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LSB INDUSTRIES INC

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed Apr 30, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed Apr 30, 2024

LXU$10.60+2.4%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
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Item 1. Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Information at March 31, 2024 is unaudited)

March 31,December 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$125,991$98,500
Restricted cash2,5322,532
Short-term investments139,238207,434
Accounts receivable54,10840,749
Allowance for doubtful accounts(366)(364)
Accounts receivable, net53,74240,385
Inventories:
Finished goods19,64326,329
Raw materials2,3201,799
Total inventories21,96328,128
Supplies, prepaid items and other:
Prepaid insurance10,76814,846
Precious metals11,56012,094
Supplies30,68230,486
Other2,7672,337
Total supplies, prepaid items and other55,77759,763
Total current assets399,243436,742
Property, plant and equipment, net832,192835,298
Other assets:
Operating lease assets27,23524,852
Intangible and other assets, net1,4491,292
Total other assets28,68426,144
Total assets$1,260,119$1,298,184
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable56,06468,323
Short-term financing9,01813,398
Accrued and other liabilities38,82030,961
Current portion of long-term debt5,7425,847
Total current liabilities109,644118,529
Long-term debt, net543,835575,874
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities18,26016,074
Other noncurrent accrued and other liabilities523523
Deferred income taxes69,67268,853
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.10 par value; 150 million shares authorized, 91.2 million shares issued9,1179,117
Capital in excess of par value501,097501,026
Retained earnings232,638227,015
Total stockholders’ equity742,852737,158
Less treasury stock, at cost:
Common stock, 18.9 million shares (18.1 million shares at December 31, 2023)224,667218,827
Total stockholders' equity518,185518,331
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,260,119$1,298,184

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Net sales$138,204$180,964
Cost of sales115,926139,359
Gross profit22,27841,605
Selling, general and administrative expense10,2949,867
Other expense, net7241,203
Operating income11,26030,535
Interest expense, net9,72912,212
Gain on extinguishment of debt(1,134)—
Non-operating other income, net(3,561)(3,476)
Income before provision for income taxes6,22621,799
Provision for income taxes6035,898
Net income$5,623$15,901
Income per common share:
Basic:
Net income$0.08$0.21
Diluted:
Net income$0.08$0.21

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATE MENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CommonStockShares · TreasuryStock-Common Shares · CommonStock Par Value · Capital in Excess ofPar Value · Retained Earnings · TreasuryStock-Common · Total
(In Thousands)
Balance at December 31, 202391,168(18,051)$9,117$501,026$227,015$(218,827)$518,331
Net income5,6235,623
Stock-based compensation1,3941,394
Purchase of common stock(690)(5,397)(5,397)
Vesting of equity compensation109(1,323)1,323—
Shares withheld upon vesting of equity compensation(231)(1,766)(1,766)
Balance at March 31, 202491,168(18,863)$9,117$501,097$232,638$(224,667)$518,185
Balance at December 31, 202291,168(14,888)$9,117$497,179$199,092$(189,515)$515,873
Net income15,90115,901
Stock-based compensation719719
Vesting of equity compensation53(682)682—
Shares withheld upon vesting of equity compensation(204)(2,541)(2,541)
Balance at March 31, 202391,168(15,039)$9,117$497,216$214,993$(191,374)$529,952

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income$5,623$15,901
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes8195,608
Gain on extinguishment of debt(1,134)—
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment17,11417,439
Stock-based compensation1,393719
Other3,9291,223
Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(11,408)15,418
Inventories6,1651,251
Prepaid insurance4,0785,158
Supplies, prepaid items and other(116)(4,455)
Accounts payable(7,911)(4,861)
Accrued interest7,86710,905
Other assets and other liabilities(2,312)(5,059)
Net cash provided by operating activities24,10759,247
Cash flows from investing activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment(18,287)(18,437)
Proceeds from short-term investments100,87888,707
Purchases of short-term investments(34,689)(133,660)
Other investing activities—11
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities47,902(63,379)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchases of 6.25% Senior Secured Notes(31,316)—
Payments on other long-term debt(1,443)(2,180)
Payments on short-term financing(4,379)(5,967)
Acquisition of treasury stock, net(7,163)—
Payments of debt-related costs(217)—
Other financing activities—(2,541)
Net cash used by financing activities(44,518)(10,688)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents27,491(14,820)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period101,03263,769
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$128,523$48,949
  1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements and notes of LSB have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (our “2023 Form 10-K”), filed with the SEC on March 6, 2024. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements in this report reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2024.

Basis of Consolidation – LSB and its subsidiaries are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and investments in its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Nature of Business – We are engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemical products. The chemical products we primarily manufacture, market and sell are ammonia, fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate (“HDAN”) and UAN for agricultural applications, high purity and commercial grade ammonia, high purity ammonium nitrate, sulfuric acids, concentrated, blended and regular nitric acid, mixed nitrating acids, carbon dioxide, and diesel exhaust fluid for industrial applications, and industrial grade ammonium nitrate (“LDAN”) and ammonium nitrate (“AN”) solutions for the mining industry. We manufacture and distribute products infour facilities; three of which we own and are located in El Dorado, Arkansas (the “El Dorado Facility”); Cherokee, Alabama (the “Cherokee Facility”); and Pryor, Oklahoma (the “Pryor Facility”); and one of which we operate on behalf of Covestro LLC in Baytown, Texas (the “Baytown Facility”).

Sales to customers include farmers, ranchers, fertilizer dealers and distributors primarily in the ranch land and grain production markets in the United States (“U.S.”); industrial users of acids throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada; and explosive manufacturers in the U.S. and other parts of North America.

These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Repurchase Program – In May 2023, our Board of Directors (our “Board”) authorized a $150 million stock repurchase program. Total repurchase authority remaining under the repurchase program was $116 million as of March 31, 2024. The repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason, including market conditions, the cost of repurchasing securities, the availability of alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other factors deemed appropriate. The repurchase program does not obligate us to purchase any particular number or type of securities. During the first quarter of 2024, we repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of common stock at an average price of $7.82 per share.

Restricted Cash – We classify cash that has been segregated or is otherwise limited in use as restricted. Our restricted cash as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, relates primarily to certain cash collateral held by Wells Fargo under our prior revolving credit facility, terminated in December 2023 and discussed in Note 4 – Long-Term Debt, for letters of credit outstanding as we transition these items to our current revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility) pursuant to that credit agreement, dated December 21, 2023, between us and the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent. All of our restricted cash is classified as a current asset and is separately presented on the face of our consolidated balance sheet. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported withinthe consolidated balance sheet to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:

March 31,December 31,
20242023
(in Thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$125,991$98,500
Restricted cash2,5322,532
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows128,523101,032

Short-Term Investments– Investments, which consist of U.S. treasury bills with an original maturity up to and less than 52 weeks, are considered short-term investments and are classified as Level 1. We plan to hold these investments to maturity and have a history of holding investments to maturity. Due to the nature of these investments, as U.S. treasury securities, no impairment is anticipated.

Accounts Receivable– Our accounts receivable are presented at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect any estimate of expected credit losses. Our estimate is based on historical experience and periodic assessment, particularly on accounts that are past due (based upon the terms of the sale). Our periodic assessment is based on our best estimate of amounts that are not recoverable which includes a present collectability review and forward looking assessment, where applicable.

Impairment of Long–Lived Assets– Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An asset’s fair value must be determined when the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (asset group) and/or its eventual disposition. If assets to be held and used are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair values of the assets as measured by the present value of future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets or their appraised value. In general, and depending on the event or change in circumstances, our asset groups are reviewed for impairment on a facility-by-facility basis (such as the Cherokee Facility, El Dorado Facility or Pryor Facility).

Short-Term Financing – Our short-term financing represents the short-term note related to financing of our insurance premium, which is renewed annually each November.

Contingencies – Certain conditions may exist which may result in a loss, but which will only be resolved when future events occur. We and our legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss has been incurred, we would accrue for such contingent losses when such losses can be reasonably estimated. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Estimates of potential legal fees and other directly related costs associated with contingencies are not accrued but rather are expensed as incurred. Loss contingency liabilities are included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities and are based on current estimates that may be revised in the near term. In addition, we recognize contingent gains when such gains are realized or when the contingencies have been resolved (generally at the time a settlement has been reached).

Derivatives, Hedges and Financial Instruments– Periodically, we entered into certain forward natural gas contracts. Whenever we have such derivative contracts outstanding that are subject to derivative accounting, they are recognized in the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives are recorded in results of operations unless the normal purchase or sale exceptions apply, or hedge accounting is elected.

The fair value amounts recognized for our derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement may be offset. We have the choice to offset or not, but that choice must be applied consistently. A master netting arrangement exists if the reporting entity has multiple contracts with a single counterparty that are subject to a contractual agreement that provides for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in a single currency in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. Offsetting the fair values recognized for the derivative contracts outstanding with a single counterparty results in the net fair value of the transactions reported as an asset or a liability in the balance sheet. When applicable, we present the fair values of our derivative contracts under master netting agreements using a gross fair value presentation.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date:

Level 1 - Valuations of contracts classified as Level 1 are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical contracts.

Level 2 - Valuations of contracts classified as Level 2 are based on quoted prices for similar contracts and valuation inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for these contracts.

Level 3 - Valuations of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

Leases– We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception or modification of a contract and classify each lease as either an operating or finance lease based on the terms of the contract. We reassess lease classification subsequent to commencement upon a change to the expected lease term or a modification to the contract. A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified property or equipment, explicitly or implicitly, for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is conveyed if we obtain the rights to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from the use of the underlying asset.

An operating lease asset represents our right to use the underlying asset as a lessee for the lease term and an operating lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Currently, most of our leases are classified as operating leases and primarily relate to railcars, other equipment and office space. Our leases that are classified as finance leases and other leases under which we are the lessor are not material. Variable payments are excluded from the present value of lease payments and are recognized in the period in which the payment is made. Our current leases do not contain residual value guarantees. Most of our leases do not include options to extend or terminate the lease prior to the end of the term. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recognized in the balance sheet.

Since our leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the lease term and other information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term.

As of March 31, 2024, we have executed operating leases with lease terms greater than one year, with total payments of approximately $1.1 million which have not yet commenced.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2023-07 -In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280)—Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments include a new requirement to disclose significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), extend certain annual disclosures to interim periods, clarify single reportable segment entities must apply Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 280 in its entirety, permit more than one measure of segment profit or loss to be reported under certain conditions and require disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. This update is effective for public entities fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of adoption of this update on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, while we do not expect it to impact our results of operations or financial position, we expect that it will result in additional disclosures.

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. We considered all ASUs issued and outstanding or that became effective since January 1, 2024 through the date of these financial statements and determined them not to be applicable or materially impact our financial statements other than those ASU's specifically addressed above.

  1. Net Income per Common Share
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Numerator:
Net income$5,623$15,901
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per common share$5,623$15,901
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income per common share - adjusted weighted-average shares (1)72,84275,807
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested restricted stock and stock units331504
Dilutive potential common shares331504
Denominator for diluted net income per common share - adjusted weighted-average shares73,17376,311
Basic net income per common share$0.08$0.21
Diluted net income per common share$0.08$0.21

(1)

All periods exclude the weighted-average shares of unvested restricted stock that are contingently issuable.

The following weighted-average shares of securities were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share as their effect would have been antidilutive:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
Restricted stock and stock units714,563395,301
Stock options13,00013,000
727,563408,301
  1. Accrued and Other Liabilities
March 31,December 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Accrued interest$15,5127,487
Current portion of operating lease liabilities9,0378,795
Accrued payroll and benefits5,0609,400
Accrued taxes other than income2,4532,198
Customer deposits2,369874
Other4,9122,730
39,34331,484
Less noncurrent portion523523
Current portion of accrued and other liabilities$38,820$30,961
  1. Long-Term Debt

Our long-term debt consists of the following:

March 31,December 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility (A)$—$—
Senior Secured Notes due 2028, with an interest rate of 6.25% (B)542,090575,000
Secured Financing due 2025, with an interest rate of 8.75% (C)12,77014,133
Finance Leases2,190953
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)(7,473)(8,365)
549,577581,721
Less current portion of long-term debt5,7425,847
Long-term debt due after one year, net$543,835$575,874

(1)

Debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 of approximately $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, relating to our Revolving Credit Facility are not included in Unamortized debt issuance cost. They are included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet in Intangible and other assets, net.

(A)

The Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings up to an initial maximum of $75 million, with an option to increase the maximum by an additional $25 million (which amount is uncommitted). Availability is subject to a borrowing base and an availability block of $7.5 million, which is applied against the $75 million initially reducing the maximum (which can be removed by us at our sole discretion, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions). The Revolving Credit Facility provides for a sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10 million, with the outstanding amount of any such letters of credit reducing availability for borrowings. As of March 31, 2024, our Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn and had approximately $45.4 million of availability, based on our eligible collateral. The maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility is on the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 days prior to the earliest stated maturity date of the Senior Secured Notes, which is currently October 15, 2028, (unless refinanced or repaid) and (ii) December 21, 2028. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a financial covenant, which requires that, solely if we elect to remove the $7.5 million availability block, we must maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00:1.00. The financial covenant, if triggered, is tested monthly. The financial covenant was not triggered as of March 31, 2024.

Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of us, either (a) term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for a period of one month (with a fallback to the prime rate if such rate is unavailable), plus 0.10%, plus an applicable margin of 1.625% or (b) term SOFR for a period of one, three or six months (at our election), plus 0.10%, plus an applicable margin of 1.625%, in each case with a floor of 0.00%.

(B)

We previously issued at par an aggregate total of $700 million principal value of our Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (“Senior Secured Notes”). The Senior Secured Notes, which mature in October 2028, bear interest at a rate of 6.25% paid in arrears on May 15 and October 15. Please see Note 5 in our 2023 Form 10-K for further discussion of the Senior Secured Notes. From time to time, we have engaged in open market repurchases to extinguish a portion of the outstanding balance.

During the first quarter of 2024, we repurchased $32.9 million in principal amount of our Senior Secured Notes for approximately $31.3 million, which was accounted for as an extinguishment of debt. Including our write-off of the associated remaining portion of unamortized debt issuance costs, we recognized a gain on extinguishment of approximately $1.1 million.

(C)

In August 2020, we entered into a $30 million secured financing arrangement with an affiliate of Eldridge Industries, L.L.C. (“Eldridge”). Beginning in September 2020, principal and interest is payable in 60 equal monthly installments with a final balloon payment of approximately $5 million due in August 2025. This financing arrangement is secured by an ammonia storage tank and is guaranteed by LSB.

  1. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters -Following is a summary of certain legal matters involving the Company:

A. Environmental Matters

Our facilities and operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws and to other laws regarding health and safety matters (collectively, the “Environmental and Health Laws”), many of which provide for certain performance obligations, substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. Certain Environmental and Health Laws impose strict liability as well as joint and several liability for costs required to remediate and restore sites where hazardous substances, hydrocarbons or solid wastes have been stored or released. We may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently or formerly owned or operated by us or facilities of third parties that received waste generated by our operations regardless of whether such contamination resulted from the conduct of others or from consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken.

In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental, health and safety effects of our operations.

There can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in complying with such laws or in paying fines or penalties for violation of such laws. Our insurance may not cover all environmental risks and costs or may not provide sufficient coverage if an environmental claim is made against us. The Environmental and Health Laws and related enforcement policies have in the past resulted and could in the future result, in significant compliance expenses, cleanup costs (for our sites or third-party sites where our wastes were disposed of), penalties or other liabilities relating to the handling, manufacture, use, emission, discharge or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials at or from our facilities or the use or disposal of certain of its chemical products. Further, a number of our facilities are dependent on environmental permits to operate, the loss or modification of which could have a material adverse effect on their operations and our financial condition.

Historically, significant capital expenditures have been incurred by our subsidiaries in order to comply with the Environmental and Health Laws and significant capital expenditures are expected to be incurred in the future. We will also be obligated to manage certain discharge water outlets and monitor groundwater contaminants at our facilities should we discontinue the operations of a facility.

As of March 31, 2024, ouraccrued liabilities for environmental matters totaled approximately $0.4 million relating primarily to the matters discussed below. Estimates of the most likely costs for our environmental matters are generally based on preliminary or completed assessment studies, preliminary results of studies, or our experience with other similar matters. It is reasonably possible that a change in the estimate of our liability could occur in the near term.

  1. Discharge Water Matters

Each of our manufacturing facilities generates process wastewater, which may include cooling tower and boiler water quality control streams, contact storm water and miscellaneous spills and leaks from process equipment. The process water discharge, storm-water runoff and miscellaneous spills and leaks are governed by various permits generally issued by the respective state environmental agencies as authorized and overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These permits limit the type and volume of effluents that can be discharged and control the method of such discharge.

In 2017, the Company filed a Permit Renewal Application for its Non-Hazardous Injection Well Permit at the Pryor Facility. Although the Injection Well Permit expired in 2018, we continue to operate the injection well in accordance with an executed November 2023 Consent Order with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (“ODEQ”) that allows for the continued use of the injection well until a wastewater treatment process is designed, built and operational. The Company continues to work with the ODEQ under the terms of the Consent Order. We have identified and selected a wastewater treatment technology using biological processes that can and will treat the nitrogen-containing wastewater streams at our Pryor Facility. We are unable to estimate the costs related to the replacement of the disposal well at this time as we are in the early stages of design for the wastewater treatment process with a wastewater process design engineering firm. We have also commenced preliminary discussions with the ODEQ on permitting the treated wastewater discharges but have not received any confirmation from the ODEQ on their preliminary acceptance of our treated wastewater stream.

In 2006, the Company entered into a Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) that recognizes the presence of nitrate contamination in the shallow groundwater at our El Dorado Facility. The CAO required us to perform semi-annual groundwater monitoring, continue operation of a groundwater recovery system, submit a human health and ecological risk assessment and submit a remedial action plan. The risk assessment was submitted in 2007. In 2015, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) stated that the El Dorado Facility was meeting the requirements of the CAO and should continue semi-annual monitoring. A CAO was signed in 2018, which required an Evaluation Report of the data and effectiveness of the groundwater remedy for nitrate contamination. During 2019, the Evaluation Report was submitted to the ADEQ and the ADEQ approved the report. No liability has been established as of March 31, 2024, in connection with this ADEQ matter.

  1. Other Environmental Matters

In 2002, certain of our subsidiaries sold substantially all of their operating assets relating to a Kansas chemical facility (the “Hallowell Facility”) but retained ownership of the real property where the facility is located. Our subsidiary retained the obligation to be responsible for and perform the activities under, a previously executed consent order to investigate the surface and subsurface contamination at the real property, develop a corrective action strategy based on the investigation and implement such strategy. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries agreed to indemnify the buyer of such assets for these environmental matters.

As the successor to a prior owner of the Hallowell Facility, Chevron Environmental Management Company (“Chevron”) has agreed in writing, within certain limitations, to pay and has been payingone-halfof the costs of the investigation and interim measures relating to this matter as approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (the “KDHE”), subject to reallocation.

During this process, our subsidiary and Chevron retained an environmental consultant that prepared and performed a corrective action study work plan as to the appropriate method to remediate the Hallowell Facility. During 2020, the KDHE selected a remedy of annual monitoring and the implementation of an Environmental Use Control (“EUC”). This remedy primarily relates to long-term surface and groundwater monitoring to track the natural decline in contamination and is subject to a 5-year re-evaluation with the KDHE.

The final remedy, including the EUC, the finalization of the cost estimates and any required financial assurances remains under discussion with the KDHE. Pending the results from our discussions regarding the final remedy, we continue to accrue our allocable portion of costs primarily for the additional testing, monitoring and risk assessments that could be reasonably estimated, which amount is included in our accrued liabilities for environmental matters discussed above. The estimated amount is not discounted to its present value. As more information becomes available, our estimated accrual will be refined, as necessary.

We received a Notice of Potential Violation ("NOV") for ten findings identified from an inspection conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Region IV at our Cherokee Facility in late 2022. We provided written responses to each finding in the inspection report issued in connection with such inspection and to the Notice of Potential Violations and held direct communications with the EPA related to the matter. A meeting was held with the EPA in January 2024 to discuss the NOV and our subsequent responsive actions. During the meeting, the EPA proposed two alternatives for the penalties related to the violations. We accepted one of the proposed alternatives, which included a cash fine and an investment in a community project, for which we accrued an estimate as of December 31, 2023.

B. Other Pending, Threatened or Settled Litigation

West Fertilizer Matter

In 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at the West Fertilizer Company (“West Fertilizer”) located in West, Texas, causing death, bodily injury and substantial property damage. West Fertilizer is not owned or controlled by us, but West Fertilizer was a customer of EDC and purchased HDAN from EDC from time to time. LSB and EDC received letters from counsel purporting to represent subrogated insurance carriers, personal injury claimants and persons who suffered property damages informing LSB and EDC that their clients are conducting investigations into the cause of the explosion and fire to determine, among other things, whether AN manufactured by EDC and supplied to West Fertilizer was stored at West Fertilizer at the time of the explosion and, if so, whether such AN may have been one of the contributing factors of the explosion. Initial lawsuits filed named West Fertilizer and another supplier of AN as defendants.

In 2014, EDC and LSB were named as defendants, together with other AN manufacturers and brokers that arranged the transport and delivery of AN to West Fertilizer, in the case styled City of West, Texas vs. CF Industries, Inc., et al., in the District Court of McLennan County, Texas. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that LSB and EDC were negligent in the production and marketing of fertilizer products sold to West Fertilizer, resulting in death, personal injury and property damage. EDC retained a firm specializing in cause and origin investigations with particular experience with fertilizer facilities, to assist EDC in its own investigation. LSB and EDC placed its liability insurance carrier on notice and the carrier is handling the defense for LSB and EDC concerning this matter.

Our product liability insurance policies have aggregate limits of general liability totaling $100 million, with a self-insured retention of $0.3 million, which retention limit has been met relating to the West Fertilizer matter. In August 2015, the trial court dismissed plaintiff’s negligence claims against us and EDC based on a duty to inspect but allowed the plaintiffs to proceed on claims for design defect and failure to warn.

After more thanten years of active litigation, we and EDC (with approval of our insurance carriers) have secured, in writing, the release of nearlyall the plaintiffs asserting personal injury and property damage claimants and the release of all subrogation carriers. We are left only with a handful of personnel injury claimants, none of whom suffered serious injuries, and all of whom have failed to meaningfully prosecute their claims. As of March 31, 2024, no liability reserve has been established in connection with this matter.

Global Industrial Matter

In 2015, we and EDA received written notice from Global Industrial, Inc. (“Global”) of Global’s intention to assert mechanic liens for labor, service, or materials furnished under certain subcontract agreements for the improvement of the ammonia plant (“Ammonia Plant”) at our El Dorado Facility. Global was a subcontractor of Leidos Constructors, LLC (“Leidos”), the general contractor for EDA for the construction of the Ammonia Plant. Leidos terminated the services of Global with respect to their work performed at our El Dorado Facility.

LSB and EDA are pursuing the recovery of any damage or loss caused by Global’s work performed through their contract with Leidos at our El Dorado Facility. In March 2016, EDC and LSB were served a summons in a case styled Global Industrial, Inc. d/b/a Global Turnaround vs. Leidos Constructors, LLC et al., in the Circuit Court of Union County, Arkansas (the “Union County Trial Court”), wherein Global sought damages under breach of contract and other claims. At the time of the summons, our accounts payable included invoices totaling approximately $3.5 million related to work performed by Global that is the subject of the claims asserted by Global, but such invoices were not approved by Leidos for payment. We have requested indemnification from Leidos under the terms of our contracts, which they have denied. As a result, we are seeking reimbursement of legal expenses from Leidos under our contracts. We also seek damages from Leidos for their wrongdoing during the expansion, including breach of contract, fraud, professional negligence and gross negligence.

During 2018, the Union County Trial Court bifurcated the case into: (1) Global’s claims against Leidos and LSB and (2) the cross-claims between Leidos and LSB. Part (1) of the case was tried in the Union County Trial Court. In March 2020, the Union County Trial Court rendered a judgment and then an amended final judgment in April 2020. The amended final judgment awarded Global (i) approximately $7.4 million (including the $3.5 million referred to above) for labor, service and materials furnished relating to the Ammonia Plant on the basis of what the Union County Trial Court called a claim for “nonpayment of invoices,” (ii) approximately $1.3 million for prejudgment interest on the same claim, and (iii) a lien on certain property and foreclosure on the lien to satisfy the monetary obligations of the judgement. In addition, post-judgment interest will accrue at the annual rate of 4.25% until the judgment is paid. LSB appealed this judgment and on October 18, 2023, the Arkansas Court of Appeals reversed and remanded. The Arkansas Court of Appeal ruled that the lien was defective and therefore invalid, and that the claim for “nonpayment of invoices” was not a cause of action and reversed and remanded the judgment on that claim. In December 2023, the Arkansas Court of Appeal denied Global’s request for rehearing and the Arkansas Supreme Court declined to hear Global’s appeal. As a result, we do not expect to have any material continuing liability related to this matter and, in 2023, we reversed approximately $9.8 million of payables and accrued liabilities, which related to approximately $2.4 million in pre and post-judgement accrued interest and $7.4 million of gross plant, property and equipment. These adjustments also impacted our results of operations for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023, through the reversals of approximately $2.4 million of interest expense and of approximately $1.8 million in previously recognized depreciation expense (a component of cost of sales) on the related plant, property and equipment.

LSB retains all of its claims against Leidos and intends to vigorously prosecute those claims and vigorously contest the cross-claims in Part (2) of the matter referred to above. We expect the trial to be set for late summer 2024.

No liability was established as of March 31, 2024, in connection with the cross-claims in Part (2) of the matter, except for certain invoices held in accounts payable.

We are also involved in various other claims and legal actions (including matters involving gain contingencies) in the ordinary course of our business. While it is possible that the actual claims results could differ from our estimates, after consultation with legal counsel, we believe that any such differences will not have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

  1. Financial Instruments

Natural Gas Contracts

Periodically, we enter into certain forward natural gas contracts, which are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. We utilize these natural gas contracts as economic hedges for risk management purposes but are not designated as hedging instruments. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we hadno outstanding natural gas contracts accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. When present, the valuations of the natural gas contracts are classified as Level 2.

Financial Instruments

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we didnot have any financial instruments with fair values materially different from their carrying amounts (which excludes issuance costs, if applicable) except for our Senior Secured Notes. Fair value of our Senior Secured Notes is classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement while the treasury securities are a Level 1. The fair value of financial instruments is not indicative of the overall fair value of our assets and liabilities since financial instruments do not include all assets, including intangibles and all liabilities.

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
CarryingEstimatedCarryingEstimated
AmountFair ValueAmountFair Value
(In Millions)
Senior Secured Notes (1)$542$518$575$543
Short-Term Investments$139$139$207$207

Based on a quoted price of 95.5 at March 31, 2024 and 94.5 at December 31, 2023. Also see discussion in Note 4 (B).

  1. Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes is as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Current:
Federal$—$—
State(216)290
Total Current$(216)$290
Deferred:
Federal$985$4,622
State(166)986
Total Deferred$819$5,608
Provision for income taxes$603$5,898

The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $0.6 million (9.7% provision on pre-tax income). The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $5.9 million (27.1% provision on pre-tax income). For 2024, the effective tax rate was lower than the statutory taxrate primarily due to nondeductible compensation expense and state taxes. For 2023, the effective tax rate is higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to state taxes, including state valuation allowances on certain newly generated state tax attributes.

We considered both positive and negative evidence in our determination of the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. Information evaluated includes our financial position and results of operations for the current and preceding years, the availability of deferred tax liabilities and tax carrybacks, as well as an evaluation of currently available information about future years. Valuation allowances are reflective of our quarterly analysis of the four sources of taxable income, including the calculation of the reversal of existing tax assets and liabilities, the impact of financing activities and our quarterly results. Based on our analysis, we have determined that it is more-likely-than-not that all of our federal deferred tax assets and a portion of our state deferred tax assets will be utilized. We estimate an approximately $0.2 million increase in the related valuation allowance associated with these state deferred tax assets will be recorded during the year as part of the estimated annual effective tax rate applied to ordinary income.

We will continue to evaluate both the positive and negative evidence on a quarterly basis in determining the need for a valuation allowance with respect to our deferred tax assets. Changes in positive and negative evidence, including differences between estimated and actual results, could result in changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets that could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the realization of deferred tax assets over time.

LSB and certain of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the 2020-2023 years remain open for all purposes of examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other major tax jurisdictions. Additionally, the 2013-2019 years remain subject to examination for determining the amount of net operating loss and other carryforwards.

  1. Net Sales

Disaggregated Net Sales

We primarily derive our revenues from the sales of various chemical products. The Company’s net sales disaggregation is consistent with other financial information utilized or provided outside of our condensed consolidated financial statements. With our continued focus on optimizing our commercial strategy and product mix going forward we will report revenue by product as opposed to the end market. Accordingly, this approach is reflected in disaggregated net sales, mirroring how the Company manages its net sales by product through contracts with customers.

The following table presents our net sales disaggregated by our principal product types:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Net sales:
AN & Nitric Acid$48,435$58,272
Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN)41,19246,590
Ammonia39,53063,415
Other9,04712,687
Total net sales$138,204$180,964

Other Information

Although most of ourcontracts have an original expected duration of one year or less, for our contracts with a duration greater than one year at contract inception, the average remaining expected duration was approximately 34 months at March 31, 2024.

Liabilities associated with contracts with customers (contract liabilities) primarily relate to deferred revenue and customer deposits associated with cash payments received in advance from customers for product shipments. We had approximately $2.4 million and $1.0 million of contract liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, revenues of $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, were recognized and included in the balances as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Our contract assets consists of unconditional rights to payment from our customers, which are reflected as accounts receivable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

For most of our contracts with customers, the transaction price from the inception of a contract is constrained to a short period of time (generally one month) as these contracts contain terms with variable consideration related to both price and quantity. At March 31, 2024, we have remaining performance obligations with certain customer contracts, excluding contracts with original durations of less than one year and for service contracts for which we have elected the practical expedient for consideration recognized in revenue as invoiced. The remaining performance obligations totals approximately $72.6 million, of which approximately 65% of this amount relates to 2024 through 2026, approximately 19% relates to 2027 through 2028, with the remainder thereafter.

  1. Related Party Transactions

As of March 31, 2024, we had one outstanding financing arrangement with an affiliate of Eldridge as discussed in footnote (C) of Note 4. An affiliate of Eldridge holds $30 million of the Senior Secured Notes.

  1. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following provides additional information relating to cash flow activities:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In Thousands)
Cash payments (refunds) for:
Income taxes, net$(112)$20
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Property, plant and equipment acquired and not yet paid at end of period$19,957$21,761
Gain on extinguishment of debt$(1,134)$—
Accounts payable associated with debt-related costs$426$—
  1. Subsequent Events

Subsequent to March 31, 2024, through April 26, 2024, we repurchased 0.8 million shares of our common stock at an average price, inclusive of excise tax, of $8.40 per share and repurchased $42.1 million in principal amount of our Senior Secured Notes for $40.1 million, which will be accounted for as an extinguishment of debt.

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