cbt-10q_20180630.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018

or

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 1-5667

 

Cabot Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

04-2271897

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

Two Seaport Lane

Boston, Massachusetts

02210-2019

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 345-0100

 

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, 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

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)

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).    Yes      No  

The Company had 61,558,577 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, outstanding as of August 6, 2018.

 

 

 


 

INDEX

 

Part I.

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

4

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

7

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

8

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

32

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

44

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

44

 

 

 

Part II.

Other Information

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

45

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

45

 

2


 

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

Net sales and other operating revenues

 

$

854

 

 

$

705

 

 

$

2,392

 

 

$

1,994

 

Cost of sales

 

 

654

 

 

 

544

 

 

 

1,824

 

 

 

1,505

 

Gross profit

 

 

200

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

568

 

 

 

489

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

 

74

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

221

 

 

 

191

 

Research and technical expenses

 

 

17

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

40

 

Purification Solutions long-lived assets impairment (Note E)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

 

Purification Solutions goodwill impairment (Note E)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

109

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

258

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

7

 

Interest expense

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(41

)

 

 

(39

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

(5

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   and equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

 

95

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

221

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

4

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(194

)

 

 

(33

)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

6

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

99

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

(176

)

 

 

194

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net

   of tax

 

 

11

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

18

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

 

$

88

 

 

$

47

 

 

$

(207

)

 

$

176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

61.8

 

 

 

62.4

 

 

 

61.8

 

 

 

62.3

 

Diluted

 

 

62.3

 

 

 

62.7

 

 

 

61.8

 

 

 

62.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.41

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

(3.36

)

 

$

2.79

 

Diluted

 

$

1.40

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

$

(3.36

)

 

$

2.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per common share

 

$

0.33

 

 

$

0.315

 

 

$

0.96

 

 

$

0.915

 

 

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

3


 

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

UNAUDITED

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

99

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

(176

)

 

$

194

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax provision

   (benefit) of $2, $(4), $(2) and $(1)

 

 

(109

)

 

 

54

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

(15

)

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period,

   net of tax provision (benefit) of $—, $—, $— and $—

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Derivatives: net investment hedges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Gains) losses reclassified to interest expense, net of tax

   provision of $1, $—, $1 and $—

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net loss and prior service credit included in

   net periodic benefit cost, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(111

)

 

 

54

 

 

 

(54

)

 

 

(13

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

109

 

 

 

(230

)

 

 

181

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net

   of tax

 

 

11

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

18

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to

   noncontrolling interests, net of tax

 

 

(7

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests, net of tax

 

 

4

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

18

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

 

$

(16

)

 

$

98

 

 

$

(261

)

 

$

163

 

 

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

4


 

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

UNAUDITED

 

 

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

131

 

 

$

280

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful

   accounts of $9 and $9

 

 

664

 

 

 

527

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

 

122

 

 

 

93

 

Work in process

 

 

3

 

 

 

2

 

Finished goods

 

 

311

 

 

 

293

 

Other

 

 

46

 

 

 

45

 

Total inventories

 

 

482

 

 

 

433

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

65

 

 

 

59

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,342

 

 

 

1,299

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,248

 

 

 

1,305

 

Goodwill

 

 

92

 

 

 

154

 

Equity affiliates

 

 

51

 

 

 

56

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

96

 

 

 

137

 

Assets held for rent

 

 

116

 

 

 

104

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

68

 

 

 

237

 

Other assets

 

 

44

 

 

 

46

 

Total assets

 

$

3,057

 

 

$

3,338

 

 

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

5


 

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

UNAUDITED

 

 

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

 

(In millions, except share

 

 

 

and per share amounts)

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

$

312

 

 

$

7

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

491

 

 

 

457

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

25

 

 

 

22

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

36

 

 

 

256

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

890

 

 

 

742

 

Long-term debt

 

 

630

 

 

 

661

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1

 

 

 

38

 

Other liabilities

 

 

247

 

 

 

245

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note I)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued and Outstanding: None and none

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued:  61,759,181 and 62,087,627 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding: 61,558,577 and 61,884,347 shares

 

 

62

 

 

 

62

 

Less cost of 200,604 and 203,280 shares of common treasury stock

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(6

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

1,417

 

 

 

1,707

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(313

)

 

 

(259

)

Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity

 

 

1,159

 

 

 

1,504

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

130

 

 

 

121

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

1,289

 

 

 

1,625

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

3,057

 

 

$

3,338

 

 

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

6


 

CABOT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(176

)

 

$

194

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

117

 

 

 

115

 

Long-lived assets impairment charge

 

 

162

 

 

 

 

Goodwill impairment charge

 

 

92

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

 

 

131

 

 

 

(25

)

Gain on sale of investments

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

Gain on sale of land

 

 

(11

)

 

 

 

Equity in net income of affiliated companies

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(6

)

Non-cash compensation

 

 

16

 

 

 

10

 

Other non-cash (income) expense

 

 

14

 

 

 

(2

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable

 

 

(151

)

 

 

(64

)

Inventories

 

 

(77

)

 

 

(61

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(7

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

40

 

 

 

34

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(9

)

Cash dividends received from equity affiliates

 

 

8

 

 

 

9

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

143

 

 

 

191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(167

)

 

 

(86

)

Cash paid for acquisition of business, net of cash acquired of $1

 

 

(64

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of land

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Change in assets held for rent

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(5

)

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

 

(211

)

 

 

(89

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments under financing arrangements

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(3

)

Increase in short-term borrowings, net

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Proceeds from (repayments of) issuance of commercial paper, net

 

 

303

 

 

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

(251

)

 

 

(1

)

Purchases of common stock

 

 

(59

)

 

 

(43

)

Proceeds from sales of common stock

 

 

18

 

 

 

21

 

Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(13

)

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders

 

 

(60

)

 

 

(57

)

Cash used in financing activities

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(94

)

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(10

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(149

)

 

 

(2

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

280

 

 

 

200

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

131

 

 

$

198

 

 

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

7


 

CABOT CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2018

UNAUDITED

 

A. Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and include the accounts of Cabot Corporation (“Cabot” or the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries and majority-owned and controlled U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries. Additionally, Cabot considers consolidation of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all disclosures required by Form 10-K. Additional information may be obtained by referring to Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (“2017 10-K”).

The financial information submitted herewith is unaudited and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results for the interim periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year.

Effective October 1, 2017, the Company changed its method of accounting for its U.S. carbon black inventories from the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method to the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company applied this change retrospectively to all prior periods presented, which is discussed in further detail in Note B.

As discussed in Note C, in November 2017, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of 8755329 Canada Inc. (“Tech Blend”), a North American producer of black masterbatches. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Tech Blend are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

 

 

B. Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Cabot recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Cabot generally is able to ensure that products meet customer specifications prior to shipment. If the Company is unable to determine that the product has met the specified objective criteria prior to shipment or if title has not transferred because of sales terms, the revenue is considered “unearned” and is deferred until the revenue recognition criteria are met.

Shipping and handling charges related to sales transactions are recorded as sales revenue when billed to customers or included in the sales price. Taxes collected on sales to customers are excluded from revenues.

The following table shows the relative size of the revenue recognized in each of the Company’s reportable segments:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Reinforcement Materials

 

 

57

%

 

 

54

%

 

 

57

%

 

 

53

%

Performance Chemicals

 

 

33

%

 

 

34

%

 

 

33

%

 

 

35

%

Purification Solutions

 

 

9

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

9

%

 

 

11

%

Specialty Fluids

 

 

1

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

Cabot derives the substantial majority of its revenues from the sale of products in its Reinforcement Materials, Performance Chemicals, and Purification Solutions segments. Revenue from these products is typically recognized when the product is shipped and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. The Company offers certain of its customers cash discounts and volume rebates as sales incentives. The discounts and volume rebates are recorded as a reduction in sales at the time revenue is recognized and are estimated based on historical experience and contractual obligations. Cabot periodically reviews the assumptions underlying its estimates of discounts and volume rebates and adjusts its revenues accordingly.

For major activated carbon injection systems projects in Purification Solutions, revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.

8


 

Revenue in Specialty Fluids arises primarily from the rental of cesium formate. This revenue is recognized throughout the rental period based on the contracted rental terms. Customers are also billed and revenue is recognized, typically at the end of the job, for cesium formate product that is not returned. The Company also generates revenues from cesium formate sold outside of the rental process and from the sale of fine cesium chemicals. This revenue is recognized upon delivery of the product.

Cabot maintains allowances for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable and other economic information on both a historical and prospective basis. Customer account balances are charged against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. There were no material changes in the allowance for any of the periods presented. There is no material off-balance sheet credit exposure related to customer receivable balances.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill Impairment

The Company records tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for an acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The determination of the fair value of intangible assets requires the use of significant judgment with regard to assumptions used in the valuation model. The Company estimates the fair value of identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets principally based on projections of cash flows that will arise from these assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the fair value of the assets at the dates of acquisition. The Company acquired Tech Blend in November 2017, which included separately identifiable intangible assets of $29 million as part of the purchase price allocation as discussed in Note C.

Definite-lived intangible assets, which are comprised of trademarks, customer relationships and developed technologies, are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment when indication of potential impairment exists, such as a significant reduction in cash flows associated with the assets.

Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business acquisitions in excess of the fair value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment annually as of May 31, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. A reporting unit, for the purpose of the impairment test, is at or below the operating segment level, and constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. Reinforcement Materials, and the Fumed Metal Oxides and Specialty Compounds businesses within Performance Chemicals, which are considered separate reporting units, carry the Company’s goodwill balances as of May 31, 2018. The Purification Solutions reporting unit has no remaining goodwill balance subsequent to the goodwill impairment charge recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018. As part of the Tech Blend acquisition, goodwill of $33 million was generated and is reflected in the Specialty Compounds reporting unit.

For the purpose of the goodwill impairment test, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an initial qualitative assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an additional quantitative evaluation is performed. Alternatively, the Company may elect to proceed directly to the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If based on the quantitative evaluation the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a goodwill impairment loss would result. The goodwill impairment loss would be the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The fair value of a reporting unit is based on discounted estimated future cash flows. The fair value is also benchmarked against a market approach using the guideline public companies method. The assumptions used to estimate fair value include management’s best estimates of future growth rates, operating cash flows, capital expenditures and discount rates over an estimate of the remaining operating period at the reporting unit level. Refer to Note E and Note F for details on the Purification Solutions goodwill impairment test and the resulting charge recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, and the results of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment test performed as of May 31, 2018, respectively.

Long-lived Assets Impairment

The Company’s long-lived assets primarily include property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, long-term investments and assets held for rent. The carrying values of long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

To test for impairment of assets, the Company generally uses a probability-weighted estimate of the future undiscounted net cash flows of the assets over their remaining lives to determine if the value of the asset is recoverable. Long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which independent identifiable cash flows are determinable.

9


 

An asset impairment is recognized when the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable based on the analysis described above, in which case the asset is written down to its fair value. If the asset does not have a readily determinable market value, a discounted cash flow model may be used to determine the fair value of the asset. In circumstances when an asset does not have separately identifiable cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded when the Company no longer intends to use the asset. In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company determined that the long-lived asset group of Purification Solutions was not fully recoverable and accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge for the carrying value in excess of the fair value of the asset group, as described in Note E.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The depreciable lives for buildings, machinery and equipment, and other fixed assets are between twenty and twenty-five years, ten and twenty-five years, and three and twenty-five years, respectively. The cost and accumulated depreciation for property, plant and equipment sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and resulting gains or losses are included in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expenses as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated.

Income Tax in Interim Periods

The Company records its tax provision or benefit on an interim basis using an estimated annual effective tax rate. This rate is applied to the current period ordinary income or loss to determine the income tax provision or benefit allocated to the interim period. Losses from jurisdictions for which no benefit can be recognized and the income tax effects of unusual or infrequent items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate and are recognized in the impacted interim period.

Valuation allowances are provided against the future tax benefits that arise from the deferred tax assets in jurisdictions for which no benefit can be recognized. The estimated annual effective tax rate may be significantly impacted by nondeductible expenses and the Company’s projected earnings mix by tax jurisdiction. Adjustments to the estimated annual effective income tax rate are recognized in the period when such estimates are revised.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Effective October 1, 2017, the Company changed its method of accounting for its U.S. carbon black inventories from the LIFO method to the FIFO method. Total U.S. inventories accounted for utilizing the LIFO cost flow assumption represented 7% of the Company’s total worldwide inventories as of September 30, 2017 prior to this change in method. The Company believes the FIFO method is preferable because it: (i) conforms the accounting for U.S. carbon black inventories to the Company’s inventory valuation methodology for the majority of its other inventories; (ii) better represents how management assesses and reports on the performance of the Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals operating segments that carry the Company’s U.S. carbon black inventories, as the impact of accounting for this inventory on a LIFO basis has historically been excluded from segment results; (iii) better aligns the accounting for U.S. carbon black inventories with the physical flow of that inventory; and (iv) improves comparability with many of the Company’s peers.

10


 

The Company applied this change retrospectively to all prior periods presented. This change resulted in a $17 million increase in retained earnings as of October 1, 2016, from $1,544 million to $1,561 million. In addition, the following financial statement line items in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017, and its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 were adjusted:

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

As Originally Reported

 

 

Effect of Change

 

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

Cost of sales

 

$

546

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

544

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   and equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

$

66

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

68

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

$

(16

)

 

$

 

 

$

(16

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

53

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

55

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

 

$

45

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

47

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.71

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

0.73

 

Diluted

 

$

0.71

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

As Originally Reported

 

 

Effect of Change

 

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Cost of sales

 

$

1,509

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

1,505

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   and equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

$

217

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

221

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

$

(32

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(33

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

191

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

194

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

 

$

173

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

176

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

2.75

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

2.79

 

Diluted

 

$

2.74

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

2.78

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

 

As Originally Reported

 

 

Effect of Change

 

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Inventories

 

$

396

 

 

$

37

 

 

$

433

 

Deferred income taxes (assets)

 

$

250

 

 

$

(13

)

 

$

237

 

Retained earnings

 

$

1,683

 

 

$

24

 

 

$

1,707

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

As Originally Reported

 

 

Effect of Change

 

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

191

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

194

 

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

 

$

(26

)

 

$

1

 

 

$

(25

)

Inventories

 

$

(57

)

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(61

)

 

If the Company had continued to account for its U.S. carbon black inventories under LIFO, there would have been an increase in Cost of Sales of $8 million and $11 million, an additional benefit to the (Provision) benefit for income taxes of $2 million and $3 million, an impact to the Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation of $6 million and $8 million, and a decrease of $0.10 and $0.13 in both basic and diluted earnings per common share in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The impact to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 would have been a decrease of $48 million in Inventories, an increase of $16 million in Deferred income taxes, and a decrease of $32 million in Retained earnings.

11


 

The cost of Specialty Fluids inventories that are classified as assets held for rent is determined using the average cost method. The cost of all other inventories is determined using the FIFO method.

Cabot periodically reviews inventory for both potential obsolescence and potential declines in anticipated selling prices. In this review, the Company makes assumptions about the future demand for and market value of the inventory, and based on these assumptions estimates the amount of any obsolete, unmarketable, slow moving, or overvalued inventory. Cabot writes down the value of these inventories by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated net realizable value.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company recognizes the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans as an asset or liability. This amount is defined as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. The Company is required to recognize as a component of Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, the actuarial gains/losses and prior service costs/credits that arise but were not previously required to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. Other comprehensive income (loss) is adjusted as these amounts are later recognized in income as components of net periodic benefit cost.

Redeemable Preferred Stock

In November 2013, the Company purchased all of its joint venture partner’s common stock in the former NHUMO, S.A. de C.V. (“NHUMO”) joint venture. At the close of the transaction, NHUMO issued redeemable preferred stock to the joint venture partner with a redemption value of $25 million. The preferred stock accumulates dividends at a fixed rate of 6% annually and is redeemable at the option of the former joint venture partner or the Company for $25 million starting in November 2018 or upon the occurrence of certain other conditions. Annual payment of the dividends by NHUMO is contingent on NHUMO achieving a minimum EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) level and if such minimum EBITDA is not achieved in any year, the dividend will be accumulated and paid at the time the preferred shares are redeemed. The minimum EBITDA was achieved in all fiscal years since the close of the transaction and dividend payments of approximately $1 million were paid for each fiscal year and a final dividend payment of approximately $1 million is due in November 2018. The preferred stock issued in connection with the transaction is not mandatorily redeemable and has embedded put and call rights at the fixed redemption price. Accordingly, the instrument is accounted for as a financing obligation and has been separately presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a long-term liability as of September 30, 2017 and as a current liability as of June 30, 2018 as it becomes redeemable beginning in November 2018.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), which is included as a component of stockholders’ equity, includes unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale marketable securities and derivative instruments, currency translation adjustments in foreign subsidiaries, translation adjustments on foreign equity securities and minimum pension liability adjustments.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new standard that amends the accounting standard for stock compensation by simplifying several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the related accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and the withholding of shares to satisfy the employer’s tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the Statements of Cash Flows. The Company adopted the standard on October 1, 2017. The following guidance was updated under the new standard, and its impact to Cabot is described below:

 

When accounting for forfeitures the Company may elect to estimate the number of forfeitures to be recognized over the term of an award, which was also permitted under the previous guidance, or account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company elected to modify its accounting policy and account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company applied the accounting change on a modified retrospective basis, which resulted in a cumulative-effect charge of less than $1 million to Retained earnings as of October 1, 2017.

 

Excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to stock compensation that were previously recorded to Additional paid-in capital are now recognized as a discrete tax benefit or expense in (Provision) benefit for income taxes within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impact on the (Provision) benefit for income taxes was a discrete tax benefit of $2 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2018.

 

Excess tax benefits are no longer reclassified out of cash flows from operating activities to financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company elected to apply this cash flow presentation requirement retrospectively, which resulted in the reclassification of $8 million of tax benefit from share-based compensation awards from cash flows from financing activities to cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.

12


 

 

Cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes are required to be classified as a financing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This method of presentation is consistent with the Company's historical presentation.

In August 2017, the FASB issued a new standard that amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements under hedge accounting. The new standard will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting, amends the presentation and disclosure requirements, and simplifies how companies assess effectiveness. The Company adopted the standard on October 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard that amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The standard requires entities to recognize revenue when they transfer promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has completed its preliminary assessment of the new standard, which included reviewing a sample of contracts across the Company’s four business segments. Based on this assessment, the Company does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material impact on how it recognizes revenue. The Company has substantially completed its assessment of the new standard and is preparing to implement the updates that will be necessary to its revenue recognition policy, internal controls, processes and financial statement disclosures. The Company will adopt this standard on October 1, 2018 and expects to apply a modified retrospective approach.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a new standard for the accounting for leases. This new standard requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases, but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner that is similar to the current accounting treatment for leases. The standard is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the standard on October 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued final amendments to clarify how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows, such as distributions received from equity method investees, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard on October 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard is not expected to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued a new standard that amends the requirements on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs. Currently, net benefit costs are reported as employee costs within operating income. The new standard requires the service cost component to be presented with other employee compensation costs. The other components will be reported separately outside of operations. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt this standard on October 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard is not expected to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued a new standard that allows entities to reclassify from AOCI to Retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from enactment of H.R. 1 (the “Act”), commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The amendments in this new standard also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. The new standard is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating this standard and the timing of its adoption. The adoption of this standard is not expected to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

C. Acquisition of Tech Blend

In November 2017, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares and cash of Tech Blend, a North American producer of black masterbatches, for a purchase price of $65 million, paid in cash. The purchase price was subject to a working capital adjustment, which was immaterial. The operating results of the business are included in the Company’s Performance Chemicals segment. The acquisition extends the Company’s global footprint in black masterbatch and compounds and provides a platform to serve global customers and grow in conductive formulations. Since the date of acquisition, Tech Blend revenues have totaled approximately $19 million through June 30, 2018.

The Company incurred acquisition costs of less than $1 million through June 30, 2018 associated with the transaction, which are included in Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

13


 

The allocation of the purchase price set forth below was based on estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

1

 

Accounts Receivable

 

 

5

 

Inventories

 

 

3

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

7

 

Intangible assets

 

 

29

 

Goodwill

 

 

33

 

Total assets acquired

 

 

78

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

(3

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(10

)

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

(13

)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash consideration paid

 

$

65

 

 

As part of the purchase price allocation, the Company determined the separately identifiable intangible assets are comprised of developed technologies of $21 million, which will be amortized over 25 years, and customer relationships of $8 million, which will be amortized over 12 years. The Company estimated the fair values of the identifiable acquisition-related intangible assets based on projections of cash flows that will arise from those assets. The projected cash flows are discounted to determine the fair value of the assets at the date of acquisition. The determination of the fair value of the intangible assets acquired required the use of significant judgment with regard to (i) assumptions in the discounted cash flow model used and (ii) determination of the useful lives of the developed technologies and customer relationships.

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets and intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill recognized is attributable to the growth and operating synergies that the Company expects to realize from this acquisition. Goodwill generated from the acquisition will not be deductible for tax purposes.

 

 

D. Employee Benefit Plans

Net periodic defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

U.S.

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Service cost

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Interest cost

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost

 

$

(1

)

 

$

1

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

14


 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30

 

 

 

2018