CENTRUS ENERGY CORP - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarter ended September 30, 2008
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 1-14287
USEC Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State of incorporation) |
52-2107911 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2 Democracy Center
6903 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
(301) 564-3200
6903 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
(301) 564-3200
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 þ No o
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):
Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes o No þ
As of October 15, 2008, there were 111,266,000 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
||||||
Item 1.
|
Financial Statements: | |||||
3 | ||||||
4 | ||||||
5 | ||||||
6 | ||||||
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 14 | |||||
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 35 | |||||
Controls and Procedures | 35 | |||||
PART II OTHER INFORMATION |
||||||
Legal Proceedings | 36 | |||||
Risk Factors | 36 | |||||
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 39 | |||||
Exhibits | 39 | |||||
Signature |
40 | |||||
Exhibit Index |
41 |
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 2, contains forward-looking statements
that is, statements related to future events. In this context, forward-looking statements may
address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as
expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, will and other words of similar
meaning. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees,
uncertain. For USEC, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results
to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to: the success of the demonstration and deployment of our American Centrifuge technology
including our ability to meet our performance targets and schedule for the American Centrifuge
Plant; the cost of the American Centrifuge Plant and our ability to timely secure a loan guarantee
or other financing; the cost of electric power used at our gaseous diffusion plant; our dependence
on deliveries under the Russian Contract and on a single production facility; our inability under
most existing long-term contracts to pass on to customers increases in SWU prices under the Russian
Contract resulting from significant increases in market prices; changes in existing restrictions on
imports of Russian enriched uranium; the elimination of duties charged on imports of
foreign-produced low enriched uranium; pricing trends in the uranium and enrichment markets and
their impact on our profitability; changes to, or termination of, our contracts with the U.S.
government and changes in U.S. government priorities and the availability of government funding,
including loan guarantees; the impact of government regulation; the outcome of legal proceedings
and other contingencies (including lawsuits and government investigations or audits); the
competitive environment for our products and services; changes in the nuclear energy industry; the
potential impact of current financial market conditions on our pension assets and credit and
insurance facilities; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A. We do not
undertake to update our forward-looking statements except as required by law.
2
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(millions)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(millions)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current Assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 358.6 | $ | 886.1 | ||||
Accounts receivable trade |
246.4 | 252.9 | ||||||
Inventories |
1,258.2 | 1,153.4 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
72.5 | 49.5 | ||||||
Other current assets |
120.8 | 88.7 | ||||||
Total Current Assets |
2,056.5 | 2,430.6 | ||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment, net |
593.3 | 292.2 | ||||||
Other Long-Term Assets |
||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
172.5 | 180.1 | ||||||
Deposits for surety bonds |
108.8 | 97.0 | ||||||
Pension asset |
73.7 | 67.1 | ||||||
Bond financing costs, net |
12.5 | 13.8 | ||||||
Goodwill |
6.8 | 6.8 | ||||||
Intangibles |
| 0.2 | ||||||
Total Other Long-Term Assets |
374.3 | 365.0 | ||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 3,024.1 | $ | 3,087.8 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current Liabilities |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 126.4 | $ | | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
169.2 | 162.2 | ||||||
Payables under Russian Contract |
109.8 | 112.2 | ||||||
Inventories owed to customers and suppliers |
207.3 | 322.3 | ||||||
Deferred revenue and advances from customers |
142.1 | 119.1 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities |
754.8 | 715.8 | ||||||
Long-Term Debt |
575.0 | 725.0 | ||||||
Other Long-Term Liabilities |
||||||||
Depleted uranium disposition |
113.7 | 98.3 | ||||||
Postretirement health and life benefit obligations |
136.6 | 130.6 | ||||||
Pension benefit liabilities |
22.5 | 23.0 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
88.1 | 85.6 | ||||||
Total Other Long-Term Liabilities |
360.9 | 337.5 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7) |
||||||||
Stockholders Equity |
1,333.4 | 1,309.5 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
$ | 3,024.1 | $ | 3,087.8 | ||||
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
3
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(millions, except per share data)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Separative work units |
$ | 490.4 | $ | 483.5 | $ | 861.2 | $ | 1,034.4 | ||||||||
Uranium |
49.2 | 102.2 | 154.5 | 134.2 | ||||||||||||
U.S. government contracts and other |
50.8 | 49.0 | 167.0 | 142.2 | ||||||||||||
Total revenue |
590.4 | 634.7 | 1,182.7 | 1,310.8 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales: |
||||||||||||||||
Separative work units and uranium |
498.0 | 480.3 | 894.2 | 976.3 | ||||||||||||
U.S. government contracts and other |
44.0 | 42.4 | 137.8 | 121.6 | ||||||||||||
Total cost of sales |
542.0 | 522.7 | 1,032.0 | 1,097.9 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit |
48.4 | 112.0 | 150.7 | 212.9 | ||||||||||||
Advanced technology costs |
29.1 | 30.8 | 81.2 | 100.1 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
12.4 | 9.0 | 40.7 | 33.0 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
6.9 | 72.2 | 28.8 | 79.8 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
4.0 | 3.3 | 15.5 | 9.2 | ||||||||||||
Interest (income) |
(4.5 | ) | (3.9 | ) | (21.3 | ) | (21.7 | ) | ||||||||
Income before income taxes |
7.4 | 72.8 | 34.6 | 92.3 | ||||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(1.0 | ) | 27.2 | 11.0 | 20.8 | |||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 8.4 | $ | 45.6 | $ | 23.6 | $ | 71.5 | ||||||||
Net income per share basic |
$ | .08 | $ | .52 | $ | .21 | $ | .82 | ||||||||
Net income per share diluted |
$ | .06 | $ | .51 | $ | .18 | $ | .81 | ||||||||
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
110.8 | 87.9 | 110.5 | 87.3 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
158.9 | 89.8 | 158.7 | 88.2 |
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
4
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(millions)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(millions)
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 23.6 | $ | 71.5 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
27.6 | 28.1 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(11.7 | ) | (21.9 | ) | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable (increase) decrease |
6.5 | (126.5 | ) | |||||
Inventories (increase) |
(219.8 | ) | (91.1 | ) | ||||
Payables under Russian Contract increase (decrease) |
(2.4 | ) | 25.6 | |||||
Deferred revenue, net of deferred costs increase |
14.8 | 6.5 | ||||||
Accrued depleted uranium disposition |
15.4 | 15.1 | ||||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities (decrease) |
(17.7 | ) | (5.2 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
(20.5 | ) | (6.4 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities |
(184.2 | ) | (104.3 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(309.2 | ) | (65.9 | ) | ||||
Deposits for surety bonds |
(10.3 | ) | (4.0 | ) | ||||
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities |
(319.5 | ) | (69.9 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities |
||||||||
Borrowings under credit facility |
48.3 | 71.1 | ||||||
Repayments under credit facility |
(48.3 | ) | (71.1 | ) | ||||
Repurchase of senior notes |
(23.6 | ) | | |||||
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation |
| 0.9 | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes |
| 575.0 | ||||||
Bond issuance costs paid |
| (12.9 | ) | |||||
Common stock issued (purchased), net |
(0.2 | ) | 214.6 | |||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities |
(23.8 | ) | 777.6 | |||||
Net Increase (Decrease) |
(527.5 | ) | 603.4 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
886.1 | 171.4 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
$ | 358.6 | $ | 774.8 | ||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest |
$ | 11.3 | $ | 7.7 | ||||
Income taxes paid |
49.2 | 49.6 |
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
5
USEC Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements as of and for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited consolidated condensed financial
statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair
statement of the financial results for the interim period. Certain information and notes normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.
Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. The unaudited
consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and related notes and managements discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations included in the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
New Accounting Standard
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This statement clarifies
the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value when required or
permitted under other accounting pronouncements, and expands the disclosures on fair value
measurements. The implementation of SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities, effective
January 1, 2008, did not have an impact on USECs financial position and results of operations.
SFAS No. 157 is effective beginning with USECs first quarter of 2009 for non-financial assets
and liabilities. USEC has not yet determined whether the adoption of the statement will have a
material effect on its financial position or results of operations for the first quarter of 2009.
2. INVENTORIES
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(millions) | ||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Separative work units |
$ | 790.2 | $ | 677.3 | ||||
Uranium |
451.7 | 465.9 | ||||||
Materials and supplies |
16.3 | 10.2 | ||||||
1,258.2 | 1,153.4 | |||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Inventories owed to customers and suppliers |
(207.3 | ) | (322.3 | ) | ||||
Inventories, net |
$ | 1,050.9 | $ | 831.1 | ||||
Inventories Owed to Customers and Suppliers
Generally, title to uranium provided by customers as part of their enrichment contracts does
not pass to USEC until delivery of low enriched uranium (LEU). In limited cases, however, title
to the uranium passes to USEC immediately upon delivery of the uranium by the customer. Uranium
provided by customers for which title passed to USEC is recorded on the balance sheet at
estimated fair values of $1.7 million at September 30, 2008 and $2.8 million at December 31, 2007.
6
Additionally, USEC owed separative work units (SWU) and uranium inventories to fabricators
with a cost totaling $205.6 million at September 30, 2008 and $319.5 million at December 31, 2007.
Fabricators process LEU into fuel for use in nuclear reactors. Under inventory optimization
arrangements between USEC and domestic fabricators, fabricators order bulk quantities of LEU from
USEC based on scheduled or anticipated orders from utility customers for deliveries in future
periods. As delivery obligations under actual customer orders arise, USEC satisfies these
obligations by arranging for the transfer to the customer of title to the specified quantity of LEU
on the fabricators books. Fabricators have other inventory supplies and, where a fabricator has
elected to order less material from USEC than USEC is required to deliver to its customers at the
fabricator, the fabricator will use these other inventories to satisfy USECs customer order
obligations on USECs behalf. In such cases, the transfer of title of LEU from USEC to the customer
results in quantities of SWU and uranium owed by USEC to the fabricator. The amounts of SWU and
uranium owed to fabricators are satisfied as future bulk deliveries of LEU are made.
Uranium Provided by Customers and Suppliers
USEC held uranium with estimated fair values of approximately $3.8 billion at September 30,
2008, and $5.8 billion at December 31, 2007, to which title was held by customers and suppliers and
for which no assets or liabilities were recorded on the balance sheet. The reduction reflects a 40%
decline in the uranium spot price indicator partially offset by an 8% increase in quantities.
Utility customers provide uranium to USEC as part of their enrichment contracts. Title to uranium
provided by customers remains with the customer until delivery of LEU at which time title to LEU is
transferred to the customer, and title to uranium is transferred to USEC.
3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of changes in property, plant and equipment follows (in millions):
Capital | Transfers | |||||||||||||||
December 31, | Expenditures | and | September 30, | |||||||||||||
2007 | (Depreciation) | Retirements | 2008 | |||||||||||||
Construction work in progress |
$ | 192.7 | $ | 324.2 | $ | (32.2 | ) | $ | 484.7 | |||||||
Leasehold improvements |
171.8 | | 2.4 | 174.2 | ||||||||||||
Machinery and equipment |
191.0 | 1.7 | 29.8 | 222.5 | ||||||||||||
555.5 | 325.9 | | 881.4 | |||||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization |
(263.3 | ) | (24.8 | ) | | (288.1 | ) | |||||||||
$ | 292.2 | $ | 301.1 | $ | | $ | 593.3 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures include items in accounts payable at September 30, 2008 for which cash is
paid in the following period and capitalized asset retirement obligations. Capitalized asset
retirement obligations included in construction work in progress totaled $11.3 million at September
30, 2008 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2007.
Construction work in progress is recorded at acquisition or construction cost. Upon being
placed into service, costs are transferred to leasehold improvements or machinery and equipment at
which time depreciation and amortization commences on a straight-line basis. USEC is working to
construct and deploy the American Centrifuge Plant as a replacement for the Paducah gaseous
diffusion plant (GDP). Construction work in progress related to the American Centrifuge Plant,
none of which has yet been placed in service, totaled $473.5 million at September 30, 2008 and
$181.8 million at December 31, 2007.
7
USEC leases the Paducah GDP located in Paducah, Kentucky and the Portsmouth GDP located in
Piketon, Ohio from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). Leasehold improvements and
machinery and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis
over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the expected productive life of the plant,
which is 2016 for the Paducah GDP commensurate with an extension of the lease agreement exercised
in June 2008. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to production costs as incurred.
4. DEFERRED REVENUE AND ADVANCES FROM CUSTOMERS
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(millions) | ||||||||
Deferred revenue |
$ | 140.4 | $ | 116.4 | ||||
Advances from customers |
1.7 | 2.7 | ||||||
$ | 142.1 | $ | 119.1 | |||||
Related costs associated with deferred revenue, reported in other current assets, totaled
$66.5 million at September 30, 2008 and $58.3 million at December 31, 2007.
5. INCOME TAXES
In July 2008, the IRS completed its federal income tax audit for tax years 2004 through 2006
without any additional tax assessment. As a result of the completed IRS audit and the filing of a
tax accounting method change in the third quarter, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits
under accounting guidance provided in the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Interpretation No.
48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48) decreased $6.8 million in the third
quarter. The tax provision also decreased $3.4 million as a result of the completed IRS audit. The
liability for unrecognized tax benefits is $4.3 million as of September 30, 2008 and is not
expected to significantly change in the next 12 months.
6. DEBT
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(millions) | ||||||||
6.75% senior notes, due January 20, 2009 |
$ | 126.4 | $ | 150.0 | ||||
3.0% convertible senior notes, due October 1, 2014 |
575.0 | 575.0 | ||||||
$ | 701.4 | $ | 725.0 | |||||
The 6.75% senior notes bear interest payable semi-annually in arrears on January 20 and July
20. In the nine months ended September 30, 2008, USEC repurchased $23.6 million of the 6.75% senior
notes. The cost of the repurchases was $23.3 million and was net of a discount of $0.3 million. At
September 30, 2008, the fair value of the senior notes calculated based on the most recent trading
price was $124.5 million, compared with the balance sheet carrying amount of $126.4 million.
The 3.0% convertible senior notes, issued in September 2007, bear interest payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2008. At
September 30, 2008, the fair value of the convertible notes, based on quoted market prices, was
$324.9 million. The notes were not eligible for conversion to common stock as of September 30,
2008.
There were no short-term borrowings under the $400.0 million revolving credit facility at
September 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, aggregate
borrowings and repayments were $48.3 million, and the peak amount outstanding was $37.4 million.
Letters of credit issued under the facility amounted to $45.6 million at September 30,
2008 and
$38.4 million at December 31, 2007. Borrowings under the credit facility are subject to
limitations based on established percentages of qualifying assets such as eligible accounts
receivable and inventory. Availability under the credit facility after letters of credit
outstanding was $354.4 million at September 30, 2008 and $361.6 million at December 31, 2007.
8
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Extended Lease for Gaseous Diffusion Plants
In June 2008, USEC exercised its exclusive option to renew the lease agreement dated as of
July 1, 1993 between DOE and United States Enrichment Corporation (the Lease), with respect to
the Paducah and Portsmouth GDPs, which are owned by the U.S. government. USEC elected to renew the
Lease until June 30, 2016. Under the terms of the Lease, the renewal option must be exercised at
least two years prior to the expiration of the current lease term (which was scheduled to expire on
June 30, 2010) and the Lease may be renewed for successive periods of between one and six years in
length. USEC retains the right under the Lease to terminate the Lease for convenience at any time
upon two years notice to DOE.
American Centrifuge Plant
USEC is working to construct and deploy the American Centrifuge Plant as a replacement for the
Paducah GDP. In 2002, USEC and DOE signed an agreement (2002 DOE-USEC Agreement) in which USEC
and DOE made long-term commitments directed at resolving issues related to the stability and
security of the domestic uranium enrichment industry. The 2002 DOE-USEC Agreement contains specific
project milestones relating to the American Centrifuge Plant. USEC believes it has achieved the
first 12 of the 15 milestones. USECs current deployment schedule is later than the schedule
established by the remaining three milestones contained in the 2002 DOE-USEC Agreement. On July 31,
2008, USEC requested that DOE agree to reschedule these remaining three milestones and is awaiting
DOEs response. DOE has approved a milestone extension in the past, however, USEC cannot provide
any assurances that it will reach an agreement or that DOE will not assert its rights under the
agreement. Under the 2002 DOE-USEC Agreement, if, for reasons within USECs control, USEC fails to
meet one or more milestones and it is determined that the resulting delay would substantially
impact USECs ability to begin commercial operations on schedule, DOE could take a number of
actions that could have a material adverse impact on USECs business. These actions include
terminating the 2002 DOE-USEC Agreement, recommending that USEC be removed as the sole Executive
Agent under the Megatons-to-Megawatts program, which could reduce or terminate USECs access to
Russian LEU, or revoking USECs access to DOEs U.S. centrifuge technology that USEC requires for
the American Centrifuge Plant and requiring USEC to transfer its rights in U.S. centrifuge
technology and facilities to DOE royalty free. Unless DOE were to challenge that USEC met any of
the first 12 milestones, DOEs remedies are now limited under the agreement to circumstances in
which a failure results from gross negligence or project abandonment by USEC.
DOE Contract Services Matter
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) asserted in a letter to USEC dated July 10, 2006 that
DOE may have sustained damages in an amount that exceeds $6.9 million under USECs contract with
DOE for the supply of cold standby services at the Portsmouth GDP. DOJ indicated that it was
assessing possible violations of the Civil False Claims Act (FCA), which allows for treble
damages and civil penalties, and related claims in connection with invoices submitted under that
contract. USEC responded to DOJs letter in September 2006, stating that the government does not
have a legitimate basis for asserting any FCA or related claims under the cold standby contract,
and has been cooperating with DOJ and the DOE Office of Investigations with respect to their
inquiries
9
into this matter. In a supplemental presentation by DOJ and DOE on October 18, 2007, DOJ
identified
revised assertions of alleged overcharges of at least $14.6 million on the cold standby and
two other cost-type contracts, again potentially in violation of the FCA. USEC has responded to
these assertions and has provided several follow-up responses to DOJ and DOE in response to their
requests for additional data and analysis. Most recently, USEC provided additional information to
DOJ on May 30, 2008 in response to a request made on May 8, 2008. USEC believes that the DOJ and
DOE analyses are significantly flawed, and no loss has been accrued. USEC intends to defend
vigorously any claim that might be asserted against it. As part of USECs continuing discussions
with DOJ, USEC and DOJ have agreed several times to extend the statute of limitations for this
matter, most recently to January 9, 2009.
Environmental Matter
USEC accrued a current liability of $3.2 million in 2007 relating to its potential share of
$7.6 million of costs incurred by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remediate
retention ponds at a site in Barnwell, South Carolina, previously operated by Starmet CMI, one of
USECs former contractors. USEC and certain federal agencies had previously been identified as
potentially responsible parties under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended, for the Barnwell site. Based on an agreement signed by EPA, USEC
and the federal agencies, USEC reduced its liability to $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2008.
The agreement will be final upon the completion of a public comment period unless EPA modifies or
withdraws its consent to the agreement based on the comments, if any, it receives.
Other Legal Matters
USEC is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted,
which arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be
predicted with certainty, USEC does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will
have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.
8. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH AND LIFE BENEFITS
The components of net benefit costs (income) for pension and postretirement health and life
benefit plans were as follows (in millions):
Defined Benefit Pension Plans | Postretirement Health and Life Benefits Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service costs |
$ | 4.3 | $ | 4.5 | $ | 13.0 | $ | 13.5 | $ | 1.1 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest costs |
11.5 | 10.8 | 34.3 | 32.3 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 9.1 | 8.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets
(gains) |
(15.3 | ) | (14.5 | ) | (46.0 | ) | (43.5 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (1.4 | ) | (3.9 | ) | (4.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service costs
(credit) |
0.4 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | (3.6 | ) | (3.6 | ) | (10.8 | ) | (10.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial losses |
0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net benefit costs (income) |
$ | 1.0 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 3.0 | $ | 4.5 | $ | (0.6 | ) | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | (1.8 | ) | $ | (1.5 | ) | ||||||||||||
USEC expects total cash contributions to the plans in 2008 will be as follows: $10.4 million
for the defined benefit pension plans and $3.1 million for the postretirement health and life
benefit plans. Of those amounts, contributions made as of September 30, 2008 were $8.1 million and
$2.3 million related to the defined benefit pension plans and postretirement health and life
benefit plans, respectively.
10
9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
(millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Total stock-based compensation costs: |
||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock and restricted stock units |
$ | 1.0 | $ | (1.4 | ) | $ | 4.6 | $ | 4.3 | |||||||
Stock options, performance awards and other |
0.2 | (0.2 | ) | 1.0 | 0.5 | |||||||||||
Less: costs capitalized as part of inventory |
| (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | |||||||||
Expense included in selling, general and administrative |
$ | 1.2 | $ | (1.7 | ) | $ | 5.4 | $ | 4.5 | |||||||
Total after-tax expense |
$ | 0.8 | $ | (1.1 | ) | $ | 3.5 | $ | 2.9 | |||||||
Additional information: |
||||||||||||||||
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised |
| | | $ | 1.0 | |||||||||||
Cash received from exercise of stock options |
| $ | 0.1 | | $ | 0.8 |
Stock-based compensation in the three months ended September 30, 2007 reflects a reduction in
USECs stock price resulting in a credit to expense for the three-month period.
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value option grants follow.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
| | 1.84-2.62 | % | 4.5 | % | ||||||||||
Expected dividend yield |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Expected volatility |
| | 50-56 | % | 42 | % | ||||||||||
Expected option life |
| | 3.5 years | 3.5 years | ||||||||||||
Weighted-average grant date fair value |
| | $ | 2.23 | $ | 4.77 | ||||||||||
Options granted |
0 | 0 | 817,642 | 258,000 |
As of September 30, 2008, there was $5.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted
for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock-based payments granted, of which $3.9
million relates to restricted shares and restricted stock units, and $1.6 million relates to stock
options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
10. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Changes in stockholders equity were as follows (in millions, except per share data):
Common | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock, | Excess of | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Par Value | Capital | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$.10 per | over | Retained | Treasury | Comprehensive | Stockholders | Comprehensive | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Share | Par Value | Earnings | Stock | Income (Loss) | Equity | Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
$ | 12.3 | $ | 1,186.2 | $ | 215.2 | $ | (92.9 | ) | $ | (11.3 | ) | $ | 1,309.5 | ||||||||||||||
Restricted and other stock issued, net |
| (3.0 | ) | | 8.2 | | 5.2 | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial losses and
prior service costs (credits) and
valuation revisions, net of income
tax benefit of $3.7 million |
| | | | (4.9 | ) | (4.9 | ) | (4.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | 23.6 | | | 23.6 | 23.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2008 |
$ | 12.3 | $ | 1,183.2 | $ | 238.8 | $ | (84.7 | ) | $ | (16.2 | ) | $ | 1,333.4 | $ | 18.7 | ||||||||||||
11
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs (credits), net of tax, are those
related to pension and postretirement health and life benefits as presented on a pre-tax basis in
note 8.
11. NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number
of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding any unvested restricted stock
that is subject to repurchase.
In calculating diluted net income per share, the numerator is increased by interest expense on
the convertible notes, net of tax, and the denominator is increased by the weighted average number
of shares resulting from potentially dilutive stock compensation awards and the convertible notes,
assuming full conversion. Conversion of the convertible notes is not assumed if the effect is
antidilutive. Convertible debt is antidilutive if foregone interest on the notes (net of tax and
nondiscretionary adjustments) per common share obtainable upon full conversion exceeds basic net
income per share.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 8.4 | $ | 45.6 | $ | 23.6 | $ | 71.5 | ||||||||
Interest expense on convertible notes net of tax |
1.4 | 0.1 | 5.6 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Net income if-converted |
$ | 9.8 | $ | 45.7 | $ | 29.2 | $ | 71.6 | ||||||||
Denominator: |
||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares |
111.6 | 88.3 | 111.3 | 87.7 | ||||||||||||
Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock |
0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Denominator for basic calculation |
110.8 | 87.9 | 110.5 | 87.3 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
48.1 | 1.6 | 48.1 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Stock compensation awards |
| 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Denominator for diluted calculation |
158.9 | 89.8 | 158.7 | 88.2 | ||||||||||||
Net income per share basic |
$ | .08 | $ | .52 | $ | .21 | $ | .82 | ||||||||
Net income per share diluted |
$ | .06 | $ | .51 | $ | .18 | $ | .81 | ||||||||
Options to purchase shares of common stock having an exercise price greater than the average
share market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share (options in
millions):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Options excluded from diluted earnings per share |
2.0 | 0.1 | 1.2 | | ||||||||||||
Exercise price of excluded options |
$ | 5.86 to $16.90 | $ | 16.90 | $ | 6.18 to $16.90 | |
12
12. SEGMENT INFORMATION
USEC has two reportable segments: the LEU segment with two components, SWU and uranium, and
the U.S. government contracts segment. The LEU segment is USECs primary business focus and
includes sales of the SWU component of LEU, sales of both the SWU and uranium components of LEU,
and sales of uranium. The U.S. government contracts segment includes work performed for DOE and DOE
contractors at the Portsmouth and Paducah GDPs, as well as nuclear energy services and technologies
provided by NAC International Inc. Gross profit is USECs measure for segment reporting.
Intersegment sales between the reportable segments amounted to less than $0.1 million in each
period presented below and have been eliminated in consolidation.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
(millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
||||||||||||||||
LEU segment: |
||||||||||||||||
Separative work units |
$ | 490.4 | $ | 483.5 | $ | 861.2 | $ | 1,034.4 | ||||||||
Uranium |
49.2 | 102.2 | 154.5 | 134.2 | ||||||||||||
539.6 | 585.7 | 1,015.7 | 1,168.6 | |||||||||||||
U.S. government contracts segment |
50.8 | 49.0 | 167.0 | 142.2 | ||||||||||||
$ | 590.4 | $ | 634.7 | $ | 1,182.7 | $ | 1,310.8 | |||||||||
Segment Gross Profit |
||||||||||||||||
LEU segment |
$ | 41.6 | $ | 105.4 | $ | 121.5 | $ | 192.3 | ||||||||
U.S. government contracts segment |
6.8 | 6.6 | 29.2 | 20.6 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit |
48.4 | 112.0 | 150.7 | 212.9 | ||||||||||||
Advanced technology costs |
29.1 | 30.8 | 81.2 | 100.1 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
12.4 | 9.0 | 40.7 | 33.0 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
6.9 | 72.2 | 28.8 | 79.8 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense (income), net |
(0.5 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (5.8 | ) | (12.5 | ) | ||||||||
Income before income taxes |
$ | 7.4 | $ | 72.8 | $ | 34.6 | $ | 92.3 | ||||||||
13
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to, the consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes set forth in
Part I, Item 1 of this report as well as the risks and uncertainties included in Part II, Item 1A
of this report and in the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Overview
USEC, a global energy company, is a leading supplier of low enriched uranium (LEU) for
commercial nuclear power plants. LEU is a critical component in the production of nuclear fuel for
reactors to produce electricity. We:
| supply LEU to both domestic and international utilities for use in about 150 nuclear reactors worldwide, | ||
| are deploying what we anticipate will be the worlds most advanced uranium enrichment technology, known as the American Centrifuge, | ||
| are the exclusive executive agent for the U.S. government under a nuclear nonproliferation program with Russia, known as Megatons to Megawatts, | ||
| perform contract work for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its contractors at the Paducah and Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plants (GDPs), and | ||
| provide transportation and storage systems for spent nuclear fuel and provide nuclear and energy consulting services. |
Low Enriched Uranium
LEU consists of two components: separative work units (SWU) and uranium. SWU is a standard
unit of measurement that represents the effort required to transform a given amount of natural
uranium into two components: enriched uranium having a higher percentage of U235 and
depleted uranium having a lower percentage of U235. The SWU contained in LEU
is calculated using an industry standard formula based on the physics of enrichment. The amount of
enrichment deemed to be contained in LEU under this formula is commonly referred to as the SWU
component and the quantity of natural uranium deemed to be used in the production of LEU under this
formula is referred to as its uranium component.
We produce or acquire LEU from two principal sources. We produce LEU at the Paducah GDP in
Paducah, Kentucky. Under the Megatons to Megawatts program, we acquire LEU from Russia under a
contract, which we refer to as the Russian Contract, to purchase the SWU component of LEU recovered
from dismantled nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Union for use as fuel in commercial nuclear
power plants.
Our View of the Business Today
The long-term outlook for the nuclear industry continues to strengthen as government policy,
public acceptance and environmental concerns about climate change have encouraged utilities to
begin the process of building new nuclear reactors in the United States for the first time in four
decades. Although no new reactors are yet under construction in the United States and potential new
reactors are facing cost and financing pressures, U.S. utilities have filed 17 applications for
construction and operating licenses for 26 new reactors with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) and the NRC has indicated that license applications for approximately 10 more reactors are
expected by 2012.
14
Higher SWU demand, higher production cost for gaseous diffusion enrichment plants in the
United States and France due to increases in electric power costs, and the need to recover capital
cost for new enrichment capacity are three drivers for increased market prices for SWU. In the
first nine months of 2008, long-term SWU price indicators associated with sales for deliveries in
future periods increased 11% to $159 per SWU. Looking forward, market supply and demand
fundamentals suggest that SWU prices should continue to firm as new reactors are ordered and built
in the markets we serve, unless the balance of supply and demand in the United States is adversely
affected by imports of unfairly priced LEU.
These factors have combined to provide a strong business environment for the nuclear fuel
industry, which we believe provides a strong foundation for our substantial investment in the
American Centrifuge Plant (the ACP). Nonetheless, we face significant challenges both over the
next twelve months, as we seek additional financing needed to continue the ACP, and over the next
several years, as we transition our sources of LEU supply. See the American Centrifuge Plant Update
below.
During this transition period, we will seek to effectively manage the ramp up in ACP capacity,
determine the end date for commercial production from the Paducah GDP and conclude the Megatons to
Megawatts program in 2013. We will also be looking at the potential expansion of the ACP beyond the
initial 3.8 million SWU plant, which could be done incrementally once the initial ACP construction
phase is complete. Gross profit margins will remain extremely tight over the next several years due
to higher electric power costs at the Paducah GDP and increasing purchase costs from Russia under
the Megatons to Megawatts program. We are currently in discussions with Russia regarding pricing
for our purchases in 2009 and beyond.
Earlier this year, we exercised our option to extend the lease with DOE for the Paducah GDP
through June 2016, providing us with flexibility within our current enrichment process to help us
through this critical transitional period. Although we are operating the Paducah GDP at the highest
efficiency in decades, the costs to operate the Paducah GDP have increased in the past several
years because of increases in power costs. Our long-term plan for the Paducah GDP is dependent upon
a number of factors, including the successful and timely startup of the ACP, the cost of electric
power under our contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the availability and cost of
electric power beyond the expiration of the TVA contract in May 2012, the demand for SWU and
uranium, the cost to maintain the Paducah GDP, and the timing and nature of any potential tails
re-enrichment program or other programs we may undertake.
We are one of the largest industrial consumers of electric power in the United States. We have
a fixed-price contract that sets the base price for most of the power we purchase, but our costs
can fluctuate above or below the base contract price based on fuel and purchased power costs
experienced by TVA. In 2008, this fuel cost adjustment has increased our power cost over the base
contract price by 13% through September 30 and TVA has indicated that it expects the fuel cost
adjustment for the remainder of 2008 to be even higher. Accordingly, we expect higher power
purchase costs to negatively affect our production costs and cash flow for the remainder of 2008.
We expect the fuel cost adjustment to continue to cause our purchase cost to remain above base
contract prices in 2009. Recent volatility in energy prices adds substantial uncertainty to any
forward cost projection.
We also face potential uncertainty and instability in the enrichment market during this
transition period as a result of certain appellate court rulings that imports of LEU under certain
SWU contracts are not subject to U.S. trade law intended to prevent dumping of unfairly priced
foreign merchandise in the U.S. market. We disagree with this conclusion, and in April 2008 the
U.S. Supreme Court granted petitions for certiorari filed by us and the U.S. government requesting
review of those decisions. USEC and the Solicitor General of the United States filed briefs in
July, and the Supreme
15
Court held oral arguments in the case in early November 2008 and is expected
to render a decision in the first half of 2009. The general counsels of U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy
and State joined the Solicitor General in both the U.S. governments petition for review and its
brief filed with the Supreme Court. Although there can be no assurance with respect to the outcome
of the appeal, we are optimistic that the Supreme Court will overturn the appellate court decisions
and ensure that all imports of LEU, regardless of the form of contract involved, are covered by the
U.S. antidumping law. Such a decision will restore certainty in the market that dumping of LEU that
materially injures the U.S. industry can be restricted. We believe that preserving the U.S.
governments ability to prevent dumping of imported LEU irrespective of the form of sale is
essential to providing the market stability needed to deploy a new generation of enrichment
capacity in the United States.
In September 2008, Congress enacted, and the President signed, legislation that included a
provision to ensure that the uncertainty created by the appellate court rulings on imports of LEU
does not adversely impact the implementation of the Russian Contract. The legislation imposes
quotas on imports of Russian LEU through 2020 that are similar to the quotas agreed to with Russia
earlier this year, with the possibility of expanded quotas of up to an additional 5% of the
domestic market beginning in 2014 if the Russian Federation continues to downblend highly enriched
uranium after the Russian Contract is complete. This legislation significantly reduces the threat
of injury from imports of dumped Russian LEU, but does not apply to imports from any other country,
including France.
American Centrifuge Plant Update
During the past five years, we have been developing and demonstrating a gas centrifuge
technology that we call the American Centrifuge that we will deploy in the American Centrifuge
Plant being built in Piketon, Ohio. This technology was initially developed by DOE during the 1970s
and 80s and successfully demonstrated, but was ultimately not commercially deployed for reasons
unrelated to the technology itself. We have modified and improved this technology through the use
of modern materials, advanced computer-aided design, digital controls and state-of-the-art
manufacturing processes.
We have been operating the Lead Cascade integrated testing program since August 2007. We have
been testing prototype machines and have demonstrated the ability of the cascade to generate
product assays in a range useable by commercial nuclear power plants, obtained data on
machine-to-machine interactions, verified cascade performance models under a variety of operating
conditions, and obtained operating experience for our plant operators and technicians. The
centrifuge machines involved in the Lead Cascade integrated testing program have operated for more
than 125,000 total machine hours, providing data on equipment reliability and identifying
opportunities to further optimize the machine and cascade design. These prototype machines
confirmed design and performance targets while verifying the predictions of our analytical
performance models. During the past year, we strenuously tested the centrifuge machines in
operating conditions unlikely to be seen in normal plant operations. Lead Cascade operations have
also given our employees experience in operating a cascade of machines in a variety of conditions
that has allowed us to refine operating and maintenance procedures.
We refer to our production centrifuge design as the AC100 series centrifuge machine. The
initial design for the AC100 machine reflects improvements learned during individual machine
testing and subsequent integrated testing. The AC100 series centrifuge machine is designed to
produce 350 SWU per year. The initial AC100 machine design is final, drawings have been released to
our strategic suppliers and we have qualified the suppliers to begin manufacturing components. The
strategic suppliers are manufacturing parts for the 40 to 50 AC100 machines that will be installed
in the Lead Cascade in Piketon. The first of these machines will be delivered in November 2008. The
16
cascade of these AC100 machines is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of
2009 and is intended to provide additional data on equipment operation and reliability and identify
opportunities to further optimize the machine and cascade design. In addition, improved AC100
components and design features are being tested in special test stands in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and
have been incrementally introduced into the current cascade. We also continue to work on the design
for the value-engineered AC100 machine, which is expected to be completed in March 2009. The
value-engineered AC100 machine is the machine we expect to deploy in the commercial plant.
Because the highly specialized U.S. manufacturing base needed to build the AC100 did not
exist, a major focus for our American Centrifuge team has been creating this crucial industrial
infrastructure. For example, we significantly refurbished a facility we purchased in Oak Ridge and
installed new production machining equipment, robotics, and computer controls and testing systems
to support the ramp-up to manufacturing centrifuge components. We have contracted with B&W Clinch
River, LLC, a subsidiary of the Babcock and Wilcox Co., to manufacture upper suspension assemblies,
lower suspension assemblies, cap assemblies and column parts at this facility as well as assembling
rotors and procuring unclassified metal parts. A subsidiary of Alliant Techsystems Inc., or ATK, is
expanding facilities it has at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, West Virginia.
It will produce the carbon-fiber rotor tubes for the centrifuges. Major Tool & Machine, Inc. is
significantly expanding facilities at its Indianapolis, Indiana plant to fabricate the steel
casings for the machines. Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. will manufacture service modules for the
ACP. These steel framed structures hold pipe headers and valves, control and instrument cabling,
electrical distribution cables and other controls. The manufacturing infrastructure that we are
putting into place to deploy the initial plant capacity will be available to support any future
expansion beyond 3.8 million SWU. Because an expansion would not require creating this
manufacturing infrastructure or another demonstration of the technology, the cost of any expansion
is anticipated to be less than the initial project.
Following receipt of a construction and operating license from the NRC in April 2007, we began
renovating and building the ACP in Piketon, Ohio. Contractors completed preparing one production
building floor for machine mounts and are preparing the second production building. A facility
where uranium feed is introduced into plant systems and low enriched uranium is withdrawn is
undergoing substantial renovation, and a new boiler that will provide heat to the ACP is being
installed. We continue to build out the ACP balance of plant and signed an engineering,
procurement, construction and construction management services contract with Fluor Corporation
totaling approximately $1 billion during the third quarter. Under the new contract, which runs from
2008 to 2012, Fluor will be reimbursed for costs plus a fixed fee. Fluor can also earn an incentive
fee based on cost savings produced.
We completed a thorough, bottom-up review of the cost to build the ACP and in August announced
a project budget of $3.5 billion. This budget includes amounts already spent but does not include
financing costs or financial assurance. See Liquidity and Capital Resources Financial Assurance
and Related Liabilities for a discussion of the financial assurance requirements of the American
Centrifuge Plant. The expenditures to date and budgeted at completion follow (in millions):
17
Cumulative | ||||||||
as of | Project | |||||||
September 30, | Budget at | |||||||
2008 | Completion | |||||||
Machine technology, lead cascade and program management |
$ | 341.1 | $ | 464.2 | ||||
Machine manufacturing and assembly |
328.8 | 1,592.5 | ||||||
Commercial plant |
339.2 | 1,442.1 | ||||||
Project development, deployment and construction |
$ | 1,009.1 | $ | 3,498.8 | ||||
Other costs: |
||||||||
Capitalized interest |
19.6 | |||||||
Capitalized asset retirement obligations |
11.3 | |||||||
Total ACP expenditures, including accruals |
$ | 1,040.0 | ||||||
Amount expensed as part of advanced technology costs |
$ | 513.3 | ||||||
Amount capitalized as part of construction work in progress |
$ | 473.5 | ||||||
Equipment, building and land used for manufacturing and plant |
$ | 33.4 | ||||||
Depreciation and transfers |
$ | (2.9 | ) | |||||
Prepayments to suppliers for services not yet performed |
$ | 22.7 |
Based on spending in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and expected spending for the
remainder of 2008, we expect spending on the project in 2008 to be below the guidance we issued in
previous quarters. The lower spending compared to prior guidance primarily reflects the timing of
certain project activities that are not expected to affect the scheduled completion of the ACP at
the end of 2012 and, to a lesser extent, lower than expected project management and labor costs in
the current period.
While our project budget includes some degree of embedded contingency with respect to cost
assumptions for labor and materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel, we remain subject to
cost escalation risk. If project management determines that costs will exceed the budget (including
the built-in management reserve), and such costs cannot otherwise be offset or financed, we may
elect to deploy fewer centrifuge machines in the plant to mitigate such potential cost growth. The
modular nature of the plant construction permits normal operation even if the scale is reduced from
the current planned size. A reduced scale would reduce the output of the plant absent offsetting
improvements in machine performance.
Under our current schedule, we expect to receive the first AC100 machines from our
manufacturers in November 2008 and begin AC100 Lead Cascade operation by the end of the first
quarter of 2009. These operations will continue through 2009. These machines may be integrated into
a commercial cascade. Our suppliers have been focused on building the facilities necessary to be in
position to build several hundred AC100 machines per month. Progress on building the production
facilities is on track to support the production schedules for both the AC100 and AC100
value-engineered machines. Finally, in terms of plant startup and operations, we anticipate
beginning commercial operations at the end of the first quarter of 2010, and reaching 1 million SWU
capacity in first quarter of 2011 and the full 3.8 million SWU capacity at the end of 2012.
18
Our testing program in Oak Ridge has demonstrated machine productivity beyond 350 SWU per
year. We anticipate being able to assemble and install machines with greater SWU capacity at a
discrete point in the deployment of centrifuges for our initial two production buildings, which
have space for approximately 11,500 centrifuges.
In September 2008 we created new wholly owned subsidiaries to carry out future commercial
activities related to the American Centrifuge project. These subsidiaries will own the American
Centrifuge plant and equipment, provide operations and maintenance, manufacture centrifuge machines
and conduct ongoing centrifuge research and development. This corporate structure will separate
ownership and control of centrifuge technology from ownership of the enrichment plant and also
establish a separate operations subsidiary. This structure will facilitate DOE loan guarantee
financing and potential third party investment at the project level, while also facilitating any
future plant expansion.
We must still raise the remainder of the capital needed to build the ACP and this has been and
will continue to be a focus of management. We do not believe public market financing for a large
capital project such as ACP is available to us given current financial market conditions. We view
the DOE loan guarantee program as the path for obtaining the debt financing to complete the
American Centrifuge project. The loan guarantee program was created by the Energy Policy Act of
2005 and in December 2007, federal legislation authorized funding levels available through
September 30, 2009 of up to $2 billion for advanced facilities for the front end of the nuclear
fuel cycle, which includes uranium enrichment. DOE released its solicitation for the loan guarantee
program on June 30, 2008 and we applied for $2 billion in funding in July. One competing project
also applied for funding under this program. Nonetheless, we believe that our project is ideally
suited for the loan guarantee program. Our application is under review and we are seeking a prompt
commitment from DOE. However, we have no assurance that our project will be selected to move
forward in the program and it could take an extended period for the loan guarantee and funding to
be finalized. Accordingly, on a parallel path, we continue to evaluate alternative sources of
capital including potential third-party investment at the project level. If we are not able to
obtain timely action from DOE or obtain an alternate capital commitment, we will be forced to slow
spending on the project, which will result in potentially significant schedule delays and increased
costs, or take other actions to ensure that we have adequate liquidity for our ongoing operations.
Further details are provided in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this report.
Our Marketing and Sales department has been engaging in discussions with our customers to sell
the output of the ACP. By waiting until now to sell this production, we believe we are in a better
position to structure proposals for long-term sales to customers in ways that will provide stronger
support for our financing and earn an appropriate return on our capital. We have received accepted
offers from customers and are in the process of negotiating and signing long-term contracts for
commitments. We will continue to meet with customers to continue the process of selling ACP output.
Sales contracts for this initial output represent a strategic commitment by customers to ensure a
reliable, U.S.-based source of nuclear fuel that will be available for decades to come.
19
Revenue from Sales of SWU and Uranium
Revenue from our LEU segment is derived primarily from:
| sales of the SWU component of LEU, | ||
| sales of both the SWU and uranium components of LEU, and | ||
| sales of uranium. |
The majority of our customers are domestic and international utilities that operate nuclear
power plants, with international sales constituting approximately 35% of revenue from our LEU
segment in 2007. Our agreements with electric utilities are primarily long-term, fixed-commitment
contracts under which our customers are obligated to purchase a specified quantity of SWU or
uranium from us or long-term requirements contracts under which our customers are obligated to
purchase a percentage of their SWU requirements from us. Under requirements contracts, a customer
only makes purchases if its reactor has requirements. The timing of requirements is associated with
reactor refueling outages.
Our revenues and operating results can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and in
some cases, year to year. Customer demand is affected by, among other things, reactor operations,
maintenance and the timing of refueling outages. Utilities typically schedule the shutdown of their
reactors for refueling to coincide with the low electricity demand periods of spring and fall.
Thus, some reactors are scheduled for annual or two-year refuelings in the spring or fall, or for
18-month cycles alternating between both seasons. Customer payments for the SWU component of LEU
typically average approximately $15 million per order. As a result, a relatively small change in
the timing of customer orders for LEU due to a change in a customers refueling schedule may cause
operating results to be substantially above or below expectations. Customer requirements and orders
are more predictable over the longer term, and we believe our performance is best measured on an
annual, or even longer, business cycle. Our revenue could be adversely affected by actions of the
NRC or nuclear regulators in foreign countries issuing orders to modify, delay, suspend or shut
down nuclear reactor operations within their jurisdictions.
Our financial performance over time can be significantly affected by changes in prices for
SWU. The long-term SWU price indicator, as published by TradeTech, LLC in Nuclear Market Review,
is an indication of base-year prices under new long-term enrichment contracts in our primary
markets. Since our backlog includes contracts awarded to us in previous years, the average SWU
price billed to customers typically lags behind the current price indicators. Following are the
long-term SWU price indicator, the long-term price for uranium hexafluoride, as calculated using
indicators published in Nuclear Market Review, and the spot price indicator for uranium
hexafluoride:
September 30, | June 30, | December 31, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
2008 | 2008 | 2007 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Long-term SWU price indicator ($/SWU) |
$ | 159.00 | $ | 152.00 | $ | 143.00 | $ | 143.00 | ||||||||
Uranium hexafluoride: |
||||||||||||||||
Long-term price composite ($/KgU) |
208.21 | 234.34 | 260.47 | 260.47 | ||||||||||||
Spot price indicator ($/KgU) |
145.00 | 163.00 | 241.00 | 207.00 |
A substantial portion of our earnings and cash flows in recent years has been derived from
sales of uranium and, as a result, our inventory of uranium available for sale has been reduced. We
expect to continue to supplement our supply of uranium by underfeeding the production process at
the Paducah GDP. We may also purchase uranium from suppliers in connection with specific customer
contracts, as we have in the past. Underfeeding is a mode of operation that uses or feeds less
uranium but requires more SWU in the enrichment process, which requires more electric power. In
producing the same amount of LEU, we vary our production process to underfeed uranium based on the
economics
20
of the cost of electric power relative to the price of uranium. As noted in the table
above, spot market prices for uranium have declined in 2008 while electric power costs have increased,
pressuring the economics of underfeeding the enrichment process to obtain uranium for resale. Given
supply and demand conditions in the spot uranium market, we see fewer opportunities for near-term
spot sales. We will continue to monitor and optimize the economics of our production based on the
cost of power and market conditions for SWU and uranium.
We supply uranium to the Russian Federation for the LEU we receive under the Russian Contract.
We replenish our uranium inventory with uranium supplied by customers under our contracts for the
sale of SWU and through underfeeding our production process. Our older contracts give customers the
flexibility to determine the amounts of natural uranium that they deliver to us, which can result
in our receiving less uranium from customers than we transfer from our inventory to the Russian
Federation under the Russian Contract. Our new SWU sales contracts and certain older contracts that
we have renegotiated require customers to deliver a greater amount of natural uranium to us.
The recognition of revenue and earnings for uranium sales is deferred until LEU to which the
customer has title is physically delivered rather than at the time title transfers to the customer.
The timing of revenue recognition for uranium sales is uncertain.
Revenue from U.S. Government Contracts
We perform and earn revenue from contract work for DOE and DOE contractors at the Paducah and
Portsmouth GDPs, including a contract for maintenance of the Portsmouth GDP in cold shutdown. DOE
and USEC have periodically extended the Portsmouth GDP cold shutdown contract, most recently
through December 31, 2008. DOE has announced its intention to negotiate a sole-source extension of
the cold shutdown contract for an additional two years. Continuation of U.S. government contracts
is subject to DOE funding and Congressional appropriations.
Revenue from U.S. government contracts is based on allowable costs determined under government
cost accounting standards. Allowable costs include direct costs as well as allocations of indirect
plant and corporate overhead costs and are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency
(DCAA). DCAA and DOE have completed their review of the final settlement of allowable costs
proposed by us for the fiscal year ended June 2002, with no significant findings or adjustment to
the amounts we claim. DCAA is currently in the process of reviewing the final settlement of the
amounts we claim for the six months ended December 2002 and the years ended December 2003, 2004 and
2005. Also refer to DOE Contract Services Matter in note 7 to the Consolidated Condensed
Financial Statements. Revenue from the U.S. government contracts segment includes revenue from our
subsidiary NAC International Inc. (NAC).
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for SWU and uranium is based on the amount of SWU and uranium sold and delivered
during the period and is determined by a combination of inventory levels and costs, production
costs, and purchase costs. Production costs consist principally of electric power, labor and
benefits, long-term depleted uranium disposition cost estimates, materials, depreciation and
amortization, and maintenance and repairs. Under the monthly moving average inventory cost method
that we use, coupled with our inventories of SWU and uranium, an increase or decrease in production
or purchase costs will have an effect on inventory costs and cost of sales over current and future
periods.
21
We have agreed to purchase approximately 5.5 million SWU each calendar year for the remaining
term of the Russian Contract through 2013. Purchases under the Russian Contract are approximately
50% of our supply mix. Prices are determined using a discount from an index of international and
U.S. price points, including both long-term and spot prices. A multi-year retrospective view of the
index is used to minimize the disruptive effect of short-term market price swings. Increases in
these price points in recent years have resulted, and likely will continue to result, in increases
to the index used to determine prices under the Russian Contract. Officials of the Russian
government have announced that Russia will not extend the Russian Contract or the
government-to-government agreement it implements, beyond 2013. Accordingly, we do not anticipate
that we will purchase Russian SWU after 2013.
We provide for the remainder of our supply mix from the Paducah GDP. The gaseous diffusion
process uses significant amounts of electric power to enrich uranium. Costs for electric power are
approximately 70% of production costs at the Paducah GDP. In 2007, the power load at the Paducah
GDP averaged 1,510 megawatts and we expect the average power load at the Paducah GDP to increase to
approximately 1,680 megawatts in 2008. We purchase most of the electric power for the Paducah GDP
under a power purchase agreement with TVA. Pricing under the TVA power contract consisted of a
summer and a non-summer base energy price through May 31, 2008. Beginning June 1, 2008, the price
consists of a year-round base energy price that increases moderately based on a fixed, annual
schedule. All prices are subject to a fuel cost adjustment provision to reflect changes in TVAs
fuel costs, purchased power costs, and related costs. The impact of the fuel cost adjustment
continues to be negative for USEC, imposing an increase over base contract prices of 13% in the
first nine months of 2008. The impact of future fuel cost adjustments, which is substantially
influenced by coal prices and hydroelectric power availability, is uncertain and our cost of power
could fluctuate in the future above or below the agreed increases in the base energy price. We
expect the fuel cost adjustment to continue to cause our purchase cost to remain above base
contract prices, and the future impact may be greater but is uncertain given volatile energy
prices.
American Centrifuge Technology Costs
Costs relating to the American Centrifuge technology are charged to expense or capitalized
based on the nature of the activities and estimates and judgments involving the completion of
project milestones. Costs relating to the demonstration of American Centrifuge technology are
charged to expense as incurred. Demonstration costs historically have included NRC licensing of the
American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility in Piketon, Ohio, engineering activities, and assembling
and testing of centrifuge machines and equipment at centrifuge test facilities located in Oak
Ridge, Tennessee and at the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility.
Capitalized costs relating to the American Centrifuge technology include NRC licensing of the
American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, engineering activities, construction of centrifuge
machines and equipment, leasehold improvements and other costs directly associated with the
commercial plant. Capitalized centrifuge costs are recorded in property, plant and equipment as
part of construction work in progress. The continued capitalization of such costs is subject to
ongoing review and successful project completion. During the second half of 2007, we moved from a
demonstration phase to a commercial plant phase in which significant expenditures are capitalized
based on managements judgment that the technology has a high probability of commercial success and
meets internal targets related to physical control, technical achievement and economic viability.
If conditions change and deployment were no longer probable, costs that were previously capitalized
would be charged to expense.
22
Expenditures related to American Centrifuge technology for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 and 2007, as well as cumulative expenditures as of September 30, 2008, follow (in millions):
Cumulative | ||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | as of | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | ||||||||||
Amount expensed as part of advanced technology costs |
$ | 80.0 | $ | 99.2 | $ | 513.3 | ||||||
Amount capitalized as part of construction work in
progress (A) |
291.7 | 63.4 | 473.5 | |||||||||
Equipment, building and land used for manufacturing
and plant |
23.4 | 2.2 | 33.4 | |||||||||
Depreciation and transfers |
(1.4 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (2.9 | ) | ||||||
Prepayments to suppliers for services not yet performed |
5.8 | 7.7 | 22.7 | |||||||||
Total ACP expenditures, including accruals (B) |
$ | 399.5 | $ | 172.0 | $ | 1,040.0 | ||||||
(A) | Cumulative capitalized costs as of September 30, 2008 include interest of $19.6 million. | |
(B) | Total expenditures are all American Centrifuge costs including, but not limited to, demonstration facility, licensing activities, commercial plant facility, program management, interest related costs and accrued asset retirement obligations capitalized. Includes $34.1 million of accruals at September 30, 2008. |
For discussions of the financing plan for the American Centrifuge project, see Managements
Discussion and Analysis Liquidity and Capital Resources. For discussions of the expected cost
of the American Centrifuge project, see Managements Discussion and Analysis American
Centrifuge Plant Update. Risks and uncertainties related to the financing, construction and
deployment of the American Centrifuge Plant are described in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of
this report and in our 2007 annual report on Form 10-K/A.
Advanced technology costs also include research and development efforts undertaken for NAC,
relating primarily to its new generation MAGNASTOR dual-purpose dry storage system for spent fuel.
23
Results of Operations Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
Segment Information
We have two reportable segments measured and presented through the gross profit line of our
income statement: the low enriched uranium (LEU) segment with two components, separative work
units (SWU) and uranium, and the U.S. government contracts segment. The LEU segment is our
primary business focus and includes sales of the SWU component of LEU, sales of both SWU and
uranium components of LEU, and sales of uranium. The U.S. government contracts segment includes
work performed for DOE and DOE contractors at the Portsmouth and Paducah gaseous diffusion plants
(GDPs) as well as nuclear energy services and technologies provided by NAC. Intersegment sales
between the reportable segments were less than $0.1 million in each period presented below and have
been eliminated in consolidation. Segment information follows (in millions):
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | Increase | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | (Decrease) | Change | |||||||||||||
LEU segment |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
SWU revenue |
$ | 490.4 | $ | 483.5 | $ | 6.9 | 1 | % | ||||||||
Uranium revenue |
49.2 | 102.2 | (53.0 | ) | (52 | )% | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 539.6 | $ | 585.7 | $ | (46.1 | ) | (8 | )% | |||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 41.6 | $ | 105.4 | $ | (63.8 | ) | (61 | )% | |||||||
U.S. government contracts segment |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 50.8 | $ | 49.0 | $ | 1.8 | 4 | % | ||||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 6.8 | $ | 6.6 | $ | 0.2 | 3 | % | ||||||||
Total |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 590.4 | $ | 634.7 | $ | (44.3 | ) | (7 | )% | |||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 48.4 | $ | 112.0 | $ | (63.6 | ) | (57 | )% | |||||||
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | Increase | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | (Decrease) | Change | |||||||||||||
LEU segment |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
SWU revenue |
$ | 861.2 | $ | 1,034.4 | $ | (173.2 | ) | (17 | )% | |||||||
Uranium revenue |
154.5 | 134.2 | 20.3 | 15 | % | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | 1,015.7 | $ | 1,168.6 | $ | (152.9 | ) | (13 | )% | |||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 121.5 | $ | 192.3 | $ | (70.8 | ) | (37 | )% | |||||||
U.S. government contracts segment |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 167.0 | $ | 142.2 | $ | 24.8 | 17 | % | ||||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 29.2 | $ | 20.6 | $ | 8.6 | 42 | % | ||||||||
Total |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,182.7 | $ | 1,310.8 | $ | (128.1 | ) | (10 | )% | |||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 150.7 | $ | 212.9 | $ | (62.2 | ) | (29 | )% | |||||||
Revenue
The volume of SWU sales declined 2% in the three months and 17% in the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, due to the timing of utility
customer refuelings. Because a majority of the reactors served by USEC are refueled on an 18-to-24
month cycle, we anticipate a decline in the volume of SWU sales of approximately 20% in 2008, followed by deliveries in 2009 roughly similar to 2007. The average price billed to customers for
sales of SWU increased 3% in the three months and 1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, reflecting the particular contracts under which SWU
was sold during the periods as well as the general trend of higher prices under contracts signed in
recent years.
24
The volume of uranium sold declined 19% and the average price declined 41% in the three months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding period in 2007, reflecting the timing of
customer orders and the particular price mix of contracts under which uranium was sold. For
example, high market prices for uranium in 2007 are reflected to a greater extent in the three
months ended September 30, 2007 than in the current period, whereas the current period is more
heavily weighted by contracts signed in 2006 when market prices were lower.
The volume of uranium sold increased 8% and the average price increased 7% in the nine months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding period in 2007, reflecting the timing of
customer orders and the particular contracts under which uranium was sold.
Revenue from the U.S. government contracts segment increased $1.8 million in the three months
and $24.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding
periods in 2007, primarily due to increased contract work related to cold shutdown efforts at the
Portsmouth GDP, incremental revenue for fiscal 2002 DOE contract work based on the resolution of
concerns regarding billable incurred costs, and to a lesser extent the timing of sales for NAC.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for SWU and uranium increased $17.7 million (or 4%) in the three months and
declined $82.1 million (or 8%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the
corresponding periods in 2007, due to combinations of lower sales volumes and higher unit costs.
Cost of sales reflects changes in our monthly moving average inventory costs. Our SWU inventory
costs reflect production costs and costs of purchasing SWU under the Russian Contract. Under the
monthly moving average inventory cost method we use to value our SWU and uranium inventories, an
increase or decrease in production or purchase costs has an effect on inventory costs and cost of
sales over current and future periods. Cost of sales per SWU was 4% higher in the three months and
2% higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding periods in
2007.
Under the June 2007 amendment to our TVA power contract, we have an additional 400 megawatts
of power in the non-summer months to underfeed the production process and increase our LEU
production. Underfeeding is a mode of operation that uses or feeds less uranium, which supplements
our supply of uranium, but requires more electric power. The quantity of uranium that is added to
uranium inventory from underfeeding is accounted for as a byproduct of the enrichment process.
Production costs are allocated to the uranium added to inventory based on the net realizable value
of the uranium, and the remainder of production costs is allocated to SWU inventory costs.
Production costs increased $7.3 million (or 4%) in the three months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to the corresponding period in 2007. The cost of electric power increased by $6.9 million
due to a 5% increase in the average cost per megawatt hour, driven by TVA fuel cost adjustments and
higher costs for supplemental power purchased at market-based prices. Production volumes were about
the same period-to-period.
25
Production costs increased $78.0 million (or 14%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to the corresponding period in 2007, reflecting an increase in overall production volume
of 15% partially offset by a 1% decline in unit production costs. The average cost per megawatt
hour declined 1% reflecting lower average unit power costs realized in the first six months of the
year. Production costs allocated to SWU inventories declined 8% on a SWU unit cost basis. Increases
in the net realizable value of uranium resulted in a greater allocation of production costs to
uranium added from underfeeding. The cost for electric power increased $68.9 million
period-to-period, reflecting an additional 1.6 million megawatt hours purchased in the current
nine-month period, an increase of 18%.
We purchase approximately 5.5 million SWU per year under the Russian Contract. Purchase costs
for the SWU component of LEU under the Russian Contract increased $28.5 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in 2007, reflecting an 11% increase
in the market-based unit purchase cost partially offset by decreased volume due to the timing of
deliveries.
Cost of sales for the U.S. government contracts segment increased $1.6 million (or 4%) in the
three months and $16.2 million (or 13%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to
the corresponding periods in 2007, primarily due to increased contract work related to cold
shutdown efforts at the Portsmouth GDP.
Gross Profit
Gross profit declined $63.6 million (or 57%) in the three months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to the corresponding period in 2007. Our gross profit margin was 8.2% in the three months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to 17.6% in the corresponding period in 2007. Gross profit
declined $62.2 million (or 29%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the
corresponding period in 2007. Our gross profit margin was 12.7% in the nine months ended September
30, 2008, compared to 16.2% in the corresponding period in 2007.
Gross profit for SWU and uranium declined $63.8 million (or 61%) in the three months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding period in 2007, due primarily to lower average
sales prices for uranium and higher inventory costs, partially offset by higher average sales
prices for SWU.
Gross profit for SWU and uranium declined $70.8 million (or 37%) in the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding period in 2007, due to higher inventory costs and
lower SWU sales volume, partly offset by higher average sales prices for SWU and uranium.
Gross profit for the U.S. government contracts segment increased $0.2 million (or 3%) in the
three months and $8.6 million (or 42%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the
corresponding periods in 2007. The increase in the nine-month period reflects increased contract
work related to cold shutdown efforts at the Portsmouth GDP and incremental revenue for fiscal 2002
DOE contract work based on the resolution of concerns regarding billable incurred costs.
26
Non-Segment Information
The following table presents elements of the accompanying consolidated condensed statements of
income that are not categorized by segment (amounts in millions):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Gross profit |
$ | 48.4 | $ | 112.0 | $ | 150.7 | $ | 212.9 | ||||||||
Advanced technology costs |
29.1 | 30.8 | 81.2 | 100.1 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
12.4 | 9.0 | 40.7 | 33.0 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
6.9 | 72.2 | 28.8 | 79.8 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
4.0 | 3.3 | 15.5 | 9.2 | ||||||||||||
Interest (income) |
(4.5 | ) | (3.9 | ) | (21.3 | ) | (21.7 | ) | ||||||||
Income before income taxes |
7.4 | 72.8 | 34.6 | 92.3 | ||||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(1.0 | ) | 27.2 | 11.0 | 20.8 | |||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 8.4 | $ | 45.6 | $ | 23.6 | $ | 71.5 | ||||||||
Advanced Technology Costs
Advanced technology costs declined $1.7 million (or 6%) in the three months and $18.9 million
(or 19%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding periods in
2007. Demonstration costs associated with assembling and testing of centrifuge machines and
equipment at our Oak Ridge test facilities has declined as spending has increased in activities
related to capitalized construction work in progress on the centrifuge machines and American
Centrifuge Plant. Demonstration costs for the American Centrifuge technology were $28.8 million in
the three months and $80.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $30.6
million in the three months and $99.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The
remaining amounts included in advanced technology costs are efforts by NAC to develop its MAGNASTOR
storage system.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $3.4 million (or 38%) in the
three months and $7.7 million (or 23%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the
corresponding periods in 2007. The increase in the three-month period reflects the low level of
stock-based compensation expense in 2007 that resulted from a decline in our stock price. The
increase in SG&A in the nine-month period reflects a $1.9 million increase in compensation and
benefit related expenses, including the effects of the low level of stock-based compensation
expense in 2007. In addition, a previously accrued tax penalty of $3.4 million was reversed in the
three months ended June 30, 2007. Consulting expenses were flat in the three-month period and $1.5
million higher in the nine-month period, primarily related to strategy, enterprise risk management,
and organizational efforts.
Interest Expense and Interest Income
Interest expense increased $0.7 million (or 21%) in the three months and $6.3 million (or 68%)
in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the corresponding periods in 2007, due to
increases in debt-related interest expense of $1.1 million and $8.3 million, respectively. The
increased interest on debt was a result of our 3.0% convertible notes issued in September 2007,
slightly offset by increases in capitalized interest related to American Centrifuge of $4.2 million
for the three-month period and $9.4 million for the nine-month period. In addition, interest
expense on our 6.75% senior notes declined as a result of our repurchase of $23.6 million in notes in the
nine months ended September 30, 2008.
27
Interest income declined $0.6 million (or 15%) in the three months and $0.4 million (or 2%) in
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflecting reversals in the corresponding periods in 2007
of previously accrued interest expense on taxes and interest related to the expiration of the U.S.
federal statute of limitations with respect to tax return years 1998 through 2002 and IRS audit
settlements. Interest income on cash and investment balances increased $1.9 million in the
three-month period and $10.8 million in the nine-month period due to the proceeds from our
issuances of convertible notes and common stock in September 2007.
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
There was a benefit for income taxes of $1.0 million in the three months and a provision for
income taxes of $11.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Included in the three
months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are benefits of approximately $4.9 million and $5.2
million, respectively. These benefits are primarily due to reversals of approximately $3.4 million
and $3.7 million in the three and nine month periods, respectively, of previously accrued amounts
under accounting guidance provided in the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Interpretation No.
48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48), which became effective January 1,
2007. These benefits are also due to an increase in research credits of $1.5 million for 2007 which
resulted from a research credit study completed in the third quarter. The reversals of FIN 48
liabilities in the first nine months of 2008 of $3.7 million primarily resulted from the completion
of IRS federal income tax audits for 2004 through 2006. Excluding these adjustments, the overall
effective tax rate is 47% in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The provision for income
taxes of $20.8 million in the corresponding nine-month period in 2007 included benefits of
approximately $12.9 million due to reversals of accruals previously recorded and those associated
with the adoption of FIN 48. These reversals primarily resulted from the expiration of the U.S.
federal statute of limitations with respect to tax return years 1998 through 2003.
Exclusive of FIN 48 and research credit related adjustments, the primary differences between
the overall effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 of 47% and the
corresponding nine-month period rate in 2007 of 39% include the decrease in expected income before
income taxes for 2008 compared to 2007 and the decrease in the federal research credit that expired
after 2007. In October 2008, the federal research credit was extended through December 31, 2009.
USEC believes this change will positively impact the overall effective income tax rate for 2008 in
the fourth quarter.
Net Income
Net income declined $37.2 million (or $0.44 per sharebasic; $0.45 per sharediluted) in the
three months ended September 30, 2008, compared with the corresponding period in 2007, reflecting
the after-tax impact of lower gross profits in the LEU segment due to lower average sales prices
for uranium and higher inventory costs, partially offset by higher average sales prices for SWU.
Net income declined $47.9 million (or $0.61 per sharebasic; $0.63 per sharediluted) in the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to the after-tax impact of lower gross profits
in the LEU segment due to higher inventory costs and lower SWU sales volume, partially offset by
higher average sales prices for SWU and uranium. The decline was partially offset by lower advanced
technology expenses. In addition, the corresponding period in 2007 benefited by $22.2 million from
the impact of reversals of accruals previously recorded and those associated with the adoption of
FIN 48, released upon the U.S. federal statute of limitations expiration with respect to tax return
years 1998 through 2003 and the completion of the IRS examination for all tax years through 2003.
28
Net income per share in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 also reflects our
issuance of 23 million shares of common stock in late September 2007.
2008 Outlook Update
USEC is updating its annual guidance for 2008. As previously disclosed, we expect SWU sales in
2008 to be approximately 20% below the volume sold in 2007 due to the timing of reactor refueling
by our utility customers. Because a majority of our customers refuel their reactors on an 18-to-24
month cycle, we are delivering less SWU this year than the record-setting level seen in 2007. Our
updated outlook assumes lower SWU sales in 2008, partially offset by 2% higher prices billed to
customers, as a result of orders shifting into 2009 and higher tails assays requested by customers
that results in a reduction in SWU ordered. We now expect approximately $1.2 billion in SWU
revenue, or $100 million less than our previous guidance. Our prior guidance for $190 million in
uranium revenue and $230 million in revenue for U.S. government contracts and other is reaffirmed.
Total revenue is expected to be approximately $1.6 billion.
Under our five-year contract to purchase electric power for the Paducah plant, our costs can
fluctuate above or below the base contract price based on fuel and purchased power costs
experienced by our principal supplier, Tennessee Valley Authority. The impact of the fuel cost
adjustment continues to be negative for USEC, increasing our costs by 13% above base contract
prices in the first nine months of 2008. We expect the fuel cost adjustment to remain above base
contract price for the rest of 2008 and higher power purchase costs to negatively affect our
production costs and cash flow. In addition, the price we pay Russia for LEU purchased under the
Megatons to Megawatts program is 11% higher compared to 2007. These higher production and purchase
costs will work into our inventory cost over time and will pressure gross margins going forward. We
still anticipate a gross profit margin for 2008 of 13 14%.
Below the gross profit line, expenses related to the American Centrifuge project for 2008 are
expected to be approximately $115 million, and total spending on the project is expected to be
between $550 and $600 million. Expected spending on the project in 2008 is below the guidance we
issued in previous quarters due primarily to the timing of certain project activities that are not
expected to affect the scheduled completion of the ACP at the end of 2012 and, to a lesser extent,
lower than expected project management and labor costs in the current period. We continue to expect
selling, general and administrative expense for 2008 to be approximately $55 million and net
interest to be slightly positive. Exclusive of FIN 48 and research credit related adjustments, we
expect our income tax rate will be close to the combined federal and state statutory rate.
Based on these factors, our net income guidance for 2008 has narrowed to a range of $25 to $40
million. Because we expect to spend significantly more on electric power in the fourth quarter,
partially offset by the timing of customer collections, payments to Russia and lower expenses on
the ACP, we have reduced our cash flow guidance by $30 million, with cash used in operations now
expected to be in a range of $90 to $110 million. We previously noted there was a risk to the cash
flow guidance that electric power costs would exceed our expectation and that anticipated
improvements in the timing of customer collections may not be sufficient to offset them. We
continue to expect cash flow from operations to improve in 2009 as SWU sales volumes return to
levels seen in 2007 and prices billed to customers improve.
This guidance is subject to a number of assumptions and uncertainties that could affect
results positively or negatively. Variations from our expectations could cause substantial
differences between our guidance and ultimate results. Among the factors that could affect net
income are:
29
| The timing of recognition of previously deferred revenue and deferred revenue related to uranium deliveries; |
| Any additional uranium or SWU sales; and |
| The amount of spending on the American Centrifuge Plant that is classified as expense. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We provide for our liquidity requirements through our cash balances, working capital, access
to our bank credit facility and the net proceeds from our September 2007 issuances of convertible
notes and common stock. Cash needs include the funding of American Centrifuge project activities
and the repayment of the senior notes due January 2009. We anticipate that our cash, expected
internally generated cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our revolving credit
facility will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for approximately 9-12 months without impacting
our current project schedule for American Centrifuge.
We had a cash balance of $358.6 million as of September 30, 2008; however, we still need to
raise a significant amount of additional capital to complete the American Centrifuge project. We do
not believe public market financing for a large capital project such as American Centrifuge is
available to us given current financial market conditions. In July 2008, we applied for the DOE
loan guarantee program as the path for obtaining $2 billion in debt financing to complete the
American Centrifuge project. Our application is under review and we are seeking a prompt commitment
from DOE. We believe that our project is ideally suited for the loan guarantee program and DOE is
in the best position to evaluate the classified American Centrifuge technology. However, one
competing project also applied for funding under this program and we have no assurance that our
project will be selected to move forward. It could take an extended period for the loan guarantee
and funding to be finalized. Our ability to stay on schedule will depend on several factors,
including expected cash flow from operations, the anticipated spending profile for the project, and
our progress with respect to obtaining financing or a financing commitment under the DOE loan
guarantee program, each of which is uncertain. Accordingly, on a parallel path, we continue to
evaluate alternative sources of capital, including potential third-party investment at the project
level. If we are not able to obtain timely action from DOE or obtain an alternate capital
commitment, we will be forced to slow spending on the project, which will result in potentially
significant schedule delays and increased costs, or take other actions to ensure that we have
adequate liquidity for our ongoing operations. Further details are provided in Part II, Item 1A,
Risk Factors of this report.
We believe the Paducah GDP provides a meaningful operational backstop during the ACP
deployment period and we have the flexibility to extend its operations as part of any alternative
planning we may evaluate as the most prudent path for deploying the ACP. However, additional funds
may be necessary sooner than we currently anticipate in the event of changes in schedule, increases
in the cost of the American Centrifuge project, unanticipated prepayments to suppliers, increases
in financial assurance, unanticipated costs under the Russian Contract, increases in power costs or
any shortfall in our estimated levels of operating cash flow, or to meet other unanticipated
expenses.
Earlier this year, we completed a thorough, bottom-up review of the cost to build the ACP and
established a project budget of $3.5 billion. This budget includes expenditures to date but does
not include financing costs or financial assurance. See Managements Discussion and Analysis
American Centrifuge Plant Update for a discussion of the project budget and related uncertainties.
We expect to spend between $550 and $600 million on ACP in 2008, with most of the spending in 2008
being capitalized. However, our expectation for aggregate spending in 2008 could change if there is
a change in our view of the likelihood or timing of a DOE loan guarantee or alternative financing.
30
The change in cash and cash equivalents from our consolidated statements of cash flows are as
follows on a summarized basis (in millions):
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Net Cash (Used in) Operating Activities |
$ | (184.2 | ) | $ | (104.3 | ) | ||
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities |
(319.5 | ) | (69.9 | ) | ||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities |
(23.8 | ) | 777.6 | |||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | (527.5 | ) | $ | 603.4 | |||
Operating Activities
Cash flow used by operating activities was $184.2 million in the nine months ended September
30, 2008 compared with $104.3 million in the corresponding period in 2007, or $79.9 million more
cash used in operating activities period to period. During the nine months ended September 30,
2008, net inventory balances grew $219.8 million reflecting increased production and SWU quantity
on hand at the end of the period. An additional use of cash flow was the decrease in accounts
payables and other liabilities of $17.7 million. Results of operations contributed $23.6 million to
cash flow and $27.6 million in non-cash adjustments for depreciation and amortization.
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures were $309.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared
with $65.9 million in the corresponding period in 2007. Capital expenditures during these periods
are principally associated with the American Centrifuge Plant, including prepayments made to
suppliers for services not yet performed. Cash deposits are made as collateral for surety bonds in
connection with NRC and DOE financial assurance requirements for the American Centrifuge Plant. In
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, cash deposits were $10.3 million related to a $16.1
million surety bond issued October 1, 2008, and in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, cash
deposits were $4.0 million related to an $8.1 million surety bond.
Financing Activities
There were no short-term borrowings under the credit facility at September 30, 2008 or at
December 31, 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, aggregate borrowings and
repayments under the revolving credit facility were $48.3 million, and the peak amount outstanding
was $37.4 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we repurchased $23.6 million of the
6.75% senior notes due January 20, 2009. The cost of the repurchase was $23.3 million and was net
of a discount of $0.3 million.
There were 111.7 million shares of common stock outstanding at September 30, 2008, compared
with 110.6 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of 1.1 million shares (or 1%).
31
Working Capital
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(millions) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 358.6 | $ | 886.1 | ||||
Accounts receivable trade |
246.4 | 252.9 | ||||||
Inventories, net |
1,050.9 | 831.1 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
(126.4 | ) | | |||||
Other current assets and liabilities, net |
(227.8 | ) | (255.3 | ) | ||||
Working capital |
$ | 1,301.7 | $ | 1,714.8 | ||||
The decline in working capital of $413.1 million reflects cash used in investing activities of
$319.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, principally for capitalized
expenditures associated with the American Centrifuge Plant, and the reclassification of long-term
debt of $126.4 million for the 6.75% senior notes scheduled to mature January 20, 2009. The
increase in net inventories reflects a temporary build-up in anticipation of a greater volume of
near-term SWU sales.
Capital Structure and Financial Resources
At September 30, 2008, our long-term debt consisted of $575.0 million in 3.0% convertible
senior notes due October 1, 2014 and $126.4 million of 6.75% senior notes due January 20, 2009.
These notes are unsecured obligations and rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness. As demonstrated in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we may,
from time to time, purchase our outstanding 6.75% senior notes for cash in open market purchases
and/or privately negotiated transactions. We will evaluate any such transactions in light of then
existing market conditions, taking into account our current liquidity and prospects for future
access to capital. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate,
may be material. We expect to repay the 6.75% senior notes outstanding at maturity with available
cash. Our debt to total capitalization ratio was 34% at September 30, 2008 and 36% at December 31,
2007.
In August 2005, we entered into a five-year, syndicated bank credit facility, providing up to
$400.0 million in revolving credit commitments, including up to $300.0 million in letters of
credit, secured by assets of USEC Inc. and our subsidiaries. The credit facility is available to
finance working capital needs, refinance existing debt and fund capital programs, including the
American Centrifuge project. Financing costs of $3.5 million related to the credit facility were
deferred and amortized over the five-year life.
Utilization of the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
follows:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(millions) | ||||||||
Short-term borrowings |
$ | | $ | | ||||
Letters of credit |
45.6 | 38.4 | ||||||
Available credit |
354.4 | 361.6 |
Borrowings under the credit facility are subject to limitations based on established
percentages of qualifying assets such as eligible accounts receivable and inventory. Available
credit reflects the levels of qualifying assets at the end of the previous month less any
borrowings or letters of credit, and will fluctuate during the quarter. Qualifying assets are
reduced by certain reserves, principally a reserve for future obligations to DOE with respect to
the turnover of the gaseous diffusion plants at the end of the term of the lease of these
facilities.
32
The revolving credit facility contains various reserve provisions that reduce available
borrowings under the facility periodically or restrict the use of borrowings, including covenants
that can periodically limit us to $50.0 million in capital expenditures based on available
liquidity levels. Other reserves under the revolving credit facility, such as availability reserves
and borrowing base reserves, are customary for credit facilities of this type.
Outstanding borrowings under the facility bear interest at a variable rate equal to, based on
our election, either:
| the sum of (1) the greater of the JPMorgan Chase Bank prime rate and the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% plus (2) a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% based upon collateral availability, or | ||
| the sum of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.0% to 2.5% based upon collateral availability. |
The revolving credit facility includes various customary operating and financial covenants,
including restrictions on the incurrence and prepayment of other indebtedness, granting of liens,
sales of assets, making of investments, maintenance of a minimum amount of inventory, and payment
of dividends or other distributions. Failure to satisfy the covenants would constitute an event of
default under the revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with
all of the covenants.
Our current credit ratings are as follows:
Standard & Poors | Moodys | |||||||
Corporate credit/family rating |
B- | B3 | ||||||
3.0% convertible senior notes |
CCC | unrated | ||||||
6.75% senior notes |
CCC | Caa2 | ||||||
Outlook |
Negative | Negative |
Financial Markets and Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Through the nine months ended September 30, 2008, actual returns for our defined benefit
pension plan assets are significantly below our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of
8% due to adverse conditions in the financial markets. This performance and the associated decline
in pension plan asset values is not expected to impact our anticipated funding pattern with respect
to these plans for the remainder of 2008 or for 2009. The valuation of benefit obligations and
costs in our financial statements requires judgments and estimates including actuarial assumptions,
expectations of future returns on benefit plan assets, and the estimated discount rate at which
benefit obligations could be effectively settled. A change in any of these assumptions could result
in different valuations. Our financial statements and future funding levels could be impacted to
the extent actual results differ from these assumptions, or lead to changes in these assumptions.
Refer to the risks and uncertainties and critical accounting estimates related to pension plans
included in the annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2007.
33
New Contractual Commitments
As of September 30, 2008, significant new commitments entered into in 2008 are as follows,
with the following estimated future payments (in millions):
Fourth Quarter 2008 | 2009 - 2010 | 2011 - 2012 | Total | |||||||||||||
American Centrifuge
purchase
commitments with
Fluor and Teledyne
Brown |
$ | 82.9 | $ | 628.0 | $ | 77.0 | $ | 787.9 |
There were no other significant changes to our contractual commitments as presented in our
2007 Annual Report.
Financial Assurance and Related Liabilities
The NRC requires that we guarantee the disposition of our depleted uranium and stored wastes
with financial assurance. The financial assurance in place for depleted uranium and stored wastes
is based on the quantity of depleted uranium and waste at the end of the prior year plus expected
depleted uranium generated over the current year. We also provide financial assurance for the
ultimate decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of the American Centrifuge facilities to meet
NRC and DOE requirements. Surety bonds for the disposition of depleted uranium and for D&D are
partially collateralized by interest earning cash deposits included in other long-term assets. A
summary of financial assurance, related liabilities and cash collateral follows (in millions):
Financial Assurance | Long-Term Liability | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Depleted uranium disposition |
$ | 188.3 | $ | 188.3 | $ | 113.7 | $ | 98.3 | ||||||||
Decontamination and decommissioning of
American Centrifuge |
41.6 | 41.6 | 11.8 | 4.4 | ||||||||||||
Other financial assurance |
23.9 | 16.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total financial assurance |
$ | 253.8 | $ | 246.4 | ||||||||||||
Letters of credit |
45.6 | 38.4 | ||||||||||||||
Surety bonds |
208.2 | 208.0 | ||||||||||||||
Cash collateral deposit for surety bonds |
$ | 111.4 | $ | 97.0 |
The amount of financial assurance needed in the future for depleted uranium disposition is
anticipated to increase by an estimated $30 to $40 million per year depending on Paducah GDP
production volumes and the estimated unit disposition cost defined by the NRC requirement.
The amount of financial assurance needed for D&D of the American Centrifuge Plant increased to
$57.7 million in October 2008 and is anticipated to increase to roughly $180 million by the end of
2009, depending on construction progress anticipated and cost projections. The current estimate of
the total cost related to NRC and DOE requirements is $403 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than the letters of credit issued under the credit facility, the surety bonds as
discussed above and certain contractual commitments disclosed in our 2007 Annual Report, there were
no material off-balance sheet arrangements, obligations, or other relationships at September 30,
2008 or December 31, 2007.
34
New Accounting Standards
Reference is made to New Accounting Standards in note 1 of the notes to the consolidated
condensed financial statements for information on new accounting standards.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
At September 30, 2008, the balance sheet carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents,
accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and payables under the Russian
Contract approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of the instruments.
USEC has not entered into financial instruments for trading purposes. At September 30, 2008,
the fair value of USECs term debt, based on the most recent trading price, and related balance
sheet carrying amounts follow (in millions):
Balance Sheet | Fair | |||||||
Carrying Amount | Value | |||||||
6.75% senior notes due January 20, 2009 |
$ | 126.4 | $ | 124.5 | ||||
3.0% convertible senior notes due October 1, 2014 |
575.0 | 324.9 | ||||||
$ | 701.4 | $ | 449.4 | |||||
Reference is made to additional information reported in managements discussion and analysis
of financial condition and results of operations included herein for quantitative and qualitative
disclosures relating to:
| commodity price risk for electric power requirements for the Paducah GDP (refer to Overview Cost of Sales and Results of Operations Cost of Sales), | ||
| commodity price risk for raw materials needed for construction of the American Centrifuge Plant, that could affect the overall cost of the project, and | ||
| interest rate risk relating to any outstanding borrowings at variable interest rates under the $400.0 million revolving credit agreement (refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources Capital Structure and Financial Resources). |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Effectiveness of Our Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of the end of the
period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter
ended September 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
35
USEC Inc.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Reference is made to information regarding (a) the U.S. Department of Justices investigation
of a possible claim relating to USECs contract with the U.S. Department of Energy for the supply
of cold standby services at the Portsmouth GDP and (b) an environmental matter involving Starmet
CMI, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USEC and others, reported in note 7 to the
consolidated condensed financial statements.
USEC is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted,
which arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be
predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investors should carefully consider the updated risk factors below and the other risk factors in
Item 1A of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, in addition to the other information in our
Annual Report and in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
If we are not able to obtain timely action from DOE regarding a loan guarantee or an alternate
capital commitment, we will be forced to re-evaluate our current path with respect to the American
Centrifuge project.
We have obtained financing for initial ACP construction but we must still raise the remainder
of the capital needed to build the ACP. We do not believe public market financing for a large
capital project such as ACP is available to us given current financial market conditions. We view
the DOE loan guarantee program as the path for obtaining the debt financing to complete the
American Centrifuge project on our planned schedule. The loan guarantee program was created by the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 and in December 2007, federal legislation authorized funding levels
through September 30, 2009 of up to $2 billion for advanced facilities for the front end of the
nuclear fuel cycle, which includes uranium enrichment. DOE released its solicitation for the loan
guarantee program on June 30, 2008 and we applied for $2 billion in funding in July 2008. Our
application is under review and we are seeking a prompt commitment from DOE.
We believe that timely action by DOE regarding a loan guarantee is critical to staying on our
current path with respect to the American Centrifuge project. Our objective is ambitious and we
cannot give any assurance that we will be selected or that we will receive a DOE loan guarantee at
all or in the amount or the timeframe we seek. DOE could determine that the American Centrifuge
project does not qualify for a loan guarantee based on likelihood of repayment or other factors.
The loan guarantee program is a competitive process and a competing project has applied for funding
under the program. This could adversely affect the timing and amount of any funding awarded to us,
if any.
DOE has not yet issued any commitments or loan guarantees under the loan guarantee program,
including from an initial solicitation in August 2006 (that did not apply to nuclear projects) and
has not provided a timeline for the process from solicitation to being granted a loan guarantee. In
its June 30, 2008 solicitation, DOE stated that applications must be submitted to DOE no later than
six months prior to the date that the project sponsor anticipates that it will require a term
sheet, which could mean that no commitment would be available until at least early 2009. The change
in
Administration also adds uncertainty to the process after November 2008. In addition, funding
under the program is only authorized until September 30, 2009.
36
We also cannot give any assurances that if we are selected to proceed with negotiations under
the loan guarantee program that sufficient funds will be allocated to our project. We have
requested a loan guarantee for $2 billion, which is the entire amount authorized in the
solicitation for front-end nuclear facilities.
On a parallel path, we continue to evaluate alternative sources of capital, including
potential third-party investment at the project level; however, we cannot assure you that we will
be able to attract the capital we need to complete the American Centrifuge project in a timely
manner or at all. If we are not able to obtain timely action from DOE or obtain an alternate
capital commitment, we will be forced to slow spending on the project, which will result in
potentially significant schedule delays and increased costs and potentially make the project
uneconomic. We could also be forced to take other actions, including terminating the project. This
would have a material adverse impact on our business and prospects because we believe the long-term
viability of our business depends on the successful deployment of the American Centrifuge project.
The cost of the American Centrifuge project could exceed the current project budget and cost
uncertainty could adversely affect our ability to finance and deploy the American Centrifuge Plant.
We have established a project budget for the ACP of $3.5 billion. This budget includes amounts
already spent but does not include financing costs or financial assurance. Through September 30,
2008, we had spent $1.0 billion on the project, which leaves a going-forward cost of $2.5 billion
to complete the ACP.
We have built into the budget a management reserve; however, the project budget is subject to
cost risk. We are working with our strategic suppliers primarily under cost-reimbursement
agreements. As we proceed with the project, we intend for contracts with suppliers to transition
from a cost-reimbursable model to a fixed-price or incentive-based model, as appropriate. However,
we may not be successful in obtaining fixed-price or incentive-based contracts in the timeframe we
expect, if at all, which could increase costs. Several key budget variables such as labor costs,
the cost of raw materials to build the plant and general inflation, are outside our control and
difficult to forecast and increases in these variables could increase costs. Our project budget
assumes that certain cost savings are achieved through value-engineering the AC100 machine. We
continue to spend time working to reduce the manufacturing cost required per machine through value
engineering and if we are not successful or these efforts take longer than we expect, that could
impact our schedule and/or increase costs.
Increases in the cost of the ACP increase the amount of external capital we must raise and
could threaten our ability to successfully finance and deploy the ACP. We cannot assure investors
that costs associated with the ACP will not be materially higher than anticipated or that efforts
that we take to mitigate cost increases will be successful or sufficient. Our cost estimates and
budget for the ACP have been, and will continue to be, based on many assumptions that are subject
to change as new information becomes available or as unexpected events occur. Regardless of our
success in demonstrating the technical viability of the American Centrifuge technology, uncertainty
surrounding our ability to accurately estimate costs or to limit potential cost increases could
jeopardize our ability to successfully finance and deploy the ACP. Our inability to finance and
deploy the ACP would have a material adverse impact on our business and prospects because we
believe the long-term viability of our business depends on the successful deployment of the ACP.
37
Our certificate of incorporation gives us certain rights with respect to equity securities held
(beneficially or of record) by foreign persons. If levels of foreign ownership set forth in our
certificate of incorporation are exceeded, we have the right, among other things, to redeem or
exchange common stock held by foreign persons, and in certain cases, the applicable redemption
price or exchange value may be equal to the lower of fair market value or a foreign persons
purchase price.
Our certificate of incorporation gives us certain rights with respect to shares of our common
stock held (beneficially or of record) by foreign persons. Foreign persons are defined in our
certificate of incorporation to include, among others, an individual who is not a U.S. citizen, an
entity that is organized under the laws of a non-U.S. jurisdiction and an entity that is controlled
by individuals who are not U.S. citizens or by entities that are organized under the laws of
non-U.S. jurisdictions.
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events is a foreign ownership review
event and triggers the board of directors right to take various actions under our certificate of
incorporation: (1) the beneficial ownership by a foreign person of (a) 5% or more of the issued and
outstanding shares of any class of our equity securities, (b) 5% or more in voting power of the
issued and outstanding shares of all classes of our equity securities, or (c) less than 5% of the
issued and outstanding shares of any class of our equity securities or less than 5% of the voting
power of the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of our equity securities, if such foreign
person is entitled to control the appointment and tenure of any of our management positions or any
director; (2) the beneficial ownership of any shares of any class of our equity securities by or
for the account of a foreign uranium enrichment provider or a foreign competitor (referred to as
contravening persons); or (3) any ownership of, or exercise of rights with respect to, shares of
any class of our equity securities or other exercise or attempt to exercise control of us that is
inconsistent with, or in violation of, any regulatory restrictions, or that could jeopardize the
continued operations of our facilities (an adverse regulatory occurrence). These rights include
requesting information from holders (or proposed holders) of our securities, refusing to permit the
transfer of securities by such holders, suspending or limiting voting rights of such holders,
redeeming or exchanging shares of our stock owned by such holders on terms set forth in our
certificate of incorporation, and taking other actions that we deem necessary or appropriate to
ensure compliance with the foreign ownership restrictions.
The terms and conditions of our rights with respect to our redemption or exchange right in
respect of shares held by foreign persons or contravening persons are as follows:
| Redemption price or exchange value: Generally the redemption price or exchange value for any shares of our common stock redeemed or exchanged would be their fair market value. However, if we redeem or exchange shares held by foreign persons or contravening persons and our Board in good faith determines that such person knew or should have known that its ownership would constitute a foreign ownership review event (other than shares for which our Board determined at the time of the persons purchase that the ownership of, or exercise of rights with respect to, such shares did not at such time constitute an adverse regulatory occurrence), the redemption price or exchange value is required to be the lesser of fair market value and the persons purchase price for the shares redeemed or exchanged. | ||
| Form of payment: Cash, securities or a combination, valued by our Board in good faith. | ||
| Notice: At least 30 days notice of redemption is required; however, if we have deposited the cash or securities for the redemption or exchange in trust for the benefit of the relevant holders, we may redeem shares held by such holders on the same day that we provide notice. |
38
Accordingly, there are situations in which a foreign stockholder or contravening person could
lose the right to vote its shares or in which we may redeem or exchange shares held by a foreign
person or contravening person and in which such redemption or exchange could be at the lesser of
fair market value and the persons purchase price for the shares redeemed or exchanged, which could
result in a significant loss for that person.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) Third Quarter 2008 Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(c) Total Number | (d) Maximum Number | |||||||||||||||
(a) Total | (b) | of Shares (or Units) | (or Approximate Dollar | |||||||||||||
Number of | Average | Purchased as Part | Value) of Shares (or | |||||||||||||
Shares (or | Price Paid | of Publicly | Units) that May Yet Be | |||||||||||||
Units) | Per Share | Announced Plans | Purchased Under the | |||||||||||||
Period | Purchased(1) | (or Unit) | or Programs | Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||
July 1 July 31 |
| | | | ||||||||||||
August 1 August 31 |
344 | $ | 5.00 | | | |||||||||||
September 1 September 30 |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Total |
344 | $ | 5.00 | | | |||||||||||
(1) | These purchases were not made pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan or program. Represents 344 shares of common stock surrendered to USEC to pay withholding taxes on shares of restricted stock under the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. |
Item 6. Exhibits
10.1 | USEC Inc. Executive Severance Plan dated August 1, 2008. | |
10.2 | USEC Inc. 1999 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, dated August 1, 2008. | |
10.3 | First Amendment, dated August 1, 2008, to USEC Inc. Pension Restoration Plan, as amended and restated, dated November 1, 2007. | |
10.4 | Amended and Restated Design, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Construction Management Agreement for the American Centrifuge Plant between USEC Inc. and Fluor Enterprises, Inc., entered into September 24, 2008, effective as of January 1, 2008 (Certain information has been omitted and filed separately pursuant to a request for confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2). | |
31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). | |
31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). | |
32 | Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
USEC Inc. |
||||
November 5, 2008 | By | /s/ John C. Barpoulis | ||
John C. Barpoulis | ||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
||||
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description | |
10.1
|
USEC Inc. Executive Severance Plan dated August 1, 2008. | |
10.2
|
USEC Inc. 1999 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, dated August 1, 2008. | |
10.3
|
First Amendment, dated August 1, 2008, to USEC Inc. Pension Restoration Plan, as amended and restated, dated November 1, 2007. | |
10.4
|
Amended and Restated Design, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Construction Management Agreement for the American Centrifuge Plant between USEC Inc. and Fluor Enterprises, Inc., entered into September 24, 2008, effective as of January 1, 2008 (Certain information has been omitted and filed separately pursuant to a request for confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2). | |
31.1
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). | |
31.2
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). | |
32
|
Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
41