Rogers Sugar Inc.: Interim Report for the 1st Quarter 2016 Results
- Volume Approximately 4,300 Metric Tonnes Higher Than Comparable Quarter
- Adjusted Gross Margin $0.5 Million Higher Than Last Year
/EINPresswire.com/ -- MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/09/16 -- Rogers Sugar Inc. (TSX: RSI)
Message to Shareholders: On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial results of Rogers Sugar Inc. (the "Company") for the three months ended January 2, 2016.
Volume for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was 156,926 metric tonnes, an increase of approximately 4,300 metric tonnes compared to the first quarter of last year. Industrial volume increased slightly for the quarter by approximately 200 metric tonnes versus the same period last year. Consumer volume was approximately 1,800 metric tonnes higher than the comparable quarter last year due to an increase in promotional activities from our retail customers. Liquid volume decreased by approximately 1,700 metric tonnes for the quarter due to timing. Finally, export volume was approximately 4,000 metric tonnes higher in the first quarter of the current year, as compared to the first quarter of last year due to earlier shipments against the Canadian specific U.S. quota and some volume shipped under High Tier duties to the U.S.
With the mark-to-market of all derivative financial instruments and embedded derivatives in non-financial instruments at the end of each reporting period, our accounting income does not represent a complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the business. Consistent with previous reporting, we therefore prepared adjusted gross margin and adjusted earnings results to reflect the performance of the Company during the period without the impact of the mark-to-market of derivative financial instruments and embedded derivatives in non-financial instruments. Earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT") included a mark-to-market gain of $12.7 million for the first quarter, which was deducted to calculate adjusted EBIT and adjusted gross margin results.
Adjusted gross margin amounted to $25.8 million, an increase of approximately $0.5 million versus last year's comparable quarter, which is mostly explained by the increase in sales volume for the quarter. On a per metric tonne basis, adjusted gross margin was $164.63 for the first quarter of the year versus to $165.95 for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, representing a slight decrease of $1.32 due mainly some inefficiencies at the Montreal refinery.
Administration and selling expenses, at $3.6 million, were $1.9 million below the first quarter last year. During the current quarter, the Company completed the termination of the Western salaried defined benefit pension plan, with the settlement and transfer of the defined benefit pension liabilities to an insurance company. As such, as of January 2, 2016, the Company no longer had any obligations towards the Western defined benefit salaried pension plan. The settlement process resulted in the reversal of a non-cash accrual of $1.2 million against administration and selling expenses, pertaining to the deficit outstanding as at October 3, 2015. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the Western defined benefit salaried pension plan, administration and selling expenses were $0.7 million lower than the comparable quarter last year. The decrease is mostly explained by a reduction in consulting fees which were incurred in the first quarter of the prior year to complete the process improvement review at the Montreal refinery.
Distribution expenses were $0.3 million higher for the current quarter due to additional transfer costs between the Company's various locations.
Adjusted EBIT was $19.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 versus $17.7 million for the comparable quarter mainly due to lower administration and selling expenses as explained above.
Free cash flow was $0.4 million lower than the comparable quarter in fiscal 2015. The decrease in free cash flow for the quarter is due mainly to an increase in pension contributions of $1.1 million and higher interest paid of $1.5 million. In addition, the Company repurchased shares in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Somewhat offsetting the negative variation is a higher adjusted EBIT of $2.1 million and lower capital expenditures, net of operational excellence capital of $0.2 million.
For the full year, total sales volume is expected to be comparable to fiscal 2015, without taking into consideration the additional week of operations, which represented approximately 13,000 metric tonnes of sales volume. The industrial and consumer segments are expected to be modestly higher than fiscal 2015, when adjusted for the 53rd week.
The liquid segment is expected to decrease slightly when compared to last year, when adjusted for the 53rd week.
During the quarter, the Company continued to leverage the weaker Canadian dollar and relative spread between the U.S. refined sugar prices and #11 world raw sugar prices to improve our export portfolio. Some additional volume was contracted and deliveries will start in the second quarter and are expected to continue until year end. As a result, the Company anticipates export volume to be comparable to the prior year, when adjusted for the 53rd week. The Company will continue to investigate other export opportunities in order to secure additional export sales.
FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
Stuart Belkin, Chairman
Vancouver, British Columbia - February 9, 2016
MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") dated February 9, 2016 of Rogers Sugar Inc. ("Rogers") should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes thereto for the period ended January 2, 2016, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended October 3, 2015. The quarterly condensed consolidated interim financial statements and any amounts shown in this MD&A were not reviewed nor audited by our external auditors.
Management is responsible for preparing the MD&A. This MD&A has been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of Rogers and its Board of Directors.
Non-GAAP measures
In analyzing our results, we supplement our use of financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, with a number of non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical performance, financial position or cash flow that excludes (includes) amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding (including) amounts, that are included (excluded) in most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized; therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar businesses. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
We use these non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, may provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.
In the MD&A, we discuss the non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons that we believe that these measures provide useful information regarding our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and financial position, as applicable and, to the extent material, the additional purposes, if any, for which these measures are used. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are contained in the MD&A.
Forward-looking statements
This report contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect the current expectations of Rogers and Lantic Inc. (together referred to as "the Company") with respect to future events and performance. Wherever used, the words "may" "will," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "plan," "believe," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although this is not an exhaustive list, the Company cautions investors that statements concerning the following subjects are, or are likely to be, forward-looking statements: future prices of raw sugar, natural gas costs, the opening of special refined sugar quotas in the United States, beet production forecasts, the status of labour contracts and negotiations, the level of future dividends and the status of government regulations and investigations. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. This could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, historical results or current expectations.
Additional information relating to the Company, including the Annual Information Form, Quarterly and Annual reports and supplementary information is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Internal disclosure controls
In accordance with Regulation 52-109 respecting certification of disclosure in issuers' interim filings, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice-President Finance have designed or caused it to be designed under their supervision, disclosure controls and procedures.
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice-President Finance have designed or caused it to be designed under their supervision internal controls over financial reporting ("ICFR") to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Vice-President Finance have evaluated whether or not there were any changes to the Company's ICFR during the three month period ended January 2, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's ICFR. No such changes were identified through their evaluation.
Results of operations
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Results For the three months ended ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (In thousands of dollars, except for January 2, 2016 December 27, 2014 volume and per share information) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Volume (metric tonnes) 156,926 152,608 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $ 130,090 $ 128,726 Gross margin 38,564 23,364 Administration and selling expenses 3,566 5,488 Distribution expenses 2,408 2,116 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings before interest and provision for income taxes (EBIT) $ 32,590 $ 15,760 Net finance costs 2,397 2,960 Provision for income taxes 8,122 3,385 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 22,071 $ 9,415 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings per share - basic $ 0.23 $ 0.10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the normal course of business, the Company uses derivative financial instruments consisting of sugar futures, foreign exchange forward contracts, natural gas futures and interest rate swaps. The Company sells refined sugar to some clients in U.S. dollars. These sales contracts are viewed as having an embedded derivative if the functional currency of the customer is not U.S. dollars, the embedded derivative being the source currency of the transaction, U.S. dollars. Derivative financial instruments and embedded derivatives are marked-to-market at each reporting date, with the unrealized gains/losses charged to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of earnings with a corresponding offsetting amount charged to the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position.
Management believes that the Company's financial results are more meaningful to management, investors, analysts and any other interested parties when financial results are adjusted by the gains/losses from financial derivative instruments and from embedded derivatives. These adjusted financial results provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. This measurement is a non-GAAP measurement.
Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted results of the operating company to measure and to evaluate the performance of the business through its adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBIT and adjusted net earnings. In addition, management believes that these measures are important to our investors and parties evaluating our performance and comparing such performance to past results. Management also uses adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBIT and adjusted net earnings when discussing results with the Board of Directors, analysts, investors, banks and other interested parties.
The results of operations would therefore need to be adjusted by the following:
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Income (loss) For the three months ended
January 2, 2016 December 27, 2014
(In thousands) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
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Mark-to-market adjustment
(excluding interest swap) $ 4,757 $ (1,999)
Cumulative timing differences 7,973 38
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Total adjustment to cost of sales $ 12,730 $ (1,961)
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Price movements in raw sugar and natural gas as well as the movement in value of the U.S. dollar resulted in a mark-to-market gain for the quarter of $4.8 million as opposed to a mark-to-market loss of $2.0 million for the same period in fiscal 2015. A mark-to-market gain of $4.5 million was recorded for raw sugar as compared to a mark-to-market gain of $0.3 million in the comparable quarter last year, as a result of the increase in the #11 world raw sugar prices versus the end of fiscal 2015. The natural gas prices continued to decline during the quarter and as a result, a mark-to-market loss of $2.0 million was recorded versus a mark-to-market loss of $4.0 million in the first quarter last year. Foreign exchange forward contracts and embedded derivatives, on which foreign exchange movements have an impact, had a combined mark-to-market gain of $2.3 million for the quarter, while the comparable quarter last year had a combined mark-to-market gain of $1.7 million.
Cumulative timing differences, as a result of mark-to-market gains or losses, are recognized by the Company only when sugar is sold to a customer and when natural gas is used. The gains or losses on sugar and related foreign exchange paper transactions are largely offset by corresponding gains or losses from the physical transactions, namely sale and purchase contracts with customers and suppliers. This adjustment is added or deducted to the mark-to-market results to arrive at the total adjustment to cost of sales. For the first quarter of the current year, the total cost of sales adjustment is a gain of $12.7 million to be deducted from the consolidated operating results as opposed to a loss of $2.0 million for the comparable quarter last year to be added to the consolidated operating results for the same period last year.
In addition, under short-term interest expense, the Company recorded a mark-to-market gain of $0.1 million for the quarter on the mark-to-market of interest rate swaps, versus a mark-to-market loss of $0.2 million for the comparable period last year.
The following is a table showing the adjusted consolidated results (non-GAAP) without the above mark-to-market results:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Results For the three months ended (In thousands of dollars, except January 2, 2016 December 27, 2014 per share information) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross margin as per financial statements $ 38,564 $ 23,364 Adjustment as per above (12,730) 1,961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted gross margin 25,834 25,325 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT as per financial statements 32,590 15,760 Adjustment as per above (12,730) 1,961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBIT 19,860 17,721 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings as per financial statements 22,071 9,415 Adjustment to cost of sales as per above (12,730) 1,961 Adjustment for mark-to-market of finance costs (87) 206 Deferred taxes on above adjustments 3,497 (778) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted net earnings $ 12,751 $ 10,804 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings per share basic, as per financial statements $ 0.23 $ 0.10 Adjustment for the above (0.09) 0.01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted net earnings per share basic $ 0.14 $ 0.11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was 156,926 metric tonnes, an increase of approximately 4,300 metric tonnes compared to the first quarter of last year. Industrial volume increased slightly for the quarter by approximately 200 metric tonnes versus the same period last year. Consumer volume was approximately 1,800 metric tonnes higher than the comparable quarter last year due to an increase in promotional activities from our retail customers. Liquid volume decreased by approximately 1,700 metric tonnes for the quarter due to timing. Finally, export volume was approximately 4,000 metric tonnes higher in the first quarter of the current year, as compared to the first quarter of last year due to earlier shipments against the Canadian specific U.S. quota and some volume shipped under High Tier duties to the U.S.
Revenues for the quarter were $130.1 million versus $128.7 million for the comparable period to last year. The increase is mainly explained by higher sales volume.
As previously mentioned, gross margin of $38.6 million for the quarter does not reflect the economic margin of the Company, as it includes a gain of $12.7 million for the current quarter for the mark-to-market of derivative financial instruments explained earlier. We will therefore comment on adjusted gross margin results.
Adjusted gross margin amounted to $25.8 million, an increase of approximately $0.5 million versus last year's comparable quarter, which is mostly explained by the increase in sales volume for the quarter. On a per metric tonne basis, adjusted gross margin was $164.63 for the first quarter of the year versus to $165.95 for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, representing a slight decrease of $1.32 due mainly some inefficiencies at the Montreal refinery.
Administration and selling expenses, at $3.6 million, were $1.9 million below the first quarter last year. During the current quarter, the Company completed the termination of the Western salaried defined benefit pension plan, with the settlement and transfer of the defined benefit pension liabilities to an insurance company. As such, as of January 2, 2016, the Company no longer had any obligations towards the Western defined benefit salaried pension plan. The settlement process resulted in the reversal of a non-cash accrual of $1.2 million against administration and selling expenses, pertaining to the deficit outstanding as at October 3, 2015. Excluding the impact of the settlement of the Western defined benefit salaried pension plan, administration and selling expenses were $0.7 million lower than the comparable quarter last year. The decrease is mostly explained by a reduction in consulting fees which were incurred in the first quarter of the prior year to complete the process improvement review at the Montreal refinery.
Distribution expenses were $0.3 million higher for the current quarter due to additional transfer costs between the Company's various locations.
Adjusted EBIT was $19.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 versus $17.7 million for the comparable quarter mainly due to lower administration and selling expenses as explained above.
Finance costs for the quarter include a mark-to-market gain on the interest rate swaps of $0.1 million for the quarter while last year's comparable periods resulted in a loss of $0.2 million. Without the above mark-to-market adjustments, finance expenses for the quarter were $0.3 million lower than the comparable period last year. The overall amount drawn under the revolving credit facility was reduced during the current quarter due to lower inventory level.
The provision for income taxes includes a deferred tax expense of $3.5 million for the current quarter for the mark-to-market adjustment as compared to a revenue of $0.8 million for the comparable period of last year. On an adjusted basis, the provision for income taxes was approximately $4.6 million for the quarter as compared to a provision of $4.2 million for the comparable period last year. The increase for the quarter is due mainly to an increase in adjusted earnings before income taxes.
Statement of quarterly results
The following is a summary of selected financial information of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and non-GAAP measures of the Company for the last eight quarters.
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2016 2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(In thousands of
dollars, except for
volume, margin rate and
per share information) 1-Q 4-Q 3-Q 2-Q 1-Q
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Volume (MT) 156,926 192,912 160,713 152,579 152,608
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Revenues 130,090 155,107 130,592 127,120 128,726
Gross margin 38,564 23,675 10,854 18,402 23,364
EBIT 32,590 13,753 3,748 11,209 15,760
Net earnings (loss) 22,071 7,801 1,050 5,767 9,415
Gross margin rate per MT 245.75 122.72 67.54 120.61 153.10
Per share
Net earnings (loss)
Basic 0.23 0.08 0.01 0.06 0.10
Diluted 0.21 0.08 0.01 0.06 0.10
Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted gross margin 25,834 24,054 19,432 17,071 25,325
Adjusted EBIT 19,860 14,132 12,326 9,878 17,721
Adjusted net earnings 12,751 8,494 7,060 5,400 10,804
Adjusted gross margin
rate per MT 164.63 124.69 120.91 111.88 165.95
Adjusted net earnings
per share
Basic 0.14 0.09 0.08 0.06 0.11
Diluted 0.13 0.09 0.08 0.06 0.11
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2014
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of
dollars, except for
volume, margin rate and
per share information) 4-Q 3-Q 2-Q
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Volume (MT) 170,767 158,489 154,862
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Revenues 139,688 128,432 127,299
Gross margin 15,077 8,353 33,206
EBIT 3,706 1,477 25,226
Net earnings (loss) 874 (886) 16,725
Gross margin rate per MT 88.29 52.70 214.42
Per share
Net earnings (loss)
Basic 0.01 (0.01) 0.18
Diluted 0.01 (0.01) 0.16
Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted gross margin 23,988 16,786 16,382
Adjusted EBIT 12,617 9,910 8,402
Adjusted net earnings 7,386 5,456 4,526
Adjusted gross margin
rate per MT 140.47 105.91 105.78
Adjusted net earnings
per share
Basic 0.08 0.06 0.05
Diluted 0.08 0.06 0.05
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Historically the first quarter (October to December) of the fiscal year is the best quarter for adjusted gross margins and adjusted net earnings due to the favourable sales mix associated with increased sales of baked goods during that period of the year. At the same time, the second quarter (January to March) is historically the lowest volume quarter, resulting in lower revenues, adjusted gross margins and adjusted net earnings.
Liquidity
Cash flow generated by the operating company, Lantic, is paid to Rogers by way of dividends and return of capital on the common shares of Lantic, and by the payment of interest on the subordinated notes of Lantic held by Rogers, after having taken reasonable reserves for capital expenditures and working capital. The cash received by Rogers is used to pay dividends to its shareholders.
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For the three months ended
January 2, 2016 December 27, 2014
(In thousands of dollars) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
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Cash flow from operating
activities $ 13,741 $ (7,969)
Cash flow from financing
activities (12,794) 9,311
Cash flow from investing
activities (1,072) (1,366)
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Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents $ (125) $ (24)
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Cash flow from operations was positive $13.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to negative $8.0 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2015. The positive variation of $21.7 million is explained by an increase in gross margin of $15.2 million, due mainly to the mark-to-market adjustments, and a lower negative working capital variation of $9.9 million when compared to the same period last year mainly due to a decrease in accounts receivable and an increase in accounts payable. Somewhat offsetting the positive variance is an increase in pension contributions for hourly defined pension plans of $1.1 million and higher interest and income taxes paid of $1.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, due to timing.
Cash flow from financing activities was negative $12.8 million for the current quarter versus positive $9.3 million for the comparable quarter last year. The variation is mostly attributable to a decrease in borrowings for the current quarter as opposed to an increase in the comparable quarter. In addition, the Company repurchased common shares in fiscal 2016 for a total of cash consideration of $0.3 million. There was no repurchase of shares in the comparable period of fiscal 2015.
Capital expenditures were lower by $0.3 million for the current quarter when compared to the first quarter last year due to timing in spending on capital projects.
In order to provide additional information, the Company believes it is appropriate to measure free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, which is generated by the operations of the Company and can be compared to the level of dividends paid by Rogers. Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations excluding changes in non-cash working capital, mark-to-market and derivative timing adjustments, financial instruments non-cash amount and including capital expenditures.
Free cash flow is as follows:
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For the three months ended
January 2, 2016 December 27, 2014
(In thousands of dollars) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
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Cash flow from operations $ 13,741 $ (7,969)
Adjustments:
Changes in non-cash working
capital 15,457 25,394
Changes in non-cash income taxes
payable (419) (479)
Changes in non-cash interest
payable 1,553 (182)
Mark-to-market and derivative
timing adjustments (12,817) 2,167
Financial instruments non-cash
amount (1,726) (2,936)
Capital expenditures (1,072) (1,366)
Operational excellence capital
expenditures 62 206
Repurchase of shares (329) -
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Free cash flow $ 14,450 $ 14,835
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Declared dividends $ 8,458 $ 8,463
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Free cash flow was $0.4 million lower than the comparable quarter in fiscal 2015. The decrease in free cash flow for the quarter is due mainly to an increase in pension contributions of $1.1 million and higher interest paid of $1.5 million. In addition, the Company repurchased shares in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Somewhat offsetting the negative variation is a higher adjusted EBIT of $2.1 million and lower capital expenditures, net of operational excellence capital of $0.2 million.
Changes in non-cash operating working capital, income taxes payable and interest payable represent quarter-over-quarter movements in current assets such as accounts receivables and inventories and current liabilities like accounts payable. Movements in these accounts are due mainly to timing in the collection of receivables, receipts of raw sugar and payment of liabilities. Increases or decreases in such accounts do not therefore constitute available cash for distribution. Such increases or decreases are financed from available cash or from the Company's available credit facilities of $150.0 million. Increases or decreases in short-term bank indebtedness are also due to timing issues from the above factors, and therefore do not constitute available cash for distribution.
The combined impact of the mark-to-market and financial instruments non-cash amount of approximately $14.5 million for the quarter does not represent cash items as these contracts will be settled when the physical transactions occur and is therefore adjusted to free cash flow.
Capital expenditures, net of operational excellence capital expenditures, were slightly lower than the first quarter of last year by approximately $0.2 million due mainly to timing of capital projects. Operational excellence capital expenditures are added back as these capital projects are not required for the operation of the refineries but are undertaken due to operational savings to be realized when these projects are completed.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, Rogers repurchased 80,800 shares under the Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") for a total cash consideration of $0.3 million.
The Company declared a quarterly dividend of 9.0 cents per common share for a total amount of approximately $8.5 million during the quarter.
Contractual obligations
There are no significant changes in the contractual obligations table disclosed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of the October 3, 2015 Annual Report.
At January 2, 2016, the operating company had commitments to purchase a total of 1,502,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar, of which 311,415 metric tonnes had been priced for a total dollar commitment of $142.4 million.
Capital resources
Lantic has $150.0 million as an authorized line of credit available to finance its operation and it expires in June 2020. At quarter-end, $73.0 million had been drawn from the working capital line of credit and $1.2 million in cash was also available.
At quarter's end, inventories were higher compared to year-end due mainly to the harvest of the Taber beet crop in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Cash requirements for working capital and other capital expenditures are expected to be paid from available credit resources and from funds generated from operations.
Outstanding securities
During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company purchased 80,800 common shares under the Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") in place at the time, for a total cash consideration of $0.3 million. All shares purchased were cancelled.
In November 2015, the Company received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to proceed with another NCIB whereby the Company may purchase up to 500,000 common shares. The NCIB commenced on December 1, 2015 and may continue to November 30, 2016. In addition, the Company has entered into an Automatic Share Purchase Plan ("ASPP") with Scotia Capital Inc. ("Scotia"). Under this agreement, Scotia may acquire, at its discretion, common shares on the Company's behalf during certain "black-out" periods, subject to certain parameters as to price and number of shares. Subsequent to January 2, 2016, a total of 97,800 common shares were purchased and canceled under the ASPP and therefore, as at February 9, 2016, there were 93,850,160 common shares outstanding.
Critical accounting estimate and accounting policies
There are no significant changes in the critical estimate and accounting policies disclosed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of the October 3, 2015 Annual Report.
Significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies as disclosed in the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 3, 2015 have been applied consistently in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements except as noted below:
-- IAS 19, Employee benefits:
In November 2013, the IASB issued amendments to pension accounting under
IAS 19, Employee benefits. The amendments introduce a relief (practical
expedient) that will reduce the complexity and burden of accounting for
certain contributions from employees or third parties. The amendments
are effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2015. The
Company adopted the amendments in the first quarter of the year ending
October 1, 2016. The adoption of IAS 19, Employee Benefits, did not have
an impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial
statements.
Future accounting changes
A number of new standards, and amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective and have not been applied in preparing these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
-- IFRS 9, Financial instruments:
On July 24, 2014, the IASB issued the complete IFRS 9 (IFRS 9 (2014)).
The mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 is for annual periods beginning
on or after January 1, 2018 and must be applied retrospectively with
some exemptions. Early adoption is permitted. The restatement of prior
periods is not required and is only permitted if information is
available without the use of hindsight.
IFRS 9 (2014) introduces new requirements for the classification and
measurement of financial assets. Under IFRS 9 (2014), financial assets
are classified and measured based on the business model in which they
are held and the characteristics of their contractual cash flows.
The standard introduces additional changes relating to financial
liabilities. It also amends the impairment model by introducing a new
"expected credit loss" model for calculating impairment.
IFRS 9 (2014) also includes a new general hedge accounting standard
which aligns hedge accounting more closely with risk management. This
new standard does not fundamentally change the types of hedging
relationships or the requirement to measure and recognize
ineffectiveness; however, it will provide more hedging strategies that
are used for risk management to qualify for hedge accounting and
introduce more judgment to assess the effectiveness of a hedging
relationship.
Special transitional requirements have been set for the application of
the new general hedging model.
The Company intends to adopt IFRS 9 (2014) in its consolidated financial
statements for the annual period beginning on September 30, 2018, at the
latest. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the
financial statements of the Company has not yet been determined.
-- IFRS 15, Revenue from contracts with customers:
On May 28, 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers. IFRS 15 will replace IAS 11, Construction Contracts, IAS 18,
Revenue, IFRIC 13, Customer Loyalty Programmes, IFRIC 15, Agreements for
the Construction of Real Estate, IFRIC 18, Transfer of Assets from
Customers, and SIC 31, Revenue - Barter Transactions Involving
Advertising Services. The new standard is effective for years beginning
on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted. The
standard contains a single model that applies to contracts with
customers and two approaches to recognizing revenue: at a point in time
or over time. The model features a contract-based five-step analysis of
transactions to determine whether, how much and when revenue is
recognized. New estimates and judgmental thresholds have been
introduced, which may affect the amount and/or timing of revenue
recognized.
The new standard applies to contracts with customers. It does not apply
to insurance contracts, financial instruments or lease contracts, which
fall in the scope of other IFRS.
The Company intends to adopt IFRS 15 in its financial statements for the
year beginning on September 30, 2018. The extent of the impact of
adoption of the standard on the financial statements of the Company has
not yet been determined.
-- IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements:
On December 18, 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, Presentation
of Financial Statements as part of its major initiative to improve
presentation and disclosure in financial reports. The amendments are
effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2016. Early
adoption is permitted. The Company intends to adopt these amendments in
its consolidated financial statements for the year beginning on October
2, 2016. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the
consolidated financial statements of the Company has not yet been
determined.
-- Annual improvements to IFRS (2012-2014) cycle:
On September 25, 2014, the IASB issued narrow-scope amendments to a
total of four standards as part of its annual improvements process. The
amendments will apply for years beginning on or after January 1, 2016.
Amendments were made to clarify the following in their respective
standards:
-- Changes in method for disposal under IFRS 5, Non-current Assets Held
for Sale and Discontinued Operations;
-- "Continuing involvement" for servicing contracts and offsetting
disclosures in condensed interim financial statements under IFRS 7,
Financial Instruments: Disclosures;
-- Discount rate in a regional market sharing the same currency under
IAS 19, Employee Benefits;
-- Disclosure of information "elsewhere in the interim financial
report" under IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting.
-- The Company intends to adopt these amendments in its consolidated
financial statements for the year beginning on October 2, 2016. The
extent of the impact of adoption of the standard on the consolidated
financial statements of the Company has not yet been determined.
Risk factors
Risk factors in the Company's business and operations are discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of our Annual Report for the year ended October 3, 2015. This document is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on one of our websites at www.lantic.ca or www.rogerssugarinc.com.
Outlook
Overall, total sales volume is expected to be comparable to fiscal 2015, without taking into consideration the additional week of operations, which represented approximately 13,000 metric tonnes of sales volume. The industrial and consumer segments are expected to be modestly higher than fiscal 2015, when adjusted for the 53rd week.
The liquid segment is expected to decrease slightly when compared to last year, when adjusted for the 53rd week.
During the quarter, the Company continued to leverage the weaker Canadian dollar and relative spread between the U.S. refined sugar prices and #11 world raw sugar prices to improve our export portfolio. Some additional volume was contracted and deliveries will start in the second quarter and are expected to continue until year end. As a result, the Company anticipates export volume to be comparable to the prior year, when adjusted for the 53rd week. The Company will continue to investigate other export opportunities in order to secure additional export sales.
Approximately 85% of fiscal 2016's natural gas requirements have been hedged at average prices comparable to those realized in fiscal 2015. Any un-hedged volume should benefit from the current low prices of nearby natural gas. In addition, some futures positions for fiscal 2017 to 2019 have also been taken. Some of these positions are at prices higher than current market value, but are at the same or better levels than those achieved in fiscal 2015. We will continue to monitor natural gas market dynamics with the objective of maintaining competitive costs and minimizing natural gas cost variances. Natural gas is purchased in U.S. dollars and the Company has also hedged its currency exposure on natural gas requirements for the next twelve months at favorable exchange rates when compared to the current market. The Company does not expect any significant variation in total energy costs when compared to fiscal 2015.
Administration and selling expenses are expected to be lower than last year due to favorable variance this current quarter and the non-recurrence of certain expenditures that occurred in the last quarter of fiscal 2015.
Capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 are expected to be higher than fiscal 2015 as stay in business and safety capital expenditures could vary between $12.0 million and $14.0 million. The anticipated increase is attributable to a higher fiscal 2015 carryover of projects and a commitment to update targeted plant control systems in our Western plants. The Company will continue to aggressively pursue operational excellence capital investment in order to reduce costs and improve manufacturing efficiencies.
The beet slicing campaign in Taber was completed in early January. Throughout the campaign, the factory operated well and beet quality remained high until the end. We are estimating total beet sugar production at approximately 90,000 metric tonnes, once the thick juice campaign is completed in the spring of 2016.
Labour negotiations with the Montreal refinery unionized employees for the renewal of the labour contracts terminating on February 28, 2016 will start shortly and will be ongoing over the next several weeks.
The complete financial statements are available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RSI-Q1-16-FS-ENG.pdf
Contacts:
Ms. Manon Lacroix
Vice-President Finance and Secretary
(514) 940-4350
(514) 527-1610 (FAX)
www.rogerssugarinc.com or www.Lantic.ca
