e10vq
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20549
Form 10-Q
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(Mark One)
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þ
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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for the quarterly period ended
February 28, 2007.
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o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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for the transition period from
to
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Commission File Number 0-50150
CHS Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
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Minnesota
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41-0251095
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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5500 Cenex Drive
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
(Address of principal
executive offices,
including zip code)
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(651) 355-6000
(Registrants
telephone number,
including area code)
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Include by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant
was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated
Filer o
Accelerated
Filer o
Non-Accelerated Filer þ
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company
(as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange
Act). YES o NO þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest
practicable date.
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Number of Shares Outstanding at
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Class
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February 28, 2007
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NONE
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NONE
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PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SAFE
HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. These forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that may cause the Companys actual results
to differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. These factors include those set
forth in Item 2, Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the
caption Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements to this Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2007.
2
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Item 1.
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Financial
Statements
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CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
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February 28,
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August 31,
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February 28,
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2007
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2006
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2006
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(dollars in thousands)
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ASSETS
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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140,308
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$
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112,525
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$
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79,743
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Receivables
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1,082,763
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1,076,602
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797,573
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Inventories
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1,269,704
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1,130,824
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1,021,369
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Other current assets
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774,697
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298,666
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353,762
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Total current assets
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3,267,472
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2,618,617
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2,252,447
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Investments
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754,670
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624,253
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532,270
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Property, plant and equipment
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1,563,174
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1,476,239
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1,418,657
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Other assets
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235,641
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223,474
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223,171
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Total assets
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$
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5,820,957
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$
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4,942,583
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$
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4,426,545
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LIABILITIES AND
EQUITIES
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Current liabilities:
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Notes payable
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$
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552,559
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$
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22,007
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$
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114,735
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Current portion of long-term debt
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61,704
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60,748
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38,685
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Customer credit balances
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106,261
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66,468
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48,048
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Customer advance payments
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215,206
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82,362
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169,266
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Checks and drafts outstanding
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106,089
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57,083
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55,040
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Accounts payable
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793,103
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904,143
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609,970
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Accrued expenses
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484,052
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347,078
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322,918
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Dividends and equities payable
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142,668
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249,774
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117,334
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Total current liabilities
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2,461,642
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1,789,663
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1,475,996
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Long-term debt
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654,366
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683,997
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719,861
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Other liabilities
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363,686
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310,157
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227,804
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Minority interests in subsidiaries
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156,472
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141,375
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141,577
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Commitments and contingencies
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Equities
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2,184,791
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2,017,391
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1,861,307
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Total liabilities and equities
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$
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5,820,957
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$
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4,942,583
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$
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4,426,545
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements (unaudited).
3
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
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For the Three Months Ended
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For the Six Months Ended
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February 28,
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February 28,
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2007
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2006
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2007
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2006
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(dollars in thousands)
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Revenues
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$
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3,734,580
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$
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3,156,617
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$
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7,485,650
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$
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6,610,130
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Cost of goods sold
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3,588,872
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3,042,166
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7,117,666
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6,241,234
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Gross profit
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145,708
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114,451
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367,984
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368,896
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Marketing, general and
administrative
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58,591
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56,530
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110,693
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106,156
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Operating earnings
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87,117
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57,921
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257,291
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262,740
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Gain on investments
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(11,400
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(16,748
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Interest, net
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9,003
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9,415
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16,691
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16,746
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Equity income from investments
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(12,315
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(5,185
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(16,846
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(14,362
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Minority interests
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14,470
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9,206
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33,382
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41,367
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Income from continuing operations
before income taxes
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87,359
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44,485
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240,812
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218,989
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Income taxes
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5,050
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4,238
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22,221
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24,716
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Income from continuing operations
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82,309
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40,247
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218,591
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194,273
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Loss (income) on discontinued
operations, net of taxes
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99
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(109
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Net income
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$
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82,309
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$
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40,148
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$
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218,591
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$
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194,382
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements (unaudited).
4
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
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For the Six Months Ended February 28,
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2007
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2006
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(as restated)
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(dollars in thousands)
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Cash flows from operating
activities:
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Net income
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$
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218,591
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$
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194,382
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Depreciation and amortization
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68,947
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58,892
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Income from equity investments
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(16,846
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(14,362
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Distributions from equity
investments
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24,253
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38,673
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Minority interests
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33,382
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41,367
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Noncash patronage dividends
received
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(1,133
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(780
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Gain on sale of property, plant
and equipment
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(2,840
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)
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(157
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Gain on investments
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(16,748
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)
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Deferred taxes
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22,221
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44,847
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Other, net
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770
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15
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Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
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Receivables
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1,304
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259,138
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Inventories
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(134,278
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)
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(101,776
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)
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Other current assets and other
assets
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(476,077
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)
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(8,768
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)
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Customer credit balances
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39,792
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(44,336
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)
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Customer advance payments
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132,819
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41,818
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Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
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27,367
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(434,797
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)
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Other liabilities
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7,090
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(8,308
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)
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Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities
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(71,386
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)
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65,848
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Cash flows from investing
activities:
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Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment
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(154,996
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)
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(113,921
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)
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Proceeds from disposition of
property, plant and equipment
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7,070
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6,524
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Investments
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(80,457
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)
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(37,015
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Investments redeemed
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2,989
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5,391
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Proceeds from sale of investment
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10,918
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Changes in notes receivable
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(15,350
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)
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48,158
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Other investing activities, net
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(3,195
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)
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575
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Net cash used in investing
activities
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(233,021
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)
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(90,288
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)
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Cash flows from financing
activities:
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Changes in notes payable
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530,513
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53,587
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Principal payments on long-term
debt
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(28,684
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)
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(15,669
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)
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Changes in checks and drafts
outstanding
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49,006
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(12,556
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)
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Distribution to minority owners
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(22,294
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)
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(42,981
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)
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Costs incurred capital
equity certificates redeemed
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(45
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)
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(86
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)
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Preferred stock dividends paid
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(5,864
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)
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(4,952
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)
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Retirements of equities
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(57,334
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)
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(51,676
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)
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Cash patronage dividends paid
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(133,108
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)
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(62,502
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)
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Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
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|
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332,190
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|
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(136,835
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)
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Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents
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27,783
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(161,275
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)
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Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
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112,525
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|
|
|
241,018
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period
|
|
$
|
140,308
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|
$
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79,743
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements (unaudited).
5
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
Note 1.
|
Accounting
Policies
|
The unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of
February 28, 2007 and 2006, the statements of operations
for the three and six months ended February 28, 2007 and
2006, and the statements of cash flows for the six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006 reflect, in the opinion of our
management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a
fair statement of the financial position and results of
operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The
results of operations and cash flows for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results for a full fiscal year because
of, among other things, the seasonal nature of our businesses.
The consolidated balance sheet data as of August 31, 2006
has been derived from our audited consolidated financial
statements, but does not include all disclosures required by
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and
the accounts of all of our wholly-owned and majority-owned
subsidiaries and limited liability companies. The effects of all
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated.
These statements should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year
ended August 31, 2006, included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill was $3.8 million, $3.9 million and
$3.3 million on February 28, 2007, August 31,
2006 and February 28, 2006, respectively, and is included
in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The increase
in goodwill during fiscal 2006 was due to the consolidation of
Provista Renewable Fuels Marketing, LLC, included in our Energy
segment, which had $0.6 million of goodwill on its balance
sheet. During the three months ended February 28, 2007, our
Ag Business segment had a disposal with related goodwill of
$0.1 million.
Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include
trademarks, customer lists and agreements not to compete, and
are amortized over the number of years that approximate their
respective useful lives (ranging from 3 to 15 years). The
gross carrying amount of these intangible assets was
$29.1 million with total accumulated amortization of
$10.1 million as of February 28, 2007. Intangible
assets of $2.8 million and $3.9 million were acquired
during the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. Total amortization expense for intangible assets
during the three-month and six-month periods ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006, was $0.6 million and
$1.3 million, respectively, for 2007, and $3.0 million
and $3.6 million, respectively, for 2006. The estimated
annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject
to amortization for the next five years will approximate
$2.4 million annually for the first three years,
$2.1 million for the fourth year and $1.8 million for
the following year.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the
accounting for income taxes recognized in an enterprises
financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition
and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken
in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties,
accounting in interim periods and disclosure. FIN 48 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2006, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating
the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated
financial statements.
6
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 158, Employers
Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans (SFAS No. 158). SFAS No. 158
requires that employers recognize on a prospective basis the
funded status of their defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plans on their consolidated balance sheet and
recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of
tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that
arise during the period but are not recognized as components of
net periodic benefit cost. SFAS No. 158 also requires
additional disclosures in the notes to financial statements.
SFAS No. 158 is effective as of the end of fiscal
years ending after December 15, 2006.
Based on the funded status of our defined benefit pension and
postretirement medical plans as of the most recent measurement
dates, we would be required to increase our net liabilities for
pension and postretirement medical benefits upon adoption of
SFAS No. 158, which would result in a decrease to
owners equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The
ultimate amounts recorded are highly dependent on a number of
assumptions, including the discount rates in effect in 2007, the
actual rate of return on pension assets for 2007 and the tax
effects of the adjustment. Changes in these assumptions since
our last measurement date could increase or decrease the
expected impact of implementing SFAS No. 158 in our
consolidated financial statements at August 31, 2007.
In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) AUG
AIR-1, Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance
Activities, addressing the accounting for planned major
maintenance activities which includes refinery turnarounds. This
FSP prohibits the use of the
accrue-in-advance
method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in
annual and interim financial reporting periods but allows the
alternative deferral method. This FSP shall be applied to the
first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006 (our
fiscal year 2008). We are currently using the
accrue-in-advance
method of accounting, and are in the process of assessing the
impact this FSP will have on our consolidated financial
statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements to increase consistency and
comparability in fair value measurements by defining fair value,
establishing a framework for measuring fair value in generally
accepted accounting principles, and expanding disclosures about
fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 emphasizes that
fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific
measurement. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are in the
process of evaluating the effect that the adoption of
SFAS No. 157 will have on our consolidated results of
operations and financial condition.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 provides entities with
an option to report certain financial assets and liabilities at
fair value with changes in fair value reported in
earnings and requires additional disclosures related
to an entitys election to use fair value reporting. It
also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets
and liabilities for which the entity has elected to use fair
value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159
is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007. We are in the process of evaluating the effect that the
adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on our consolidated
results of operations and financial condition.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods
amounts to conform to current period classifications. These
reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net
income, equities or total cash flows.
7
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
$
|
1,068,778
|
|
|
$
|
1,056,514
|
|
|
$
|
824,590
|
|
Other
|
|
|
70,409
|
|
|
|
73,986
|
|
|
|
35,817
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,139,187
|
|
|
|
1,130,500
|
|
|
|
860,407
|
|
Less allowances for doubtful
accounts
|
|
|
56,424
|
|
|
|
53,898
|
|
|
|
62,834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,082,763
|
|
|
$
|
1,076,602
|
|
|
$
|
797,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Grain and oilseed
|
|
$
|
598,351
|
|
|
$
|
511,413
|
|
|
$
|
433,403
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
387,020
|
|
|
|
447,664
|
|
|
|
360,250
|
|
Feed and farm supplies
|
|
|
229,590
|
|
|
|
137,978
|
|
|
|
205,241
|
|
Processed grain and oilseed
|
|
|
52,824
|
|
|
|
32,198
|
|
|
|
21,000
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,919
|
|
|
|
1,571
|
|
|
|
1,475
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,269,704
|
|
|
$
|
1,130,824
|
|
|
$
|
1,021,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 4.
|
Derivative
Assets and Liabilities
|
Included in other current assets on February 28, 2007,
August 31, 2006 and February 28, 2006 are derivative
assets of $351.2 million, $74.3 million and
$79.0 million, respectively. Included in accrued expenses
on February 28, 2007, August 31, 2006 and
February 28, 2006 are derivative liabilities of
$210.2 million, $97.8 million and $68.7 million,
respectively.
US BioEnergy Corporation (US BioEnergy), is an ethanol
production company which currently owns and operates three
ethanol plants in Woodbury, Michigan, Central City, Nebraska and
Albert City, Iowa. In addition, US BioEnergy has three ethanol
plants under construction in Nebraska, North Dakota and
Minnesota, and two under construction in Iowa with a 50%
ownership interest in one of them.
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, we made an
additional investment of $35.0 million in US BioEnergy,
bringing our total cash investments for Class A Common
Stock in the company to $105.0 million. Prior investments
in US BioEnergy included an investment of $35.0 million
during the six months ended February 28, 2006 and another
investment of $35.0 million during the three months ended
May 31, 2006. In August 2006, US BioEnergy filed a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to register shares of common stock for sale in an
initial public offering (IPO), and in December 2006, the IPO was
completed. The affect of the issuance of additional shares of US
BioEnergy was to dilute our ownership interest down from
approximately 25% to 21%. Due to US BioEnergys increase in
equity, we recognized a non-cash net gain of $11.4 million
on our investment to reflect our proportionate share of the
increase in the underlying equity of US BioEnergy. This gain is
reflected in our Processing segment. Based upon the market price
of US BioEnergys stock of $13.02 per share on
February 28, 2007, our investment had a market value of
approximately $187.3 million. The carrying value of our
investment in US BioEnergy of $121.5 million exceeds
our share of their equity by approximately $19 million, and
respresents equity method goodwill.We are recognizing earnings
of US BioEnergy, to the extent of our ownership interest, using
the equity method of accounting. As part of the IPO, we are
restricted from selling our stock for 180 days from the
transaction date.
8
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, we made
investments in two new ventures. We invested $22.2 million
for an equity position in a Brazil-based grain handling and
merchandising company, Multigrain S.A., which is owned jointly
(50/50) with Multigrain Comercio, an agricultural commodities
business headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is included in
our Ag Business segment. This venture includes grain storage and
export facilities and builds on our South American soybean
origination.
We have also invested $15.6 million in a new Horizon
Milling G.P. venture (24% CHS ownership), included in our
Processing segment, during the six months ended
February 28, 2007, to acquire the Canadian grain-based
foodservice and industrial businesses of Smucker Foods of
Canada, which includes three flour milling operations and two
dry baking mixing facilities in Canada.
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, we sold
540,000 shares of our CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)
stock, included in our Ag Business segment, for proceeds of
$10.9 million, and recorded a pretax gain of
$5.3 million, reducing our ownership interest in CF to
approximately 2.9%.
Agriliance LLC (Agriliance), an investment included in our Ag
Business segment, is a wholesale and retail crop nutrients and
crop protections products company that is owned and governed 50%
by us through United Country Brands, LLC (100% owned subsidiary)
and 50% by Land OLakes, Inc. We also own a 50% interest in
Ventura Foods, LLC, (Ventura Foods), a joint venture which
produces and distributes vegetable oil-based products, and is
included in our Processing segment.
As of February 28, 2007, the carrying value of our equity
method investees, Agriliance and Ventura Foods, exceeds our
share of their equity by $43.5 million. Of this basis
difference, $3.9 million is being amortized over the
remaining life of the corresponding assets, which is
approximately five years. The balance of the basis difference
represents equity method goodwill.
The following provides summarized unaudited financial
information for our unconsolidated significant equity
investments in Ventura Foods and Agriliance, for the balance
sheets as of February 28, 2007, August 31, 2006 and
February 28, 2006 and statements of operations for the
three-month and six-month periods as indicated below.
Ventura
Foods, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
381,594
|
|
|
$
|
343,404
|
|
|
$
|
779,727
|
|
|
$
|
730,765
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
53,035
|
|
|
|
51,514
|
|
|
|
108,499
|
|
|
|
103,192
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
22,208
|
|
|
|
15,574
|
|
|
|
44,215
|
|
|
|
32,247
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$
|
256,146
|
|
|
$
|
237,117
|
|
|
$
|
221,052
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
441,605
|
|
|
|
441,435
|
|
|
|
435,973
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
147,944
|
|
|
|
141,080
|
|
|
|
134,001
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
307,954
|
|
|
|
308,377
|
|
|
|
305,521
|
|
9
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Agriliance
LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
497,524
|
|
|
$
|
497,536
|
|
|
$
|
1,167,517
|
|
|
$
|
1,189,997
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
45,921
|
|
|
|
52,637
|
|
|
|
91,544
|
|
|
|
110,202
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(27,392
|
)
|
|
|
(16,894
|
)
|
|
|
(58,781
|
)
|
|
|
(32,602
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
August 31,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$
|
1,789,935
|
|
|
$
|
1,261,874
|
|
|
$
|
1,685,699
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
163,332
|
|
|
|
166,365
|
|
|
|
156,650
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
1,583,710
|
|
|
|
999,038
|
|
|
|
1,511,493
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
131,208
|
|
|
|
132,071
|
|
|
|
118,955
|
|
|
|
Note 6.
|
Discontinued
Operations
|
In our fiscal year 2005, we sold the majority of our Mexican
foods business, and in our fiscal year 2006, we sold the
remaining assets. The operating results of the Mexican Foods
business are reported as discontinued operations for the three
and six months ended February 28, 2006, and the summarized
results are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three
|
|
|
For the Six
|
|
|
|
Months Ended
|
|
|
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Marketing, general and
administrative *
|
|
$
|
176
|
|
|
$
|
(323
|
)
|
Interest, net
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
|
145
|
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(64
|
)
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss (income) from discontinued
operations
|
|
$
|
99
|
|
|
$
|
(109
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Includes a gain of $0.8 million on the sale of a facility
for the six months ended February 28, 2006. |
|
|
Note 7.
|
Notes Payable
and Long-term Debt
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, we
instituted two commercial paper programs totaling
$125 million with two banks participating in our five-year
revolving credit facility. Terms of our five-year revolving
credit facility allow a maximum usage of commercial paper of
$100 million at any point in time. The commercial paper
programs do not increase our committed borrowing capacity in
that we are required to have at least an equal amount of undrawn
capacity available on our five-year revolving facility as to the
amount of commercial paper issued. On February 28, 2007, we
had $99.1 million of commercial paper outstanding, all with
maturities of less than 60 days from their issuance with
interest rates ranging from 5.57% to 5.61%.
In December 2006, National Cooperative Refinery Association
(NCRA) entered into an agreement with the City of McPherson,
Kansas related to certain of its ultra-low sulfur fuel assets
(cost of approximately $325 million). The City of McPherson
issued $325 million of Industrial Revenue Bonds
(IRBs) which were transferred to NCRA as
consideration in a financing agreement between the City of
McPherson and NCRA related to the ultra-low sulfur fuel assets.
The term of the financing obligation is ten years, at which time
NCRA has the option of extending the financing obligation or
purchasing the assets for a nominal amount. NCRA has the right
at anytime to offset the financing obligation to the City of
McPherson against the IRBs. No cash was exchanged in the
transaction and none is anticipated to be exchanged in the
future. Due to the
10
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
structure of the agreement, the financing obligation and the
IRBs are shown net in our consolidated financial statements. On
March 18, 2007, notification was sent to the bond trustees
to pay the IRBs down by $324 million, at which time the
financing obligation to the City of McPherson was offset against
the IRBs. The balance of $1.0 million will remain
outstanding until final maturity in ten years.
Interest, net for the three and six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
$
|
12,844
|
|
|
$
|
13,489
|
|
|
$
|
24,127
|
|
|
$
|
25,163
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
3,841
|
|
|
|
4,074
|
|
|
|
7,436
|
|
|
|
8,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest, net
|
|
$
|
9,003
|
|
|
$
|
9,415
|
|
|
$
|
16,691
|
|
|
$
|
16,746
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in equity for the six-month periods ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2007
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
|
Balances, September 1, 2006
and 2005
|
|
$
|
2,017,391
|
|
|
$
|
1,757,897
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
218,591
|
|
|
|
194,382
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
39,158
|
|
|
|
9,626
|
|
Patronage distribution
|
|
|
(380,009
|
)
|
|
|
(207,803
|
)
|
Patronage accrued
|
|
|
374,000
|
|
|
|
203,000
|
|
Equities retired
|
|
|
(57,334
|
)
|
|
|
(51,676
|
)
|
Equity retirements accrued
|
|
|
57,334
|
|
|
|
51,676
|
|
Equities issued in exchange for
elevator properties
|
|
|
864
|
|
|
|
6,342
|
|
Preferred stock dividends
|
|
|
(5,864
|
)
|
|
|
(4,952
|
)
|
Preferred stock dividends accrued
|
|
|
1,955
|
|
|
|
1,650
|
|
Accrued dividends and equities
payable
|
|
|
(83,084
|
)
|
|
|
(99,155
|
)
|
Other, net
|
|
|
1,789
|
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances, February 28, 2007
and 2006
|
|
$
|
2,184,791
|
|
|
$
|
1,861,307
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the three months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
we redeemed $35.9 million and $23.8 million,
respectively, of our capital equity certificates by issuing
shares of our 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
|
|
Note 10.
|
Comprehensive
Income
|
Total comprehensive income primarily consists of net income,
unrealized net gains or losses on available for sale investments
and energy derivatives, and the effects of minimum pension
liability adjustments. For the three months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006, total comprehensive income
amounted to $95.2 million and $47.5 million,
respectively. For the six months ended February 28, 2007
and 2006, total comprehensive income amounted to
$257.7 million and $204.0 million, respectively.
Accumulated other comprehensive income on February 28,
2007, August 31, 2006 and February 28, 2006 was
$52.3 million, $13.1 million and $14.6 million,
respectively. The change in accumulated other comprehensive
income during the three months and six months ended
February 28, 2007, consisted primarily of gains on
available for sale investments and energy derivatives.
11
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Note 11. Employee Benefit Plans
Employee benefit information for the three and six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified
|
|
|
Non-Qualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Benefits
|
|
|
Pension Benefits
|
|
|
Other Benefits
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Components of net periodic
benefit cost for the three months ended February 28:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
|
$
|
3,556
|
|
|
$
|
3,723
|
|
|
$
|
258
|
|
|
$
|
548
|
|
|
$
|
223
|
|
|
$
|
256
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
4,817
|
|
|
|
4,259
|
|
|
|
362
|
|
|
|
342
|
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
|
392
|
|
Return on plan assets
|
|
|
(7,380
|
)
|
|
|
(7,091
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior service cost amortization
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
(128
|
)
|
|
|
(76
|
)
|
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization
|
|
|
1,381
|
|
|
|
1,879
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
4
|
|
Transition amount amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
|
$
|
2,596
|
|
|
$
|
2,984
|
|
|
$
|
765
|
|
|
$
|
1,072
|
|
|
$
|
742
|
|
|
$
|
810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Components of net periodic
benefit cost for the six months ended February 28:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost
|
|
$
|
7,180
|
|
|
$
|
7,446
|
|
|
$
|
512
|
|
|
$
|
1,098
|
|
|
$
|
479
|
|
|
$
|
512
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
9,634
|
|
|
|
8,518
|
|
|
|
722
|
|
|
|
684
|
|
|
|
835
|
|
|
|
784
|
|
Return on plan assets
|
|
|
(14,591
|
)
|
|
|
(14,181
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior service cost amortization
|
|
|
433
|
|
|
|
428
|
|
|
|
231
|
|
|
|
258
|
|
|
|
(256
|
)
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization
|
|
|
2,883
|
|
|
|
3,757
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
9
|
|
Transition amount amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
468
|
|
|
|
468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
|
$
|
5,539
|
|
|
$
|
5,968
|
|
|
$
|
1,520
|
|
|
$
|
2,145
|
|
|
$
|
1,506
|
|
|
$
|
1,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employer
Contributions:
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, NCRA, of
which we own approximately 74.5%, contributed $4.9 million
to its pension plan.
|
|
Note 12.
|
Segment
Reporting
|
We have aligned our business segments based on an assessment of
how our businesses operate and the products and services they
sell. Our three business segments: Energy, Ag Business and
Processing, create vertical integration to link producers with
consumers. Corporate and Other primarily represents our business
solutions operations, which consists of commodities hedging,
insurance and financial services related to crop production. Our
Energy segment produces and provides for the wholesale
distribution of petroleum products and transports many of those
products. Our Ag Business segment purchases and resells grains
and oilseeds originated by our country operations business, by
our member cooperatives and by third parties, and also serves as
wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs. Our Processing segment
converts grains and oilseeds into value-added products.
Corporate administrative expenses are allocated to all three
business segments, and Corporate and Other, based on either
direct usage for services that can be tracked, such as
information technology and legal, and other factors or
considerations relevant to the costs incurred.
12
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Expenses that are incurred at the corporate level for the
purpose of the general operation of the Company are allocated to
the segments based upon factors which management considers to be
non-symmetrical. Due to efficiencies in scale, cost allocations
and intersegment activity, management does not represent that
these segments, if operated independently, would report the
income before income taxes and other financial information as
presented.
Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and
operating results will vary throughout the year. Overall, our
income is generally lowest during the second fiscal quarter and
highest during the third fiscal quarter. Our business segments
are subject to varying seasonal fluctuations. For example, in
our Ag Business segment, our agronomy and country operations
businesses generally experience higher volumes and income during
the spring planting season and in the fall, which corresponds to
harvest. Also in our Ag Business segment, our grain marketing
operations are subject to fluctuations in volume and earnings
based on producer harvests, world grain prices and demand. Our
Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and
profitability in certain operating areas, such as refined
products, in the summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel
fuel usage is highest and is subject to global supply and demand
forces. Other energy products, such as propane, may experience
higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and
crop drying seasons.
Our revenue can be significantly affected by global market
prices for commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas,
grains, oilseeds and flour. Changes in market prices for
commodities that we purchase without a corresponding change in
the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and
operating earnings. Commodity prices are affected by a wide
range of factors beyond our control, including the weather, crop
damage due to disease or insects, drought, the availability and
adequacy of supply, government regulations and policies, world
events, and general political and economic conditions.
While our revenues and operating results are derived from
businesses and operations which are wholly-owned and
majority-owned, a portion of our business operations are
conducted through companies in which we hold ownership interests
of 50% or less and do not control the operations. We account for
these investments primarily using the equity method of
accounting, wherein we record our proportionate share of income
or loss reported by the entity as equity income or losses from
investments, without consolidating the revenues and expenses of
the entity in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These
investments principally include our 50% ownership in each of the
following companies: Agriliance LLC (Agriliance), TEMCO, LLC
(TEMCO) and United Harvest, LLC (United Harvest) included in our
Ag Business segment; Ventura Foods, LLC (Ventura Foods), our 24%
ownership in Horizon Milling, LLC (Horizon Milling), and an
approximate 21% ownership in US BioEnergy Corporation (US
BioEnergy) included in our Processing segment; and our 49%
ownership in Cofina Financial, LLC (Cofina) included in
Corporate and Other.
In our fiscal year 2005, we sold the majority of our Mexican
foods business, and in our fiscal year 2006, we sold the
remaining assets. The operating results of the Mexican Foods
business are reported as discontinued operations for the three
and six months ended February 28, 2006.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
CHS and all of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries
and limited liability companies, including National Cooperative
Refinery Association (NCRA), included in our Energy segment.
During fiscal 2006, our Energy segment investment in Provista
Renewable Fuels Marketing, LLC (Provista) resulted in financial
statement consolidation. The effects of all significant
intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Reconciling Amounts represent the elimination of revenues
between segments. Such transactions are conducted at market
prices to more accurately evaluate the profitability of the
individual business segments.
13
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Segment information for the three and six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
Reconciling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
Business
|
|
|
Processing
|
|
|
and Other
|
|
|
Amounts
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
February 28, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
1,713,683
|
|
|
$
|
1,883,836
|
|
|
$
|
177,936
|
|
|
$
|
8,442
|
|
|
$
|
(49,317
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,734,580
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
1,631,710
|
|
|
|
1,841,801
|
|
|
|
165,576
|
|
|
|
(898
|
)
|
|
|
(49,317
|
)
|
|
|
3,588,872
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
81,973
|
|
|
|
42,035
|
|
|
|
12,360
|
|
|
|
9,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
145,708
|
|
Marketing, general and
administrative
|
|
|
22,224
|
|
|
|
23,703
|
|
|
|
6,044
|
|
|
|
6,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,591
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating earnings
|
|
|
59,749
|
|
|
|
18,332
|
|
|
|
6,316
|
|
|
|
2,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,117
|
|
Gain on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,400
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,400
|
)
|
Interest, net
|
|
|
(624
|
)
|
|
|
7,412
|
|
|
|
3,879
|
|
|
|
(1,664
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,003
|
|
Equity (income) losses from
investments
|
|
|
(1,081
|
)
|
|
|
8,210
|
|
|
|
(18,345
|
)
|
|
|
(1,099
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,315
|
)
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
14,448
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes
|
|
$
|
47,006
|
|
|
$
|
2,688
|
|
|
$
|
32,182
|
|
|
$
|
5,483
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
87,359
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
$
|
(48,432
|
)
|
|
$
|
(795
|
)
|
|
$
|
(90
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
49,317
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$
|
64,242
|
|
|
$
|
6,940
|
|
|
$
|
2,969
|
|
|
$
|
653
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
74,804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
21,378
|
|
|
$
|
8,447
|
|
|
$
|
3,621
|
|
|
$
|
1,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
34,746
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
February 28, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
1,599,136
|
|
|
$
|
1,450,689
|
|
|
$
|
148,992
|
|
|
$
|
8,365
|
|
|
$
|
(50,565
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,156,617
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
1,534,749
|
|
|
|
1,416,954
|
|
|
|
141,477
|
|
|
|
(449
|
)
|
|
|
(50,565
|
)
|
|
|
3,042,166
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
64,387
|
|
|
|
33,735
|
|
|
|
7,515
|
|
|
|
8,814
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
114,451
|
|
Marketing, general and
administrative
|
|
|
19,456
|
|
|
|
24,203
|
|
|
|
5,688
|
|
|
|
7,183
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating earnings
|
|
|
44,931
|
|
|
|
9,532
|
|
|
|
1,827
|
|
|
|
1,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,921
|
|
Interest, net
|
|
|
2,049
|
|
|
|
3,727
|
|
|
|
2,689
|
|
|
|
950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,415
|
|
Equity (income) losses from
investments
|
|
|
(1,098
|
)
|
|
|
4,989
|
|
|
|
(8,229
|
)
|
|
|
(847
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,185
|
)
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
9,158
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes
|
|
$
|
34,822
|
|
|
$
|
768
|
|
|
$
|
7,367
|
|
|
$
|
1,528
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
44,485
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
$
|
(48,094
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,406
|
)
|
|
$
|
(65
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
50,565
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$
|
38,924
|
|
|
$
|
7,780
|
|
|
$
|
2,257
|
|
|
$
|
436
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
49,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
18,174
|
|
|
$
|
7,974
|
|
|
$
|
3,459
|
|
|
$
|
1,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
30,908
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ag
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
Reconciling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
Business
|
|
|
Processing
|
|
|
and Other
|
|
|
Amounts
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
3,567,092
|
|
|
$
|
3,688,452
|
|
|
$
|
332,960
|
|
|
$
|
15,748
|
|
|
$
|
(118,602
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,485,650
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
3,334,496
|
|
|
|
3,588,644
|
|
|
|
314,039
|
|
|
|
(911
|
)
|
|
|
(118,602
|
)
|
|
|
7,117,666
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
232,596
|
|
|
|
99,808
|
|
|
|
18,921
|
|
|
|
16,659
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
367,984
|
|
Marketing, general and
administrative
|
|
|
43,211
|
|
|
|
42,988
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
12,494
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,693
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating earnings
|
|
|
189,385
|
|
|
|
56,820
|
|
|
|
6,921
|
|
|
|
4,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
257,291
|
|
Gain on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,348
|
)
|
|
|
(11,400
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,748
|
)
|
Interest, net
|
|
|
(239
|
)
|
|
|
12,582
|
|
|
|
6,766
|
|
|
|
(2,418
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,691
|
|
Equity (income) losses from
investments
|
|
|
(2,137
|
)
|
|
|
18,799
|
|
|
|
(31,195
|
)
|
|
|
(2,313
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,846
|
)
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
33,409
|
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,382
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes
|
|
$
|
158,352
|
|
|
$
|
30,814
|
|
|
$
|
42,750
|
|
|
$
|
8,896
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
240,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
$
|
(116,252
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,176
|
)
|
|
$
|
(174
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
118,602
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
3,654
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$
|
130,385
|
|
|
$
|
15,540
|
|
|
$
|
7,918
|
|
|
$
|
1,153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
154,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
42,394
|
|
|
$
|
16,633
|
|
|
$
|
7,271
|
|
|
$
|
2,649
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
68,947
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total identifiable assets at
February 28, 2007
|
|
$
|
2,223,794
|
|
|
$
|
2,321,157
|
|
|
$
|
632,690
|
|
|
$
|
643,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,820,957
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
3,460,392
|
|
|
$
|
2,941,232
|
|
|
$
|
301,970
|
|
|
$
|
15,100
|
|
|
$
|
(108,564
|
)
|
|
$
|
6,610,130
|
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
3,200,205
|
|
|
|
2,863,844
|
|
|
|
286,787
|
|
|
|
(1,038
|
)
|
|
|
(108,564
|
)
|
|
|
6,241,234
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
260,187
|
|
|
|
77,388
|
|
|
|
15,183
|
|
|
|
16,138
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
368,896
|
|
Marketing, general and
administrative
|
|
|
36,897
|
|
|
|
45,365
|
|
|
|
10,646
|
|
|
|
13,248
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating earnings
|
|
|
223,290
|
|
|
|
32,023
|
|
|
|
4,537
|
|
|
|
2,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
262,740
|
|
Interest, net
|
|
|
3,168
|
|
|
|
7,231
|
|
|
|
5,112
|
|
|
|
1,235
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,746
|
|
Equity (income) losses from
investments
|
|
|
(1,936
|
)
|
|
|
7,250
|
|
|
|
(17,820
|
)
|
|
|
(1,856
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,362
|
)
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
41,285
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes
|
|
$
|
180,773
|
|
|
$
|
17,460
|
|
|
$
|
17,245
|
|
|
$
|
3,511
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
218,989
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intersegment revenues
|
|
$
|
(103,657
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,733
|
)
|
|
$
|
(174
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
108,564
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
3,041
|
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,291
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$
|
89,452
|
|
|
$
|
19,877
|
|
|
$
|
3,764
|
|
|
$
|
828
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
113,921
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
33,911
|
|
|
$
|
15,515
|
|
|
$
|
6,940
|
|
|
$
|
2,526
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
58,892
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total identifiable assets at
February 28, 2006
|
|
$
|
1,837,558
|
|
|
$
|
1,726,997
|
|
|
$
|
467,721
|
|
|
$
|
394,269
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,426,545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
Note 13.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
Environmental
We have incurred capital expenditures related to actions taken
to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency low sulfur
fuel regulations which were complete in fiscal year 2006. We
incurred capital expenditures from fiscal year 2003 through 2006
for these projects totaling $88.1 million at our Laurel,
Montana refinery and $328.7 million at NCRAs
McPherson, Kansas refinery.
Guarantees
We are a guarantor for lines of credit for related companies.
Our bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of
$150.0 million, of which $53.2 million was outstanding
on February 28, 2007. In addition, our bank covenants allow
for guarantees dedicated solely for NCRA in the amount of
$125.0 million, for which there are no outstanding
guarantees.
In the past, we made seasonal and term loans to member
cooperatives, and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Fin-Ag, Inc.,
made loans for agricultural purposes to individual producers.
Some of these loans were sold to CoBank, ACB (Cobank), and we
guaranteed a portion of the loans sold, some of which are still
outstanding. Currently these loans are made by Cofina, in which
we have a 49% ownership interest. We may, at our own discretion,
choose to guarantee certain loans made by Cofina. In addition,
we also guarantee certain debt and obligations under contracts
for our subsidiaries and members.
Our obligations pursuant to our guarantees as of
February 28, 2007 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantee /
|
|
|
Exposure on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Triggering
|
|
Recourse
|
|
Assets Held
|
Entities
|
|
Exposure
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Nature of Guarantee
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
Event
|
|
Provisions
|
|
as Collateral
|
|
The Companys financial
services cooperative loans sold to CoBank
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
$
|
132
|
|
|
10% of the obligations of borrowers
(agri- cultural cooperatives) under credit agreements for loans
sold
|
|
None stated, but may be terminated
by either party upon 60 days prior notice in regard to
future obligations
|
|
Credit agreement default
|
|
Subrogation against borrower
|
|
Some or all assets of borrower are
held as collateral and should be sufficient to cover guarantee
exposure
|
Provista Renewable Fuels Marketing,
LLC
|
|
$
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
Obligations by Provista under
credit agreement
|
|
None stated
|
|
Credit agreement default
|
|
Subrogation against Provista
|
|
None
|
Horizon Milling, LLC
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indemnification and reimbursement
of 24% of damages related to Horizon Milling, LLCs
performance under a flour sales agreement
|
|
None stated, but may be terminated
by any party upon 90 days prior notice in regard to future
obligations
|
|
Nonperformance under flour sale
agreement
|
|
Subrogation against Horizon
Milling, LLC
|
|
None
|
TEMCO, LLC
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
22,400
|
|
|
Obligations by TEMCO, LLC under
credit agreement
|
|
None stated
|
|
Credit agreement default
|
|
Subrogation against TEMCO, LLC
|
|
None
|
16
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guarantee /
|
|
|
Exposure on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Triggering
|
|
Recourse
|
|
Assets Held
|
Entities
|
|
Exposure
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Nature of Guarantee
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
Event
|
|
Provisions
|
|
as Collateral
|
|
TEMCO, LLC
|
|
$
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
Obligations by TEMCO, LLC under
counterparty agreement
|
|
None stated, but may be terminated
upon 5 days prior notice in regard to future obligations
|
|
Nonpayment
|
|
Subrogation against TEMCO, LLC
|
|
None
|
Third parties
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
764
|
|
|
Surety for, or indemnificaton of
surety for sales contracts between affiliates and sellers of
grain under deferred payment contracts
|
|
Annual renewal on December 1
in regard to surety for one third party, otherwise none stated
and may be terminated by the Company at any time in regard to
future obligations
|
|
Nonpayment
|
|
Subrogation against affiliates
|
|
Some or all assets of borrower are
held as collateral but might not be sufficient to cover
guarantee exposure
|
Cofina Financial, LLC
|
|
$
|
19,161
|
|
|
|
13,029
|
|
|
Loans to our customers that are
originated by Cofina and then sold to ProPartners, which is an
affiliate of CoBank
|
|
None stated
|
|
Credit agreement default
|
|
Subrogation against borrower
|
|
Some or all assets of borrower are
held as collateral but might not be sufficient to cover
guarantee exposure
|
Cofina Financial, LLC
|
|
$
|
10,600
|
|
|
|
3,900
|
|
|
Loans made by Cofina to our
customers
|
|
None stated
|
|
Credit agreement default
|
|
Subrogation against borrower
|
|
Some or all assets of borrower are
held as collateral but might not be sufficient to cover
guarantee exposure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
53,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
The maximum exposure on any given date is equal to the actual
guarantees extended as of that date. |
We previously restated our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended February 28, 2006, in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006, to correct an error in
the classification of our cash flows received from our interest
in joint ventures. We determined that a portion of the cash
flows from our joint ventures should have been considered a
return on our investment and classified as an operating activity
as distributions from equity investments, instead of as an
investing activity.
The restatement did not have an impact on our Consolidated
Statement of Operations, Consolidated Statement of
Shareholders Equities and Comprehensive Income, or total
change in cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended February 28,
2006. In addition, it did not have any impact on our
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 28, 2006.
17
CHS INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Summarized results of the previously reported and restated
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended
February 28, 2006 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
February 28,
|
|
|
|
as
|
|
|
as
|
|
|
|
reported
|
|
|
restated
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from equity
investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
38,673
|
|
Net cash provided by operating
activities
|
|
$
|
27,175
|
|
|
|
65,848
|
|
Cash flows from investing
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity investments redeemed
|
|
|
40,846
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments redeemed
|
|
|
3,218
|
|
|
|
5,391
|
|
Net cash used in investing
activities
|
|
|
(51,615
|
)
|
|
|
(90,288
|
)
|
Net cash used in financing
activities
|
|
|
(136,835
|
)
|
|
|
(136,835
|
)
|
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
|
(161,275
|
)
|
|
|
(161,275
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
|
|
|
241,018
|
|
|
|
241,018
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period
|
|
|
79,743
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79,743
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Item 2.
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Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended February 28, 2007, includes
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to
CHS. In addition, CHS and its representatives and agents may
from time to time make other written or oral forward-looking
statements, including statements contained in its filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and its reports to its
members and securityholders. Words and phrases such as
will likely result, are expected to,
is anticipated, estimate,
project and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. We wish to caution readers not to
place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date made.
Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements. This Cautionary Statement is for the purpose of
qualifying for the safe harbor provisions of the Act
and is intended to be a readily available written document that
contains factors which could cause results to differ materially
from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The
following matters, among others, may have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results
of operations or prospects, financial or otherwise. Reference to
this Cautionary Statement in the context of a forward-looking
statement shall be deemed to be a statement that any one or more
of the following factors may cause actual results to differ
materially from those which might be projected, forecasted,
estimated or budgeted by us in the forward-looking statement or
statements.
The following factors are in addition to any other cautionary
statements, written or oral, which may be made or referred to in
connection with any particular forward-looking statement. The
following review should not be construed as exhaustive.
We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
Our revenues and operating results could be adversely
affected by changes in commodity prices. Our
revenues and earnings are affected by market prices for
commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, grain, oilseeds,
flour, and crude and refined vegetable oil. Commodity prices
generally are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our
control, including weather, disease, insect damage, drought, the
availability and adequacy of supply, government regulation and
policies, and general political and economic conditions. We are
also exposed to fluctuating commodity prices as the result of
our inventories of commodities, typically grain and petroleum
products, and purchase and sale contracts at fixed or partially
fixed prices. At any time, our inventory levels and unfulfilled
fixed or partially fixed price contract obligations may be
substantial. Increases in market prices for commodities that we
purchase without a corresponding increase in the prices of our
products or our sales volume or a decrease in our other
operating expenses could reduce our revenues and net income.
In our energy operations, profitability depends largely on the
margin between the cost of crude oil that we refine and the
selling prices that we obtain for our refined products. Although
the prices for crude oil reached historical highs during 2006,
the prices for both crude oil and for gasoline, diesel fuel and
other refined petroleum products fluctuate widely. Factors
influencing these prices, many of which are beyond our control,
include:
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levels of worldwide and domestic supplies;
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capacities of domestic and foreign refineries;
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the ability of the members of OPEC to agree to and maintain oil
price and production controls, and the price and level of
foreign imports;
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disruption in supply;
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political instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions;
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the level of consumer demand;
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the price and availability of alternative fuels;
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the availability of pipeline capacity; and
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domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes.
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The long-term effects of these and other conditions on the
prices of crude oil and refined petroleum products are uncertain
and ever-changing. Increases in crude oil prices without a
corresponding increase in the prices of our refined petroleum
products could reduce our net income. Accordingly, we expect our
margins on and the profitability of our energy business to
fluctuate, possibly significantly, over time.
Our operating results could be adversely affected if our
members were to do business with others rather than with
us. We do not have an exclusive relationship
with our members and our members are not obligated to supply us
with their products or purchase products from us. Our members
often have a variety of distribution outlets and product sources
available to them. If our members were to sell their products to
other purchasers or purchase products from other sellers, our
revenues would decline and our results of operations could be
adversely affected.
We participate in highly competitive business markets in
which we may not be able to continue to compete
successfully. We operate in several highly
competitive business segments and our competitors may succeed in
developing new or enhanced products that are better than ours,
and may be more successful in marketing and selling their
products than we are with ours. Competitive factors include
price, service level, proximity to markets, product quality and
marketing. In some of our business segments, such as Energy, we
compete with companies that are larger, better known and have
greater marketing, financial, personnel and other resources. As
a result, we may not be able to continue to compete successfully
with our competitors.
Changes in federal income tax laws or in our tax status
could increase our tax liability and reduce our net
income. Current federal income tax laws,
regulations and interpretations regarding the taxation of
cooperatives, which allow us to exclude income generated through
business with or for a member (patronage income) from our
taxable income, could be changed. If this occurred, or if in the
future we were not eligible to be taxed as a cooperative, our
tax liability would significantly increase and our net income
significantly decrease.
We incur significant costs in complying with applicable
laws and regulations. any failure to make the capital
investments necessary to comply with these laws and regulations
could expose us to financial liability. We
are subject to numerous federal, state and local provisions
regulating our business and operations and we incur and expect
to incur significant capital and operating expenses to comply
with these laws and regulations. We may be unable to pass on
those expenses to customers without experiencing volume and
margin losses. For example, capital expenditures for upgrading
our refineries, largely to comply with regulations requiring the
reduction of sulfur levels in refined petroleum products, were
completed in fiscal year 2006. We incurred capital expenditures
from fiscal year 2003 through 2006 related to these upgrades of
$88.1 million for our Laurel, Montana refinery and
$328.7 million for the National Cooperative Refinery
Associations (NCRA) McPherson, Kansas refinery.
We establish reserves for the future cost of meeting known
compliance obligations, such as remediation of identified
environmental issues. However, these reserves may prove
inadequate to meet our actual liability. Moreover, amended, new
or more stringent requirements, stricter interpretations of
existing requirements or the future discovery of currently
unknown compliance issues may require us to make material
expenditures or subject us to liabilities that we currently do
not anticipate. Furthermore, our failure to comply with
applicable laws and regulations could subject us to
administrative penalties and injunctive relief, civil remedies
including fines and injunctions, and recalls of our products.
Environmental liabilities could adversely affect our
results and financial condition. Many of our
current and former facilities have been in operation for many
years and, over that time, we and other operators of those
facilities have generated, used, stored and disposed of
substances or wastes that are or might be considered hazardous
under applicable environmental laws, including chemicals and
fuels stored in
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underground and above-ground tanks. Any past or future actions
in violation of applicable environmental laws could subject us
to administrative penalties, fines and injunctions. Moreover,
future or unknown past releases of hazardous substances could
subject us to private lawsuits claiming damages and to adverse
publicity. Liabilities, including legal costs, related to
remediation of contaminated properties are not recognized until
the related costs are considered probable and can be reasonably
estimated.
Actual or perceived quality, safety or health risks
associated with our products could subject us to liability and
damage our business and reputation. If any of
our food or feed products became adulterated or misbranded, we
would need to recall those items and could experience product
liability claims if consumers were injured as a result. A
widespread product recall or a significant product liability
judgment could cause our products to be unavailable for a period
of time or a loss of consumer confidence in our products. Even
if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully
pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that
our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our
reputation with existing and potential customers and our
corporate and brand image. Moreover, claims or liabilities of
this sort might not be covered by our insurance or by any rights
of indemnity or contribution that we may have against others. In
addition, general public perceptions regarding the quality,
safety or health risks associated with particular food or feed
products, such as concerns regarding genetically modified crops,
could reduce demand and prices for some of the products
associated with our businesses. To the extent that consumer
preferences evolve away from products that our members or we
produce for health or other reasons, such as the growing demand
for organic food products, and we are unable to develop products
that satisfy new consumer preferences, there will be a decreased
demand for our products.
Our operations are subject to business interruptions and
casualty losses; we do not insure against all potential losses
and could be seriously harmed by unexpected
liabilities. Our operations are subject to
business interruptions due to unanticipated events such as
explosions, fires, pipeline interruptions, transportation
delays, equipment failures, crude oil or refined product spills,
inclement weather and labor disputes. For example:
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our oil refineries and other facilities are potential targets
for terrorist attacks that could halt or discontinue production;
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our inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with unionized
workers in our operations could result in strikes or work
stoppages;
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the significant inventories that we carry or the facilities we
own could be damaged or destroyed by catastrophic events,
extreme weather conditions or contamination; and
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an occurrence of a pandemic flu or other disease affecting a
substantial part of our workforce or our customers could cause
an interruption in our business operations, the affects of which
could be significant.
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We maintain insurance against many, but not all potential losses
or liabilities arising from these operating hazards, but
uninsured losses or losses above our coverage limits are
possible. Uninsured losses and liabilities arising from
operating hazards could have a material adverse effect on our
financial position or results of operations.
Our cooperative structure limits our ability to access
equity capital. As a cooperative, we may not
sell common equity in our company. In addition, existing laws
and our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain limitations
on dividends of 8% of any preferred stock that we may issue.
These limitations restrict our ability to raise equity capital
and may adversely affect our ability to compete with enterprises
that do not face similar restrictions.
Consolidation among the producers of products we purchase
and customers for products we sell could adversely affect our
revenues and operating results. Consolidation
has occurred among the producers of products we purchase,
including crude oil and grain, and it is likely to continue in
the future. Consolidation could increase the price of these
products and allow suppliers to negotiate pricing and other
contract terms that are less favorable to us. Consolidation also
may increase the competition among consumers of these
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products to enter into supply relationships with a smaller
number of producers resulting in potentially higher prices for
the products we purchase.
Consolidation among purchasers of our products and in wholesale
and retail distribution channels has resulted in a smaller
customer base for our products and intensified the competition
for these customers. For example, ongoing consolidation among
distributors and brokers of food products and food retailers has
altered the buying patterns of these businesses, as they have
increasingly elected to work with product suppliers who can meet
their needs nationwide rather than just regionally or locally.
If these distributors, brokers and retailers elect not to
purchase our products, our sales volumes, revenues and
profitability could be significantly reduced.
If our customers chose alternatives to our refined
petroleum products our revenues and profits may
decline. Numerous alternative energy sources
currently under development could serve as alternatives to our
gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products. If
any of these alternative products become more economically
viable or preferable to our products for environmental or other
reasons, demand for our energy products would decline. Demand
for our gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum
products also could be adversely affected by increased fuel
efficiencies.
Operating results from our agronomy business could be
volatile and are dependent upon certain factors outside of our
control. Planted acreage, and consequently
the volume of fertilizer and crop protection products applied,
is partially dependent upon government programs and the
perception held by the producer of demand for production.
Weather conditions during the spring planting season and early
summer spraying season also affect agronomy product volumes and
profitability.
Technological improvements in agriculture could decrease
the demand for our agronomy and energy
products. Technological advances in
agriculture could decrease the demand for crop nutrients, energy
and other crop input products and services that we provide.
Genetically engineered seeds that resist disease and insects, or
that meet certain nutritional requirements, could affect the
demand for our crop nutrients and crop protection products.
Demand for fuel that we sell could decline as technology allows
for more efficient usage of equipment.
We operate some of our business through joint ventures in
which our rights to control business decisions are
limited. Several parts of our business,
including in particular, our agronomy operations and portions of
our grain marketing, wheat milling, foods and renewable fuels
operations, are operated through joint ventures with third
parties. By operating a business through a joint venture, we
have less control over business decisions than we have in our
wholly-owned or majority-owned businesses. In particular, we
generally cannot act on major business initiatives in our joint
ventures without the consent of the other party or parties in
those ventures.
General
The following discussions of financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
interim financial statements and notes to such statements and
the cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
found at the beginning of Part I, Item 1, of this
Form 10-Q,
as well as our consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto for the year ended August 31, 2006, included in our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This
discussion contains forward-looking statements based on current
expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections of
management. Actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of
certain factors, as more fully described in the cautionary
statement and elsewhere in this
Form 10-Q.
CHS Inc. (CHS, we or us) is a diversified company, which
provides grain, foods and energy resources to businesses and
consumers on a global basis. As a cooperative, we are owned by
farmers, ranchers and their local cooperatives from the Great
Lakes to the Pacific Northwest and from the Canadian border to
Texas. We also have preferred stockholders that own shares of
our 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
We provide a full range of production agricultural inputs such
as refined fuels, propane, farm supplies, animal nutrition and
agronomy products, as well as services, which include hedging,
financing and insurance
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services. We own and operate petroleum refineries and pipelines
and market and distribute refined fuels and other energy
products under the
Cenex®
brand through a network of member cooperatives and independents.
We purchase grains and oilseeds directly and indirectly from
agricultural producers primarily in the Midwestern and Western
United States. These grains and oilseeds are either sold to
domestic and international customers, or further processed into
a variety of grain-based food products.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
CHS and all of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries
and limited liability companies, including National Cooperative
Refinery Association (NCRA), included in our Energy segment.
During 2006, our Energy segment investment in Provista Renewable
Fuels Marketing, LLC (Provista) resulted in financial statement
consolidation. The effects of all significant intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.
We operate three business segments: Energy, Ag Business and
Processing. Together, our three business segments create
vertical integration to link producers with consumers. Corporate
and Other primarily represents our business solutions
operations, which consists of commodities hedging, insurance and
financial services related to crop production. Our Energy
segment produces and provides for the wholesale distribution of
petroleum products and transports those products. Our Ag
Business segment purchases and resells grains and oilseeds
originated by our country operations business, by our member
cooperatives and by third parties, and also serves as wholesaler
and retailer of crop inputs. Our Processing segment converts
grains and oilseeds into value-added products.
Corporate administrative expenses are allocated to all three
business segments, and Corporate and Other, based on either
direct usage for services that can be tracked, such as
information technology and legal, and other factors or
considerations relevant to the costs incurred.
Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and
operating results will vary throughout the year. Overall, our
income is generally lowest during the second fiscal quarter and
highest during the third fiscal quarter. Our business segments
are subject to varying seasonal fluctuations. For example, in
our Ag Business segment, our agronomy and country operations
businesses generally experience higher volumes and income during
the spring planting season and in the fall, which corresponds to
harvest. Also in our Ag Business segment, our grain marketing
operations are subject to fluctuations in volume and earnings
based on producer harvests, world grain prices and demand. Our
Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and
profitability in certain operating areas, such as refined
products, in the summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel
fuel usage is highest and is subject to global supply and demand
forces. Other energy products, such as propane, may experience
higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and
crop drying seasons.
Our revenue can be significantly affected by global market
prices for commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas,
grains, oilseeds and flour. Changes in market prices for
commodities that we purchase without a corresponding change in
the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and
operating earnings. Commodity prices are affected by a wide
range of factors beyond our control, including the weather, crop
damage due to disease or insects, drought, the availability and
adequacy of supply, government regulations and policies, world
events, and general political and economic conditions.
While our revenues and operating results are derived from
businesses and operations which are wholly-owned and
majority-owned, a portion of our business operations are
conducted through companies in which we hold ownership interests
of 50% or less and do not control the operations. We account for
these investments primarily using the equity method of
accounting, wherein we record our proportionate share of income
or loss reported by the entity as equity income from
investments, without consolidating the revenues and expenses of
the entity in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These
investments principally include our 50% ownership in each of the
following companies: Agriliance LLC (Agriliance), TEMCO, LLC
(TEMCO) and United Harvest, LLC (United Harvest) included in our
Ag Business segment; Ventura Foods, LLC (Ventura Foods), our 24%
ownership in Horizon Milling, LLC (Horizon Milling), and an
approximate 21% ownership in US BioEnergy Corporation (US
BioEnergy) included in our Processing segment; and our 49%
ownership in Cofina Financial, LLC (Cofina) included in
Corporate and Other.
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Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods
amounts to conform to current period classifications. These
reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net
income, equities or total cash flows.
We previously restated our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended February 28, 2006, in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006, to correct an error in
the classification of our cash flows received from our interest
in joint ventures. We determined that a portion of the cash
flows from our joint ventures should have been considered a
return on our investment and classified as an operating activity
as distributions from equity investments, instead of as an
investing activity. The restatement did not have an impact on
our Consolidated Statement of Operations, Consolidated Statement
of Shareholders Equities and Comprehensive Income, or
total change in cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended
February 28, 2006. In addition, it did not have any impact
on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 28, 2006.
Results
of Operations
Comparison
of the three months ended February 28, 2007 and
2006
General. We recorded income from continuing
operations before income taxes of $87.4 million during the
three months ended February 28, 2007 compared to
$44.5 million during the three months ended
February 28, 2006, an increase of $42.9 million (96%).
These results reflected increased pretax earnings in all of our
business segments, and Corporate and Other.
Our Energy segment generated income from continuing operations
before income taxes of $47.0 million for the three months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to $34.8 million in
the three months ended February 28, 2006. This increase in
earnings of $12.2 million (35%) is primarily from improved
margins on propane and refined fuels, which resulted mainly from
changes in the refining capacity and global demand. Earnings in
our transportation, renewable fuels marketing, and petroleum
equipment businesses also improved during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 when compared to the same three-month
period of the previous year. These improvements were partially
offset by decreased earnings in our lubricants operations.
Our Ag Business segment generated income from continuing
operations before income taxes of $2.7 million for the
three months ended February 28, 2007 compared to
$0.8 million in the three months ended February 28,
2006, an increase in earnings of $1.9 million. Strong
domestic grain movement, much of it driven by increased US
ethanol production, contributed to improved performance by both
grain marketing and country operations businesses. Our grain
marketing operations improved earnings by $5.3 million
during the three months ended February 28, 2007 compared
with the same period in 2006, primarily from increased grain
volumes and improved margins on those grains. Volatility in the
grain markets creates opportunities for increased grain margins,
and additionally during the current year, increased interest in
renewable fuels, and changes in transportation costs shifted
marketing patterns and dynamics for our grain marketing
business. Our country operations earnings increased
$2.0 million, primarily as a result of overall improved
product margins, including historically high margins on
agronomy, grain, energy and sunflower transactions. Market
expansion into Oklahoma and Kansas also increased country
operations volumes.
These improvements in our grain marketing, country operations,
and some of our agronomy businesses, were partially offset by
reduced earnings mostly generated by Agriliance, an agronomy
joint venture in which we hold a 50% interest. Those results,
net of allocated internal expenses, reflected decreased earnings
of $5.4 million, primarily because of reduced wholesale
crop protection primarily due to reduced rebates from chemical
companies. Volatility in margins resulted from
weather-interrupted supply patterns during the fall of 2005 and
resulting price fluctuations dramatically reduced crop nutrient
use and sales during 2006. High natural gas prices, increasing
international demand for nitrogen, and hurricane damage to
warehouse facilities and the resulting transportation grid, led
to price increases early in our fiscal 2006. Coupled with high
energy costs and lower grain prices in early plant planning of
2006, many crop producers elected to scale back nutrient
applications for the 2006 growing year. As a result, larger
remaining inventories later in the year drove significant
decline in the realizable value of inventories and reduced
earnings. The reduced margins
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were partially offset by a 10% net increase in the Agriliance
crop nutrient volumes for the three months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006.
Our Processing segment generated income from continuing
operations before income taxes of $32.2 million for the
three months ended February 28, 2007 compared to
$7.4 million in the three months ended February 28,
2006, an increase in earnings of $24.8 million. Our share
of earnings from Ventura Foods, our packaged foods joint
venture, net of allocated internal expenses, increased
$3.6 million during the three months ended
February 28, 2007, compared to the same period in the prior
year, primarily from reduced expenses and improved product
margins. Our share of earnings from our wheat milling joint
ventures reported improved net earnings of $1.4 million for
the three months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the
same period in the prior year. Our share of pretax earnings or
losses, net of allocated internal expenses, related to US
BioEnergy, an ethanol manufacturing company in which we hold a
minority ownership interest, improved $3.8 million for the
three months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the same
period in the prior year. In August 2006, US BioEnergy filed a
registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to register shares of common stock for sale in an
initial public offering (IPO), and in December 2006, the IPO was
completed. The affect of the issuance of additional shares of US
BioEnergy was to dilute our ownership interest down from
approximately 25% to 21%. Due to US BioEnergys increase in
equity, we recognized a non-cash net gain of $11.4 million
on our investment to reflect our proportionate share of the
increase in the underlying equity of US BioEnergy. Oilseed
processing earnings increased $4.6 million during the three
months ended February 28, 2007 as compared to the same
period in the prior year. This was the result of increased
crushing and oilseed refining volumes and improved margins.
Corporate and Other generated income from continuing operations
before income taxes of $5.5 million for the three months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to $1.5 million in
the three months ended February 28, 2006, an increase in
earnings of $4.0 million. All of this improvement is
attributable to our business solutions operations where
insurance, financing and hedging services all recorded increases
in earnings and volume compared to the same period of a year ago.
Net Income. Consolidated net income for the
three months ended February 28, 2007 was $82.3 million
compared to $40.1 million for the three months ended
February 28, 2006, which represents a $42.2 million
(105%) increase.
Revenues. Consolidated revenues of
$3.7 billion for the three months ended February 28,
2007 compared to $3.2 billion for the three months ended
February 28, 2006, which represents a $578.0 million
(18%) increase.
Total revenues include other revenues generated primarily within
our Ag Business segment and Corporate and Other. Our Ag Business
segments country operations elevators and agri-service
centers derive other revenues from activities related to
production agriculture, which include grain storage, grain
cleaning, fertilizer spreading, crop protection spraying and
other services of this nature, and our grain marketing
operations receives other revenues at our export terminals from
activities related to loading vessels. Corporate and Other
derives revenues primarily from our hedging and insurance
operations.
Our Energy segment revenues, after elimination of intersegment
revenues, of $1.7 billion increased by $114.2 million
(7%) during the three months ended February 28, 2007
compared to the three months ended February 28, 2006.
During the three months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
our Energy segment recorded revenues from our Ag Business
segment of $48.4 million and $48.1 million,
respectively. The net increase in revenues of
$114.2 million is comprised of a net increase of
$37.0 million related to price appreciation on refined
fuels and propane products and a $77.2 million net increase
in sales volume. The net change in revenues includes
$200.4 million from our ethanol marketing venture, which we
acquired in April of fiscal 2006. Refined fuels revenues
decreased $17.7 million (2%), of which $38.3 million
was attributable to decreased volumes, partially offset by
$20.6 million related to a net average selling price
increase, compared to the same period in the previous year. The
sales price of refined fuels increased $0.04 per gallon
(2%) and volumes decreased 4% when comparing the three months
ended February 28, 2007 with the same period a year ago.
Decreases in crude oil prices during the second quarter of this
fiscal year compared to the same three-month period last fiscal
year were primarily attributable to the effects of the
hurricanes in the United
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States during the fall of 2005 and anticipated major maintenance
on domestic refineries. In the fall of 2005, hurricanes at the
gulf coast of the US disrupted refining capacity which, along
with strong demand, contributed to the increases in refined
fuels selling prices during fiscal 2006. Propane revenues
decreased by $56.6 million (17%), of which
$78.8 million was related to a decrease in volumes,
partially offset by $22.2 million related to a net average
selling price increase when compared to the same period in the
previous year. Propane sales volume decreased 22% in comparison
to the same period of the prior year, while the average selling
price increased $0.07 per gallon (7%). Propane prices tend
to follow the prices of crude oil and natural gas, both of which
decreased during the three months ended February 28, 2007
compared to the same period in 2006 and are also affected by
changes in propane demand and domestic inventory levels. The
decrease in propane volumes primarily reflects a loss of
exclusive propane marketing rights at our former suppliers
proprietary terminals.
Our Ag Business segment revenues, after elimination of
intersegment revenues of $1.9 billion, increased
$434.8 million (30%) during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006. Grain revenues in our Ag Business
segment totaled $1,663.0 million and $1,261.5 million
during the three months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. Of the grain revenues increase of
$401.5 million (32%), $258.9 million is due to
increased average grain selling prices, and $142.6 million
is attributable to increased volumes during the three months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to the same period last
fiscal year. The average sales price of all grain and oilseed
commodities sold reflected an increase of $0.89 per bushel
(21%). The 2006 fall harvest produced good yields throughout
most of the United States, with the quality of most grains rated
as excellent or good. Despite the good harvest, prices for
nearly all grain commodity prices increased because of strong
demand, particularly for corn which is used as the feedstock for
most ethanol plants as well as for livestock feed. The average
month-end market price per bushel of corn, soybeans and spring
wheat increased approximately $1.86, $1.33 and $1.04,
respectively, when compared to the prices of those same grains
for the three months ended February 28, 2006. Volumes
increased 9% during the three months ended February 28,
2007 compared with the same period of a year ago. Corn, barley
and soybeans reflect the largest volume increases compared to
the three months ended February 28, 2006. Our Ag Business
segment non-grain product revenues of $196.2 million
increased by $35.2 million (22%) during the three months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006, primarily the result of increased
revenues of energy, crop nutrient, feed and seed products, and
processed sunflower. Other revenues within our Ag Business
segment of $23.8 million during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 decreased $2.0 million (8%) compared
to the three months ended February 28, 2006.
Our Processing segment revenues, after elimination of
intersegment revenues, of $177.8 million increased
$28.9 million (19%) during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006. Because our wheat milling, renewable
fuels and packaged foods operations are operated through
non-consolidated joint ventures, revenues reported in our
Processing segment are entirely from our oilseed processing
operations. Processed soybean volumes increased 10%, accounting
for an increase in revenues of $8.6 million, and a higher
average sales price of processed oilseed and other revenues
increased total processed revenues for this segment by
$7.0 million. Oilseed refining revenues increased
$12.2 million (19%), of which $8.4 million was due to
higher average sales price and $3.8 million was due to a
net increase in sales volume. The average selling price of
processed oilseed increased $14 per ton and the average
selling price of refined oilseed products increased slightly
compared to the same period of the previous year. These changes
in the average selling price of products are primarily driven by
the higher price of soybeans.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold of
$3.6 billion increased $546.7 million (18%) during the
three months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the three
months ended February 28, 2006.
Our Energy segment cost of goods sold, after elimination of
intersegment costs, of $1.6 billion increased by
$96.6 million (6%) during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period of the prior
year. The net change in cost includes $198.6 million from
our ethanol marketing venture, which we acquired in April of
fiscal 2006. The remaining change in cost of goods sold is
primarily due to decreased volumes of refined fuels and propane
products, partially offset by slightly increased per unit costs
on those products. On a more product-specific basis, volumes
decreased 4%, partially offset by the average cost of refined
fuels, which increased $0.06 (3%) per gallon, compared to the
three months ended February 28, 2006.
26
We process approximately 55,000 barrels of crude oil per
day at our Laurel, Montana refinery and 80,000 barrels of
crude oil per day at NCRAs McPherson, Kansas refinery. The
average cost increase is primarily related to higher average
prices on the refined products that we purchased for resale and
includes comparable input costs at our two crude oil refineries
compared to the three months ended February 28, 2006. The
average per unit cost of crude oil purchased for the two
refineries decreased slightly compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006. Propane volumes decreased 22%, and the
average cost of propane increased $0.05 (5%) compared to the
three months ended February 28, 2006.
Our Ag Business segment cost of goods sold, after elimination of
intersegment costs, of $1.8 billion increased
$426.5 million (30%) during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period of the prior
year. Grain cost of goods sold in our Ag Business segment
totaled $1,636.4 million and $1,244.9 million during
the three months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The cost of grains and oilseed procured through
our Ag Business segment increased $391.5 million (31%)
compared to the three months ended February 28, 2006. This
is the result of an increase of $0.86 (20%) average cost per
bushel along with a 9% net increase in bushels sold as compared
to the prior year. Corn, barley and soybeans reflected the
largest volume increases compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006. Commodity prices on corn, soybeans and
spring wheat have increased compared to the prices that were
prevalent during the same three-month period in 2006. Our Ag
Business segment cost of goods sold, excluding the cost of
grains procured through this segment, increased during the three
months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the three months
ended February 28, 2006, primarily due to higher volumes in
energy, crop nutrient, feed and seed products, processed
sunflower, and crop protection products. The volume increases
also resulted from acquisitions made during fiscal years 2006
and 2007.
Our Processing segment cost of goods sold, after elimination of
intersegment costs of $165.5 million, increased
$24.1 million (17%) compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006, which was primarily due to increased
basis costs of soybeans in addition to volume increases in
crushing and refining.
Marketing, General and
Administrative. Marketing, general and
administrative expenses of $58.6 million for the three
months ended February 28, 2007 increased by
$2.1 million (4%) compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006. The net increase of $2.1 million is
primarily due to increased performance-based incentive plan
expense, in addition to other employee benefits and general
inflation, partially offset by a $1.7 million net increase
in gains on disposal of fixed assets.
Gain on Investments. In August 2006, US
BioEnergy filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission to register shares of common stock for sale
in an initial public offering (IPO), and in December 2006, the
IPO was completed. The affect of the issuance of additional
shares of US BioEnergy was to dilute our ownership interest down
from approximately 25% to 21%. Due to US BioEnergys
increase in equity, we recognized a non-cash net gain of
$11.4 million on our investment to reflect our
proportionate share of the increase in the underlying equity of
US BioEnergy. This gain is reflected in our Processing segment.
Interest, net. Net interest of
$9.0 million for the three months ended February 28,
2007 decreased $0.4 million (4%) compared to the three
months ended February 28, 2006. Interest expense for the
three months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was
$12.8 million and $13.5 million, respectively.
Interest income, generated primarily from marketable securities,
was $3.8 million and $4.1 million for the three months
ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The
interest expense decrease of $0.7 million (5%) includes an
increase in capitalized interest of $1.5 million, partially
offset by an increase in short-term borrowings primarily created
by higher working capital needs and an increase in the average
short-term interest rate. For the three months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized interest of
$2.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related
to capitalized construction projects. The increase in
capitalized interest relates to the financing interest on our
coker project, partially offset by the final stages of the
ultra-low sulfur upgrades at our energy refineries during fiscal
2006. The average level of short-term borrowings increased
$318.4 million during the three months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the three months ended
February 28, 2006, and the average short-term interest rate
increased 0.76%. The interest income decrease of
$0.3 million (6%) was related to a decrease in interest
income from short term investments.
27
Equity Income from Investments. Equity income
from investments of $12.3 million for the three months
ended February 28, 2007 increased $7.1 million (138%)
compared to the three months ended February 28, 2006. We
record equity income or loss from the investments in which we
have an ownership interest of 50% or less and have significant
influence, but not control, for our proportionate share of
income or loss reported by the entity, without consolidating the
revenues and expenses of the entity in our Consolidated
Statements of Operations. The net increase in equity income from
investments was attributable to improved earnings from
investments within our Processing segment and Corporate and
Other of $10.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
These improvements from our equity investments were partially
offset by reduced earnings in our Ag Business and Energy
segments of $3.2 million and $17 thousand, respectively.
Our Ag Business segment generated reduced earnings of
$3.2 million from equity investments. Our share of equity
investment earnings or losses in Agriliance decreased earnings
by $5.2 million and primarily relates to reduced crop
protection product margins, primarily related to reduced
rebates. The Agriliance retail operations margin and crop
nutrient volumes showed slight improvements over the three
months ended February 28, 2006. Crop nutrient volumes,
which consist primarily of fertilizers and micronutrients, were
up 10% over last year. Our investment in a Canadian agronomy
joint venture contributed slightly reduced earnings of
$0.2 million. During our first fiscal quarter of 2007, we
invested $22.2 million for an equity position in a
Brazil-based grain handling and merchandising company,
Multigrain S.A., which is owned jointly (50/50) with Multigrain
Comercia, an agricultural commodities business headquartered in
Sao Paulo, Brazil. We recorded a loss of $0.6 million
during the six months ended February 28, 2007 for this
equity investment. Our wheat exporting investment in United
Harvest contributed improved earnings of $0.7 million, and
our equity income from our investment in TEMCO, a joint venture
which exports primarily corn and soybeans, also recorded
improved earnings of $2.0 million. Our country operations
reported an aggregate increase in equity investment earnings of
$0.1 million for several small equity investments.
Our Processing segment generated improved earnings of
$10.1 million from equity investments. Ventura Foods, our
vegetable oil-based products and packaged foods joint venture,
recorded improved earnings of $3.3 million, and Horizon
Milling, our domestic and Canadian wheat milling joint ventures,
also recorded improved earnings of $1.5 million compared to
the same period in the previous year. During fiscal years 2006
and 2007, we invested $105.0 million in US BioEnergy, an
ethanol manufacturing company, and recorded improved earnings of
$5.3 million, for our three months ended February 28,
2007 as compared to the same period in 2006, primarily from
operating margins. A shifting demand balance for soybeans for
both food and renewable fuels meant addressing supply and price
challenges for both CHS and our joint venture with Ventura
Foods. Ventura Foods recorded reduced expenses compared to 2006,
primarily from lower marketing and interest expenses. In
addition, Ventura Food experienced appreciated values on raw
material inventory and contracts. Horizon Millings results
are primarily affected by US dietary habits. Although the
preference for a low carbohydrate diet appears to have reached
the bottom of its cycle, milling capacity, which had been idled
over the past few years because of lack of demand for flour
products, can easily be put back into production as consumption
of flour products increases, which will continue to depress
gross margins in the milling industry.
Our Energy segment generated decreased equity investment
earnings of $17 thousand related to slightly lower margins in an
equity investment held by NCRA, and Corporate and Other
generated improved earnings of $0.2 million from equity
investment earnings, primarily from Cofina, our financial
services equity investment, partially offset by reduced earnings
from an insurance equity investment as compared to the three
months ended February 28, 2006.
Minority Interests. Minority interests of
$14.5 million for the three months ended February 28,
2007 increased by $5.3 million (57%) compared to the three
months ended February 28, 2006. This net increase was a
result of more profitable operations within our majority-owned
subsidiaries compared to the same three-month period in the
prior year. Substantially all minority interests relate to NCRA,
an approximately 74.5% owned subsidiary, which we consolidate in
our Energy segment.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense, excluding
discontinued operations, of $5.1 million for the three
months ended February 28, 2007 compares with
$4.2 million for the three months ended February 28,
2006,
28
resulting in effective tax rates of 5.8% and 9.5%, respectively.
The federal and state statutory rate applied to nonpatronage
business activity was 38.9% for the three-month periods ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006. The income taxes and effective
tax rate vary each year based upon profitability and
nonpatronage business activity during each of the comparable
years.
Discontinued Operations. During fiscal 2005,
we reclassified our Mexican foods operations, previously
reported in Corporate and Other, along with gains and losses
recognized on sales of assets, and impairments on assets for
sale, as discontinued operations that were sold or have met
required criteria for such classification. In our Consolidated
Statements of Operations, all of our Mexican foods operations
have been accounted for as discontinued operations. The loss
recorded for the three months ended February 28, 2006 was
$0.2 million ($0.1 million in losses, net of taxes),
primarily the result of the sale of our remaining assets.
Comparison
of the six months ended February 28, 2007 and
2006
General. We recorded income from continuing
operations before income taxes of $240.8 million during the
six months ended February 28, 2007 compared to
$219.0 million during the six months ended
February 28, 2006, an increase of $21.8 million (10%).
These results reflected increased pretax earnings in our
Processing and Ag Business segments, and Corporate and Other,
partially offset by decreased earnings in our Energy segment.
Our Energy segment generated income from continuing operations
before income taxes of $158.4 million for the six months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to $180.8 million in
the six months ended February 28, 2006. This decrease in
earnings of $22.4 million (12%) is primarily attributable
to lower margins on refined fuels, which resulted mainly from
changes in the refining capacity and global demand. With
hurricane damage to gulf-coast refineries at the start of fiscal
year 2006, the energy industry faced supply restrictions and
distribution disruptions. This situation created wide margins
for inland refineries not affected by the hurricanes during the
fall of 2005. Earnings in our propane, transportation, renewable
fuels marketing and petroleum equipment businesses improved
during the six months ended February 28, 2007 when compared
to the same six-month period of the previous year. These
improvements were partially offset by decreased earnings in our
lubricants operations.
Our Ag Business segment generated income from continuing
operations before income taxes of $30.8 million for the six
months ended February 28, 2007 compared to
$17.5 million in the six months ended February 28,
2006, an increase in earnings of $13.3 million (76%).
Strong domestic grain movement, much of it driven by increased
US ethanol production, contributed to improved performance by
both grain marketing and country operations businesses. Our
country operations earnings increased $11.1 million,
primarily as a result of overall improved product margins,
including historically high margins on energy, processed
sunflower, agronomy and grain transactions. Market expansion
into Oklahoma and Kansas also increased country operations
volumes. Our grain marketing operations improved earnings by
$9.6 million during the six months ended February 28,
2007 compared with the same period in 2006, primarily from
increased grain volumes and improved margins on those grains.
Volatility in the grain markets creates opportunities for
increased grain margins, and additionally during the current
year, increased interest in renewable fuels, and changes in
transportation costs shifted marketing patterns and dynamics for
our grain marketing business.
Additionally, in our first fiscal quarter of 2007, we sold
approximately 25% of our investment in CF Industries
Holdings, Inc. (CF), a domestic fertilizer manufacturer in which
we hold a minority interest, and we received cash of
$10.9 million and recorded a gain of $5.3 million.
These improvements in earnings in our country operations, grain
marketing, partial sale of CF, and some of our agronomy
businesses, were partially offset by reduced earnings generated
by Agriliance, an agronomy joint venture in which we hold a 50%
interest. Those results, net of allocated internal expenses,
reflected decreased earnings of $12.7 million, primarily
because of reduced wholesale crop nutrient and crop protection
product margins and reduced retail earnings. Weather-interrupted
supply patterns and resulting price fluctuations dramatically
reduced crop nutrient use and sales during 2006. High natural
gas prices, increasing international demand for nitrogen, and
hurricane damage to warehouse facilities and the resulting
transportation grid, led to price increases early in fiscal
2006. Coupled with high energy costs and lower grain prices in
early plant planning of 2006 many crop
29
producers elected to scale back nutrient applications for the
2006 growing year. As a result, larger remaining inventories
later in the year drove significant decline in the realizable
value of inventories and reduced earnings.
Our Processing segment generated income from continuing
operations before income taxes of $42.8 million for the six
months ended February 28, 2007 compared to
$17.2 million in the six months ended February 28,
2006, an increase in earnings of $25.6 million (148%). In
August 2006, US BioEnergy filed a registration statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission to register shares of
common stock for sale in an initial public offering (IPO), and
in December 2006, the IPO was completed. The affect of the
issuance of additional shares of US BioEnergy was to dilute our
ownership interest down from approximately 25% to 21%. Due to US
BioEnergys increase in equity, we recognized a non-cash
net gain of $11.4 million on our investment to reflect our
proportionate share of the increase in the underlying equity of
US BioEnergy. Our share of earnings from Ventura Foods, our
packaged foods joint venture, net of allocated internal
expenses, increased by $6.3 million during the six months
ended February 28, 2007, compared to the same period in the
prior year, primarily from reduced expenses and improved product
margins. Our share of earnings from our wheat milling joint
ventures, net of allocated internal expenses, reported improved
earnings of $1.5 million for the six months ended
February 28, 2007, compared to the same period in the prior
year. We recorded our share of pretax earnings or losses, net of
allocated internal expenses, related to US BioEnergy, an ethanol
manufacturing company in which we hold a minority ownership
interest, of $2.1 million and a loss of $0.9 million,
respectively, for the six months ended February 28, 2007
and 2006. Oilseed processing earnings increased
$3.3 million during the six months ended February 28,
2007 as compared to the same period in the prior year. This was
primarily the result of improved crushing margins, partially
offset by reduced oilseed refining margins. While volumes stayed
fairly consistent at our two crushing facilities, oilseed
crushing margins showed significant improvement when comparing
the six months ended February 28, 2007 with the same
six-month period in the prior year.
Corporate and Other generated income from continuing operations
before income taxes of $8.9 million for the six months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to $3.5 million in
the six months ended February 28, 2006, an increase in
earnings of $5.4 million (153%). All of this improvement is
attributable to our business solutions operations where
insurance, financing and hedging services all recorded increases
in volume compared to the same period of a year ago.
Net Income. Consolidated net income for the
six months ended February 28, 2007 was $218.6 million
compared to $194.4 million for the six months ended
February 28, 2006, which represents a $24.2 million
(12%) increase.
Revenues. Consolidated revenues of
$7.5 billion for the six months ended February 28,
2007 compared to $6.6 billion for the six months ended
February 28, 2006, which represents an $875.5 million
(13%) increase.
Total revenues include other revenues generated primarily within
our Ag Business segment and Corporate and Other. Our Ag Business
segments country operations elevators and agri-service
centers derive other revenues from activities related to
production agriculture, which include grain storage, grain
cleaning, fertilizer spreading, crop protection spraying and
other services of this nature, and our grain marketing
operations receives other revenues at our export terminals from
activities related to loading vessels. Corporate and Other
derives revenues primarily from our hedging and insurance
operations.
Our Energy segment revenues, after elimination of intersegment
revenues, of $3.5 billion increased by $94.1 million
(3%) during the six months ended February 28, 2007 compared
to the six months ended February 28, 2006. During the six
months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, our Energy segment
recorded revenues from our Ag Business segment of
$116.3 million and $103.7 million, respectively. The
revenues net increase of $94.1 million is comprised of a
net increase of $184.2 million in sales volume, partially
offset by $90.1 million related to price depreciation on
refined fuels and propane products. The net change in revenues
includes $339.9 million from our ethanol marketing venture,
which we acquired in April of fiscal 2006. Refined fuels
revenues decreased $109.8 million (5%), of which
$91.3 million was related to a net average selling price
decrease and $18.5 million was attributable to decreased
volumes, compared to the same period
30
in the previous year. The sales price of refined fuels decreased
$0.07 per gallon (4%) and volumes decreased 1% when
comparing the six months ended February 28, 2007 with the
same period a year ago. Lower crude oil prices during the first
half of this fiscal year compared to the same six-month period
last fiscal year were primarily attributable to the effects of
the hurricanes in the United States during the fall of 2005.
Production disruptions due to hurricanes during the fall of 2005
along with strong demand contributed to the increases in refined
fuels selling prices during fiscal 2006. Propane revenues
decreased by $113.6 million (21%), of which
$135.6 million was related to decreased volumes, partially
offset by $22.0 million which was related to a net average
selling price increase when compared to the same period in the
previous year. Propane sales volume decreased 24% in comparison
to the same period of the prior year, while the average selling
price of propane increased $0.04 per gallon (4%). Propane
prices tend to follow the prices of crude oil and natural gas,
both of which decreased during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 and
are also affected by changes in propane demand and domestic
inventory levels. The decrease in propane volumes reflects a
loss of exclusive propane marketing rights at our former
suppliers proprietary terminals.
Our Ag Business segment revenues, after elimination of
intersegment revenues, of $3.7 billion increased
$749.8 million (26%) during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006. Grain revenues in our Ag Business
segment totaled $3,167.6 million and $2,493.9 million
during the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. Of the grain revenues increase of
$673.7 million (27%), $329.6 million is attributable
to increased volumes and $344.1 million is due to increased
average grain selling prices during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period last fiscal
year. The average sales price of all grain and oilseed
commodities sold reflected an increase of $0.59 per bushel
(14%). The 2006 fall harvest produced good yields throughout
most of the United States, with the quality of most grains rated
as excellent or good. Despite the good harvest, prices for
nearly all grain commodity prices increased because of strong
demand, particularly for corn which is used as the feedstock for
most ethanol plants as well as for livestock feed. The average
month-end market price per bushel of corn, spring wheat and
soybeans increased approximately $1.55, $1.09 and $0.95,
respectively, when compared to the prices of those same grains
for the six months ended February 28, 2006. Volumes
increased 12% during the six months ended February 28, 2007
compared with the same period of a year ago. Corn, barley and
soybeans reflect the largest volume increases compared to the
six months ended February 28, 2006. Our Ag Business segment
non-grain product revenues of $462.0 million increased by
$75.0 million (19%) during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006, primarily the result of increased
revenues of energy, crop nutrient, processed sunflower, feed,
seed, and crop protection products. Other revenues within our Ag
Business segment of $56.7 million during the six months
ended February 28, 2007 increased $1.1 million (2%)
compared to the six months ended February 28, 2006.
Our Processing segment revenues, after elimination of
intersegment revenues, of $332.8 million increased
$31.0 million (10%) during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006. Because our wheat milling, renewable
fuels and packaged foods operations are operated through
non-consolidated joint ventures, revenues reported in our
Processing segment are entirely from our oilseed processing
operations. Processed soybean volumes increased 6%, accounting
for an increase in revenues of $9.2 million, and a higher
average sales price of processed oilseed and other revenues
increased total revenues for this segment by $6.8 million.
Oilseed refining revenues increased $13.6 million (9%), of
which $9.6 million was due to a higher average sales price
and $4.0 million was due to a net increase in sales volume.
The average selling price of processed oilseed increased
$7 per ton and the average selling price of refined oilseed
products increased slightly compared to the same period of the
previous year. These changes in the average selling price of
products are primarily driven by the higher price of soybeans.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold of
$7.1 billion increased $876.4 million (14%) during the
six months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the six
months ended February 28, 2006.
Our Energy segment cost of goods sold, after elimination of
intersegment costs, of $3.2 billion increased by
$121.7 million (4%) during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period of the prior
year. The net change in cost includes $336.0 million from
our ethanol marketing venture, which we acquired in April of
fiscal 2006. The remaining change in cost of goods sold is
primarily due to decreased
31
average costs of refined fuels as well as some reduction in
volumes, primarily propane. On a more product-specific basis,
the average cost of refined fuels decreased by $0.07 (4%) per
gallon, while volumes decreased 1% compared to the six months
ended February 28, 2006. We process approximately
55,000 barrels of crude oil per day at our Laurel, Montana
refinery and 80,000 barrels of crude oil per day at
NCRAs McPherson, Kansas refinery. The average cost
decrease on refined fuels is reflective of lower input costs at
our two crude oil refineries and lower average prices on the
refined products that we purchased for resale compared to the
six months ended February 28, 2006. The average per unit
cost of crude oil purchased for the two refineries decreased 3%
compared to the six months ended February 28, 2006. The
propane volumes decreased 24%, while the average cost of propane
increased $0.03 (3%) compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006.
Our Ag Business segment cost of goods sold, after elimination of
intersegment costs, of $3.6 billion increased
$727.4 million (25%) during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period of the prior
year. Grain cost of goods sold in our Ag Business segment
totaled $3,108.2 million and $2,449.6 million during
the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The cost of grains and oilseed procured through
our Ag Business segment increased $658.6 million (27%)
compared to the six months ended February 28, 2006. This is
the result of a 12% increase in bushels sold along with an
increase of $0.58 (14%) average cost per bushel as compared to
the prior year. Corn, barley and soybeans reflected the largest
volume increases compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006. Commodity prices on corn, spring wheat
and soybeans have increased compared to the prices that were
prevalent during the same six-month period in 2006. Our Ag
Business segment cost of goods sold, excluding the cost of
grains procured through this segment, increased during the six
months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the six months
ended February 28, 2006, primarily due to higher volumes
and price per unit costs of energy, crop nutrient, processed
sunflower, crop protection and feed products. The higher volumes
are primarily related to acquisitions.
Our Processing segment cost of goods sold, after elimination of
intersegment costs of $313.9 million, increased
$27.3 million (10%) compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006, which was primarily due to increased
basis costs of soybeans in addition to increased volumes.
Marketing, General and
Administrative. Marketing, general and
administrative expenses of $110.7 million for the six
months ended February 28, 2007 increased by
$4.5 million (4%) compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006. The net increase of $4.5 million is
primarily due to increased performance-based incentive plan
expense, in addition to other employee benefits and general
inflation, partially offset by a $3.5 million net increase
in gains on disposal of fixed assets.
Gain on Investments. During our first fiscal
quarter in 2007, we sold approximately 25% of our investment in
CF. We received cash proceeds of $10.9 million and recorded
a gain of $5.3 million, which is reflected within the
results reported for our Ag Business segment. In August 2006, US
BioEnergy filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission to register shares of common stock for sale
in an initial public offering (IPO), and in December 2006, the
IPO was completed. The affect of the issuance of additional
shares of US BioEnergy was to dilute our ownership interest down
from approximately 25% to 21%. Due to US BioEnergys
increase in equity, we recognized a non-cash net gain of
$11.4 million on our investment to reflect our
proportionate share of the increase in the underlying equity of
US BioEnergy. This gain is reflected in our Processing segment.
Interest, net. Net interest of
$16.7 million for the six months ended February 28,
2007 decreased $55 thousand (less than 1%) compared to the
six months ended February 28, 2006. Interest expense for
the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was
$24.1 million and $25.2 million, respectively.
Interest income, generated primarily from marketable securities,
was $7.4 million and $8.4 million, for the six months
ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The
interest expense decrease of $1.1 million (4%) includes an
increase in capitalized interest of $1.8 million, partially
offset by an increase in short-term borrowings primarily created
by higher working capital needs and an increase in the average
short-term interest rate. For the six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized interest of
$4.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related
to capitalized construction projects. The increase in
capitalized interest primarily relates to the financing interest
on our coker project, partially offset by the final stages of
the ultra-low sulfur upgrades
32
at our energy refineries during fiscal 2006. The average level
of short-term borrowings increased $170.5 million during
the six months ended February 28, 2007 compared to the six
months ended February 28, 2006, and the average short-term
interest rate increased 1.19%. The interest income decrease of
$1.0 million (12%) was primarily in our Energy segment
related to a decrease in interest income from short term
investments, primarily at NCRA.
Equity Income from Investments. Equity income
from investments of $16.8 million for the six months ended
February 28, 2007 increased $2.5 million (17%)
compared to the six months ended February 28, 2006. We
record equity income or loss from the investments in which we
have an ownership interest of 50% or less and have significant
influence, but not control, for our proportionate share of
income or loss reported by the entity, without consolidating the
revenues and expenses of the entity in our Consolidated
Statements of Operations. The net increase in equity income from
investments was attributable to improved earnings from
investments within our Processing and Energy segments, and
Corporate and Other of $13.4 million, $0.2 million and
$0.4 million, respectively, and was partially offset by
reduced earnings within our Ag Business segment of
$11.5 million.
Our Ag Business segment generated reduced earnings of
$11.5 million from equity investments. Our share of equity
investment earnings or losses in Agriliance decreased earnings
by $13.1 million and primarily relates to reduced crop
nutrient and crop protection product margins.
Weather-interrupted supply patterns and resulting wide price
fluctuations dramatically reduced crop nutrient use and sales
during fiscal 2006. High natural gas prices, increasing
international demand for nitrogen, and hurricane damage to
warehouse facilities and the related transportation grid led to
price increases during fiscal 2006. Coupled with high energy
costs and low grain prices, many crop producers elected to scale
back nutrient applications for the 2006 growing year. As a
result, larger remaining inventories later in the year drove
significant declines in the realizable value of inventories and
reduced revenues and margins. The Agriliance crop protection
margins reflected reduced rebates from chemical companies as
compared to the same period in the previous year. The Agriliance
retail operations were relatively unchanged from the six months
ended February 28, 2006. Our investment in a Canadian
agronomy joint venture contributed improved earnings of
$0.1 million. During the first fiscal quarter of 2007 we
invested $22.2 million for an equity position in a
Brazil-based grain handling and merchandising company,
Multigrain S.A., which is owned jointly (50/50) with Multigrain
Comercia, an agricultural commodities business headquartered in
Sao Paulo, Brazil. We recorded a loss of $0.6 million
during the three months ended February 28, 2007 for that
equity investment. Our wheat exporting investment in United
Harvest contributed improved earnings of $0.5 million, and
our equity income from our investment in TEMCO, a joint venture
which exports primarily corn and soybeans, also recorded
improved earnings of $2.0 million. Our country operations
reported an aggregate decrease in equity investment earnings of
$0.4 million for several small equity investments.
Our Processing segment generated improved earnings of
$13.4 million from equity investments. Ventura Foods,
our vegetable oil-based products and packaged foods joint
venture, recorded improved earnings of $6.0 million, and
Horizon Milling, our domestic and Canadian wheat milling joint
ventures, recorded improved earnings of $1.4 million
compared to the same period in the previous year. During fiscal
years 2006 and 2007, we invested $105.0 million in US
BioEnergy, an ethanol manufacturing company, and recorded
improved earnings of $6.0 million during the six months
ended February 28, 2007 compared to the same period in
2006, primarily from operating margins. A shifting demand
balance for soybeans for both food and renewable fuels meant
addressing supply and price challenges for both CHS and our
joint venture with Ventura Foods. Horizon Millings
results are primarily affected by US dietary habits. Although
the preference for a low carbohydrate diet appears to have
reached the bottom of its cycle, milling capacity, which had
been idled over the past few years because of lack of demand for
flour products, can easily be put back into production as
consumption of flour products increases, which will continue to
depress gross margins in the milling industry.
Our Energy segment generated increased equity investment
earnings of $0.2 million related to improved margins in an
equity investment held by NCRA, and Corporate and Other
generated improved earnings of $0.4 million from equity
investment earnings, primarily from Cofina, our financial
services equity investment,
33
partially offset by slightly reduced earnings from an insurance
equity investment as compared to the six months ended
February 28, 2006.
Minority Interests. Minority interests of
$33.4 million for the six months ended February 28,
2007 decreased by $8.0 million (19%) compared to the six
months ended February 28, 2006. This net decrease was a
result of less profitable operations within our majority-owned
subsidiaries compared to the same six-month period in the prior
year. Substantially all minority interests relate to NCRA, an
approximately 74.5% owned subsidiary, which we consolidate in
our Energy segment.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense, excluding
discontinued operations, of $22.2 million for the six
months ended February 28, 2007 compares with
$24.7 million for the six months ended February 28,
2006, resulting in effective tax rates of 9.2% and 11.3%,
respectively. The federal and state statutory rate applied to
nonpatronage business activity was 38.9% for the six-month
periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006. The income taxes
and effective tax rate vary each year based upon profitability
and nonpatronage business activity during each of the comparable
years.
Discontinued Operations. During our fiscal
2005, we reclassified our Mexican foods operations, previously
reported in Corporate and Other, along with gains and losses
recognized on sales of assets, and impairments on assets for
sale, as discontinued operations that were sold or have met
required criteria for such classification. In our Consolidated
Statements of Operations, all of our Mexican foods operations
have been accounted for as discontinued operations. The income
recorded for the six months ended February 28, 2006 was
$0.2 million ($0.1 million in income, net of taxes),
primarily the result of the sale of our remaining assets.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
On February 28, 2007, we had working capital, defined as
current assets less current liabilities, of $805.8 million
and a current ratio, defined as current assets divided by
current liabilities, of 1.3 to 1.0, compared to working capital
of $829.0 million and a current ratio of 1.5 to 1.0 on
August 31, 2006. On February 28, 2006, we had working
capital of $776.5 million and a current ratio of 1.5 to 1.0
compared to working capital of $758.7 million and a current
ratio of 1.4 to 1.0 on August 31, 2005. We anticipate that
working capital will be drawn down during the current fiscal
year due to capital expenditures related to the coker unit
project at our Laurel, Montana refinery, as described below in
Cash Flows from Investing Activities. The capital
expenditures related to this project are anticipated to be
approximately $238.0 million during our current fiscal year.
Our current committed credit facility consists of a five-year
revolver in the amount of $1.1 billion, with a potential
addition for future expansion of up to $200 million. This
credit facility was established with a syndicate of domestic and
international banks, and our inventories and receivables
financed with it are highly liquid. On February 28, 2007,
we had $440.0 million outstanding on this line of credit
compared with $113.5 million outstanding on the credit
facility in place on February 28, 2006. In addition, we
have two commercial paper programs totaling $125 million
with banks participating in our five-year revolver. On
February 28, 2007, we had $99.1 million of commercial
paper outstanding. Our highest points of seasonal borrowings are
typically from January through early summer. We believe that we
have adequate liquidity to cover any increase in net operating
assets and liabilities in the foreseeable future.
Cash
Flows from Operations
Our cash flows from operations are generally affected by
commodity prices and the seasonality of our businesses. These
commodity prices are affected by a wide range of factors beyond
our control, including weather, crop conditions, drought, the
availability and the adequacy of supply and transportation,
government regulations and policies, world events, and general
political and economic conditions. These factors are described
in the preceding cautionary statements, and may affect net
operating assets and liabilities, and liquidity.
34
Our cash flows used in operating activities were
$71.4 million for the six months ended February 28,
2007, compared to cash flows provided by operating activities of
$65.8 million for the six months ended February 28,
2006. Volatility in cash flows from operations for these periods
is primarily the result of a larger net increase in operating
assets and liabilities during the six months ended
February 28, 2007 compared to the same period in the prior
year. Grain prices during the current fiscal year have been
quite volatile. Because we hedge most of our grain positions
with futures contracts on regulated exchanges, volatile prices
create margin calls (reflected in other current assets) which
are a use of cash. In addition, higher commodity prices affect
inventory and receivable balances which consume cash until
inventories are sold and receivables are collected.
Our operating activities used net cash of $71.4 million
during the six months ended February 28, 2007. Net income
of $218.6 million and net non-cash expenses and cash
distributions from equity investments of $112.0 million
were exceeded by an increase in net operating assets and
liabilities of $402.0 million. The primary components of
net non-cash expenses and cash distributions from equity
investments included depreciation and amortization of
$68.9 million, redemptions from equity investments net of
income from those investments of $7.4 million, minority
interests of $33.4 million and deferred tax expense of
$22.2 million, which were partially offset by a pretax gain
of $5.3 million from the sale of 540,000 shares of our
CF stock, included in our Ag Business segment, and an
$11.4 million non-cash gain in our Processing segment from
US BioEnergys IPO transaction as previously discussed in
Results of Operations. The increase in net operating
assets and liabilities was caused primarily by an increase of
$339.9 million in derivative assets and hedging deposits
(included in other current assets), partially offset by an
increase in derivative liabilities of $112.4 million, due
to increases in grain prices on February 28, 2007 when
compared to August 31, 2006. Increases in inventories also
caused an increase in net operating assets and liabilities. On
February 28, 2007, the market prices of our three primary
grain commodities, corn, soybeans and spring wheat, increased by
$1.93 per bushel (83%), $2.31 per bushel (43%) and
$0.55 per bushel (12%), respectively, when compared to
August 31, 2006. Grain inventory quantities increased in
our Ag Business segment by 8.5 million bushels (8%) when
comparing inventories on February 28, 2007 to
August 31, 2006. In addition, our feed and farm supplies
inventories in our Ag Business segment increased significantly
during the period (66%), as we began building fertilizer
inventories at our country operations retail locations in
anticipation of spring planting. Our energy inventories
decreased 14% as crude oil prices in general decreased
$8.47 per barrel (12%) on February 28, 2007 as
compared to August 31, 2006.
Our operating activities provided net cash of $65.8 million
during the six months ended February 28, 2006. Net income
of $194.4 million and net non-cash expenses and cash
distributions from equity investments of $168.4 million,
were partially offset by an increase in net operating assets and
liabilities of $297.0 million. The primary components of
net non-cash expenses and cash distributions from equity
investments included depreciation and amortization of
$58.9 million, deferred tax expense of $44.8 million,
minority interests of $41.4 million and income from equity
investments net of distributions of $24.3 million. The
increase in net operating assets and liabilities was comprised
of several components. One of the primary components included an
increase in inventories largely due to an increase in feed and
farm supplies inventories as well as increases in grain
quantities and appreciated grain prices. On February 28,
2006, the market prices of two of our primary grain commodities,
spring wheat and corn, increased by $0.73 per bushel (21%)
and $0.27 per bushel (13%), respectively, and soybeans,
another high volume commodity, saw only a slight decline in
price of $0.07 per bushel (1%) when compared to
August 31, 2005. Our grain inventory quantities increased
21.9 million bushels (24%) during the same period. Our feed
and farm supplies inventories increased significantly as well
during the period, as we began building fertilizer inventories
at our country operations retail locations in anticipation of
spring planting. Another primary factor affecting operating
assets and liabilities was a decrease in crude oil prices on
February 28, 2006 compared to August 31, 2005, which
had offsetting impacts of decreasing receivables, accounts
payable and derivative liabilities in our Energy segment. In
general, crude oil prices decreased $7.53 per barrel (11%)
on February 28, 2006 as compared to August 31, 2005.
Crude oil prices are expected to be volatile in the foreseeable
future, but cash from our related inventories and receivables
are recovered in a relatively short period, thus somewhat
mitigating the effect on our operating assets and liabilities.
Grain prices are influenced significantly by global projections
of grain stocks available
35
until the next harvest. We anticipate that demand for corn in
ethanol production will continue to create relatively high
prices and price volatility for that commodity in fiscal 2007.
With higher corn prices, we also anticipate an increase in corn
acres planted in 2007, with some of those acres displacing acres
previously planted for soybeans, cotton and wheat. That trend
may also increase the prices for those commodities as supply is
decreased.
Cash usage is usually greatest during our second quarter of our
fiscal year as we build inventories at our retail operations in
our Ag Business segment and make payments on deferred payment
contracts which have accumulated over the course of the prior
calendar year. Our net income has historically been the lowest
during our second fiscal quarter and highest during our third
fiscal quarter. We believe that we have adequate capacity
through our committed credit facilities to meet any likely
increase in net operating assets and liabilities.
Cash
Flows from Investing Activities
For the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, the
net cash flows used in our investing activities totaled
$233.0 million and $90.3 million, respectively.
The acquisition of property, plant and equipment comprised the
primary use of cash totaling $155.0 million and
$113.9 million for the six months ended February 28,
2007 and 2006, respectively. For the year ending August 31,
2007, we expect to spend approximately $391.0 million for
the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. Included in
our projected capital spending through fiscal year 2008 is the
installation of a coker unit at our Laurel, Montana refinery,
along with other refinery improvements, which will allow us to
extract a greater volume of high value gasoline and diesel fuel
from a barrel of crude oil and less relatively low value
asphalt. The coker unit is anticipated to increase yields by
approximately 14%. The total cost for this project is expected
to be approximately $325.0 million, of which approximately
$238.0 million is expected to be spent during fiscal 2007,
with completion planned during fiscal 2008. We anticipate
funding the project with cash flows from operations. Total
expenditures for this project as of February 28, 2007, were
$155.8 million, of which $93.0 million were incurred
during the six months ended February 28, 2007, compared to
expenditures of $13.1 million which were incurred during
the six months ended February 28, 2006. During the six
months ended February 28, 2006, capital expenditures for
projects now complete that related to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) low sulfur fuel
regulations at our Laurel, Montana refinery and NCRAs
McPherson, Kansas refinery were $50.2 million.
In October 2003, we and NCRA reached agreements with the EPA and
the State of Montanas Department of Environmental Quality
and the State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment
regarding the terms of settlements with respect to reducing air
emissions at our Laurel, Montana and NCRAs McPherson,
Kansas refineries. These settlements are part of a series of
similar settlements that the EPA has negotiated with major
refiners under the EPAs Petroleum Refinery Initiative. The
settlements, which resulted from nearly three years of
discussions, take the form of consent decrees filed with the
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana (Billings
Division) and the U.S. District Court for the District of
Kansas. Each consent decree details potential capital
improvements, supplemental environmental projects and
operational changes that we and NCRA have agreed to implement at
the relevant refinery over the next several years. The consent
decrees also require us and NCRA, to pay approximately
$0.5 million in aggregate civil cash penalties. As of
February 28, 2007, the aggregate capital expenditures for
us and NCRA related to these settlements were approximately
$18 million, and we anticipate spending an additional
$6 million over the next five years. We do not believe that
the settlements will have a material adverse effect on us or
NCRA.
Investments made during the six months ended February 28,
2007 and 2006, totaled $80.5 million and
$37.0 million, respectively. During the six months ended
February 28, 2007, investments include two new ventures. We
invested $22.2 million for an equity position in a
Brazil-based grain handling and merchandising company,
Multigrain S.A., which is owned jointly (50/50) with Multigrain
Comercio, an agricultural commodities business headquartered in
Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is included in our Ag Business segment.
This venture, which includes grain storage and export
facilities, builds on our South American soybean origination,
and helps meet customer needs year-round. Our grain marketing
operations continue to explore other opportunities to establish
a presence in other emerging grain origination and export
markets. We have also
36
invested $15.6 million in a new Horizon Milling venture
(24% CHS ownership) during the six months ended
February 28, 2007, to acquire the Canadian grain-based
foodservice and industrial businesses of Smucker Foods of
Canada, which includes three flour milling operations and two
dry baking mixing facilities in Canada. During the six months
ended February 28, 2007, we made an additional investment
of $35.0 million in US BioEnergy, bringing our total cash
investments for Class A Common Stock in the company to
$105.0 million. Prior investments in US BioEnergy included
an investment of $35.0 million during the six months ended
February 28, 2006 and another investment of
$35.0 million during the three months ended May 31,
2006. In August 2006, US BioEnergy filed a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
register shares of common stock for sale in an initial public
offering (IPO), and in December 2006, the IPO was completed. The
affect of the issuance of additional shares of US BioEnergy was
to dilute our ownership interest down from approximately 25% to
21%. Due to US BioEnergys increase in equity, we
recognized a non-cash net gain of $11.4 million on our
investment to reflect our proportionate share of the increase in
the underlying equity of US BioEnergy. This gain is reflected in
our Processing segment. Based upon the market price of US
BioEnergys stock of $13.02 per share on
February 28, 2007, our investment had a market value of
approximately $187.3 million. We are recognizing earnings
of US BioEnergy to the extent of our ownership interest using
the equity method of accounting. As part of the IPO, we are
restricted from selling our stock for 180 days from that
transaction date.
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, changes in
notes receivable resulted in a decrease in cash flows of
$15.4 million, of which $8.0 million resulted from a
note receivable related to our investment in Multigrain S.A.,
with the balance primarily from related party notes receivables
at NCRA from its minority owners, Growmark, Inc. and MFA Oil
Company. During the six months ended February 28, 2006, the
changes in notes receivable resulted in an increase in cash
flows of $48.2 million, primarily from related party notes
receivables at NCRA.
Partially offsetting our cash outlays for investing activities
were proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and
equipment of $7.0 million and $6.5 million for the six
months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Also
partially offsetting cash usages were investments redeemed
totaling $3.0 million and $5.4 million for the six
months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, we sold
540,000 shares of our CF stock, included in our Ag Business
segment, for proceeds of $10.9 million, and recorded a
pretax gain of $5.3 million, reducing our ownership
interest in CF to approximately 2.9%.
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities
We finance our working capital needs through short-term lines of
credit with a syndication of domestic and international banks.
In May 2006, we renewed and expanded our committed lines of
revolving credit. The previously established credit lines
consisted of a $700.0 million
364-day
revolver and a $300.0 million five-year revolver. The
current committed credit facility consists of a five-year
revolver in the amount of $1.1 billion, with a potential
addition for future expansion of up to $200 million. The
other terms of the current credit facility are the same as the
terms of the credit facilities it replaced in all material
respects. On February 28, 2007, interest rates for amounts
outstanding on this credit facility ranged from 5.54% to 5.79%.
In addition to these lines of credit, we have a revolving credit
facility dedicated to NCRA, with a syndication of banks in the
amount of $15.0 million committed. In December 2006, the
line of credit dedicated to NCRA was renewed for an additional
year. We also have a revolving line of credit dedicated to
Provista Renewable Fuels Marketing, LLC (Provista), through
LaSalle Bank National Association which expires in November
2007, in the amount of $25.0 million committed. On
February 28, 2007, August 31, 2006 and
February 28, 2006, we had total short-term indebtedness
outstanding on these various facilities and other miscellaneous
short-term notes payable totaling $453.5 million,
$22.0 million and $114.7 million, respectively.
During the six months ended February 28, 2007, we
instituted two commercial paper programs totaling
$125 million with two banks participating in our five-year
revolving credit facility. Terms of our five-year revolving
credit facility allow a maximum usage of commercial paper of
$100 million at any point in time. The commercial paper
programs do not increase our committed borrowing capacity in
that we are required to have at least an equal amount of undrawn
capacity available on our five-year revolving facility as to the
37
amount of commercial paper issued. On February 28, 2007, we
had $99.1 million of commercial paper outstanding, all with
maturities of less than 60 days from their issuance with
interest rates ranging from 5.57% to 5.61%.
We typically finance our long-term capital needs, primarily for
the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, with long-term
agreements with various insurance companies and banks. In June
1998, we established a long-term credit agreement through the
cooperative banks. This facility committed $200.0 million
of long-term borrowing capacity to us, with repayments through
fiscal year 2009. The amount outstanding on this credit facility
was $86.9 million, $98.4 million and
$106.6 million on February 28, 2007, August 31,
2006 and February 28, 2006, respectively. Interest rates on
February 28, 2007 ranged from 6.39% to 7.13%. Repayments of
$11.5 million and $8.2 million were made on this
facility during the six months ended February 28, 2007 and
2006, respectively.
Also in June 1998, we completed a private placement offering
with several insurance companies for long-term debt in the
amount of $225.0 million with an interest rate of 6.81%.
Repayments are due in equal annual installments of
$37.5 million each in the years 2008 through 2013.
In January 2001, we entered into a note purchase and private
shelf agreement with Prudential Insurance Company. The long-term
note in the amount of $25.0 million has an interest rate of
7.9% and is due in equal annual installments of approximately
$3.6 million, in the years 2005 through 2011. A subsequent
note for $55.0 million was issued in March 2001, related to
the private shelf facility. The $55.0 million note has an
interest rate of 7.43% and is due in equal annual installments
of approximately $7.9 million, in the years 2005 through
2011. Repayments of $3.6 million were made during each of
the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006.
In October 2002, we completed a private placement with several
insurance companies for long-term debt in the amount of
$175.0 million, which was layered into two series. The
first series of $115.0 million has an interest rate of
4.96% and is due in equal semi-annual installments of
approximately $8.8 million during fiscal years 2007 through
2013. Repayments of $8.8 million were made on the first
series during the six months ended February 28, 2007. The
second series of $60.0 million has an interest rate of
5.60% and is due in equal semi-annual installments of
approximately $4.6 million during fiscal years 2012 through
2018.
In March 2004, we entered into a note purchase and private shelf
agreement with Prudential Capital Group, and in April 2004, we
borrowed $30.0 million under this arrangement. One
long-term note in the amount of $15.0 million has an
interest rate of 4.08% and is due in full at the end of the
six-year term in 2010. Another long-term note in the amount of
$15.0 million has an interest rate of 4.39% and is due in
full at the end of the seven-year term in 2011. In April 2007,
we amended our Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement
with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. and several other
participating insurance companies. The amendment expanded the
uncommitted facility from $70.0 million to
$150.0 million.
In September 2004, we entered into a private placement with
several insurance companies for long-term debt in the amount of
$125.0 million with an interest rate of 5.25%. The debt is
due in equal annual installments of $25.0 million during
the fiscal years 2011 through 2015.
Through NCRA, we had revolving term loans outstanding of
$4.5 million, $6.0 million and $7.5 million on
February 28, 2007, August 31, 2006 and
February 28, 2006, respectively. Interest rates on
February 28, 2007 ranged from 6.48% to 6.99%. Repayments of
$1.5 million were made during each of the six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006.
On February 28, 2007, we had total long-term debt
outstanding of $716.1 million, of which $95.6 million
was bank financing, $599.7 million was private placement
debt and $20.8 million was industrial development revenue
bonds and other notes and contracts payable. The aggregate
amount of long-term debt payable presented in the
Managements Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006 has not materially
changed during the six months ended February 28, 2007. On
February 28, 2006, we had long-term debt outstanding of
$758.5 million. Our long-term debt is unsecured except for
other notes and contracts in the amount of $8.6 million;
however, restrictive covenants under various agreements have
requirements for maintenance of minimum working capital levels
and other financial
38
ratios. In addition, NCRA term loans of $4.5 million are
collateralized by NCRAs investment in CoBank. We were in
compliance with all debt covenants and restrictions as of
February 28, 2007.
In December 2006, NCRA entered into an agreement with the City
of McPherson, Kansas related to certain of its ultra-low sulfur
fuel assets (cost of approximately $325 million). The City
of McPherson issued $325 million of Industrial Revenue
Bonds (IRBs) which were transferred to NCRA as
consideration in a financing agreement between the City of
McPherson and NCRA related to the ultra-low sulfur fuel assets.
The term of the financing obligation is ten years, at which time
NCRA has the option of extending the financing obligation or
purchasing the assets for a nominal amount. NCRA has the right
at anytime to offset the financing obligation to the City of
McPherson against the IRBs. No cash was exchanged in the
transaction and none is anticipated to be exchanged in the
future. Due to the structure of the agreement, the financing
obligation and the IRBs are shown net in our consolidated
financial statements. On March 18, 2007, notification was
sent to the bond trustees to pay the IRBs down by
$324 million, at which time the financing obligation to the
City of McPherson was offset against the IRBs. The balance of
$1.0 million will remain outstanding until final maturity
in ten years.
During the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, we
had no borrowings on a long-term basis, and during the same
periods we repaid long-term debt of $28.7 million and
$15.7 million, respectively.
Distributions to minority owners for the six months ended
February 28, 2007 and 2006 were $22.3 million and
$43.0 million, respectively, and were related to NCRA. In
addition, there was a distribution to the NCRA minority owners
in March 2007, in the amount of $10.4 million.
In accordance with the bylaws and by action of the Board of
Directors, annual net earnings from patronage sources are
distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each
fiscal year. Patronage refunds are calculated based on amounts
using financial statement earnings. The cash portion of the
patronage distribution is determined annually by the Board of
Directors, with the balance issued in the form of capital equity
certificates. The patronage earnings from the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2006, were distributed during the six months
ended February 28, 2007. The cash portion of this
distribution, deemed by the Board of Directors to be 35%, was
$133.1 million. During the six months ended
February 28, 2006, we distributed cash patronage of
$62.5 million.
Effective September 1, 2004, redemptions of capital equity
certificates approved by the Board of Directors are divided into
two pools, one for non-individuals (primarily member
cooperatives) who may participate in an annual pro-rata program
for equities older than 10 years held by them, and another
for individuals who are eligible for equity redemptions at
age 72 or upon death. Effective September 1, 2006, the
10-year
aging factor on the retirement of equity on a pro-rata basis was
eliminated for equity redemptions to be paid in fiscal year
2007. The amount that each non-individual receives under the
pro-rata program in any year is determined by multiplying the
dollars available for pro-rata redemptions, if any that year, as
determined by the Board of Directors, by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the amount of patronage certificates
eligible for redemption held by them, and the denominator of
which is the sum of the patronage certificates eligible for
redemption held by all eligible holders of patronage
certificates that are not individuals. In addition to the annual
pro-rata program, the Board of Directors approved an additional
$50.0 million of redemptions to be paid in fiscal year
2007, targeting older capital equity certificates. In accordance
with authorization from the Board of Directors, we expect total
redemptions related to the year ended August 31, 2006, that
will be distributed in fiscal year 2007, to be approximately
$112.4 million, of which $57.3 million was redeemed in
cash during the six months ended February 28, 2007,
compared to $51.7 million during the six months ended
February 28, 2006. We also redeemed $35.9 million of
capital equity certificates during the six months ended
February 28, 2007, by issuing shares of our 8% Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock) pursuant to a
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. During the six months ended February 28, 2006,
we redeemed $23.8 million of capital equity certificates by
issuing shares of our Preferred Stock.
Our Preferred Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market
under the symbol CHSCP. On February 28, 2007, we had
7,240,221 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding with a
total redemption value of approximately $181.0 million,
excluding accumulated dividends. Our Preferred Stock accumulates
dividends at
39
a rate of 8% per year (dividends are payable quarterly),
and is redeemable at our option after February 1, 2008.
Dividends paid on our Preferred stock during the six months
ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 were $5.9 million and
$5.0 million, respectively.
Off
Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
Lease
Commitments:
Our lease commitments presented in Managements Discussion
and Analysis in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006 have not materially
changed during the six months ended February 28, 2007.
Guarantees:
We are a guarantor for lines of credit for related companies.
Our bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of
$150.0 million, of which $53.2 million was outstanding
on February 28, 2007. In addition, our bank covenants allow
for guarantees dedicated solely for NCRA in the amount of
$125.0 million, for which there are no outstanding
guarantees. All outstanding loans with respective creditors are
current as of February 28, 2007.
Debt:
There is no material off balance sheet debt.
Contractual
Obligations
Our contractual obligations are presented in Managements
Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006. Other than the balance
sheet changes in payables and long-term debt, increases in grain
purchase contracts and additional commitments for costs related
to the coker project at our Laurel refinery, the total
obligations have not materially changed during the six months
ended February 28, 2007.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our Critical Accounting Policies are presented in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006. There have been no
changes to these policies during the six months ended
February 28, 2007.
Effect of
Inflation and Foreign Currency Transactions
Inflation and foreign currency fluctuations have not had a
significant effect on our operations. We have some grain
marketing, wheat milling and energy operations that impact our
exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, but to date, there
have been no material effects.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the
accounting for income taxes recognized in an enterprises
financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition
and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken
in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties,
accounting in interim periods and disclosure. FIN 48 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2006, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating
the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated
financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 158, Employers
Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans (SFAS No. 158). SFAS No. 158
requires that employers recognize on a prospective basis the
funded status of their defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plans on their consolidated balance sheet and
recognize as a
40
component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains
or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during
the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic
benefit cost. SFAS No. 158 also requires additional
disclosures in the notes to financial statements.
SFAS No. 158 is effective as of the end of fiscal
years ending after December 15, 2006.
Based on the funded status of our defined benefit pension and
postretirement medical plans as of the most recent measurement
dates, we would be required to increase our net liabilities for
pension and postretirement medical benefits upon adoption of
SFAS No. 158, which would result in a decrease to
owners equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The ultimate
amounts recorded are highly dependent on a number of
assumptions, including the discount rates in effect in 2007, the
actual rate of return on pension assets for 2007 and the tax
effects of the adjustment. Changes in these assumptions since
our last measurement date could increase or decrease the
expected impact of implementing SFAS No. 158 in our
consolidated financial statements at August 31, 2007.
In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) AUG
AIR-1, Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance
Activities, addressing the accounting for planned major
maintenance activities which includes refinery turnarounds. This
FSP prohibits the use of the
accrue-in-advance
method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in
annual and interim financial reporting periods but allows the
alternative deferral method. This FSP shall be applied to the
first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006 (our
fiscal year 2008). We are currently using the
accrue-in-advance
method of accounting, and are in the process of assessing the
impact this FSP will have on our consolidated financial
statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements to increase consistency and
comparability in fair value measurements by defining fair value,
establishing a framework for measuring fair value in generally
accepted accounting principles, and expanding disclosures about
fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 emphasizes that
fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific
measurement. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are in the
process of evaluating the effect that the adoption of
SFAS No. 157 will have on our consolidated results of
operations and financial condition.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 provides entities with
an option to report certain financial assets and liabilities at
fair value with changes in fair value reported
in earnings and requires additional disclosures
related to an entitys election to use fair value
reporting. It also requires entities to display the fair value
of those assets and liabilities for which the entity has elected
to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet.
SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007. We are in the process of
evaluating the effect that the adoption of
SFAS No. 159 will have on our consolidated results of
operations and financial condition.
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Item 3.
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Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
We did not experience any material changes in market risk
exposures for the period ended February 28, 2007, that
affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented in
our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2006.
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Item 4.
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Controls
and Procedures
|
Under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange
Act)) as of February 28, 2007. Based on that
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer concluded that, as of that date, our disclosure controls
and procedures were effective.
During the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2007,
there was no change in our internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f)
under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control
over financial reporting.
41
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 4.
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
We held our Annual Meeting November 30
December 1, 2006, and the following directors were
re-elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term on
December 1, 2006: Duane Stenzel, Michael Mulcahey, Steve
Fritel, and James Kile. In addition, David Kayser was elected to
a three-year term, replacing retiring director Merlin Van
Walleghen; Daniel Schurr was elected to the remaining two-year
term vacated by former director Glen Keppy; Donald Anthony was
elected to the three-year term vacated by former director Robert
Elliott; and Steve Riegel was elected to a new Region 8 position
with an initial one-year term. (The new Region 8 position was
created through the elimination of the Region 6 director
position formerly held by David Bielenberg.) The following
directors terms of office continued after the meeting:
Bruce Anderson, Robert Bass, Dennis Carlson, Curt Eischens,
Robert Grabarski, Jerry Hasnedl, Randy Knecht, Richard Owen, and
Michael Toelle.
In addition, our members adopted a resolution to amend our
Articles of Incorporation during our Annual Meeting on
December 1, 2006, to reflect a change in our right of
offset against certain equities standing on our books. This
right of offset does not affect our 8% Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock. When there is a debt outstanding to us, we are
able to offset any equity certificates, patronage and other
equity interests against the indebtedness of the member-owner.
The amendment allows us to establish present value
for the equity certificates, patronage or other equity interests
when performing the offset. Our board of directors will
determine the definition of present value on a
periodic basis.
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Exhibit
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Description
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10
|
.1
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First Amendment to Amended and
Restated Loan and Security Agreement by and among Provista
Renewable Fuels Marketing, LLC and LaSalle Bank National
Association dated January 30, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed January, 31, 2007)
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10
|
.2
|
|
Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase
and Private Shelf Agreement dated April 9, 2007, among CHS
Inc., Prudential Investment Management, Inc. and the Prudential
Affiliate parties.
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31
|
.1
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Certification Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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|
31
|
.2
|
|
Certification Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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|
32
|
.1
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|
Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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|
32
|
.2
|
|
Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
42
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CHS Inc.
(Registrant)
John Schmitz
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
April 9, 2007
43