FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES INC - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

frd20200630_10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2020

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FROM THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-7521

FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

TEXAS

74-1504405

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1121 JUDSON ROAD, SUITE 124, LONGVIEW, TEXAS 75601

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (903)758-3431

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1 Par Value		FRD		NYSE American

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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐

Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒

		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check one): Yes ☐ No ☒

At November 16, 2020, the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s only class of stock was 7,043,934 shares of Common Stock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
Item 1. Financial Statements	3
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	12
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	16
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	16
Part II — OTHER INFORMATION	17
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	17
Item 6. Exhibits	17
SIGNATURES	18

Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — UNAUDITED

	SEPTEMBER 30, 2020			MARCH 31, 2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash	$	18,778,569		$	17,057,751
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debts and cash discounts of $82,417 at September 30, and March 31, 2020		11,279,027			11,705,344
Inventories		26,499,508			35,668,243
Other current assets		1,887,054			780,179
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		58,444,158			65,211,517
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
Land		1,179,831			1,179,831
Buildings and yard improvements		9,180,304			9,008,869
Machinery and equipment		27,783,814			29,339,893
Construction in process		5,427,263			3,797,364
Less accumulated depreciation		(29,698,945	)		(31,825,401	)
		13,872,267			11,500,556
OTHER ASSETS:
Cash value of officers’ life insurance and other assets		173,825			183,350
Income taxes recoverable		557,895			448,665
TOTAL ASSETS	$	73,048,145		$	77,344,088
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	4,730,683		$	8,944,614
Dividends payable		143,181			139,989
Contribution to retirement plan		150,750			50,250
Employee compensation and related expenses		383,295			409,778
Current portion of financing lease		101,704			100,728
Current portion of Paycheck Protection Program loan		987,061			—
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		6,496,674			9,645,359
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS		105,797			99,864
DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY		143,703			361,146
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES		317,151			372,352
LONG TERM PORTION OF PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN		703,324			—
TOTAL LIABILITIES		7,766,649			10,478,721
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, par value $1: Authorized shares — 10,000,000 Issued shares — 8,306,160 shares and 8,295,160 shares at September 30, and March 31, 2020, respectively		8,306,160			8,295,160
Additional paid-in capital		29,776,043			29,565,416
Treasury stock at cost (1,292,997 shares and 1,225,716 shares at September 30, and March 31, 2020, respectively)		(5,936,185	)		(5,525,964	)
Retained earnings		33,135,478			34,530,755
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		65,281,496			66,865,367
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	73,048,145		$	77,344,088

FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — UNAUDITED

	THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,						SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Net Sales	$	24,861,680		$	39,995,580		$	48,386,280		$	80,970,900
Costs and expenses
Costs of goods sold		23,770,583			40,778,230			47,038,429			80,282,226
General, selling and administrative costs		1,401,888			1,253,849			2,793,642			2,462,237
Interest expense		6,255			—			12,208			—
		25,178,726			42,032,079			49,844,279			82,744,463
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS		(317,046	)		(2,036,499	)		(1,457,999	)		(1,773,563	)
Interest and other income		(4,325	)		(4,370	)		(8,648	)		(10,705	)
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(312,721	)		(2,032,129	)		(1,449,351	)		(1,762,858	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes:
Current		46,005			(385,062	)		(123,041	)		(294,524	)
Deferred		(108,721	)		(102,930	)		(217,443	)		(118,969	)
		(62,716	)		(487,992	)		(340,484	)		(413,493	)
NET EARNINGS (LOSS)	$	(250,005	)	$	(1,544,137	)	$	(1,108,867	)	$	(1,349,365	)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		7,067,898			6,999,444			7,074,137			6,999,444
Diluted		7,067,898			6,999,444			7,074,137			6,999,444
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.19	)
Diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.19	)
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.02		$	0.02		$	0.04		$	0.06

FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — UNAUDITED

	SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
	2020			2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$	(1,108,867	)	$	(1,349,365	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		530,968			614,373
Deferred taxes		(217,443	)		(118,969	)
Compensation expense for restricted stock		221,627			166,472
Change in postretirement benefits		5,933			5,477
Lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment		274,093			955,605
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Accounts receivable		426,318			296,595
Inventories		8,894,641			12,013,518
Federal income taxes recoverable		(109,230	)		(304,527	)
Other current assets		(1,075,916	)		(513,442	)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(4,199,863	)		(2,730,307	)
Income taxes payable		—			(159,694	)
Contribution to retirement plan		100,500			100,500
Employee compensation and related expenses		(26,484	)		74,094
Other non-current liabilities		—			18,658
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		3,716,277			9,068,988
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(2,933,637	)		(796,253	)
Increase in cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance		(8,647	)		(8,740	)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(2,942,284	)		(804,993	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Paycheck Protection Program loan proceeds		1,690,385			—
Cash dividends paid		(283,218	)		(559,956	)
Cash paid for principal portion of finance lease		(50,121	)		—
Cash paid for share repurchases		(410,221	)		—
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES		946,825			(559,956	)
INCREASE IN CASH		1,720,818			7,704,039
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		17,057,751			11,667,161
CASH AT END OF PERIOD	$	18,778,569		$	19,371,200

FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

CONDENSED NOTES TO QUARTERLY REPORT — UNAUDITED

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes of Friedman Industries, Incorporated (the “Company”) included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020.

NOTE B — NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 establishes a new lease accounting standard that requires lessees to recognize a right of use asset and related lease liability for most leases having lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to prior guidance for operating leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new standard. In July 2018, the FASB also issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, to give entities another option for transition and to provide practical expedients to reduce the cost and complexity of implementing the new standard. ASU 2016-02 and all subsequently issued amendments, collectively "ASC 842," is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

The Company adopted ASC 842 on April 1, 2019 using the optional transition method under which the new standard is applied only to the most current period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the new standard to existing lease agreements is recognized at the date of initial application. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recording of initial right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities of approximately $63,000. The Company elected the package of transition practical expedients related to lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. In addition, the Company made the following accounting policy elections: (1) the Company will not separate lease and non-lease components by class of underlying asset and (2) the Company will apply the short-term lease exemption by class of underlying asset. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations or cash flows and did not result in a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. See Note E – Leases for additional information.

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”). ASU 2017-12 is intended to simplify and clarify the accounting and disclosure requirements for hedging activities by more closely aligning the results of cash flow and fair value hedge accounting with the underlying risk management activities. We adopted ASU 2017-12 on June 18, 2020 when we entered into our first derivative financial instruments. See Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires, among other things, the use of a new current expected credit loss ("CECL") model to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable. The CECL model requires estimation of lifetime expected credit loss with respect to receivables and recognition of allowances that, when deducted from the balance of the receivables, represent the net amounts expected to be collected. Subsequently, in November 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (ASC 326), which clarifies that impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. ASU 2016-13 called for an effective date for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. In November 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-10, Financial Instruments ‒ Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates (“ASU 2019-10”). ASU 2019-10 defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, private companies, not-for-profit organizations and employee benefit plans to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those annual periods. The Company qualifies as a smaller reporting company and does not expect to early adopt ASU 2016-13. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies accounting for income taxes by revising or clarifying existing guidance in ASC 740, as well as removing certain exceptions within ASC 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE C — INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of prime coil, non-standard coil and tubular materials. Prime coil inventory consists primarily of raw materials, non-standard coil inventory consists primarily of raw materials and tubular inventory consists of both raw materials and finished goods. Cost for prime coil inventory is determined using the average cost method. Cost for non-standard coil inventory is determined using the specific identification method. Cost for tubular inventory is determined using the average cost method. All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

A summary of inventory values by product group follows:

	September 30, 2020		March 31, 2020
Prime Coil Inventory	$	11,619,275	$	17,190,435
Non-Standard Coil Inventory		933,318		1,550,734
Tubular Raw Material		1,806,531		4,888,542
Tubular Finished Goods		12,140,384		12,038,532
	$	26,499,508	$	35,668,243

Tubular raw material inventory consists of hot-rolled steel coils that the Company will manufacture into pipe. Tubular finished goods inventory consists of pipe the Company has manufactured and new mill reject pipe the Company has purchased from U.S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc.

NOTE D – DEBT

In April 2020, the Company received a $1,690,385 loan (the “PPP Loan”) from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), as modified by the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020 (the “PPP Flexibility Act”). The term of the PPP Loan is two years from the funding date of the PPP Loan. The interest rate on the PPP Loan is 0.98%. Under the terms of the PPP Loan, interest accrues from the funding date of the PPP Loan but payment of both principal and interest is deferred for six months. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act, the Company can apply for and may be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan, if and to the extent that the Company satisfies certain requirements. Such forgiveness is subject to use of the PPP Loan proceeds for qualifying purposes and is also subject to maintenance or achievement of certain employee and compensation levels. While the Company plans to apply for forgiveness of the PPP Loan in accordance with the requirements and limitations under the CARES Act, the PPP Flexibility Act and the Small Business Administration regulations and requirements, no assurance can be given that all or any portion of the PPP Loan will be forgiven. Payments of principal and interest on the loan have been granted further deferment to provide ample time to file the loan forgiveness application.

NOTE E — LEASES

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASC 842”) on April 1, 2019 using the optional transition method under which the new standard is applied only to the most current period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the new standard to existing lease agreements is recognized at the date of initial application. Under this adoption method, reporting periods beginning after April 1, 2019 are presented under the new standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior period. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recording of initial ROU asset and lease liabilities of approximately $63,000 at April 1, 2019.

The Company’s lease of its office space in Longview, Texas is the only operating lease included in the ROU asset and lease liability. The lease calls for monthly rent payments of $4,878 and expires on April 30, 2021. The Company’s other operating leases for items such as IT equipment and storage space are either short-term in nature or immaterial.

In October 2019, the Company received a new heavy-duty forklift under a 5-year finance lease arrangement with a financed amount of $518,616 and a monthly payment of $9,074.

The components of expense related to leases for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 are as follows:

	THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,				SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Finance lease – amortization of ROU asset	$	25,121	$	—	$	50,121	$	—
Finance lease – interest on lease liability		2,102		—		4,325		—
Operating lease expense		14,634		8,184		27,018		16,368
	$	41,857	$	8,184	$	81,464	$	16,368

The following table illustrates the balance sheet classification for ROU assets and lease liabilities as of September 30, 2020:

	September 30, 2020		Balance Sheet Classification
Assets
Operating lease right-of-use asset	$	33,363	Other assets
Finance lease right-of-use asset		494,846	Property, plant & equipment
Total right-of-use assets	$	528,209
Liabilities
Operating lease liability, current	$	33,363	Accrued expenses
Finance lease liability, current		101,704	Current portion of finance lease
Finance lease liability, non-current		317,151	Other non-current liabilities
Total lease liabilities	$	452,218

As of September 30, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term was 0.6 year for operating leases and 4 years for finance leases. The weighted average discount rate was 7% for operating leases and 1.9% for finance leases.

Maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2020 were as follows:

	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
Fiscal 2021 (remainder of fiscal year)		29,268			54,444
Fiscal 2022		4,878			108,888
Fiscal 2023		—			108,888
Fiscal 2024		—			108,888
Fiscal 2025		—			54,444
Total undiscounted lease payments	$	34,146		$	435,552
Less: imputed interest		(783	)		(16,697	)
Present value of lease liability	$	33,363		$	418,855

NOTE F — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The Company continued the previously announced capital expenditure project at our Decatur, Alabama facility during the second quarter of fiscal 2021. This project involves the purchase and installation of a stretcher leveler coil processing line. This newly acquired equipment replaces the prior processing equipment at the Decatur plant and will expand both the size range and grade of material that the Decatur plant is able to process. The equipment was purchased from and is being constructed, fabricated and installed by Delta Steel Technologies. The Company currently expects the installation of the new equipment to begin in December 2020 and expects commercial use of the equipment to begin in February 2021. The Company currently estimates the cost of this project to be $7,200,000. This estimated cost is greater than our previously disclosed cost of $5,800,000 due to additional components that have been added to the project to improve the efficiency and output of the equipment.

As of September 30, 2020, expenditures related to the Decatur project totaled $5,427,263 with this amount reported as Construction in Process on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

NOTE G — STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

The Company maintains the Friedman Industries, Incorporated 2016 Restricted Stock Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and continues indefinitely until terminated by the Board or until all shares allowed by the Plan have been awarded and earned. The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock eligible for award under the Plan is 500,000 shares. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select the employees to whom awards will be granted and shall determine the amount and applicable restrictions of each award. Forfeitures are accounted for upon their occurrence.

The following table summarizes the activity related to restricted stock awards for the six months ended September 30, 2020:

			Weighted Average
	Number of Shares		Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Unvested at March 31, 2020		270,000	$	6.37
Cancelled or forfeited		—		—
Granted		11,000		4.53
Vested		—		—
Unvested at September 30, 2020		281,000	$	6.30

Of the 281,000 unvested shares at September 30, 2020, 160,000 shares have five year cliff vesting restrictions with vesting occurring on January 4, 2022, 20,000 shares have five year cliff vesting restrictions with vesting occurring on April 1, 2024, 20,000 shares have two year cliff vesting restrictions with vesting occurring on March 13, 2021, 11,000 shares have one year cliff vesting restrictions with vesting occurring on April 1, 2021 and 70,000 shares will vest in equal amounts each year for five years commencing on April 1, 2020. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period applicable to each award. The Company recorded compensation expense of $221,627 and $166,472 in the six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, relating to the stock awards issued under the Plan. As of September 30, 2020, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock awards was approximately $688,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.9 years. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, restricted stock awards of 78,625 shares were granted with a grant date fair value of $5.80 per share. These shares have a range of vesting restrictions from one to four years.

NOTE H — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In June 2020, the Company implemented its first commodity price risk management activities by transacting hot-rolled coil futures. From time to time, we expect to use derivative financial instruments to minimize our exposure to commodity price risk that is inherent in our business. At the time derivative contracts are entered into, we will assess whether the nature of the instrument qualifies for hedge accounting treatment according to the requirements of ASC 815 – Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). By using derivatives, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk. The Company’s exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The Company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices. The Company manages market risk by continually monitoring exposure within its risk management strategy and portfolio. For those transactions designated as hedging instruments, we document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the various hedge transactions. We also assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair value of hedged items.

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized gains from hedging instruments of $4,000. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 included the $4,000 gain within costs of goods sold for the hedging activity. As of September 30, 2020 the Company did not have any open future positions. We reported a margin requirement of $118,125 that is included in “Other current assets” on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2020.

NOTE I — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting standards provide a comprehensive framework for measuring fair value and sets forth a definition of fair value and establishes a hierarchy prioritizing the inputs to valuation techniques, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable value inputs. Levels within the hierarchy are defined as follows:

●

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

●

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly.

●

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

At September 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, the Company did not have any financial instruments that required fair value measurement on a recurring basis.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

At March 31, 2020, our assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were categorized as follows:

	Quoted Prices
	in Active		Significant
	Markets for		Other		Significant
	Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Long-lived assets held and used (1)	$	—	$	—	$	1,771,450	$	1,771,450
Total	$	—	$	—	$	1,771,450	$	1,771,450

(1)

At March 31, 2020, the Company performed an impairment review of the tubular segment’s pipe finishing facility that resulted in the assets being written down to their estimated fair value of $1,771,450.

At September 30, 2020, the Company did not have any fair value measurements on a non-recurring basis.

NOTE J — SEGMENT INFORMATION (in thousands)

	THREE MONTHS ENDED						SIX MONTHS ENDED
	SEPTEMBER 30,						SEPTEMBER 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Net sales
Coil	$	18,456		$	28,421		$	33,889		$	56,602
Tubular		6,406			11,575			14,497			24,369
Total net sales	$	24,862		$	39,996		$	48,386		$	80,971

Operating profit (loss)
Coil	$	751		$	324		$	291		$	668
Tubular		(344	)		(1,746	)		(285	)		(1,201	)
Total operating profit (loss)		407			(1,422	)		6			(533	)
Corporate expenses		718			614			1,452			1,241
Interest expense		6			—			12			—
Interest and other income		(4	)		(4	)		(9	)		(11	)
Total earnings (loss) before taxes	$	(313	)	$	(2,032	)	$	(1,449	)	$	(1,763	)

	September 30, 2020		March 31, 2020
Segment assets
Coil	$	33,689	$	35,895
Tubular		19,656		23,659
		53,345		59,554
Corporate assets		19,703		17,790
	$	73,048	$	77,344

Corporate expenses reflect general and administrative expenses not directly associated with segment operations and consist primarily of corporate executive and accounting salaries, professional fees and services, bad debts, retirement plan contribution expense, corporate insurance expenses, restricted stock plan compensation expense and office supplies. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash, the cash value of officers’ life insurance and income taxes recoverable.

NOTE K — REVENUE

Revenue is generated primarily from contracts to manufacture or process steel products. Most of the Company’s revenue is generated by sales of material out of the Company’s inventory, but a portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from processing of customer owned material. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied, control of our products is transferred, and revenue is recognized at a single point in time, when title transfers to our customer for product shipped or when services are provided. Revenues are recorded net of any sales incentives. Shipping and other transportation costs charged to customers are treated as fulfillment activities and are recorded in both revenue and cost of sales at the time control is transferred to the customer. Costs related to obtaining sales contracts are incidental and expensed when incurred. Because customers are invoiced at the time title transfers and the Company’s rights to consideration are unconditional at that time, the Company does not maintain contract asset balances. Additionally, the Company does not maintain contract liability balances, as performance obligations are satisfied prior to customer payment for product. The Company offers industry standard payment terms.

The Company has two reportable segments: Coil and Tubular. Coil primarily generates revenue from temper passing and cutting to length hot-rolled steel coils. Coil segment revenue consists of three main product types: Prime Coil, Non-Standard Coil and Customer Owned Coil. Tubular primarily generates revenue from the manufacture, distribution and processing of steel pipe. Tubular segment revenue consists of three main product or service types: Manufactured Pipe, Mill Reject Pipe and Pipe Finishing Services. The Company did not generate any revenue from pipe finishing services during any of the three month or six month periods ended September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019. The pipe finishing facility is currently idled due to market conditions. The following table disaggregates our revenue by product for each of our reportable business segments for the three and six months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Six Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Coil Segment:
Prime Coil		17,049,230		24,936,635		30,356,698		49,165,088
Non-standard Coil		1,201,135		3,271,453		3,142,138		7,043,968
Customer Owned Coil		205,721		212,521		390,034		393,021
		18,456,086		28,420,609		33,888,870		56,602,077
Tubular Segment:
Manufactured Pipe		5,296,334		9,744,189		12,458,184		20,476,676
Mill Reject Pipe		1,109,260		1,830,782		2,039,226		3,892,147
		6,405,594		11,574,971		14,497,410		24,368,823

NOTE L — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity for the six months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019:

			Additional
	Common		Paid-In		Treasury			Retained
	Stock		Capital		Stock			Earnings
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2020	$	8,295,160	$	29,565,416	$	(5,525,964	)	$	34,530,755
Net loss		—		—		—			(858,862	)
Issuance of restricted stock		11,000		—		—			—
Paid in capital – restricted stock awards		—		99,814		—			—
Cash dividends ($0.02 per share)		—		—		—			(143,229	)
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2020	$	8,306,160	$	29,665,230	$	(5,525,964	)	$	33,528,664
Net loss		—		—		—			(250,005	)
Paid in capital – restricted stock awards		—		110,813		—			—
Repurchase of shares		—		—		(410,221	)		—
Cash dividends ($0.02 per share)		—		—		—			(143,181	)
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2020	$	8,306,160	$	29,776,043	$	(5,936,185	)	$	33,135,478

			Additional
	Common		Paid-In		Treasury			Retained
	Stock		Capital		Stock			Earnings
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2019	$	8,205,160	$	29,322,472	$	(5,525,964	)	$	40,479,909
Net earnings		—		—		—			194,772
Issuance of restricted stock		20,000		—		—			—
Paid in capital – restricted stock awards		—		63,236		—			—
Cash dividends ($0.04 per share)		—		—		—			(279,978	)
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2019	$	8,225,160	$	29,385,708	$	(5,525,964	)	$	40,394,703
Net loss		—		—		—			(1,544,137	)
Paid in capital – restricted stock awards		—		83,236		—			—
Cash dividends ($0.02 per share)		—		—		—			(139,990	)
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2019	$	8,225,160	$	29,468,944	$	(5,525,964	)	$	38,710,576

On June 25, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 1,062,067 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock through June 30, 2023, which equates to 15% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of June 25, 2020. Repurchases under the program may be made from time to time at the Company’s discretion and may be made in open market transactions, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted by the Company’s management in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased pursuant to the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The Company repurchased 67,281 shares at a cost of $410,221 under the program during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

NOTE M — SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The Company paid interest of approximately $12,000 during the six months ended September 30, 2020 and did not pay any interest during the six months ended September 30, 2019. The Company paid income taxes of approximately $10,000 and $245,000 during the six month periods ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. In the six months ended September 30, 2019, there were noncash transactions totaling approximately $121,000 for the transfer of ownership of life insurance policies from the Company to officers upon their retirement.

NOTE N — INCOME TAXES

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $340,484, or 23.5% of loss before income taxes, compared to a tax benefit of $413,493, or 23.5% of loss before income taxes, for the six months ended September 30, 2019. For both six month periods, the effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate due primarily to the inclusion of state tax benefits in the provision.

NOTE O – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has engaged Metal Edge Partners, LLC (“Metal Edge”) to provide services that include strategic advisory services, risk management services, procurement advisory services, steel market analytics and macro-economic analytics. Tim Stevenson serves as a member of our Board of Directors and serves as Chief Executive Officer of Metal Edge. In the six months ended September 30, 2020, we paid Metal Edge $87,500 related to these services. Our agreement with Metal Edge may be terminated by either party, without cause, upon ninety days prior written notice. The agreement calls for a minimum of $12,500 per month for these services.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Friedman Industries, Incorporated is a manufacturer and processor of steel products and operates in two reportable segments; coil products and tubular products.

The coil product segment includes the operation of two hot-roll coil processing facilities; one in Hickman, Arkansas and the other in Decatur, Alabama. The Hickman facility operates a temper mill and a cut-to-length line. The temper mill improves the flatness and surface qualities of the coils and the cut-to-length line levels the steel and cuts the coils into sheet and plate of prescribed lengths. The Hickman facility is capable of cutting sheet and plate with thicknesses ranging from 14 gauge to ½” thick in widths ranging from 36” wide to 72” wide. The Decatur facility previously operated a temper mill and a cut-to-length line but during the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the equipment was removed to allow the foundation to be prepared for a new stretcher leveler line that will be installed. Installation is expected to begin in December 2020 and commercial use is expected to start in February 2021. The estimated total cost of this project is $7,200,000 with approximately $5,427,000 having been spent as of September 30, 2020. This estimated cost is greater than our previously disclosed cost of $5,800,000 due to additional components that have been added to the project to improve the efficiency and output of the equipment. The new equipment will expand the coil segment’s processing capabilities to include material up to 96” wide and material of higher grades and will allow the Decatur facility to cut material that is up to ½” thick compared to the previous equipment’s capability of 5/16” thick. In addition, sheet and plate that has been stretcher leveled is preferable to some customers and applications compared to material that has been leveled through the temper mill process. The coil product segment sells its prime grade inventory under the Friedman Industries name but also maintains an inventory of non-standard coil products, consisting primarily of mill secondary and excess prime coils, which are sold through the Company’s XSCP division. The coil product segment also processes customer-owned coils on a fee basis.

The tubular product segment consists of the Company’s Texas Tubular Products division (“TTP”) located in Lone Star, Texas. TTP operates two electric resistance welded pipe mills with a combined outside diameter (“OD”) size range of 2 3/8” OD to 8 5/8” OD. Both pipe mills are American Petroleum Institute (“API”) licensed to manufacture line pipe and oil country pipe and also manufacture pipe for structural purposes that meets other recognized industry standards. TTP has an API licensed pipe finishing facility that threads and couples oil country tubular goods and performs other services that are customary in the pipe finishing process. The pipe finishing facility is currently idled due to market conditions. TTP’s inventory consists of raw materials and finished goods. Raw material inventory consists of hot-rolled steel coils that TTP will manufacture into pipe. Finished goods inventory consists of pipe that TTP has manufactured and new mill reject pipe that TTP purchased from U.S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc.

COVID-19 Update

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. In addition to the devastating effects on human life, this contagious virus has adversely affected economies globally. It has also disrupted the normal operations of many businesses, including ours and many of our customers. Our facilities have continued to operate during this crisis but we are operating with modifications to our facility practices, employee travel, employee work locations and virtualization or cancellation of company and customer events, among other modifications. We may take further actions that alter our business operations as the situation evolves. There are no comparable events that provide guidance as to the effect the COVID-19 pandemic may have, and, as a result, the ultimate effect of the pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. We do not yet know the full extent of the effects on the economy, the markets we serve, our business or our operations. We have experienced a small number of cases within our workforce with each case being isolated with no spread to other employees.

Results of Operations

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Six Months Ended September 30, 2019

During the six months ended September 30, 2020 (the “2020 period”), sales and costs of goods sold decreased $32,584,620 and $33,243,797, respectively, and gross profit increased $659,177 compared to the amounts recorded during the six months ended September 30, 2019 (the “2019 period”). The decrease in sales was related to both a decline in tons sold and a decrease in the average per ton selling price. Tons sold decreased from approximately 112,000 tons in the 2019 period to approximately 81,500 tons in the 2020 period. The drop in volume was primarily attributable to economic impacts of COVID-19. Discussion of the change in sales is expanded upon at the segment level in the following paragraphs. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from approximately 1.0% in the 2019 period to approximately 2.8% in the 2020 period. Our operating results are significantly impacted by the market price of hot-rolled steel coil. Results for both the 2020 period and the 2019 period were negatively impacted by a declining steel price. The 2020 period experienced additional challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coil Segment

Coil product segment sales for the 2020 period totaled $33,888,870 compared to $56,602,077 for the 2019 period. For a more complete understanding of the average selling prices of goods sold, it is helpful to isolate sales generated from processing of customer owned material and sales generated from coil segment inventory. Sales generated from processing of customer owned material totaled $390,034 for the 2020 period compared to $393,021 for the 2019 period. Sales generated from coil segment inventory totaled $33,498,836 for the 2020 period compared to $56,209,056 for the 2019 period. Inventory tons sold decreased from approximately 81,000 tons in the 2019 period to approximately 60,000 tons in the 2020 period. The average per ton selling price related to these shipments decreased from approximately $695 per ton in the 2019 period to approximately $556 per ton in the 2020 period. Coil segment operations recorded operating profits of approximately $291,000 and $668,000 for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively.

Operating results for both the 2020 period and the 2019 period were negatively impacted by declining hot-rolled steel prices but the 2020 period was impacted additionally by a decline in volume primarily related to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the average monthly sales volume for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, April 2020 volume was down approximately 51%, May 2020 volume was down approximately 33%, June 2020 volume was down approximately 3%, July 2020 volume was down approximately 6%, August 2020 volume was down approximately 19% and September 2020 volume was down approximately 12%. The coil segment sales volume has experienced a fairly rapid recovery during the 2020 period from the initial volume drop in April 2020. We expect monthly volume for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 to remain slightly below the average monthly fiscal 2020 volume. Coil segment sales volume for October 2020 was down approximately 10% compared to the fiscal 2020 monthly average.

The Company’s coil segment purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Tubular Segment

Tubular product segment sales for the 2020 period totaled $14,497,410 compared to $24,368,823 for the 2019 period. Sales declined due to both a reduction in the volume sold and a decrease in the average selling price per ton. Tons sold decreased from approximately 31,000 tons in the 2019 period to approximately 21,000 tons in the 2020 period. The average per ton selling price related to these shipments decreased from approximately $787 per ton in the 2019 period to approximately $680 per ton in the 2020 period. The tubular segment operations recorded operating losses of approximately $285,000 and $1,201,000 for the 2020 and 2019 periods, respectively.

Operating results for both the 2020 period and the 2019 period were negatively impacted by declining hot-rolled steel prices, but the 2020 period was impacted additionally by a decline in volume primarily related to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenging conditions for the U.S. energy industry. Compared to the average monthly sales volume for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, April 2020 volume was down approximately 4%, May 2020 volume was down approximately 36%, June 2020 volume was down approximately 27%, July 2020 volume was down approximately 20%, August 2020 volume was down approximately 51% and September 2020 volume was down approximately 25%. The volume for April was supported by the segment fulfilling manufactured pipe orders that were received prior to the COVID-19 pandemic’s broad impact on the U.S. economy. The tubular segment volume has seen a challenging recovery with energy industry conditions being weak and, in recent months, additional challenges from increased imported pipe competition. October 2020 volume was down approximately 18% compared to the fiscal 2020 monthly average. Operating results for both the 2020 and 2019 periods were also negatively impacted by inventory write downs related to the segment's manufactured pipe inventory. In the 2020 period there was a write down of $274,093 at June 30, 2020 and in the 2019 period there was a write down of $955,605 at September 30, 2019.

The Company’s tubular segment purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. In March 2020, U.S. Steel announced the idling of their Lone Star Tubular Operations which is our sole supplier of mill reject pipe. At September 30, 2020, we had approximately 30,500 tons of mill reject inventory which we believe to be approximately two years of inventory. We expect the idling to have a negative impact on our operations as we eventually sell out of inventory.

General, Selling and Administrative Costs

During the 2020 period, general, selling and administrative costs increased $331,405 compared to the 2019 period. The increase was related primarily to increased payroll, professional fees and restricted stock plan compensation expense.

Income Taxes

The income tax benefit for the 2020 period decreased $73,009 from the benefit recorded in the 2019 period. This decrease was related primarily to the smaller loss before taxes for the 2020 period compared to the 2019 period.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 (the “2020 quarter”), sales and costs of goods sold decreased $15,133,900, $17,007,647, respectively and gross profit increased $1,873,747 compared to the amounts recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2019 (the “2019 quarter”). The decrease in sales was related to both a decline in tons sold and a decrease in the average per ton selling price. Tons sold decreased from approximately 58,500 tons in the 2019 quarter to approximately 43,000 tons in the 2020 quarter. The drop in volume was primarily attributable to economic impacts of COVID-19. Discussion of the change in sales is expanded upon at the segment level in the following paragraphs. Gross margin as a percentage of sales increased from a loss margin of approximately 2.0% in the 2019 quarter to a profit margin of approximately 4.4% in the 2020 quarter. Our operating results are significantly impacted by the market price of hot-rolled steel coil. Results for both the 2020 quarter and the 2019 quarter were negatively affected by the impact of declining steel prices. However, steel prices started increasing in the middle of the 2020 quarter which sparked margin improvement, especially for the coil segment where margin typically responds quicker to fluctuations in steel prices.

Coil Segment

Coil product segment sales for the 2020 quarter totaled $18,456,086 compared to $28,420,609 for the 2019 quarter. For a more complete understanding of the average selling prices of goods sold, it is helpful to isolate sales generated from processing of customer owned material and sales generated from coil segment inventory. Sales generated from processing of customer owned material totaled $205,721 for the 2020 quarter compared to $212,521 for the 2019 quarter. Sales generated from coil segment inventory totaled $18,250,365 for the 2020 quarter compared to $28,208,088 for the 2019 quarter. Inventory tons sold decreased from approximately 43,000 tons in the 2019 quarter to approximately 33,000 tons in the 2020 quarter. The average per ton selling price related to these shipments decreased from approximately $653 per ton in the 2019 quarter to approximately $548 per ton in the 2020 quarter. Coil segment operations recorded operating profits of approximately $751,000 and $324,000 for the 2020 and 2019 quarters, respectively. Operating results for both the 2020 quarter and the 2019 quarter were negatively impacted by low margins associated with declines in hot-rolled steel prices. However, margins did start to improve at the end of the 2020 quarter when hot-rolled steel pricing increased. The 2020 quarter was impacted additionally by a decline in volume primarily related to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Company’s coil segment purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Tubular Segment

Tubular product segment sales for the 2020 quarter totaled $6,405,594 compared to $11,574,971 for the 2019 quarter. Sales declined due to both a reduction in the volume sold and a decrease in the average selling price per ton. Tons sold decreased from approximately 15,500 tons in the 2019 quarter to approximately 10,000 tons in the 2020 quarter. The average per ton selling price related to these shipments decreased from approximately $755 per ton in the 2019 quarter to approximately $634 per ton in the 2020 quarter. The tubular segment operations recorded operating losses of approximately $344,000 and $1,746,000 for the 2020 and 2019 quarters, respectively.

Operating results for both the 2020 quarter and the 2019 quarter were negatively impacted by declines in hot-rolled steel prices, but the 2020 quarter was impacted additionally by a decline in volume primarily related to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenging conditions for the U.S. energy industry. Energy industry conditions remain challenging and, in recent months, we have seen increased competition from imported pipe. Operating results for the 2019 quarter were also negatively impacted by an inventory write down of $955,605 at September 30, 2019 related to the segment’s manufactured pipe inventory.

General, Selling and Administrative Costs

During the 2020 quarter, general, selling and administrative costs increased $148,039 compared to the 2019 quarter. The increase was related primarily to increased payroll, professional fees and restricted stock plan compensation expense.

Income Taxes

The income tax benefit for the 2020 quarter decreased $425,276 from the benefit recorded in the 2019 quarter. This decrease was related primarily to the smaller loss before taxes for the 2020 quarter compared to the 2019 quarter.

Outlook

During August 2020 hot-rolled steel pricing started to rise and has continued a significant increase of approximately 60% as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q. Our coil segment margins started improving late in the second quarter and have continued to improve during the third quarter. Our tubular segment margins do not respond as quickly to the fluctuations in steel price but we have started to see improved margins for our manufactured pipe sales during November 2020. In general, we expect solid margins for the third quarter. We expect both coil segment and tubular segment sales volumes for the third quarter to be comparable to those of the second quarter with the potential to be slightly less due to typical seasonality associated with the holidays and fewer shipping days.

FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s current ratio was 9.0 at September 30, 2020 and 6.8 at March 31, 2020. Working capital was $51,947,484 at September 30, 2020 and $55,566,158 at March 31, 2020.

During the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Company maintained assets and liabilities at levels it believed were commensurate with operations. Changes in balance sheet amounts occurred in the ordinary course of business. Cash increased primarily from operating activities and from Paycheck Protection Program loan proceeds with these increases being partially offset by the purchase of property, plant and equipment, payment of cash dividends and the repurchase of common stock. The Company expects to continue to monitor, evaluate and manage balance sheet components depending on changes in market conditions and the Company’s operations.

In April 2020, the Company received a $1,690,385 loan (the “PPP Loan”) from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), as modified by the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020 (the “PPP Flexibility Act”). The term of the PPP Loan is two years from the funding date of the PPP Loan. The interest rate on the PPP Loan is 0.98%. Under the terms of the PPP Loan, interest accrues from the funding date of the PPP Loan but payment of both principal and interest is deferred for six months. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act, the Company can apply for and may be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan, if and to the extent that the Company satisfies certain requirements. Such forgiveness is subject to use of the PPP Loan proceeds for qualifying purposes and is also subject to maintenance or achievement of certain employee and compensation levels. While the Company plans to apply for forgiveness of the PPP Loan in accordance with the requirements and limitations under the CARES Act, the PPP Flexibility Act and the Small Business Administration regulations and requirements, no assurance can be given that all or any portion of the PPP Loan will be forgiven. As of the filing date of this Form 10-Q, the Company was waiting to receive an invitation from the Bank to submit an application for forgiveness.

On June 25, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 1,062,067 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock through June 30, 2023, which equates to 15% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of June 25, 2020. During the September 30, 2020 quarter we repurchased 67,281 shares at a total cost of $410,221. Repurchases under the program may be made from time to time at the Company’s discretion and may be made in open market transactions, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted by the Company’s management in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased pursuant to the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

The Company believes that its current cash position along with cash flows from operations and borrowing capability due to its financial position are adequate to fund its expected cash requirements for the next 12 months.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates that are subject to the Company’s assumptions include the fair value of the pipe-finishing facility, determination of useful lives for fixed assets, determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts and the determination of net realizable value relative to inventory. The fair value determination of the pipe-finishing facility requires assumptions related to future operations of the facility and estimates related to the replacement cost and value in exchange for the assets. The determination of useful lives for depreciation of fixed assets requires the Company to make assumptions regarding the future productivity of the Company’s fixed assets. The allowance for doubtful accounts requires the Company to draw conclusions on the future collectability of the Company’s accounts receivable. The determination of net realizable value when reviewing inventory value requires the Company to make assumptions concerning sales trends, customer demand and steel industry market conditions. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

From time to time, the Company may make certain statements that contain forward-looking information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996, as amended) and that involve risk and uncertainty. Such statements may include those risks disclosed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of this report. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, future changes in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, future production capacity, product quality and proposed expansion plans. Forward-looking statements may be made by management orally or in writing including, but not limited to, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or including the words “will,” “expect,” “intended,” “anticipated,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “propose,” “plan,” “estimate,” “enable,” and similar expressions, including, for example, statements about our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, growth in the industry sectors we serve, our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects and assumptions, and estimates and projections of future activity and trends in the oil and natural gas industry. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs, reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results and trends in the future may differ materially depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in the demand for and prices of the Company’s products, changes in government policy regarding steel, changes in the demand for steel and steel products in general and the Company’s success in executing its internal operating plans, changes in and availability of raw materials, unplanned shutdowns of our production facilities due to equipment failures or other issues, increased competition from alternative materials and risks concerning innovation, new technologies, products and increasing customer requirements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except to the extent law requires.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not required

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s CEO and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020 to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Q2 Periods	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs*		Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs*
July 1-31, 2020		—		—		—
August 1-31, 2020		7,892	$	6.04		7,892
September 1-30, 2020		59,389	$	6.11		59,389
Total:		67,281						994,786

*On June 25, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to 1,062,067 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock through June 30, 2023, which equates to 15% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of June 25, 2020.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

3.1	—	Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).

3.2	—	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Texas Secretary of State on September 22, 1987 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).

3.3	—	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on December 21, 2016).

31.1	—	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Michael J. Taylor.

31.2	—	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Alex LaRue.

32.1	—	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Michael J. Taylor.

32.2	—	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Alex LaRue.

101.INS	—	XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH	—	XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document.

101.CAL	—	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF	—	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB	—	XBRL Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE	—	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

Date: November 16, 2020	By	/s/ ALEX LARUE
		Alex LaRue, Chief Financial Officer – Secretary and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)