REX AMERICAN RESOURCES Corp - Annual Report: 2023 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (937) 276-3931

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☑

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑

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 and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 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. (check one):

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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☑ No ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicated by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previous issued financial statements. Yes ☐ No ☑

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive offices during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). Yes ☐ No ☑

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

At the close of business on July 31, 2022, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s outstanding Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (for purposes of this calculation, 2,124,645 shares beneficially owned by directors and executive officers of the registrant were treated as being held by affiliates of the registrant), was $493,699,933.

There were 17,390,019 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of March 29, 2023

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of REX American Resources Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June 15, 2023 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K contains or may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Readers are cautioned that there are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include among other things: the effect of pandemics such as COVID-19 on the Company’s business operations, including impacts on supplies, demand, personnel and other factors, the impact of legislative and regulatory changes, the price volatility and availability of corn, distillers grains, ethanol, non-food grade corn oil, gasoline and natural gas, commodity market risk, ethanol plants operating efficiently and according to forecasts and projections, logistical interruptions, changes in the international, national or regional economies, the impact of inflation, the ability to attract employees, weather, results of income tax audits, changes in income tax laws or regulations, the impact of U.S. foreign trade policy, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the effects of terrorism or acts of war. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Item 1A.

Available Information

REX makes available free of charge on its Internet website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. REX’s Internet website address is www.rexamerican.com. The contents of the Company’s website are not a part of this report.

PART I

References to “we”, “us”, “our”, “REX” or “the Company” refer to REX American Resources Corporation and its majority owned subsidiaries.

Fiscal Year

All references in this report to a particular fiscal year are to REX’s fiscal year ended January 31. We refer to our fiscal year by reference to the year immediately preceding the January 31 fiscal year end date. For example, “fiscal year 2022” means the period February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023.

Corporate History and Background

REX was incorporated in Delaware in 1984 as a holding company. Our principal offices are located at 7720 Paragon Road, Dayton, Ohio 45459. Our telephone number is (937) 276-3931.

In 2006, we started investing in ethanol production facilities. We are currently invested in three ethanol production entities – One Earth Energy, LLC (“One Earth”), NuGen Energy, LLC (“NuGen”), and Big River Resources, LLC (“Big River”). We own a majority interest in One Earth and NuGen. We also own a majority interest in an entity that owned and, until November 18, 2021, operated a refined coal facility. As we have ceased operating the refined coal facility, we began classifying the financial results of the operating segment as discontinued operations. We now have one reportable segment, ethanol and by-products.

General Overview

We reported net income attributable to REX common shareholders of $27.7 million in fiscal 2022 compared to approximately $52.4 million in fiscal 2021. Our ethanol business had reduced profits in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 as a result of lower crush spreads in fiscal 2022. The two largest drivers of ethanol profitability are corn and ethanol pricing, both of which experienced significant volatility within the year. Chicago Board of Trade corn prices per bushel ranged from a low of $5.64 in July 2022 to a high of $8.18 in April 2022. S&P Global Platts ethanol pricing per gallon ranged from a low of $1.99 in February 2022 to a high of $2.88 in June 2022.

The form and structure of our ethanol investments are tailored to the specific needs and goals of each project and the local farmer group or investor with whom we partner. We generally participate in the oversight of our projects through our membership on the board of managers of the limited liability companies that own the plants. We provide management oversight and direction with respect to most aspects of plant operations for our consolidated ethanol companies. We have equity investments in three entities engaged in the production of ethanol as of January 31, 2023. The following table is a summary of our ethanol entity ownership interests at January 31, 2023:

The three entities own a total of six ethanol production facilities, which in aggregate shipped approximately 691 millions gallons of ethanol over the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2023. REX’s effective ownership of gallons shipped, for the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2023, by the ethanol production facilities in which we have ownership interests was approximately 271 million gallons.

Our ethanol operations are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, ethanol, distillers grains, non-food grade corn oil and natural gas, and availability of corn. As a result of price volatility for these commodities, our operating results can fluctuate substantially. The price and availability of corn is subject to significant fluctuations depending upon several factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, the amount of corn stored on farms, weather, federal policy, foreign trade and international disruptions caused by wars or conflicts. Because the market prices of ethanol and distillers grains are not always directly related to corn prices (for example, demand for crude and other energy and related prices, the export market demand for ethanol and distillers grains, soybean meal prices, and the results of federal policy decisions and trade negotiations), at times ethanol and distillers grains prices may not follow movements in corn prices. In an environment of higher corn prices or lower ethanol or distillers grains prices, the overall margin structure at the plants could be reduced. As a result, at times, we may operate our plants at negative or minimally positive operating margins.

We expect our ethanol plants to produce approximately 2.9 gallons of denatured ethanol for each bushel of grain processed in the production cycle. We refer to the actual gallons of denatured ethanol produced per bushel of grain processed as the realized yield. We refer to the difference between the price per gallon of ethanol and the price per bushel of grain (divided by the realized yield) as the “crush spread.” Should the crush

spread decline, it is possible that our ethanol plants will generate operating results that do not provide adequate cash flows for sustained periods of time. In such cases, production at the ethanol plants may be reduced or stopped altogether in order to minimize variable costs at individual plants.

We attempt to manage the risk related to the volatility of commodity prices by utilizing forward grain and natural gas purchase contracts, forward ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil sale contracts, and commodity futures agreements, as management deems appropriate. We attempt to match quantities of these sales contracts with an appropriate quantity of grain purchase contracts over a given period of time when we can obtain an adequate gross margin resulting from the crush spread inherent in the contracts we have executed. However, the market for future ethanol sales contracts generally lags the spot market with respect to ethanol prices. Consequently, we generally execute fixed price contracts for no more than four months into the future at any given time and we may lock in our corn or ethanol price without having a corresponding locked in ethanol or corn price for short durations of time. As a result of the relatively short period of time our fixed price contracts cover, we generally cannot predict the future movements in our realized crush spread for more than four months; thus, we are unable to predict the likelihood or amounts of future income or loss from the operations of our ethanol facilities.

On August 10, 2017, we purchased, through a 95.35% owned subsidiary, for approximately $12.0 million, the entire ownership interest of an entity that owned a refined coal facility. We began operating the refined coal facility immediately after the acquisition. As the plant was no longer eligible to receive federal production tax credits beginning on November 18, 2021, we ceased operations on that date and subsequently sold the facility. We began classifying this operation as discontinued operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2021.

Through our affiliate, One Earth Energy, LLC, we are in the exploratory stage of a carbon sequestration project near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. A test well has been drilled to a total depth of approximately 7,100 feet, in which almost 2,000 feet of Mt. Simon Sandstone was encountered, which represents the region’s primary carbon storage resource. Three-dimensional seismic testing has been performed, as well as geological modeling for predicting the movement of injected carbon and the plume area to determine maximum injection pressure, reservoir quality and storage capacity for the potential wells. We have applied for a Class VI injection well permit for three wells with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). In addition, we have signed a construction contract to capture, dehydrate, and compress carbon to a state suitable for sequestration for the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. We are currently working on an engineering design study for a short pipeline to deliver carbon from the ethanol plant to the sequestration site. Although we have made meaningful progress, we continue to complete documents required from various government agencies and obtain other approvals with no assurances of ultimate success. If successful, we believe we would qualify for tax credits under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code (“45Q”) and section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code (“45Z”) as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act.

During fiscal year 2013, we entered into a joint venture to file and defend patents for eSteam technology. The patented technology is an enhanced method of heavy oil recovery involving zero emissions downhole steam generation. To date, we have not successfully had a field operation nor demonstrated that the technology is commercially feasible. We own 60% and our partner owns 40% of the entity named Future Energy, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company. We have no current plans to operate this technology and are maintaining patents in limited countries.

We plan to seek and evaluate various investment opportunities including energy related, carbon sequestration, agricultural and other ventures we believe fit our investment criteria. We can make no assurances that we will be successful in our efforts to find such opportunities.

Ethanol Industry

Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced by processing corn and other biomass through a fermentation process that creates combustible alcohol that can be used as a fuel additive to reduce vehicle emissions from gasoline, as an octane enhancer to improve the octane rating of gasoline with which it is blended and, to a lesser extent, as a gasoline substitute. The majority of ethanol produced in the United States is made from corn because of its wide availability and ease of convertibility from large amounts of carbohydrates into glucose, the key ingredient in the fermentation process that is used in producing alcohol. Ethanol production can also use feedstocks such as grain sorghum, switchgrass, wheat, barley, potatoes and sugarcane as carbohydrate sources. Most ethanol plants have been located near large corn production areas, such as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota. Railway access and interstate access are vital for ethanol facilities due to the large amount of raw materials and finished goods required to be shipped to and from the facilities. An adequate supply of natural gas is key to maintaining optimal operating levels.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (“RFA”), the United States ethanol industry produced an estimated 15.4 billion gallons of ethanol in 2022, compared to 15.0 billion gallons in 2021. Approximately 1.4 billion gallons were exported from the United States in 2022. According to the RFA, the United States ethanol industry consists of 199 plants in 25 states with an annual capacity of approximately 17.9 billion gallons of ethanol production.

Domestic demand for ethanol is highly dependent upon federal and state legislation and regulations. On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (the “Energy Act of 2007”) was enacted. The Energy Act of 2007 established new levels of renewable fuel mandates, including two different categories of renewable fuels: conventional biofuels and advanced biofuels. The federal government mandates the use of renewable fuels under Renewable Fuel Standard II (“RFS II”), established in October 2010. Corn-based ethanol is considered a conventional biofuel. There were mandated volumes established as part of the RFS II for conventional and advanced biofuels through the year 2022. After 2022, RFS volumes are to be determined by the EPA in coordination with the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture. The mandated volumes for conventional biofuel were to reach 15.0 billion gallons in 2015 and maintain that level until 2022.

The EPA has proposed conventional renewable fuel volumes of 15.0 billion gallons for 2023 and 15.25 billion gallons for both 2024 and 2025. Additionally, the proposal for 2023 also restores the remaining 250 million gallons previously waived in 2016.

Under RFS II, a small refiner that processes less than 75,000 barrels of oil per day can petition the EPA for a waiver of their requirement to acquire and submit renewable identification numbers (“RINs”). The EPA, through consultation with the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture, can grant the refiner a full or partial waiver, or deny the waiver. The EPA issued 88 refinery exemptions for 2016-2018 compliance years, undercutting the statutory renewable fuel volumes by a total of 4.3 billion gallons. The EPA has not granted any small refinery waivers for 2019-2022 and has continued that stance in the proposed volumes for 2023-2025. There remain multiple ongoing legal challenges on how the EPA has handled the small refinery waivers.

Ethanol Production

The plants we have invested in are designed to use the dry milling method of producing ethanol. In the dry milling process, the entire corn kernel is first ground into flour, which is referred to as “meal,” and processed without separating out the various component parts of the grain. The meal is processed with enzymes, chemicals and water, and then placed in a high-temperature cooker. It is then transferred to fermenters where yeast is added and the conversion of sugar to ethanol begins. After fermentation, the resulting liquid is transferred to distillation columns where the ethanol is separated from the remaining “stillage” for fuel uses.

The anhydrous ethanol is then blended with a denaturant, such as natural gasoline, to render it undrinkable and thus not subject to beverage alcohol tax. With the starch elements of the corn consumed in the above-described process, the principal by-product produced by the dry milling process is dry distillers grains with solubles, or DDGS. DDGS is sold as a protein used in animal feed, which recovers a portion of the corn value not absorbed in ethanol production. Depending on market and operating conditions, we may also sell modified distillers grains, or wet distillers grains, by removing less liquid content compared to DDGS. We also generate revenues from the sale of non-food grade corn oil produced at our facilities. Non-food grade corn oil is sold to the animal feed market, as well as biodiesel and other chemical markets.

The Primary Uses of Ethanol

Blend component. Today, much of the ethanol blending in the U.S. is done to meet the RFS. Most regular gasoline is produced using blendstock with an octane rating of 84, which is then increased to 87 (the minimum octane rating required in most states) by adding 10% ethanol according to the RFA. The industry is attempting to expand ethanol blending above the current 10% for most vehicles in use. The EPA has approved the use of 15% ethanol (“E-15”), which has an octane rating of 88, in gasoline for cars, SUV’s and light duty trucks made in 2001 and later. Previously, the EPA had not granted E-15 the same Reid vapor pressure (“RVP”) waiver as E-10 so it could only be sold from September 16 through May 31 for those vehicles in most markets. In May 2019, the EPA finalized regulatory changes to allow the same RVP waiver for E-15 for the summer months that it allows for E-10. However, in July 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit overturned the EPA ruling and stated the EPA had exceeded its authority. Then in April 2022, the EPA issued an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E-15 through May 20, 2022, and ultimately extended the waiver multiple times to allow for E-15 to be used throughout the remainder of the 2022 summer months. Certain Midwest states petitioned the EPA to allow year round sales of E-15 in their states. On March 1, 2023, the EPA proposed a rule to allow this to occur in eight states beginning in 2024. A public comment period on the proposed rule will be open for 45 days.

Clean air additive. Ethanol is employed by the refining industry as a fuel oxygenate, which when blended with gasoline, allows engines to combust fuel more completely than gasoline that has not been oxygenated and thus reduce emissions from motor vehicles. Ethanol contains 35% oxygen, which results in more complete combustion of the fuel in the engine cylinder. Oxygenated gasoline is used to help meet certain federal and air emission standards.

Octane enhancer. Ethanol increases the octane rating of gasoline with which it is blended. Octane is a measure of fuel performance. Ethanol is used by gasoline suppliers as an octane enhancer both for producing regular grade gasoline from lower octane blending stocks and for upgrading regular gasoline to premium grades.

Legislation

The United States ethanol industry is highly dependent upon federal and state legislation. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a discussion of legislation affecting the U.S. ethanol industry.

Refined Coal Facility

On August 10, 2017, we purchased, through a 95.35% owned subsidiary, the entire ownership interest of an entity that owned a refined coal facility. We began operating the refined coal facility immediately after the acquisition. Using licensed technology, our plant applied two separate chemicals to convert feedstock coal into refined coal, which was sold to the end user of the refined coal. The refined coal operating results were subsidized by federal production tax credits through November 18, 2021, subject to meeting qualified emissions reductions as governed by Section 45 of the IRC. We ceased operating the facility on November 18,

2021 and subsequently sold the facility. We began to report these results as discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2021.

Section 45 of the IRC was created by Congress to encourage the development and use of environmentally sound solutions to control harmful emissions during energy production and to facilitate and move the United States towards better compliance with global environmental energy standards. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 amended Section 45 of the IRC by adding provisions to incentivize the production of emission reducing refined coal. To qualify for tax credits under Section 45 of the IRC, a process must reduce coal emissions of nitrogen oxide by 20% and either sulfur dioxide or mercury by 40%.

Facilities

As of our fiscal year end, our consolidated ethanol entities owned a combined 1,342 acres of land and two facilities that shipped a combined quantity of approximately 266 million gallons of ethanol in fiscal year 2022. We also own our corporate headquarters office building, consisting of approximately 7,500 square feet, located in Dayton, Ohio.

Human Capital Resources

The attraction, retention and development of employees is critical to our success. We accomplish these objectives through a variety of actions, including our competitive compensation policies, training initiatives and growth opportunities within our Company. At January 31, 2023, we had 122 employees at our two consolidated ethanol plants and at our corporate headquarters. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We expect this employment level to remain relatively stable. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

We took measures to protect the health and safety of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to meet the needs of our customers. We continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including our employees, and take appropriate actions to mitigate the impact, including emphasizing CDC guidelines.

We conduct regularly scheduled safety meetings and require all employees to go through safety training. We evaluate employee safety incidents monthly and investigate such incidents promptly. In addition, we conduct periodic safety audits performed by an independent third party. A portion of our incentive compensation plan rewards employees for attaining certain safety goals.

We believe we offer market competitive compensation and benefit programs for our employees. In addition to competitive base wages, all employees are eligible for an incentive compensation program, a Company matched 401(k) plan, healthcare benefits, and paid time off.

Service Marks

We have registered the service marks “REX” and “Farmer’s Energy” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We are not aware of any adverse claims concerning our service marks.

We encourage you to carefully consider the risks described below and other information contained in this report when considering an investment decision in REX common stock. Any of the events discussed in the risk factors below may occur. If one or more of these events do occur, our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In this instance, the trading price of REX stock could decline, and investors might lose all or part of their investment.

Risks Related to our Ethanol and By-Products Business

The ethanol industry is changing rapidly which could result in unexpected developments that could negatively impact our operations.

According to the RFA, the ethanol industry grew from approximately 1.5 billion gallons of domestic annual ethanol production in 1999 to a peak of approximately 16.1 billion gallons in 2018. In 2022 and 2021, the industry produced approximately 15.4 and 15.0 billion gallons, respectively, with the reduction from the peak year reflecting industry conditions and reduced demand. Thus, there have been significant changes in the supply and demand of ethanol over a relatively short period of time which could lead to difficulty in maintaining profitable operations at our ethanol plants.

The financial returns on our ethanol investments are highly dependent on commodity prices, which are subject to significant volatility, uncertainty and regional supply shortages, so our results could fluctuate substantially.

The financial returns on our ethanol investments are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, natural gas, ethanol, dried distillers grains, non-food grade corn oil and unleaded gasoline. As a result of the volatility of the prices for these items, our returns may fluctuate substantially and our investments could experience periods of declining prices for their products and increasing costs for their raw materials, which could result in operating losses at our ethanol plants.

Our returns on ethanol investments are highly sensitive to grain prices.

Corn is the principal raw material our ethanol plants use to produce ethanol and by-products. As a result, changes in the price of corn can significantly affect our businesses. Rising corn prices result in higher production costs of ethanol and by-products. Because ethanol competes with non-corn-based fuels, our ethanol plants may not be able to pass along increased grain costs to our customers. At certain levels, grain prices may make ethanol uneconomical to produce.

The price of corn is influenced by weather conditions and other factors affecting crop yields, transportation costs, farmer planting decisions, exports, foreign production, the value of the U.S. dollar, and general domestic and foreign economic, market and regulatory factors, including, but not limited to, the impacts from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. These factors include government policies and subsidies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global and local demand and supply. The significance and relative effect of these factors on the price of corn is difficult to predict. Any event that tends to negatively affect the production and/or supply of corn, such as adverse weather or crop disease, could increase corn prices and potentially harm the business of our ethanol plants, to include intermittent production slowdowns or stoppages. Increasing domestic ethanol production could boost the demand for corn and result in increased corn prices. International demand for corn could also result in higher corn prices. Our ethanol plants may also have difficulty, from time to time, in physically sourcing corn on economic terms due to regional supply shortages, transportation issues, delays in farmer marketing decisions or unfavorable local pricing. The corn harvest near our NuGen facility

for 2022 was negatively impacted by dry weather and we expect will impact the supply of corn until the 2023 harvest. Such a shortage or price impact could require our ethanol plants to suspend operations which would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations.

The spread between ethanol and corn prices can vary significantly.

The gross margin at our ethanol plants depends principally on the spread between ethanol and corn prices. Fluctuations in the spread are likely to continue to occur. A sustained narrow or negative spread, whether as a result of sustained high or increased corn prices or sustained low or decreased ethanol prices, would adversely affect the results of operations at our ethanol plants.

Our risk management strategies may be ineffective and may expose us to decreased profitability and liquidity.

In an attempt to partially offset the impact of volatility of commodity prices, we enter into: i) forward contracts to sell a portion of our ethanol, distillers grains, and non-food grade corn oil production and to purchase a portion of our corn and natural gas requirements and; ii) commodity futures and swap agreements. The financial impact of these risk management activities is dependent upon, among other items, the prices involved and our ability to receive or deliver the commodities involved. Risk management activities can result in financial loss when positions are purchased in a declining market or when positions are sold in an increasing market. In addition, we may not be able to match the appropriate quantity of corn contracts with quantities of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil contracts. Further, our results may be impacted by a mismatch of gains or losses associated with the positions during a reporting period when the physical commodity purchase or sale has not yet occurred. We vary the amount and type of risk management techniques we utilize, and we may choose not to engage in any risk management activities. Should we fail to properly manage the inherent volatility of commodity prices, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

The market for natural gas is subject to market conditions that create uncertainty in the price and availability of the natural gas that our ethanol plants use in their manufacturing process.

Our ethanol plants rely upon third parties for their supply of natural gas, which is consumed as fuel in the production process. The prices for and availability of natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by factors beyond the ethanol plants’ control, such as weather conditions, overall economic conditions, governmental regulation and foreign and domestic relations, including, but not limited to, the impacts from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Significant disruptions in the supply of natural gas could impair or completely prevent the ethanol plants’ ability to economically manufacture ethanol for their customers. Furthermore, increases in natural gas prices may adversely affect results of operations and financial position at our ethanol plants.

Fluctuations in the selling price of commodities may reduce profit margins at our ethanol plants.

Ethanol is marketed as a fuel additive to reduce vehicle emissions from gasoline, as an octane enhancer to improve the octane rating of gasoline with which it is blended and, to a lesser extent, as a gasoline substitute. As a result, ethanol prices are influenced by the supply and demand for gasoline, and our ethanol plants’ results of operations and financial position may be materially adversely affected if gasoline demand decreases or the price of gasoline declines making ethanol less economical.

Distillers grains compete with other protein-based animal feed products. The price of distillers grains may decrease when the prices of competing feed products decrease. The prices of competing animal feed products

are based in part on the prices of the commodities from which these products are made. Historically, sales prices for distillers grains have tracked along with the price of corn. However, there have been instances when the price increase for distillers grains has lagged increases in corn prices.

The production of distillers grains has increased as a result of increases in dry mill ethanol production in the United States. This could lead to price declines in what we can sell our distillers grains for in the future. Such declines could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Increased ethanol production or decreases in demand for ethanol may result in excess production capacity in the ethanol industry, which may cause the price of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil to decrease.

According to the RFA, domestic ethanol production capacity is approximately 17.9 billion gallons per year. Under RFS II, there were mandated volumes through 2022 for conventional and advanced biofuels. After 2022, RFS volumes are to be determined by the EPA in coordination with the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture. The EPA has proposed conventional renewable fuel volumes of 15.0 billion gallons for 2023 and 15.25 billion gallons for 2024 and 2025. In addition, the proposal for 2023 also restores the remaining 250 million gallons previously waived in 2016. The implied excess capacity over the EPA proposed volumes could have an adverse effect on the results of our operations. In a manufacturing industry with excess capacity, producers have an incentive to manufacture additional products for so long as the price exceeds the marginal cost of production (i.e., the cost of producing only the next unit, without regard for interest, overhead or fixed costs). This incentive could result in the reduction of the market price of ethanol to a level that is inadequate to generate sufficient cash flow to cover costs.

Excess capacity may also result from decreases in the demand for ethanol, which could result from a number of factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory developments and reduced U.S. gasoline consumption. Reduced gasoline consumption could occur as a result of increased prices for gasoline or crude oil, which could cause businesses and consumers to reduce driving or acquire vehicles with more favorable gasoline mileage or acquire non-gasoline powered vehicles. In addition, decreased overall economic activity could also lead to reduced gasoline consumption.

In addition, because ethanol production produces distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil as by-products, increased ethanol production will also lead to increased supplies of distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil. An increase in the supply of distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil, without corresponding increases in demand, could lead to lower prices or an inability to sell our ethanol plants’ distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil production. A decline in the price of distillers grains or non-food grade corn oil could have a material adverse effect on the results of our ethanol operations.

The price of ethanol and distillers grains may decline as a result of trade restrictions or duties on ethanol and distillers grains exports from the United States or from unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

If the United States were to withdraw from or materially modify certain international trade agreements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Ethanol and other products that we produce are sold into various other countries with trade agreements with the United States. If tariffs were raised on the foreign-sourced goods that lead to retaliatory actions, it could have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The United States exported approximately 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol in 2022, up from approximately 1.2 and approximately 1.3 billion gallons in 2021 and 2020, respectively. In 2022 and 2021, approximately 11.4

and 11.6 million metric tons, respectively, of distillers grains were exported, which represented approximately 34% and 36%, respectively, of U.S production. If producers and exporters of ethanol and distillers grains are subject to trade restrictions, or additional duties are imposed on exports, it may make it uneconomical to export these products. The industry has experienced various trade policy disputes, tariffs and investigations in foreign countries that have adversely impacted the international demand for our products. Reduced international demand could lead to further oversupply and reduce pricing.

Future demand for ethanol is uncertain and changes in overall consumer demand for transportation fuel could affect demand.

There are limited markets for ethanol other than what is federally mandated. Increased consumer acceptance of E15 and E85 fuel is likely necessary in order for ethanol to achieve significant market share growth beyond federal mandate levels.

Consumer demand for gasoline may be impacted by emerging transportation trends, such as electric vehicles. Most automobile manufacturers have made varying levels of commitments to phase out internal combustion engine production, such as General Motors with a target date of 2035 to phase out the production of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and Nissan targeting the early 2030s to convert their entire fleet to electric vehicles. There also have been pledges to ban the sale of internal combustion engines in countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom by 2035, as well as a statewide ban in California, which several states are imitating. If realized, these bans would accelerate the decline of liquid fuel demand and by extension demand for ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel. Recent federal legislation seeks to address the ever-increasing demand for electric vehicle infrastructure. Reduced demand for ethanol could cause our results of operations to be materially impacted.

We depend on our partners to operate certain of our ethanol investments.

Our investments currently represent both majority and minority equity positions. Day-to-day operating control of minority owned plants generally remains with the local investor group. We do not have the ability to directly modify the operations of these plants in response to changes in the business environment or in response to any deficiencies in local operations of the plants. In addition, local plant operators, who also represent the primary suppliers of corn and other crops to the plants, may have interests, such as the price and sourcing of corn and other crops, that may differ from our interest, which is based solely on the operating profit of the plant. The limitations on our ability to control day-to-day plant operations could adversely affect plant results of operations.

We may not successfully acquire or develop additional ethanol investments.

The growth of our ethanol business depends on our ability to identify and develop new ethanol investments. Our ethanol development strategy depends on referrals, and introductions, to new investment opportunities from industry participants, such as ethanol plant builders and owners, financial institutions, marketing agents and others. We must continue to maintain favorable relationships with these industry participants, and a material disruption in these sources of referrals would adversely affect our ability to expand our ethanol investments.

Any expansion strategy will depend on prevailing market conditions for the price of ethanol and the cost of corn and natural gas and the expectations of future market conditions. Additional financing may also be necessary to implement any expansion strategy, which may not be accessible or available on acceptable terms. In addition, failure to adequately manage the risks associated with additional ethanol investments could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may not successfully develop our planned carbon sequestration facility near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant.

The Company has committed significant time and resources towards a carbon sequestration project near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. The completion of this project requires numerous government and landowner approvals. If we are not successful in obtaining all these approvals, we may not be able to complete this project and could result in a write off of our commitments and investments.

If we are not successful on this project, our ethanol plant could be at a disadvantage in the industry as our inability to sequester our carbon could result in a higher carbon intensity (CI) score than our competitors if they are able to sequester their carbon. If we are unable to reduce our CI score, we may not be able to participate in the state and federal clean fuel programs, including federal tax credits outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Our ethanol plants may be adversely affected by technological advances and efforts to anticipate and employ such technological advances may prove unsuccessful.

The development and implementation of new technologies may result in a significant reduction in the costs of ethanol production. For instance, any technological advances in the efficiency or cost to produce ethanol from inexpensive cellulosic sources such as corn stalk, wheat, oat or barley straw could have an adverse effect on our ethanol plants, because our plants are designed to produce ethanol from corn, which is, by comparison, a raw material with other high value uses. We cannot predict when, or if, new technologies may become available, the rate of acceptance of new technologies by competitors or the costs associated with new technologies. In addition, advances in the development of alternatives to ethanol could significantly reduce demand for or eliminate the need for ethanol.

Any advances in technology which require significant unanticipated capital expenditures to remain competitive or which reduce demand or prices for ethanol would have a material adverse effect on the results of our ethanol operations.

In addition, alternative fuels, additives and oxygenates are continually under development. Alternative fuel additives that can replace ethanol may be developed, which may decrease the demand for ethanol. It is also possible that technological advances in engine and exhaust system design and performance could reduce the use of oxygenates, which would lower the demand for ethanol. Reduced demand for ethanol could cause our results of operations to be materially adversely affected.

The U.S. ethanol industry is highly dependent upon a myriad of federal and state legislation and regulation and any changes in legislation or regulation could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

The renewable fuel standard program was authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). EISA increased the amount of renewable fuel required to be blended into gasoline with RFS II and required a minimum usage of corn-derived renewable fuels of 12.0 billion gallons in 2010, increasing annually by 600 million gallons to 15.0 billion gallons in 2015 through 2022, with no specified volume subsequent to 2022. After 2022, RFS volumes are to be determined by the EPA in coordination with the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture. The EPA has the authority to assign the mandated amounts of renewable fuels to be blended into transportation fuel to individual fuel blenders. RFS II has been a primary factor in the growth of ethanol usage. Over the past several years various pieces of legislation have been introduced to the U.S. Congress that were intended to reduce or eliminate ethanol

blending requirements. To date, none of the bills have been successful but they are an indication of the continued effort to undermine the EISA.

The EPA has proposed conventional renewable fuel volumes of 15.0 billion gallons for 2023 and 15.25 billion gallons for both 2024 and 2025. Additionally, the proposal for 2023 also restores the remaining 250 million gallons previously waived in 2016.

Obligated parties use RINs to show compliance with RFS-mandated volumes. RINs are attached to renewable fuels by producers and detached when the renewable fuel is blended with transportation fuel or traded in the open market. The market price of detached RINs affects the price of ethanol in certain markets and influences the purchasing decisions by obligated parties. As a result of fluctuations in RINs pricing, certain obligated parties have petitioned the EPA and filed court actions to change the point of obligation or to seek relief from their obligation. The EPA granted 88 total Small Refinery Exemptions (“SREs”) for 2016 through 2018 totaling approximately 4.3 billion gallons. This action led to reduced values for RINs, and further action could decrease RIN values and ethanol pricing.

In January 2020, the U.S Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit overturned the EPA’s granting of refinery exemptions to three refineries on two separate grounds. The Court ruled refineries are eligible for SREs only if such waivers are extensions of waivers granted in previous years. The refineries did not qualify for waivers in the year prior to the year the EPA granted them. The Court also stated the disproportionate economic hardship of SREs should be based solely on whether compliance with RFS II creates such hardship, not whether compliance and other issues create the hardship. Two of the refiners appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, and on January 25, 2021, the Supreme Court partially ruled in favor of the small refiners, but only as to the interpretation of “extension” of a waiver.

Flexible fuel vehicles (“FFVs”) receive preferential treatment in meeting federally mandated corporate average fuel economy (“CAFE”) standards for automobiles manufactured by car makers. High blend ethanol fuels such as E-85 result in lower fuel efficiencies. Absent the CAFE preferences, car makers would not likely build flexible-fuel vehicles. In recent years, automobile manufactures have backtracked in the production of FFVs for the U.S. Any change in CAFE preferences could reduce the growth of E-85 markets and result in lower ethanol prices.

Unfavorable changes in legislation or regulations could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

The inability to generate or obtain RINs could adversely affect our operating results.

Virtually all our ethanol is sold with RINs that are used by customers to comply with RFS II. If our production does not meet EPA requirements for RIN generation, as an efficient producer, in the future, we would have to purchase RINs in the open market or sell our ethanol at substantially lower prices to adjust for the absence of RINs. The price of RINs varies based on many factors and cannot be predicted. Failure to obtain sufficient RINs or reliance on invalid RINs could subject us to fines and penalties imposed by the EPA.

Various studies have criticized the efficiency of ethanol, in general, and corn-based ethanol in particular, which could lead to the reduction or repeal of incentives and tariffs that promote the use and domestic production of ethanol or otherwise negatively impact public perception and acceptance of ethanol as an alternative fuel.

Although many trade groups, academics and governmental agencies have supported ethanol as a fuel additive that promotes a cleaner environment, others have criticized ethanol production as consuming considerably

more energy and emitting more greenhouse gases than other biofuels and as potentially depleting water resources. Other studies have suggested that corn-based ethanol negatively impacts consumers by causing prices to increase for dairy, meat and other foodstuffs.

If these views gain acceptance, support for existing measures promoting use and domestic production of corn-based ethanol could decline, leading to reduction or repeal of these measures. These views could also negatively impact public perception of the ethanol industry and acceptance of ethanol as an alternative fuel.

Federal support of cellulosic ethanol may result in reduced incentives to corn-derived ethanol producers.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and EISA provide funding opportunities in support of cellulosic ethanol obtained from biomass sources such as switchgrass and poplar trees. These federal policies may suggest a long-term political preference for cellulosic processes using alternative feedstocks such as switchgrass, silage or wood chips. Cellulosic ethanol has a smaller carbon footprint than corn-derived ethanol and is unlikely to divert foodstuff from the market. Our plants are designed as single-feedstock facilities, located in corn production areas with limited alternative feedstock nearby, and would require significant additional investment to convert to the production of cellulosic ethanol. The adoption of cellulosic ethanol as the preferred form of ethanol could have a significant adverse effect on our ethanol business.

Our ethanol business is affected by environmental and other regulations which could impede or prohibit our ability to successfully operate our plants.

Our ethanol production facilities are subject to extensive air, water and other environmental regulations. We have had to obtain numerous permits to construct and operate our plants. Regulatory agencies could impose conditions or other restrictions in the permits that are detrimental, or which increase our costs. More stringent federal or state environmental regulations could be adopted which could significantly increase our operating costs or require us to expend considerable resources.

Our ethanol plants emit various airborne pollutants as by-products of the ethanol production process, including carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas). In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court classified carbon dioxide as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act in a case seeking to require the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide in vehicle emissions. In February 2010, the EPA released its final regulations on the Renewable Fuel Standard program. We believe our plants are grandfathered up to certain operating capacity, but plant expansion requires us to meet a 20% threshold reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a 2005 baseline measurement to produce ethanol eligible for the RFS II mandate. To further expand our plant capacity, we may be required to obtain additional permits, install advanced technology equipment, or reduce drying of certain amounts of distillers grains. We may also be required to install carbon dioxide mitigation equipment or take other steps in order to comply with future laws or regulations. Compliance with future laws or regulations with respect to emissions of carbon dioxide, or if we choose to expand capacity at certain of our plants, compliance with then-current regulations of carbon dioxide, could be costly and may prevent us from operating our plants as profitably, which may have a negative impact on our financial performance. We also face the risk of ethanol production above our grandfathered capacity not qualifying for RINs if the plants do not meet certain emission requirements.

The California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) adopted a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”) requiring a 10% reduction in GHG emissions from transportation fuels. An Indirect Land Use Charge is included in this lifecycle GHG emission calculation. This standard could have an adverse impact on the market for corn-based ethanol in California if corn-based ethanol fails to achieve lifecycle GHG emission reductions and in other states if they adopt similar standards. This could have a negative impact on our financial performance.

Our ethanol business may become subject to various environmental and health and safety and property damage claims and liabilities.

Operation of our ethanol business exposes the business to the risk of environmental and health and safety claims and property damage claims, such as failure to comply with environmental regulations. These types of claims could also be made against our ethanol business based upon the acts or omissions of other persons. Serious claims could have a material negative impact on our results of operations, financial position and future cash flows.

During the early months of 2020, a new strain of COVID-19 spread into the United States and other countries.

In an effort to contain the spread of this virus, there were various government mandated restrictions, in addition to voluntary privately implemented restrictions, including limiting public gatherings, retail store closures, restrictions on employees working and the quarantining of people who may have been exposed to the virus. The above actions led to reduced demand for ethanol. Although most restrictions have been lifted, if in the future the virus continues to mutate or other viruses surface, it could lead to prolonged production stoppages at our ethanol plants and could result in an adverse material impact on the results of operations and on our financial position. We idled our NuGen and One Earth ethanol plants for portions of fiscal year 2020, largely due to the impact of the pandemic.

Our business is not diversified.

Our financial results depend heavily on our ability to operate our ethanol plants profitably. Our lack of diversification could have a material negative impact on our results of operations, financial position and future cash flows should our ethanol plants operate unprofitably.

We may not be able to meet commitments to produce and sell ethanol.

We may, at times, sell our products with forward contracts. If we are unable to produce the products due to economic conditions, business interruption, or other factors, we may incur additional costs or have to obtain commodities at unfavorable prices to meet our contractual commitments. This could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We may not be able to meet commitments to purchase commodities.

We may, at times, purchase certain commodities with forward contracts without a corresponding quantity of ethanol sold via forward contracts at known prices. Should ethanol and by-product prices decline to levels that would lead to significant unprofitable results of operations, we may incur additional costs and/or losses to meet our contractual commitments. This could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our revenue from the sale of distillers grains depends upon its continued market acceptance as an animal feed.

Distillers grains is a by-product from the fermentation of corn to produce ethanol. Antibiotics may be used during the fermentation process to control bacterial contamination; therefore, antibiotics may be present in small quantities in distillers grains marketed as animal feed. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has expressed concern about potential animal and human health hazards from the use of distillers grains as an animal feed due to the possibility of antibiotic residues. If the public became concerned

about the impact of distillers grains in the food supply or as an acceptable animal feed, the market for distillers grains could be negatively impacted, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations. We may not be able to obtain a suitable replacement for antibiotics, should this be required, which would also negatively impact the market for distillers grains.

An estimated 34% of distillers grains produced in the United States were exported in 2022. The price of distillers grains has benefitted from the exports of the product. In recent years, certain countries have refused to import U.S. distillers grains for a variety of reasons. If export shipments are rejected or delayed, the market price for distillers grains would be negatively impacted, which would have a negative impact on our ethanol results of operations.

We extract non-food grade corn oil immediately prior to the production of distillers grains. Several studies are attempting to determine whether non-food grade corn oil extraction may impact the nutritional value of the resulting distillers grains. If it is determined that non-food grade corn oil extraction adversely impacts the nutritional energy content of distillers grains, the value of the distillers grains we sell may be negatively impacted, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations.

We face significant competition in the ethanol industry.

We face significant competition for new ethanol investment opportunities. Many of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources and name recognition than we do. We must compete for investment opportunities based on our strategy of supporting and enhancing local development of ethanol plant opportunities. We may not be successful in competing for investment opportunities based on our strategy.

The ethanol industry is primarily comprised of entities that engage exclusively in ethanol production and large integrated grain companies that produce ethanol along with their base grain business. Several large oil companies have entered the ethanol production market. If these companies increase their ethanol plant ownership or if other oil companies seek to engage in direct ethanol production, there would be less of a need to purchase ethanol from independent producers such as our ethanol plants. No assurance can be given that our ethanol plants will be able to compete successfully or that competition from larger companies with greater financial resources will not have a materially adverse impact on the results of our ethanol operations.

We may face competition from foreign producers.

There is a risk of foreign competition in the ethanol industry. Brazil is presently the second largest producer of ethanol in the world. Brazil’s ethanol production is sugarcane based, and, depending on feedstock prices, may be cheaper to produce than corn-derived ethanol. Under the RFS, certain parties were obligated to meet an advanced biofuel standard. In recent years, sugarcane-based ethanol imported from Brazil has been one of the most economical means for obligated parties to comply with this standard.

If significant additional foreign ethanol production capacity is created, such facilities could create excess supplies of ethanol, which may result in lower prices of ethanol. In addition, foreign ethanol producers may be able to produce ethanol at costs lower than ours. These risks could have significant adverse effects on our financial performance.

We are exposed to credit risk from our sales of ethanol and distillers grains to customers.

The inability of a customer to make payments to us for our accounts receivable may cause us to experience losses and may adversely impact our liquidity and our ability to make our payments when due.

We may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to operate our ethanol plants.

Our ability to attract and retain competent personnel has a significant impact on operating efficiencies and plant profitability. Competition for key plant employees in the ethanol industry can be intense, and there has been an increased demand for workers in the U.S. We may not be able to attract and retain qualified employees. Failure to do so could have a negative impact on our financial results at individual plants.

Our plants depend on an uninterrupted supply of energy and water to operate. Unforeseen plant shutdowns could harm our business.

Our plants require a significant and uninterrupted supply of natural gas, electricity and water to operate. We generally rely on third parties to provide these resources. If there is an interruption in the supply of energy or water for any reason, such as supply, delivery or mechanical problems and we are unable to secure an adequate alternative supply to sustain plant operations, we may be required to stop production. A production halt for an extended period of time could result in material losses.

We rely on information technology in our operations and financial reporting and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security breach of that technology could harm our ability to efficiently operate our business and report our financial results accurately and timely.

We rely heavily on information technology systems across our operations, including for management of inventory, purchase orders, production, invoices, shipping, accounting and various other processes and transactions. Our ability to effectively manage our business, coordinate the production, distribution and sale of our products and ensure the timely and accurate recording and disclosure of financial information depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems. While we have taken appropriate precautions to protect our systems, and to date, we have not experienced any material adverse events related to a security breach or cyber-attack, the failure of these systems to operate effectively, problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems, or a breach in security of these systems through a cyber-attack or otherwise could cause delays and/or interruptions in plant operations, product sales, reduced efficiency of our operations and delays in reporting our financial results. Significant capital investments could be required to remediate any such problem. Security breaches of employee information or other confidential or proprietary data could also adversely impact our reputation and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties.

We are exposed to potential business disruption from factors outside our control, including natural disasters, severe weather conditions, accidents, pandemic diseases, international disputes, and unforeseen operational failures any of which could negatively affect our transportation operations and could adversely affect our cash flows and operating results.

Potential business disruption in available transportation due to natural disasters, severe weather conditions, the outbreak of a pandemic disease, significant track damage resulting from a train derailment, strikes or other interruptions by our transportation providers could result in delays in procuring and supplying raw materials to our ethanol facilities, or transporting ethanol and distillers grains to our customers. Such business disruptions may result in our inability to meet customer demand or contract delivery requirements, as well as the potential loss of customers.

We ship much of our products and receive a portion of our corn via rail, which involves risks involving potential regulatory changes that could adversely affect our cash flows and operating results.

A large portion of our ethanol and distillers grains sales are shipped via rail. In addition, we receive some corn via rail. Given the notoriety of recent major train derailments, it is possible that additional regulations could be enacted. Any changes to existing laws and regulations, or new laws and regulations, including voluntary measures taken by the rail industry, could result in higher shipping costs, or new requirements for the design, construction or operation of tank cars that transport hazard materials, such as ethanol. In addition, any derailments involving our products could result in legal claims being brought against us that could involve significant liabilities.

We operate in a capital intensive industry. Limitations on external financing could adversely affect our financial performance.

We may need to incur additional financing to fund growth of our business or in times of increasing liquidity requirements (such as increases in raw material costs). Bankruptcy filings by several ethanol companies in past years and capital market volatility has reduced available capital for the ethanol industry. Any delays in obtaining additional financing, or our inability to do so, could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

Risks Related to our Refined Coal Operations

We believe our refined coal production company qualified to earn tax credits under IRC Section 45 through November 18, 2021. Our ability to generate returns and avoid write-offs in connection with this investment is subject to various risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties as set forth below.

Availability of the tax credits under IRC Section 45.

Our ability to claim tax credits under IRC Section 45 depends upon our refined coal operation satisfying certain conditions set forth in IRC Section 45. The IRS could ultimately determine that our refined coal facility and/or its operations did not satisfy the conditions set forth in IRC Section 45. This operation is currently under audit by the IRS and if we were to lose these tax credits, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.

Our refined coal operation and its by-products may result in environmental and product liability claims and environmental compliance costs.

The construction and operation of refined coal operations were subject to Federal, state and local laws, regulations and potential liabilities arising under or relating to the protection or preservation of the environment, natural resources and human health and safety. Such laws and regulations generally require the operations and/or the utilities at which the operations are located to obtain and comply with various environmental registrations, licenses, permits, inspections and other approvals. Such laws and regulations also impose liability, without regard to fault or the legality of a party’s conduct, on certain entities that are considered to have contributed to, or are otherwise involved in, the release or threatened release of hazardous substances into the environment. Such hazardous substances could be released as a result of burning refined coal in a number of ways, including air emissions, wastewater, and by-products such as fly ash. One party may, under certain circumstances, be required to bear more than its share or the entire share of investigation and cleanup costs at a site if payments or participation cannot be obtained from other responsible parties. We may be exposed to the risk of becoming liable for environmental damage we may have had little, if any, involvement in creating. Such risk remains even after production ceases at an operation to the extent the

environmental damage can be traced to the types of chemicals or compounds used or operations conducted in connection with the use of refined coal.

No assurances can be given that contractual arrangements and precautions taken to ensure assumption of these risks by facility owners or operators will result in that facility owner or operator accepting full responsibility for any environmental damage. It is also not uncommon for private claims by third parties alleging contamination to also include claims for personal injury, property damage, diminution of property or similar claims. Furthermore, many environmental, health and safety laws authorize citizen suits, permitting third parties to make claims for violations of laws or permits and force compliance. Our insurance may not cover all environmental risk and costs or may not provide sufficient coverage in the event of an environmental claim. If significant uninsured losses arise from environmental damage or product liability claims, or if the costs of environmental compliance increase for any reason, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We will have to generate taxable income to utilize the Section 45 federal production tax credits.

If we do not generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the tax credits earned by our refined coal operation, we could incur write-offs of the related tax attributes which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We used patented technology.

As part of the operations, we paid a license fee for patented technology. If our third-party operator is subject to patent infringement claims, we may incur legal fees to defend our position and be subject to additional costs and fees.

Risks Related to REX and General Risk Factors

We have concentrations of cash deposits at financial institutions that exceed federal insurance limits.

We generally have cash deposits that exceed federal insurance limits. Should the financial institutions we deposit our cash in experience insolvency or other financial difficulty, our access to cash deposits could be limited. In extreme cases, we could lose our cash deposits entirely. This would negatively impact our liquidity and results of operations.

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, or other investments.

We intend to continue seeking growth opportunities. Acquisitions and similar transactions involve many risks that could harm our business, which include:

Rising focus on environmental, social and corporate governance matters from investors and regulators may increase our operating costs, bring down the value of our products and assets, and impact our ability to access capital markets.

Global climate change continues to receive significant attention from the public and the scientific community concerning the impacts from human activity, particularly the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from carbon dioxide and methane. The current federal administration’s focus on environmental issues has added pressure to take action domestically where there was already a heavier focus internationally. International, national, and local regulations are likely to increase in the coming years. Added requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may increase our production costs. In addition, legislation promoting alternatives to combustion engine vehicles could reduce the demand for our products.

Climate change is also thought by some to be the cause for an increase in extreme weather events such as increased intensity of storms, rising sea levels, as well as heavy rains or droughts in areas historically less prone to those events. Any of these events can have a significant impact on our operations or quality of raw materials we purchase, resulting in increased costs. At this time, we are unable to determine the financial impact of any potential adverse weather events caused by climate change.

Incremental to legislative and regulatory pressure, institutional investors have continued to adopt environmental, social and governance guidelines (ESG). Some investors, including certain public and private fund management firms, pension funds, university endowments and family offices, have in recent years, begun adding stated policies to reduce or eliminate fossil fuel equities and encouraging additional consideration of ESG practices in a manner that could negatively impact our stock price. This may also result in a reduction of available capital funding for potential development projects, further impacting our future financial results.

Federal, state and local jurisdictions may challenge our tax return positions.

We use significant judgments, estimates and interpretation and application of complex tax laws in preparing the tax returns we file, and the positions contained therein. We believe that our tax return positions are fully supportable. However, certain positions may be successfully challenged by federal, state and local jurisdictions. We are currently undergoing a federal income examination related to tax credits claimed for the years ended January 31, 2015 through 2020. This could result in material additional income tax payments we would have to make and higher income tax expense in future periods.

None.

The information required by this Item 2 is set forth in Item 1 of this report under “Ethanol Investments” and “Facilities”.

We are, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business. We believe that any current proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Information About Our Executive Officers

Set forth below is certain information about each of our executive officers.

*Also serves as a director.

Stuart Rose was elected our Executive Chairman of the Board in 2015. Mr. Rose had served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since our incorporation in 1984 as a holding company. Prior to 1984, Mr. Rose was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Rex Radio and Television, Inc., which he founded in 1980 to acquire the stock of a corporation which operated four retail stores.

Zafar Rizvi was elected Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Mr. Rizvi has been our President and Chief Operating Officer since 2010, was Vice President from 2006 to 2010. From 1991 to 2006, Mr. Rizvi was our Vice President – Loss Prevention.

Douglas Bruggeman has been our Vice President–Finance and Treasurer since 1989 and was elected Chief Financial Officer in 2003. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Bruggeman was our Manager of Corporate Accounting. Mr. Bruggeman was employed with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young prior to joining us in 1986.

Edward Kress has been our Secretary since 1984. Mr. Kress has been a partner of the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (formerly Chernesky, Heyman & Kress P.L.L.), our legal counsel, since 1988. Mr. Kress has practiced law in Dayton, Ohio since 1974.

Not Applicable.

PART II

Shareholder Information

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol REX.

As of March 29, 2023, there were 71 holders of record of our common stock, including shares held in nominee or street name by brokers.

Dividend Policy

The Company has no history of paying cash dividends on our common stock.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On August 31, 2021, our Board of Directors increased our share repurchase authorization by an additional 1,500,000 shares (split-adjusted). At January 31, 2023, a total of 876,786 shares remained available to purchase under this authorization.

There were no share repurchases in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022.

Equity Compensation Plans

Refer to Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters for information regarding shares authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans. 

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our Common Stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Stock Index and a peer group comprised of Alto Ingredients, Inc. and Green Plains, Inc. for the period commencing January 31, 2018 and ended January 31, 2023. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in our Common Stock and each index on January 31, 2018 and reinvestment of all dividends.

Overview

We have been an investor in ethanol production facilities beginning in 2006 and a refined coal production facility during the period from 2017 through November 2021. We currently have equity investments in three ethanol production entities, two of which are majority ownership interests. Our refined coal business ceased operations in November 2021 and the facility was subsequently sold. We have classified the refined coal business as discontinued operations. We may make additional alternative energy investments in the future and are currently working on a carbon sequestration project near our One Earth Energy location.

Our ethanol operations are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, ethanol, distillers grains, non-food grade corn oil, and natural gas, and availability of corn. As a result of price volatility for these commodities, our operating results can fluctuate substantially. The price and availability of corn is subject to significant fluctuations depending upon a number of factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, the amount of corn stored on farms, weather, federal policy, foreign trade and international disruptions caused by wars or conflicts. Because the market price of ethanol and distillers grains are not always directly related to corn prices (for example, demand for crude and other energy and related prices, the export market demand for ethanol and distillers grains, soybean meal prices, and the results of federal policy decisions and trade negotiations can impact ethanol and distillers grains prices), at times ethanol and distillers grains prices may not follow movements in corn prices and, in an environment of higher corn prices or lower ethanol prices, reduce the overall margin structure at the plants. As a result, at times, we may operate our plants at negative or minimally positive operating margins.

We expect our ethanol plants to produce approximately 2.9 gallons of denatured ethanol for each bushel of grain processed in the production cycle. We refer to the actual gallons of denatured ethanol produced per bushel of grain processed as the realized yield. We refer to the difference between the price per gallon of ethanol and the price per bushel of grain (divided by the realized yield) as the “crush spread.” Should the crush spread decline, it is possible that our ethanol plants will generate operating results that do not provide adequate cash flows for sustained periods of time. In such cases, production at the ethanol plants may be reduced or stopped altogether in order to minimize variable costs at individual plants.

We attempt to manage the risk related to the volatility of commodity prices by utilizing forward grain and natural gas purchase contracts, forward ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil sale contracts and commodity futures agreements, as management deems appropriate. We attempt to match quantities of these sales contracts with an appropriate quantity of grain purchase contracts over a given period of time when we can obtain an adequate gross margin resulting from the crush spread inherent in the contracts we have executed. However, the market for future ethanol sales contracts generally lags the spot market with respect to ethanol price. Consequently, we generally execute fixed price contracts for no more than four months into the future at any given time and we may lock in our corn or ethanol price without having a corresponding locked in ethanol or corn price for short durations of time. As a result of the relatively short period of time our fixed price contracts cover, we generally cannot predict the future movements in our realized crush spread for more than four months; thus, we are unable to predict the likelihood or amounts of future income or loss from the operations of our ethanol facilities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, primarily exchange traded commodity future contracts and swaps, in conjunction with certain of our grain procurement and commodity marketing activities.

We reported net income attributable to REX common shareholders of $27.7 million in fiscal 2022 compared to approximately $52.4 million in fiscal 2021. Our ethanol business had reduced profits in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 as a result of lower crush spreads in fiscal 2022. The two largest drivers of ethanol

profitability are corn and ethanol pricing, both of which experienced significant volatility within the year. Chicago Board of Trade corn prices per bushel ranged from a low of $5.64 in July 2022 to a high of $8.18 in April 2022. S&P Global Platts ethanol pricing per gallon ranged from a low of $1.99 in February 2022 to a high of $2.88 in June 2022.

On August 10, 2017, we purchased, through a 95.35% owned subsidiary, the entire ownership interest of an entity that owned a refined coal facility. We began operating the refined coal facility immediately after the acquisition. As the plant was no longer eligible to receive federal production tax credits beginning on November 18, 2021, we ceased operations on that date and subsequently sold the facility. We began classifying this operation as discontinued operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2021.

One Earth Sequestration, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of One Earth Energy, LLC, is in the exploratory stage of a carbon sequestration project near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. A test well has been drilled to a total depth of approximately 7,100 feet, in which almost 2,000 feet of Mt. Simon Sandstone was encountered, which represents the region’s primary carbon storage resource. Three-dimensional seismic testing has been performed, as well as geological modeling for predicting the movement of injected carbon and the plume area to determine maximum injection pressure, reservoir quality and storage capacity for the potential wells. We have applied for a Class VI injection well permit for three wells with the EPA.

In addition, we have signed a construction contract to capture, dehydrate, and compress carbon to a state suitable for sequestration for the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. We are currently working on an engineering Design study for a short pipeline to deliver carbon from the ethanol plant to the sequestration site. Although we have made meaningful progress, we continue to complete documents required from various government agencies and obtain other approvals with no assurances of ultimate success.

During fiscal year 2013, we entered into a joint venture to file and defend patents for eSteam technology. The patented technology is an enhanced method of heavy oil recovery involving zero emissions downhole steam generation. To date, we have not successfully had a field operation nor demonstrated that the technology is commercially feasible. We own 60% and our partner owns 40% of the entity named Future Energy, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company. We have no current plans to operate this technology and are maintaining patents in limited countries.

We plan to seek and evaluate various investment opportunities including ethanol and/or energy related, carbon sequestration, agricultural or other ventures we believe fit our investment criteria. We can make no assurances that we will be successful in our efforts to find such opportunities.

Ethanol Investments

In fiscal year 2006, we entered the ethanol industry by investing in several entities organized to construct and subsequently operate, ethanol producing plants. We are invested in three entities as of January 31, 2023, utilizing equity investments.

The following table is a summary of our ethanol entity ownership interests at January 31, 2023:

The three entities own a total of six ethanol production facilities, which in aggregate shipped approximately 691 millions gallons of ethanol over the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2023. REX’s effective ownership of gallons shipped, for the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2023, by the ethanol production facilities in which we have ownership interests was approximately 271 million gallons.

Trends and Uncertainties

Renewable Fuel Standard II (“RFS II”), established in October 2010, has been an important factor in the growth of ethanol usage in the United States. In recent years, there has been much uncertainty on the enforcement of RFS II. When it was originally established, RFS II required the volume of “conventional” or corn derived ethanol to be blended with gasoline to increase each year until it reached 15.0 billion gallons in 2015 and required that it remain at that level through 2022. There are no established congressional target volumes beginning in 2023. The EPA has the authority to waive the biofuel mandate, in whole or in part, if there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply or the requirement severely harms the domestic economy or environment. In addition, under RFS II, a small refiner that processes less than 75,000 barrels of oil per day can petition the EPA for a waiver of their requirement to submit renewable identification numbers (“RINs”) for the oil they process. The EPA, through consultation with the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture, can grant the refiner a full or partial waiver, or deny the waiver. The EPA issued 88 refinery exemptions for 2016-2018 compliance years, undercutting the statutory renewable fuel volumes by a total of 4.3 billion gallons.

On December 1, 2022, the EPA issued proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for calendar years 2023-2025. The proposed volumes from conventional biofuels (which includes corn-based ethanol) were 15.0 billion gallons for 2023 and 15.25 billion gallons each for 2024 and 2025. They also proposed an additional 250 million gallon supplemental obligation for 2023 to make good on the shortfall from the 2016 compliance year.

The USDA reported United States corn harvest in 2022 was 13.7 billion bushels, a decrease of 9% from the prior year. The 2022 corn harvest near the NuGen Energy, LLC ethanol plant was below average for that area, which has lead to increased corn cost and lower supply for that plant.

Due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict, corn and natural gas supplies worldwide have been adversely affected, which has contributed to volatility in the prices for both commodities and has impacted corn availability in the United States.

The recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will likely impact our business by creating a new Clean Fuel Production Credit, section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code (“45Z”), that would be dependent on the level of greenhouse gas emissions reduction for each gallon of ethanol produced and sold, available for years 2025 to 2027. The Act also raises the carbon capture tax credit from $50 per metric ton to $85 per

metric ton, under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code (“45Q”). Taxpayers may elect to be treated as making a payment against tax for 100% of the value of the 45Q credit (“direct pay”) for the first five years, starting with the year a qualifying carbon sequestration facility is placed in service, but not beyond December 31, 2032. Companies may elect either the 45Q credit or the 45Z credit in periods in which both tax credits are available. Other potential impacts include (a) extending the biodiesel tax credit, which could impact our renewable corn oil values, as this co-product serves as a low-carbon feedstock for renewable diesel and biomass based diesel production; (b) creating a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel; (c) funding biofuel refueling infrastructure which could impact the availability of higher level ethanol blended fuel; and (d) providing for production and purchase credits for electric vehicles, which could impact the amount of internal combustion engines on the road over time, and ultimately reduce the demand for gasoline, diesel fuels and ethanol.

Should these trends and uncertainties continue, our future operating results could be impacted.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results from operations (amounts in thousands):

The following table summarizes net sales and revenue by product group (amounts in thousands):

¹ Refined coal sales were recorded net of the cost of coal as the Company purchased the coal feedstock from the same customer to which the processed refined coal was sold.

The following table summarizes selected operating data:

Comparison of Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021 (Consolidated Results)

Continuing Operations

Net Sales and Revenue – Net sales and revenue in fiscal year 2022 increased approximately 10% compared to fiscal year 2021. Quantities sold at our consolidated plants during fiscal year 2022 did not change significantly from fiscal year 2021. Stronger commodity pricing in fiscal year 2022 contributed to the increase in sales between the two fiscal years.

Ethanol sales increased in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 as the average price per gallon increased 10%, offset partially by a decrease in gallons sold of 4%. The increase in ethanol selling price resulted primarily from an increase in commodity prices.

Dried distillers grains sales increased 11% in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 as the average price per ton sold increased 18%, offset by a decrease in tons sold of 5%. The increase in the dried

distillers grains selling price resulted primarily from an increase in corn prices as dried distillers grains prices often correlate with corn pricing.

Non-food grade corn oil sales increased 43% in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 as the average selling price per pound increased approximately 42%. The increase in the non-food grade corn oil selling price resulted primarily from an increase in demand from the biodiesel industry.

Modified distillers grains sales increased 27% in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 as the average selling price per ton increased 45%, offset partially by a 12% decrease in the number of tons sold. The increase in the modified distillers grains selling price resulted primarily from an increase in corn prices as distillers grain pricing often correlates with corn pricing.

Losses on derivative financial instruments were approximately $1.0 million during fiscal year 2022, compared to $12.1 million in fiscal year 2021. The decrease in losses on derivative financial instruments resulted primarily from a decrease in activity by the Company within the ethanol derivatives market during 2022.

Gross Profit – Gross profit for fiscal year 2022 decreased approximately $ 42.8 million, or 43.9%, over fiscal year 2021. Gross profit in fiscal year 2022 was 6.4% of net sales and revenue, versus approximately 12.6% of net sales and revenue in fiscal year 2021. The primary contributor to the decrease in gross profit was the decreased crush spread and higher natural gas prices. The crush spread for fiscal year 2022 was approximately $0.02 per gallon of ethanol sold compared to approximately $0.16 per gallon of ethanol sold during fiscal year 2021. Given the inherent volatility in ethanol, distillers grains, non-food grade corn oil, grain and natural gas prices, we cannot predict the likelihood that the spread between ethanol, distillers grains, non-food grade corn oil and grain prices in future periods will be consistent with prices in historical periods.

Grain accounted for approximately 83% ($667.4 million) of our cost of sales during fiscal year 2022 compared to approximately 84% ($568.9 million) during fiscal year 2021. Natural gas accounted for approximately 6% ($47.4 million) of our cost of sales during fiscal year 2022 compared to approximately 4% ($29.4 million) during fiscal year 2021. Both the grain and natural gas dollar increases were primarily attributable to an increase in the cost per unit.

We attempt to match quantities of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil sale contracts with an appropriate quantity of grain purchase contracts over a given period of time when we can obtain an adequate margin resulting from the crush spread inherent in the contracts we have executed. However, the market for future ethanol sales contracts generally lags the spot market with respect to ethanol price. Consequently, we generally execute fixed price contracts for no more than four months into the future at any given time and we may lock in our corn or ethanol price without having a corresponding locked in ethanol or corn price for short durations of time. As a result of the relatively short period of time our fixed price contracts cover, we generally cannot predict the future movements in our realized crush spread for more than four months. We utilize derivative financial instruments, primarily exchange traded commodity future contracts and swaps, in conjunction with our grain procurement and commodity marketing activities.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses – SG&A expenses for fiscal year 2022 were approximately $29.0 million (3.4% of net sales and revenue), an increase of approximately $0.5 million or 2% from approximately $28.5 million (3.7% of net sales and revenue) for fiscal year 2021. The increase was due, in part, to higher incentive compensation associated with the new restricted stock units issued in May 2022, as well as an increase in professional fees. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in outbound freight expense as fewer sales contracts provided for shipping to be paid by us compared to fiscal year 2021, as well as a decrease in rail car lease expense.

Equity in Income of Unconsolidated Ethanol Affiliates – During fiscal years 2022 and 2021, we recognized income of approximately $8.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively, from our equity investment in Big River Resources, LLC (“Big River”). During the second quarter of 2022, COVID-19 relief grants from the USDA received by Big River contributed $1.6 million to the increase in income we recognized in 2022. Our investment in Big River, which has interests in four ethanol production plants, represents an effective ownership of approximately 38.0 million gallons of ethanol shipped in the trailing twelve months ended January 31, 2023.

We expect the operating experience of Big River to be generally consistent with the trends in crush spread margins described in the “Overview” section as Big River’s results are dependent on the same key drivers as our other ethanol investments (ethanol, corn, dried distillers grains and natural gas pricing).

Interest and Other Income – Interest and other income for fiscal year 2022 was approximately $13.0 million compared to approximately $0.1 million for fiscal year 2021. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company’s consolidated plants received COVID-19 relief grants from the USDA totaling approximately $7.8 million based on reduced production in 2020. The remaining increase is primarily due to an increase in interest income as yields on our excess cash increased during fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021.

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes – As a result of the foregoing, income from continuing operations before income taxes was approximately $47.5 million for fiscal year 2022 versus approximately $75.8 million for fiscal year 2021.

Provision for Income Taxes – Our effective tax rate was a provision of 20.1% and 25.1% for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our effective rate is impacted by the noncontrolling interests of the companies we consolidate, as we recognize 100% of their income or loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interests. However, we only provide an income tax provision or benefit for our portion of the subsidiaries’ income or loss. During fiscal years 2022 and 2021, our effective tax rate decreased 5.4% (approximately $2.5 million) and 6.8% (approximately $5.2 million), respectively, from the statutory rate, as a result of research and experimentation credits from our ethanol plants. The amount of these credits earned in future periods will vary depending on the level of qualifying research expenditures at our ethanol plants and changes in tax law. The provision for uncertain tax positions increased our effective tax rate 4.8% (approximately $2.3 million) and 10.9% (approximately $8.3 million) in fiscal year 2022 and 2021, respectively, from the statutory rate.

Net Income from Continuing Operations – As a result of the foregoing, net income from continuing operations was approximately $37.9 million for fiscal year 2022 versus approximately $56.8 million for fiscal year 2021.

Noncontrolling Interests (continuing operations) – Income attributable to noncontrolling interests (continuing operations) was approximately $10.2 million and $9.2 million during fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively, and represents the other owners’ share of the income of NuGen and One Earth.

Net Income Attributable to REX Common Shareholders (continuing operations) – As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to REX common shareholders (continuing operations) was approximately $27.7 million for fiscal year 2022 compared to $47.6 million for fiscal year 2021.

Discontinued Operations

The Company ceased operation of its refined coal business as tax credits could no longer be earned on its operation beginning November 18, 2021. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, the results of the operation of the refined coal business have been recognized as discontinued operations. The refined coal

business operated at a pre-tax loss but generated tax credits that normally exceeded the operating loss. There was no activity related to the discontinued operations in fiscal year 2022.

Gross loss was approximately $8.2 million in fiscal year 2021. The benefit for income taxes was approximately $13.3 million This amount includes the benefit of Section 45 production tax credits and a benefit related to operating loss before income taxes. Loss related to noncontrolling interests was approximately $0.4 million during fiscal year 2021. This amount represents the other owner’s share of the pre-tax loss of refined coal operations. Net income attributable to REX common shareholders from discontinued operations, net of tax, for fiscal year 2021 was approximately $4.8 million.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, including results from both continuing and discontinued operations, net income attributable to REX common shareholders was approximately $27.7 million and approximately $52.4 million for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Comparison of Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020

See “Item 7 Management’s discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2022.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of cash have been income from operations. Our primary uses of cash have been capital expenditures at our ethanol plants, stock repurchases, payments to noncontrolling interests holders and, in prior years, contributions to fund refined coal operating losses.

Outlook – Our cash and short-term investments balance of approximately $280.9 million at January 31, 2023 included approximately $238.8 million held by One Earth and NuGen. We expect that One Earth and NuGen will use a majority of their cash for working capital needs, capital expenditures, general corporate purposes and dividend payments. One Earth Energy is currently working on a carbon sequestration project and is expected to have related capital expenditure needs. We expect our equity method investee to limit the payment of dividends based upon working capital and capital expenditure needs.

We are investigating various uses of our excess cash. We have a stock buyback program with an authorization level of an additional approximately 877,000 shares at January 31, 2023. We typically repurchase our common stock when our stock price is trading at prices we deem to be a discount to the underlying value of our net assets. We plan to seek and evaluate various investment opportunities including ethanol and/or energy related, carbon sequestration related, agricultural or other ventures we believe fit our investment criteria.

Depending on progress made on our carbon sequestration project, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of approximately $60 million to $70 million in fiscal year 2023 for various expansion and CI score reduction projects at our consolidated ethanol plants. However, actual capital expenditures could vary from this range for unexpected expenditures as our plants continue to age or potential projects materialize. We expect to fund these capital expenditures with available cash at our ethanol plant subsidiaries.

Operating Activities – Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $54.8 million for fiscal year 2022 compared to approximately $91.7 million in fiscal year 2021. During fiscal year 2022, operating cash flow was provided by net income from continuing operations of approximately $37.9 million and adjustments of approximately $14.6 million, which consisted of depreciation, amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets, stock-based compensation expense, income from equity method investments, interest

income from investments, and the deferred income tax provision. Big River paid dividends to REX of approximately $6.3 million during fiscal year 2022. Accounts receivable decreased approximately $0.7 million, primarily a result of the timing of products shipped and the receipt of customer payments at One Earth and NuGen. Inventory increased approximately $6.5 million, primarily a result of larger quantities of work-in-process materials and higher per unit costs at January 31, 2023. Prepaid expenses and other assets increased approximately $0.5 million, primarily a result of an increase in spare parts of approximately $1.1 million and in prepaid insurance of $0.3 million, offset by a decrease in the fair values of forward purchase contracts of $0.9 million. Accounts payable increased approximately $1.5 million, primarily a result of the timing of inventory receipts and vendor payments. Refundable income taxes decreased $3.7 million as a result of the timing of estimated tax payments. Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased approximately $2.8 million, which was primarily a result of operating lease payments of approximately $5.0 million partially offset by an increase in accrued income taxes of approximately $2.0 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $91.7 million for fiscal year 2021. During fiscal year 2021, operating cash flow was provided by net income from continuing operations of approximately $56.8 million and adjustments of approximately $31.4 million, which consisted of depreciation, amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets, stock-based compensation expense, income from equity method investments, interest income from investments, and the deferred income tax provision. Big River paid dividends to REX of approximately $5.5 million during fiscal year 2021. Accounts receivable increased approximately $6.1 million, primarily a result of the timing of products shipped and the receipt of customer payments at One Earth and NuGen. Inventory increased approximately $4.8 million, primarily a result of larger quantities of raw materials and higher per unit costs at January 31, 2022. Prepaid expenses and other assets decreased approximately $0.2 million, primarily a result of a slight change in fair values of forward purchase contracts. Accounts payable increased approximately $16.0 million, primarily a result of the timing of inventory receipts and vendor payments. Refundable income taxes increased $1.1 million as a result of the timing of estimated tax payments. Accrued expenses and other liabilities increased approximately $0.5 million, which was primarily a result of higher incentive compensation in fiscal year 2021, offset partially by operating lease payments made. Discontinued operations used cash of $6.7 million in fiscal year 2021.

Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $198.5 million during fiscal year 2022 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of approximately $5.3 million during fiscal year 2021. Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2022 totaled approximately $15.6 million, the majority of which were various projects at One Earth’s and NuGen’s ethanol plants, including approximately $10.6 million related to the carbon sequestration project near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. During fiscal year 2022, we used cash of approximately $399.4 million for purchases of short-term investments and received cash of approximately $216.7 million related to maturities of these investments as certain of these investments remained outstanding at January 31, 2023.

Net cash provided by investing activities was approximately $5.3 million during fiscal year 2021. Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2021 totaled approximately $5.1 million, the majority of which were various projects at One Earth’s and NuGen’s ethanol plants. During fiscal year 2021, we used cash of approximately $88.9 million for purchases of short-term investments and received cash of approximately $99.3 million related to maturities of these investments.

Financing Activities – Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $17.0 million during fiscal year 2022 compared to approximately $11.1 million for fiscal year 2021. During fiscal year 2022, we purchased approximately 471,000 shares of our common stock for approximately $13.0 million in open market transactions. During fiscal year 2022, we used cash of approximately $4.0 million to purchase shares from and pay dividends to noncontrolling members of the entities that own One Earth’s and NuGen’s ethanol plants.

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $11.1 million during fiscal year 2021. During fiscal year 2021, we purchased approximately 252,000 shares of our common stock for approximately $6.6 million

in open market transactions. During fiscal year 2021, we used cash of approximately $4.8 million to purchase shares from and pay dividends to noncontrolling members of the entities that own One Earth’s and NuGen’s ethanol plants. During fiscal year 2021, we received approximately $0.3 million in capital contributions from the minority investor in the refined coal business which is now classified as discontinued operations.

Based on our forecasts, which are primarily based on estimates of plant production, prices of ethanol, corn, distillers grains, non-food grade corn oil and natural gas as well as other assumptions, management believes that cash flow from operating activities together with working capital will be sufficient to meet One Earth’s and NuGen’s respective liquidity needs. However, if a material adverse change in the financial position of One Earth or NuGen should occur, or if actual sales or expenses are substantially different than what has been forecasted, One Earth’s and NuGen’s liquidity, and ability to fund future operating and capital requirements could be negatively impacted.

Approximately 2.6% of our net assets are restricted pursuant to the terms of various loan agreements of our equity method investee as of January 31, 2023. None of our consolidated subsidiaries or the parent company has restricted net assets at January 31, 2023.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into agreements under which we are legally obligated to make future cash payments. These agreements include obligations related to purchasing inventory and natural gas and leasing rail cars. Aggregate minimum lease payments under the operating lease agreements for future fiscal years as of January 31, 2023 totaled $17.0 million, with $5.6 million payable in the next twelve months. Refer to Note 7 – Leases included in the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information. As of January 31, 2023, we had contracted future purchases of grain, natural gas, natural gas pipeline lease and other contracts for capital expenditures at our ethanol plants valued at approximately $87.7 million, with $75.1 payable in the next twelve months. Refer to Note 11 – Commitments included in the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Our business is directly affected by the supply and demand for ethanol. The demand for ethanol typically increases during the spring and summer months and during holiday travel.

Critical Accounting Policies

We believe the application of the following accounting policies, which are important to our financial position and results of operations, require significant assumptions, judgments and estimates on the part of management. We base our assumptions, judgments, and estimates on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Further, if different assumptions, judgments and estimates had been used, the results could have been different and such differences could be material. For a summary of all of our accounting policies, including the accounting policies discussed below, see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management believes that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition – We recognize sales of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil when obligations under the terms of the respective contracts with customers are satisfied; this occurs with the transfer of control of products, generally upon shipment from the ethanol plant or upon loading of the rail car used to transport the products.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – We review our long-lived assets, consisting of property and equipment, equity method investments and operating lease right-of-use assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. We assess long-lived assets for impairment by first determining the forecasted, undiscounted cash flows the asset group is expected to generate. If this total is less than the carrying value of the asset, we will then determine the fair value of the asset group. An impairment loss would be recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeded the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgement is required to determine the fair value of long-lived assets, which includes discounted cash flows. Such estimates could be significantly affected by future changes in market conditions. We recorded no impairment charges in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020. During fiscal year 2020, we concluded the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry and our operating results was an indicator that impairment may exist related to certain of our long-lived assets. As a result, we performed a recoverability test for the One Earth and NuGen asset groups (the lowest level at which related cash flows can be identified) and determined that there was no impairment as the gross undiscounted future cash flows substantially exceeded the respective carrying values.

Income Taxes – Income taxes are recorded based on the current year amounts payable or refundable, as well as the consequences of events that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences in how those events are treated for tax purposes, net of valuation allowances. We base our estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws and rates and other expectations about future outcomes. Changes in existing regulatory tax laws and rates and future business results may affect the amount of deferred tax liabilities or the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. We have established valuation allowances for certain state net operating loss carryforwards. We assessed all available positive and negative evidence to determine whether we expect sufficient future taxable income will be generated to allow for the realization of existing federal deferred tax assets. We believe there is sufficient objectively verifiable income for management to conclude that it is more likely than not that the Company will utilize available federal deferred tax assets prior to their expiration. However, realization of these deferred tax assets is not certain. Changes in our current estimates for factors such as unanticipated market conditions and legislative developments could have a material effect on our ability to utilize deferred tax assets.

New Accounting Pronouncements 

For information related to recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with commodity prices as discussed below.

Commodity Price Risk

We manage a portion of our risk with respect to the volatility of commodity prices inherent in the ethanol industry by using forward purchase and sale contracts. At January 31, 2023, One Earth and NuGen combined had purchase commitments for approximately 18.0 million bushels of corn, the principal raw material for their ethanol plants. At January 31, 2023, One Earth and NuGen combined had purchase commitments for approximately 2.7 million MmBtu of natural gas. At January 31, 2023, One Earth and NuGen had combined sales commitments for approximately 46.5 million gallons of ethanol, 101,000 tons of distillers grains and 9.9 million pounds of non-food grade corn oil. Not all of our commitments are at fixed price. Our exposures to market risk, which include the impact of our risk management activities, are based on the estimated effect on pre-tax income starting on January 31, 2023, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in Thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021

(Amounts in Thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Thousands)

Continued on the following page

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying financial statements consolidate the operating results and financial position of REX American Resources Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “REX”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. As of January 31, 2023, the Company owns interests in three operating entities – two are consolidated and one is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The results of One Earth are included on a delayed basis of one month lag as One Earth has a fiscal year end of December 31. The other consolidated entity has the same fiscal year end as the parent company.

Stock Split – On June 21, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted resolutions declaring a three-for-one split of the Company’s Common Stock to be effectuated in the form of a 200% stock dividend, payable on August 5, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 29, 2022. The stock split has been retroactively reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal Year – All references in these consolidated financial statements to a particular fiscal year are to the Company’s fiscal year ended January 31. The Company refers to its fiscal year by reference to the year immediately preceding the January 31 fiscal year end date. For example, “fiscal year 2022” means the period February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023.

Segments – Beginning in the third quarter of 2021, the Company has one reportable segment, ethanol and by-products. Within the ethanol and by-products segment, the Company has equity investments in three ethanol limited liability companies, two of which are majority ownership interests. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current segment reporting.

In applying the criteria set forth in ASC 280, the Company determined that based on the nature of the products and production process and the expected financial results, the Company’s operations at its ethanol plants are aggregated into one reporting segment.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents – Cash equivalents are principally short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Concentrations of Risk –The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in accounts with financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company does not believe there is significant credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents.

The Company sells its products to a limited number of larger commercial buyers, which may increase the chance of loss due to non-performance by a counterparty. Eight (fiscal year 2022), nine (fiscal year 2021), and seven (fiscal year 2020) customers accounted for approximately 90%, 85%, and 89% of the

Company’s net sales and revenue during fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. At January 31, 2023 and 2022, four and five customers represented approximately 81% and 82%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance. The Company has not experienced any significant losses in such accounts.

Inventory – Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost for all inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonable predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Inventory includes direct production costs and certain overhead costs such as depreciation, property taxes and utilities related to producing ethanol and related by-products and refined coal. Inventory is permanently written down for instances when cost exceeds estimated net realizable value; such write-downs are based primarily upon commodity prices as the market value of inventory is often dependent upon changes in commodity prices. The company recorded approximately $0.7 and $0.5 million of inventory write-downs in cost of sales at January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2022, respectively. Fluctuations in the write-down of inventory generally relate to the levels and composition of such inventory at a given point in time and commodity prices. The components of inventory are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is recorded at cost or the fair value on the date of acquisition (for property and equipment acquired in a business combination). Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 20 years for fixtures and equipment. The components of property and equipment are as follows (amounts in thousands):

In accordance with ASC 360-05 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the carrying value of long-lived assets is assessed for recoverability by management when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, consisting of property and equipment, equity method investments and operating lease right-of-use assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses long-lived assets for impairment by first determining the forecasted, undiscounted cash flows the asset group is expected to generate. If this total is less than the carrying value of the asset, the Company will then determine the fair value of the asset group. An impairment loss would be recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeded the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgement is required to determine the fair value of long-lived assets, which includes discounted cash flows. Such estimates could be significantly affected by future changes in market conditions. The Company recorded no impairment charges in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020. During fiscal year 2020, the Company concluded the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ethanol industry and the Company’s operating results was an indicator that impairment may exist related to certain of its long-lived assets. As a result, the Company performed a recoverability test and determined that there was no impairment.

Depreciation expense was approximately $18.0 million, $18.0 million, and $18.1 million in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

Investments – The method of accounting applied to long-term investments, whether consolidated, equity or cost, involves an evaluation of the significant terms of each investment that explicitly grant or suggest evidence of control or influence over the operations of the investee and also includes the identification of any variable interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for investments in limited liability companies in which it may have a less than 20% ownership interest, using the equity method of accounting when the factors discussed in ASC 323 “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures” are met. The excess of the carrying value over the underlying equity in the net assets of equity method investees is allocated to specific assets and liabilities. Investments in businesses that the Company does not control but for which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the equity method. The Company accounts for its investment in Big River using the equity method of accounting and includes the results of Big River on a delayed basis of one month as it has a fiscal year end of December 31.

The Company periodically evaluates its investments for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. Such impairment evaluations include, in addition to persistent, declining market prices, general economic and company-specific evaluations. If the Company determines that a decline in market value is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Short-term investments, consisting of U.S. government obligations and certificates of deposit, are considered held-to-maturity, and therefore are carried at amortized historical cost.

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes sales of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil when obligations under the terms of the respective contracts with customers are satisfied; this occurs with the transfer of control of products, generally upon shipment from the ethanol plant or upon loading of the rail car used to transport the products.

Cost of Sales – Cost of sales includes depreciation, costs of raw materials, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, other distribution expenses, warehousing costs, plant repair and maintenance costs, plant management, certain compensation costs and general facility overhead charges.

SG&A Expenses – The Company includes non-production related costs such as professional fees, outbound freight charges, selling charges and certain payroll in SG&A expenses. Outbound freight charges were approximately $6,901,000, $7,321,000, and $3,482,000 in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

Financial Instruments – Certain of the forward grain purchase and ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil sale contracts are accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815, because these arrangements are for purchases of grain that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used and sales of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil that will be produced in quantities expected to be sold by us over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business. During fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020 there were no material settlements of forward contracts that were recorded at fair value. The Company recorded an asset and liability of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, associated with contracts not accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exception of ASC 815 at January 31, 2023. The Company recorded an asset of approximately $1.0 million at January 31, 2022 associated with contracts not accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815.

The Company uses derivative financial instruments (exchange-traded futures contracts and swaps) to manage a portion of the risk associated with changes in commodity prices, primarily related to corn and ethanol. The Company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy. As such, the Company seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. The Company may take hedging positions in these commodities as one way to mitigate risk. While the Company attempts to link its hedging activities to purchase and sale activities, there are situations in which these hedging activities can themselves result in losses. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The changes in fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recognized in current period earnings as the Company does not use hedge accounting.

Stock Compensation – The Company has a stock-based compensation plan, approved by its shareholders, which reserved a total of 1,650,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to its terms. The plan provides for the granting of shares of stock, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The Company measures share-based compensation grants at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company records noncash compensation expense related to equity and liability awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. See Note 10 for a further discussion of restricted stock.

Other Income – As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, passed in 2020, $700 million in funds were made available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute to impacted producers of ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable fuels under the Biofuel Producer Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) distributed funds to applicants in May 2022. Our consolidated plants received a total of approximately $7.8 million from this program, which was recorded within “Interest and other income, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal year 2022. The Company has no further reporting or other obligations related to the receipt of these funds.

Income Taxes – The Company provides for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company provides for a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company’s annual effective tax rate includes the impact of research and experimentation credits.

Comprehensive Income – The Company has no components of other comprehensive income, and therefore, comprehensive income equals net income.

New Accounting Pronouncements – In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The Company adopted this update effective February 1, 2021. The adoption of this update did not impact the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, “Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance”, which increases the transparency of government assistance received by businesses by expanding the disclosure requirements for annual reporting periods. The Company adopted this update effective February 1, 2022 by providing all disclosures required related to government assistance. The adoption of this update did not materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

The Company recognizes sales of products when obligations under the terms of the respective contracts with customers are satisfied. This occurs with the transfer of control of products, generally upon shipment from the ethanol plant or upon loading of the rail car used to transport the products. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods. Sales, value added and other taxes the Company collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from net sales and revenue.

The majority of the Company’s sales have payment terms ranging from 5 to 10 days after transfer of control. The Company has determined that sales contracts do not generally include a significant financing component. The Company has not historically, and does not intend to, enter sales contracts in which payment is due from a customer prior to transferring product to the customer. Thus, the Company does not record unearned revenue.

The following table shows disaggregated revenue by product (amounts in thousands):

¹ Refined coal sales were recorded net of the cost of coal as the Company purchased the coal feedstock from the same customer to which the processed refined coal was sold.

Equity Method Investment in Big River

The Company’s equity method investment in Big River is accounted for under ASC 323. The following table summarizes the investment (amounts in thousands):

The Company invested approximately $20.0 million in Big River which is a holding company for several entities. Big River, through its various entities (both wholly and partially owned), operates four ethanol manufacturing facilities, that combined shipped approximately 425.4 million gallons of ethanol in the twelve months ended January 31, 2023. The Company recorded income of approximately $8.7 million, $6.6 million, and $0.5 million as its share of earnings from Big River during fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The Company received dividends of approximately $6.3 million, $5.5 million, and $3.5 million from Big River during fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. At January 31, 2023, the carrying value of the investment in Big River was approximately $33.0 million; the amount of underlying equity in the net assets of Big River was approximately $31.5 million.

Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investee as of and for its fiscal year end is presented in the following tables (amounts in thousands):

Big River has debt agreements that limit and restrict amounts the entity can pay in the form of dividends or advances to owners. The restricted net assets of Big River at January 31, 2023 are approximately $113.4 million; the Company’s proportionate share of restricted net assets of Big River is approximately $11.7 million.

Short-term Investments

At January 31, 2023, the Company owned United States Treasury Bills (classified as short-term investments) that had an amortized cost, or carrying value, of approximately $211.3 million. The contractual maturity of these investments was less than one year. The yield to maturity rate was approximately 3.9%. Unrealized gains or losses were insignificant.

At January 31, 2022, the Company owned certificates of deposit (classified as short-term investments) that had an amortized cost, or carrying value, of approximately $25.9 million. The contractual maturity of these investments was less than one year. The yield to maturity rate was approximately 0.1%. Unrealized gains or losses were insignificant.

The Company applies ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

The Company determines the fair market values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values which are provided below. The Company carries certain cash equivalents, investments and derivative financial instruments at fair value.

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as certain U.S. Treasury securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methods, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best information available, which may include the Company’s own data.

The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the over-the-counter market are determined using quantitative models that require the use of multiple market inputs including interest rates, prices and indices to generate pricing and volatility factors, which are used to value the position. The predominance of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services. Estimation risk is greater for derivative asset and liability positions that are either option-based or have longer maturity dates where observable market inputs are less readily available or are unobservable, in which case interest rate, price or index scenarios are extrapolated in order to determine the fair value. The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities include adjustments for market liquidity, counterparty credit quality, the Company’s own credit standing and other specific factors, where appropriate. The fair values of property and equipment are determined by using various models that discount future expected cash flows.

To ensure the prudent application of estimates and management judgment in determining the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities and property and equipment, various processes and controls have been adopted, which include: (i) model validation that requires a review and approval for pricing, financial statement fair value determination and risk quantification; and (ii) periodic review and substantiation of profit and loss reporting for all derivative instruments.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at January 31, 2023 on a recurring basis are summarized below (amounts in thousands):

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at January 31, 2022 on a recurring basis are summarized below (amounts in thousands):

The Company determined the fair value of the investment in cooperative by using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows. Inputs used in the analysis include the face value of the allocated equity amount, the projected term for repayment based upon a historical trend, and a risk adjusted discount rate based on the expected compensation participants would demand because of the uncertainty of the future cash flows. The inherent risk and uncertainty associated with unobservable inputs could have a significant effect on the actual fair value of the investment. The changes in the balances of the investment in cooperative represent the change in the fair value.

No other financial instruments were elected to be measured at fair value in accordance with ASC 470-20-25-21.

There were no assets measured at fair value at January 31, 2023 and 2022 on a non-recurring basis.

The components of other noncurrent assets are as follows (amounts in thousands):

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities are as follows (amounts in thousands):

The Company elected the practical expedient, available pursuant to ASC 842, for lessees to include both lease and non-lease components as a single component and account for it as a lease. In general, certain maintenance costs are the responsibility of the Company under its railcar leases. These maintenance costs are a non-lease component which the Company elected to combine with rental payments and account for the total amount as operating lease expense.

At January 31, 2023, the Company has lease agreements, as lessee, for railcars. All the leases are accounted for as operating leases. The lease agreements do not contain a specified implicit interest rate; therefore, the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate was used to determine the present value of future minimum lease payments. The lease term for all the Company’s leases includes the noncancelable period of the lease and any periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. Certain leases include rent escalations pre-set in the agreements, which are factored into the lease payment stream.

For fiscal years 2022 and 2021, the components of lease expense, classified as SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations are as follows (amounts in thousands):

The following table is a summary of future minimum rentals on such leases at January 31, 2023 (amounts in thousands):

At January 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term was 3.7 years, and the weighted average discount rate was 5.51% for the above leases.

At January 31, 2022, the weighted average remaining lease term was 2.5 years and the weighted average discount rate was 4.85%.

On June 21, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted resolutions declaring a three-for-one split of the Company’s Common Stock to be effectuated in the form of a 200% stock dividend, payable on August 5, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 29, 2022. The stock split has been retroactively reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

During fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020 the Company purchased approximately 472,000 shares, 252,000 shares, and 949,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $13.0 million, $6.6 million, and $19.6 million, respectively. At January 31, 2023, the Company had prior authorization by its Board of Directors to purchase, in open market transactions, an additional approximately 877,000 shares of its common stock.

Information regarding the Company’s common stock is as follows (amounts in thousands):

The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in commodity prices (raw materials and finished goods). To manage risks associated with the volatility of these natural business exposures, the Company enters into commodity agreements (exchange-traded futures contracts and swaps) and forward purchase (corn) and sale (ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil) contracts. The Company does not purchase or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company does not purchase or sell derivative financial instruments for which a lack of marketplace quotations would require the use of fair value estimation techniques. The changes in fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recognized in current period earnings as the Company does not use hedge accounting.

The following table provides information about the fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in which the fair values are reflected (in thousands):

As of January 31, 2023, and 2022, all of the derivative financial instruments held by the Company were subject to enforceable master netting arrangements with the counterparty. The Company’s accounting policy is to offset positions owed or owing with the same counterparty. As of January 31, 2023, and 2022 the gross positions of the enforceable master netting agreements are not significantly different from the net positions presented in the table above. Depending on the amount of unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts held by the Company, the counterparty may require collateral to secure the Company’s derivative contract positions. As of January 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company was required to maintain collateral with the counterparty in the amount of approximately $1,735,000 and $2,222,000, respectively, to secure the Company’s derivative liability position, which has been recorded on the balance sheet as restricted cash. See Note 4 which contains fair value information related to derivative financial instruments.

The Company recognized losses (included in cost of sales) on corn and natural gas derivative financial instruments of approximately $12,714,000, $3,427,000, and $5,552,000 in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

The Company recognized losses (included in net sales and revenue) on ethanol derivative financial instruments of $1,024,000, $12,109,000 and $1,167,000 in fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

The Company maintains the REX American Resources Corporation 2015 Incentive Plan, approved by its shareholders, which reserved a total of 1,650,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to its terms. The plan provides for the granting of shares of stock, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. Until the current year, the Company had only granted restricted stock awards. In May 2022, the Company issued restricted stock units to certain officers of the Company which vest based on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) compared to the TSRs of companies that comprise the Russell 2000 Index over a three-year performance period. The Company measures share-based compensation grants at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company records noncash compensation expense related to liability and equity awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. 1,342,842 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan at January 31, 2023.

Restricted Stock Awards

As a component of their compensation, restricted stock has been granted to directors and certain employees at the market price of REX common stock on the date of the grant. In addition, one-quarter (one-third prior to 2022) of executives’ incentive compensation is payable by an award of restricted stock based on the then market price of REX common stock. The Company’s board of directors has determined that the grant date will be June 15^th, or the next business day, for all grants of restricted stock.

At January 31, 2023 and 2022, unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock was approximately $450,000 and $97,000.

The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock award activity for fiscal years 2022, 2021, and 2020: