UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS INC - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2021 

OR

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission File Number 001-39467

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

600 Mayer Street

Bridgeville, PA 15017

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(412) 257-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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.

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  ☑

As of July 16, 2021, there were 8,917,858 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.

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Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Table of Contents

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Universal,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”), manufacture and market semi-finished and finished specialty steel products, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. Our manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, heat treating, hot and cold rolling, forging, machining and cold drawing of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. Our products are sold to service centers, forgers, rerollers, original equipment manufacturers and wire redrawers. Our customers further process our products for use in a variety of industries, including the aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, heavy equipment, and general industrial manufacturing industries. We also perform conversion services on materials supplied by customers.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated statements include the accounts of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. and its subsidiaries and are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reports and the instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such regulations. Although the December 31, 2020 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements, it does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. However, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our most recently audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the periods shown. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future period. The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from our estimates. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly–owned subsidiaries. We also consolidate, regardless of our ownership percentage, variable interest entities (each a “VIE”) for which we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

When we obtain an economic interest in an entity, we evaluate the entity to determine if the entity is a VIE, and if we are deemed to be a primary beneficiary. As a part of our evaluation, we are required to qualitatively assess if we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE based on whether we hold the power to direct those matters that most significantly impacted the activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive the benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant. Refer to Note 7, New Markets Tax Credit Financing Transaction, for a description of the VIEs included in our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, “Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740),” which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments in this ASU also improve consistency and simplify other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The amendments in this ASU will be applied using different approaches depending on what the specific amendment relates to and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. An entity is permitted to early adopt the guidance, and we early adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2020. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. Recently issued ASUs not listed were assessed and were determined not applicable, or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Note 2: Net loss per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share:

We had options to purchase 710,750 and 863,025 shares of common stock outstanding at a weighted average price of $22.05 and $21.94 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which were excluded in the computation of diluted net loss per common share. We had options to purchase 710,750 and 810,100 shares of common stock outstanding at a weighted average price of $22.05 and $22.81 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which were excluded in the computation of diluted net loss per common share. These options were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per common share because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock.

In addition, the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, excluded 39,965 and 55 shares for the assumed exercise of stock options as a result of being in a net loss position. The calculation of diluted net loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, excluded 35,372 and 7,571 shares for the assumed exercise of stock options as a result of being in a net loss position.

Note 3: Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are primarily comprised of sales of products. Revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies its performance obligation under the contract by transferring the promised product to its customer that obtains control of the product. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product to a customer. Most of the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation, as the promise to transfer products or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract and, therefore, not distinct.

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring products. As such, revenue is recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives. Sales and other taxes are excluded from revenues. Invoiced shipping and handling costs are included in revenue.

The Company’s revenue is primarily from products transferred to customers at a point in time. The Company recognizes revenue at the point in time in which the customer obtains control of the product, which is generally when product title passes to the customer upon shipment.

We have determined that there are certain customer agreements involving production of specified product grades and shapes that require revenue to be recognized over time, in advance of shipment, due to there being no alternative use for these grades and shapes without significant economic loss. Also, the Company maintains an enforceable right to payment including a normal profit margin from the customer in the event of contract termination. Contract assets related to services performed and not yet billed of $1.9 million and $2.3 million are included in Accounts Receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The Company has elected the following practical expedients allowed under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606:

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The following summarizes our revenue by melt type:

Note 4: Inventory

Our raw material and starting stock inventory is primarily comprised of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal and alloys such as nickel, chrome, molybdenum, cobalt, vanadium and copper. Our semi-finished and finished steel products are work-in-process in various stages of production or are finished products waiting to be shipped to our customers.

Operating materials are primarily comprised of forge dies and production molds and rolls that are consumed over their useful lives. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we amortized these operating materials in the amount of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively. This expense is recorded as a component of cost of products sold on the consolidated statements of operations and included as a part of our total depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost principally determined on a weighted average cost method. Such costs include the acquisition cost for raw materials and supplies, direct labor and applied manufacturing overhead. We assess market based upon actual and estimated transactions at or around the balance sheet date. Typically, we reserve for slow-moving inventory and inventory that is being evaluated under our quality control process. The reserves are based upon management’s expected method of disposition.

Due to low activity levels at our production facilities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, management revised its accounting estimates for the absorption of costs into inventory during the third quarter of 2020. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, $2.1 million of fixed overhead costs were not absorbed into inventory and $1.5 million of negative operating efficiency variances were incurred. The total impact of $3.6 million was charged directly to expense in the quarter.

Inventories consisted of the following:

Note 5: Leases

The Company periodically enters into leases in its normal course of business. At June 30, 2021, the leases in effect were primarily related to mobile and other production equipment. The term of our leases is generally 60 months or less, and the leases do not have significant restrictions, covenants, or other nonstandard terms.

Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recorded at the present value of minimum lease payments. For our operating leases, the assets are included in Other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized within operating income over the respective lease terms. The long-term component of the lease liability is included in Other long-term liabilities, net, and the current component is included in Other current liabilities. For our finance leases, the assets are included in Property, plant and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets and are depreciated over the respective lease terms which range from three to five years. The long-term component of the lease liability is included in Long-term debt and the current component is included in Current portion of long-term debt.

The Company did not enter into any new agreements accounted for as an operating lease or a finance lease during the second quarter of 2021.

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As of June 30, 2021, future minimum lease payments applicable to operating and finance leases were as follows:

Right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization, recorded to the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2021 were $0.8 million for operating leases and $0.7 million for finance leases.

The amortization of finance lease assets was $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, and was included in cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company applies the practical expedient allowed under Leases (Topic 842) to exclude leases with a term of 12 months or less from the calculation of our lease liabilities and right-of-use assets.

In determining the lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset for each lease, the Company calculated the present value of future lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease, when available, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate was determined with reference to the interest rate applicable under revolving credit facility discussed in Note 6, Long-Term Debt, as this facility is collateralized by a first lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its term is similar to the term of our leases.

Note 6: Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

Credit Facility

On March 17, 2021, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), as administrative agent and co-collateral agent, Bank of America, N.A., as co-collateral agent, the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) party thereto from time to time and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner. The Credit Agreement replaces our prior credit agreement, and provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $105.0 million (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and a senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan”) in the amount of $15.0 million (together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Facilities”).  

The Company was in compliance with all the applicable financial covenants on the date we entered into the Credit Agreement and through June 30, 2021.

The Facilities, which expire on March 17, 2026 (the ‘Expiration Date”), are collateralized by a first lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, except that no real property is collateral under the Facilities other than Company’s real property in North Jackson, Ohio.

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Availability under the Credit Agreement is based on eligible accounts receivable and inventory. The Company must maintain undrawn availability under the Credit Agreement of at least $11.0 million. That requirement can be overcome if the Company maintains a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1.0 measured on a rolling two-quarter basis and calculated in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% based on the daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.

With respect to the Term Loan, the Company pays quarterly installments of the principal of approximately $0.5 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest, on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning after June 30, 2021. To the extent not previously paid, the Term Loan will become due and payable in full on the Expiration Date.

Amounts outstanding under the Facilities, at the Company’s option, bear interest at either a base rate or a LIBOR based rate, in either case calculated in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Interest under the Credit Agreement is payable monthly. We elected to use the LIBOR based rate for the majority of the debt outstanding under the Facilities for the three months ended June 30, 2021, which was approximately 2.60% on our Revolving Credit Facility and 3.10% for the Term Loan.

We incurred $0.5 million in additional financing costs in conjunction with the execution of the Credit Agreement, which were recorded to the consolidated balance sheet in the first quarter of 2021 and will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2021, we had total Credit Agreement related net deferred financing costs of $1.0 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we amortized $0.1 million of those deferred financing costs.

Paycheck Protection Program Term Note

On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note, dated April 15, 2020, with PNC Bank, evidencing an unsecured loan with a principal amount of $10.0 million made to the Company pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Term Note”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The PPP Term Note is guaranteed by the United States Small Business Administration.

The proceeds may be used to maintain payroll or make certain covered interest payments, lease payments and utility payments. Under the terms of the CARES Act, the Company may be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of loan granted under the PPP, with such forgiveness to be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of the loan proceeds for payment of payroll costs and any payments of certain covered interest, lease and utility payments.

The PPP Term Note bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 1.00%, with the first six months of interest deferred. According to the terms of the PPP Term Note, the Company would begin to make 18 equal monthly payments of principal and interest in November 2020 with the final payment due in April 2022. The PPP Term Note may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default. As of June 30, 2021, the Company has not made any principal or interest payments related to the PPP Term Note.

The Company applied for forgiveness of the PPP Term Note during the third quarter of 2020. In July 2021, the Company was notified by PNC Bank of forgiveness of the note by the United States Small Business Administration. Accordingly, the PPP Term Note was forgiven in its entirety, including all related accrued interest.

At June 30, 2021, we have continued to classify the full principal balance of $10.0 million within Long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheet. We will recognize forgiveness of the PPP Term Note in the 2021 third quarter.

Notes

In connection with the acquisition of the North Jackson facility, in August 2011, we issued $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of notes to the sellers of the North Jackson facility as partial consideration of the acquisition.  

On January 21, 2016, the Company entered into Amended and Restated Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million (the “Notes”), each in favor of Gorbert Inc. (“Holder”). The Company’s obligations under the Notes were collateralized by a second lien on the same assets of the Company that collateralize the obligations of the Company under the Facilities. The Holder had the right to elect at any time on or prior to August 17, 2017 to convert all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes.     

The Notes were originally scheduled to mature on March 17, 2019. In 2019, the Company extended the maturity date to March 17, 2020 in accordance with the terms of the Notes. In 2020, the Company extended the maturity date to March 17, 2021 in accordance with the terms of the Notes. The Company made partial principal payments on the notes upon extension, and an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million remained outstanding at the 2021 maturity date. On March 17, 2021, the Company paid the remaining principal balance and all applicable interest to settle the notes obligation.

The Notes had an applicable interest at a rate of 6.0% per year from August 17, 2017 until the time they were paid off. All accrued and unpaid interest was payable quarterly in arrears on September 18, December 18, March 18 and June 18 of each year.

Note 7: New Markets Tax Credit Financing Transaction

On March 9, 2018, the Company entered into a qualified New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) financing program with PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC and Boston Community Capital, Inc. related to a new mid-size bar cell capital project at the Company’s Dunkirk, NY facility.  PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC made a capital contribution and the Company made a loan to Dunkirk Investment Fund, LLC (“Investment Fund”) under the qualified NMTC program. Through this financing transaction, the Company secured low interest financing and the potential for other future benefits related to its mid-size bar cell capital project.

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In connection with the NMTC financing program, the Company loaned $6.7 million aggregate principal amount (“Leverage Loan”) due in March 2048 to the Investment Fund. Additionally, PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC contributed $3.5 million to the Investment Fund, and as such, PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC is entitled to substantially all tax and other benefits derived from the NMTC. The Investment Fund then contributed the proceeds to a community development entity (“CDE”). The CDE then loaned the funds, on similar terms, as the Leverage Loan to Dunkirk Specialty Steel, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The CDE loan proceeds are restricted for use on the mid-size bar cell capital project.

The NMTC is subject to 100 percent recapture for a period of seven years as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. The Company is required to comply with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangement. Non-compliance with applicable requirements could result in projected tax benefits not being realized and, therefore, require the Company to indemnify PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC for any loss or recapture of NMTCs related to the financing until the Company’s obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved. The Company does not anticipate any credit recaptures will be required in connection with this arrangement.

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $2.8 million within Other long-term liabilities related to this transaction, which represents the funds contributed to the Investment Fund by PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC.

This transaction also includes a put/call provision whereby the Company may be obligated or entitled to repurchase PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC’s interest in the Investment Fund. The Company believes that PNC New Markets Investment Partners, LLC will exercise the put option in March 2025, at the end of the recapture period, resulting in a gain of $2.8 million at that time. The value attributed to the put/call is negligible.

Direct costs incurred in structuring this financing transaction totaled $0.7 million. These costs were deferred and are amortized over the term of the loans.  

The Company has determined that the Investment Fund and CDE are each a VIE, and that it is the primary beneficiary of each VIE.  This conclusion was reached based on the following:

Because the Company is the primary beneficiary of each VIE, these entities have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 8:  Fair Value Measurement

The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the inputs used to determine fair value, which are as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

The carrying amounts of our cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated fair value at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 due to their short-term maturities (Level 1). The fair value of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit facility at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 approximated the carrying amount as the interest rate is based upon floating short-term interest rates (Level 2). The fair value of our Notes was approximately $15.0 million at December 31, 2020 (Level 2).

Note 9:  Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, various lawsuits and claims have been or may be asserted against us relating to the conduct of our business, including routine litigation relating to commercial and employment matters. The ultimate cost and outcome of any litigation or claim cannot be predicted with certainty. Management believes, based on information presently available, that the likelihood that the ultimate outcome of any such pending matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, or liquidity or a material impact on our results of operations is remote, although the resolution of one or more of these matters may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the period in which the resolution occurs.

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Note 10:  Income Taxes

Management estimates the annual effective income tax rate quarterly, based on current annual forecasted results. Items unrelated to current year ordinary income are recognized entirely in the period identified as a discrete item of tax. The quarterly income tax provision includes tax on ordinary income provided at the most recent estimated annual effective tax rate (“ETR”), increased or decreased for the tax effect of discrete items.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, our estimated annual effective tax rates applied to ordinary income were 27.5% and 24.7%, respectively. The difference between the federal statutory rate of 21.0% and the projected annual ETR of 27.5% for 2021 is primarily due to research and development credits.

Discrete items during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were not significant and were primarily related to expense recorded upon the expiration of stock options, and our ETR for the first half of each year was 26.3% and 23.6%, respectively.

Note 11: Derivatives and Hedging

The Company invoices certain customers in foreign currencies. In order to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates with the U.S. Dollar, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the foreign currency risk related to a portion of these sales, and has designated these contracts as cash flow hedges. The notional value of contracts was $0.9 million and $1.2 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and a related unrealized loss of less than $0.1 million was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at each date.  

Additionally, the Company entered into a forward interest rate swap contract during 2020 to fix the interest rate on a portion of its variable-rate debt from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023. The forward interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. The notional amount of the contract at its inception and at June 30, 2021 was $16 million, and the notional amount will step down throughout the term. The contract had a related unrealized loss recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss of less than $0.1 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains or incorporates forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, which involves risks and uncertainties. The following information should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial information and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially due to competitive factors and other factors referred to in Part 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward looking statement. These forward looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate, and management’s beliefs and assumptions. In addition, other written or oral statements that constitute forward looking statements may be made by us or on our behalf. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “may,” “target,” “project,” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict.

Overview

We manufacture and market semi-finished and finished specialty steel products, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. Our manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, heat treating, hot and cold rolling, forging, machining and cold drawing of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. Our products are sold to service centers, forgers, rerollers, and original equipment manufacturers. Our customers further process our products for use in a variety of industries, including the aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, heavy equipment and general industrial markets. We also perform conversion services on materials supplied by customers.

Sales in the second quarter of 2021 were $38.5 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 4.0%, from the first quarter. Compared to the first quarter, sales to all our end markets except aerospace increased. Sales to aerospace, our largest end market, decreased. Recovery in sales to commercial aerospace is expected in the second half of 2021 and 2022, which is supported by our recent order entry and growing backlog.

Total Company backlog, before surcharges, at the end of the second quarter was $98.9 million, an increase of 70.6% over the first quarter level of $58.0 million. This is the second quarter in a row of double-digit growth in our backlog after a low point at the end of 2020.

During the quarter, our sales of premium alloy products, which we define as all vacuum induction melt products, totaled $5.9 million and comprised 15.3% of total sales. This was a decrease compared to the first quarter and driven by the decline in aerospace sales, as our premium alloy products are primarily sold to the aerospace end market.

Our gross margin for the second quarter was $2.2 million, or 5.6% of net sales, compared to a loss of $0.2 million, or negative 0.7% of net sales, for the first quarter. Gross margin in the second quarter of 2020 was $1.9, million or 3.7% of net sales. The second quarter 2021 gross margin included direct charges recorded to the income statement as a result of lower activity levels caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As lower activity levels at our production facilities continued, $2.1 million of fixed overhead costs were not absorbed into inventory and were charged directly to expense during the quarter.

COVID-19 Pandemic

While the Company’s four plants continued to operate throughout 2020 and the first half of 2021, COVID-19 related challenges negatively impacted the efficiency of our operations. These challenges are expected to continue in the third quarter and may continue thereafter. These factors may have additional far reaching impacts on the Company’s backlog, end markets, overall operations, cash flows and financial results.

The scope and nature of these impacts, most of which are beyond the Company’s control, continue to evolve, and the outcome is uncertain. The ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, and the end markets we serve, remains highly uncertain and will depend on future developments and, as such, effects could exist for an extended period, even after the pandemic may end.

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Results of Operations

Three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020: