UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INC - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

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For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

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For the transition period from ........ to ........  

Commission file number is 000-04197

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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(972) 991-8400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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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 ☐

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

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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.

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of April 28, 2021, 5,655,321 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value, were outstanding.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

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1. Basis of Presentation

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The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (the “Company”) without independent audit. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods presented have been made. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020. The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year.

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On July 1, 2020, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest of Carthage Crushed Limestone (“Carthage”), a limestone mining and production company located in Carthage, Missouri, for $8.4 million cash, subject to adjustment for working capital balances acquired. Carthage produces aggregate and pulverized limestone products that are used primarily in the agricultural, construction, roofing, and industrial industries. Carthage contributed $2.2 million of revenues in the three-months ended March 31, 2021, which are included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

2. Organization

The Company is a manufacturer of lime and limestone products, supplying primarily the construction (including highway, road and building contractors), industrial (including paper and glass manufacturers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), metals (including steel producers), oil and gas services, roof shingle manufacturers and agriculture (including poultry and cattle feed producers) industries. The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operates lime and limestone plants and distribution facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Arkansas Lime Company, Colorado Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company – Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company – St. Clair, ART Quarry TRS LLC (DBA Carthage Crushed Limestone) and U.S. Lime Company – Transportation. In addition, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company – O & G, LLC, has royalty and non-operated working interests in natural gas wells located in Johnson County, Texas, in the Barnett Shale Formation.

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3. Accounting Policies

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Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue for its lime and limestone operations when (i) a contract with the customer exists and the performance obligations are identified; (ii) the price has been established; and (iii) the performance obligations have been satisfied, which is generally upon shipment. The Company’s returns and allowances are minimal. Revenues include external freight billed to customers with related costs accounted for as fulfillment costs and included in cost of revenues. External freight billed to customers in each of the first quarters 2021 and 2020 revenues was $7.8 million and $6.9 million, respectively, which approximates the amount of external freight included in cost of revenues. Sales taxes billed to customers are not included in revenues. For its natural gas interests, the Company recognizes revenue in the month of production and delivery.

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The Company operates its lime and limestone operations within a single geographic region and derives all revenues from that segment from the sale of lime and limestone products. See Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for disaggregation of revenues by segment, which the Company believes best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

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Accounts Receivable. The majority of the Company’s trade receivables are unsecured. Payment terms for all trade receivables are based on the underlying purchase orders, contracts or purchase agreements. The Company estimates credit losses relating to trade receivables based on an assessment of the current and forecasted probability of collection, historical trends, economic conditions and other significant events that may impact the collectability of accounts receivables. Due to the relatively homogenous nature of its trade receivables, the Company does not believe there is any meaningful asset-specific differences within its accounts receivable portfolio that would require the portfolio to be grouped below the consolidated level for review of credit losses. Credit losses relating to trade receivables have generally been within management expectations and historical trends. Uncollected trade receivables are charged-off when identified by management to be unrecoverable. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to reflect currently expected estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments. See Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. When recording operating leases, the Company records a lease liability based on the net present value of the lease payments over the lease term, using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if known, or an incremental rate on a collateralized basis over a similar term and amount to the lease, and a corresponding right-of-use asset. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities, excluding current portion, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Lease expense is recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, the Company does not record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability and records lease expense on a straight-line basis. See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Fair Values of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values, in determining the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities.  These tiers include:  Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as 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; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.  Specific inputs used to value the Company’s foreign exchange (“FX”) hedges were Euro to U.S. Dollar exchange rates for the expected future payment dates for the Company’s commitments denominated in Euros. The last of these foreign exchange hedges expired in April 2020. See Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. There were no changes in the methods and assumptions used in measuring fair value during the period.

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4. Business Segment

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The Company has identified one reportable segment based on the distinctness of the Company’s activities and products: lime and limestone operations. All operations are in the United States. In evaluating the operating results of the Company, management primarily reviews revenues, gross profit and operating profit from the lime and limestone operations. Operating profit from its lime and limestone operations includes all of the Company’s selling, general and administrative costs. The Company does not allocate interest expense and interest and other income (expense), net to its lime and limestone operations. Other revenues, gross profit and operating profit in the Company’s segment disclosures include the Company’s natural gas interest. Other identifiable assets include assets related to its natural gas interests, unallocated corporate assets and cash items.

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The following table sets forth operating results and certain other financial data for the Company’s lime and limestone operations segment and other (in thousands):

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5. Income Per Share of Common Stock

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At March 31, 2021, the Company had 15,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 5,653,336 shares outstanding. On April 30, 2021, shareholders will vote at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on a proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 30,000,000.

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

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6. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

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The following table presents the components of comprehensive income (in thousands):

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In May 2018, to hedge against potential losses due to changes in the Euro to U.S. Dollar exchange rates, the Company entered into FX hedges with a counterparty to the FX hedges to fix the exchange rates. The last of the FX hedges expired in April 2020. The FX hedges were effective as defined under applicable accounting rules. Therefore, changes in the fair value of the FX hedges were reflected in comprehensive income.

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7. Trade Receivables, Net

Additions, adjustments and write-offs to the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

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8. Inventories, Net

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Inventories are valued principally at the lower of cost, determined using the average cost method, or market. Costs for raw materials and finished goods include materials, labor, and production overhead. Inventories, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

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9. Banking Facilities and Debt

The Company’s credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lender”), as amended as of May 2, 2019 and November 21, 2019, provides for a $75 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) and an incremental four year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the Lender or another lender selected by the Company. The credit agreement also provides for a $10 million letter of credit sublimit under the Revolving Facility. The Revolving Facility and any incremental loans mature on May 2, 2024.

Interest rates on the Revolving Facility are, at the Company’s option, LIBOR plus a margin of 1.000% to 2.000%, or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to 1.000%, and a commitment fee range of 0.200% to

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0.350% on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Facility. The Revolving Facility interest rate margins and commitment fee are determined quarterly in accordance with a pricing grid based upon the Company’s Cash Flow Leverage Ratio, defined as the ratio of the Company’s total funded senior indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and stock-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) for the 12 months ended on the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, plus pro forma EBITDA from any businesses acquired during the period. Pursuant to a security agreement, dated August 25, 2004, the Revolving Facility is secured by the Company’s existing and hereafter acquired tangible assets, intangible assets and real property. The maturity of the Revolving Facility and any incremental loans can be accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the credit agreement, occurs. The Company’s maximum Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is 3.50 to 1.

The Company may pay dividends so long as it remains in compliance with the provisions of the Company’s credit agreement, and it may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock so long as its pro forma Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and no default or event of default exists or would exist after giving effect to such stock repurchase.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had no debt outstanding and no draws on the Revolving Facility other than $0.4 million of letters of credit, which count as draws against the available commitment under the Revolving Facility.

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10. Leases

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The Company has operating leases for the use of equipment, corporate office space, and some of its terminal and distribution facilities. The leases have remaining lease terms of 1 to 7 years, with a weighted-average remaining lease term of 2 years at March 31, 2021 and 3 at December 31, 2020. Some operating leases include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years. The liability for the Company’s operating leases was discounted to present value using a weighted-average discount rate of 3.4% at each of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.

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The components of lease costs for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

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As of March 31, 2021, future minimum payments under operating leases that were either non-cancelable or subject to significant penalty upon cancellation, including future minimum payments under renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, were as follows (in thousands):

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Supplemental cash flow information pertaining to the Company’s leasing activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

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11. Income Taxes

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The Company has estimated that its effective income tax rate for 2021 will be 19.3%. The primary reason for the effective income tax rate being below the federal statutory rate is due to statutory depletion, which is allowed for income tax purposes and is a permanent difference between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income.

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12. Dividends

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On March 12, 2021, the Company paid $0.9 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.16 per share of its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2021.

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13. Subsequent Event

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On April 28, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company’s common stock. This dividend is payable on June 11, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 21, 2021.

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ITEM 2:     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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Forward-Looking Statements. Any statements contained in this Report that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this Report, including without limitation statements relating to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, are identified by such words as “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “possible,” “potential,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “schedule,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and “project.” The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including without limitation the following: (i) the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, and intentions are subject to change at any time at the Company’s discretion; (ii) the Company’s plans and results of operations will be affected by its ability to maintain and increase its revenues and manage its growth; (iii) the Company’s ability to meet short-term and long-term liquidity demands, including meeting the Company’s operating and capital needs, including possible acquisitions and paying dividends, and conditions in the credit and equity markets, including the ability of the Company’s customers to meet their obligations; (iv) interruptions to operations and increased expenses at the Company’s facilities resulting from changes in mining methods or conditions, variability of chemical or physical properties of the Company’s limestone and its impact on process equipment and product quality, inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, IT systems failures or disruptions, including due to cyber-security incidents or ransomware attacks, utility disruptions, or regulatory requirements; (v) volatile coal, petroleum coke, diesel, natural gas, electricity, transportation and freight costs and the consistent availability of trucks, truck drivers and rail cars to deliver the Company’s products to its customers and solid fuels to its plants on a timely basis at competitive prices; (vi) unanticipated delays or cost overruns in completing modernization and expansion and development projects; (vii) the Company’s ability to expand its lime and limestone operations through projects and acquisitions of businesses with related or similar operations, including the Carthage acquisition, and the Company’s ability to obtain any required financing for such projects and acquisitions, and to sell any resulting increased production at acceptable prices; (viii) inadequate demand and/or prices for the Company’s lime and limestone products due to increased competition from competitors, increasing competition for certain customer accounts, conditions in the U.S. economy, recessionary pressures in, and the impact of government policies on, particular industries, including oil and gas services, utility plants, steel, construction, and industrial, effects of governmental fiscal and budgetary constraints, including the level of highway construction and infrastructure funding, changes to tax law, legislative impasses, extended governmental shutdowns, trade wars, tariffs, economic and regulatory uncertainties under state governments and the United States Administration and Congress, and inability to continue to maintain or increase prices for the Company’s products, including passing through the increased costs of transportation; (ix) ongoing and possible new regulations, investigations, enforcement actions and costs, legal expenses, penalties, fines, assessments, litigation, judgments and settlements, taxes and disruptions and limitations of operations, including those related to climate change, health and safety, and other environmental, social, governance, and sustainability considerations, and those that could impact the Company’s ability to continue or renew its operating permits or successfully secure new permits in connection with its modernization and expansion and development projects; (xi) estimates of reserves and remaining lives of reserves; (xii) the ongoing impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, including decreased demand, lower prices, and increased costs, and the risk of non-compliance with health and safety protocols and social distancing guidelines, on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and competitive position; (xiii) the impact of social or political unrest; (xiv) risks relating to mine safety, and reclamation and remediation; and (xv) other risks and uncertainties set forth in this Report or indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

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Overview.

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We have identified one reportable business segment based on the distinctness of our activities and products: lime and limestone operations. All operations are in the United States. Operating profit from our lime and limestone operations includes all of our selling, general and administrative costs. We do not allocate interest expense and interest and other income (expense), net to our lime and limestone operations.

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Through our lime and limestone operations, we are a manufacturer of lime and limestone products, supplying primarily the construction (including highway, road and building contractors), industrial (including paper and glass manufacturers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), metals (including steel producers), oil and gas services, roof shingle manufacturers and agriculture (including poultry and cattle feed producers) industries. We are headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operate lime and limestone plants and distribution facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Arkansas Lime Company, Colorado Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company – Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company – St. Clair, ART Quarry TRS LLC (DBA Carthage Crushed Limestone) and U.S. Lime Company – Transportation. The lime and limestone operations represent our principal business.

On July 1, 2020, we acquired Carthage Crushed Limestone (“Carthage”), a limestone mining and production company located in Carthage, Missouri, for $8.4 million cash, subject to adjustment for working capital balances acquired. Carthage provides aggregate and pulverized limestone products that are used primarily in the agricultural, construction, roofing, and industrial industries. Carthage contributed $2.2 million to our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

In addition to our lime and limestone operations, we hold natural gas interests through our wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company – O & G, LLC. The revenues, gross profit and operating profit from our natural gas interests are included in Other for our reportable segment disclosures. Assets related to our natural gas interests, unallocated corporate assets, and cash items are included in Other identified assets.

Revenues increased 8.4% in the first quarter 2021, compared to the first quarter 2020. Carthage contributed $2.2 million to the Company’s revenues for the first quarter 2021. The increase in our lime and limestone revenues in the first quarter 2021 resulted primarily due to the addition of limestone sales by Carthage to agriculture and roofing customers, and increased sales to the Company’s construction customers, partially offset by decreased demand from the Company’s oil and gas services customers. First quarter 2021 revenues were also favorably impacted by increases in the average selling prices for our lime and limestone products.

Gross profit increased 19.5% in the first quarter 2021, compared to the first quarter 2020. The increase in gross profit in the first quarter 2021, compared to the first quarter 2020, resulted primarily from the increased revenues discussed above and increased operating efficiencies.

Federal, state, and local governmental restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to impact general business activities in the markets for our lime and limestone products. While vaccination programs are having a positive effect on the resumption of normal business activities, the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and its magnitude and continuing effects remain uncertain, and COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and competitive position.

In February 2021, the southern United States experienced severe winter storms which interrupted transportation, commerce, and utility services in the affected areas, including the delivery of electricity and natural gas to our plants. While our operations were briefly curtailed, our plants did not sustain any significant damage from the storms.

At our upcoming 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholders will vote on a proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 15,000,000 to 30,000,000. If the proposal is approved by the shareholders, possible uses of the additional shares of common stock include, without limitation, future stock splits, stock dividends, rights offerings, acquiring other companies, businesses or products in exchange for shares of common stock, attracting and retaining employees by the issuance of additional securities under our Amended and Restated 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan and any future equity compensation plans, issuance of securities underlying shares convertible into common stock, and other transactions and corporate purposes for which the board deems it in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Liquidity and Capital Resources.

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Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.6 million in the first quarter 2021, compared to $11.5 million in the first quarter 2020, an increase of $0.1 million, or 1.0%. Our net cash provided by operating activities is composed of net income, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), deferred income taxes, other non-cash items included in net income and changes in working capital. In the first quarter 2021, net cash provided by operating

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activities was principally composed of $7.0 million net income, $5.3 million DD&A, $0.8 million deferred income taxes, $0.5 million stock-based compensation, and a $2.1 million decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Changes in operating assets and liabilities in the first quarter 2021 included an increase of $1.0 million in trade receivables, net, and a decrease of $0.7 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses. In the first quarter 2020, net cash provided by operating activities was principally composed of $5.5 million net income, $4.7 million DD&A, $1.0 million deferred income taxes, $0.4 million stock-based compensation, and a $49 thousand decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Changes in operating assets and liabilities in the first quarter 2020 included an increase of $0.2 million in trade receivables, net, and a decrease of $0.2 million in prepaid expenses and other assets.

We had $4.5 million in capital expenditures in the first quarter 2021, compared to $6.1 million in the first quarter 2020. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.0 million in the first quarter 2021, compared to $0.9 million in the first quarter 2020, consisting primarily of cash dividends paid in each period.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $6.1 million to $89.7 million at March 31, 2021, from $83.6 million at December 31, 2020.

We are not committed to any planned capital expenditures until actual orders are placed for equipment. As of March 31, 2021, we had commitments for open purchase orders totaling $5.0 million for the purchase of capital equipment.

Our credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lender”), as amended as of May 2, 2019 and November 21, 2019, provides for a $75 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) and an incremental four-year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the Lender or another lender selected by us. The credit agreement also provides for a $10 million letter of credit sublimit under the Revolving Facility. The Revolving Facility and any incremental loans mature on May 2, 2024.

Interest rates on the Revolving Facility are, at our option, LIBOR plus a margin of 1.000% to 2.000%, or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to 1.000%; and a commitment fee range of 0.200% to 0.350% on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Facility. The Revolving Facility interest rate margins and commitment fee are determined quarterly in accordance with a pricing grid based upon our Cash Flow Leverage Ratio, defined as the ratio of our total funded senior indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and stock-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) for the 12 months ended on the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, plus pro forma EBITDA from any businesses acquired during the period. Pursuant to a security agreement, dated August 25, 2004, the Revolving Facility is secured by our existing and hereafter acquired tangible assets, intangible assets and real property. The maturity of the Revolving Facility and any incremental loans can be accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the credit agreement, occurs. Our maximum Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is 3.50 to 1.

We may pay dividends so long as we remain in compliance with the provisions of our credit agreement, and we may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of our common stock so long as our pro forma Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and no default or event of default exists or would exist after giving effect to such stock repurchase.

At March 31, 2021, we had no debt outstanding and no draws on the Revolving Facility other than $0.4 million of letters of credit which count as draws against the available commitment under the Revolving Facility. We believe that, absent a significant acquisition, cash on hand and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our operating needs, ongoing capital needs, including current and possible future modernization, expansion, and development projects, and liquidity needs and allow us to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the near future.

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Results of Operations.

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Revenues in the first quarter 2021 were $41.7 million, compared to $38.4 million in the first quarter 2020, an increase of $3.2 million, or 8.4%. Revenues from our lime and limestone operations in the first quarter 2021 increased $3.1 million, or 8.2%, to $41.4 million from $38.2 million in the first quarter 2020. The increase in lime and limestone revenues in the first quarter 2021 resulted primarily from a 6.8% increase in sales volumes of the Company’s lime and limestone products discussed above and a 1.4% increase in the average selling prices for our lime and limestone products. Revenues also included $0.3 million and $0.2 million in the first quarters 2021 and 2020, respectively, from our natural gas interests.

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Gross profit was $11.8 million in the first quarter 2021 compared to $9.9 million in the first quarter 2020, an increase of $1.9 million, or 19.5%. Gross profit from our lime and limestone operations in the first quarter 2021 was $11.8 million, compared to $10.0 million in the first quarter 2020, an increase of $1.8 million, or 17.6%. The increase in gross profit in 2021, compared to 2020, resulted primarily from the increased revenues discussed above and increased operating efficiencies. Gross profit from our natural gas interests was essentially break even in the first quarter 2021, compared to a $0.2 million loss in 2020.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $3.1 million in the first quarter 2021, compared to $3.2 million in the first quarter 2020. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A was 7.4% and 8.4% in the first quarters 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in SG&A was primarily due to legal expenses associated with the acquisition of Carthage in the first quarter 2020 and lower travel cost in the first quarter 2021, partially offset by increased stock-based compensation which was principally due to higher prices for the Company’s common stock.

Interest expense was $62 thousand in each of the first quarters 2021 and 2020. We had no outstanding debt during either period. Interest and other income, net was $34 thousand in the first quarter 2021, compared to $247 thousand in the first quarter 2020, a decrease of $213 thousand. The decrease in interest income was due to reduced interest rates in the first quarter 2021, compared to the first quarter 2020.

Income tax expense was $1.7 million in the first quarters 2021, compared to $1.3 million in the first quarter 2020, an increase of $0.4 million, or 29.3%. Our effective income tax rate was 19.3% and 19.0% in the first quarters 2021 and 20120, respectively. Our effective income tax rate was reduced from the federal rate primarily due to statutory depletion, which is allowed for income tax purposes and is a permanent difference between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income.

Our net income was $7.0 million ($1.24 per share diluted) in the first quarter 2021, compared to net income of $5.5 million ($0.98 per share diluted) in the first quarter 2020, an increase of $1.5 million, or 26.8%.

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ITEM 3:     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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Interest Rate Risk.

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We could be exposed to changes in interest rates, primarily as a result of floating interest rates on the Revolving Facility. There was no outstanding balance on the Revolving Facility subject to interest rate risk at March 31, 2021. Any future borrowings under the Revolving Facility would be subject to interest rate risk. See Note 9 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 4:     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report were effective.

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No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

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ITEM 2:     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

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Our Amended and Restated 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan allows employees and directors to pay the exercise price for stock options and the tax withholding liability upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock by payment in cash and/or delivery of shares of common stock.   In the first quarter 2021, pursuant to these provisions, we repurchased 743 shares at a price of $129.21 per share, the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date that they were tendered for payment of tax withholding liability upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock.

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ITEM 4:    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

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Under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of SEC Regulation S-K, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include disclosures regarding certain mine safety results in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. The operation of our quarries, underground mine and plants is subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The required information regarding certain mining safety and health matters, broken down by mining complex, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 is presented in Exhibit 95.1 to this Report.

We believe we are responsible to employees to provide a safe and healthy workplace environment. We seek to accomplish this by: training employees in safe work practices; openly communicating with employees; following safety standards and establishing and improving safe work practices; involving employees in safety processes; and recording, reporting and investigating accidents, incidents and losses to avoid reoccurrence.

Following passage of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, MSHA significantly increased the enforcement of mining safety and health standards on all aspects of mining operations. There has also been an increase in the dollar penalties assessed for citations and orders issued in recent years.

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ITEM 6:    EXHIBITS

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The Exhibit Index set forth below is incorporated by reference in response to this Item.

EXHIBIT INDEX

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SIGNATURES

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

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