UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
or
For the Transition Period from to
Commission File No. 001-32260
Westlake Chemical Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77056
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(713) 960-9111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See 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) Yes ¨ No x
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s sole class of common stock, as of April 28, 2011 was 66,572,173.
INDEX
Item
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1) Financial Statements
2) Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
3) Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
4) Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
1) Legal Proceedings
1A) Risk Factors
2) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
6) Exhibits
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except
par values and share amounts)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Deferred income taxes
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Equity investments
Restricted cash
Other assets, net
Total assets
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 6 and 14)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 66,572,173 and 66,256,144 shares issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Benefits liability, net of tax
Cumulative translation adjustment
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Income from operations
Other income (expense)
Interest expense
Other income, net
Income before income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Dividends per common share
2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Provision for doubtful accounts
Amortization of debt issue costs
Stock-based compensation expense
Loss from disposition of fixed assets
Equity in income of joint venture
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Other, net
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposition of assets
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate
Settlements of derivative instruments
Net cash used for investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Dividends paid
Utilization of restricted cash
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
3
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands of dollars, except share amounts and per share data)
1. Basis of Financial Statements
The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim periods. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States have not been included. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2010 financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation (the “Company”) included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2011. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2011, its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 and the changes in its cash position for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2011 or any other interim period. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Fair Value Measurements
In January 2010, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on fair value measurement disclosures. The new accounting guidance requires disclosures on significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and gross presentation of Level 3 reconciliation components. It also clarifies two existing disclosure requirements regarding fair value disclosures by class of assets and liabilities rather than by major category and disclosures of valuation technique and the inputs used in determining fair value of each class of assets and liabilities for Levels 2 and 3 measurements. The accounting standards update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the gross presentation of the Level 3 reconciliation, which is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. With the exception of the gross presentation of the Level 3 reconciliation, the Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2010, and it did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company adopted the guidance pertaining to the gross presentation of the Level 3 reconciliation as of January 1, 2011, and the adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
2. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of the following:
Trade customers
Affiliates
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Federal and state taxes
Other
4
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
3. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
Finished products
Feedstock, additives and chemicals
Materials and supplies
Allowance for inventory obsolescence
4. Property, Plant and Equipment
As of March 31, 2011, the Company had property, plant and equipment totaling $1,173,185. The Company assesses these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, including when negative conditions such as significant current or projected operating losses exist. Other factors considered by the Company when determining if an impairment assessment is necessary include significant changes or projected changes in supply and demand fundamentals (which would have a negative impact on operating rates or margins), new technological developments, new competitors with significant raw material or other cost advantages, adverse changes associated with the U.S. and world economies and uncertainties associated with governmental actions. Long-lived assets assessed for impairment are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.
Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment of $27,307 and $26,192 is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
5. Other Assets
Amortization expense on other assets of $5,709 and $6,230 is included in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
6. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
6 5/8% senior notes due 2016
6 1/2% senior notes due 2029
6 3/4% senior notes due 2032
6 1/2% senior notes due 2035 (the “2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes”)
6 1/2% senior notes due 2035 (the “2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes”)
Loan related to tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds due 2027
The Company has a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Any borrowings under the facility would bear interest at either LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.75% to 3.50% or a base rate plus a spread ranging from 1.25% to 2.0%. The revolving credit facility also requires an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.75% to 0.875%, depending on the average daily borrowings. All interest rates under the facility are subject to monthly grid pricing adjustments based on prior month average daily loan availability. The revolving credit facility matures on September 8, 2013. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $17,012 and borrowing availability of $382,988 under the revolving credit facility.
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7. Stock-Based Compensation
Under the Westlake Chemical Corporation 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”), all employees and nonemployee directors of the Company, as well as certain individuals who have agreed to become the Company’s employees, are eligible for awards. Shares of common stock may be issued as authorized in the 2004 Plan. At the discretion of the administrator of the 2004 Plan, employees and nonemployee directors may be granted awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards or cash awards (any of which may be a performance award). Total stock-based compensation expense related to the 2004 Plan was $1,503 and $1,390 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Option activity and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2011 were as follows:
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
Granted
Exercised
Cancelled
Outstanding at March 31, 2011
Exercisable at March 31, 2011
For options outstanding at March 31, 2011, the options had the following range of exercise prices:
Range of Prices
$14.24 – $19.29
$20.53 – $27.24
$30.07 – $36.10
$43.43 – $45.83
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the quarter and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2011. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $7,204 and $163 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
As of March 31, 2011, $4,983 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. Income tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options was $1,862 and $41 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its options. The table below presents the weighted average value and assumptions used in determining the fair value for each option granted during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Volatility was calculated using historical trends of the Company’s common stock price.
Weighted average fair value
Risk-free interest rate
Expected life in years
Expected volatility
Expected dividend yield
6
Non-vested restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2011 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2011 were as follows:
Non-vested at December 31, 2010
Vested
Forfeited
Non-vested at March 31, 2011
As of March 31, 2011, there was $7,343 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years. The total fair value of shares of restricted stock that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $5,805 and $1,186, respectively.
8. Derivative Commodity Instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to reduce price volatility risk on raw materials and products as a substantial portion of its raw materials and products are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. Business strategies to protect against such instability include ethylene product feedstock flexibility and moving downstream into the olefins and vinyls products where pricing is more stable. Due to the short-term nature of the commodities and associated derivatives, the Company did not designate any of its commodity derivative instruments as hedges. As such, gains and losses from changes in the fair value of all the derivative instruments used in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were included in earnings.
The exposure on commodity derivatives used for price risk management includes the risk that the counterparty will not pay if the market declines below the established fixed price. In such case, the Company would lose the benefit of the derivative differential on the volume of the commodities covered. In any event, the Company would continue to receive the market price on the actual volume hedged. The Company also bears the risk that it could lose the benefit of market improvements over the fixed derivative price for the term and volume of the derivative securities (as such improvements would accrue to the benefit of the counterparty).
Under the accounting guidance for fair value measurements, inputs used to measure fair value are classified in one of three levels:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The following table summarizes the classification of risk management assets and liabilities by fair value measurement level:
Risk management assets
Risk management liabilities
The Level 2 risk management assets and liabilities are derived using forward curves supplied by industry recognized and unrelated third-party services. There were no transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
The following tables reflect the fair values of derivative instruments in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the (loss) gain from trading activities in its consolidated statements of operations:
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments
Balance Sheet
Location
Balance SheetLocation
Commodity contracts
7
Location of (Loss) Gain
Recognized in Income on Derivative
See Note 9 for the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments.
9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying and fair values of the Company’s derivative commodity instruments and financial instruments are summarized below:
Commodity Instruments:
Derivative commodity forward contracts
Financial Instruments:
2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes
2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments.
10. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 35.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The effective 2011 period tax rate was above the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to state income taxes, mostly offset by the domestic manufacturing deduction. The effective income tax rate was 34.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The effective 2010 period tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes.
Management anticipates no material reductions to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had $10 of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities before the year 2005. During the first quarter of 2011, the Internal Revenue Service began an audit of the Company for the 2009 tax year.
11. Earnings per Share
The Company has non-vested restricted stock that are considered participating securities and compute basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method. Basic earnings per share for the periods are based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share include the effect of certain stock options.
Less:
Net income attributable to participating securities
Net income attributable to common shareholders
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The following table reconciles the denominator for the basic and diluted earnings per share computations shown in the consolidated statements of operations:
Weighted average common shares – basic
Plus incremental shares from:
Assumed exercise of options
Weighted average common shares – diluted
Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share are options to purchase 221,639 and 612,720 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These options were outstanding during the periods reported but were excluded because the effect of including them would have been antidilutive.
12. Comprehensive Income Information
Other comprehensive income:
Amortization of benefits liability, net of tax
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
Comprehensive income
13. Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs
Components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of transition obligation
Amortization of prior service cost
Amortization of net loss
Net periodic benefit cost
The Company contributed $354 and $103 to the Salaried pension plan in the first three months of 2011 and 2010, respectively, and contributed $154 and $91 to the Wage pension plan in the first three months of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company expects to make additional contributions of $1,780 to the Salaried pension plan and $1,662 to the Wage pension plan during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011.
14. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations that can impose civil and criminal sanctions and that may require it to mitigate the effects of contamination caused by the release or disposal of hazardous substances into the environment. Under one law, an owner or operator of property may be held strictly liable for remediating contamination without regard to whether that person caused the contamination, and without regard to whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time they occurred. Because several of the Company’s production sites have a history of industrial use, it is impossible to predict precisely what effect these requirements will have on the Company.
9
Contract Disputes with Goodrich and PolyOne. In connection with the 1990 and 1997 acquisitions of the Goodrich Corporation (“Goodrich”) chemical manufacturing complex in Calvert City, Kentucky, Goodrich agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities related to preexisting contamination at the complex. For its part, the Company agreed to indemnify Goodrich for post-closing contamination caused by the Company’s operations. The soil and groundwater at the complex, which does not include the Company’s nearby PVC facility, had been extensively contaminated by Goodrich’s operations. In 1993, Goodrich spun off the predecessor of PolyOne Corporation (“PolyOne”), and that predecessor assumed Goodrich’s indemnification obligations relating to preexisting contamination.
In 2003, litigation arose among the Company, Goodrich and PolyOne with respect to the allocation of the cost of remediating contamination at the site. The parties settled this litigation in December 2007 and the case was dismissed. In the settlement the parties agreed that, among other things: (1) PolyOne would pay 100% of the costs (with specified exceptions), net of recoveries or credits from third parties, incurred with respect to environmental issues at the Calvert City site from August 1, 2007 forward; (2) either the Company or PolyOne might, from time to time in the future (but not more than once every five years), institute an arbitration proceeding to adjust that percentage; and (3) the Company and PolyOne would negotiate a new environmental remediation utilities and services agreement to cover the Company’s provision to or on behalf of PolyOne of certain environmental remediation services at the site. The current environmental remediation activities at the Calvert City complex do not have a specified termination date but are expected to last for the foreseeable future. The costs incurred by PolyOne to provide the environmental remediation services were $3,028 in 2010. On March 17, 2010, the Company received notice of PolyOne’s intention to commence an arbitration proceeding under the settlement agreement. In this proceeding, PolyOne seeks to readjust the percentage allocation of costs and to recover approximately $1,400 from the Company in reimbursement of previously paid remediation costs. The arbitration is currently stayed until August 15, 2011. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate the loss or reasonable possible loss, if any, on the Company’s financial statements in 2011 and later years that could result from the arbitration proceeding.
Administrative Proceedings. There are several administrative proceedings in Kentucky involving the Company, Goodrich and PolyOne related to the same manufacturing complex in Calvert City. In 2003, the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (the “Cabinet”) re-issued Goodrich’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) permit which requires Goodrich to remediate contamination at the Calvert City manufacturing complex. Both Goodrich and PolyOne challenged various terms of the permit in an attempt to shift Goodrich’s clean-up obligations under the permit to the Company. The Company intervened in the proceedings. The Cabinet has suspended all corrective action under the RCRA permit in deference to a remedial investigation and feasibility study (“RIFS”) being conducted pursuant to an Administrative Settlement Agreement (“AOC”), which became effective on December 9, 2009. See “Change in Regulatory Regime” below. The proceedings have been postponed. Periodic status conferences will be held to evaluate whether additional proceedings will be required.
Change in Regulatory Regime. On May 22, 2009, the Cabinet sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) requesting the EPA’s assistance in addressing contamination at the Calvert City site under the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). In its response to the Cabinet on May 29, 2009, the EPA stated that it concurred with the Cabinet’s request and would incorporate work previously conducted under the Cabinet’s RCRA authority into the EPA’s cleanup efforts under CERCLA. Since 1983, the EPA has been addressing contamination at an abandoned landfill adjacent to the Company’s plant which had been operated by Goodrich and which was being remediated pursuant to CERCLA. During the past two years, the EPA has directed Goodrich and PolyOne to conduct additional investigation activities at the landfill and at the Company’s plant. On June 26, 2009, the EPA notified the Company that the Company may have potential liability under section 107(a) of CERCLA at its plant site. Liability under section 107(a) of CERCLA is strict and joint and several. The EPA specified a period of 60 days during which the Company could negotiate the performance and funding of response activities at the site. The EPA’s letter of June 26, 2009 also identified Goodrich and PolyOne, among others, as potentially responsible parties at the plant site. The Company negotiated, in conjunction with the other potentially responsible parties, the AOC and an order to conduct the RIFS. The parties submitted and received EPA approval for a RIFS work plan to implement the AOC. The parties have begun to conduct the RIFS.
Monetary Relief. Except as noted above, with respect to the settlement of the contract litigation among the Company, Goodrich and PolyOne, none of the court, the Cabinet nor the EPA has established any allocation of the costs of remediation among the various parties that are involved in the judicial and administrative proceedings discussed above. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate the loss or reasonable possible loss, if any, on the Company’s financial statements in 2011 and later years that could result from the resolution of these proceedings. Any cash expenditures that the Company might incur in the future with respect to the remediation of contamination at the complex would likely be spread out over an extended period. As a result, the Company believes it is unlikely that any remediation costs allocable to it will be material in terms of expenditures made in any individual reporting period.
10
Environmental Investigations at Calvert City. In 2002, the National Enforcement Investigations Center (“NEIC”) of the EPA investigated the Company’s manufacturing complex in Calvert City. In early 2004, the NEIC investigated the Company’s nearby PVC plant. The EPA subsequently submitted information requests to the Company under the Clean Air Act and RCRA. On September 17, 2010, after lengthy negotiations, a consent decree signed by the parties was filed with the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, which settled claims arising out of the audits. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, the Company agreed to pay a penalty totaling $800 and to modify its operations to reduce certain emissions and conduct enhanced monitoring. The penalty was paid in March 2011. The Company also agreed to perform an investigation of certain sumps and containment areas at its PVC plant to determine if releases from those facilities have occurred. This matter is now concluded.
EPA Audit of Ethylene Units in Lake Charles. During 2007, the EPA conducted an audit of the Company’s ethylene units in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with a focus on leak detection and repair, or LDAR. In January 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, notified the Company that the EPA had referred the matter to the DOJ to bring a civil case against the Company alleging violations of various environmental laws and regulations. The DOJ informed the Company that it would seek monetary penalties and require the Company to implement an “enhanced LDAR” program for the ethylene units. The EPA has proposed a settlement and provided a draft consent decree, which would require the Company’s Lake Charles facilities to undertake an enhanced LDAR program and would require payment of a civil penalty. The Company is engaged in negotiations with the EPA. The Company has recorded an accrual for a probable loss related to monetary penalties. Although the ultimate amount of liability is not ascertainable, the Company believes that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition to the matters described above, the Company is involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company does not believe that any of these routine legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
15. Segment Information
The Company operates in two principal business segments: Olefins and Vinyls. These segments are strategic business units that offer a variety of different products. The Company manages each segment separately as each business requires different technology and marketing strategies.
Net sales to external customers
Olefins
Polyethylene
Ethylene, styrene and other
Total olefins
Vinyls
PVC building products
PVC, caustic soda and other
Total vinyls
Intersegment sales
Income (loss) from operations
Corporate and other
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Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Capital expenditures
In the first quarter of 2011, in order to better reflect large buyer market related pricing, the Company changed its intersegment market pricing methodology used to account for intersegment sales of ethylene sold from the Olefins segment to the Vinyls segment. Had this pricing methodology been in effect on January 1, 2010, the impact on Olefins segment income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 would be a reduction of $8,191. This reduction would be offset by an improvement in the Vinyls and Corporate segments’ operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 of $2,312 and $5,879, respectively. The improvement in the Corporate segment’s loss from operations is attributable to a reduction in intercompany profit in inventory reserve related to sales from the Olefins segment to the Vinyls segment. There would be no impact on the Company’s reported consolidated income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
A reconciliation of total segment income from operations to consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
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16. Subsequent Events
Subsequent events were evaluated through the date on which the financial statements were issued.
17. Guarantor Disclosures
The Company’s payment obligations under the Company’s 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016 is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of its current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of the Company or of another guarantor of the senior notes in excess of $5,000 (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Each Guarantor Subsidiary is 100% owned by Westlake Chemical Corporation. These guarantees are the joint and several obligations of the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The following unaudited condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the remaining subsidiaries that do not guarantee the senior notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”), together with consolidating adjustments necessary to present the Company’s results on a consolidated basis.
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information as of March 31, 2011
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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information as of December 31, 2010
14
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Statement of Operations
Gross profit (loss)
(Loss) income from operations
Other income (expense), net
Income (loss) before income taxes
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
Net income (loss)
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
15
Statement of Cash Flows
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
Net changes in working capital and other
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
Intercompany financing
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
16
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities
Net cash used for operating activities
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
17
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with information contained in the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Westlake Chemical Corporation and the notes thereto and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation included in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Form 10-K”). The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Please read “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of limitations inherent in such statements.
We are a vertically integrated manufacturer and marketer of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated PVC building products. Our two principal business segments are Olefins and Vinyls. We use the majority of our internally-produced basic chemicals to produce higher value-added chemicals and PVC building products.
Weakness in the U.S. construction markets, which began in the third quarter of 2006, and the subsequent budgetary constraints in municipal spending, have contributed to lower demand for our vinyls products. As a result, operating margins remain depressed in our Vinyls segment. In addition, increases in feedstock costs, combined with the industry’s inability to raise domestic prices for PVC resin and PVC building products sufficiently in order to offset cost increases, significantly impacted our Vinyls segment’s operating results in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. Beginning in the second half of 2010, PVC resin operating rates have improved due to increased exports, which have been driven largely by more competitive ethylene and energy cost positions in North America. Looking forward, our Vinyls operating rates and margins may continue to be depressed due to the slow recovery of U.S. construction markets and recent North American PVC capacity additions.
In 2009 and continuing through the first quarter of 2011, a cost advantage for natural gas-based ethylene producers over naphtha-based ethylene producers allowed a strong export market and higher margins for North American producers. Increased global demand for polyethylene during 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 resulted in improved operating margins and cash flow for our Olefins segment. Some Olefins industry consultants predict that significant increases in worldwide ethylene and ethylene derivative capacity over the past three years, primarily from the Middle East and Asia, will continue for the next several years. As a result, our Olefins segment operating margins may be negatively impacted.
While the recent economic environment has been challenging for our customers, we believe our customer base remains generally healthy. As we continue to manage our business in this environment, including the slowdown in construction activity, we have taken steps designed to address the changes in demand and margins in our Vinyls segment and its resulting impact on our operations by matching production with sales demand and continuing to operate our plants in an efficient manner. We continue to monitor our cost management programs and discretionary capital spending. The impact of the recent global economic downturn has been challenging to our business and, depending on the performance of the economy in the remainder of 2011 and beyond, could have a negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Recent Developments
In April 2011, we announced an expansion program to increase the ethane-based ethylene capacity of both of the ethylene units at our Lake Charles, Louisiana complex. The additional capacity from these expansions is expected to provide ethylene for existing internal derivatives units and the merchant market. The first cracker expansion is expected to increase ethylene capacity by approximately 230 - 240 million pounds annually, while also increasing feedstock flexibility, and is targeted for completion by late 2012. The second ethylene cracker expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2014. We expect these projects will be funded with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, the net proceeds from the revenue bonds of the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facility and Development Authority (the “Authority”), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, which are currently held as restricted cash, and if necessary, our revolving credit facility and other external financing. In addition, we are evaluating expansion options and the potential upgrade of ethylene production facilities at Calvert City, Kentucky in order to capitalize on new low cost ethane and other “light” feedstocks being developed in North America.
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Results of Operations
Net external sales
Total
Total income from operations
Diluted earnings per share
Product sales price and volume percentage change from prior year period
Company average
Average industry prices (1)
Ethane (cents/lb)
Propane (cents/lb)
Ethylene (cents/lb) (2)
Polyethylene (cents/lb) (3)
Styrene (cents/lb) (4)
Caustic ($/short ton) (5)
Chlorine ($/short ton) (6)
PVC (cents/lb) (7)
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Summary
For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, net income was $83.5 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, on net sales of $867.3 million. This represents an increase in net income of $65.9 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, from the quarter ended March 31, 2010 net income of $17.6 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, on net sales of $778.3 million. Sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased $89.0 million compared to the first quarter of 2010 driven mainly by higher sales prices for all our major products and higher sales volumes for caustic soda and PVC resin, partially offset by lower building products sales volume. PVC resin sales volume benefited from a strong export market in the first quarter of 2011. Income from operations was $140.6 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared to $34.4 million for the first quarter of 2010. Income from operations benefited from improved product margins due primarily to a 14.1% increase in product prices, higher production rates, improved PVC resin sales volume and lower ethane costs. The first quarter of 2010 was negatively impacted by an unscheduled outage at one of our ethylene units in Lake Charles caused by freezing temperatures.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
First Quarter 2011 Compared with First Quarter 2010
Net Sales. Net sales increased by $89.0 million, or 11.4%, to $867.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $778.3 million in the first quarter of 2010. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for all our major products and higher caustic soda and PVC resin sales volumes. Average sales prices for the first quarter of 2011 increased by 14.1% as compared to the first quarter of 2010.
Gross Margin. Gross margin percentage of 19.3% for the first quarter of 2011 improved from the 7.4% gross margin percentage for the first quarter of 2010. The increase was mainly driven by higher sales prices for all our major products, improved production rates for most of our major products and lower ethane costs. Our raw material cost in both segments normally tracks industry prices, which experienced a decrease of 10.5% for ethane and an increase of 10.2% for propane as compared to the first quarter of 2010. Sales prices increased an average of 14.1% for the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2011 increased by $3.6 million as compared to the first quarter of 2010 primarily attributable to an increase in payroll and related labor costs.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $4.1 million to $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher average debt outstanding for the period as a result of the issuance of our senior notes in July and December 2010.
Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 35.2% for the first quarter of 2011. The effective 2011 period tax rate was above the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to state income taxes, mostly offset by the domestic manufacturing deduction. The effective income tax rate was 34.0% for the first quarter of 2010. The effective 2010 period tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes.
Olefins Segment
Net Sales. Net sales increased by $40.1 million, or 7.1%, to $605.1 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $565.0 million in the first quarter of 2010. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for all major products, partially offset by a decrease in polyethylene sales volume as compared to the prior year period. Average sales prices for the Olefins segment increased by 14.2% in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010. Average sales volumes for the Olefins segment decreased by 7.1% in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010.
Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $87.1 million to $145.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $58.2 million in the first quarter of 2010. This increase was mainly attributable to improved Olefins segment integrated product margins, which benefited from an increase in product prices for all our major products, higher styrene sales volume, lower ethane costs and higher production rates when compared to the prior year period. The first quarter of 2010 was negatively impacted by the unscheduled outage at one of our ethylene units in Lake Charles.
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Vinyls Segment
Net Sales. Net sales increased by $48.9 million, or 22.9%, to $262.2 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $213.3 million in the first quarter of 2010. This increase was primarily driven by higher sales prices for all major vinyls products and higher PVC resin and caustic soda sales volumes as compared to the first quarter of 2010. PVC resin sales volume benefited from a strong export market in the first quarter of 2011. Average sales prices for the Vinyls segment increased by 13.7% in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010. Average sales volumes for the Vinyls segment increased by 9.2% in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010.
Loss from Operations. The Vinyls segment incurred a loss from operations of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to a loss from operations of $14.9 million in the first quarter of 2010, an improvement in operating results of $12.1 million. This improvement was primarily due to higher caustic and PVC resin margins and higher PVC resin sales volume as compared to the prior year period. PVC resin sales volume benefited from a strong export market in the first quarter of 2011. The improvement was partially offset by higher propane costs. Overall, while Vinyls operating results for the first quarter of 2011 improved compared to the first quarter of 2010, Vinyls margins remain under pressure due to the continued weakness in the U.S. construction markets, budgetary constraints in municipal spending and the industry’s inability to sufficiently raise prices for domestic PVC resin and downstream building products in order to offset feedstock and energy cost increases.
CASH FLOW DISCUSSION FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Operating activities provided cash of $40.7 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to cash used of $55.1 million in the first three months of 2010. The $95.8 million increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to an increase in income from operations in the first three months of 2011 compared to the prior year period, partially offset by an increase in income taxes paid. Income from operations increased by $106.2 million in the first three months of 2011 as compared to the first three months of 2010 mainly as a result of improved product margins due primarily to an increase in product prices of all our major products, higher production rates for most of our major products, improved PVC resin sales volume and lower ethane costs. Changes in components of working capital, which we define for purposes of this cash flow discussion as accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expense and other current assets less accounts payable and accrued liabilities, used cash of $89.8 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to $96.7 million of cash used in the first three months of 2010, a favorable change of $6.9 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities during the first three months of 2011 was $28.2 million as compared to net cash used for investing activities of $6.8 million in the first three months of 2010. Capital expenditures were $28.8 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to $14.7 million in the first three months of 2010. The higher capital expenditures in the 2011 period were largely attributable to expenditures related to capital projects to improve production capacity or reduce costs at our various facilities. The remaining capital expenditures in the first three months of 2011 and 2010 primarily related to maintenance, safety and environmental projects. We received proceeds of $7.8 million for the settlement of derivative instruments during the first three months of 2010.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities during the first three months of 2011 was $11.8 million as compared to net cash provided of $1.5 million in the first three months of 2010. The 2011 period activity was primarily related to an $11.2 million draw-down of our restricted cash for use for eligible capital expenditures and proceeds of $4.8 million from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by the $4.2 million payment of cash dividends. The 2010 period activity was primarily related to a $5.0 million draw-down of our restricted cash, partially offset by the payment of cash dividends.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity and Financing Arrangements
Our principal sources of liquidity are from cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, cash from operations, short-term borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our long-term financing. As we continue to manage our business through the current economic environment, we have maintained our focus on cost control and various initiatives designed to preserve cash and liquidity.
In April 2011, we announced an expansion program to increase the ethane-based ethylene capacity of both of the ethylene units at our Lake Charles complex, with completion targeted by late 2012 and 2014, respectively. The additional capacity from these expansions is expected to provide ethylene for existing internal derivatives units and the merchant market. In August 2010, we announced that we intend to proceed with the previously announced plans for the construction of a new chlor-alkali plant at our
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Geismar, Louisiana facility. The project is currently estimated to cost in the range of $250.0 million to $300.0 million and is targeted for start-up in the second half of 2013. These projects would be funded with cash on hand, cash flow from operations, the net proceeds from certain of the revenue bonds of the Authority, which are currently held as restricted cash, and if necessary, our revolving credit facility and other external financing.
We believe that our sources of liquidity as described above will be adequate to fund our normal operations and ongoing capital expenditures. Funding of any potential large expansions or any potential acquisitions of third-party assets may depend on our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. We must maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1 under our revolving credit facility or our ability to make distributions and acquisitions will be restricted. However, we may also make distributions and specified acquisitions when our fixed charge coverage ratio falls below 1.0:1 but we maintain at least $125.0 million to $200.0 million (depending on the amount of the distribution or acquisition payment) of borrowing availability, including cash, under the credit facility. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2011, the fixed charge coverage ratio under our revolving credit facility was 2.4:1. The indenture governing our 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016, our 6 1/2% senior notes due 2029, our 6 3/4% senior notes due 2032, our 6 1/2% senior notes due 2035 (the “2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes”) and our 6 1/2% senior notes due 2035 (the “2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes”) (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 2.0:1 in order to incur additional debt, except for specified permitted debt. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2011, this fixed charge coverage ratio was 14.0:1. We may not be able to access additional liquidity at cost effective interest rates due to the volatility of the commercial credit markets.
Cash and Restricted Cash
Total cash balances were $793.7 million at March 31, 2011, which included cash and cash equivalents of $654.5 million and restricted cash of $139.2 million. The restricted cash is held by a trustee until such time as we request reimbursement of amounts used to expand, refurbish and maintain our facilities in Calcasieu and Ascension Parishes. In addition, we have a revolving credit facility available to supplement cash if needed, as described under “Debt” below.
Debt
As of March 31, 2011, our long-term debt, including current maturities, totaled $764.5 million, consisting of $250.0 million principal amount of 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016 (less the unamortized discount of $0.4 million), $100.0 million of 6 1/2% senior notes due 2029, $250.0 million of 6 3/4% senior notes due 2032, $89.0 million of 2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes, $65.0 million of 2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes and a $10.9 million loan from the proceeds of tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds (supported by an $11.3 million letter of credit). The 6 1/2% senior notes due 2029, the 6 3/4% senior notes due 2032, the 2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes and the 2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes evidence and secure our obligations to the Authority under four loan agreements relating to the issuance of $100.0 million, $250.0 million, $89.0 million and $65.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Authority’s tax-exempt revenue bonds, respectively. As of March 31, 2011, debt outstanding under the tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds bore interest at a variable rate. As of March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the covenants with respect to our Senior Notes, our waste disposal revenue bonds and our revolving credit facility.
As of March 31, 2011, we had drawn $35.2 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the 2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes, $9.0 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the 2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes and $220.5 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the 6 3/4% senior notes due 2032. The balance of the proceeds, plus interest income, remains with the trustee, and is classified on our consolidated balance sheet as a non-current asset, restricted cash, until such time as we request reimbursement of amounts used to expand, refurbish and maintain certain of our facilities in Louisiana. As of March 31, 2011, we had drawn all the proceeds from the issuance of the 6 1/2% senior notes due 2029. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Debt” in the 2010 Form 10-K for more information on the 6 1/2% senior notes due 2029, the 6 3/4% senior notes due 2032, the 2035 GO Zone 6 1/2% Notes and the 2035 IKE Zone 6 1/2% Notes. All domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of ours or of another guarantor of the Senior Notes in excess of $5.0 million are guarantors of these notes.
We have a $400.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility. In February 2009, we amended our revolving credit facility to allow us to make distributions and specified acquisitions when our fixed charge coverage ratio falls below 1.0:1 but we maintain at least $125.0 million to $200.0 million (depending on the amount of the distribution and acquisition payments) of borrowing availability, including cash, under the credit facility. At March 31, 2011, we had no borrowings under the revolving credit facility. Any borrowings under the facility will bear interest at either LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.75% to 3.50% or a base rate plus a spread ranging from 1.25% to 2.0%. The revolving credit facility also requires an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.75% to 0.875%, depending on the average daily borrowings. All interest rates under the facility are subject to monthly grid pricing adjustments based on prior month average daily loan availability. The revolving credit facility matures on September 8, 2013. As of March 31, 2011, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $17.0 million and borrowing availability of $383.0 million under the revolving credit facility.
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In January 2006, we issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016. The 6 5/8% senior notes are unsecured and were issued with an original issue discount of $0.8 million. There is no sinking fund and no scheduled amortization of the notes prior to maturity. The notes are subject to redemption and the holders may require us to repurchase the notes upon a change of control. All domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of ours or of another guarantor of the Senior Notes in excess of $5.0 million are guarantors of the 6 5/8% senior notes.
The agreements governing the Senior Notes and the revolving credit facility each contain customary covenants and events of default. Accordingly, these agreements impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions, among other things, provide limitations on incurrence of additional indebtedness, the payment of dividends, certain investments and acquisitions and sales of assets. The most significant of these provisions in the indenture for the Senior Notes restricts us from incurring additional debt, except specified permitted debt (including borrowings under our credit facility), when our fixed charge coverage ratio is below 2.0:1. These limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, including, without limitation, an exception for the payment of our regular quarterly dividend of up to $0.20 per share (currently $0.0635 per share). The Senior Notes indenture does not allow distributions in excess of $100.0 million unless, after giving pro forma effect to the distribution, our fixed charge coverage ratio is at least 2.0:1 and such payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other distributions after January 13, 2006, is less than the sum of 50% of our consolidated net income for the period from October 1, 2003 to the end of the most recent quarter for which financial statements have been filed, plus 100% of net cash proceeds received after October 1, 2003 as a contribution to our common equity capital or from the issuance or sale of certain securities, plus several other adjustments. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2011, the fixed charge coverage ratio under the Senior Notes indenture was 14.0:1. The amount allowed under this restriction was $594.5 million at March 31, 2011.
The revolving credit facility also restricts distributions and specified acquisitions unless, after giving effect to such distribution or acquisition payment, our fixed charge coverage ratio is at least 1.0:1, provided that we may also make distributions and specified acquisitions when our fixed charge coverage ratio falls below 1.0:1 but we maintain at least $125.0 million to $200.0 million (depending on the amount of the distribution or acquisition payment) of borrowing availability, including cash, under the revolving credit facility. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2011, the fixed charge coverage ratio under the revolving credit facility was 2.4:1. No other agreements require us to maintain specified financial ratios. In addition, the Senior Notes indenture and the revolving credit facility restrict our ability to create liens, to engage in certain affiliate transactions and to engage in sale-leaseback transactions.
In December 1997, we entered into a loan agreement with a public trust established for public purposes for the benefit of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana. The public trust issued $10.9 million principal amount of tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds in order to finance our construction of waste disposal facilities for an ethylene plant. The waste disposal revenue bonds expire in December 2027 and are subject to redemption and mandatory tender for purchase prior to maturity under certain conditions. Interest on the waste disposal revenue bonds accrues at a rate determined by a remarketing agent and is payable quarterly. The interest rate on the waste disposal revenue bonds at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was 0.37% and 0.45%, respectively.
Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our normal operating needs for the foreseeable future.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor provisions for forward-looking information. Certain of the statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expected” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements relate to matters such as:
future operating rates, margins, cash flow and demand for our products;
industry market outlook;
production capacities;
our ability to borrow additional funds under our credit facility;
our ability to meet our liquidity needs;
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our intended quarterly dividends;
future capacity additions and expansions in the industry;
timing, funding and results of the expansion program at our Lake Charles complex;
expansion options and potential upgrade of ethylene production facilities at the Calvert City complex;
timing, funding and results of the planned new chlor-alkali plant in Geismar;
health of our customer base;
pension plan funding requirements and investment policies;
compliance with present and future environmental regulations and costs associated with environmentally related penalties, capital expenditures, remedial actions and proceedings, including any new laws, regulations or treaties that may come into force to limit or control carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emissions or to address other issues of climate change;
the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards;
effects of pending legal proceedings; and
timing of and amount of capital expenditures.
We have based these statements on assumptions and analyses in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe were appropriate in the circumstances when the statements were made. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such statements. These statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including those described in “Risk Factors” in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and the following:
general economic and business conditions;
the cyclical nature of the chemical industry;
the availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and energy;
uncertainties associated with the United States and worldwide economies, including those due to the global economic slowdown, the credit crisis and political tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere;
current and potential governmental regulatory actions in the United States and regulatory actions and political unrest in other countries;
industry production capacity and operating rates;
the supply/demand balance for our products;
competitive products and pricing pressures;
instability in the credit and financial markets;
access to capital markets;
terrorist acts;
operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks);
changes in laws or regulations;
technological developments;
our ability to implement our business strategies; and
creditworthiness of our customers.
Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Any of the factors, or a combination of these factors, could materially affect our future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and our actual results and future developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements or present or prior earnings levels. Every forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
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Commodity Price Risk
A substantial portion of our products and raw materials are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. Accordingly, product margins and the level of our profitability tend to fluctuate with changes in the business cycle. We try to protect against such instability through various business strategies. Our strategies include ethylene product feedstock flexibility and moving downstream into the olefins and vinyls products where pricing is more stable. We use derivative instruments in certain instances to reduce price volatility risk on feedstocks and products. Based on our open derivative positions at March 31, 2011, a hypothetical $0.10 increase in the price of a gallon of ethane would have increased our income before taxes by $0.1 million and a hypothetical $0.10 increase in the price of a pound of ethylene would have decreased our income before taxes by $1.2 million. Additional information concerning derivative commodity instruments appears in Notes 8 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to fixed and variable rate debt. At March 31, 2011, we had variable rate debt of $10.9 million outstanding. All of the debt outstanding under our revolving credit facility (none was outstanding at March 31, 2011) and our loan relating to the tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds are at variable rates. We do not currently hedge our variable interest rate debt, but we may do so in the future. The average variable interest rate for our variable rate debt of $10.9 million as of March 31, 2011 was 0.37%. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the average interest rate on our variable rate debt would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $0.1 million. Also, at March 31, 2011, we had $754.0 million principal amount of fixed rate debt. We are subject to the risk of higher interest cost if and when this debt is refinanced. If interest rates are 1% higher at the time of refinancing, our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $7.5 million.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. In the course of this evaluation, management considered certain internal control areas in which we have made and are continuing to make changes to improve and enhance controls. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective with respect to (i) the accumulation and communication to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we submit under the Exchange Act, and (ii) the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of such information within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Form 10-K”), filed on February 24, 2011, contained a description of various legal proceedings in which we are involved, including environmental proceedings at our facilities in Calvert City. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of certain of those proceedings, which information is incorporated by reference herein.
For a discussion of risk factors, please read Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the 2010 Form 10-K.
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The following table provides information on our purchase of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2011:
Period
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
Exhibit No.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
/S/ ALBERT CHAO
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/S/ M. STEVEN BENDER
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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