UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
| | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
OR
| | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FROM THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER
FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange | ||
| | | |
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.
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).
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 | ☐ |
| | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging growth company | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check one): Yes
At February 14, 2022, the number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s only class of stock was
| Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
| Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
|
Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — UNAUDITED
| DECEMBER 31, 2021 | MARCH 31, 2021 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debts and cash discounts of at December 31, and March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Inventories | ||||||||
| Current portion of derivative assets | ||||||||
| Other current assets | ||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
| PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: | ||||||||
| Land | ||||||||
| Buildings and yard improvements | ||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||
| Construction in process | ||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| OTHER ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash value of officers’ life insurance and other assets | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax asset | ||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Dividends payable | ||||||||
| Contribution to retirement plan | ||||||||
| Employee compensation and related expenses | ||||||||
| Income taxes payable | ||||||||
| Current portion of financing lease | ||||||||
| Current portion of derivative liability | ||||||||
| Current portion of Paycheck Protection Program loan | ||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS | ||||||||
| OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| ASSET BASED LENDING FACILITY | ||||||||
| LONG TERM PORTION OF PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||||||||
| Common stock, par value : Authorized shares — ; Issued shares — shares and shares at December 31, and March 31, 2021, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock at cost ( shares and shares at December 31, and March 31, 2021, respectively) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — UNAUDITED
| THREE MONTHS ENDED | NINE MONTHS ENDED | |||||||||||||||
| DECEMBER 31, | DECEMBER 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs of products sold | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||
| EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Other income (loss), net | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||
| Current | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| NET EARNINGS (LOSS) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) per share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) — UNAUDITED
| THREE MONTHS ENDED | NINE MONTHS ENDED | |||||||||||||||
| DECEMBER 31, | DECEMBER 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — UNAUDITED
| NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| Deferred taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Compensation expense for restricted stock | ||||||||
| Change in postretirement benefits | ||||||||
| Lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment | ||||||||
| Gain recognized on open derivatives not designated for hedge accounting | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deferred realized gain (loss) on derivatives - designated for hedge accounting | ( | ) | ||||||
| Forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program Loan | ( | ) | ||||||
| Decrease (increase) in operating assets: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Inventories | ( | ) | ||||||
| Federal income taxes recoverable | ||||||||
| Other current assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income taxes payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Contribution to retirement plan | ||||||||
| Employee compensation and related expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ( | ) | ||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale of assets | ||||||||
| Increase in cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Paycheck Protection Program loan proceeds | ||||||||
| Cash dividends paid | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash paid for principal portion of finance lease | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash paid for share repurchases | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Asset based lending facility proceeds | ||||||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH | ( | ) | ||||||
| CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | ||||||||
| CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD | $ | $ | ||||||
Cash and restricted cash at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021 included $1,585,350 and $12,001,485, respectively, of cash required to collateralize open derivative positions. These amounts are reported in "Other current assets" on the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021. The Company had $1,215,300 in restricted cash at December 31, 2020.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
CONDENSED NOTES TO QUARTERLY REPORT — UNAUDITED
NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes of Friedman Industries, Incorporated (the “Company”) included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2021.
NOTE B — NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies accounting for income taxes by revising or clarifying existing guidance in ASC 740, as well as removing certain exceptions within ASC 740. We adopted this guidance on April 1, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE C — INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of prime coil, non-standard coil and tubular materials. Prime coil inventory consists primarily of raw materials, non-standard coil inventory consists primarily of raw materials and tubular inventory consists of both raw materials and finished goods. Cost for prime coil inventory is determined using the average cost method. Cost for non-standard coil inventory is determined using the specific identification method. Cost for tubular inventory is determined using the average cost method. All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
A summary of inventory values by product group follows:
| December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2021 | |||||||
| Prime Coil Inventory | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-Standard Coil Inventory | ||||||||
| Tubular Raw Material | ||||||||
| Tubular Finished Goods | ||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||
Tubular raw material inventory consists of hot-rolled steel coils that the Company will manufacture into pipe. Tubular finished goods inventory consists of pipe the Company has manufactured and new mill reject pipe the Company has purchased from U.S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc.
NOTE D – DEBT
On June 22, 2021, the Small Business Administration authorized full forgiveness of our Paycheck Protection Program loan. The gain of $
On March 8, 2021, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a $
NOTE E — LEASES
The Company’s lease of its office space in Longview, Texas is the only operating lease included in the Company's right-of-use ("ROU") asset and lease liability. The lease calls for monthly rent payments of $
In October 2019, the Company received a new heavy-duty forklift under a
The components of expense related to leases for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Finance lease – amortization of ROU asset | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Finance lease – interest on lease liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease expense | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
The following table illustrates the balance sheet classification for ROU assets and lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021:
| December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2021 | Balance Sheet Classification | |||||||
| Assets | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | $ | $ | Other assets | ||||||
| Finance lease right-of-use asset | Property, plant & equipment | ||||||||
| Total right-of-use assets | $ | $ | |||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||
| Operating lease liability, current | $ | $ | Accrued expenses | ||||||
| Finance lease liability, current | Current portion of finance lease | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability, non-current | Other non-current liabilities | ||||||||
| Finance lease liability, non-current | Other non-current liabilities | ||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||
As of December 31, 2021, the weighted-average remaining lease term was
Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
| Operating Leases | Finance Leases | |||||||
| Fiscal 2022 (remainder of fiscal year) | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2025 | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2026 | ||||||||
| Total undiscounted lease payments | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less: imputed interest | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Present value of lease liability | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE F — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
On May 25, 2021, the Company announced plans for a new facility in Sinton, Texas that will be part of the coil product segment. The new facility will be on the campus of Steel Dynamics, Inc.'s ("SDI") new flat roll steel mill currently under construction in Sinton, Texas. The Company's new location will consist of an approximately
During the nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company wrote off fully depreciated fixed assets that were no longer in use with an original cost and accumulated depreciation of approximately During the nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company disposed of the temper mill that was taken out of the Decatur facility prior to the new stretcher leveler coil processing line being installed. The Company received $
NOTE G — STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
The Company maintains the Friedman Industries, Incorporated 2016 Restricted Stock Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and continues indefinitely until terminated by the Board or until all shares allowed by the Plan have been awarded and earned. The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock eligible for award under the Plan is
The following table summarizes the activity related to restricted stock awards for the nine months ended December 31, 2021:
| Weighted Average | ||||||||
| Number of Shares | Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | |||||||
| Unvested at March 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| Cancelled or forfeited | ||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | ||||||
| Unvested at December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period applicable to each award. The Company recorded compensation expense of $
NOTE H — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In June 2020, the Company implemented its first commodity price risk management activities by transacting hot-rolled coil futures. From time to time, we expect to use derivative financial instruments to minimize our exposure to commodity price risk that is inherent in our business. At the time derivative contracts are entered into, we assess whether the nature of the instrument qualifies for hedge accounting treatment according to the requirements of ASC 815 – Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). By using derivatives, the Company is exposed to credit and market risk. The Company’s exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The Company attempts to minimize its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties and uses exchange-traded derivatives when available. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices. The Company manages market risk by continually monitoring exposure within its risk management strategy and portfolio. For those transactions designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, we document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the various hedge transactions. We also assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair value of hedged items.
From time to time, derivatives designated for hedge accounting may be closed prior to contract expiration. The accounting treatment of closed positions depends on whether the closure occurred due to the hedged transaction occurring early or if the hedged transaction is still expected to occur as originally forecasted. For hedged transactions that occur early, the closure results in the realized gain or loss from closure being recognized in the same period the accelerated hedged transaction affects earnings. For hedged transactions that are still expected to occur as originally forecasted, the closure results in the realized gain or loss being deferred until the hedged transaction affects earnings.
If it is determined that hedged transactions associated with cash flow hedges are no longer probable of occurring, the gain or loss associated with the instrument is recognized immediately into earnings.
From time to time, we may have derivative financial instruments for which we do not elect hedge accounting.
The Company has forward physical purchase supply agreements in place with some of its suppliers for a portion of its monthly physical steel needs. These supply agreements are not subject to mark-to-market accounting due to the Company electing the normal purchase normal sale exclusion provided in ASC 815.
At December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the Company held hot-rolled coil futures contracts which were designated as hedging instruments and classified as cash flow hedges, either as hedges of variable purchase prices or as hedges of variable sales prices. Accordingly, realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with the instruments are reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings during the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2021, some of the Company's cash flow hedges were closed prior to expiration but the hedged transactions were still expected to occur as originally forecasted resulting in the realized gain or loss being deferred in other comprehensive income until the hedged transactions occur and affect earnings. At September 30, 2021, the Company removed some derivative instruments from hedge accounting due to the hedged transactions no longer being expected to occur. This was the result of the Company reducing its forecasted sales for the quarter ending December 31, 2021 due to anticipated customer reaction to plateauing and declining steel prices. Since these hedged sales were no longer expected to occur, a loss of $
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the respective line in which they were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2021:
| Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||
| Balance Sheet | Balance Sheet | |||||||||
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: | Location | Fair Value | Location | Fair Value | ||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts hedging sales | Current portion of derivative assets | $ | Current portion of derivative liability | $ | ||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | Current portion of derivative assets | $ | Current portion of derivative liability | $ | ||||||
All derivatives are presented on a gross basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the respective line in which they were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021:
| Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||
| Balance Sheet | Balance Sheet | |||||||||
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: | Location | Fair Value | Location | Fair Value | ||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts hedging purchases | Current portion of derivative assets | $ | ||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts hedging sales | Current portion of derivative assets | $ | Current portion of derivative liability | $ | ||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts hedging sales | Other non-current liabilities | $ | ||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | Current portion of derivative liability | $ | ||||||||
All derivatives are presented on a gross basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
At December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the Company reported $
The notional amounts (quantities) of our cash flow hedges outstanding at December 31, 2021 consisted of
The following table summarizes the pre-tax gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income and the gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings for derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the periods presented:
| Pre-Tax Gain (Loss) | Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified | Pre- Tax Gain (Loss) Reclassified from | |||||||
| Recognized in OCI | from AOCI into Net Earnings | AOCI into Net Earnings | |||||||
| For the three months ended December 31, 2021: | |||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | $ | Sales | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Costs of goods sold | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| For the three months ended December 31, 2020: | |||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | $ | Costs of goods sold | $ | ||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||
| For the nine months ended December 31, 2021: | |||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | $ | ( | ) | Sales | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Costs of goods sold | |||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| For the nine months ended December 31, 2020: | |||||||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | $ | Costs of goods sold | $ | ||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||
The estimated amount of net losses recognized in AOCI at December 31, 2021 expected to be reclassified into net earnings (loss) within the succeeding twelve months is $
The following table summarizes the gain (loss) recognized in earnings for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2021:
| Gain Recognized in Earnings | |||||
| Location of Gain | for the Three Months Ended | ||||
| Recognized in Earnings | December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | Other income (loss), net | $ | |||
| Loss Recognized in Earnings | |||||
| Location of Loss | for the Nine Months Ended | ||||
| Recognized in Earnings | December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Hot-rolled coil steel contracts | Other income (loss), net | $ | ( | ) | |
The notional amount (quantity) of our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments at December 31, 2021 consisted of
The Company did not have any derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2020.
The following table reflects the change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the period presented:
| Gain (Loss) on | ||||
| Derivatives | ||||
| Balance at March 31, 2021 | $ | ( | ) | |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of income, before reclassification | ( | ) | ||
| Total loss reclassified from AOCI (1) | ||||
| Net current period other comprehensive income | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | ( | ) | |
(1) The loss reclassified from AOCI is presented net of tax benefit of $
| Gain (Loss) on | ||||
| Derivatives | ||||
| Balance at March 31, 2020 | $ | |||
| Other comprehensive income, before reclassification | ||||
| Total gain reclassified from AOCI (1) | ( | ) | ||
| Net current period other comprehensive income | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||
(1) The gain reclassified from AOCI is presented net of taxes of $
At December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, cash of $
NOTE I — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Accounting standards provide a comprehensive framework for measuring fair value and sets forth a definition of fair value and establishes a hierarchy prioritizing the inputs to valuation techniques, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable value inputs. Levels within the hierarchy are defined as follows:
| ● | Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. |
| ● | Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly. |
| ● | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. |
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
At December 31, 2021, our financial assets, net, measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
| Quoted Prices | ||||||||||||||||
| in Active | Significant | |||||||||||||||
| Markets for | Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| Identical | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
| Assets | Inputs | Inputs | ||||||||||||||
| (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Commodity futures – financial assets, net | $ | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ||||||||||
At March 31, 2021, our financial liabilities, net, measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
| Quoted Prices | ||||||||||||||||
| in Active | Significant | |||||||||||||||
| Markets for | Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
| Identical | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
| Assets | Inputs | Inputs | ||||||||||||||
| (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Commodity futures – financial liabilities, net | $ | ( | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
At December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the Company did not have any fair value measurements on a non-recurring basis.
NOTE J — SEGMENT INFORMATION (in thousands)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Net sales | ||||||||||||||||
| Coil | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Tubular | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Operating profit (loss) | ||||||||||||||||
| Coil | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Tubular | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total operating profit (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| General corporate expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income (loss), net | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2021 | |||||||
| Segment assets | ||||||||
| Coil | $ | $ | ||||||
| Tubular | ||||||||
| Corporate assets | ||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||
Operating profit is total net sales less operating expenses, excluding general corporate expenses, interest expense and other income (loss). General corporate expenses reflect general and administrative expenses not directly associated with segment operations and consist primarily of corporate and accounting salaries, professional fees and services, bad debts, retirement plan contribution expense, corporate insurance expenses, restricted stock plan compensation expense and office supplies. Other income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2021 consisted primarily of a $
NOTE K — REVENUE
Revenue is generated primarily from contracts to manufacture or process steel products. Most of the Company’s revenue is generated by sales of material out of the Company’s inventory, but a portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from processing of customer owned material. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied, control of our products is transferred, and revenue is recognized at a single point in time, when title transfers to our customer for product shipped or when services are provided. Revenues are recorded net of any sales incentives. Shipping and other transportation costs charged to customers are treated as fulfillment activities and are recorded in both revenue and cost of sales at the time control is transferred to the customer. Costs related to obtaining sales contracts are incidental and expensed when incurred. Because customers are invoiced at the time title transfers and the Company’s rights to consideration are unconditional at that time, the Company does not maintain contract asset balances. Additionally, the Company does not maintain contract liability balances, as performance obligations are satisfied prior to customer payment for product. The Company offers industry standard payment terms.
The Company has
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Coil Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
| Prime Coil | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Non-standard Coil | ||||||||||||||||
| Customer Owned Coil | | |||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Tubular Segment: | ||||||||||||||||
| Manufactured Pipe | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Mill Reject Pipe | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
NOTE L — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity for each of the nine month periods ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive | Additional | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Income (Loss), | Paid-In | Treasury | Retained | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Net of Tax | Capital | Stock | Earnings | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2021 | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | ( | ) | — | — | — | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Paid in capital – restricted stock awards | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends ($0.02 per share) | — | — | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | — | (6,000 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Paid in capital – restricted stock awards | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends ($0.02 per share) | — | — | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paid in capital – restricted stock awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends ($0.02 per share) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive | Additional | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Income (Loss), | Paid-In | Treasury | Retained | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Net of Tax | Capital | Stock | Earnings | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2020 | $ | — | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | — | (11,000 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Paid in capital – restricted stock awards | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends ($0.02 per share) | — | — | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2020 | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Paid in capital – restricted stock awards | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of shares | — | — | — | ( | ) | — | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends ($0.02 per share) | — | — | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paid in capital – restricted stock awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends ($0.02 per share) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
NOTE M — OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The following table summarizes the tax effects on each component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Before-Tax | Tax | Net-of-Tax | ||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Before-Tax | Tax | Net-of-Tax | ||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Nine Months Ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Before-Tax | Tax | Net-of-Tax | ||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Nine Months Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Before-Tax | Tax | Net-of-Tax | ||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
NOTE N — SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The Company paid interest of approximately $
NOTE O — INCOME TAXES
For the nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Friedman Industries, Incorporated is a manufacturer and processor of steel products and operates in two reportable segments; coil products and tubular products.
The coil product segment includes the operation of two hot-rolled coil processing facilities; one in Hickman, Arkansas and the other in Decatur, Alabama. The Hickman facility operates a temper mill and a cut-to-length line. The temper mill improves the flatness and surface qualities of the coils and the cut-to-length line levels the steel and cuts the coils into sheet and plate of prescribed lengths. The Hickman facility is capable of cutting sheet and plate with thicknesses ranging from 14 gauge to ½” thick in widths ranging from 36” wide to 72” wide. The Decatur facility underwent an equipment replacement project during our fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 and now operates a stretcher leveler cut-to-length line that was placed into service in March 2021. This new equipment expands the coil segment’s processing capabilities to include material up to 96” wide and material of higher grades and allows the Decatur facility to cut material that is up to ½” thick compared to the previous equipment’s capability of 5/16” thick. In addition, sheet and plate that has been stretcher leveled is preferable to some customers and applications compared to material that has been leveled through the temper mill process. The coil product segment sells its prime grade inventory under the Friedman Industries name but also maintains an inventory of non-standard coil products, consisting primarily of mill secondary and excess prime coils, which are sold through the Company’s XSCP division. The coil product segment also processes customer-owned coils on a fee basis.
On May 25, 2021, the Company announced plans for the construction of a new facility in Sinton, Texas that will be part of the coil product segment. The new facility will be on the campus of Steel Dynamics, Inc.'s ("SDI") new flat roll steel mill currently under construction in Sinton, Texas. The Company's new location will consist of an approximately 70,000 square foot building located on approximately 26.5 acres leased from SDI under a 99-year agreement. The lease agreement calls for an annual rental payment of $1. The Company has selected Red Bud Industries to build one of the world’s largest stretcher leveler cut-to-length lines, capable of handling material up to 1” thick, widths up to 96” and yields exceeding 100,000 psi. The Company expects the location to commence operations in August 2022 and estimates the total cost of the project to be $21 million. The Company previously expected the facility to commence operations in April 2022 but has received notification from the electricity provider that electrical infrastructure necessary to operate the facility is not expected to be complete until July 2022. At December 31, 2021, the Company's construction in process related to the Sinton project was $12,983,850 consisting of $7,383,850 in cash payments and $5,600,000 of accrued capital expenditures. The Company expects to fund the remainder of the Sinton capital expenditure through a combination of cash generated from operations and funds drawn under the ABL Facility. After an initial ramp up period, the Company expects the facility’s annual shipments could be in the range of 110,000 tons to 140,000 tons for fiscal 2024.
The tubular product segment consists of the Company’s Texas Tubular Products division (“TTP”) located in Lone Star, Texas. TTP operates two electric resistance welded pipe mills with a combined outside diameter (“OD”) size range of 2 3/8” OD to 8 5/8” OD. Both pipe mills are American Petroleum Institute (“API”) licensed to manufacture line pipe and oil country pipe and also manufacture pipe for structural purposes that meets other recognized industry standards. TTP has an API licensed pipe finishing facility that threads and couples oil country tubular goods and performs other services that are customary in the pipe finishing process. The pipe finishing facility is currently idled due to market conditions. TTP’s inventory consists of raw materials and finished goods. Raw material inventory consists of hot-rolled steel coils that TTP will manufacture into pipe. Finished goods inventory consists of pipe TTP has manufactured and new mill reject pipe that TTP purchased from U.S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
During the three months ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 quarter”), sales and costs of goods sold increased $23,153,894 and $31,253,764, respectively, while gross profit decreased $8,099,870, compared to the amounts recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 quarter”). The increase in sales was related to an increase in the average per ton selling price, offset by a slight decrease in tons sold. Tons sold decreased from approximately 43,000 tons in the 2020 quarter to approximately 39,000 tons in the 2021 quarter. Sales volume for the 2021 quarter was negatively impacted by customer reaction to steel prices peaking at a historic level in September 2021 and then declining significantly through the 2021 quarter. Discussion of the change in sales is expanded upon at the segment level in the following paragraphs. Gross margin decreased from a profit of $4,495,849 for the 2020 quarter to a loss of $3,604,021 for the 2021 quarter. Gross margin for the 2021 quarter included $14,716,860 in recognized net losses associated with hedging activities while the 2020 quarter included $396,720 in recognized net gains associated with hedging activities. Excluding the impact of hedging activities, gross profit related to physical material as a percentage of sales was approximately 16.7% for the 2021 quarter compared to 14.4% for the 2020 quarter. Our operating results are significantly impacted by the market price of hot-rolled steel coil. The 2020 quarter was the initial period of increasing steel prices in a historic cycle that saw steel prices increase approximately 350% and reach a peak in September 2021. At the end of the 2021 quarter, steel prices had declined approximately 22% from the peak of the price cycle. Physical margins for both the 2021 and 2020 quarters were higher than historical averages due primarily to the effects of the historic increase in steel price. The impact of these circumstances on each of our segments is discussed further in the following paragraphs.
Coil Segment
Coil product segment sales for the 2021 quarter totaled $41,795,586 compared to $21,672,147 for the 2020 quarter. For a more complete understanding of the average selling prices of goods sold, it is helpful to exclude any hedging related gains or losses that are captured in sales and any sales generated from processing of customer owned material. Coil segment sales for the 2021 quarter were reduced by $13,169,420 for the recognition of hedging related losses. Coil segment sales for the 2020 quarter were not impacted by any hedging related gains or losses. Sales generated from processing of customer owned material totaled $354,876 for the 2021 quarter compared to $244,860 for the 2020 quarter. Sales generated from coil segment inventory, excluding the impact of any hedging related gains or losses, totaled $54,610,130 for the 2021 quarter compared to $21,427,287 for the 2020 quarter. The average per ton selling price related to these shipments increased from approximately $665 per ton in the 2020 quarter to approximately $1,899 per ton in the 2021 quarter. Inventory tons sold decreased from approximately 32,000 tons in the 2020 quarter to approximately 29,000 tons in the 2021 quarter. Sales volume for the 2021 quarter was negatively impacted by customer reaction to steel prices peaking at a historic level in September 2021 and then declining significantly through the 2021 quarter. Coil segment operations recorded an operating loss of approximately $4,032,000 for the 2021 quarter compared to an operating profit of approximately $3,238,000 for the 2020 quarter. The operating loss for the 2021 quarter includes recognized net losses on hedging activities of $13,120,220 while the 2020 quarter operating profit included recognized net gains on hedging activities of $396,720.
The Company’s coil segment purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Tubular Segment
Tubular product segment sales for the 2021 quarter totaled $9,860,357 compared to $6,829,902 for the 2020 quarter. Sales increased due to an increase in the average selling price per ton, offset by a slight decrease in tons sold. For a more complete understanding of the average selling prices of goods sold, it is helpful to exclude any hedging related gains or losses that are captured in sales. Tubular segment sales for the 2021 quarter were reduced by $1,596,640 for the recognition of hedging related losses. Tubular segment sales for the 2020 quarter were not impacted by any hedging related gains or losses. Sales generated from tubular segment inventory, excluding the impact of any hedging related gains or losses, totaled $11,456,997 for the 2021 quarter compared to $6,829,902 for the 2020 quarter. The average per ton selling price related to these shipments increased from approximately $616 per ton in the 2020 quarter to approximately $1,111 per ton in the 2021 quarter. Tons sold decreased from approximately 11,000 tons in the 2020 quarter to approximately 10,500 tons in the 2021 quarter. Sales volume for both the 2021 and 2020 quarters was challenged by energy industry conditions which showed signs of improvement late in the 2021 quarter. The tubular segment recorded an operating loss of approximately $647,000 for the 2021 quarter compared to an operating profit of approximately $269,000 for the 2020 quarter. The operating loss for the 2021 quarter includes recognized net losses on hedging activities of $1,596,640 while the Company did not have any significant hedging related gains or losses affecting operating results for the 2020 quarter.
The tubular segment purchases its inventory from a limited number of suppliers. Loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. As disclosed previously, the Company is no longer supplied with mill reject pipe from U.S. Steel's Lone Star Tubular Operations due to the idling of that facility. At December 31, 2021, we had approximately 3,000 tons of mill reject inventory and believe the balance will be substantially sold within 6 months. We expect the idling to have a negative impact on our operations as we eventually sell out of mill reject pipe inventory.
General, Selling and Administrative Costs
During the 2021 quarter, general, selling and administrative costs increased $269,099 compared to the 2020 quarter. The increase was related primarily to increased payroll expenses, travel expenses and professional fees.
Other Income
During the 2021 quarter, the Company reported other income of $1,727,134. This income consists primarily of a $1,721,700 gain on derivative instruments not designated for hedge accounting.
Income Taxes
Income taxes decreased from a provision for the 2020 quarter of $639,152 to a benefit for the 2021 quarter of $967,681. This decrease was related primarily to the shift from income before taxes for the 2020 quarter to having a loss before tax for the 2021 quarter.
FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s current ratio was 2.8 at December 31, 2021 and 2.7 at March 31, 2021. Working capital was $78,032,235 at December 31, 2021 and $48,462,364 at March 31, 2021.
During the nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company maintained assets and liabilities at levels it believed were commensurate with operations. Changes in balance sheet amounts occurred in the ordinary course of business. Accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable increased significantly due primarily to the significant increase in steel prices. Inventories and accounts payable also increased due to the Decatur facility's higher operating level post equipment replacement, the tubular segment's plans to expand manufactured pipe production and the timing of inventory shipments with the December 31, 2021 inventory amount consisting of approximately $14,364,000 of material in-transit to the Company. Cash decreased primarily from the Company's operating activities and from the purchase of property, plant and equipment partially offset by cash provided from the Company's credit facility. The Company expects to continue to monitor, evaluate and manage balance sheet components depending on changes in market conditions and the Company’s operations.
In June 2021, the Small Business Administration authorized full forgiveness of the Company's Paycheck Protection Program loan.
On March 8, 2021, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a $10 million revolving line of credit facility (the "Interim Credit Facility) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "Bank"). The term of the Interim Credit Facility had an expiration date of July 15, 2021 because the Company was evaluating options for longer term credit arrangements. On April 12, 2021, the Company executed a first amendment to the Interim Credit Facility that increased the size of the facility from $10 million to $20 million. On May 19, 2021, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank that amends and restates the Interim Credit Facility and provides for asset-based revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount up to $40 million (the "ABL Facility"). The ABL Facility matures on May 19, 2026 and replaced the Interim Credit Facility. The ABL Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and interest shall accrue on outstanding borrowings at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.7% per annum. More details regarding the ABL Facility may be found in Note D. As of the filing date of this Form 10-Q, the Company had borrowings of $20,768,425 outstanding under the ABL Facility and the Company had full access to the ABL Facility.
The Company believes that its current cash position along with cash flows from operations and borrowing capability due to its financial position are adequate to fund its expected cash requirements for the next 12 months.
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS
From time to time, the Company may use futures contracts to partially manage exposure to commodity price risk. The Company elects hedge accounting for some of its derivatives and classifies the transactions as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. All of the derivatives designated for hedge accounting during the three month and nine month periods ended December 31, 2021 were classified as cash flow hedges. From time to time, the Company may also transact futures contracts where hedge accounting is not elected. The Company recognized net losses related to derivatives designated for hedge accounting of $14,716,860 and $12,317,960 for the three month and nine month periods ended December 31, 2021, respectively. For derivatives not designated for hedge accounting, the Company recognized a gain of $1,721,700 and a loss of $6,498,040 for the three month and nine month periods ended December 31, 2021, respectively. See Note H for further information.
OUTLOOK
The Company expects overall physical margins to decline slightly during its fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31, 2022 due to continued decline in steel prices but to remain at a level above historical average margins. The Company expects fourth quarter sales volume for both the coil segment and tubular segment to increase slightly compared to the third quarter sales volumes. At the end of the third quarter, the Company’s hedging positions with income statement recognition deferred under hedge accounting consisted of total losses of approximately $10,200,000 associated with closed hedging positions and total gains of approximately $1,200,000 associated with open hedging positions. The Company expects to reclassify approximately $9,000,000 of these hedging losses into earnings during the fourth quarter.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The more significant estimates and judgements include forecasted purchases of hot-rolled coil and forecasted sales of prime coil inventory and manufactured pipe inventory in relation to hedging activities and the fair value of the pipe-finishing facility, when impaired. From time to time, the Company hedges these forecasted purchases and sales and may designate those transactions for hedge accounting. If the original forecasts are subsequently reduced, it could result in the Company’s hedged positions exceeding revised forecasts, thus warranting immediate recognition in earnings of previously deferred hedge income or losses associated with excess hedges. A pattern of missed forecasts could call into question the Company’s ability to accurately predict forecasted transactions and the propriety of using hedge accounting in the future for similar forecasted transactions. To mitigate against the negative consequences of missing forecasts we have set an internal policy to designate hedging instruments for accounting purposes only up to 75% of forecasted sales or purchases. Determination of forecasted purchases of hot-rolled coil and forecasted sales of prime coil inventory and manufactured pipe inventory require the Company to make assumptions related to customer demand and the volume and timing of inventory purchases. The pipe-finishing facility impairment analysis requires assumptions related to future operations of the facility and estimates related to the replacement cost and value in exchange for the assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
From time to time, the Company may make certain statements that contain forward-looking information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996, as amended) and that involve risk and uncertainty. Such statements may include those risks disclosed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of this report and our expectations for the construction and performance of our new Sinton, TX facility. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, future changes in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, future production capacity, product quality and proposed expansion plans. Forward-looking statements may be made by management orally or in writing including, but not limited to, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or including the words “will,” “expect,” “intended,” “anticipated,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “propose,” “plan,” “estimate,” “enable,” and similar expressions, including, for example, statements about our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, growth in the industry sectors we serve, our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects and assumptions, and estimates and projections of future activity and trends in the oil and natural gas industry. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on management’s expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs, reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results and trends in the future may differ materially depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in the demand for and prices of the Company’s products, changes in government policy regarding steel, changes in the demand for steel and steel products in general and the Company’s success in executing its internal operating plans, changes in and availability of raw materials, unplanned shutdowns of our production facilities due to equipment failures or other issues, increased competition from alternative materials and risks concerning innovation, new technologies, products and increasing customer requirements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except to the extent law requires.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not required
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and that any material information relating to us is recorded, processed, summarized and reported to our management including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon our evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q because the Company has not yet completed its remediation of the material weakness previously identified and disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.
Notwithstanding the identified material weakness, the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes that the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present in all material respects our financial condition and results of operations for the three month and nine month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
During the audit process related to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, management, in connection with our independent auditors, identified a material weakness in our controls related to the review of the annual income tax provision prepared by a third-party firm. Specifically, we did not maintain effective controls to sufficiently review the completeness and accuracy of the annual tax provision.
Plan for Remediation of Material Weakness
Our Company is relatively small with101 employees as of the filing date of this Quarter Report on Form 10-Q. Our accounting and finance team consisted of two degreed accountants as of March 31, 2021. Leading up to, and during the financial statement audit period, considerable time was expended by our accounting and finance team to finalize the ABL facility and to select our general contractor and equipment manufacturer related to our planned new facility in Sinton, Texas and to finalize contracts with such parties. This resulted in the Company falling behind in the timeline necessary to complete the audit process and regulatory filings in a timely manner. In an effort to meet regulatory deadlines, the Company did not perform a sufficient review of third-party materials. The Company concludes that the best remediation of the material weakness is an investment in human capital that will allow it to meet its regulatory requirements and growth objectives. On May 24, 2021, the Company hired an additional degreed accountant. The timing of this hire in relation to the audit process made it difficult for the hire to have a beneficial impact on the process related to our fiscal year end March 31, 2021. However, the Company believes the investment in human capital will provide sufficient remediation in future periods and the Company will continue to evaluate the appropriate level of staffing to ensure the controls over financial reporting are adhered to and the Company can meet its regulatory requirements in a timely manner.
We will continue to monitor the design and effectiveness of these procedures and controls and make any further changes the Company determines appropriate. We believe the additional investment in human capital described above will remediate the material weakness the Company has identified. However, this material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial actions operate effectively for a sufficient period of time.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Except as discussed above, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
| Exhibits |
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| 3.1 |
— |
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| 3.2 |
— |
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| 3.3 |
— |
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| 31.1 |
— |
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| 31.2 |
— |
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Alex LaRue. |
| 32.1 |
— |
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| 32.2 |
— |
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| 101.INS |
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Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
| 101.SCH |
— |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document. |
| 101.CAL |
— |
Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.DEF |
— |
Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document. |
| 101.LAB |
— |
Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document. |
| 101.PRE |
— |
Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document. |
| 104 | — | Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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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FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED |
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| Date: February 14, 2022 |
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By |
/s/ ALEX LARUE |
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Alex LaRue, Chief Financial Officer – Secretary and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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