8-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): August 5, 2009

The Andersons, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	000-20557	34-1562374
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
480 West Dussel Drive, Maumee, Ohio		43537
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 419-893-5050

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The Andersons, Inc. issued a press release today, August 5, 2009, reporting its 2009 second quarter and year-to-date earnings. This press release is attached as exhibit 99 to this filing.

SIGNATURES

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

	The Andersons, Inc.
August 5, 2009	By:	Michael J. Anderson
		Name: Michael J. Anderson
		Title: President and CEO

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99	Press Release

EX-99

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Gary L. Smith
VP, Finance & Treasurer Date:

August 5, 2009

Phone: 419-891-6417

E-mail: gary—smith@andersonsinc.com

THE ANDERSONS, INC. REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Earnings Of $0.87 Per Diluted Share

MAUMEE, OHIO, August 5, 2009—The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE), today announced second quarter net income attributable to the company of $15.9 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, on revenues of $811 million. In the same three month period of 2008, the company reported record results of $45.6 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, on $1.1 billion of revenues. For the first six months of 2009, the company earned $20.9 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.5 billion. In the first half of 2008, The Andersons reported record results of $53.4 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.8 billion. It should be noted that the earnings from the prior year included unprecedented margins in our Plant Nutrient Group that accounted for nearly two-thirds of the income.

The Grain & Ethanol Group’s operating income of $8.9 million in the second quarter was significantly less than its year earlier result of $20.0 million. The grain business had its third best second quarter as it benefited from good space income. The ethanol business was profitable during the second quarter of 2009. When compared to the prior year; however, income from the ethanol business was down considerably in the second quarter as last year the business benefited from margins being locked in before the ethanol industry decline. Second quarter 2009 income from the group’s investment in Lansing Trade Group was also significantly lower than last year, primarily due to declines in its trading business. Total second quarter revenues for the group were $500 million; this includes $188 million of grain and ethanol sales made by the group in accordance with origination and marketing agreements between the company and its ethanol joint ventures. In the second quarter of 2008, the group’s total revenues were $696 million and included $226 million of the aforementioned sales. While revenues for the group are lower, due to substantially lower commodity prices, such amounts do not serve as good predictors of income or economic performance in a commodity based business. The Grain & Ethanol Group’s operating income through the first six months was $14.7 million in 2009 and $22.2 million in 2008. Total revenues through June 2009 and 2008 were $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.

The Rail Group’s operating income was $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2009, which is down significantly from the $4.9 million earned during the same three month period a year ago. The group continues to be impacted by the double digit declines in rail traffic. The group recognized $0.8 million in gross margin from the sale of railcars and related leases during the quarter, whereas last year $1.1 million was recognized. Gross profit from the leasing business was significantly less due to lower utilization rates, the corresponding increase in storage expense from idle assets, increased maintenance expense per car, and decreased leasing rates. The group now has approximately 23,800 cars and locomotives. The average utilization rate (the percentage of the fleet in service) for the quarter was 80.6 percent in comparison to 93.3 percent for the same period last year. The gross profit of both the railcar repair and manufacturing businesses declined considerably this quarter due to reduced activity resulting from the overall economic decline. Revenues of $24 million for the second quarter were down significantly from the $43 million reported in 2008, due mainly to a $14 million reduction in car sales. The group’s first half operating income this year was $1.5 million on $51 million of revenues. In 2008, operating income through June was $11.3 million and revenues were $78 million. These results included gains on sales of railcars and related leases of $1.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

The Plant Nutrient Group had an operating income of $10.3 million during the second quarter of 2009, on revenues of $198 million. In the same three month period of 2008, the group achieved record operating income of $47.4 million, on revenues of $274 million. Margins were down significantly from the prior year. Margins were significantly lower as basic nutrient prices deflated in 2009, whereas in 2008 margins greatly increased as nutrient prices inflated. Retailers reducing their nutrient inventory holdings, and lower application rates of basic nutrients (potash, potassium and to a lesser degree nitrogen), led to reduced sales volume this quarter. The group’s first half operating income this year was $12.4 million on $309 million of revenues. Last year, its operating income through the first six months was a record $54.9 million on revenues of $379 million. The group acquired Hartung Brothers Inc’s. Fertilizer Division (HBI) on August 1st. HBI is a regional wholesale supplier of liquid fertilizers with five locations in Wisconsin and one in southeastern Minnesota. This acquisition will allow the group to expand its value added product offering, grow its wholesale customer base, and broaden its geographic territory.

The Turf & Specialty Group had a record operating income of $3.0 million in the second quarter this year on $40 million of revenues. Last year, the group reported $1.9 million of income on $36 million of revenues for the period. Turf products tonnage increased by over 20 percent year to year, but gross profit per ton decreased due to a product mix that included a higher percentage of consumer and industrial products. Through the first half of 2009, the group’s operating income was a record $6.1 million on $84 million of revenues. Last year, its operating income was $3.9 million for the same period, and revenues were $76 million. The group continues to experience positive results from its focus on proprietary products and expanded product lines.

The Retail Group reported revenues of $49 million for the second quarter of 2009, which is below the $53 million in revenues reported for the same period in 2008. The group earned operating income of $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. In the comparable period last year, the group’s operating income was $3.4 million. Through six months, the group earned $0.2 million and total revenues were $83 million. Last year through June the group broke even on total revenues of $86 million. Both the group’s margins and customer counts have improved slightly; however, this was offset by a decline in the average sale per customer.

“Although we would have liked better results this quarter, it is important to remember that last year’s second quarter results included unprecedented margins in our Plant Nutrient Group. We are pleased with the results of our grain and ethanol businesses. The grain business performance was strong, and our ethanol business returned to profitability, which is an accomplishment in the current ethanol environment. Conversely, we continue to be disappointed with the Lansing Trade Group results this year. The Plant Nutrient Group has returned to solid financial performance, and we believe the lower of cost or market issues are behind us. The Turf & Specialty Group set an earning’s record as the value added and proprietary product strategy being pursued continues to be successful. Our Rail Group, and to a lesser extent our Retail Group, however, continue to be impacted by the overall economic decline,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Anderson. “These results continue to demonstrate that our purposeful diversification allows us to remain a strong and profitable company, even when some businesses are underperforming.”

The company will host a webcast on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. ET, to discuss its performance. This can be accessed under the heading “Investor” on its website at www.andersonsinc.com.

The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company with interests in the grain, ethanol and plant nutrient sectors of U.S. agriculture, as well as in railcar leasing and repair, turf products production, and general merchandise retailing. Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, the company now has operations in 14 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, plus rail equipment leasing interests in Canada and Mexico.

This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Without limitation, these risks include economic, weather and regulatory conditions, competition, and the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the assumptions upon which the financial information and its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct.

The Andersons, Inc. is located on the Internet at www.andersonsinc.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW . . .

The Andersons, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
	Three Months ended				Six Months ended
	June 30				June 30
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)	2009		2008		2009			2008
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	810,954	$	1,100,700	$	1,508,346		$	1,813,701
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		737,620		980,363		1,373,638			1,641,123
Gross profit		73,334		120,337		134,708			172,578
Operating, administrative and general expenses		46,723		49,973		93,253			91,264
Interest expense		5,161		8,521		10,851			17,643
Other income (loss):
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates		784		7,781		(2,890	)		16,420
Other income, net		2,724		2,155		3,963			5,039
Income before income taxes		24,958		71,779		31,677			85,130
Income taxes		9,312		26,835		12,118			31,428
Net income		15,646		44,944		19,559			53,702
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest		272		682		1,311			(253	)
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$	15,918	$	45,626	$	20,870		$	53,449
Per common share:
Basic earnings	$	0.87	$	2.52	$	1.15		$	2.95
Diluted earnings	$	0.87	$	2.48	$	1.14		$	2.90
Dividends paid	$	0.0875	$	0.0775	$	0.1725		$	0.0155

The Andersons, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
	June 30		December 31		June 30
(in thousands)	2009		2008		2008
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	179,752	$	81,682	$	33,379
Restricted cash		4,243		3,927		3,664
Accounts receivable, net		130,824		126,255		187,184
Margin deposits, net		38,009		13,094		79,017
Inventories		205,084		436,920		406,839
Commodity derivative assets — current		48,635		84,919		493,571
Other current assets		40,564		109,165		47,489
Total current assets		647,111		855,962		1,251,143
Investments and other assets		153,281		153,488		156,005
Commodity derivative assets		1,354		3,662		84,297
Railcar assets leased to others (net)		176,656		174,132		152,879
Property, plant and equipment (net)		120,535		121,529		110,146
	$	1,098,937	$	1,308,773	$	1,754,470
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term line of credit	$	-	$	-	$	432,500
Commodity derivative liabilities — current		66,698		67,055		160,611
Other current liabilities		243,056		458,208		350,795
Total current liabilities		309,754		525,263		943,906
Deferred items and other long-term liabilities		85,772		80,687		53,058
Commodity derivative liabilities		4,555		3,706		19,923
Long-term debt non-recourse		28,938		40,055		47,934
Long-term debt		285,619		293,955		281,496
Shareholders’ equity		384,299		365,107		408,153
	$	1,098,937	$	1,308,773	$	1,754,470

Segment Data
	Grain &					Plant		Turf &
	Ethanol			Rail		Nutrient		Specialty		Retail			Other			Total
Quarter ended June 30, 2009
Revenues from external customers	$	500,401		$	23,762	$	197,638	$	39,752	$	49,401		$	—		$	810,954
Gross Profit		23,325			4,815		22,106		7,614		15,474			—			73,334
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates		781			—		3		—		—			—			784
Other income (loss), net		590			221		770		236		136			771			2,724
Income before income taxes		8,659			619		10,345		3,042		2,864			(571	)		24,958
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest		272			—		—		—		—			—			272
Operating income (loss) (a)		8,931			619		10,345		3,042		2,864			(571	)		25,230
Quarter ended June 30, 2008
Revenues from external customers	$	695,787		$	42,941	$	273,501	$	35,915	$	52,556		$	—		$	1,100,700
Gross Profit		29,195			9,100		58,396		7,266		16,380			—			120,337
Equity in earnings of affiliates		7,780			—		1		—		—			—			7,781
Other income (loss), net		1,221			340		181		96		161			156			2,155
Income before income taxes		19,312			4,874		47,369		1,882		3,360			(5,018	)		71,779
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest		682			—		—		—		—			—			682
Operating income (loss) (a)		19,994			4,874		47,369		1,882		3,360			(5,018	)		72,461
	Grain &					Plant		Turf &
	Ethanol			Rail		Nutrient		Specialty		Retail			Other			Total
Six months ended June 30, 2009
Revenues from external customers	$	980,922		$	50,532	$	309,400	$	84,455	$	83,037		$	—		$	1,508,346
Gross Profit		46,624			10,546		36,628		16,033		24,877			—			134,708
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates		(2,895	)		—		5		—		—			—			(2,890	)
Other income (loss), net		1,149			187		1,258		541		247			581			3,963
Income before income taxes		13,355			1,501		12,392		6,139		163			(1,873	)		31,677
Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest		1,311															1,311
Operating income (loss)		14,666			1,501		12,392		6,139		163			(1,873	)		32,988
Six months ended June 30, 2008
Revenues from external customers	$	1,194,910		$	77,952	$	378,970	$	75,576	$	86,293		$	—		$	1,813,701
Gross Profit		40,574			20,251		72,074		14,192		25,487			—			172,578
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates		16,417			—		3		—		—			—			16,420
Other income (loss), net		3,758			518		324		189		308			(58	)		5,039
Income before income taxes		22,480			11,300		54,909		3,882		(17	)		(7,424	)		85,130
(Income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		(253	)														(253	)
Operating income (loss)		22,227			11,300		54,909		3,882		(17	)		(7,424	)		84,877
(a) Operating income (loss) for each Group is defined as net sales and merchandising revenues plus identifiable other income less all identifiable operating expenses, including interest expense for carrying working capital and long-term assets and is reported net of the noncontrolling interest share of (income) loss.