UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 10-Q
___________________________________
For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2024
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-4304
___________________________________
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
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 (the "Exchange Act") 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 has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
As of June 20, 2024, 114,992,420 shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net costs and operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average basic shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average diluted shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification for realized (gain) loss | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Defined benefit plans gain (loss) after amortization of prior service costs | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $ | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories, net | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | ||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other payables | ||||||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) | ||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, par value $ | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||
Less treasury stock | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests | ||||||||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
| COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows from (used by) operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||
| Write-down of inventory | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes | ( | |||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement of New Markets Tax Credit transaction | ( | |||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions | ( | |||||||||||||
Net cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from (used by) investing activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | ( | |||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
Net cash flows used by investing activities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows from (used by) financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Debt issuance and extinguishment | ( | |||||||||||||
| Proceeds from accounts receivable facilities | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments under accounts receivable facilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Treasury stock acquired | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Tax withholdings related to share settlements, net of purchase plans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Dividends | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Contribution from non-controlling interest | ||||||||||||||
Net cash flows used by financing activities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | ||||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents | ( | |||||||||||||
| Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | ||||||||||||||
| Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
| Supplemental information: | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | ||||||||||||||
| Noncash activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Right of use assets obtained in exchange for operating leases | ||||||||||||||
| Right of use assets obtained in exchange for finance leases | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
6
| COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended May 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | Number of Shares | Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Retained Earnings | Number of Shares | Amount | Non-controlling Interest | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock acquired and excise tax | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of shares withheld for taxes and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution of non-controlling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | Number of Shares | Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Retained Earnings | Number of Shares | Amount | Non-controlling Interest | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock acquired and excise tax | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of shares withheld for taxes and other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution of non-controlling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of share-based liability awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
7
| Three Months Ended May 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | Number of Shares | Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Retained Earnings | Number of Shares | Amount | Non-controlling Interest | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock acquired | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of shares withheld for taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution of non-controlling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Treasury Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | Number of Shares | Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings | Number of Shares | Amount | Non-controlling Interest | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($ | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock acquired | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of shares withheld for taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution of non-controlling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of share-based liability awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") on a basis consistent with that used in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K") filed by Commercial Metals Company ("CMC," and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Company") with the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders' equity for the periods indicated. These notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the 2023 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Any reference in this Form 10-Q to the "corresponding period" or "comparable period" relates to the relevant three or nine month period ended May 31, 2023. Any reference in this Form 10-Q to a year refers to the fiscal year ended August 31st of that year, unless otherwise noted.
Nature of Operations
CMC is an innovative solutions provider helping build a stronger, safer and more sustainable world. Through an extensive manufacturing network principally located in the U.S. and Central Europe, the Company offers products and technologies to meet the critical reinforcement needs of the global construction sector. CMC’s solutions support construction across a wide variety of applications, including infrastructure, non-residential, residential, industrial and energy generation and transmission.
During the first quarter of 2024, CMC changed its reportable segments to reflect a change in the manner in which the business is managed. Based on changes to CMC’s organizational structure, the evolution of CMC’s solutions offerings outside of traditional steel products, the growing importance of non-steel solutions to CMC’s financial results and future outlook and how CMC's chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), the President and Chief Executive Officer, reviews operating results and makes decisions about resource allocation, CMC now has three reportable segments: North America Steel Group, Europe Steel Group and Emerging Businesses Group.
North America Steel Group
The North America Steel Group segment is composed of a vertically integrated network of recycling facilities, steel mills and fabrication operations located in the U.S. The recycling facilities process ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals (collectively referred to as "raw materials") for use by manufacturers of metal products. The steel mill operations consist of six electric arc furnace ("EAF") mini mills, three EAF micro mills and one rerolling mill. The steel mills manufacture finished long steel products including reinforcing bar ("rebar"), merchant bar, light structural and other special sections and wire rod, as well as semi-finished billets for rerolling and forging applications (collectively referred to as "steel products"). The fabrication operations primarily fabricate rebar and steel fence posts and offer post-tension cable products (collectively referred to as "downstream products" in the context of the North America Steel Group segment). The general strategy in the North America Steel Group segment is to optimize the Company's vertically integrated value chain to maximize profitability by obtaining the lowest possible input costs and highest possible selling prices. The Company operates the recycling facilities to provide low-cost scrap to the steel mills and the fabrication operations to optimize the steel mill volumes. The North America Steel Group segment's products are sold primarily to steel mills and foundries, as well as construction, fabrication and other manufacturing industries.
Europe Steel Group
The Europe Steel Group segment is composed of a vertically integrated network of recycling facilities, an EAF mini mill and fabrication operations located in Poland. The scrap metal recycling facilities process ferrous scrap metals for use almost exclusively by the mini mill. The steel products manufactured by the mini mill include rebar, merchant bar and wire rod as well as semi-finished billets. The products manufactured by this segment's fabrication operations include fabricated rebar, wire mesh, assembled rebar cages and other fabricated rebar by-products (collectively referred to as "downstream products" in the context of the Europe Steel Group segment). The strategy in the Europe Steel Group segment is to optimize profitability of the
9
products manufactured by the mini mill and is executed in the same manner as in the North America Steel Group segment. The Europe Steel Group segment's products are sold primarily to fabricators, manufacturers, distributors and construction companies.
Emerging Businesses Group
The Emerging Businesses Group segment's portfolio consists of CMC Construction ServicesTM products (collectively referred to as "construction products"), Tensar® products and solutions (collectively referred to as "ground stabilization solutions") and CMC Impact MetalsTM, CMC Anchoring Systems and performance reinforcing steel products (collectively referred to as "downstream products" in the context of the Emerging Businesses Group segment).
•CMC Construction ServicesTM operations sell and rent products and equipment used to execute construction projects. Primary customers include concrete installers and other businesses in the construction industry.
•Tensar® operations sell geogrids and Geopier® foundation systems. Geogrids are polymer-based products used for ground stabilization, soil reinforcement and asphalt optimization in construction applications, including roadways, public infrastructure and industrial facilities. Geopier® foundation systems are rammed aggregate pier and other foundation solutions that increase the load-bearing characteristics of ground structures and working surfaces and can be applied in soil types and construction situations in which traditional support methods are impractical or would make a project infeasible.
•CMC Impact MetalsTM operations manufacture heat-treated, high-strength steel products, such as high-strength bar for the truck trailer industry, special bar quality steel for the energy market and armor plate for military vehicles.
•CMC Anchoring Systems' operations supply custom engineered anchor cages, bolts and fasteners that are fabricated principally from rebar and are used primarily to secure high voltage electrical transmission poles to concrete foundations.
•CMC's group of performance reinforcing steel offerings include innovative products such as Galvabar® (galvanized rebar with a zinc alloy coating that provides corrosion protection and post-fabrication formability), ChromX® (designed for high-strength capabilities, corrosion resistance and a service life of more than 100 years) and CryoSteel® (a cryogenic reinforcing steel that exceeds minimum performance requirements for strength and ductility at extremely low temperatures).
The strategy in the Emerging Businesses Group segment is to provide construction-related solutions and value-added products with strong underlying growth fundamentals to serve domestic and international markets that are adjacent to those served by the vertically integrated operations in the North America Steel Group segment and the Europe Steel Group segment. To execute this strategy, the Company (i) develops proprietary products and solutions that deliver high value to customers by reducing costs and construction time, (ii) provides concrete-related construction products, equipment, and services and (iii) produces reinforcing steel products with increased strength, durability and corrosion resistance to support sustainable concrete construction.
As a result of the change in reportable segments, certain prior year amounts have been recast to conform to the current year presentation. Throughout this Form 10-Q, unless otherwise indicated, amounts and activity reflect reclassifications related to the Company's change in reportable segments. The change in reportable segments had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders’ equity previously reported.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"). ASU 2023-07 requires, among other updates, enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM, as well as the aggregate amount of other segment items included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and requires retrospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 requires enhanced annual disclosures regarding the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and may be adopted on a prospective or retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
10
NOTE 2. CHANGES IN BUSINESS
2023 Acquisitions
On September 15, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Advanced Steel Recovery, LLC ("ASR"), a supplier of recycled ferrous metals located in Southern California. ASR's primary operations include processing and brokering capabilities that source material for sale into both the domestic and export markets.
On November 14, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of a Galveston, Texas area metals recycling facility and related assets (collectively, "Kodiak") from Kodiak Resources, Inc. and Kodiak Properties, L.L.C.
On March 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the assets of Roane Metals Group, LLC ("Roane"), a supplier of recycled metals with two facilities located in eastern Tennessee.
On March 17, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Tendon Systems, LLC ("Tendon"), a leading provider of post-tensioning, barrier cable and concrete restoration solutions to the southeastern U.S.
On May 1, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the assets of BOSTD America, LLC ("BOSTD"), a geogrid manufacturing facility located in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Prior to the acquisition, BOSTD produced several product lines for the Company's Tensar® operations under a contract manufacturing arrangement.
On July 12, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of EDSCO Fasteners, LLC ("EDSCO"), a leading provider of anchoring solutions for the electrical transmission market, with four manufacturing facilities located in North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Following the acquisition, EDSCO was rebranded as CMC Anchoring Systems.
The acquisitions of ASR, Kodiak, Roane, Tendon, BOSTD and EDSCO (the "2023 acquisitions") were not material individually, or in the aggregate, to the Company's financial position or results of operations, and therefore, pro forma operating results and other disclosures are not presented.
11
NOTE 3. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"):
| Three Months Ended May 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Foreign Currency Translation | Derivatives | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Total AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 1, 2024 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(1) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification for loss(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Foreign Currency Translation | Derivatives | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Total AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(1) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification for gain(2) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended May 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Foreign Currency Translation | Derivatives | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Total AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, March 1, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(1) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification for gain(2) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Foreign Currency Translation | Derivatives | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Total AOCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification for gain(2) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
__________________________________
(1) Other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") before reclassifications from derivatives is presented net of income tax (expense) benefit of $6.9 million and $28.4 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, and $2.8 million and $(18.4 ) million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2023, respectively. OCI before reclassifications from defined benefit pension plans is presented net of immaterial income tax impacts.
12
NOTE 4. REVENUE RECOGNITION
The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized at a point in time concurrent with the transfer of control, which usually occurs, depending on shipping terms, upon shipment or customer receipt. See Note 13, Segment Information, for further information about disaggregated revenue by the Company's major product lines.
Certain revenue from the Company's downstream products in the North America Steel Group segment is not recognized at a point in time. Revenue resulting from sales of fabricated rebar in the North America Steel Group segment is recognized over time, as discussed below. Revenue resulting from sales of steel fence posts and other downstream products in the North America Steel Group segment is recognized equal to billing under an available practical expedient.
Each of the North America Steel Group segment's fabricated rebar contracts represent a single performance obligation. Revenue from certain fabricated rebar contracts for which the Company provides fabricated product and installation services is recognized over time using an input measure. These contracts represented 7 8 10 11 % and 12 % of net sales in the North America Steel Group segment in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2023, respectively.
The following table provides information about assets and liabilities from contracts with customers recognized over time:
| (in thousands) | May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Contract assets (included in accounts receivable) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Contract liabilities (included in accrued expenses and other payables) | ||||||||||||||
The amount of revenue reclassified from August 31, 2023 contract liabilities during the nine months ended May 31, 2024 was approximately $25.2 million.
Remaining Performance Obligations
As of May 31, 2024, revenue totaling $1.0 billion has been allocated to remaining performance obligations in the North America Steel Group segment related to contracts for which revenue is recognized using an input or output measure. Of this amount, the Company estimates that approximately 78 % of the remaining performance obligations will be recognized in the twelve months following May 31, 2024, and the remainder will be recognized during the subsequent twelve months . The duration of all other contracts in the North America Steel Group, Europe Steel Group and Emerging Businesses Group segments are typically less than one year.
NOTE 5. INVENTORIES, NET
The majority of the Company's inventories are in the form of semi-finished and finished steel products. Under the Company’s vertically integrated business models in the North America Steel Group segment and the Europe Steel Group segment, steel products are sold to external customers in various stages, from semi-finished billets through fabricated steel, leading these categories to be combined as finished goods.
The components of inventories were as follows:
| (in thousands) | May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Work in process | ||||||||||||||
| Finished goods | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Inventory write-down expense was $6.6 million and $8.9 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The inventory write-downs primarily impacted the Europe Steel Group segment and were recorded in cost of goods sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
13
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Goodwill by reportable segment is detailed in the table below. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company changed its reportable segments as described in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Accounting Policies. Concurrent with the change in reportable segments, the Company reassigned goodwill to the updated reporting units using a relative fair value approach, shown below:
| (in thousands) | North America | Europe | North America Steel Group | Europe Steel Group | Emerging Businesses Group | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment reassignment | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition adjustments(1) | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated impairment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2023 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment reassignment | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment reassignment | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition adjustments(1) | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________________________
(1) Measurement period adjustments related to the 2023 acquisitions which impacted the amount of goodwill originally reported.
The Company evaluated impairment indicators for the previous reporting units immediately prior to the change in reportable segments and concluded there were no indicators of impairment. Immediately after the change in reportable segments, the Company performed qualitative tests for five reporting units consisting of $285.0 million of goodwill and quantitative tests for three reporting units consisting of $100.8 million of goodwill. The results of the qualitative and quantitative tests indicated it was more likely than not that the fair value of all reporting units with goodwill exceeded their carrying values.
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following:
| (in thousands) | May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Trade names | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| In-process research and development | ||||||||||||||
| Non-compete agreements | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The change in the balance of intangible assets with indefinite lives from August 31, 2023 to May 31, 2024 was due to foreign currency translation adjustments.
14
Other intangible assets subject to amortization are detailed in the following table:
| May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed technologies | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patents | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Perpetual lease rights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-compete agreements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The foreign currency translation adjustments for intangible assets subject to amortization were immaterial for all periods presented above.
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $7.1 million and $21.6 million in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, of which $4.5 million and $13.9 million, respectively, was recorded in cost of goods sold and the remainder was recorded in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $6.6 million and $18.9 million in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2023, respectively, of which $4.7 million and $14.0 million, respectively, was recorded in cost of goods sold and the remainder was recorded in SG&A expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Estimated amounts of amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years are as follows:
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
Remainder of 2024 | $ | |||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028 | ||||||||
15
NOTE 7. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
Long-term debt was as follows:
| (in thousands) | Weighted Average Interest Rate as of May 31, 2024 | May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2030 Notes | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2031 Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2032 Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Series 2022 Bonds, due 2047 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less unamortized debt issuance costs | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Plus unamortized bond premium | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total amounts outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
__________________________________
(1) The weighted average interest rate of short-term borrowings as of May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023 was 6.800 % and 7.800 %, respectively.
The Company's credit arrangements require compliance with certain covenants, including an interest coverage ratio and a debt to capitalization ratio. At May 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in its credit arrangements.
Capitalized interest was $1.3 million and $3.7 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $6.2 million and $16.2 million, respectively, during the corresponding periods.
Credit Facilities
The Company has a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") of $600.0 million. The Company had no amounts drawn under the Revolver at May 31, 2024 or August 31, 2023. The availability under the Revolver was reduced by outstanding stand-by letters of credit totaling $0.9 million at each of May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023. The Credit Agreement also provided for a delayed draw senior secured term loan facility with a maximum principal amount of $200.0 million, which expired undrawn in October 2023, in accordance with its terms.
The Company has credit facilities in Poland through its subsidiary, CMC Poland Sp. z.o.o. ("CMCP"). At May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, CMCP's credit facilities totaled PLN 600.0 million, or $152.3 million and $145.4 million, respectively. There were no 2.3 million and $16.3 million at May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, respectively.
Accounts Receivable Facility
The Poland accounts receivable facility had a limit of PLN 288.0 million, or $73.1 million and $69.8 million, at May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, respectively. The Company had PLN 110.3 million, or $28.0 million, advance payments outstanding under the Poland accounts receivable facility at May 31, 2024, compared to PLN 34.7 million, or $8.4 million, advance payments outstanding at August 31, 2023.
Other
As of August 31, 2023, the Company had a $2.1 million Qualifying Equity Investment ("QEI") associated with its New Markets Tax Credit ("NMTC") transactions, which was included in current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The QEI is described in Note 9, New Markets Tax Credit Transactions, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2023 Form 10-K. The Company repaid the outstanding QEI at maturity in March 2024.
16
NOTE 8. DERIVATIVES
At May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, the notional values of the Company's commodity contract commitments were $510.4 million and $456.4 million, respectively. At May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, the notional values of the Company's foreign currency contract commitments were $195.2 million and $221.4 million, respectively.
The following table provides information regarding the Company's commodity contract commitments at May 31, 2024:
| Commodity | Position | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Aluminum | Long | MT | |||||||||||||||
| Aluminum | Short | MT | |||||||||||||||
| Copper | Long | MT | |||||||||||||||
| Copper | Short | MT | |||||||||||||||
| Electricity | Long | MW(h) | |||||||||||||||
| Natural Gas | Long | MMBtu | |||||||||||||||
__________________________________
MT = Metric ton
MW(h) = Megawatt hour
MMBtu = Metric Million British thermal unit
The following table summarizes the location and amounts of the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
| (in thousands) | Primary Location | May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | Prepaid and other current assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | Other noncurrent assets | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | Prepaid and other current assets | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | Accrued expenses and other payables | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | Other noncurrent liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | Accrued expenses and other payables | |||||||||||||||||||
The decrease in fair value of the Company's commodity derivatives reported within other noncurrent assets is primarily due to the decrease in the value of a significant input used to measure the fair value of the Company's Level 3 commodity derivatives at May 31, 2024 as compared to August 31, 2023. See Note 9, Fair Value, for further discussion of the measurement of the fair value of the Company's Level 3 commodity derivatives.
The following table summarizes activities related to the Company's derivatives not designated as hedging instruments recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. All other activity related to the Company's derivatives not designated as hedging instruments was immaterial for the periods presented.
| Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands) | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Location | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | Cost of goods sold | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | SG&A expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables summarize activities related to the Company's derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Amounts presented do not include the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments.
| Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI, Net of Income Taxes (in thousands) | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17
| Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments Reclassified from AOCI into Net Earnings (in thousands) | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primary Location | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity | Cost of goods sold | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | SG&A expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE
The Company has established a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. These levels are determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Levels within the hierarchy are defined within Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2023 Form 10-K.
The Company presents the fair value of its derivative contracts on a net-by-counterparty basis when a legal right to offset exists under an enforceable netting agreement. The following table summarizes information regarding the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
| Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of May 31, 2024: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment deposit accounts(1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity derivative assets(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative assets(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity derivative liabilities(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of August 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment deposit accounts(1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity derivative assets(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative assets(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity derivative liabilities(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________________________
(1) Investment deposit accounts are short-term in nature, and the value is determined by principal plus interest. The investment portfolio mix can change each period based on the Company's assessment of investment options.
(2) Derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 1 are commodity futures contracts valued based on quoted market prices in the London Metal Exchange or New York Mercantile Exchange. Amounts in Level 2 are based on broker quotes in the over-the-counter market. Derivatives classified as Level 3 are described below. Further discussion regarding the Company's use of derivative instruments is included in Note 8, Derivatives.
18
The fair value estimate of the Level 3 commodity derivatives are based on internally developed discounted cash flow models primarily utilizing unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data. The Company forecasts future energy rates using a range of historical prices (the "floating rate"), which is the only significant unobservable input used in the Company's discounted cash flow models. Significantly higher or lower floating rates could have resulted in a material difference in the fair value measurement. The following table summarizes the range of floating rates used to measure the fair value of the Level 3 commodity derivatives at May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, which are applied uniformly across each of our Level 3 commodity derivatives:
| Floating rate (PLN) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Low | High | Average | ||||||||||||||||||
| May 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 commodity derivatives recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The fluctuation in energy rates over time causes volatility in the fair value estimates and is the primary reason for unrealized gains and losses included in OCI in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024 and 2023.
| (in thousands) | Three Months Ended May 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Balance, March 1, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| Total activity, realized and unrealized: | ||||||||
Unrealized holding loss before reclassification(1) | ( | |||||||
Reclassification for gain included in net earnings(2) | ( | |||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| (in thousands) | Nine Months Ended May 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| Total activity, realized and unrealized: | ||||||||
Unrealized holding loss before reclassification(1) | ( | |||||||
Reclassification for gain included in net earnings(2) | ( | |||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||
| (in thousands) | Three Months Ended May 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Balance, March 1, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| Total activity, realized and unrealized: | ||||||||
Unrealized holding gain before reclassification(1) | ||||||||
Reclassification for gain included in net earnings(2) | ( | |||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| (in thousands) | Nine Months Ended May 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Balance, September 1, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Total activity, realized and unrealized: | ||||||||
Unrealized holding gain before reclassification(1) | ||||||||
Reclassification for gain included in net earnings(2) | ( | |||||||
| Balance, May 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
__________________________________
(1) Unrealized holding gain (loss), net of foreign currency translation, less amounts reclassified are included in net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(2) Gains included in net earnings are recorded in cost of goods sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
There were no material non-recurring fair value remeasurements during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2024 or 2023.
The carrying values of the Company's short-term items, including documentary letters of credit and notes payable, approximate fair value.
19
The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including current maturities, excluding other borrowings and finance leases, was $1.0 billion and $932.3 million, respectively, at May 31, 2024, and $1.0 billion and $900.9 million, respectively, at August 31, 2023. The Company estimates these fair values based on Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy using indicated market values. The Company's other borrowings contain variable interest rates, and as a result, their carrying values approximate fair values.
NOTE 10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company's stock-based compensation plans are described in Note 13, Stock-Based Compensation Plans, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2023 Form 10-K. In general, restricted stock units vest ratably over a period of three years. Subject to the achievement of performance targets established by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), performance stock units vest after a period of three years .
Information for restricted stock units and performance stock units accounted for as equity awards during the nine months ended May 31, 2024 is as follows:
| Shares | Weighted Average Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Outstanding as of August 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | |||||||||||||
Outstanding as of May 31, 2024 | $ | |||||||||||||
The Company granted 188,453 equivalent shares in the form of restricted stock units and performance stock units accounted for as liability awards during the nine months ended May 31, 2024. At May 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding 456,674 equivalent shares accounted for under the liability method. The Company expects 433,840 equivalent shares to vest.
The following table summarizes total stock-based compensation expense, including fair value remeasurements, which was primarily included in SG&A expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of earnings:
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
20
NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company's calculation of basic earnings per share ("EPS") and diluted EPS are described in Note 16, Earnings Per Share, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2023 Form 10-K.
The calculations of basic and diluted EPS were as follows:
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average basic shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average diluted shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For all periods presented above, the Company had immaterial anti-dilutive shares, which were not included in the computation of average diluted shares outstanding.
NOTE 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the ordinary course of conducting its business, the Company becomes involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including environmental matters, such as those described below. CMC expenses legal fees as they are incurred.
Legal Proceeding
On October 30, 2020, plaintiff Pacific Steel Group ("PSG") filed a suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the "Court") alleging that CMC, CMC Steel Fabricators, Inc. and CMC Steel US, LLC violated the federal and California state antitrust laws and California common law by entering into an exclusivity agreement for certain steel mill equipment manufactured by one of the Company’s equipment suppliers. PSG seeks, among other things, a jury trial on its claims in addition to injunctive relief, compensatory damages, fees and costs. Fact and expert discovery are complete. Both the motion for summary judgment filed by CMC, CMC Steel Fabricators, Inc. and CMC Steel US, LLC and the cross-motion for summary judgment filed by PSG were denied by the Court on June 10, 2024. A jury trial is scheduled for October 2024. The Company believes that it has substantial defenses and intends to vigorously defend against PSG's claims. The Company has not recorded any liability for this matter as it does not believe a loss is probable, and it cannot estimate any reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss. It is possible that an unfavorable resolution to this matter could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Other Matters
21
NOTE 13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company structures its business into three reportable segments: North America Steel Group, Europe Steel Group and Emerging Businesses Group. See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Accounting Policies, for more information about the reportable segments, including the types of products and services from which each reportable segment derives its net sales. Other revenue resulting from the Company's NMTC transactions are reflected in Corporate and Other net sales and are described in Note 9, New Markets Tax Credit Transactions, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2023 Form 10-K. In addition to other revenue from NMTC transactions, "Corporate and Other expenses" contains unallocated corporate amounts, such as earnings or losses resulting from the Company's Benefit Restoration Plan assets and liabilities and short-term investments, expenses of the Company's corporate headquarters, interest expense related to long-term debt and intercompany eliminations. Prior period balances in the tables below have been recast to reflect current period presentation, as described in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Accounting Policies.
The following is a summary of certain financial information by reportable segment and Corporate and Other, as applicable:
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North America Steel Group | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe Steel Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Businesses Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reportable segments total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North America Steel Group | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe Steel Group | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Businesses Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reportable segments total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North America Steel Group | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe Steel Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Businesses Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reportable segments total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted EBITDA from the reportable segments:
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset impairments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate and Other expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA reportable segments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Disaggregation of Revenue
The following tables display revenue by reportable segment and Corporate and Other from external customers, disaggregated by major product:
| Three Months Ended May 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | North America Steel Group | Europe Steel Group | Emerging Businesses Group | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major product: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downstream products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground stabilization solutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intersegment net sales, eliminated in consolidation | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | North America Steel Group | Europe Steel Group | Emerging Businesses Group | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major product: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downstream products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground stabilization solutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intersegment net sales, eliminated in consolidation | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Three Months Ended May 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | North America Steel Group | Europe Steel Group | Emerging Businesses Group | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major product: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downstream products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground stabilization solutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intersegment net sales, eliminated in consolidation | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended May 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | North America Steel Group | Europe Steel Group | Emerging Businesses Group | Corporate and Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major product: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downstream products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground stabilization solutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intersegment net sales, eliminated in consolidation | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Other revenue during the nine months ended May 31, 2023 includes $17.7 million derived from the Company's NMTC transactions. See Note 9, New Markets Tax Credit Transactions, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2023 Form 10-K for further information.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In the following discussion, references to "we," "us," "our" or the "Company" mean Commercial Metals Company ("CMC") and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, which are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Form 10-Q"), and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"). This discussion contains or incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results, based on information available at the time this Form 10-Q was filed with the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or, with respect to any document incorporated by reference, available at the time that such document was prepared. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those identified in the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" at the end of Item 2 of this Form 10-Q and in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, new information or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.
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Any reference in this Form 10-Q to the "corresponding period" or "comparable period" relates to the relevant three or nine month period ended May 31, 2023. Any reference in this Form 10-Q to a year refers to the fiscal year ended August 31st of that year, unless otherwise noted.
BUSINESS CONDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Change in Reportable Segments
During the first quarter of 2024, we changed our reportable segments to reflect a change in the manner in which our business is managed. Based on changes to our organizational structure, the evolution of our solutions offerings outside of traditional steel products, the growing importance of non-steel solutions to our financial results and future outlook and how our chief operating decision maker, our President and Chief Executive Officer, reviews operating results and makes decisions about resource allocation, we now have three reportable segments that represent the primary businesses reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements: North America Steel Group, Europe Steel Group and Emerging Businesses Group. See the section titled "Results of Operations Summary" below for more information regarding our reportable segments. As a result of this change, certain prior year amounts have been recast to conform to the current year presentation. Throughout this Form 10-Q, unless otherwise indicated, amounts and activity reflect reclassifications related to our change in reportable segments.
Chief Executive Officer Transition
Effective September 1, 2023, Peter R. Matt, our then President, assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, immediately following the retirement of Barbara R. Smith, our then Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the "Board"). Mr. Matt has served as our President since April 9, 2023 and continues to serve as a member of the Board, which he joined in June 2020. Ms. Smith was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board, effective September 1, 2023. The transition from Ms. Smith to Mr. Matt followed the Company's formal succession planning process.
2023 Acquisitions
On September 15, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Advanced Steel Recovery, LLC ("ASR"), a supplier of recycled ferrous metals located in Southern California. ASR's primary operations include processing and brokering capabilities that source material for sale into both the domestic and export markets.
On November 14, 2022, we completed the acquisition of a Galveston, Texas area metals recycling facility and related assets (collectively, "Kodiak") from Kodiak Resources, Inc. and Kodiak Properties, L.L.C.
On March 3, 2023, we completed the acquisition of all of the assets of Roane Metals Group, LLC ("Roane"), a supplier of recycled metals with two facilities located in eastern Tennessee.
On March 17, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Tendon Systems, LLC ("Tendon"), a leading provider of post-tensioning, barrier cable and concrete restoration solutions to the southeastern U.S.
On May 1, 2023, we completed the acquisition of all of the assets of BOSTD America, LLC ("BOSTD"), a geogrid manufacturing facility located in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Prior to the acquisition, BOSTD produced several product lines for our Tensar® operations under a contract manufacturing arrangement.
On July 12, 2023, we completed the acquisition of EDSCO Fasteners, LLC ("EDSCO"), a leading provider of anchoring solutions for the electrical transmission market, with four manufacturing facilities located in North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Following the acquisition, EDSCO was rebranded as CMC Anchoring Systems.
Operating results for ASR, Kodiak, Roane and Tendon are presented within the North America Steel Group segment. Operating results for BOSTD and CMC Anchoring Systems are presented within the Emerging Businesses Group segment. The acquired operations of ASR, Kodiak, Roane, Tendon, BOSTD and CMC Anchoring Systems are collectively referred to as the "2023 acquisitions."
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Capital Expenditures
During the fourth quarter of 2023, our third micro mill was placed into service. The new facility, located in Mesa, Arizona, allows us to meet underlying West Coast and Pacific Northwest demand for steel products. Designed to produce both rebar and merchant bar, this micro mill is the first in the world to produce merchant bar quality products through a continuous production process. Initial commercial production of rebar commenced during commissioning, prior to the startup of merchant bar production, which commenced during the second quarter of 2024. The merchant bar products produced at this facility consist of a wide variety of shapes and sizes of long steel, and, combined with rebar production, the capacity of this micro mill is approximately 40% greater than that of the other micro mills we have constructed. The micro mill was designed with the latest technology in electric arc furnace ("EAF") power supply systems, which can allow us to directly connect the EAF and the ladle furnace to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Additionally, this micro mill is the Company’s first micro mill to utilize Q-ONE technology on an EAF, which provides energy efficiencies and precise electrical control during production, creating a stable and consistent output.
In December 2022, we announced that our planned fourth micro mill will be located in Berkeley County, West Virginia. This new micro mill will be geographically situated to serve the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Western U.S. markets and will be supported by our existing network of downstream fabrication plants. Site improvements and foundation work for the micro mill continue to progress and we expect an operational start-up in late calendar 2025.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine did not have a direct material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2024 or 2023. Our Europe Steel Group segment has not experienced an interruption in energy supply and was able to identify alternate sources for a limited number of materials previously procured through Russia. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to economic slowdowns in Europe, including significant volatility in commodity prices and credit markets, reductions in demand, supply chain interruptions and higher global inflation. We will continue to monitor disruptions in supply of energy and materials and the indirect effects on our operations of inflationary pressures, reductions in demand, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, commodity pricing, potential cybersecurity risks and sanctions resulting from the invasion.
See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our 2023 Form 10-K for further discussion related to the above business conditions and developments.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as set forth in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our 2023 Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY
Business Overview
CMC is an innovative solutions provider helping build a stronger, safer and more sustainable world. Through an extensive manufacturing network principally located in the U.S. and Central Europe, the Company offers products and technologies to meet the critical reinforcement needs of the global construction sector. CMC’s solutions support construction across a wide variety of applications, including infrastructure, non-residential, residential, industrial and energy generation and transmission. Our operations are conducted through three reportable segments: North America Steel Group, Europe Steel Group and Emerging Businesses Group.
North America Steel Group
The North America Steel Group segment is composed of a vertically integrated network of recycling facilities, steel mills and fabrication operations located in the U.S.
Our scrap metal recycling facilities process and sell ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals (collectively referred to as "raw materials") to steel mills and foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, brass and bronze ingot makers, copper refineries and mills, secondary lead smelters, specialty steel mills, high temperature alloy manufacturers and other consumers. Ferrous scrap metal processed by our recycling operations is the primary raw material used by our steel mills.
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Our steel mill operations consist of six EAF mini mills, three EAF micro mills and one rerolling mill. Our steel mills manufacture finished long steel products including rebar, merchant bar, light structural and other special sections and wire rod, as well as semi-finished billets for rerolling and forging applications (collectively referred to as "steel products"). The primary end markets for our steel mills are construction and fabricating industries, metals service centers, original equipment manufacturers and agricultural, energy and petrochemical industries.
Our fabricated rebar operations shear, bend, weld and fabricate steel that is used to reinforce concrete during the construction of commercial and non-commercial buildings, hospitals, convention centers, industrial plants, power plants, highways, bridges, arenas, stadiums and dams, among other projects. Many of the projects are fixed price over the life of the project. We also provide installation services of fabricated rebar in certain markets. Steel for our fabrication operations is obtained primarily from our steel mills. Additionally, we fabricate steel fence posts primarily for use in residential and commercial landscaping and agricultural and livestock containment. Further, we supply post-tension cable for use in a variety of projects, such as slab-on-grade foundations, bridges, buildings, parking structures and rock-and-soil anchors. The fabrication and post-tension cable offerings are collectively referred to as "downstream products" in the context of the North America Steel Group segment.
Europe Steel Group
The Europe Steel Group segment is composed of a vertically integrated network of recycling facilities, an EAF mini mill and fabrication operations located in Poland.
Our scrap metal recycling facilities process ferrous scrap metals for use almost exclusively by the mini mill. Nonferrous scrap metal is not material to this segment’s operations. Our mini mill is a significant manufacturer of steel products including rebar, merchant bar, wire rod and semi-finished billets in Central Europe and includes three rolling lines. The first rolling line is designed to allow efficient and flexible production of a range of medium section merchant bar products. The second rolling line is dedicated primarily to rebar production. The third rolling line is designed to produce high grade wire rod. Our mini mill sells steel products primarily to fabricators, manufacturers, distributors and construction companies, mostly to customers located within Poland. However, we also export steel products to the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and other countries.
Our fabrication operations obtain rebar and wire rod primarily from our mini mill for use in the production of fabricated rebar, fabricated mesh, wire mesh, assembled rebar cages, welded steel mesh, cold rolled wire rod, cold rolled rebar and other fabricated rebar by-products. The products manufactured by our fabrication operations (collectively referred to as "downstream products" in the context of the Europe Steel Group segment) are sold primarily to contractors for incorporation into construction projects. In addition to sales of downstream products in the Polish market, we also export downstream products to neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic and Germany.
Emerging Businesses Group
Our Emerging Businesses Group segment provides construction-related solutions and value-added products with strong underlying growth fundamentals to serve domestic and international markets that are adjacent to those served by our vertically integrated operations in the North America Steel Group segment and the Europe Steel Group segment. The Emerging Businesses Group segment's portfolio consists of CMC Construction ServicesTM products (collectively referred to as "construction products"), Tensar® products and solutions (collectively referred to as "ground stabilization solutions") and CMC Impact MetalsTM, CMC Anchoring Systems and performance reinforcing steel products (collectively referred to as "downstream products" in the context of the Emerging Businesses Group segment).
•CMC Construction ServicesTM operations sell and rent construction-related products and equipment to concrete installers and other businesses in the construction industry.
•Tensar® operations sell geogrids and Geopier® foundation systems. Geogrids are polymer-based products used for ground stabilization, soil reinforcement and asphalt optimization in construction applications, including roadways, public infrastructure and industrial facilities. Geopier® foundation systems are rammed aggregate pier and other foundation solutions that increase the load-bearing characteristics of ground structures and working surfaces and can be applied in soil types and construction situations in which traditional support methods are impractical or would make a project infeasible.
•CMC Impact MetalsTM operations manufacture heat-treated, high-strength steel products, such as high-strength bar for the truck trailer industry, special bar quality steel for the energy market and armor plate for military vehicles.
•CMC Anchoring Systems' operations supply custom engineered anchor cages, bolts and fasteners that are fabricated principally from rebar and are used primarily to secure high voltage electrical transmission poles to concrete foundations.
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•Our group of performance reinforcing steel offerings include innovative products such as Galvabar® (galvanized rebar with a zinc alloy coating that provides corrosion protection and post-fabrication formability), ChromX® (designed for high-strength capabilities, corrosion resistance and a service life of more than 100 years) and CryoSteel® (a cryogenic reinforcing steel that exceeds minimum performance requirements for strength and ductility at extremely low temperatures).
Key Performance Indicators
When evaluating our results for the period, we compare net sales, in the aggregate and for each of our reportable segments, in the current period to net sales in the corresponding period. Specifically, for the North America Steel Group segment and the Europe Steel Group segment we focus on changes in average selling price per ton and tons shipped compared to the prior period for each of our vertically integrated product categories as these are the two variables that typically have the greatest impact on our net sales for those reportable segments. Of the products evaluated by changes in average selling price per ton and tons shipped within the North America Steel Group and Europe Steel Group segments, raw materials include ferrous and nonferrous scrap, steel products include rebar, merchant bar and other steel products, such as billets and wire rod, and downstream products include fabricated rebar, steel fence posts and wire mesh. The evaluation of average selling price per ton and tons shipped for downstream products exclude post-tension cable, which is not measured on a per ton basis.
Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to compare and evaluate the period-over-period underlying business operational performance of our reportable segments. Adjusted EBITDA is the sum of the Company's earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and impairment expense. Although there are many factors that can impact a segment’s adjusted EBITDA and, therefore, our overall earnings, changes in metal margins of our steel products and downstream products period-over-period in the North America Steel Group and Europe Steel Group segments is a consistent area of focus for our Company and industry. Metal margin is a metric used by management to monitor the results of our vertically integrated organization. For our steel products, metal margin is the difference between the average selling price per ton of rebar, merchant bar and other steel products and the cost of ferrous scrap per ton utilized by our steel mills to produce these products. An increase or decrease in input costs can impact profitability of these products when there is no corresponding change in selling prices. The metal margin for the North America Steel Group and Europe Steel Group segments' downstream products is the difference between the average selling price per ton of fabricated rebar and steel fence post products and the scrap input costs to produce these products. The majority of the North America Steel Group and Europe Steel Group segments' downstream products selling prices per ton are fixed at the beginning of a project and these projects last one to two years on average. Because the selling price generally remains fixed over the life of a project, changes in input costs over the life of the project can significantly impact profitability.
Financial Results Overview
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,078,485 | $ | 2,344,989 | $ | 5,929,823 | $ | 6,590,305 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 119,440 | 233,971 | 381,560 | 675,594 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.02 | $ | 1.98 | $ | 3.25 | $ | 5.69 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net sales decreased $266.5 million, or 11%, for the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, and decreased $660.5 million, or 10%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. See discussions below, labeled North America Steel Group, Europe Steel Group and Emerging Businesses Group within our Segment Operating Data section, for further information on our period-over-period net sales results.
During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, we achieved net earnings of $119.4 million and $381.6 million, respectively, compared to net earnings of $234.0 million and $675.6 million, respectively, during the corresponding periods. The decreases in net earnings in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding periods, were primarily due to compression in steel products metal margins in both our North America Steel Group and Europe Steel Group segments, driven by declining steel products average selling prices per ton, while the cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton decreased at a lesser rate or increased slightly compared to the corresponding periods. The year-over-year change in net earnings includes $66.3 million of government assistance recognized in the Europe Steel Group segment during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to $13.8 million of government assistance recognized in the corresponding period.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased $4.2 million and $27.0 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. Contributing to the period-over-period increases were $2.7 million and $9.3 million of incremental SG&A expenses attributable to the 2023 acquisitions in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to expenses recorded during the corresponding periods. During the nine months ended May 31, 2024 there were $5.7 million of increased professional services expenses, $5.0 million of increased benefit restoration plan expenses and $4.0 million of increased information technology expenses, compared to the corresponding period. Additionally, the nine months ended May 31, 2023 included a $4.2 million pension plan settlement charge, with no such settlement charge in the nine months ended May 31, 2024. The remaining fluctuations in SG&A expenses during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding periods, were due to multiple factors of which no single category was material.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $3.2 million and $3.9 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. Although lower average balances of long-term debt outstanding decreased interest expense by $2.3 million and $9.7 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods, these decreases were offset by $4.9 million and $12.5 million of reduced capitalized interest during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. The decreases in capitalized interest were attributable to the timing of micro mill construction activities, as construction of our third micro mill was nearing completion during the nine months ended May 31, 2023, whereas construction of our fourth micro mill was in the beginning stages during the nine months ended May 31, 2024.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024 were 25.5% and 24.0%, respectively, compared to 24.5% and 23.6%, respectively, in the corresponding periods. The increases for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared with the corresponding periods, were due to multiple factors of which no single item was material.
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SEGMENT OPERATING DATA
The operating data by product category presented in the North America Steel Group and Europe Steel Group tables below is calculated using averages for each period presented. See Note 13, Segment Information, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information on our reportable segments.
North America Steel Group
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per ton amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | $ | 1,671,358 | $ | 1,818,391 | $ | 4,750,210 | $ | 4,986,326 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 246,304 | 367,561 | 735,418 | 991,588 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| External tons shipped | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | 371 | 409 | 1,092 | 1,046 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebar | 520 | 539 | 1,502 | 1,425 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchant bar and other | 244 | 249 | 708 | 727 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | 764 | 788 | 2,210 | 2,152 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downstream products | 371 | 382 | 1,033 | 1,079 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price (per ton) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | 970 | $ | 833 | $ | 877 | $ | 841 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | 891 | 979 | 896 | 994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Downstream products | 1,330 | 1,452 | 1,358 | 1,424 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton | $ | 353 | $ | 384 | $ | 358 | $ | 352 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products metal margin per ton | 538 | 595 | 538 | 642 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales to external customers in our North America Steel Group segment decreased $147.0 million, or 8%, and $236.1 million, or 5%, during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. The decreases primarily resulted from reductions in steel products average selling prices per ton of 9% and 10% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods, and reductions in downstream products average selling prices per ton of 8% and 5% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. For both steel products and downstream products, the reductions in selling prices were due to increased competitive pricing in our key markets and fluctuations in the price of ferrous scrap during the periods. Furthermore, downstream products average selling prices during the corresponding period reflect contracts that were awarded during a period of heightened steel commodity pricing, which has since declined. Despite excessive rainfall throughout the third quarter of 2024, steel products and downstream products volumes decreased only modestly during the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, and volumes remained relatively flat or increased slightly across our major product lines during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period.
Adjusted EBITDA in our North America Steel Group segment decreased $121.3 million, or 33%, and $256.2 million, or 26%, during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding periods, was caused by metal margin compression for both steel products and downstream products in each period. The cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton is the largest single driver of cost of goods sold for steel products and downstream products and is driven by market conditions and demand. The cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton decreased $31 quarter-over-quarter, compared to selling price per ton decreases for steel products and downstream products of $88 and $122, respectively, during the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, resulting in margin compression. Similarly, there was a slight increase in the cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, which negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA for both steel products and downstream products, while selling prices decreased for both product lines, as explained above.
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Europe Steel Group
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per ton amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | $ | 208,806 | $ | 330,767 | $ | 626,481 | $ | 1,054,830 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (4,192) | 5,837 | 26,139 | 78,554 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| External tons shipped | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebar | 80 | 146 | 266 | 533 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merchant bar and other | 217 | 283 | 649 | 805 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | 297 | 429 | 915 | 1,338 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price (per ton) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products | $ | 681 | $ | 753 | $ | 661 | $ | 768 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton | $ | 389 | $ | 427 | $ | 383 | $ | 395 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Steel products metal margin per ton | 292 | 326 | 278 | 373 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales to external customers in our Europe Steel Group segment decreased $122.0 million, or 37%, and $428.3 million, or 41%, during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. The decreases were primarily due to reductions in steel products shipment volumes of 31% and 32% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods, and reductions in steel products average selling prices per ton of 10% and 14% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. The slowdown in demand and reduced steel products average selling prices per ton were driven by the sustained indirect impacts of macroeconomic factors affecting the business climate in European end markets, which resulted in lower construction and industrial activity. During both the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, overall, the U.S. dollar weakened compared to the Polish zloty. Estimated by using actual results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, measured at the comparable periods' average currency rates, the effect of foreign currency translation was an increase in net sales to external customers of approximately $13.7 million and $57.4 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024 decreased $10.0 million and $52.4 million, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods. The adjusted EBITDA loss of $4.2 million in the three months ended May 31, 2024 resulted primarily from a decrease in steel products metal margin per ton of $34, or 10%, during the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. Steel products metal margin per ton also decreased $95, or 25%, during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. Both decreases were a result of the declines in steel products average selling prices described above, which outpaced the decreases in the cost of ferrous scrap utilized per ton. Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024 was also negatively impacted by lower shipment volumes compared to the corresponding periods, as described above. Offsetting the impact of the decrease in steel products metal margin per ton, results during the nine months ended May 31, 2024 benefited from government assistance programs established to offset the rising costs of electricity and natural gas and the indirect costs of rising carbon emission rights included in energy costs. The government assistance recognized under the programs during the nine months ended May 31, 2024 was $66.3 million, compared to $13.8 million of government assistance recognized in the nine months ended May 31, 2023. Estimated by using actual results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, measured at the comparable periods' average currency rates, the effect of foreign currency translation was immaterial for the three months ended May 31, 2024 and was an increase in adjusted EBITDA of approximately $3.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2024.
Emerging Businesses Group
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales to external customers | $ | 188,593 | $ | 189,055 | $ | 521,826 | $ | 513,187 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 38,220 | 38,395 | 87,011 | 96,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales to external customers in our Emerging Businesses Group segment remained flat for the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, and increased $8.6 million, or 2%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2024,
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compared to the corresponding period. The acquired CMC Anchoring Systems' operations contributed $10.8 million and $35.4 million of net sales to external customers in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, respectively, with no such activity in the corresponding periods. See Note 2, Changes in Business, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information on the acquisition of CMC Anchoring Systems. Alternatively, CMC Construction Services' operations experienced a decline in net sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding periods, primarily resulting from job site delays caused by weather disruptions.
Adjusted EBITDA remained flat for the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, and decreased $9.4 million, or 10%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. The decrease in adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, was primarily a result of the decline in net sales to external customers for CMC Construction Services as described above, which impacted fixed cost leverage, and more than offset the positive contribution from the acquired CMC Anchoring Systems operations.
Corporate and Other
| Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA loss | $ | (37,070) | $ | (37,715) | $ | (102,569) | $ | (93,013) | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA loss for Corporate and Other remained relatively flat during the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, and increased $9.6 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. The increase in adjusted EBITDA loss during the nine months ended May 31, 2024 is partially due to transactions that occurred only during the corresponding period, including the recognition of $17.7 million of other revenue from our New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) transactions, offset, in part, by a $4.2 million pension plan settlement charge, with no such transactions in the nine months ended May 31, 2024. During the nine months ended May 31, 2024, there were $9.1 million of increased professional services expenses, compared to the corresponding period, offset by $10.5 million of increased interest income on short-term investments, compared to the corresponding period. The remaining fluctuations in Corporate and Other adjusted EBITDA loss during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding periods, were due to multiple factors of which no single category was material.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows from operating activities are our principal sources of liquidity and result from sales of products offered by the vertically integrated operations in the North America Steel Group segment and the Europe Steel Group segment, products offered by our Emerging Businesses Group segment and related materials and services, as described in Part I, Item 1, Business, of our 2023 Form 10-K and Note 1, Nature of Operations and Accounting Policies, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q.
We have a diverse and generally stable customer base, and regularly maintain a substantial amount of accounts receivable. We actively monitor our accounts receivable and, based on market conditions and customers' financial condition, record allowances when we believe accounts are uncollectible. We use credit insurance internationally to mitigate the risk of customer insolvency. We estimate that the amount of credit-insured or financially assured receivables was approximately 12% of total trade receivables at May 31, 2024.
We use futures or forward contracts to mitigate the risks from fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and natural gas, electricity and other energy prices. See Note 8, Derivatives, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for further information.
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The table below reflects our sources, facilities and availability of liquidity at May 31, 2024. See Note 7, Credit Arrangements, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for additional information.
| (in thousands) | Liquidity Sources and Facilities | Availability | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 698,338 | $ | 698,338 | ||||||||||
| Notes due from 2030 to 2032 | 900,000 | (1) | ||||||||||||
| Revolver | 600,000 | 599,057 | ||||||||||||
| Series 2022 Bonds, due 2047 | 145,060 | — | ||||||||||||
| Poland credit facilities | 152,307 | 149,990 | ||||||||||||
| Poland accounts receivable facility | 73,108 | 45,104 | ||||||||||||
__________________________________
(1) We believe we have access to additional financing and refinancing, if needed, although we can make no assurances as to the form or terms of such financing.
We continually review our capital resources to determine whether we can meet our short and long-term goals. For at least the next twelve months, we anticipate our current cash balances, cash flows from operations and available sources of liquidity will be sufficient to maintain operations, make necessary capital expenditures, invest in the development of new micro mills, pay dividends and opportunistically repurchase shares. Additionally, we expect our long-term liquidity position will be sufficient to meet our long-term liquidity needs with cash flows from operations and financing arrangements. However, in the event of changes in business conditions or other developments, including a sustained market deterioration, unanticipated regulatory developments, significant acquisitions, competitive pressures, or to the extent our liquidity needs prove to be greater than expected or cash generated from operations is less than anticipated, we may need additional liquidity. To the extent we elect to finance our long-term liquidity needs, we believe that the potential financing capital available to us in the future will be sufficient.
We estimate that our 2024 capital spending will range from $400 million to $425 million. We regularly assess our capital spending based on current and expected results and the amount is subject to change.
In January 2024, our Board authorized an increase of $500.0 million to the existing share repurchase program. During the nine months ended May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023 we repurchased $128.2 million and $82.8 million, respectively, of shares of CMC common stock. We had remaining authorization to repurchase $458.6 million of shares of CMC common stock at May 31, 2024. See Note 11, Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information on the share repurchase program.
For 239 consecutive quarters, we have declared and paid a cash dividend. In March 2024, our Board authorized an increase of $0.02 to our quarterly cash dividend, resulting in an $0.18 per share cash dividend paid during the three months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the $0.16 per share quarterly cash dividends paid during the preceding quarters of 2024 and during the nine months ended May 31, 2023. During the nine months ended May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023 we paid $58.2 million and $56.3 million, respectively, of cash dividends to our stockholders.
Our credit arrangements require compliance with certain non-financial and financial covenants, including an interest coverage ratio and a debt to capitalization ratio. At May 31, 2024, we believe we were in compliance with all covenants contained in our credit arrangements.
As of May 31, 2024 and August 31, 2023, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that may have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
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Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash flows from operating activities were $547.9 million and $934.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023, respectively. Contributing to the change was a $294.0 million decrease in net earnings year-over-year and a $38.9 million decrease in deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes, partially offset by $50.6 million of additional depreciation and amortization expense year-over-year. The additional depreciation and amortization expense was largely attributable to placing our third micro mill into service during the fourth quarter of 2023. Additionally, there was a $109.2 million year-over-year net increase in cash used by operating assets and liabilities. Cash provided by accounts receivable decreased year-over-year, in line with the fluctuations in net sales to external customers described in the Segment Operating Data section, above. Additionally, cash used by inventory increased year-over-year due to greater inventory volumes in our North America Steel Group segment, offset, in part, by less cash used by inventory in our Europe Steel Group segment during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. These working capital fluctuations were offset, in part, by a year-over-year decrease in cash used by accrued expenses and other payables, primarily due to accrued labor-related expenses.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used by investing activities were $240.9 million and $605.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023, respectively. During the nine months ended May 31, 2023, cash flows used by investing activities included $167.1 million of cash used for acquisitions, with no such acquisitions during the nine months ended May 31, 2024. Additionally, capital expenditures decreased by $196.9 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period. The decrease in capital expenditures was largely driven by the timing of micro mill construction, which resulted in greater cash outflows as we neared the completion of our third micro mill during the nine months ended May 31, 2023, compared to the expenditures to begin construction of our fourth micro mill during the nine months ended May 31, 2024. See Note 2, Changes in Business, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information about the acquisitions completed during the corresponding period.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows used by financing activities were $202.7 million and $537.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023, respectively. The decrease in net cash flows used by financing activities during the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period, included a $353.2 million decrease in repayments of long-term debt and a $21.4 million increase in net proceeds under our Polish accounts receivable facility, offset, in part, by a $45.3 million increase in treasury stock acquired under the share repurchase program. See Note 7, Credit Arrangements, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information regarding our Polish accounts receivable facility and Note 11, Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information on the share repurchase program.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Our material cash commitments from known contractual and other obligations primarily consist of obligations for long-term debt and related interest, leases for properties and equipment and purchase obligations as part of normal operations. The amount and composition of our material cash commitments have not changed materially since those disclosed in the 2023 Form 10-K.
Other Commercial Commitments
We maintain stand-by letters of credit to provide support for certain transactions that governmental agencies, our insurance providers and suppliers require. At May 31, 2024, we had committed $44.8 million under these arrangements, of which $0.9 million reduced availability under the Revolver (as defined in Note 7, Credit Arrangements, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q).
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CONTINGENCIES
In the ordinary course of conducting our business, we become involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including environmental matters. We may incur settlements, fines, penalties or judgments because of some of these matters. Liabilities and costs associated with litigation-related loss contingencies require estimates and judgments based on our knowledge of the facts and circumstances surrounding each matter and the advice of our legal counsel. We record liabilities for litigation-related losses when a loss is probable, and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. We evaluate the measurement of recorded liabilities each reporting period based on the current facts and circumstances specific to each matter. The ultimate losses incurred upon final resolution of litigation-related loss contingencies may differ materially from the estimated liability recorded at a particular balance sheet date. Changes in estimates are recorded in earnings in the period in which such changes occur. See Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information on pending litigation and other matters.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-Q contains or incorporates by reference a number of "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to general economic conditions, key macro-economic drivers that impact our business, the effects of ongoing trade actions, the effects of continued pressure on the liquidity of our customers, potential synergies and growth provided by acquisitions and strategic investments, demand for our products, shipment volumes, metal margins, the ability to operate our steel mills at full capacity, future availability and cost of supplies of raw materials and energy for our operations, growth rates in certain segments, product margins within our Emerging Businesses Group, share repurchases, legal proceedings, construction activity, international trade, the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, capital expenditures, tax credits, our liquidity and our ability to satisfy future liquidity requirements, estimated contractual obligations, the expected capabilities and benefits of new facilities, the timeline for execution of our growth plan and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The statements in this report that are not historical statements, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by phrases such as we or our management "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "future," "intends," "may," "plans to," "ought," "could," "will," "should," "likely," "appears," "projects," "forecasts," "outlook" or other similar words or phrases, as well as by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.
Our forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and beliefs as of the time this Form 10-Q was filed with the SEC or, with respect to any document incorporated by reference, as of the time such document was prepared. Although we believe that our expectations are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, new information or circumstances or any other changes. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, among others, include the following:
•changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products or construction activity generally, and the impact of such changes on the highly cyclical steel industry;
•rapid and significant changes in the price of metals, potentially impairing our inventory values due to declines in commodity prices or reducing the profitability of downstream contracts within our vertically integrated steel operations due to rising commodity pricing;
•excess capacity in our industry, particularly in China, and product availability from competing steel mills and other steel suppliers including import quantities and pricing;
•the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the global economy, inflation, energy supplies and raw materials;
•increased attention to environmental, social and governance ("ESG") matters, including any targets or other ESG or environmental justice initiatives;
•operating and startup risks, as well as market risks associated with the commissioning of new projects could prevent us from realizing anticipated benefits and could result in a loss of all or a substantial part of our investments;
•impacts from global public health crises on the economy, demand for our products, global supply chain and on our operations;
•compliance with and changes in existing and future laws, regulations and other legal requirements and judicial decisions that govern our business, including increased environmental regulations associated with climate change and greenhouse gas emissions;
•involvement in various environmental matters that may result in fines, penalties or judgments;
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•evolving remediation technology, changing regulations, possible third-party contributions, the inherent uncertainties of the estimation process and other factors that may impact amounts accrued for environmental liabilities;
•potential limitations in our or our customers' abilities to access credit and non-compliance with their contractual obligations, including payment obligations;
•activity in repurchasing shares of our common stock under our share repurchase program;
•financial and non-financial covenants and restrictions on the operation of our business contained in agreements governing our debt;
•our ability to successfully identify, consummate and integrate acquisitions and realize any or all of the anticipated synergies or other benefits of acquisitions;
•the effects that acquisitions may have on our financial leverage;
•risks associated with acquisitions generally, such as the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required approvals under applicable antitrust legislation and other regulatory and third-party consents and approvals;
•lower than expected future levels of revenues and higher than expected future costs;
•failure or inability to implement growth strategies in a timely manner;
•the impact of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charges;
•the impact of long-lived asset impairment charges;
•currency fluctuations;
•global factors, such as trade measures, military conflicts and political uncertainties, including changes to current trade regulations, such as Section 232 trade tariffs and quotas, tax legislation and other regulations which might adversely impact our business;
•availability and pricing of electricity, electrodes and natural gas for mill operations;
•our ability to hire and retain key executives and other employees;
•our ability to successfully manage leadership transitions;
•competition from other materials or from competitors that have a lower cost structure or access to greater financial resources;
•information technology interruptions and breaches in security;
•our ability to make necessary capital expenditures;
•availability and pricing of raw materials and other items over which we exert little influence, including scrap metal, energy and insurance;
•unexpected equipment failures;
•losses or limited potential gains due to hedging transactions;
•litigation claims and settlements, court decisions, regulatory rulings and legal compliance risks;
•risk of injury or death to employees, customers or other visitors to our operations; and
•civil unrest, protests and riots.
Refer to the "Risk Factors" disclosed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K for specific information regarding additional risks that would cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results, performance or our achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from historical results, any future results, or performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers of this Form 10-Q are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As of May 31, 2024, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Company's total gross foreign currency exchange contract commitments decreased $26.2 million, or 12%, compared to August 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to forward contracts denominated in Polish zloty with a U.S. dollar functional currency, which decreased $28.1 million as of May 31, 2024, compared to August 31, 2023.
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As of May 31, 2024, the Company's total commodity contract commitments increased $54.0 million, or 12%, compared to August 31, 2023, primarily due to a $45.2 million increase related to copper commodity commitments as of May 31, 2024, compared to August 31, 2023.
There have been no other material changes to the information set forth in Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, included in our 2023 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term "disclosure controls and procedures" is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. This term refers to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods, and includes controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, and they have concluded that as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the third quarter of 2024, we executed a portion of a phased implementation of a new information system for our scrap metal recycling facilities, which will replace our existing information system for this line of business. The implementation is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2025. There will be changes in our internal controls as this system becomes operational at each scrap metal recycling facility.
There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On October 30, 2020, plaintiff Pacific Steel Group ("PSG") filed a suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the "Court") alleging that CMC, CMC Steel Fabricators, Inc. and CMC Steel US, LLC violated the federal and California state antitrust laws and California common law by entering into an exclusivity agreement for certain steel mill equipment manufactured by one of the Company’s equipment suppliers. PSG seeks, among other things, a jury trial on its claims in addition to injunctive relief, compensatory damages, fees and costs. Fact and expert discovery are complete. Both the motion for summary judgment filed by CMC, CMC Steel Fabricators, Inc. and CMC Steel US, LLC and the cross-motion for summary judgment filed by PSG were denied by the Court on June 10, 2024. A jury trial is scheduled for October 2024. The Company believes that it has substantial defenses and intends to vigorously defend against PSG's claims. The Company has not recorded any liability for this matter as it does not believe a loss is probable, and it cannot estimate any reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss. It is possible that an unfavorable resolution to this matter could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
With respect to administrative or judicial proceedings arising under any federal, state or local provisions that have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or primarily for the purpose of protecting the environment, the Company has determined that it will disclose any such proceeding to which a governmental authority is a party if it reasonably believes such proceeding could result in monetary sanctions, exclusive of interest and costs, of at least $1.0 million. The Company believes that this threshold is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of environmental proceedings that are material to the Company's business or financial condition. Applying this threshold, there were no environmental matters to disclose for this period.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There were no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our 2023 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table provides information about purchases of equity securities registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act made by the Company or any affiliated purchasers during the quarter ended May 31, 2024.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs as of the End of Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024 | 366,990 | $ | 54.52 | 366,990 | $ | 490,368,120 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024 | 380,301 | 56.42 | 380,301 | 468,911,153 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 | 183,990 | 56.27 | 183,990 | 458,558,228 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 931,281 | 931,281 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
__________________________________
(1) On October 13, 2021, the Company announced that the Board authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $350.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. On January 10, 2024, the Company announced that the Board authorized an increase of $500.0 million to the existing share repurchase program. The share repurchase program does not require the Company to purchase any dollar amount or number of shares of CMC common stock and may be modified, suspended, extended or terminated by the Company at any time without prior notice. See Note 11, Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share, in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Form 10-Q for more information on the share repurchase program.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended May 31, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers adopted terminated
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, certain long-term debt instruments are omitted because the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of CMC and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Company agrees to furnish copies of such instruments to the SEC upon its request.
| 2.1† | |||||
| 3.1(a) | |||||
| 3.1(b) | |||||
| 3.1(c) | |||||
| 3.1(d) | |||||
| 3.1(e) | |||||
| 3.1(f) | |||||
| 3.2 | |||||
| 31.1 | |||||
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 32.2 | |||||
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith). | ||||
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith). | ||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith). | ||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith). | ||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith). | ||||
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith). | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101). | ||||
† Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5), and the Company agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request.
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SIGNATURE
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.
| COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY | |||||
| June 25, 2024 | /s/ Paul J. Lawrence | ||||
| Paul J. Lawrence | |||||
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
| (Duly authorized officer and principal financial officer of the registrant) | |||||
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