Friedman Industries - 10-Q quarterly report FY2012 Q2

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

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

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

     At September 30, 2011, the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s only class of stock was 6,799,444 shares of Common Stock.

     The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011.

     Inventories consist of prime coil, non-standard coil and tubular materials. Prime coil inventory consists primarily of raw materials, non-standard coil inventory consists primarily of finished goods and tubular inventory consists of both raw materials and finished goods. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or replacement market. Cost for prime coil inventory is determined under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Cost for non-standard coil inventory is determined using the specific identification method. Cost for tubular inventory is determined using the weighted average method.

     During the quarter and the six month period ended September 30, 2011, LIFO inventories were reduced and are expected to be replaced by March 31, 2012. A deferred credit of $30,981 was recorded at September 30, 2011 to reflect replacement cost in excess of LIFO cost.

     A summary of inventory values by product group follows:

     Corporate expenses reflect general and administrative expenses not directly associated with segment operations and consist primarily of corporate executive and accounting salaries, professional fees and services, bad debts, accrued profit sharing expense, corporate insurance expenses and office supplies. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and the cash value of officers’ life insurance.

The Company paid income taxes of approximately $2,380,000 and $1,491,000 in the six months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company paid no interest in the six months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Non-cash financing activities consisted of accured dividends of $1,767,856 and $815,933 in the six months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

     The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing.

     Six Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Six Months Ended September 30, 2010

During the six months ended September 30, 2011, sales, costs of goods sold and gross profit increased $22,399,244, $20,681,667 and $1,717,577, respectively, from the comparable amounts recorded during the six months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in sales was related primarily to a substantial increase in tons sold which increased from approximately 79,000 tons in the 2010 period to approximately 96,000 tons in the 2011 period. Also, the average per ton selling price increased from approximately $740 per ton in the 2010 period to $847 per ton in the 2011 period. The increase in costs of goods sold was related primarily to the increase in tons sold and an increase in average per ton cost which increased from approximately $647 per ton in the 2010 period to $752 in the 2011 period. The increase in gross profit was related primarily to the tubular product segment which experienced a 34% increase in tons sold. Overall, gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased from approximately 12.5% in the 2010 period to approximately 11.2% in the 2011 period. In the 2011 period, the Company incurred an increase in material costs but was unable to pass all of this increase on to its customers.

Coil product segment sales increased approximately $5,807,000 during the 2011 period. This increase resulted from an increase in tons sold and an increase in the average selling price. Coil tons shipped increased from approximately 35,000 tons in the 2010 period to approximately 37,000 tons in the 2011 period. The average per ton selling price increased from approximately $723 per ton in the 2010 period to $852 per ton in the 2011 period. The coil product segment recorded no or minimal operational income in the 2010 and the 2011 periods. Coil products are related primarily to durable goods. Management believes that operations of this segment have been adversely impacted in both the 2010 and 2011 periods by soft demand. In addition, management believes that market conditions for coil products will not improve until the U.S. economy improves and generates significant improvement in demand for durable goods.

In August 2008, the Company began operating its coil facility in Decatur, Alabama. This operation produced an operating loss of approximately $566,000 and $525,000 in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively. The Company expects that this facility will continue to produce losses until demand for coil products improves.

The Company is primarily dependent on Nucor Steel Company (“NSC”) for its supply of coil inventory. In the 2011 period, NSC continued to supply the Company with steel coils in amounts that were adequate for the Company’s purposes. The Company does not currently anticipate any significant change in such supply from NSC. Loss of NSC as a supplier could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Tubular product segment sales increased approximately $16,593,000 during the 2011 period. This increase primarily resulted from an increase in tons sold which increased from approximately 44,000 tons in the 2010 period to approximately 59,000 tons sold in the 2011 period. The average per ton selling price of tubular products increased from approximately $754 per ton in the 2010 period to $844 per ton in the 2011 period. Tubular product segment operating profits as a percentage of segment sales were approximately 19.0% and 15.6% in the 2010 and 2011 periods, respectively. In the 2011 period, the Company incurred an increase in material costs and was unable to pass all of this increase on to its customers.

U. S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc. (“USS”) is the Company’s primary supplier of tubular products and coil material used in pipe manufacturing and is a major customer of finished tubular products. Certain finished tubular products used in the energy business are manufactured by the Company and sold to USS. Beginning in December 2008, USS reduced orders for these finished tubular products. Also, in February 2009, USS announced that it was temporarily idling its plant in Lone Star, Texas, due to weak market conditions. From February 2009 until February 2010, the Company received few orders from USS and a significantly reduced supply of pipe and coil material from USS. During this period, USS reopened its Lone Star facility and since February 2010, the Company has received an increase in orders for finished tubular products from USS and an increase in the supply of tubular products and coil material used in the production of pipe. Loss of USS as a supplier or customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company can make no assurances as to orders from USS or the amounts of pipe and coil material that will be available from USS in the future.

From February 2009 until February 2010, the Company downsized its tubular division to a level more commensurate with operations. Since February 2010, the Company has increased the level of operations of the tubular division to support an increase in production requirements.

During the 2011 period, general, selling and administrative costs increased $307,525 from the amount recorded during the 2010 period. This increase was related primarily to increases in bonuses and commissions associated with increased earnings and volume and to a contribution to a charitable organization.

Income taxes increased $488,396 from the amount recorded in the 2010 period. This increase was related primarily to the increase in earnings before taxes in the 2011 period. Effective tax rates were 33.4% and 33.1% in the periods ended 2011 and 2010, respectively.

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, sales, costs of goods sold and gross profit increased $12,686,020, $11,687,330 and $998,690, respectively, from the comparable amounts recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in sales was related primarily to an increase in tons sold which increased from approximately 40,000 tons in the 2010 quarter to approximately 50,000 tons in the 2011 quarter. Also, the average per ton selling price increased from approximately $730 per ton in the 2010 quarter to $841 per ton in the 2011 quarter. The increase in costs of goods sold was related to the increase in tons sold and an increase in the average per ton cost which increased from approximately $633 per ton in the 2010 quarter to $743 in the 2011 quarter. Gross profit primarily benefited from the sales increase. The increase in gross profit was related primarily to the Company’s tubular product segment. Gross profit as a percentage of sales declined from approximately 13.2% in the 2010 quarter to approximately 11.6% in the 2011 quarter. In the 2011 quarter, the Company incurred an increase in material costs but was unable to pass all of this increase on to its customers.

Coil product segment sales increased approximately $2,474,000 during the 2011 quarter. This increase was related primarily to an increase in the average selling price per ton which increased from approximately $709 in the 2010 quarter to $812 in the 2011 quarter. Coil tons shipped increased from approximately 18,700 tons in the 2010 quarter to approximately 19,300 tons in the 2011 quarter. Coil segment operations reflected an operational income of approximately $218,000 and $329,000 in the 2010 and 2011 quarters, respectively. Coil products are related primarily to durable goods. Management believes that operations of this segment have been adversely impacted in both the 2010 and 2011 quarters by soft demand. In addition, management believes that market conditions for coil products will not improve until the U.S. economy improves and generates significant improvement in the demand for durable goods.

In August 2008, the Company began operating its coil facility in Decatur, Alabama. This operation produced an operating loss of approximately $215,000 and $320,000 in the 2010 and 2011 quarters, respectively. The Company expects that this facility will continue to produce a loss until demand for coil products improves.

The Company is primarily dependent on NSC for its supply of coil inventory. In the 2011 quarter, NSC continued to supply the Company with steel coils in amounts that were adequate for the Company’s purposes. The Company does not currently anticipate any significant change in such supply from NSC. Loss of NSC as a supplier could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Tubular product segment sales increased approximately $10,213,000 during the 2011 quarter. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in tons sold which increased from approximately 22,000 tons in the 2010 quarter to approximately 31,000 tons in the 2011 quarter. In addition, the average per ton selling price of tubular products increased from approximately $748 per ton in the 2010 quarter to $859 in the 2011 quarter. Tubular product segment operating profits as a percentage of segment sales were approximately 19.0% and 14.7% in the 2010 and 2011 quarters, respectively. In the 2011 quarter, the Company incurred an increase in material costs and was unable to pass all of this increase on to its customers.

USS is the Company’s primary supplier of tubular products and coil material used in pipe manufacturing and is a major customer of finished tubular products. Certain finished tubular products used in the energy business are manufactured by the Company and sold to USS. Beginning in December 2008, USS reduced orders for these finished tubular products. Also, in February 2009, USS announced that it was temporarily idling its plant in Lone Star, Texas, due to weak market conditions. From February 2009 until February 2010, the Company received few orders from USS and a significantly reduced supply of pipe and coil material from USS. During this period, USS reopened its Lone Star facility and since February 2010, the Company has received an increase in orders for finished tubular products from USS and an increase in the supply of tubular products and coil material used in the production of pipe. Loss of USS as a supplier or customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company can make no assurances as to orders from USS or the amounts of pipe and coil material that will be available from USS in the future.

From February 2009 until February 2010, the Company downsized its tubular division to a level more commensurate with operations. Since February 2010, the Company has increased the level of operations of the tubular division to support an increase in production requirements.

During the 2011 quarter, general, selling and administrative costs increased $162,176 from the amount recorded during the 2010 quarter. This increase was related primarily to increases in bonuses and commissions associated with increased earnings and volume and to a contribution to a charitable organization.

Income taxes in the 2011 quarter increased $307,287 from the amount recorded in the 2010 quarter. This increase was related primarily to the increase in earnings before taxes in the 2011 quarter. The effective tax rates were approximately 33.4% and 32.3% in the 2011 and 2010 quarters, respectively.

     The Company remained in a strong, liquid position at September 30, 2011. The current ratios were 5.7 and 5.8 at September 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively. Working capital was $48,143,391 at September 30, 2011 and $45,094,969 at March 31, 2011.

     At September 30, 2011, the Company maintained assets and liabilities at levels it believed were commensurate with operations. Changes in balance sheet amounts primarily occurred in the ordinary course of business. Cash was primarily generated from a reduction in inventories. The Company expects to continue to monitor, evaluate and manage balance sheet components depending on changes in market conditions and the Company’s operations.

     The Company has in the past and may in the future borrow funds on a term basis to build or improve facilities. The Company currently has no plans to borrow any significant amount of funds on a term basis.

     Notwithstanding the current market conditions, the Company believes its cash flows from operations and borrowing capability due to its strong balance sheet are adequate to fund its expected cash requirements for the next 24 months.

     The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. One such accounting policy which requires significant estimates and judgments is the valuation of LIFO inventories in the Company’s quarterly reporting. The quarterly valuation of inventory requires estimates of the year end quantities which is inherently difficult. Historically, these estimates have been materially correct. In the period ended September 30, 2011, LIFO inventories were reduced and are expected to be replaced by March 31, 2012. A deferred credit of $30,981 was recorded at September 30, 2011 to reflect replacement cost in excess of LIFO cost.

     From time to time, the Company may make certain statements that contain forward-looking information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996, as amended) and that involve risk and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, future results of operations, future production capacity, product quality and proposed expansion plans. Forward-looking statements may be made by management orally or in writing including, but not limited to, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Actual results and trends in the future may differ materially depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in the demand for and prices of the Company’s products, changes in the demand for steel and steel products in general and the Company’s success in executing its internal operating plans, including any proposed expansion plans.

     Not required

     The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

     Not applicable

     Not required

     a). Not applicable

     b). Not applicable

     c). Not applicable

     a). Not applicable

     b). Not applicable

     Not applicable

     Exhibits

     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.