366    $ 61.77
                  
   3,595,716    5.16    $ 33.30    1,387,945    $ 21.30
                  

At December 31, 2008, both the outstanding options and exercisable options did not have any intrinsic value. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 was approximately $0.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units. As part of the Fiscal 2009 Stock Option Grant, the same employees receiving options also received restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The vesting criteria for the RSUs are similar to those criteria for the Fiscal 2009 Stock Option Grant, and any RSUs earned will become vested one year from the date of issuance. Any RSUs not vested will be forfeited. The RSUs are being expensed over a one year period, less expected forfeitures. The value of RSUs granted in previous years is being amortized over a three year period for grants to employees and a period not to exceed ten years for grants to directors. Expense related to RSUs was approximately $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007, respectively.

At December 31, 2008, there was approximately $1.5 million of unearned compensation from restricted stock units that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

Restricted Stock. We granted 15,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee on June 10, 2008. The restricted stock was valued at approximately $0.5 million, based on the closing price of the stock on the date of the grant. The restrictions lapse in annual increments over a seven year period, with the expense recognized ratably over a seven year period.

Shares available for future stock option and restricted stock unit grants under existing plans were 265,120 at December 31, 2008.

 

(C) PENSION AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

We have several defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans which together cover substantially all our employees. Benefits paid under the defined benefit plans covering certain hourly employees are based on years of service and the employee’s qualifying compensation over the last few years of employment.

 

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The following table shows the components of net periodic cost for our plans:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Nine Months
ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

Service Cost – Benefits Earned during the Period

   $ 140     $ 133     $ 419     $ 399  

Interest Cost of Benefit Obligations

     250       225       751       675  

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (280 )     (280 )     (839 )     (840 )

Recognized Net Actuarial Loss

     77       33       230       99  

Amortization of Prior-Service Cost

     36       37       108       111  
                                

Net Periodic Pension Cost

   $ 223     $ 148     $ 669     $ 444  
                                

 

(D) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

A summary of changes in stockholders’ equity follows:

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended December 31, 2008
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Common Stock –

  

Balance at Beginning of Period

   $ 434  

Stock Option Exercises

     1  
        

Balance at End of Period

     435  
        

Capital in Excess of Par Value –

  

Balance at Beginning of Period

     —    

Share-Based Activity

     1,737  

Stock Option Exercises

     4,839  
        

Balance at End of Period

     6,576  
        

Retained Earnings –

  

Balance at Beginning of Period

     406,621  

Dividends Declared to Stockholders

     (21,760 )

Net Earnings

     34,734  
        

Balance at End of Period

     419,595  
        

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses –

  

Balance at Beginning of Period

     (1,368 )
        

Balance at End of Period

     (1,368 )
        

Total Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 425,238  
        

There were no share repurchases during the three month period ended December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, we have authorization to purchase an additional 717,300 shares.

 

(E) CASH FLOW INFORMATION - SUPPLEMENTAL

Cash payments made for interest were $24.4 million and $15.4 million for nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Net payments made for federal and state income taxes during the nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, were $13.1 and $69.5 million, respectively. The payments made during the nine month period ended December 31, 2007 include approximately $33.3 million related to an exam by the Internal Revenue Service, which is discussed in Footnote (L) of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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(F) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was identical to net income for the same periods.

As of December 31, 2008, we had an accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1.4 million, in connection with recognizing the difference between the fair value of the pension assets and the projected benefit obligation.

 

(G) INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost (including applicable material, labor, depreciation, and plant overhead) or market. Inventories consist of the following:

 

     As of
     December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2008
     (dollars in thousands)

Raw Materials and Material-in-Progress

   $ 27,994    $ 27,212

Gypsum Wallboard

     8,859      6,823

Finished Cement

     12,115      11,894

Paperboard

     4,988      5,677

Aggregates

     10,460      11,229

Repair Parts and Supplies

     35,379      32,233

Fuel and Coal

     2,451      3,649
             
   $ 102,246    $ 98,717
             

 

(H) COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted common shares outstanding is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding

   43,517,844     44,019,262     43,473,363     46,227,109  

Common Equivalent Shares:

        

Assumed Exercise of Outstanding Dilutive Options

   651,489     1,321,978     900,131     1,373,658  

Less Shares Repurchased from Assumed Proceeds of Assumed Exercised Options

   (447,291 )   (813,431 )   (594,346 )   (832,392 )

Restricted Shares

   104,747     68,242     90,331     66,015  
                        

Weighted-Average Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding

   43,826,789     44,596,051     43,869,479     46,834,390  
                        

Shares Excluded Due to Anti-dilution effects

   2,946,977     1,632,043     2,360,392     1,382,866  
                        

 

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(I) ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

     As of
     December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2008
     (dollars in thousands)

Payroll and Incentive Compensation

   $ 10,397    $ 15,372

Benefits

     13,141      10,979

Interest

     4,521      10,391

Insurance

     5,794      5,673

Other

     13,056      13,900
             
   $ 46,909    $ 56,315
             

 

(J) CREDIT FACILITIES

On February 5, 2009, we accepted for repurchase $93.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Series 2007A Senior Notes for $88.3 million, plus accrued interest of $2.0 million, and $7.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Series 2005A Senor Notes for $6.7 million, plus accrued interest of $0.1 million. The purchase of the Senior Notes was funded through borrowings under our Bank Credit Facility. The following table reflects the composition of our long-term debt after the purchase of the Senior Notes.

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

          As of
     Subsequent to
Repurchase
   December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2008
     (dollars in thousands)

Bank Credit Facility

   $ 95,000    $ —      $ —  

Senior Notes

     300,000      400,000      400,000
                    
   $ 395,000    $ 400,000    $ 400,000
                    

Bank Credit Facility -

We entered into a $350.0 million credit facility on December 16, 2004. On June 30, 2006, we amended the Bank Credit Facility (the “Bank Credit Facility”) to extend the expiration date from December 2009 to June 2011, and to reduce the borrowing rates and commitment fees. All outstanding obligations under the Bank Credit Facility are due and payable on the expiration date. Borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility are guaranteed by all major operating subsidiaries of the Company. Outstanding principal amounts on the Bank Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus an agreed margin (ranging from 55 to 150 basis points), which is to be established quarterly based upon the Company’s ratio of consolidated EBITDA, (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) to its consolidated gross indebtedness. Interest payments are payable monthly or at the end of the LIBOR advance periods, which can be up to a period of six months at the option of the Company. Borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of customary events of default described more fully in the Bank Credit Facility.

The Bank Credit Facility has a $25 million letter of credit facility. Under the letter of credit facility, the Company pays a fee at a per annum rate equal to the applicable margin for Eurodollar loans in effect from time to time plus a one-time letter of credit fee in an amount equal to 0.125% of the initial stated amount. At December 31, 2008, we had $7.0 million of letters of credit outstanding.

Subsequent to our purchase of $100 million of Senior Notes discussed above, the Company has $248.0 million of borrowings available under the Bank Credit Facility. Under the Bank Credit Facility,

 

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we are required to adhere to certain financial and other covenants, including covenants relating to the Company’s interest coverage ratio and consolidated funded indebtedness ratio.

Senior Notes -

We entered into a Note Purchase Agreement on November 15, 2005 (the “2005 Note Purchase Agreement”) related to our sale of $200 million of senior, unsecured notes, designated as Series 2005A Senior Notes (the “Series 2005A Senior Notes”) in a private placement transaction. The Series 2005A Senior Notes, which are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries, were sold at par and issued in three tranches on November 15, 2005. Subsequent to our purchase of $7.0 million in aggregate principal amount of these notes during February 2009, the amounts outstanding for the three tranches are as follows:

 

     Principal    Maturity Date    Interest Rate  

Tranche A

   $  38.6 million    November 15, 2012    5.25 %

Tranche B

   $ 77.2 million    November 15, 2015    5.38 %

Tranche C

   $ 77.2 million    November 15, 2017    5.48 %

Interest for each tranche of Notes is payable semi-annually on May 15th and November 15th of each year until all principal is paid for the respective tranche.

We entered into an additional Note Purchase Agreement on October 2, 2007 (the “2007 Note Purchase Agreement”) related to our sale of $200 million of senior, unsecured notes, designated as Series 2007A Senior Notes (the “Series 2007A Senior Notes”) in a private placement transaction. The Series 2007A Senior Notes, which are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries, were sold at par and issued in four tranches on October 2, 2007. Subsequent to our purchase of $93.0 million in aggregate principal amount of these notes during February 2009, the amounts outstanding for the four tranches are as follows:

 

     Principal    Maturity Date    Interest Rate  

Tranche A

   $  9.5 million    October 2, 2014    6.08 %

Tranche B

   $  11.0 million    October 2, 2016    6.27 %

Tranche C

   $ 50.0 million    October 2, 2017    6.36 %

Tranche D

   $ 36.5 million    October 2, 2019    6.48 %

Interest for each tranche of Notes is payable semi-annually on April 2nd and October 2nd of each year until all principal is paid for the respective tranche.

Our obligations under the 2005 Note Purchase Agreement and the 2007 Note Purchase Agreement (collectively referred to as the “Note Purchase Agreements”) and the Series 2005A Senior Notes and the Series 2007A Senior Notes (collectively referred to as “the Senior Notes”) are equal in right of payment with all other senior, unsecured debt of the Company, including our debt under the Bank Credit Facility. The Note Purchase Agreements contain customary restrictive covenants, including covenants that place limits on our ability to encumber our assets, to incur additional debt, to sell assets, or to merge or consolidate with third parties, as well as certain cross covenants with the Bank Credit Facility. We were in compliance with all financial ratios and covenants at December 31, 2008.

Pursuant to a Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, substantially all of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the punctual payment of all principal, interest, and Make-Whole Amounts (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreements) on the Senior Notes and the other payment and performance obligations of the Company contained in the Senior Notes and in the Note Purchase Agreements. We are permitted, at our option and without penalty, to prepay from time to time at least 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid, together with interest accrued on such amount to be prepaid to the date of payment, plus a Make-Whole Amount. The Make-Whole Amount is computed by discounting the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal of the Senior Notes being prepaid at a discount rate equal to the sum of 50 basis points and the yield to maturity of U.S. treasury securities having a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Senior Notes being prepaid.

 

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(K) SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities that earn revenues, incur expenses and prepare separate financial information that is evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance.

We operate in four business segments: Gypsum Wallboard, Cement, Recycled Paperboard, and Concrete and Aggregates, with Gypsum Wallboard and Cement being our principal lines of business. These operations are conducted in the United States and include the mining of gypsum and the manufacture and sale of gypsum wallboard, mining of limestone and the manufacture, production, distribution and sale of portland cement (a basic construction material which is the essential binding ingredient in concrete), the manufacture and sale of recycled paperboard to the gypsum wallboard industry and other paperboard converters and the sale of readymix concrete and the mining and sale of aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel). These products are used primarily in commercial and residential construction, public construction projects and projects to build, expand and repair roads and highways.

We operate five gypsum wallboard plants, two gypsum wallboard reload centers, a gypsum wallboard distribution center, four cement plants, eleven cement distribution terminals, a recycled paperboard mill, nine readymix concrete batch plant locations and two aggregates processing plant locations. The principal markets for our cement products are Texas, northern Illinois (including Chicago), the Rocky Mountains, northern Nevada, and northern California. Gypsum wallboard and recycled paperboard are distributed throughout the continental United States. Concrete and aggregates are sold to local readymix producers and paving contractors in the Austin, Texas area and northern California.

We conduct one of our four cement plant operations, Texas Lehigh Cement Company LP in Buda, Texas, through a Joint Venture. For segment reporting purposes only, we proportionately consolidate our 50% share of the Joint Venture’s revenues and operating earnings, which is consistent with the way management organizes the segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance.

 

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We account for intersegment sales at market prices. The following table sets forth certain financial information relating to our operations by segment:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

Revenues -

        

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 61,393     $ 73,371     $ 217,374     $ 266,761  

Cement

     71,411       85,818       243,461       284,049  

Paperboard

     25,864       32,091       94,464       102,000  

Concrete and Aggregates

     15,139       22,370       55,416       71,336  

Other, net

     106       356       3,845       1,494  
                                

Sub-total

     173,913       214,006       614,560       725,640  

Less: Intersegment Revenues

     (12,129 )     (15,311 )     (44,921 )     (48,217 )

Less: Joint Venture Revenues

     (23,955 )     (25,690 )     (76,073 )     (72,718 )
                                

Net Revenues

   $ 137,829     $ 173,005     $ 493,566     $ 604,705  
                                

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
   For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2008    2007
     (dollars in thousands)    (dollars in thousands)

Intersegment Revenues -

           

Cement

   $ 1,582    $ 2,431    $ 5,433    $ 7,262

Paperboard

     10,309      12,658      38,754      40,053

Concrete and Aggregates

     238      222      734      902
                           
   $ 12,129    $ 15,311    $ 44,921    $ 48,217
                           

Cement Sales Volume (M Tons) -

           

Wholly –owned Operations

     461      571      1,601      2,079

Joint Venture

     240      279      765      792
                           
     701      850      2,366      2,821
                           

 

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     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

Operating Earnings (Loss)-

        

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 2,800     $ 6,878     $ (3,928 )   $ 49,298  

Cement

     22,011       26,600       71,734       90,527  

Paperboard

     4,038       5,216       12,095       13,255  

Concrete and Aggregates

     406       3,135       3,881       11,286  

Other, net

     106       356       3,845       1,494  
                                

Sub-total

     29,361       42,185       87,627       165,860  

Corporate General and Administrative

     (5,140 )     (4,300 )     (14,110 )     (14,393 )
                                

Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes

     24,221       37,885       73,517       153,467  

Interest Expense, net

     (7,671 )     (5,811 )     (23,791 )     (13,666 )
                                

Earnings Before Income Taxes

   $ 16,550     $ 32,074     $ 49,726     $ 137,801  
                                

Cement Operating Earnings -

        

Wholly –owned Operations

   $ 13,330     $ 16,746     $ 46,313     $ 65,223  

Joint Venture

     8,681       9,854       25,421       25,304  
                                
   $ 22,011     $ 26,600     $ 71,734     $ 90,527  
                                

Capital Expenditures (1) -

        

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 562     $ 9,487     $ 3,554     $ 60,489  

Cement

     1,114       3,424       7,787       11,366  

Paperboard

     130       485       528       1,382  

Concrete and Aggregates

     —         417       965       2,543  

Other

     5       34       12       157  
                                
   $ 1,811     $ 13,847     $ 12,846     $ 75,937  
                                

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (1) -

        

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 5,669     $ 4,233     $ 17,342     $ 12,594  

Cement

     3,497       3,257       10,621       9,675  

Paperboard

     2,276       2,180       6,805       6,418  

Concrete and Aggregates

     1,067       1,026       3,081       3,020  

Other, net

     230       223       684       647  
                                
   $ 12,739     $ 10,919     $ 38,533     $ 32,354  
                                

 

     As of
     December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2008
     (dollars in thousands)

Identifiable Assets (1) -

     

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 492,891    $ 516,706

Cement

     320,143      320,869

Paperboard

     161,034      174,071

Concrete and Aggregates

     57,508      62,410

Corporate and Other

     73,350      40,791
             
   $ 1,104,926    $ 1,114,847
             

 

(1)

Basis conforms with equity method accounting.

 

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Segment operating earnings, including the proportionately consolidated 50% interest in the revenues and expenses of the Joint Venture, represent revenues, less direct operating expenses, segment depreciation, and segment selling, general and administrative expenses. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, general office assets, miscellaneous other assets and unrecognized tax benefits. See Footnote (L) of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The segment breakdown of goodwill is as follows:

 

     As of
     December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2008
     (dollars in thousands)

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 116,618    $ 116,618

Cement

     8,359      8,359

Paperboard

     7,538      7,538
             
   $ 132,515    $ 132,515
             

We perform our annual test of impairment on goodwill during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year. Due to the decline in operating earnings of the gypsum wallboard segment during the last year, and continuing into this year, we have performed an impairment test at December 31, 2008 for the gypsum wallboard assets and goodwill, noting that there was no impairment at this time. We will continue to test for any potential impairment on a quarterly basis throughout fiscal year 2009, or until conditions in the wallboard industry improve enough for us to determine that an impairment loss is not likely to occur.

Summarized financial information for the Joint Venture that is not consolidated is set out below (this summarized financial information includes the total amount for the Joint Venture and not our 50% interest in those amounts):

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
   For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2008    2007
     (dollars in thousands)    (dollars in thousands)

Revenues

   $ 44,899    $ 49,835    $ 144,693    $ 140,326

Gross Margin

   $ 18,400    $ 21,096    $ 54,611    $ 54,452

Earnings Before Income Taxes

   $ 17,361    $ 19,708    $ 50,842    $ 50,608

 

     As of
     December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2008
     (dollars in thousands)

Current Assets

   $ 48,105    $ 47,632

Non-Current Assets

   $ 41,944    $ 45,964

Current Liabilities

   $ 16,252    $ 14,369

 

(L) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have certain deductible limits under our workers’ compensation and liability insurance policies for which reserves are established based on the undiscounted estimated costs of known and anticipated claims. We have entered into standby letter of credit agreements relating to workers’ compensation and auto and general liability self-insurance. At December 31, 2008, we had contingent liabilities under these outstanding letters of credit of approximately $7.0 million.

 

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The following table compares insurance accruals and payments for our operations:

 

     As of and For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    As of and For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

Accrual Balances at Beginning of Period

   $ 5,528     $ 5,927     $ 5,673     $ 5,582  

Insurance Expense Accrued

     905       740       2,633       2,512  

Payments

     (639 )     (698 )     (2,512 )     (2,125 )
                                

Accrual Balance at End of Period

   $ 5,794     $ 5,969     $ 5,794     $ 5,969  
                                

In the ordinary course of business, we execute contracts involving indemnifications standard in the industry and indemnifications specific to a transaction such as sale of a business. These indemnifications might include claims relating to any of the following: environmental and tax matters; intellectual property rights; governmental regulations and employment-related matters; customer, supplier, and other commercial contractual relationships; construction contracts and financial matters. While the maximum amount to which we may be exposed under such agreements cannot be estimated, it is the opinion of management that these indemnifications are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We currently have no outstanding guarantees.

The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) completed the examination of our federal income tax returns for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, 2002, and 2003. The IRS issued an Exam Report and Notice of Proposed Adjustment on November 9, 2007, in which it proposes to deny certain depreciation deductions claimed by us with respect to assets acquired by us from Republic Group LLC in November 2000 (the “Republic Assets”).

If sustained, the adjustment proposed by the IRS would result in additional federal income taxes owed by us of approximately $27.6 million, plus penalties of $5.7 million and applicable interest. Moreover, for taxable years subsequent to fiscal 2003, we also claimed depreciation deductions with respect to the Republic Assets, as originally recorded. If challenged on the same basis as set forth in the Notice of Proposed Adjustment, additional federal income taxes of approximately $37.0 million, plus applicable interest and possible civil penalties of approximately $24.1, could be asserted by the IRS for those periods. Also, additional state income taxes, interest, and civil penalties of approximately $17.1 million would be owed by us for the fiscal years under exam and subsequent taxable years if the IRS’ position is sustained. The IRS examination of federal income tax returns for fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 is currently in process.

We paid the IRS a deposit of approximately $45.8 million during November 2007, which is comprised of $27.6 million in federal income taxes, $5.7 million for penalties and $12.5 million for interest, to avoid additional imposition of the large corporate tax underpayment interest rates. In the event we reach a settlement with the IRS through the appeals process or in the courts, we will reverse any accrued interest and penalties in excess of the settlement through the consolidated Statement of Earnings.

On December 7, 2007 we filed an administrative appeal of the IRS’s proposed adjustments and on December 17, 2008 the initial appeal hearing was held in Dallas, the outcome of which is still pending. We believe we have a substantive basis for our tax position and if the appeal is not successful, we intend to resort to the courts for a final determination. At this time, we are unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome or how much of the amounts paid for tax, interest and penalty to the IRS will be recovered, if any.

 

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We are currently contingently liable for performance under $7.7 million in performance bonds required by certain states and municipalities, and their related agencies. The bonds are principally for certain reclamation obligations and mining permits. We have indemnified the underwriting insurance company against any exposure under the performance bonds. In our past experience, no material claims have been made against these financial instruments.

 

(M) NET INTEREST EXPENSE

The following components are included in interest expense, net:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

Interest (Income)

   $ (141 )   $ (686 )   $ (219 )   $ (875 )

Interest Expense

     5,811       5,990       18,610       12,799  

Interest Expense – IRS

     1,876       2,329       5,025       6,195  

Other Expenses

     125       115       375       335  

Interest Capitalized

     —         (1,937 )     —         (4,788 )
                                

Interest Expense, net

   $ 7,671     $ 5,811     $ 23,791     $ 13,666  
                                

Interest income includes interest on investments of excess cash and interest on notes receivable. Components of interest expense include interest associated with the Senior Notes, the Bank Credit Facility and commitment fees based on the unused portion of the Bank Credit Facility. Interest expense – IRS includes interest accrued on our unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FASB Interpretation Number 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. Other expenses include amortization of debt issuance costs and bank credit facility costs. Interest capitalized during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007 related to the construction of a new wallboard facility by American Gypsum Company, which was completed in December 2007.

 

(N) INCOME TAXES

Income taxes for the interim period presented have been included in the accompanying financial statements on the basis of an estimated annual effective tax rate. In addition to the amount of tax resulting from applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to pre-tax income, we will, when appropriate, include certain items treated as discrete events to arrive at an estimated overall tax amount. The effective tax rate for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 was 32.0%. The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 was 30.2%, which is also the estimated overall tax rate for the full fiscal year 2009.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Eagle Materials Inc. is a diversified producer of basic building products used in residential, industrial, commercial and infrastructure construction. Information presented for the three month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, reflects the Company’s four business segments, consisting of Gypsum Wallboard, Cement, Recycled Paperboard and Concrete and Aggregates. Certain information for each of Concrete and Aggregates is broken out separately in the segment discussions.

We operate in cyclical commodity businesses that are directly related to the overall construction environment. Our operations, depending on each business segment, range from local in nature to national businesses. We have operations in a variety of geographic markets, which subject us to the economic conditions in each such geographic market as well as the national market. General economic downturns or localized downturns in the regions where we have operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our Wallboard and Paperboard operations are more national in scope and shipments are made throughout the continental U.S. Our cement companies are located in geographic areas west of the Mississippi river and the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area. Due to the low value-to-weight ratio of cement, cement is usually shipped within a 150 mile radius of the plants by truck and up to 400 miles by rail. Concrete and aggregates are even more regional as those operations serve the areas immediately surrounding Austin, Texas and north of Sacramento, California. Cement, concrete and aggregates demand may fluctuate more widely because local and regional markets and economies may be more sensitive to changes than the national markets. The cost of fuel and power used in our manufacturing facilities is anticipated to trend upwards in the future.

We conduct one of our cement operations through a joint venture, Texas Lehigh Cement Company LP, which is located in Buda, Texas (the “Joint Venture”). We own a 50% interest in the joint venture and account for our interest under the equity method of accounting. We proportionately consolidate our 50% share of the Joint Venture’s revenues and operating earnings in the presentation of our cement segment, which is the way management organizes the segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Results

The following tables report by line of business the revenues and operating earnings discussed in our operating segments:

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)     (dollars in thousands)  

REVENUES

        

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 61,393     $ 73,371     $ 217,374     $ 266,761  

Cement (1)

     71,411       85,818       243,461       284,049  

Paperboard

     25,864       32,091       94,464       102,000  

Concrete and Aggregates

     15,139       22,370       55,416       71,336  

Other, net

     106       356       3,845       1,494  
                                

Sub-total

     173,913       214,006       614,560       725,640  

Less: Intersegment Revenues

     (12,129 )     (15,311 )     (44,921 )     (48,217 )

Less Joint Venture Revenues

     (23,955 )     (25,690 )     (76,073 )     (72,718 )
                                

Total

   $ 137,829     $ 173,005     $ 493,566     $ 604,705  
                                

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
   For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
     2008    2007    2008     2007
     (dollars in thousands)    (dollars in thousands)

OPERATING EARNINGS (2)

          

Gypsum Wallboard

   $ 2,800    $ 6,878    $ (3,928 )   $ 49,298

Cement (1)

     22,011      26,600      71,734       90,527

Paperboard

     4,038      5,096      12,095       15,232

Concrete and Aggregates

     406      3,135      3,881       11,286

Other, net

     106      356      3,845       1,494
                            

Total

   $ 29,361    $ 42,065    $ 87,627     $ 167,837
                            

 

(1)

Total of wholly-owned subsidiaries and proportionately consolidated 50% interest in the Joint Venture’s results.

(2)

Prior to Corporate General and Administrative expenses.

 

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Operating Earnings.

Consolidated operating earnings decreased 30% and 48% during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to similar periods ended December 31, 2007. The decline in operating earnings was primarily related to our gypsum wallboard and cement businesses. Gypsum wallboard operating earnings declined 59% during the three month period ended December 31, 2008 primarily due to decreased sales volumes and increased manufacturing costs, which were offset slightly by increased average sales prices. Gypsum wallboard operating earnings for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 declined 108% due to an 8% decline in sales volume, a 15% decline in average sales price and an increase in average unit costs. Cement operating earnings declined by 17% and 21% during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2007, primarily due to reduced sales volumes, particularly in our Illinois, Nevada and California markets.

Other Income.

Other income consists of a variety of items that are non-segment operating in nature and includes non-inventoried aggregates income, gypsum wallboard distribution center income, asset sales and other miscellaneous income and cost items. Included in other income for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 is approximately $2.6 million relating to a gain on the sale of railcars by our gypsum wallboard division.

Corporate Overhead.

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased 20% and decreased 2% for the three and nine months periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to the similar periods in 2007. The increase in corporate overhead during the three month period ended December 31, 2008 is due primarily to stock compensation costs related to the stock option grant in August 2008.

Net Interest Expense.

Net interest expense increased $1.9 million and $10.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to the similar periods in 2007. The increase in expense is related primarily to the increased borrowings in connection with the $200 million private placement, which closed in October 2007 and, to a lesser extent, the accrual of interest expense on our unrecognized tax benefits that are in dispute pending our tax audit. Additionally, interest expense in fiscal 2008 was positively impacted by the capitalization of interest related to the construction of our gypsum wallboard plant in Georgetown, S.C. This plant was completed in December 2007, at which time we ceased capitalizing interest.

Income Taxes.

As of December 31, 2008, the effective tax rate for fiscal 2009 was 30%, as compared to 32% for fiscal 2008. The expected tax rate the full fiscal year 2009 is estimated to be 30%, as compared to 32% for fiscal 2008. The decrease in the expected rate is primarily related to the greater impact our depletion deduction has on our decreased operating income.

Net Income.

Pre-tax earnings declined during the three and nine month periods primarily due to the decline in sales volumes for all of our businesses and increased interest expense due to our additional borrowings. As a result, our net income declined 50% and 63%, during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to similar periods in 2007, while our diluted earnings per share declined 48% and 61% during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to similar periods in 2007.

 

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GYPSUM WALLBOARD OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    Percentage
Change
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
    Percentage
Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    
     (dollars in thousands)           (dollars in thousands)        

Gross Revenues, as reported

   $ 61,393     $ 73,371     (16 )%   $ 217,374     $ 266,761     (19 )%

Freight and Delivery Costs billed to customers

     (14,404 )     (18,714 )   23 %     (58,040 )     (62,390 )   7 %
                                    

Net Revenues

   $ 46,989     $ 54,657     (14 )%   $ 159,334     $ 204,371     (22 )%
                                    

Sales Volume (MMSF)

     453       545     (17 )%     1,655       1,799     (8 )%

Average Net Sales Price (1)

   $ 103.71     $ 100.32     3 %   $ 96.28     $ 113.64     (15 )%

Freight (MSF)

   $ 31.80     $ 34.34     (7 )%   $ 35.07     $ 34.68     1 %

Operating Margin (MSF)

   $ 6.18     $ 12.62     (51 )%   $ (2.37 )   $ 27.40     (109 )%

Operating Earnings (Loss)

   $ 2,800     $ 6,878     (59 )%   $ (3,928 )   $ 49,298     (108 )%

 

(1)

Net of freight per MSF.

Revenues.

Revenues declined 16% and 19% for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, respectively, as compared to the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to the reduction in sales volume of 17% and 8%, respectively, during fiscal 2008. Revenue for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 was positively impacted by a 3% increase in average sales price as compared to the three month period ended December 31, 2007, while revenues for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 were adversely impacted by a 15% decline in average sales prices as compared to the nine month period ended December 31, 2007. The decline in sales volumes during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 was partially offset by the startup of our Georgetown, South Carolina production facility in December 2007. The contraction of the residential housing market, which typically comprises 50% of the demand for gypsum wallboard, has resulted in decreased opportunities and downward pressure on pricing.

Operating Margins.

The decline in operating margins for both the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 is due to the reductions in net sales volume as compared to similar periods in 2007. Additionally, the average net sales price declined for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the similar period in 2007, which negatively impacted our operating margin. Increased freight, depreciation and manufacturing costs, namely paper, raw materials and natural gas, also contributed to the negative operating earnings for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008.

 

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CEMENT OPERATIONS (1)

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    Percentage
Change
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
    Percentage
Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    
     (dollars in thousands)           (dollars in thousands)        

Gross Revenues, including Intersegment and joint venture

   $ 71,411     $ 85,818     (17 )%   $ 243,461     $ 284,049     (14 )%

Freight and Delivery Costs billed to customers

     (2,386 )     (3,925 )   (39 )%     (8,127 )     (12,983 )   (37 )%
                                    

Net Revenues

   $ 69,025     $ 81,893     (16 )%   $ 235,334     $ 271,066     (13 )%
                                    

Sales Volume (M Tons)

     701       850     (18 )%     2,366       2,821     (16 )%

Average Net Sales Price

   $ 95.00     $ 96.31     (1 )%   $ 96.63     $ 96.07     1 %

Operating Margin

   $ 31.40     $ 31.29     —       $ 30.32     $ 32.09     (6 )%

Operating Earnings

   $ 22,011     $ 26,600     (17 )%   $ 71,734     $ 90,527     (21 )%

 

(1)

Total of wholly-owned subsidiaries and proportionately consolidated 50% interest of the Joint Venture’s results.

Revenues.

Revenues declined during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 as compared to similar periods in 2007, primarily due to decreased sales volumes. The decrease in sales volumes during fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 is largely related to the decline in infrastructure and residential spending, primarily in our Illinois and Nevada markets.

Operating Margins.

Operating margins for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 was relatively consistent when compared with the operating margin for the similar period in 2007, despite a slight decline in sales prices during the three month period. Operating margin for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 declined slightly as compared to operating margin for the same period in 2007, due to increased manufacturing costs, primarily fuel and power, offset slightly by increased average sales prices. The decrease in operating earnings during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 is primarily the result of lower sales volumes.

 

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RECYCLED PAPERBOARD OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
    Percentage
Change
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
    Percentage
Change
 
     2008     2007       2008     2007    
     (dollars in thousands)           (dollars in thousands)        

Gross Revenues, including intersegment

   $ 25,864     $ 32,091     (20 )%   $ 94,464     $ 102,000     (7 )%

Freight and Delivery Costs billed to customers

     (376 )     (637 )   (41 )%     (1,779 )     (1,891 )   (6 )%
                                    

Net Revenues

   $ 25,488     $ 31,454     (19 )%   $ 92,685     $ 100,109     (7 )%
                                    

Sales Volume (M Tons)

     52       65     (20 )%     186       208     (11 )%

Average Net Sales Price

   $ 494.11     $ 486.23     2 %   $ 499.97     $ 481.08     4 %

Operating Margin

   $ 77.65     $ 80.25     (3 )%   $ 65.03     $ 63.73     2 %

Operating Earnings

   $ 4,038     $ 5,216     (23 )%   $ 12,095     $ 13,255     (9 )%

Revenues.

Revenues decreased during both the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the similar periods in the prior year primarily due to decreased sales volumes, offset slightly by increased average net sales prices. The decrease in sales volume is primarily related to a reduction in sales of gypsum paper due to the downturn in the residential housing market, which has negatively impacted demand for gypsum wallboard. Despite the decline in wallboard consumption, paperboard sales to our gypsum wallboard division declined only 6% during the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily due to the addition of our gypsum wallboard plant in Georgetown, South Carolina, which began production in December 2007.

Operating Margins.

Operating margins were relatively consistent during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007 as compared to similar periods in 2007, with the margin for the three month period declining by approximately 3% and the margin for the nine month period increasing by approximately 2%. Gross margins were positively impacted during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 by increased average sales prices, declining fiber expenses and reduced energy usage. Additionally, operating margins during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007 were positively impacted by a favorable lawsuit settlement in December 2007. The impact of the settlement was approximately $2.3 million, which was recorded as a reduction of production expense during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

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CONCRETE AND AGGREGATES OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months
Ended December 31,
   Percentage
Change
    For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
   Percentage
Change
 
     2008    2007      2008    2007   
     (dollars in thousands)          (dollars in thousands)       

Gross Revenues, including intersegment

   $ 15,139    $ 22,370    (32 )%   $ 55,416    $ 71,336    (22 )%

Sales Volume -

                

M Cubic Yards of Concrete

     144      215    (33 )%     501      645    (22 )%

M Tons of Aggregates

     735      862    (15 )%     2,835      3,203    (11 )%

Average Sales Price—

                

Concrete – Per Cubic Yard

   $ 72.74    $ 77.88    (7 )%   $ 73.47    $ 76.18    (4 )%

Aggregates – Per Ton

   $ 6.39    $ 6.49    (2 )%   $ 6.56    $ 6.92    (5 )%

Operating Earnings

   $ 406    $ 3,135    (87 )%   $ 3,881    $ 11,286    (66 )%

Revenues.

Revenues decreased during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the similar periods in 2007 primarily due to a reduction in sales volumes, coupled with lower average sales prices of both concrete and aggregates.

Operating Earnings.

Operating earnings decreased during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the similar periods in 2007 primarily due to lower sales volumes and average sales prices for concrete and aggregates. Additionally, aggregates operating earnings has been adversely impacted by a change in sales mix of aggregates to lower margin road base, which comprised approximately 56% of total product sold in fiscal 2009 as compared to approximately 46% in fiscal 2008.

 

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

The United States has been in a recession since December 2007, and during mid-2008 a credit crisis began to emerge. The U.S. has passed the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”), aimed at shoring up the countries financial institutions; however, given the continuing liquidity problems, the new administration has proposed an additional stimulus package. It is not possible to estimate what impact the stimulus package will have, if any, on the current recession, or to predict when the recession may end.

The downturn in the residential housing market, as well as the current credit crisis, has negatively impacted the entire U.S. wallboard industry by reducing the demand for gypsum wallboard nationwide, despite variances from region to region. Wallboard consumption for calendar year 2008, as reported by the Gypsum Association, decreased approximately 18% from calendar year 2007. Industry utilization was estimated to be approximately 65% during calendar 2008, and we estimate that average industry capacity utilization will be below 60% for the first half of calendar 2009.

U.S. demand for cement declined approximately 13% for the first ten months of calendar year 2008 as compared to calendar 2007, while at the same time world-wide demand for cement has begun to recede. The U.S. cement industry continues to reduce imports of foreign cement while supplementing regional supply/demand imbalances with cement from other regional markets. Cement demand in most U.S. regions continues to be impacted by decreasing residential housing construction, the softening commercial construction market and state budget deficits, which will hinder cement consumption during the remainder of fiscal year 2009. The U.S. Government has proposed increased infrastructure spending as part of the proposed stimulus package; however, the amount, timing and type of expenditures are not known at this time. Cement demand has not been as seriously impacted in several of the markets served by our cement plants due to substantial infrastructure spending, along with the strong non-residential market; however, non-residential consumption is expected to slow during calendar 2009 as many of the current projects are completed.

Low wallboard demand is expected to continue to adversely impact our recycled paperboard operations throughout fiscal 2009. Sales of gypsum paper comprised approximately 62% of total paper sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 as compared to approximately 74% during the same period in 2008; however, the addition of our Georgetown, South Carolina wallboard plant has kept paperboard sales to our gypsum wallboard division steady at approximately 35% of total tons sold. The lower external sales volume of gypsum paper is expected to continue into calendar 2009, but we have developed opportunities for sales in new markets and we continue to supply product to the high performance containerboard market. These supplemental product lines will reduce the impact of lower wallboard demand while providing a positive contribution to the recycled paperboard operation. We continue to closely monitor the price and consumption of fiber, electricity and natural gas as these costs comprise a significant portion of our total production costs.

We expect aggregate and concrete sales volumes to be depressed throughout the remainder of fiscal year 2009 in both of our markets as both residential and infrastructure spending remain soft.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to adopt accounting policies and make significant judgments and estimates to develop amounts reflected and disclosed in the financial statements. In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. We maintain a thorough process to review the application of our accounting policies and to evaluate the appropriateness of the many estimates that are required to prepare our financial statements. However, even under optimal circumstances, estimates routinely require adjustment based on changing circumstances and the receipt of new or better information.

 

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Information regarding our “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” can be found in our Annual Report. The four critical accounting policies that we believe either require the use of the most judgment, or the selection or application of alternative accounting policies, and are material to our financial statements, are those relating to long-lived assets, goodwill, environmental liabilities and accounts receivable. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and with our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, Note (A) to the financial statements in our Annual Report contains a summary of our significant accounting policies.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure certain financial instruments and other eligible items at fair value when the items are not otherwise currently required to be measured at fair value. Under SFAS 159, the decision to measure items at fair value is made at specified election dates on an irrevocable instrument-by-instrument basis. We adopted SFAS 159 on April 1, 2008 and decided not to elect the fair value option.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity.

The following table provides a summary of our cash flows:

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
 
     2008     2007  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

   $ 62,063     $ 101,505  

Investing Activities:

    

Capital Expenditures

     (12,846 )     (75,937 )

Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment

     3,996       —    
                

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (8,850 )     (75,937 )
                

Financing Activities:

    

Excess Tax Benefits from Share Based Payment Arrangements

     603       1,235  

Increase in Notes Payable

     —         200,000  

Purchase and Retirement of Common Stock

     —         (153,445 )

Dividends Paid

     (26,087 )     (26,793 )

Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises

     1,135       2,040  
                

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (24,349 )     (23,037 )
                

Net Increase in Cash

   $ 28,864     $ 48,605  
                

The $39.5 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities for the nine month period ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 was largely attributable to decreased earnings, offset slightly by increased income taxes payable. The decrease in income tax payable was principally due to an additional payment of approximately $45.8 million in income taxes, penalties and interest during November 2007(see below for further information).

Working capital at December 31, 2008 was $126.2 million, compared to $73.3 million at March 31, 2008, primarily due to increased cash and decreased accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Total debt remained consistent at $400.0 million at December 31, 2008. Our debt-to-capitalization ratio and net-debt-to-capitalization ratio at December 31, 2008, was 48.5% and 45.3%, respectively, compared to 49.6% and 48.4%, respectively, at March 31, 2008.

 

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The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) completed the examination of our federal income tax returns for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001, 2002, and 2003. The IRS issued an Exam Report and Notice of Proposed Adjustment on November 9, 2007, in which it proposes to deny certain depreciation deductions claimed by us with respect to assets acquired by us from Republic Group LLC in November 2000 (the “Republic Assets”). In connection with the Notice of Proposed adjustment, the Company has paid a deposit, pending the outcome of our appeal, of approximately $45.8 million during November 2007, which is comprised of $27.6 million in federal income taxes, $5.7 million for penalties and $12.5 million for interest.

Additionally, the IRS has begun its examination of our tax returns for fiscal years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. During these years under audit, we claimed depreciation deductions with respect to the Republic Assets as originally recorded. If challenged on the same basis as set forth in the Notice of Proposed Adjustment issued during the examination of the fiscal 2001, 2002 and 2003 tax years, additional federal taxes of approximately $37.0 million, plus applicable interest and penalties of approximately $24.1 million could be assessed by the IRS for fiscal years 2004 through 2007. Additionally, state income taxes, penalties and interest of approximately $17.1 million would be owed by us if the IRS’s position is ultimately sustained. We are currently in the IRS administrative appeals process, the duration of which is uncertain. Based on the eventual outcome of the appeals process, we may make a further deposit in the amount noted during the course of the administrative appeal to minimize the impact of any future interest expense in the event the IRS position is ultimately sustained. See Footnote (L) of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Given the relative weakness in the gypsum wallboard earnings over the last year and during the first quarter of this year, we determined it was necessary to perform an impairment test on the assets and goodwill of the gypsum wallboard segment at December 31, 2008. That impairment test was similar to the annual impairment test we perform each year during the first quarter of each calendar year. We estimated the fair value of the gypsum wallboard reporting unit using the income method, which consisted of estimating future earnings and cash flows, and discounting these to a single present value, which was compared to the carrying value. Based upon the above analysis, we noted that there was no impairment at this time. We will continue to assess the potential impairment throughout fiscal year 2009, or until conditions in the wallboard industry improve enough for us to determine that impairment loss is not likely to occur.

Based on our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008, along with the projected net earnings for the remainder of fiscal 2009, we believe that our internally generated cash flow, coupled with funds available under various credit facilities, will enable us to provide adequately for our current operations, declared dividends and capital expenditures through the end of fiscal 2009. We were in compliance with our debt covenants at December 31, 2008 and during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2008.

Debt Financing Activities.

On February 5, 2009, we accepted for repurchase $93.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Series 2007A Senior Notes for $88.3 million, plus accrued interest of $2.0 million, and $7.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Series 2005A Senor Notes for $6.7 million, plus accrued interest of $0.1 million. The purchase of the Senior Notes was funded through borrowings under our Bank Credit Facility. The following footnote reflects the composition of our long-term debt after the purchase of the Senior Notes.

Bank Credit Facility -

We entered into a $350.0 million credit facility on December 16, 2004. On June 30, 2006, we amended the Bank Credit Facility (the “Bank Credit Facility”) to extend the expiration date from

 

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December 2009 to June 2011, and to reduce the borrowing rates and commitment fees. Borrowings under the Bank Credit Facility are guaranteed by all major operating subsidiaries of the Company. Outstanding principal amounts on the Bank Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus an agreed margin (ranging from 55 to 150 basis points), which is to be established quarterly based upon the Company’s ratio of consolidated EBITDA, (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) to its consolidated gross indebtedness. Interest payments are payable monthly or at the end of the LIBOR advance periods, which can be up to a period of six months at the option of the Company.

Subsequent to our purchase of $100 million of Senior Notes discussed above, the Company has $248.0 million of borrowings available under the Bank Credit Facility. Under the Bank Credit Facility we are required to adhere to certain financial and other covenants, including covenants relating to the Company’s interest coverage ratio and consolidated funded indebtedness ratio.

Senior Notes -

We entered into a Note Purchase Agreement on November 15, 2005 (the “2005 Note Purchase Agreement”) related to our sale of $200 million of senior, unsecured notes, designated as Series 2005A Senior Notes (the “Series 2005A Senior Notes”) in a private placement transaction. The Series 2005A Senior Notes, which are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries, were sold at par and issued in three tranches on November 15, 2005. Subsequent to our purchase of $7.0 million of these notes during February 2009, the amounts outstanding for the three tranches are as follows:

 

     Principal    Maturity Date    Interest Rate  

Tranche A

   $ 38.6 million    November 15, 2012    5.25 %

Tranche B

   $  77.2 million    November 15, 2015    5.38 %

Tranche C

   $ 77.2 million    November 15, 2017    5.48 %

Interest for each tranche of Notes is payable semi-annually on the 15th day of May and the 15th day of November of each year until all principal is paid for the respective tranche.

We entered into an additional Note Purchase Agreement on October 2, 2007 (the “2007 Note Purchase Agreement”) related to our sale of $200 million of senior, unsecured notes, designated as Series 2007A Senior Notes (the “Series 2007A Senior Notes”) in a private placement transaction. The Series 2007A Senior Notes, which are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries, were sold at par and issued in four tranches on October 2, 2007. Subsequent to our purchase of $93.0 million of these notes during February 2009, the amounts outstanding for the four tranches are as follows:

 

     Principal    Maturity Date    Interest Rate  

Tranche A

   $ 9.5 million    October 2, 2014    6.08 %

Tranche B

   $  11.0 million    October 2, 2016    6.27 %

Tranche C

   $ 50.0 million    October 2, 2017    6.36 %

Tranche D

   $ 36.5 million    October 2, 2019    6.48 %

Interest for each tranche of Notes is payable semi-annually on the second day of April and the second day of October of each year until all principal is paid for the respective tranche.

Our obligations under the 2005 Note Purchase Agreement and the 2007 Note Purchase Agreement (collectively referred to as the “Note Purchase Agreements”) and the Series 2005A Senior Notes and the Series 2007A Senior Notes (collectively referred to as “the Senior Notes”) are equal in right of payment with all other senior, unsecured debt of the Company, including our debt under the Bank Credit Facility. The Note Purchase Agreements contain customary restrictive covenants, including covenants that place limits on our ability to encumber our assets, to incur additional debt, to sell assets, or to merge or consolidate with third parties, as well as certain cross covenants with the Bank Credit Facility. We were in compliance with all financial ratios and covenants at December 31, 2008.

 

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Pursuant to a Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, substantially all of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the punctual payment of all principal, interest, and Make-Whole Amounts (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreements) on the Senior Notes and the other payment and performance obligations of the Company contained in the Senior Notes and in the Note Purchase Agreements. We are permitted, at our option and without penalty, to prepay from time to time at least 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid, together with interest accrued on such amount to be prepaid to the date of payment, plus a Make-Whole Amount. The Make-Whole Amount is computed by discounting the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal of the Senior Notes being prepaid at a discount rate equal to the sum of 50 basis points and the yield to maturity of U.S. treasury securities having a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Senior Notes being prepaid.

We may, from time to time, purchase our outstanding debt for cash in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to offers made to the holders of such debt. We will evaluate any such transaction in light of market conditions prevailing at the time, taking into account our liquidity, our future debt service requirements and our requirement for future access to capital. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material. See Footnote (J) to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our purchase of $100 million of outstanding debt during February 2009.

Other than the Bank Credit Facility and the Senior Notes, the Company has no other source of committed external financing in place. If the Bank Credit Facility were terminated, no assurance can be given as to the Company’s ability to secure a new source of financing. Consequently, if an alternative source of financing cannot be secured, the termination would have a material adverse impact on the Company. None of the Company’s debt is rated by the rating agencies.

The Company does not have any off balance sheet debt except for operating leases. The Company does not have any transactions, arrangements or relationships with “special purpose” entities. Also, the Company has no outstanding debt guarantees. The Company has available under the Bank Credit Facility a $25.0 million Letter of Credit Facility. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $7.0 million of letters of credit outstanding that renew annually. We are contingently liable for performance under $7.7 million in performance bonds relating primarily to our mining operations.

Cash used for Share Repurchases.

The Company did not repurchase any of its shares during the three month period ended December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, we had a remaining authorization to purchase 717,300 shares. Share repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any repurchases of shares will be determined by the Company’s management, based on its evaluation of market and economic conditions and other factors.

Capital Expenditures.

The following table compares capital expenditures:

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended December 31,
     2008    2007
     (dollars in thousands)

Land and Quarries

   $ 296    $ 66

Plants

     9,626      71,701

Buildings, Machinery and Equipment

     2,924      4,170
             

Total Capital Expenditures

   $ 12,846    $ 75,937
             

 

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For fiscal 2009, we expect capital expenditures of approximately $15.0 to $20.0 million. Historically, we have financed such expenditures with cash from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Dividends.

Dividends paid in the nine month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $26.1 million and $26.8 million, respectively. We decreased our quarterly dividend to $0.10 per share from $0.20 per share beginning with the February 2009 dividend payment. Each quarterly dividend payment is subject to review and approval by our Board of Directors, who will continue to evaluate our dividend payment amount on a quarterly basis.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates in connection with our amended Bank Credit Facility. From time-to-time we have utilized derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps, in conjunction with our overall strategy to manage the debt outstanding that is subject to changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2008, there were no outstanding borrowings under the amended Bank Credit Facility. There were no derivative financial instruments in place during the three month period ended December 31, 2008.

The Company is subject to commodity risk with respect to price changes principally in coal, coke, natural gas and power. We attempt to limit our exposure to change in commodity prices by periodically entering into contracts or increasing use of alternative fuels.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

An evaluation has been performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008, to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Item 5. Other Information

On February 4, 2009, we borrowed $95 million on our Bank Credit Facility. These funds were used to purchase a total of $100 million in aggregate principal amount of our Series 2005A and Series 2007A Senior Notes. See Footnote (J) to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statement for a description of our Bank Credit Facility and further details of the borrowing and purchase of Senior Notes. Our Bank Credit Facility Agreement, as amended through December 31, 2005, can be found as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, and subsequent material amendments can be found as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 30, 2006, Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 11, 2006 and Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 31, 2007.

 

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Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1a. Risk Factors

We are affected by the level of demand in the construction industry, which is currently experiencing a significant downturn.

Demand for our products is directly related to the level of activity in the construction industry, which includes residential, commercial and infrastructure construction. In particular, the downturn in residential construction has impacted, and will likely continue to adversely impact, our wallboard business. The residential construction industry is currently undergoing a significant downturn, which commenced in 2006 and has become more pronounced in recent periods. The effects of this downturn have been exacerbated by market disruptions resulting from the subprime mortgage crisis, which began in the second half of 2007, and the ensuing financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets, which became evident in the third quarter of 2008. In 2008, similar trends have emerged in commercial construction. Furthermore, activity in the infrastructure construction business is directly related to the amount of government funding available for such projects. Any decrease in the amount of government funds available for such projects or any decrease in construction activity in general (including a continued decrease in residential construction or a weakening of commercial production) could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our customers participate in cyclical industries, which are subject to industry downturns.

A majority of our revenues are from customers who are in industries and businesses that are cyclical in nature and subject to changes in general economic conditions. In addition, since our operations are in a variety of geographic markets, our businesses are subject to the economic conditions in each such geographic market. General economic downturns or localized downturns in the regions where we have operations, including the current and any future downturns in the residential or commercial construction industries, have the potential of adversely affecting demand for our products. Furthermore, additions to the production capacity of industry participants, particularly in the gypsum wallboard industry, have the potential of creating an imbalance between supply and demand, which could adversely affect the prices at which we sell our products and adversely affect the collectability of our receivable. In general, any further downturns in the industries to which we sell our products or any further increases in capacity in the gypsum wallboard, paperboard and cement industries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Volatility and disruption of financial markets could negatively impact our customers and therefore our results of operations.

Volatility and disruption of financial markets could limit customers’ ability to obtain adequate financing to maintain operations and result in a decrease in sales volume or default on amounts owed to us that could have a negative impact on our results of operations.

Volatility and disruption of financial markets could affect access to credit.

The current difficult economic market environment is causing contraction in the availability and an increase in the cost of credit in the marketplace. This could potentially reduce the sources of liquidity for the Company.

The value of investments are influenced by economic and market conditions.

The current economic environment could negatively impact the fair value of pension assets, which could increase future funding requirements of the pension trusts.

Our business is seasonal in nature, and this causes our quarterly results to vary significantly.

A majority of our business is seasonal with peak revenues and profits occurring primarily in the months of April through November when the weather in our markets is more favorable to construction

 

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activity. Quarterly results have varied significantly in the past and are likely to vary significantly from quarter to quarter in the future. Such variations could have a negative impact on the price of our common stock.

Our operations and our customers are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which can be costly and burdensome.

Our operations and those of our customers are subject to and affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations with respect to such matters as land usage, street and highway usage, noise level and health and safety and environmental matters. In many instances, various certificates, permits or licenses are required in order for us or our customers to conduct business or for construction and related operations. Although we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with regulatory requirements, there can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with regulatory requirements or that demand for our products will not be adversely affected by regulatory issues affecting our customers. In addition, future developments, such as the discovery of new facts or conditions, new or stricter laws or regulations (including without limitation, climate change legislation), or stricter interpretations of existing laws or regulations, may impose new liabilities on us, require additional investment by us or prevent us from opening or expanding plants or facilities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Our products are commodities, which are subject to significant changes in supply and demand and price fluctuations.

The products sold by us are commodities and competition among manufacturers is based largely on price. Prices are often subject to material changes in response to relatively minor fluctuations in supply and demand, general economic conditions and other market conditions beyond our control. Increases in the industry’s production capacity for products such as gypsum wallboard or cement or increases in cement imports may create an oversupply of such products and negatively impact product prices. There can be no assurance that prices for products sold by us will not decline in the future or that such declines will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to the risk of unfavorable weather conditions during peak construction periods and other unexpected operational difficulties.

Because a majority of our business is seasonal, unfavorable weather conditions and other unexpected operational difficulties during peak constructions periods could adversely affect operating income and cash flow and could have a disproportionate impact on our results of operations for the full year.

Our results of operations are subject to significant changes in the cost and availability of fuel, energy and other raw materials.

Major cost components in each of our businesses are the cost of fuel, energy and raw materials. Significant increases in the cost of fuel, energy or raw materials or substantial decreases in their availability could materially and adversely affect our sales and operating profits. Prices for fuel, energy or raw materials used in connection with our businesses could change significantly in a short period of time for reasons outside our control. Prices for fuel and electrical power, which are significant components of the costs associated with our gypsum wallboard and cement businesses, have fluctuated significantly in recent years and are expected to increase in the future. In the event of large or rapid increases in prices, we may not be able to pass the increases through to our customers in full, which would reduce our operating margin.

 

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Our debt agreements contain restrictive covenants and require us to meet certain financial ratios and tests, which limit our flexibility and could give rise to a default if we are unable to remain in compliance.

Our amended and restated credit agreement and the note purchase agreements governing our senior notes contain, among other things, covenants that limit our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities, including our ability to:

 

   

Incur additional indebtedness;

 

   

Sell assets or make other fundamental changes;

 

   

Engage in mergers and acquisitions;

 

   

Pay dividends and make other restricted payments;

 

   

Make investments, loans, advances or guarantees;

 

   

Encumber the assets of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries;

 

   

Enter into transactions with our affiliates.

In addition, these agreements require us to meet and maintain certain financial ratios and tests, which may require that we take action to reduce our debt or to act in a manner contrary to our business objectives. Events beyond our control, including industry downturns and changes in general business and economic conditions may impair our ability to comply with these covenants or meet those financial ratios and tests. A breach of any of these covenants or failure to maintain the required ratios and meet the required tests may result in an event of default under those agreements. This may allow the lenders under those agreements to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable, terminate any commitments to extend further credit to us and pursue other remedies available to them under the applicable agreements. If this occurs, our indebtedness may be accelerated and we may not be able to refinance the accelerated indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all, or repay the accelerated indebtedness.

Increases in interest rates could adversely affect demand for our products, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our business is significantly affected by the movement of interest rates. Interest rates have a direct impact on the level of residential, commercial and infrastructure construction activity. Higher interest rates could result in decreased demand for our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, increases in interest rates could result in higher interest expense related to borrowings under our credit facilities.

Our production facilities may experience unexpected equipment failures, catastrophic events and scheduled maintenance.

Interruptions in our production capabilities may cause our productivity and results of operations to decline significantly during the affected period. Our manufacturing processes are dependent upon critical pieces of equipment. Such equipment may, on occasion, be out of service as a result of unanticipated events such as fires, explosions, violent weather conditions or unexpected operational difficulties. We also have periodic scheduled shut-downs to perform maintenance on our facilities. Any significant interruption in production capability may require us to make significant capital expenditures to remedy problems or damage as well as cause us to lose revenue due to lost production time, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Events that may disrupt the U.S. or world economy could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Terrorist attacks, and the ensuing U.S. military and other responsive actions, could have a significant adverse effect on the general economic, market and political conditions, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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We operate in a highly competitive market, and our failure to compete effectively could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The construction products industry is highly competitive. If we are unable to keep our products competitively priced, our sales could be reduced materially. Also, we may experience increased competition from companies offering products based on new processes that are more efficient or result in improvements in product performance, which could put us at a disadvantage and cause us to lose customers and sales volume. Our failure to continue to compete effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may become subject to significant clean-up, remediation and other liabilities under applicable environmental laws.

Our operations are subject to state, federal and local environmental laws and regulations, which impose liability for cleanup or remediation of environmental pollution and hazardous waste arising from past acts. These laws and regulations also require pollution control and prevention, site restoration and operating permits and/or approvals to conduct certain of our operations. Certain of our operations may from time-to-time involve the use of substances that are classified as toxic or hazardous substances within the meaning of these laws and regulations. Additionally, any future laws or regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions would likely have a negative impact on our business or results of operations, either through the imposition of raw material or production limitations, fuel-use or carbon taxes or emission limitations or reductions. We are unable to accurately estimate the impact on our business or results of operations of any such law or regulation at this time. Risk of environmental liability (including the incurrence of fines, penalties or other sanctions or litigation liability) is inherent in the operation of our businesses. As a result, it is possible that environmental liabilities and compliance with environmental regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operations in the future.

Significant changes in the cost and availability of transportation could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Some of the raw materials used in our manufacturing processes, such as coal or coke, are transported to our facilities by truck or rail. In addition, the transportation costs associated with the delivery of our wallboard products are a significant portion of the variable cost of our gypsum wallboard segment. Significant increases in the cost of fuel or energy can result in material increases in the cost of transportation which could materially and adversely affect our operating profits. In addition, reductions in the availability of certain modes of transportation such as rail or trucking could limit our ability to deliver product and therefore materially and adversely affect our operating profits.

This report includes various forward-looking statements, which are not facts or guarantees of future performance and which are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

This report and other materials we have filed or will file with the SEC, as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us, contain or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly factual or historical nature and generally discuss or relate to forecasts, estimates or other expectations regarding future events. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “might,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, including statements related to expected operating and performing results, planned transactions, plans and objectives of management, future developments or conditions in the industries in which we participate, including future prices for our products, audits and legal proceedings to which we are a party and other trends, developments and uncertainties that may affect our business in the future.

Forward-looking statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance but instead represent only our beliefs at the time the statements were made regarding future events, which are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of

 

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our control. Any or all of the forward-looking statements made by us may turn out to be materially inaccurate. This can occur as a result of incorrect assumptions, changes in facts and circumstances or the effects of known risks and uncertainties. Many of the risks and uncertainties mentioned in this report or other reports filed by us with the SEC, including those discussed risk factor section of this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, will be important in determining whether these forward-looking statements prove to be accurate. Consequently, neither our stockholders nor any other person should place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements and should recognize that actual results may differ materially from those that may be anticipated by us.

All forward-looking statements made in this report are made as of the date hereof, and the risk that actual results will differ materially from expectations expressed in this report will increase with the passage of time. We undertake no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in our expectations or otherwise.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The disclosure required under this Item is included in Item 2. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Cash Used for Share Repurchase” and is incorporated herein by reference

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  3.1   Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Eagle Materials Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Materials Inc. pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Eagle Materials Inc. pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Materials Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Eagle Materials Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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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.

 

 

EAGLE MATERIALS INC.

  Registrant
February 6, 2009  

/s/ STEVEN R. ROWLEY

 

Steven R. Rowley

President and Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

February 6, 2009  

/s/ MARK V. DENDLE

 

Mark V. Dendle

Executive Vice President – Finance and

Administration and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial and chief accounting officer)

 

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