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Quaker Chairman pleased with strong cash generation in Q2
31 Jul '09
5 min read
Other income for the second quarter of 2008 includes a net arbitration award of approximately $1.0 million, or approximately $0.04 per diluted share, related to litigation with one of the former owners of the Company's Italian subsidiary. The increase in net interest expense is primarily due to higher average interest rates and lower interest income.
Year-to-Date Summary
Net sales for the first half of 2009 were $200.8 million, down 34% from $305.9 million for the first half of 2008. As with the quarterly comparisons, the decrease in net sales was primarily due to volume declines in all of the Company's regions and market segments. Volumes were down approximately 34%, which were partially offset by a favorable 5% increase in selling price and mix. Foreign exchange rate translation also decreased net sales by approximately 5%.
Gross margins were down approximately $23.7 million, or 26.8%, compared to the first half of 2008, reflective of the above- noted volume declines. The gross margin percentage improved to 32.2% for the first half of 2009 from 28.9% for the first half of 2008. The margin percentage expansion from the first half of 2008 was primarily the result of the cost reduction actions taken, a more favorable raw material cost environment, and reduced automotive chemical management services revenue reported on a gross basis.
SG&A decreased $15.9 million, or 22%, compared to the first half of 2008. Savings from the Company's restructuring programs, lower incentive compensation, lower commissions, lower travel and entertainment expenses, and other cost savings measures accounted for more than 70% of the decline. Changes in foreign exchange rates accounted for the remainder.
Other income for the first half of 2009 includes a $1.2 million gain related to the disposition of land in Europe, while other income for the first half of 2008 includes the net arbitration award noted above. The increase in net interest expense is primarily due to higher average interest rates and lower interest income.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items
The Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was 23%, compared to 32% as of December 31, 2008. The improvement in the Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was primarily due to year-to-date cash flows from operations of $26.8 million. Operating cash flow improved $18.6 million compared to the first quarter, largely due to reduced working capital balances.
During the second quarter, General Motors Corporation and Chrysler LLC, two of the Company's largest customers, filed for and subsequently emerged from bankruptcy. The Company's contracts with those customers were assumed by their successor companies. To date, the Company has received payments representing more than 85 percent of these pre-bankruptcy accounts receivable, and the Company has been notified that its remaining pre-bankruptcy invoices will be paid.
Year-to-Date Summary
Net sales for the first half of 2009 were $200.8 million, down 34% from $305.9 million for the first half of 2008. As with the quarterly comparisons, the decrease in net sales was primarily due to volume declines in all of the Company's regions and market segments. Volumes were down approximately 34%, which were partially offset by a favorable 5% increase in selling price and mix. Foreign exchange rate translation also decreased net sales by approximately 5%.
Gross margins were down approximately $23.7 million, or 26.8%, compared to the first half of 2008, reflective of the above- noted volume declines. The gross margin percentage improved to 32.2% for the first half of 2009 from 28.9% for the first half of 2008. The margin percentage expansion from the first half of 2008 was primarily the result of the cost reduction actions taken, a more favorable raw material cost environment, and reduced automotive chemical management services revenue reported on a gross basis.
SG&A decreased $15.9 million, or 22%, compared to the first half of 2008. Savings from the Company's restructuring programs, lower incentive compensation, lower commissions, lower travel and entertainment expenses, and other cost savings measures accounted for more than 70% of the decline. Changes in foreign exchange rates accounted for the remainder.
Other income for the first half of 2009 includes a $1.2 million gain related to the disposition of land in Europe, while other income for the first half of 2008 includes the net arbitration award noted above. The increase in net interest expense is primarily due to higher average interest rates and lower interest income.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Items
The Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was 23%, compared to 32% as of December 31, 2008. The improvement in the Company's net debt-to-total-capital ratio was primarily due to year-to-date cash flows from operations of $26.8 million. Operating cash flow improved $18.6 million compared to the first quarter, largely due to reduced working capital balances.
During the second quarter, General Motors Corporation and Chrysler LLC, two of the Company's largest customers, filed for and subsequently emerged from bankruptcy. The Company's contracts with those customers were assumed by their successor companies. To date, the Company has received payments representing more than 85 percent of these pre-bankruptcy accounts receivable, and the Company has been notified that its remaining pre-bankruptcy invoices will be paid.
Quaker Chemical Corporation
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