UNITED STATES

 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

or

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

OF 1934

For the transition period from _________ to __________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-33926

TRECORA RESOURCES

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (409) 385-8300

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if

changed since last report.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer,"  "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Emerging growth company_____

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes   No  X_

Number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock (par value $0.10 per share), outstanding at November 4, 2017: 24,306,119.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item Number and Description

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

TRECORA RESOURCES AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. GENERAL

Organization

Trecora Resources (the "Company"), was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1967. Our principal business activities are the manufacturing of various specialty hydrocarbons and synthetic waxes and the provision of custom processing services.   Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," and the "Company" are intended to mean Trecora Resources and its subsidiaries.

This document includes the following abbreviations:

(1)	TREC – Trecora Resources

(2)	TOCCO – Texas Oil & Chemical Co. II, Inc. – Wholly owned subsidiary of TREC and parent of SHR and TC

(3)	SHR – South Hampton Resources, Inc. – Petrochemical segment and parent of GSPL

(4)	GSPL – Gulf State Pipe Line Co, Inc. – Pipeline support for the petrochemical segment

(5)	TC – Trecora Chemical, Inc. – Specialty wax segment

(6)	AMAK – Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Company – Mining equity investment – 33% ownership

(7)	PEVM – Pioche Ely Valley Mines, Inc. – Inactive mine - 55% ownership

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, these unaudited financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The unaudited condensed financial statements included in this document have been prepared on the same basis as the annual condensed financial statements and in management's opinion reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  We have made estimates and judgments affecting the amounts reported in this document.  The actual results that we experience may differ materially from our estimates.  In the opinion of management, the disclosures included in these financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of results for the year ending December 31, 2017.

We currently operate in two segments, specialty petrochemical products and specialty synthetic waxes.  All revenue originates from United States' sources, and all long-lived assets owned are located in the United States.

In addition, we own a 33% interest in AMAK, a Saudi Arabian closed joint stock company which owns, operates and is developing mining assets in Saudi Arabia.  We account for our investment under the equity method of accounting.   See Note 17.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended December 31, 2016, related to our adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17 as noted below in Note 2.

The impact of the adoption ASU 2015-17 on the Company's previously issued December 31, 2016, balance sheet is as follows:

 

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements of FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Accounting Standards Codification, resulting in the creation of FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU provides alternative methods of retrospective adoption and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption would be permitted but not before annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the impact of these amendments, although it does not expect the amendments to have a significant impact to the Company's financial position or results of operation. The amendments could potentially impact the accounting procedures and processes over the recognition of certain revenue sources. The Company has begun developing processes and procedures to ensure it is fully compliant with these amendments at the date of adoption.

In November 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The new standard eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company implemented ASU 2015-17 by classifying all of it deferred tax assets (liabilities) as noncurrent on January 1, 2017. See Note 1 for effect to the Balance Sheet for December 31, 2016

In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all lease transactions (with terms in excess of 12 months) on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset (as defined). The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted.  Upon adoption, the lessee will apply the new standard retrospectively to all periods presented or retrospectively using a cumulative effect adjustment in the year of adoption.  The Company has several lease agreements for which the amendments will require the Company to recognize a lease liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset which will represent its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company is currently reviewing the amendments to ensure it is fully compliant by the adoption date and does not expect to early adopt. As permitted by the amendments, the Company is anticipating electing an accounting policy to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of twelve months or less. The Company is currently in the process of fully evaluating the amendments and will subsequently implement new processes which are not expected to significantly change since the Company already has processes for certain lease agreements that recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities. In addition, the Company will change its current accounting policies to comply with the amendments with such changes as mentioned above.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which will reduce complexity in accounting standards related to share-based payment transactions, including, among others, (1) accounting for income taxes, (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flow, (3) forfeitures, and (4) statutory tax withholding requirements.  The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The Company implemented the amendments as of January 1, 2017. The stock based compensation plan has not historically generated material amounts of excess tax benefits or deficiencies and, therefore, there is no material change in the Company's financial position or results of operation, as a result of adopting this Update. For additional information on the stock-based compensation plan, see Note 13.

In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).  The amendments in ASU 2017-04 simplify the measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, under these amendments, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments are effective for public business entities for the first interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary.  The Company has goodwill from a prior business combination and performs an annual impairment test or more frequently if changes or circumstances occur that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company performed its impairment assessment and determined the fair value of the aggregated reporting units exceed the carrying value, such that the Company's goodwill was not considered impaired. Although the Company cannot anticipate future goodwill impairment assessments, based on the most recent assessment, it is unlikely that an impairment amount would need to be calculated and, therefore, the Company does not anticipate a material impact from these amendments to the Company's financial position and results of operations. The current accounting policies and processes are not anticipated to change, except for the elimination of the Step 2 analysis.

3. TRADE RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables, net, consisted of the following:

Trade receivables serves as collateral for our amended and restated credit agreement. See Note 10.

4. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other assets consisted of the following:

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories included the following:

Effective January 1, 2017, we changed the inventory basis of SHR to FIFO.  We believe that the use of FIFO more accurately reflects current inventory valuation.  The drop in crude oil prices over the last several years has caused LIFO

 

 

value of inventory to be above the FIFO value for each period presented.  There was no LIFO reserve in any of the periods in this filing; therefore, no change is reflected in our current statements for the retrospective application.

Prior to this change, the difference between the calculated value of inventory under the FIFO and LIFO bases generated either a recorded LIFO reserve (i.e., where FIFO value exceeds the LIFO value) or an unrecorded negative LIFO reserve (i.e., where LIFO value exceeds the FIFO value).  In the latter case, in order to ensure that inventory was reported at the lower of cost or market and in accordance with ASC 330-10, we did not increase the stated value of our inventory to the LIFO value.  At December 31, 2016, LIFO value of petrochemical inventory exceeded FIFO; therefore, in accordance with the above policy, no LIFO reserve was recorded.

Inventory serves as collateral for our amended and restated credit agreement.  See Note 10.

Inventory included petrochemical products in transit valued at approximately $2.7 million and $2.1 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Beginning January 1, 2017, due to the expansion of our plant assets at SHR and TC, we began inventorying spare parts for the repair and maintenance of our plant, pipeline and equipment.

6. PLANT, PIPELINE AND EQUIPMENT

Plant, pipeline and equipment consisted of the following:

Plant, pipeline, and equipment serve as collateral for our amended and restated credit agreement. See Note 10.

Interest capitalized for construction was approximately $218,000 and $52,000 for the three and $878,000 and $124,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016, respectively.

Construction in progress during the first nine months of 2017 included equipment purchased for the hydrogenation/distillation project and updates to B Plant equipment at the TC facility; new reformer unit, tankage upgrades, and an addition to the rail spur at SHR.

Amortization relating to the platinum catalyst which is included in cost of sales was approximately $0 and $25,000 for the three months and $25,000 and $72,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Goodwill and intangible assets were recorded in relation to the acquisition of TC on October 1, 2014.

The following tables summarize the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of intangible assets by major class (in thousands):

 

Amortization expense for intangible assets included in cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, was approximately $466,000 and $471,000 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, was approximately $1,396,000 and $1,415,000, respectively.

Based on identified intangible assets that are subject to amortization as of September 30, 2017, we expect future amortization expenses for each period to be as follows (in thousands):

8. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO TRECORA RESOURCES

The following table (in thousands, except per share amounts) sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to Trecora Resources for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2017, and 2016, 1,334,087 and 1,348,437 potential common stock shares, respectively were issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants.

9. ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

10. LIABILITIES AND LONG-TERM DEBT

On October 1, 2014, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("ARC") with the lenders which from time to time are parties to the ARC and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as Lead Arranger. On March 28, 2017, we entered into a Second Amendment to the ARC with terms which increase the Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio financial covenant of 3.25x to 4.00x at March 31, 2017, and 4.25x at June 30, 2017, before stepping down to 3.75x at September 30, 2017, 3.50x at December 31, 2017, and reverting to the original financial covenant of 3.25x at March 31, 2018.

 

The Second Amendment also reduces the Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.25x to 1.10x at March 31, 2017, 1.05x at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, 1.10x at December 31, 2017, before reverting to the original financial covenant of 1.25x at March 31, 2018.

Also, under the terms of the Second Amendment, two additional levels of pricing were added – levels 4 and 5.

We were in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2017.

On July 25, 2017, Texas Oil & Chemical Co. II, Inc. ("TOCCO"), South Hampton Resources, Inc. ("SHR"), Gulf State Pipe Line Company, Inc. ("GSPL"), and Trecora Chemical, Inc. ("TC") (SHR, GSPL and TC collectively the "Guarantors") entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("3rd Amendment") with the lenders which from time to time are parties to the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement (collectively, the "Lenders") and Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.  The 3rd Amendment increased the Revolving Facility from $40,000,000 to $60,000,000.  There were no other changes to the Revolving Facility.  Under the ARC as amended, we have a $60.0 million revolving line of credit which matures on October 1, 2019.  As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, there was a long-term amount of $23.0 million and $9.0 million outstanding, respectively.  The interest rate on the loan varies according to several options.  Interest on the loan is paid monthly and a commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% is due quarterly on the unused portion of the loan.  At September 30, 2017, approximately $37.0 million was available to be drawn.  Under the Second Amendment we could draw $31.0 million and maintain compliance with our covenants.

Under the ARC, we also borrowed $70.0 million in a single advance term loan (the "Acquisition Loan") to partially finance the acquisition of TC.  Interest on the Acquisition Loan is payable quarterly using a ten year commercial style amortization.  Principal is also payable on the last business day of each March, June, September and December in an amount equal to $1,750,000, provided that the final installment on the September 30, 2019, maturity date shall be in an amount equal to the then outstanding unpaid principal balance of the Acquisition Loan.  At September 30, 2017, there was a short-term amount of $7.0 million and a long-term amount of $42.0 million outstanding.  At December 31, 2016, there was a short-term amount of $8.8 million and a long-term amount of $47.3 million outstanding.

 

 

Under the ARC, we also had the right to borrow $25.0 million in a multiple advance loan ("Term Loans").  Borrowing availability under the Term Loans ended on December 31, 2015.  The Term Loans converted from a multiple advance loan to a "mini-perm" loan once certain obligations were fulfilled such as certification that construction of D-Train was completed in a good and workmanlike manner, receipt of applicable permits and releases from governmental authorities, and receipt of releases of liens from the contractor and each subcontractor and supplier.  Interest on the Term Loans is paid monthly.  At September 30, 2017, there was a short-term amount of $1.3 million and a long-term amount of $16.3 million outstanding.  At December 31, 2016, there was a short-term amount of $1.7 million and a long-term amount of $17.3 million outstanding.

Debt issuance costs of approximately $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the periods ended September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, have been netted against outstanding loan balances.   The interest rate on all of the above loans varies according to several options as defined in the ARC.  At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the rate was 3.74% and 3.27%, respectively.

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and debt issuance costs of our long-term debt (in thousands):

11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following items are measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 820 at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The carrying value of cash, trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of variable rate long term debt reflects recent market transactions and approximate carrying value.  We used other observable inputs that would qualify as Level 2 inputs to make our assessment of the approximate fair value of our cash, trade receivables,  accounts payable, accrued liabilities,  other liabilities and variable rate long term debt.  The fair value of the derivative instruments are described below.

Interest Rate Swap

In March 2008 we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America related to a $10.0 million term loan secured by plant, pipeline and equipment.  The interest rate swap was designed to minimize the effect of changes in the London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") rate.  We had designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging; however, due to the ARC, we felt that the hedge was no longer entirely effective.  Due to the time required to make the determination and the immateriality of the hedge, we began treating it as ineffective as of October 1, 2014.

 

We assess the fair value of the interest rate swap using a present value model that includes quoted LIBOR rates and the nonperformance risk of the Company and Bank of America based on the Credit Default Swap Market (Level 2 of fair value hierarchy).

We have consistently applied valuation techniques in all periods presented and believe we have obtained the most accurate information available for the types of derivative contracts we hold. See discussion of our derivative instruments in Note 12.

12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Interest Rate Swap

In March 2008, we entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America related to a $10.0 million (later increased to $14 million) term loan secured by plant, pipeline and equipment. The effective date of the interest rate swap agreement was August 15, 2008, and terminates on December 15, 2017.  The notional amount of the interest rate swap was $1.0 million and $1.75 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.  We receive credit for payments of variable rate interest made on the term loan at the loan's variable rates, which are based upon the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and pay Bank of America an interest rate of 5.83% less the credit on the interest rate swap.  We originally designated the transaction as a cash flow hedge according to ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  Beginning on August 15, 2008, the derivative instrument was reported at fair value with any changes in fair value reported within other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company's Statement of Stockholders' Equity.  We entered into the interest rate swap to minimize the effect of changes in the LIBOR rate.

Due to the ARC discussed in Note 10, we believe that the hedge is no longer entirely effective; therefore, we began treating the interest rate swap as ineffective at that point.  The changes in fair value are now recorded in the Statement of Income.  For the three months ended September 30, 2017, an unrealized loss of approximately $1,000 and a realized loss of approximately $14,000 were recorded.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an unrealized gain of approximately $1,000 and a realized loss of approximately $53,000 were recorded. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, an unrealized gain of approximately $5,000 and a realized loss of approximately $30,000 were recorded.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, an unrealized loss of approximately $9,000 and a realized loss of approximately $100,000 were recorded.

The following table shows (in thousands) the impact the agreement had on the financial statements:

13. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation of approximately $716,000 and $608,000 during the three months and $2,005,000 and $1,882,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards

On June 16, 2017, we awarded approximately 127,000 shares of restricted stock units to officers at a grant date price of $11.40.  One-half of the restricted stock units vest ratably over three years.  The other half vests at the end of three years based upon the performance metrics of return on invested capital and earnings per share growth.  The number of shares actually granted will be adjusted based upon relative performance to our peers.  Compensation expense recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, was approximately $121,000 and $161,000, respectively.

Director compensation of approximately $56,000 and $19,000 during the three months and $169,000 and $32,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock unit awards granted to directors vesting through 2020.

Officer compensation of approximately $106,000 and $105,000 was recognized during the three months and $316,000 and $246,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, related to restricted stock unit awards granted to officers.  One-half of the restricted stock units vest ratably over three years.  The other half vests at the end of the three years based upon the performance metrics of return on invested capital and earnings per share growth.  The number of shares actually granted will be adjusted based upon relative performance to our peers.

 

 

Director compensation of approximately $0 and $19,000 was recognized during the three months and $6,000 and $124,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, related to an award of restricted stock units to a director.  The restricted stock unit award vests over 4 years in 20% increments.

Director compensation of approximately $19,000 and $19,000 during the three months and $56,000 and $40,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock unit grants vesting through 2020.

Employee compensation of approximately $108,000 and $108,000 during the three months and $323,000 and $323,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock units with a 4 year vesting period which was awarded to officers.  This restricted stock vests through 2019.

Restricted stock units activity in the first nine months of 2017 was as follows:

Stock Option and Warrant Awards

A summary of the status of our stock option awards and warrants is presented below:

The fair value of the options granted were calculated using the Black Scholes option valuation model with the assumptions as disclosed in prior quarterly and annual filings.

Directors' compensation of approximately $30,000 and $30,000 during the three months and $90,000 and $143,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016,  respectively, was recognized related to options to purchase shares vesting through 2017.

Employee compensation of approximately $277,000 and $308,000 during the three months and $884,000 and $926,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively, was recognized related to options with a 4 year vesting period which were awarded to officers and key employees.  These options vest through 2018.

Post-retirement compensation of approximately $0 and $0 was recognized during the three months and $0 and $49,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, related to options awarded to Mr. Hatem El Khalidi in July

 

 

2009.  On May 9, 2010, the Board of Directors determined that Mr. El Khalidi forfeited these options and other retirement benefits when he made various demands against the Company and other AMAK Saudi shareholders which would benefit him personally and were not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.  The Company is litigating its right to withdraw the options and benefits and as such, these options and benefits continue to be shown as outstanding.  See further discussion in Note 19.

See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional information.

14. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We operate through business segments according to the nature and economic characteristics of our products as well as the manner in which the information is used internally by our key decision maker, who is our Chief Executive Officer.  Segment data may include rounding differences.

Our petrochemical segment includes SHR and GSPL.  Our specialty wax segment is TC.  We also separately identify our corporate overhead which includes financing and administrative activities such as legal, accounting, consulting, investor relations, officer and director compensation, corporate insurance, and other administrative costs.

 

 

 

    *Profit (loss) before taxes for the specialty wax segment includes a bargain purchase gain of $11.5 million.

15. INCOME TAXES

We file an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and a margin tax return in Texas. We received notification from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in November 2016 that the December 31, 2014, tax return was selected for audit.  In April 2017 the audit was expanded to include the year ended December 31, 2015 to review the refund claim related to research and development activities.  The audit is ongoing, and we do not expect any adjustment to the return.  If any issues addressed in the audit are resolved in a manner not consistent with our expectation, provisions will be adjusted in the period the resolution occurs.  Tax returns for various jurisdictions remain open for examination for the years 2013 through 2016.  As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, we recognized no material adjustments in connection with uncertain tax positions.  The effective tax rate varies from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily as a result of state tax expense and stock based compensation offset by the manufacturing deduction and research and development.  The application for the change in accounting method for inventory from LIFO to FIFO and the change for spare parts inventory are being submitted to the IRS.

16. POST-RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

In January 2008 an amended retirement agreement was entered into with Mr. Hatem El Khalidi; however, on May 9, 2010, the Board of Directors terminated the agreement due to actions of Mr. El Khalidi.  See Notes 13 and 19.  All amounts which have not met termination dates remain recorded until a resolution is achieved. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, approximately $1.0 million remained outstanding and was included in post-retirement benefits.

In July 2015 we entered into a retirement agreement with former CEO, Nicholas Carter.  As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, approximately $0.3 million remained outstanding and was included in post-retirement obligations.

See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional information.

17. INVESTMENT IN AMAK

In July 2016 AMAK issued four million shares to provide additional funds for ongoing exploration work and mine start-up activities.  Arab Mining Co. ("Armico") purchased 3.75 million shares at 20 Saudi Riyals per share (USD$5.33 per share) and the remaining 250,000 shares are for future use as employee incentives.  We did not participate in the offering, thereby reducing our ownership percentage in AMAK to 33.44% from 35.25%.

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had a non-controlling equity interest of 33.44% in AMAK of approximately $44.2 million and $49.4 million, respectively. This investment is accounted for under the equity method. There were no events or changes in circumstances that may have an adverse effect on the fair value of our investment in AMAK at September 30, 2017.

AMAK's financial statements were prepared in the functional currency of AMAK which is the Saudi Riyal (SR).  In June 1986 the SR was officially pegged to the U. S. Dollar (USD) at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD to 3.75 SR.

The summarized results of operation and financial position for AMAK are as follows:

Results of Operations

Gain on settlements with former operator of approximately $0 during the three months ended and $17.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, relates to a settlement with the former operator of the mine resulting in a reduction of previously accrued operating expenses.

Depreciation and amortization was $6.2 million and $3.2 million for the three months and $16.9 million and $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively.  Therefore, net income before depreciation and amortization was as follows:

Financial Position

The equity in the income or loss of AMAK reflected on the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, is comprised of the following: