UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

OR

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

For the transition period from

Commission file number: 0-52577

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware		20-3340900
(State or Other Jurisdiction of		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

8235 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 400

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(314) 854-8352 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes √ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes √ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Large accelerated filer   ☐		Accelerated filer	√
Non-accelerated filer  ☐		Smaller reporting	☐
(do not check if a smaller reporting company)		company

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No √

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of May 10, 2018: 43,741,670 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

The following sets forth our unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018, our audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, our unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and our unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

FutureFuel Corp.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

(Dollars in thousands)  

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

FutureFuel Corp.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited) 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

FutureFuel Corp.  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

All dollar amounts expressed as numbers in this M D&A are in thousands (except per share amounts).

Certain tables may not add due to rounding.

 

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, set forth herein. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. See “Forward Looking Information” below for additional discussion regarding risks associated with forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Our company is managed and reported in two reporting segments: chemicals segment and biofuels segment. Within the chemicals segment are two product groupings: custom chemicals and performance chemicals. The custom product group is comprised of specialty chemicals manufactured for a single customer whereas the performance product group is comprised of chemicals manufactured for multiple customers. The biofuels segment is comprised of one product group. Management believes that the diversity of each segment strengthens the company in the ability to utilize resources and is committed to growing each segment.

 

Summary of Financial Results

 

Set forth below is a summary of certain consolidated financial information for the periods indicated. 

 

		Three months ended March 31,
										Dollar				%
		2018				2017				Change				Change
Revenues		$	55,747			$	54,111			$	1,636				3.0	%
Income from operations		$	34,567			$	3,475			$	31,092				894.7	%
Net income		$	40,354			$	3,396			$	36,958				1088.3	%
Earnings per common share:
Basic		$	0.92			$	0.08			$	0.84				1050.0	%
Diluted		$	0.92			$	0.08			$	0.84				1050.0	%
Capital expenditures and intangibles (net of customer reimbursements and regulatory grants)		$	361			$	842			$	(481	)			(57.1	%)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	37,597			$	5,569			$	32,028				575.1	%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

We use adjusted EBITDA as a key operating metric to measure both performance and liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for operating income, net income, or cash flow from operating activities (each as determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization expenses, excluding, when applicable, non-cash stock-based compensation expenses, public offering expenses, acquisition-related transaction costs, purchase accounting adjustments, losses on disposal of property and equipment, gains or losses on derivative instruments, and other non-operating income or expenses. Information relating to adjusted EBITDA is provided so that investors have the same data that we employ in assessing the overall operation and liquidity of our business. Our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies; therefore, the results of our calculation are not necessarily comparable to the results of other companies.

 

Adjusted EBITDA allows our chief operating decision makers to assess the performance and liquidity of our business on a consolidated basis to assess the ability of our operating segments to produce operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, to fund capital expenditures and to pay dividends. In particular, our management believes that adjusted EBITDA permits a comparative assessment of our operating performance and liquidity, relative to a performance and liquidity based on GAAP results, while isolating the effects of certain items, including depreciation and amortization, which may vary among our operating segments without any correlation to their underlying operating performance, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which is a non-cash expense that varies widely among similar companies, and gains and losses on derivative instruments, which can cause net income to appear volatile from period to period relative to the sale of the underlying physical product.

 

We enter into commodity derivative instruments primarily to protect our operations from downward movements in commodity prices, and to provide greater certainty of cash flows associated with sales of our commodities. We enter into hedges, and we utilize mark-to-market accounting to account for these instruments. Thus, our results in any given period can be impacted, and sometimes significantly, by changes in market prices relative to our contract price along with the timing of the valuation change in the derivative instruments relative to the sale of biofuel. We include this item as an adjustment as we believe it provides a relevant indicator of the underlying performance of our business in a given period.

 

The following table reconciles adjusted EBITDA with net income, the most directly comparable GAAP performance financial measure. 

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Adjusted EBITDA		$	37,597			$	5,569
Depreciation			(2,756	)			(2,896	)
Non-cash stock-based compensation			(107	)			(477	)
Interest and dividend income			1,992				1,723
Non-cash interest expense			(43	)			(43	)
Losses on disposal of property and equipment			(5	)			(31	)
Gains/(losses) on derivative instruments			(162	)			1,279
Gains/(losses) on marketable securities			1,375				(131	)
Income tax benefit/(expense)			2,463				(1,597	)
Net income		$	40,354			$	3,396

 

  

 

 

 

 

The following table reconciles adjusted EBITDA with cash flows from operations, the most directly comparable GAAP liquidity financial measure.

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Adjusted EBITDA		$	37,597			$	5,569
Benefit for deferred income taxes			(2,388	)			(1,761	)
Interest and dividend income			1,992				1,723
Income tax benefit/(expense)			2,463				(1,597	)
Gains/(losses) on derivative instruments			(162	)			1,279
Change in fair value of derivative instruments			(1,789	)			1,202
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net			(33,873	)			1,868
Other			-				(1	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	3,840			$	8,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations 

 

Consolidated

 

		Three months ended March 31,
										Change
		2018				2017				Amount				%
Revenues		$	55,747			$	54,111			$	1,636				3.0	%
Volume/product mix effect										$	6,603				12.2	%
Price effect										$	(4,967	)			(9.2	%)
Gross profit		$	37,507			$	6,130			$	31,377				511.9	%

 

 

Consolidated sales revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $1,636, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase primarily resulted from increased sales volumes and prices in the chemical and biofuels segments, mostly offset by the retroactive reinstatement of the 2017 blenders’ tax credit (BTC) passed into law on February 9, 2018, which is presented as a price effect. Please see Note 2 for additional discussion.

  

Gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $31,377, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily from the biofuel segment as the result of the BTC which expired on December 31, 2016 and was retroactively reinstated for 2017 (but, not beyond 2017) on February 9, 2018 resulting in the benefit being recognized in 2018. Also benefiting gross profit was increased sales volumes in both the chemicals and biofuels segments. 

 

Gross profit was favorably impacted in the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to the prior year period, by the adjustment in the carrying value of our inventory as determined utilizing the LIFO method of inventory accounting.  This adjustment increased gross profit $331 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and reduced gross profit $1,877 in the three months ended March 31, 2017.  This change in LIFO resulted in a lower of cost or market adjustment of $955 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and no such adjustment was necessary in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Please see Note 3 for additional discussion.

 

Gross profit was negatively impacted by the change in the unrealized and realized activity in derivative instruments with a loss of $162 in the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to a gain of $1,279, in the prior year period.

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses increased from $2,655 to $2,940 or $285 in the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017.  This increase was primarily from an increase in accrued research and development compensation expense.

 

 

Provision/(Benefit) for Income Taxes 

 

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 reflects our expected tax rate on reported operating income before income tax including the favorable effect of the retroactive reinstatement of the 2017 BTC and Small Agri-biodiesel Producer Tax Credit. Our effective tax rate in the three months ended March 31, 2017 does not reflect the BTC and Small Agri-biodiesel Producer Tax Credit recognized in 2018 because these credits and incentives were retroactively extended through December 31, 2017 on February 9, 2018. This rate is not expected to continue for the remainder of 2018 as these credits only benefited the three months ended March 31, 2018.

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits totaled $0 at both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

  

Net Income

 

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $36,958 as compared to the same period in 2017. The increase resulted from the benefit of tax credits and incentives not in effect in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and a 14% reduction in the federal statutory tax rate. Additionally, the adjustments in the carrying value of our inventory as determined utilizing the LIFO method of inventory accounting benefited net income in the three months ended March 31, 2018. In comparison, this adjustment negatively impacted net income in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

 

Chemicals Segment

 

 

		Three months ended March 31,
										Change
		2018				2017				Amount				%
Revenues		$	29,081			$	26,357			$	2,724				10.3	%
Volume/product mix effect										$	1,361				5.2	%
Price effect										$	1,363				5.2	%
Gross profit		$	7,556			$	7,009			$	547				7.8	%

 

 

Sales revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased by $2,724 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Sales revenue for our custom chemicals (unique chemicals produced for specific customers) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $23,420, an increase of $1,468 from the comparable period in 2017. This increase was attributed to increased sales volumes in the agrochemical and energy markets and the change in the recognition of contract liabilities in deferred revenue for a few custom chemical contracts from the adoption of ASC 606. See Note 17 for additional discussion. Performance chemicals (comprised of multi-customer products which are sold based on specification) sales revenues were $5,661 in the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $1,256 from the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily from higher glycerin prices and the timing of the sales of products we campaign.

 

Gross profit for the chemicals segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased by $547 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. This increase was driven in part by higher volumes in the agrochemical and energy markets, an increase in recognition of contract liabilities in deferred revenue from the adoption of ASC 606, and favorable product mix, but was negatively impacted by accrued compensation.

 

 

 

 

 

Biofuels Segment

 

		Three months ended March 31,
										Change
		2018				2017				Amount				%
Revenues		$	26,666			$	27,754			$	(1,088	)			(3.9	%)
Volume/product mix effect										$	5,242				18.9	%
Price effect										$	(6,330	)			(22.8	%)
Gross profit		$	29,951			$	(879	)		$	30,830				(3507.4	%)

 

 

Biofuels sales revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $1,088 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily from the retroactive reinstatement of the 2017 BTC (see Note 2) which is presented as a price effect offset in part by higher volumes of biodiesel and biodiesel blends and higher average selling prices.

 

Revenue from common carrier pipelines varies as its revenue recognition depends upon whether a transaction is bought from and sold to the same party. Purchases and sales of inventory with the same counterparty that are entered into in contemplation of one another (including buy/sell agreements) are combined and recorded on a net basis. Additionally, revenue from common carrier pipelines fluctuates with market conditions. Revenue from net transactions increased $184 in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

 

A portion of our biodiesel sold in 2018 and 2017 was to two major refiners/blenders.  No assurances can be given that we will continue to sell to such major refiners, or, if we do sell, the volume we will sell or the profit margin we will realize. We do not believe that the loss of these customers would have a material adverse effect on our biofuels segment or on us as a whole in that: (i) unlike our custom manufacturing products, biodiesel is a commodity with a large potential customer base; (ii) we believe that we could readily sell our biodiesel to other customers as potential demand from other customers for biodiesel exceeds our production capacity; (iii) our sales to these customers are not under fixed terms and the customers have no fixed obligation to purchase any minimum quantities except as stipulated by short term purchase orders; and (iv) the prices we receive from these customers are based upon then-market rates, as would be the case with sales of this commodity to other customers.

   

Biofuels gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $30,830 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Gross profit was benefited as a result of the recognition in the first quarter of 2018 of the retroactive reinstatement of the 2017 BTC totaling $28,869. Gross profits were benefited by the change in adjustments in the carrying value of our inventory as determined utilizing the LIFO method of inventory accounting. This adjustment increased gross profit $143 in the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to a decrease of $1,458 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. This change in LIFO resulted in a lower of cost or market adjustment of $955 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. No such adjustment impacted gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Please see Note 3 for additional discussion.

 

Biofuels gross profit was reduced by the change in the activity in derivative instruments in comparison to the prior year quarter with a loss of $162 as compared to a gain of $1,279 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In order to better manage the commodity price risk caused by market fluctuations in biofuel prices, we may enter into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts. We account for these derivative instruments in accordance with accounting standards whereby the fair value of FutureFuel’s derivative instruments is determined based on the closing prices of the derivative instruments on relevant commodity exchanges at the end of an accounting period. Realized gains and losses on derivative instruments and changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded in the statement of operations as a component of cost of goods sold within the biofuels segment.

 

FutureFuel recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in its consolidated balance sheet. FutureFuel’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific guidelines of ASC 815-20-25, Derivatives and Hedging. None of the derivative instruments are designated and accounted for as hedges due primarily to the extensive record keeping requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

The volumes and carrying values of FutureFuel’s derivative instruments were as follows:

 

		March 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
		Number of contracts Short				Fair Value				Number of contracts Short				Fair Value
Regulated options, included in other current assets			100			$	(57	)			200			$	(2,428	)
Regulated fixed price future commitments, included in other current assets			404			$	(582	)			-			$	-

 

 

*All derivative instruments are entered into with the standard contract terms and conditions in accordance with major trading authorities of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

  

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under Topic 605.

 

Certain long-term contracts had an upfront non-cancellable payment considered a material right. The Company applied the renewal option approach in allocating the transaction price to the material right. For each of these contracts the Company estimated the expected contractual volumes to be sold at the most likely expected sales price as a basis for allocating the transaction price to the material right. Each estimate will be updated quarterly on a prospective basis. These custom chemical contracts have payment terms of 30 days. Please see Note 17 for additional discussion.

 

For most product sales, revenue is recognized when product is shipped from our facilities and risk of loss and title have passed to the customer, which is in accordance with our customer contracts and the stated shipping terms. Nearly all custom manufactured products are manufactured under written master service agreements. Performance chemicals and biodiesel are generally sold pursuant to the terms of written purchase orders. In general, customers do not have any rights of return, except for quality disputes. All of our products are tested for quality before shipment, and historically returns have been inconsequential. We do not offer rebates, except those related to the BTC, or other warranties.

 

Biodiesel selling prices can at times fluctuate based on the timing of unsold, internally generated RINs. From time to time, sales of biodiesel are on a “RINs-free” basis. Such method of selling results in applicable RINs being held. The value of the RINs is not reflected in revenue until such time as the RIN sale has been completed.

 

Revenue from bill and hold transactions in which a performance obligation exists is recognized when the total performance obligation has been met and control of the product has transferred. Bill and hold transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were related to custom chemicals customers whereby revenue was recognized in accordance with contractual agreements based upon product being produced and ready for use by the customer. These sales were subject to written monthly purchase orders with agreement that production was reasonable. The product was custom manufactured and stored at the customer’s request and could not be sold to another buyer. Credit and payment terms for bill and hold customers are similar to other custom chemicals customers. Sales revenue under bill and hold arrangements were $7,521 and $4,498 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are set forth in the following chart.

  

		Three months ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	3,840			$	8,282
Net cash used in investing activities		$	19,550			$	(10,055	)
Net cash used in financing activities		$	(2,624	)		$	(102,813	)

  

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash from operating activities decreased from $8,282 of cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2017 to $3,840 of cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2018. This decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease of $45,836 and $16,118 in the change in accounts receivable and inventory, respectively, offset by the increase in net income of $34,307 and change in accounts payable, including accounts payable - related parties, of $23,543.  

 

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash provided by investing activities increased $29,605, from cash provided by investing of $19,550 in the first three months of 2018 compared to $10,055 of cash used in the first three months of 2017. $27,011 of this change was the result of net sales of marketable securities in the first three months of 2018 compared to net purchases in the first three months of 2017. Such net sales totaled $19,077, in the first three months of 2018, compared to $7,934 in net purchases in the first three months of 2017. Our capital expenditures and customer reimbursements for capital expenditures are summarized in the following table: 

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Cash paid for capital expenditures and intangibles		$	428			$	898
Cash received as reimbursement of capital expenditures		$	(67	)		$	(56	)
Cash paid, net of reimbursement, for capital expenditures		$	361			$	842

 

   

Financing Activities

 

Cash used in financing activities decreased to $2,624 in the first three months of 2018 from $102,813 in the first three months of 2017. This change is the result of payments of dividends on our common stock in the first three months of 2018 compared to the first three months of 2017. The payment of dividends totaled $2,624 and $102,813 in the first three months of 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

Credit Facility

 

Effective April 16, 2015, we entered into a new $150,000 secured committed credit facility with a syndicated group of commercial banks. On May 25, 2016, we increased the facility $15,000. The loan is a revolving facility, the proceeds of which may be used for our working capital, capital expenditures, and general corporate purposes. The facility terminates on April 16, 2020. See Note 7 for additional information regarding our Credit Agreement.

 

We intend to fund future capital requirements for our businesses from cash flow as well as from existing cash, cash investments, and, if the need should arise, borrowings under our credit facility. We do not believe there will be a need to issue any securities to fund such capital requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

In the first quarter of 2018, we paid a regular cash dividend in the amount of $0.06 per share on our common stock. The regular cash dividend amounted to $2,624 in the first quarter of 2018.  In the first quarter of 2017, we also paid a special cash dividend of $2.29 per share on our common stock. This special cash dividend amounted to $100,188. Total cash dividends paid were $102,813 in the first three months of 2017.

 

 

Capital Management

 

As a result of our initial equity offering, our subsequent positive operating results, the exercise of warrants, and the issuance of shares in our at-the-market offering, we accumulated excess working capital. Some of this excess working capital has been paid out as special and regular cash dividends. Additionally, regular cash dividends will be paid in 2018, as previously reported. Third parties have not placed significant restrictions on our working capital management decisions.

 

A significant portion of these funds was held in cash or cash equivalents at multiple financial institutions. In the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we also had investments in certain preferred stock, trust preferred securities, exchange traded debt instruments, and other equity instruments. We classify these investments as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and designate them as being “available-for-sale.” Accordingly, they are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. The fair value of these preferred stock, trust preferred securities, exchange traded debt instruments, and other equity instruments totaled $97,179 and $120,699 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

Lastly, we maintain depositary accounts such as checking accounts, money market accounts, and other similar accounts at selected financial institutions.

   

 

 

 

 

 

Off- Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We engage in two types of hedging transactions. First, we hedge our biofuels sales through the purchase and sale of futures contracts and options on futures contracts of energy commodities. This activity was captured on our balance sheet at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Second, we hedge our biofuels feedstock through the execution of purchase contracts and supply agreements with certain vendors. These hedging transactions are recognized in earnings and were not recorded on our balance sheet at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017 because they do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument as defined under GAAP. The purchase of biofuels feedstock generally involves two risk components: basis and price. Basis covers any refining or processing required as well as transportation. Price covers the purchases of the actual agricultural commodity. Both basis and price fluctuate over time. A supply agreement with a vendor constitutes a hedge when we have committed to a certain volume of feedstock in a future period and have fixed the basis for that volume.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

All dollar amounts expressed as numbers in these Market Risk Disclosures are in thousands (except per share amounts).

 

 

In recent years, general economic inflation has not had a material adverse impact on our costs and, as described elsewhere herein, we have passed some price increases along to our customers. However, we are subject to certain market risks as described below.

 

Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. Commodity price risk is inherent in the chemicals and biofuels business both with respect to inputs (electricity, coal, raw materials, biofuels feedstock, etc.) and outputs (manufactured chemicals and biofuels).

 

We seek to mitigate our market risks associated with the manufacturing and sale of chemicals by entering into long-term sale contracts that include contractual market price adjustment protections to allow changes in market prices of key raw materials to be passed on to the customer. Such price protections are not always obtained, however, and some raw material price risk remains significant.

 

In order to manage price risk caused by market fluctuations in biofuels prices, we may enter into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts. We account for these derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815-20-25, Derivatives and Hedging. Under this standard, the accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends upon whether it has been designated as an accounting hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. To qualify for designation as an accounting hedging relationship, specific criteria must be met and appropriate documentation maintained. We had no derivative instruments that qualified under these rules as designated accounting hedges in the first three months of 2018 or 2017. Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recognized at the end of each accounting period and recorded in the statement of operations as a component of cost of goods sold within the biodiesel segment.

 

Our immediate recognition of derivative instrument gains and losses can cause net income to be volatile from period to period due to the timing of the change in value of the derivative instruments relative to the volume of biofuel being sold. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair values of our derivative instruments were a net liability in the amount of $639 and $2,428, respectively.

 

Our gross profit will be impacted by the prices we pay for raw materials and conversion costs (costs incurred in the production of chemicals and biofuels) for which we do not possess contractual market price adjustment protection. These items are principally comprised of crude corn oil and yellow grease and petrodiesel. The availability and price of these items are subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, overall economic conditions, governmental policies, commodity markets, and global supply and demand.

 

We prepared a sensitivity analysis of our exposure to market risk with respect to key raw materials and conversion costs for which we do not possess contractual market price adjustment protections, based on average prices for the first three months of 2018. We included only those raw materials and conversion costs for which a hypothetical adverse change in price would result in a 1% or greater decrease in gross profit. Assuming that the prices of the associated finished goods could not be increased and assuming no change in quantities sold, a hypothetical 10% change in the average price of the commodity listed below would result in the following change in gross profit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   (Volume and dollars in thousands)

 

Item		Volume Requirements (a)			Units		Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price				Decrease in Gross Profit				Percentage Decrease in Gross Profit
Biodiesel feedstock			100,829		LB			10	%		$	2,743				7.3	%
Methanol			44,032		LB			10	%		$	784				2.1	%
(a) Volume requirements and average price information are based upon volumes used and prices obtained for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Volume requirements may differ materially from these quantities in future years as our business evolves.

 

 

We had no borrowings as of March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017 and, as such, we were not exposed to interest rate risk for those periods. Due to the relative insignificance of transactions denominated in foreign currency, we consider our foreign currency risk to be immaterial.

   

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and our principal financial officer and other senior management personnel, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our principal financial officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018 were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are not a party to, nor is any of our property subject to, any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business. However, from time to time, we may be a party to, or a target of, lawsuits, claims, investigations, and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, asbestos, patent and intellectual property, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust, health and safety, and employment matters, which we expect to be handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. While we are unable to predict the outcome of any matters currently pending, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on our overall financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, adverse developments could negatively impact earnings or cash flows in future periods.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors we previously disclosed in Item 1A of our Form 10-K, Annual

Report for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit	Description
11.	Statement re Computation of per Share Earnings
31(a).	Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of chief executive officer
31(b).	Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of chief principal officer
32.	Section 1350 Certification of chief executive officer and principal financial officer
101	Interactive Data Files**
101.INS	XBRL Instance
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
**	Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files in Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

 

This report, and the documents incorporated by reference into this report contain forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements deal with our current plans, intentions, beliefs, and expectations, and statements of future economic performance. Statements containing such terms as “believe,” “do not believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” and other phrases of similar meaning are considered to contain uncertainty and are forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time we or our representatives have made or will make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements may be included in various filings that we make with the SEC, or in press releases, or in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized executive officers.

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in FutureFuel’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in our future filings made with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this report which reflect our management’s opinions only as of their respective dates. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties described in this report and in subsequent filings with the SEC are not the only ones we face. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. There may be additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial to our business. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. If any such risks occur, our business, operating results, liquidity, and financial condition could be materially affected in an adverse manner. You should consult any additional disclosures we have made or will make in our reports to the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, and any amendments thereto. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

S I G N A T U R E S

 

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.

 

FUTUREFUEL CORP.
By:	/s/ Paul A. Novelly
Paul A. Novelly, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
Date: May 10, 2018
By:	/s/ Rose M. Sparks
Rose M. Sparks, Chief Financial Officer
and Principal Financial Officer
Date: May 10, 2018