UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS INC - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)


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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023


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

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

Commission file number is 000-04197

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Texas		75-0789226
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)


5429 LBJ Freeway, Suite 230, Dallas, TX		75240
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(972) 991-8400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.10 par value	USLM	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

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

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


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company ☒
		Emerging growth company ☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 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 May 2, 2023, 5,690,319 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value, were outstanding.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	147,575	$	133,384
Trade receivables, net		38,356		33,592
Inventories, net		22,046		19,579
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,826		3,435
Total current assets		210,803		189,990
Property, plant and equipment		445,660		441,597
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion		(274,469)		(269,627)
Property, plant and equipment, net		171,191		171,970
Operating lease right-of-use assets		5,307		5,372
Other assets, net		444		440
Total assets	$	387,745	$	367,772
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	8,830	$	7,725
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		1,199		1,411
Accrued expenses		8,683		6,401
Total current liabilities		18,712		15,537
Deferred tax liabilities, net		25,421		25,582
Operating lease liabilities, excluding current portion		4,303		4,129
Other liabilities		1,427		1,436
Total liabilities		49,863		46,684
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock		672		671
Additional paid-in capital		35,452		34,528
Retained earnings		358,471		342,504
Less treasury stock, at cost		(56,713)		(56,615)
Total stockholders’ equity		337,882		321,088
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	387,745	$	367,772

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023				2022
Revenues	$	66,777	100.0	%	$	50,909	100.0	%
Cost of revenues
Labor and other operating expenses		37,029	55.5	%		31,259	61.4	%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		5,756	8.6	%		5,183	10.2	%
		42,785	64.1	%		36,442	71.6	%
Gross profit		23,992	35.9	%		14,467	28.4	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		4,152	6.2	%		3,635	7.1	%
Operating profit		19,840	29.7	%		10,832	21.3	%
Other expense (income)
Interest expense		64	0.1	%		63	0.1	%
Interest and other income, net		(1,571)	(2.4)	%		(60)	(0.1)	%
		(1,507)	(2.3)	%		3	0.0	%
Income before income tax expense		21,347	32.0	%		10,829	21.3	%
Income tax expense		4,243	6.4	%		2,161	4.3	%
Net income	$	17,104	25.6	%	$	8,668	17.0	%
Net income per share of common stock
Basic	$	3.01			$	1.53
Diluted	$	3.00			$	1.53

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Common Stock			Additional
	Shares			Paid-In		Retained		Treasury
	Outstanding	Amount		Capital		Earnings		Stock		Total
Balances at December 31, 2022	5,682,079	$	671	$	34,528	$	342,504	$	(56,615)	$	321,088
Stock options exercised	5,762		1		112		—		—		113
Stock-based compensation	3,124		—		812		—		—		812
Treasury shares purchased	(646)		—		—		—		(98)		(98)
Cash dividends paid	—		—		—		(1,137)		—		(1,137)
Net income	—		—		—		17,104		—		17,104
Balances at March 31, 2023	5,690,319	$	672	$	35,452	$	358,471	$	(56,713)	$	337,882



	Common Stock			Additional
	Shares			Paid-In		Retained		Treasury
	Outstanding	Amount		Capital		Earnings		Stock		Total
Balances at December 31, 2021	5,666,012	$	669	$	31,774	$	301,611	$	(55,848)	$	278,206
Stock-based compensation	2,823		—		651		—		—		651
Treasury shares purchased	(712)		—		—		—		(86)		(86)
Cash dividends paid	—		—		—		(1,133)		—		(1,133)
Net income	—		—		—		8,668		—		8,668
Balances at March 31, 2022	5,668,123	$	669	$	32,425	$	309,146	$	(55,934)	$	286,306

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	17,104	$	8,668
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		5,828		5,250
Amortization of deferred financing costs		2		2
Deferred income taxes		(161)		438
Gain on disposition of property, plant and equipment		(70)		(52)
Stock-based compensation		812		651
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables, net		(4,764)		(5,678)
Inventories, net		(2,467)		(1,255)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		609		992
Other assets		(6)		6
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,738		(988)
Other liabilities		19		25
Net cash provided by operating activities		20,644		8,059
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(5,451)		(5,517)
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired		—		(5,889)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		120		75
Net cash used in investing activities		(5,331)		(11,331)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash dividends paid		(1,137)		(1,133)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		113		—
Purchase of treasury shares		(98)		(86)
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,122)		(1,219)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		14,191		(4,491)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		133,384		105,355
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	147,575	$	100,864

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

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, 2022. The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year.

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), metals (including steel producers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), roof shingle manufacturers, agriculture (including poultry producers), and oil and gas services 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, ART Quarry TRS LLC (DBA Carthage Crushed Limestone), Colorado Lime Company, Mill Creek Dolomite, LLC (“Mill Creek”), Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company-Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company-St. Clair, 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.

On February 9, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest of Mill Creek, a dolomite mining and production company located in Mill Creek, Oklahoma, for $5.6 million cash. Mill Creek contributed $1.2 million and $0.8 million to the Company’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

3. Accounting Policies

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 included in 2023 and 2022 revenues was $11.6 million and $9.6 million, for the respective three-month periods ended March 31, 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.

Trade Receivables. 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, and are generally fixed, short-term and do not contain a significant financing component. 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 trade receivables 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.

4. Reportable Segment

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 the Company’s 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, net to its lime and limestone operations. Other identifiable assets include assets related to the Company’s natural gas interests, unallocated corporate assets and cash items.

Operating results and certain other financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 for the Company’s lime and limestone operations segment and other are as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
Revenues	2023		2022
Lime and limestone operations	$	66,538	$	50,296
Other		239		613
Total revenues	$	66,777	$	50,909
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Lime and limestone operations	$	5,630	$	5,039
Other		126		144
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization	$	5,756	$	5,183
Gross profit (loss)
Lime and limestone operations	$	24,058	$	14,197
Other		(66)		270
Total gross profit	$	23,992	$	14,467
Operating profit (loss)
Lime and limestone operations	$	19,909	$	10,562
Other		(69)		270
Total operating profit	$	19,840	$	10,832
Identifiable assets, at period end
Lime and limestone operations	$	235,693	$	218,522
Other		152,052		106,225
Total identifiable assets	$	387,745	$	324,747
Capital expenditures
Lime and limestone operations	$	5,451	$	5,517
Other		—		—
Total capital expenditures	$	5,451	$	5,517

5. Income and Dividends Per Share of Common Stock

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


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Net income for basic and diluted income per common share	$	17,104	$	8,668
Weighted-average shares for basic income per common share		5,685		5,667
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee and director stock options⁽¹⁾		13		10
Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed exercises for diluted income per common share		5,698		5,677
Basic net income per common share	$	3.01	$	1.53
Diluted net income per common share	$	3.00	$	1.53

(1)	Excludes 7 stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as anti-dilutive because the exercise price exceeded the average per share market price for the period. No stock options were excluded for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as anti-dilutive.

The Company paid $0.20 of cash dividends per share of common stock in each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

6. Inventories, Net

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


	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Lime and limestone inventories:
Raw materials	$	7,344	$	5,506
Finished goods		3,010		2,951
		10,354		8,457
Service parts inventories		11,692		11,122
	$	22,046	$	19,579

7. 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 (or a replacement rate as determined by the Lender and the Company) 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 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, 2023, the Company had no debt outstanding and no draws on the Revolving Facility other than $0.3 million of letters of credit, which count as draws against the available commitment under the Revolving Facility.

8. Leases

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 0 to 6 years, with a weighted-average remaining lease term of 4 and 3 years at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Some operating leases include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years.

The components of lease costs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):


		Three Months Ended March 31,
	Classification	2023		2022
Operating lease costs⁽¹⁾	Cost of revenues	$	770	$	522
Operating lease costs⁽¹⁾	Selling, general and administrative expenses		41		66
Rental revenues	Interest and other income, net		(16)		(32)
Net operating lease costs		$	795	$	556

(1)

Includes the costs of leases with a term of one year or less.

As of March 31, 2023, 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):



2023 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2023)	$	1,105
2024		1,445
2025		1,187
2026		1,106
2027		694
Thereafter		250
Total future minimum lease payments		5,787
Less imputed interest		(285)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	5,502

Supplemental cash flow information pertaining to the Company’s leasing activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Cash payments for lease liabilities included in operating cash flows	$	417	$	349
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations	$	81	$	492

9. Income Taxes

The Company has estimated that its effective income tax rate for 2023 will be 19.9%. 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.

10. Dividends

On March 17, 2023, the Company paid $1.1 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.20 per share of its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 24, 2023.

11. Subsequent Event

On May 3, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share on the Company’s common stock. This dividend is payable on June 16, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 26, 2023.

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

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 costs 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, including more severe and frequent weather events resulting from climate change, natural disasters, accidents, IT systems failures or disruptions, including due to cyber-security incidents or ransomware attacks, utility disruptions, supply chain delays and disruptions, labor shortages, disputes, and disruptions, or regulatory requirements; (v) volatile coal, petroleum coke, diesel, natural gas, electricity, and transportation 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, including the impact of new or proposed additional rail regulations; (vi) the Company’s ability to expand its lime and limestone operations through projects and acquisitions of businesses with related or similar operations and the Company’s ability to obtain any required financing for such projects and acquisitions, to integrate the projects and acquisitions into the Company’s overall operations, and to sell any resulting increased production at acceptable prices; (vii) 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 concerns and 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 and pace of highway construction and infrastructure funding, changes to tax laws, legislative impasses, extended governmental shutdowns, default on U.S. government obligations, trade wars, tariffs, international incidents, including the Russian conflict with Ukraine, oil cartel production and supply actions, sanctions, economic and regulatory uncertainties under state governments and the United States Administration and Congress, inflation, Federal Reserve responses to inflationary concerns, including increased interest rates, and inability to continue to maintain or increase prices for the Company’s products, including passing through the increased costs of energy, transportation, labor, and services; (viii) 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, human capital, diversity, 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; (ix) estimates of reserves and remaining lives of reserves; (x) the impact of future variants of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) virus or other potential global pandemics and governmental responses thereto, including decreased demand, lower prices, tightened labor and other markets, supply chain delays and disruptions, and increased costs, and the risk of non-compliance with health and safety protocols, social distancing and mask guidelines, and vaccination mandates, on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and competitive position; (xi) the impact of social or political unrest; (xii) risks relating to mine safety and reclamation and remediation; and (xiii) 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, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Overview.

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), metals (including steel producers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), roof shingle manufacturers, agriculture (including poultry producers), and oil and gas services 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, ART Quarry TRS LLC (DBA Carthage Crushed Limestone), Colorado Lime Company, Mill Creek Dolomite, LLC (“Mill Creek”), Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company-Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company-St. Clair, and U.S. Lime Company-Transportation.

We have identified one reportable segment based on the distinctness of our activities and products: lime and limestone operations. All operations are in the United States. Our Other operations consists of natural gas interests through our wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company-O&G, LLC. Assets related to our natural gas interests, unallocated corporate assets, and cash items are included in Other identified assets. We do not believe that our natural gas interests are material to the current or prior periods.

On February 9, 2022, we acquired 100% of the equity interest of Mill Creek, a dolomite mining and production company located in Mill Creek, Oklahoma, for $5.6 million cash. Mill Creek contributed $1.2 million and $0.8 million to our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Our revenues increased 31.2% in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022. Revenues from our Lime and Limestone Operations increased 32.3% in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022, primarily due to a 23.5% increase in the average selling prices for our lime and limestone products, and an 8.8% increase in sales volumes of our lime and limestone products, principally due to increased demand from our construction customers.

Our gross profit increased 65.8% in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022. Gross profit from our Lime and Limestone Operations increased 69.5% in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022, primarily from the increased revenues discussed above, partially offset by increased production costs, principally from higher energy, transportation, and labor costs. Looking ahead for the remainder of 2023, we anticipate continuing pressure on our lime and limestone production costs and believe general recessionary concerns could potentially impact future demand for our products.

Liquidity and Capital Resources.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $20.6 million in the first quarter 2023, compared to $8.1 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $12.6 million, or 156.2%. Our net cash provided by operating activities is composed of net income, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, other non-cash items included in net income and changes in working capital. In the first quarter 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was principally composed of $17.1 million net income, $5.8 million DD&A, and $0.8 million stock-based compensation, partially offset by $0.2 million deferred income taxes and a $2.9 million decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Changes in operating assets and liabilities in the first quarter 2023 included an increase of $4.8 million in trade receivables, net, due primarily to increased sales in the first quarter 2023 compared to the fourth quarter 2022, and an increase of $2.5 million in inventories, partially offset by a $3.7 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a decrease of $0.6 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets. In the first quarter 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was principally composed of $8.7 million net income, $5.3 million DD&A, $0.4 million deferred income taxes, $0.7 million stock-based compensation, and a $6.9 million decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Changes in operating assets and liabilities in the first quarter 2022 included an increase of $5.7 million in trade receivables, net, due primarily from increased sales in the first quarter 2022 compared to the fourth quarter 2021, an increase of $1.3 million in inventories, and a $1.0 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $1.0 million in prepaid and other assets.

We had $5.5 million in capital expenditures in the first quarter 2023, compared to $11.4 million in the first quarter 2022, which included $5.9 million for the acquisition of Mill Creek. Net cash used in financing activities was

$1.1 million in the first quarter 2023, compared to $1.2 million in the first quarter 2022, consisting primarily of cash dividends paid in each period.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $14.2 million to $147.6 million at March 31, 2023 from $133.4 million at December 31, 2022.

We are not committed to any planned capital expenditures until actual orders are placed for equipment. As of March 31, 2023, we did not have any material commitments for open purchase orders.

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 (or a replacement rate as determined by the Lender and the Company) 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, 2023, we had no debt outstanding and no draws on the Revolving Facility other than $0.3 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.

Results of Operations.

Revenues in the first quarter 2023 were $66.8 million, compared to $50.9 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $15.9 million, or 31.2%. Revenues from our Lime and Limestone Operations were $66.5 million in the first quarter 2023, compared to $50.3 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $16.2 million, or 32.3%. The increase in our revenues in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022, resulted from increases in both the average selling prices for our lime and limestone products, and increased sales volumes of our lime and limestone products, principally due to increased demand from our construction customers.

Gross profit was $24.0 million in the first quarter 2023, compared to $14.5 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $9.5 million, or 65.8%. Gross profit from our Lime and Limestone Operations in the first quarter 2023 was $24.1 million, compared to $14.2 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $9.9 million, or 69.5%. The increase in lime and limestone gross profit in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022, resulted primarily from the increased revenues discussed above, partially offset by increased production costs, principally from higher energy, transportation, and labor costs.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $4.2 million in the first quarter 2023, compared to $3.6 million in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $0.5 million, or 14.2%. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to increased personnel expense.

Interest expense was $64 thousand and $63 thousand in the first quarter 2023 and 2022, respectively. We had no outstanding debt during any of the periods. Interest and other income, net was $1.6 million and $60 thousand in the first quarter 2023 and 2022, respectively. The $1.5 million increase in interest and other income, net during the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022, was due to higher interest rates on higher average balances in our cash and cash equivalents.

Income tax expense was $4.2 million in the first quarter 2023, compared to $2.2 million in the first quarter 2022. The increase in income tax expense in the first quarter 2023, compared to the first quarter 2022, was due to the increase in income before taxes.

Our net income was $17.1 million ($3.00 per share diluted) in the first quarter 2023, compared to net income of $8.7 million ($1.53 per share diluted) in the first quarter 2022, an increase of $8.4 million, or 97.3%.

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk.

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, 2023. Any future borrowings under the Revolving Facility would be subject to interest rate risk. See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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.

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.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

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

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 2023, pursuant to these provisions, we purchased 646 shares at a price of $151.70, the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date they were tendered for payment of tax withholding liability upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock.

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

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, 2023 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.

ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

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

EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT
NUMBER		DESCRIPTION


31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

32.1		Section 1350 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

32.2		Section 1350 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

95.1		Mine Safety Disclosures.

101		Interactive Data Files (formatted as Inline XBRL).

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

SIGNATURES

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


	UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.


May 4, 2023	By:	/s/ Timothy W. Byrne
		Timothy W. Byrne
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)


May 4, 2023	By:	/s/ Michael L. Wiedemer
		Michael L. Wiedemer
		Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)