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): February 3, 2004
Commission file number 1-14287
USEC Inc.
Delaware | 52-2107911 | |
(State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
2 Democracy Center, | ||
6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda MD | 20817 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (301) 564-3200
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
On February 4, 2003 certain matters were discussed during USECs earnings conference call, a replay of which is available at the Companys website, www.usec.com, through February 16, 2004. Item 9 of this Form 8-K is being furnished to satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD. Based on customers estimates of their requirements and certain other assumptions, including estimates of inflation rates, at December 31, 2003, USEC had long-term requirements contracts with utilities aggregating $4.9 billion through 2011, including $2.9 billion through 2006. USEC estimates its market share of the SWU component of LEU purchased by and shipped to utilities in North America was 56% in 2003. In the world market, USEC estimates its market share was 30%. USEC estimates its share of the Asian market was approximately 50%. USECs current inventories as of December 31, 2003 total $883 million; of that, approximately $188 million constitutes inventory of natural uranium. As a matter of company policy, USEC does not publicly disclose the percentage of market share in Asia. USEC does not intend to update the Asian market share figure or release that information in the future.
Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On February 3, 2004, USEC Inc. issued a press release announcing financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2003. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.
SIGNATURE
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.
USEC Inc. |
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By |
/s/ Ellen C. Wolf |
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February 4, 2004 |
Ellen C. Wolf Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: | CONTACT: | |
February 3,
2004 |
Steven Wingfield (301) 564-3354 | |
Mari Angeles Major-Sosias (301) 564-3353 |
USEC Inc. Earns $10.7
Million in 2003 on Improved Gross Margin
Company Expects Net Income of $6 to $8 Million in 2004
Reflecting Increased Commitment to The American Centrifuge
Bethesda, MD USEC Inc. (NYSE: USU) today reported net income of $10.7 million or $.13 per share for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to a loss of $3.3 million or $.04 per share in 2002. For the quarter ended December 31, 2003, USEC reported net income of $0.9 million or $.01 per share, compared to a loss of $15.9 million or $.19 per share during the same period in 2002. To provide investors with a clearer understanding of financial results from the Companys government contract services, USEC now reports billings for government contract services in revenue and the cost of these services as expenses. This change has no impact on net income.
For the year, lower purchase and production costs improved gross profit to $165.1 million, 79 percent higher than a year earlier. The gross margin was 11.3 percent compared to 6.6 percent in the previous year. Expenses for advanced technology development, reported below the gross profit line, were $21.9 million higher than in 2002 as USEC accelerated its timetable for demonstrating the American Centrifuge technology. This accelerated investment had the effect of reducing net income by $26.5 million in 2003 and by $11.4 million in 2002. USEC expects to continue its substantial investment of profits in the American Centrifuge, which should position the Company to build and operate the worlds most efficient uranium enrichment technology.
Our financial performance continues to improve and weve made substantial strides in our strategic initiatives, said William H. Timbers, USEC president and chief executive officer. We made progress in signing new contracts at todays improved prices and signed $2.1 billion in future sales during 2003, which has increased our backlog. We continue our clear focus on the future efficiency of USECs enrichment operations through our substantial investment in the American Centrifuge. We are confident that were on the right track.
Revenue and Cost of Sales
Revenue for the year was $1,460 million, up from $1,397 million in 2002. Higher sales volume and prices for natural uranium offset a previously projected decline in Separative Work Unit (SWU) revenue. Revenue from sales of natural uranium more than doubled to
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USEC Inc.
6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817-1818
Telephone 301-564-3391 Fax 301-564-3211 http://www.usec.com
USEC Reports Earnings
Page 2 of 7
$169.1 million; of this amount $71 million of the uranium sold was provided by uranium generated from underfeeding in the production process or from third-party suppliers. For the fourth quarter, revenue was $430 million, compared to $383 million in the same period a year earlier.
USECs customers generally place orders under their long-term contracts tied to reactor refuelings that occur on a 12- to 24-month cycle. Therefore, quarterly comparisons of USECs financials are not necessarily indicative of the Companys longer-term results.
Revenue from sales of the SWU component of low-enriched uranium was down in 2003 due to the lingering effect of lower-priced contracts signed in the late 1990s when foreign competitors sold unfairly priced SWU in the United States. Sales volume in 2003 was 4 percent lower compared to a year earlier and average SWU prices billed to customers were 1.6 percent lower. Market prices for SWU improved beginning in 2001 and USEC has been signing new long-term contracts at these higher prices.
Unit production costs in 2003 declined 4 percent due in part to steps taken by USEC to lower labor costs through workforce reductions and to use its electric power more efficiently. Lower purchase costs in the first year of a market-based pricing agreement with Russia under the Megatons to Megawatts program helped to reduce overall SWU unit cost of sales by 6 percent in 2003. The effect of lower purchase costs will continue to benefit cost of sales in future periods due to the Companys average inventory cost methodology and its significant SWU inventories.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $15.3 million higher than 2002 due to costs related to the early retirement of two senior executives, an increase in insurance premiums, higher consultant fees, and an increase in franchise taxes.
American Centrifuge Plant Site Selected
USEC announced in January that it selected Piketon, Ohio as the location for its state-of-the-art gas centrifuge uranium enrichment plant. The American Centrifuge is expected to be the worlds most efficient enrichment technology and help improve USECs competitive position by lowering its cost structure. This advanced technology will use only 5 percent of the electricity required by a comparably sized gaseous diffusion plant. USEC selected Piketon for its mix of economic benefits, existing buildings designed specifically for centrifuge machines, seismic stability and schedule advantage.
USEC has completed refurbishment of the Centrifuge Technology Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where key components of centrifuge machines have been fabricated and are undergoing testing in preparation for the demonstration that begins in Piketon in 2005.
Spending on advanced technology, primarily the American Centrifuge, totaled $44.8 million in 2003, an increase of 96 percent over the $22.9 million spent in 2002. These development costs are charged to expense. Costs associated with the commercial facility will begin to be capitalized in 2004. USEC expects the commercial centrifuge plant will cost up to $1.5 billion and the plant will reach its 3.5 million SWU capacity by 2010.
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USEC Reports Earnings
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Outlook
USEC expects revenue to be approximately $1.4 billion in 2004, with about half coming in the fourth quarter due to timing of customer orders. SWU revenue will be impacted by the temporary shutdown of 10 power reactors of a major Japanese customer (See Other Business Matters, below). Revenue includes expected natural uranium sales of about $170 million, of which $70 million will be from uranium underfeeding in the production process or provided by third-party uranium suppliers. Revenue from government contract services is not expected to change significantly from 2003.
In 2004, USEC expects to invest approximately $70 million in the American Centrifuge. Of this amount, $50 million related to development work will be expensed, which has the effect of reducing USECs net income by about $30 million. Approximately $20 million related to the commercial centrifuge plant is expected to be capitalized in 2004.
Given the substantial investment in the American Centrifuge referenced above, USEC expects net income in 2004 to be in a range of $6 to $8 million. The gross profit margin should remain at 11 percent, about the same as 2003.
Cash flow from operating activities in 2003 was $144.9 million, reflecting sales from inventory, and the cash balance at December 31, 2003, was $249.1 million. This was higher than previous guidance due to the timing of customer collections and the change in payment date for power contract termination costs. USEC anticipates that operating cash flow in 2004 will be in a range of $(110) to $(130) million and that capital expenditures unrelated to the American Centrifuge will be in a range of $10 to $15 million. The Company anticipates ending the year with a cash balance in a range of $40 to $60 million and that net cash flow from operating activities will again return to positive levels in 2005. USEC has no short-term debt, and the debt to total capitalization ratio is 36 percent.
Other Business Matters
| USEC, Ohio Valley Electric Corp. (OVEC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) reached agreements in principle on a majority of the terms resolving termination of a power contract in 2003. The agreement is expected to cover a portion of postretirement benefits for OVEC employees and retirees, and shutdown costs when the plants are ultimately retired. The cash payment is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2004. |
| A Japanese customer continues to seek regulatory permission to restart 10 nuclear reactors that were shut down for special inspections in early 2003. USEC supplies about half of the low-enriched uranium for these reactors, and the continued delay in restarting the reactors postpones the utilitys requirement for reloading fuel. These temporary shutdowns will impact 2004 revenue, and USEC expects that 2005 revenue will also be adversely affected. |
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USEC Reports Earnings
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| USEC continues to process and clean a portion of its uranium inventory that contains elevated levels of technetium (Tc99). The Company received this uranium from DOE prior to privatization and has been implementing a unique process since July 2002 for reducing the contaminants to meet industry standards so that it may be sold or used in uranium enrichment production. Through December 31, 2003, USEC had cleaned 3,544 metric tons of the 9,550 metric tons of affected uranium. Under the DOE-USEC Agreement, DOE is obligated to replace or remediate the contaminated uranium. |
This news release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainty, including certain assumptions regarding the future performance of USEC. Actual results and trends may differ materially depending upon a variety of factors, including, without limitation, market demand for USECs products, pricing trends in the uranium and enrichment markets, deliveries under the Russian Contract, the availability and cost of electric power, implementing agreements with DOE regarding uranium inventory remediation and the use of advanced technology and facilities, satisfactory performance of the centrifuge technology at various stages of demonstration, USECs ability to successfully execute its internal performance plans, the refueling cycles of USECs customers, final determinations of environmental and other costs, the outcome of litigation and trade actions, and the impact of any government regulation. Revenue and operating results can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and in some cases, year to year.
Please refer to our SEC filings, which can be accessed through the Companys website www.usec.com, for a more complete discussion of these factors.
USEC Inc., a global energy company, is the worlds leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.
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USEC Reports Earnings
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USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)(Unaudited)
(millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended | Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
December 31, |
December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
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As restated (a) | As restated (a) | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
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Separative work units |
$ | 327.2 | $ | 314.7 | $ | 1,125.2 | $ | 1,192.0 | |||||||||||
Uranium |
64.9 | 32.3 | 169.1 | 81.4 | |||||||||||||||
Government contract services |
37.4 | 36.0 | 166.0 | 123.4 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
429.5 | 383.0 | 1,460.3 | 1,396.8 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
377.8 | 373.4 | 1,295.2 | 1,304.7 | |||||||||||||||
Gross profit |
51.7 | 9.6 | 165.1 | 92.1 | |||||||||||||||
Special charge (credit) for consolidating plant
operations
|
| | | (6.7 | )(b) | ||||||||||||||
Advanced technology development costs |
13.6 | 10.0 | 44.8 | 22.9 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
27.9 | 15.9 | 69.4 | 54.1 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
10.2 | (16.3 | ) | 50.9 | 21.8 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
9.7 | 9.3 | 38.4 | 36.5 | |||||||||||||||
Interest (income) |
(.8 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (5.4 | ) | (7.0 | ) | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
1.3 | (24.6 | ) | 17.9 | (7.7 | ) | |||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
.4 | (8.7 | ) | 7.2 | (4.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | .9 | $ | (15.9 | ) | $ | 10.7 | $ | (3.3 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) per share basic and diluted |
$ | .01 | $ | (.19 | ) | $ | .13 | $ | (.04 | ) | |||||||||
Dividends per share |
$ | .1375 | $ | .1375 | $ | .55 | $ | .55 | |||||||||||
Average number of shares outstanding |
82.5 | 81.7 | 82.2 | 81.4 |
(a) | USEC performs contract services for DOE and DOE contractors at the Portsmouth and Paducah plants. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003, billings for government contract services are reported as part of revenue, and costs to perform government contract services are reported as part of costs and expenses. In earlier periods, the net amount of income or expense for government contract services had been reported as part of other income (expense, net). The statements of income (loss) for prior periods have been restated to conform to the current presentation. There is no effect on net income (loss) or net income (loss) per share as a result of the change in presentation or the restatement of prior periods. | |
(b) | The special credit of $6.7 million ($4.2 million or $.05 per share after tax) in 2002 represents a change in estimate of costs for consolidating plant operations. |
USEC Reports Earnings
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USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(millions)
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2003 |
2002 |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current Assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 249.1 | $ | 171.1 | ||||
Accounts receivable trade |
254.5 | 225.4 | ||||||
Inventories |
883.2 | 862.1 | ||||||
Other |
39.9 | 29.1 | ||||||
Total Current Assets |
1,426.7 | 1,287.7 | ||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment, net |
185.1 | 190.9 | ||||||
Other Assets |
||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
52.5 | 50.8 | ||||||
Prepayment and deposit for depleted uranium |
47.1 | 46.1 | ||||||
Prepaid pension benefit costs |
76.3 | 83.8 | ||||||
Inventories |
266.1 | 390.2 | ||||||
Total Other Assets |
442.0 | 570.9 | ||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 2,053.8 | $ | 2,049.5 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current Liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 221.5 | $ | 218.5 | ||||
Payables under Russian Contract |
119.3 | 106.6 | ||||||
Deferred revenue and advances from customers |
25.8 | 45.0 | ||||||
Uranium owed to suppliers |
45.0 | | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities |
411.6 | 370.1 | ||||||
Long-Term Debt |
500.0 | 500.0 | ||||||
Other Liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred revenue and advances from customers |
13.5 | 21.2 | ||||||
Depleted uranium disposition |
53.5 | 57.9 | ||||||
Postretirement health and life benefit obligations |
138.1 | 137.8 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
50.9 | 48.1 | ||||||
Total Other Liabilities |
256.0 | 265.0 | ||||||
Stockholders Equity |
886.2 | 914.4 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
$ | 2,053.8 | $ | 2,049.5 | ||||
USEC Reports Earnings
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USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(millions)
Years Ended | ||||||||
December 31, |
||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
|||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 10.7 | $ | (3.3 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
29.3 | 28.4 | ||||||
Depleted uranium disposition |
(5.4 | ) | (11.2 | ) | ||||
Deferred revenue and advances from customers |
(26.9 | ) | (25.3 | ) | ||||
Deferred income taxes |
(1.7 | ) | 5.6 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable net decrease |
1.5 | 118.1 | ||||||
Inventories net decrease |
117.7 | 71.9 | ||||||
Payables under Russian Contract increase |
12.7 | 6.8 | ||||||
Accounts payable and other net increase |
7.0 | 10.0 | ||||||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
144.9 | 201.0 | ||||||
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(24.9 | ) | (40.2 | ) | ||||
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities |
(24.9 | ) | (40.2 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities |
||||||||
Dividends paid to stockholders |
(45.2 | ) | (44.7 | ) | ||||
Deferred financing costs |
| (4.7 | ) | |||||
Common stock issued |
3.2 | 2.3 | ||||||
Net Cash (Used in) Financing Activities |
(42.0 | ) | (47.1 | ) | ||||
Net Increase |
78.0 | 113.7 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year |
171.1 | 57.4 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year |
$ | 249.1 | $ | 171.1 | ||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Interest paid |
$ | 34.7 | $ | 33.1 | ||||
Income taxes paid (refund) |
(10.0 | ) | (5.4 | ) |