Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019
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: 000-20278

ENCORE WIRE CORPORATIONCORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 75-2274963
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
1329 Millwood Road

McKinneyTexas 75069
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) (972562-9473
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per shareWIREThe NASDAQ Global Select Market
_____________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).                                 Yes  x    No  ¨
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.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated FilerxAccelerated filer¨
    
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company¨
    
  Emerging growth companyo
    
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.o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).       Yes  ¨    No  x
Number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01, outstanding as of OctoberJuly 31, 2018: 20,879,1482019: 20,905,648




ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBERJUNE 30, 20182019


Table of Contents


 Page No.
 
 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Encore Wire Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
(Unaudited) (See Note)(Unaudited) (See Note)
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$134,497
 $123,362
$184,800
 $178,405
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,029 and $2,028270,591
 228,885
Inventories96,006
 92,365
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,031 and $2,030255,968
 235,353
Inventories, net96,039
 102,367
Income tax receivable3,262
 1,389
Prepaid expenses and other2,242
 2,372
1,885
 1,723
Total current assets503,336
 446,984
541,954
 519,237
      
Property, plant and equipment - at cost:      
Land and land improvements51,169
 51,024
51,317
 51,169
Construction-in-progress28,370
 13,782
31,126
 24,623
Buildings and improvements151,092
 150,603
152,322
 151,758
Machinery and equipment304,191
 300,250
326,542
 314,175
Furniture and fixtures9,687
 9,602
10,123
 9,687
Total property, plant and equipment544,509
 525,261
571,430
 551,412
Accumulated depreciation(248,967) (238,463)(260,009) (252,754)
Property, plant and equipment - net295,542
 286,798
311,421
 298,658
      
Other assets165
 193
806
 165
Total assets$799,043
 $733,975
$854,181
 $818,060
      
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Trade accounts payable$46,674
 $36,330
$46,053
 $36,706
Accrued liabilities34,015
 35,005
30,145
 36,866
Income taxes payable938
 296

 
Total current liabilities81,627
 71,631
76,198
 73,572
      
Deferred income taxes22,515
 20,999
Deferred income taxes and other25,340
 24,032
Commitments and contingencies

 



 


      
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock, $.01 par value:      
Authorized shares – 2,000,000; none issued
 

 
Common stock, $.01 par value:      
Authorized shares – 40,000,000;      
Issued shares – 26,882,603 and 26,859,203269
 269
Issued shares – 26,933,103 and 26,906,603269
 269
Additional paid-in capital59,880
 58,192
62,652
 60,822
Treasury stock, at cost – 6,027,455 and 6,027,455 shares(91,056) (91,056)(91,056) (91,056)
Retained earnings725,808
 673,940
780,778
 750,421
Total stockholders’ equity694,901
 641,345
752,643
 720,456
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$799,043
 $733,975
$854,181
 $818,060
Note:    The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017,2018, as presented, is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.
See accompanying notes.

Encore Wire Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Quarter Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
(Unaudited)(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
              
Net sales$340,732
 $292,030
 $968,956
 $862,956
$336,866
 $336,793
 $651,573
 $628,224
Cost of goods sold286,227
 252,943
 832,460
 748,792
290,956
 292,296
 564,337
 546,232
Gross profit54,505
 39,087
 136,496
 114,164
45,910
 44,497
 87,236
 81,992
              
Selling, general, and administrative expenses24,214
 19,142
 68,599
 57,198
23,846
 21,498
 48,844
 44,385
Operating income30,291
 19,945
 67,897
 56,966
22,064
 22,999
 38,392
 37,607
              
Net interest and other income596
 148
 1,332
 184
1,082
 393
 2,160
 736
Income before income taxes30,887
 20,093
 69,229
 57,150
23,146
 23,392
 40,552
 38,343
              
Provision for income taxes7,209
 6,129
 16,109
 18,621
5,364
 5,303
 9,359
 8,901
Net income$23,678
 $13,964
 $53,120
 $38,529
$17,782
 $18,089
 $31,193
 $29,442
Earnings per common and common equivalent share – basic$1.14
 $0.67
 $2.55
 $1.86
$0.85
 $0.87
 $1.49
 $1.41
Earnings per common and common equivalent share – diluted$1.13
 $0.67
 $2.54
 $1.85
$0.85
 $0.86
 $1.49
 $1.41
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding – basic20,853
 20,758
 20,839
 20,749
20,898
 20,847
 20,891
 20,838
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding – diluted20,919
 20,837
 20,910
 20,835
20,988
 20,918
 20,985
 20,911
Cash dividends declared per share$0.02
 $0.02
 $0.06
 $0.06
$0.02
 $0.02
 $0.04
 $0.04
See accompanying notes.


Encore Wire Corporation
Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands, except per share data)

2019Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Treasury StockRetained
Earnings
Total Stockholders' Equity
 SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 201826,907
$269
$60,822
6,027
$(91,056)$750,421
$720,456
Net income




13,411
13,411
Exercise of stock options15

431



431
Stock-based compensation

760



760
Dividend declared—$0.02 per share




(418)(418)
Balance at March 31, 201926,922
$269
$62,013
6,027
$(91,056)$763,414
$734,640
Net income




17,782
17,782
Exercise of stock options6

137



137
Stock-based compensation5

502



502
Dividend declared—$0.02 per share




(418)(418)
Balance at June 30, 201926,933
$269
$62,652
6,027
$(91,056)$780,778
$752,643




2018Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Treasury StockRetained
Earnings
Total Stockholders' Equity
 SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 201726,859
$269
$58,192
6,027
$(91,056)$673,940
$641,345
Net income




11,353
11,353
Exercise of stock options13

306



306
Stock-based compensation

649



649
Dividend declared—$0.02 per share




(417)(417)
Balance at March 31, 201826,872
$269
$59,147
6,027
$(91,056)$684,876
$653,236
Net income




18,089
18,089
Stock-based compensation5

421



421
Dividend declared—$0.02 per share




(417)(417)
Balance at June 30, 201826,877
$269
$59,568
6,027
$(91,056)$702,548
$671,329


See accompanying notes.


Encore Wire Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2018 20172019 2018
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
      
Operating Activities:      
Net income$53,120
 $38,529
$31,193
 $29,442
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
   
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
   
Depreciation and amortization12,321
 11,613
8,785
 8,213
Deferred income taxes1,516
 (210)816
 761
Stock-based compensation attributable to equity awards1,257
 837
1,262
 1,070
Other(145) (401)(111) (5)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable(41,706) (37,844)(20,615) (29,529)
Inventories(3,641) (2,145)6,328
 (4,501)
Other assets120
 (464)(200) 216
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities9,647
 15,077
2,266
 (9,643)
Current income taxes receivable / payable642
 (4,043)(1,873) (2,022)
Net cash provided by operating activities33,131
 20,949
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities27,851
 (5,998)
      
Investing Activities:      
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(21,242) (16,195)(21,210) (14,816)
Proceeds from sale of assets66
 923
22
 
Net cash used in investing activities(21,176) (15,272)(21,188) (14,816)
      
Financing Activities:      
Deferred financing fees
 (1)
Borrowings from revolver
 65,200
Repayments to revolver
 (65,200)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net431
 1,184
568
 306
Dividends paid(1,251) (1,246)(836) (834)
Net cash used in financing activities(820) (63)(268) (528)
      
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents11,135
 5,614
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents6,395
 (21,342)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period123,362
 95,753
178,405
 123,362
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$134,497
 $101,367
$184,800
 $102,020
See accompanying notes.



ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
SeptemberJune 30, 20182019
NOTE 1 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Encore Wire Corporation (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Results of operations for interim periods presented do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for the entire year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our revenue is derived by fulfilling customer orders for the purchase of our products, which include electrical building wire and cable. We recognize revenue at the point in time that control of the ordered products is transferred to the customer, which is typically upon shipment to the customer from our manufacturing facilities and based on agreed upon shipping terms on the related purchase order. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as accounts receivables on the balance sheet and require payment on a short-term basis through standard payment terms.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for fulfilling product orders. The amount of consideration we expect to receive and revenue we recognize includes estimates for trade payment discounts and customer rebates which are estimated using historical experience and other relevant factors and is recorded within the same period that the revenue is recognized. We review and update these estimates regularly and the impact of any adjustments are recognized in the period the adjustments are identified. The adjustments resulting from updated estimates of trade payment discounts and customer rebates were not material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the sole source of authoritative U.S. GAAP other than Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued rules and regulations that apply only to SEC registrants. The FASB issues an Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) to communicate changes to the codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. The following are those ASUs that are relevant to the Company.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606),” which replaces numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provides companies withThe Company has a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. On January 1, 2018, we adopted the requirementsminimal number of ASC 606 and all the related amendments toleases, all of our contracts usingwhich are classified as operating. As a result of the modified retrospective method. Upon completing our implementation assessmentadoption of ASC 606, we concluded that no adjustment was required to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The comparative information has also not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Additional disclosures required by ASC 606 are presented under Revenue Recognition above.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (ASC(Topic 842).,Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize a right to use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms of twelve months or longer. Lessor accounting remains largely consistent with existing U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The new standard will be effective for us beginningon January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. In July 2018,2019, the FASB issued an ASUCompany recorded $0.7 million of right of use assets which provided a transition option that allows companies to continue applying the guidance under theare included in other non-current assets, $0.2 million of current lease standardliabilities which are included in the comparative periods presentedaccounts payable and $0.5 million of long-term lease liabilities included in the financial statements. Companies that elect this option would record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on the date of adoption. The Company has elected to apply this transition option upon adoption. The Company continues toother non-current liabilities.  We will evaluate the effect that ASC 842 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

any future lease commitments in conformance with ASU No. 2016-02.

NOTE 2 – INVENTORIES
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, or market.
Inventories consist of the following:
In ThousandsJune 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
    
Raw materials$27,607
 $28,455
Work-in-process25,611
 30,529
Finished goods88,657
 88,708
Total Inventory at FIFO cost141,875
 147,692
Adjust to LIFO cost(45,836) (45,325)
Lower of cost or market adjustment
 
Inventory, net$96,039
 $102,367
In ThousandsSeptember 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
    
Raw materials$37,470
 $32,928
Work-in-process28,607
 22,753
Finished goods76,342
 88,497
Total Inventory at FIFO cost142,419
 144,178
Adjust to LIFO cost(46,413) (51,813)
Inventory, net$96,006
 $92,365

LIFO pools are established at the end of each fiscal year. During the first three quarters of every year, LIFO calculations are based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO balances will fluctuate depending on those inventory levels and costs.
In the thirdsecond quarter of 2018,2019, LIFO adjustments were recorded, decreasing cost of sales by $9.1$3.3 million, versus LIFO adjustments increasing cost of sales by $11.0$1.7 million in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018. In the first ninesix months of 2018,2019, LIFO adjustments were
recorded, decreasingincreasing cost of sales by $5.4$0.5 million, versus LIFO adjustments increasing cost of sales by $15.0$3.7 million in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018.
NOTE 3 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
In ThousandsJune 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
    
Sales rebates payable$14,849
 $18,565
Property taxes payable1,995
 3,962
Accrued salaries6,214
 8,790
Other accrued liabilities7,087
 5,549
Total accrued liabilities$30,145
 $36,866

In ThousandsSeptember 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
    
Sales rebates payable$17,713
 $17,386
Property taxes payable3,025
 3,802
Accrued salaries6,811
 8,318
Other accrued liabilities6,466
 5,499
Total accrued liabilities$34,015
 $35,005


NOTE 4 – INCOME TAXES
Income taxes were accrued at an effective rate of 23.3%23.2% in the thirdsecond quarter of 20182019 versus 30.5%22.7% in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017,2018, consistent with the Company’s estimated liabilities. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, the Company’s tax rate was approximately 23.3%23.1% in 20182019 and 32.6%23.2% in 2017. The difference between 2017 and 2018 is due primarily to the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and the elimination of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction.2018. In 2018,all periods, the differences between the provisions for income taxes and the income taxes computed using the federal income tax statutory rate are due primarily to the incremental taxes accrued for state and local taxes.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law. The law significantly reformed the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The reduction in the corporate tax rate required a one-time revaluation of certain tax related assets and liabilities to reflect their value at the lower corporate tax rate of 21%. Due to the complexities involved in the accounting for the enactment of the new law, the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118 allowed a provisional estimate for the year ended December 31, 2017, which we made. As of September 30, 2018, we have not made any material adjustments to our provisional estimate at December 31, 2017. We have made a reasonable estimate of the effect on our deferred tax balances. We will continue to analyze the impact of the new law and additional impacts will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period provided for in SAB 118.

NOTE 5 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per common and common equivalent share are computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. If dilutive, the effect of stock options, treated as common stock equivalents, is calculated using the treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 Quarter Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Quarter Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
In Thousands 2018
2017 2018 20172019
2018 2019 2018
               
Numerator: 


    


    
Net income $23,678
 $13,964
 $53,120
 $38,529
$17,782
 $18,089
 $31,193
 $29,442
               
Denominator:               
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares 20,853
 20,758
 20,839
 20,749
20,898
 20,847
 20,891
 20,838
               
Effect of dilutive securities:  
      
     
Employee stock options 66

79
 71
 86
Employee stock awards90

71
 94
 73
               
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares 20,919
 20,837
 20,910
 20,835
20,988
 20,918
 20,985
 20,911

The weighted average of employee stock options excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share for the thirdsecond quarter was 117,500 in 2019 and 166,500 in 2018 and 129,000 in 2017.2018. The weighted average of employee stock options excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per common and common equivalent share for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30 was 159,537117,500 in 20182019 and 123,963156,056 in 2017.2018. Such options were anti-dilutive for their respective periods.
NOTE 6 – DEBT
The Company is party to a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with two banks, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and letter of credit issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent. The Credit Agreement, as amended, extends through October 1, 2021 and provides for maximum borrowings of $150.0 million. At our request, and subject to certain conditions, the commitments under the Credit Agreement may be increased by a maximum of up to $100.0 million as long as existing or new lenders agree to provide such additional commitments. Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (1) LIBOR plus a margin that varies from 0.875% to 1.75% depending upon the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or (2) the base rate (which is the highest of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, the prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1.0%) plus 0% to 0.25% (depending upon the Leverage Ratio). A commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.30% (depending upon the Leverage Ratio) is payable on the unused line of credit. At SeptemberJune 30, 2018,2019, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, and letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $1.3$1.5 million left $148.7$148.5 million of credit available under the Credit Agreement. Obligations under the Credit Agreement are the only contractual borrowing obligations or commercial borrowing commitments of the Company.
Obligations under the Credit Agreement are unsecured and contain customary covenants and events of default. The Company was in compliance with the covenants as of SeptemberJune 30, 2018.2019.
NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On November 10, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to an authorized number of shares of its common stock on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at prices determined by the President of the Company during the term of the program. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized several increases and annual extensions of this stock repurchase program, and, as of SeptemberJune 30, 2018,2019, 1,132,946 shares remained authorized for repurchase through March 31, 2019.2020. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its stock in the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 or 2017. There were no changes to stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 other than net income, the declaration of dividends, stock compensation, and the issuance of immaterial amounts of shares of common stock.2018.

NOTE 8 - CONTINGENCIES


There are no material pending proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of its property is subject. However, the Company is from time to time involved in litigation, certain other claims and arbitration matters arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company accrues for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of the probability of a loss and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. Any such accruals are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the effects of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and technical experts and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. To the extent there is a reasonable possibility (within the meaning of ASC 450 (Contingencies)) that probable losses could exceed amounts already accrued, if any, and the additional loss or range of loss is able to be estimated, management discloses the additional loss or range of loss.


For matters where the Company has evaluated that a loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, the Company will disclose an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss or make a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. In some instances, for reasonably possible losses, the Company cannot estimate the possible loss or range of loss. The nature and progression of litigation can make it difficult to predict the impact a particular lawsuit will have on the Company. There are many reasons that the Company cannot make these assessments, including, among others, one or more of the following: the early stages of a proceeding; damages sought that are unspecified, unsupportable, unexplained or uncertain; discovery is incomplete; the complexity of the facts that are in dispute; the difficulty of assessing novel claims; the parties not having engaged in any meaningful settlement discussions; the possibility that other parties may share in any ultimate liability; and/or the often slow pace of litigation.


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Encore believes it is a low-cost manufacturer of electrical building wire and cable. The Company is a significant supplier of building wire for interior electrical wiring in commercial and industrial buildings, homes, apartments, and manufactured housing.
The Company’s operating results in any given period are driven by several key factors, including the volume of product produced and shipped, the cost of copper and other raw materials, the competitive pricing environment in the wire industry and the resulting influence on gross margin and the efficiency with which the Company’s plants operate during the period, among others. Price competition for electrical wire and cable is intense, and the Company sells its products in accordance with prevailing market prices. Copper, a commodity product, is the principal raw material used by the Company in manufacturing its products. Copper accounted for approximately 69.7%73.0%, 65.2%69.7%, and 72.1%65.2% of the Company’s cost of goods sold during fiscal 2018, 2017 2016 and 2015,2016, respectively. The price of copper fluctuates depending on general economic conditions and in relation to supply and demand and other factors, which causes monthly variations in the cost of the Company’s purchased copper. Additionally, the SEC allows shares of certain physically backed copper exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) to be listed and publicly traded. Such funds and other copper ETFs like them hold copper cathode as collateral against their shares. The acquisition of copper cathode by copper ETFs may materially decrease or interrupt the availability of copper for immediate delivery in the United States, which could materially increase the Company’s cost of copper. In addition to rising copper prices and potential supply shortages, we believe that ETFs and similar copper-backed derivative products could lead to increased price volatility for copper. The Company cannot predict copper prices or the effect of fluctuations in the cost of copper on the Company’s future operating results. Wire prices can, and frequently do, change on a daily basis. This competitive pricing market for wire does not always mirror changes in copper prices, making margins highly volatile. With the volatility of both raw material prices and wire prices in the Company’s end market, hedging raw materials can be risky. Historically, the Company has not engaged in hedging strategies for raw material purchases. The tables below highlight the range of closing prices of copper on a per pound basis on the Comex exchange for the periods shown.

COMEX COPPER CLOSING PRICE 20182019

July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 Quarter Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 Quarter Ended June 30, 2019 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
High$2.93
 $2.76
 $2.84
 $2.93
 $3.29
$2.98
 $2.84
 $2.74
 $2.98
 $2.98
Low2.69
 2.56
 2.58
 2.56
 2.56
2.88
 2.65
 2.63
 2.63
 2.57
Average2.79
 2.69
 2.69
 2.73
 2.98
2.92
 2.74
 2.68
 2.78
 2.80
COMEX COPPER CLOSING PRICE 20172018

July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 Quarter Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 Quarter Ended June 30, 2018 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
High$2.89
 $3.08
 $3.13
 $3.13
 $3.13
$3.15
 $3.12
 $3.29
 $3.29
 $3.29
Low2.64
 2.88
 2.90
 2.64
 2.48
3.01
 3.02
 2.95
 2.95
 2.95
Average2.73
 2.96
 2.98
 2.89
 2.71
3.09
 3.06
 3.12
 3.09
 3.11
The following discussion and analysis relate to factors that have affected the operating results of the Company for the quarters and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 and 2017.2018. Reference should also be made to the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 Compared to Quarter Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018
Net sales were $340.7$336.9 million in the thirdsecond quarter of 20182019 compared to $292.0$336.8 million in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017. This 16.7% increase in2018. The virtually identical net sales dollars isare primarily the result of a 17.1% increase in copper wire sales, driven by a 16.1%5.6% increase in copper wire unit volume shipped, andoffset by a 0.9% increase6.1% decrease in the average selling price of copper wire. Unit volume is measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire shipped during the period. The 16.1%5.6% increase in unit volume shipped was a result of several factors, including the fact that the economy and theprimarily due to strong construction industry are doing very well, the weather-related backlog of orders from the first quarter of 2018 has apparently flushed through the pipelinedemand despite rough spring weather in certain areas that slowed construction and impacted volumes in the second and third quarters, and the fact that 2017's third quarter unit volume shipped was not very strong for a third quarter.of 2019. Fluctuations in sales prices are primarily a result of changing copper and other raw material prices and product price competition. The average cost per pound of raw copper purchased decreased 8.7% in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the second quarter of 2018 and was the principal driver of the decreased average sales price of copper wire.
Cost of goods sold was $286.2$291.0 million, or 84.0%86.4% of net sales, in the thirdsecond quarter of 2018,2019, compared to $252.9$292.3 million, or 86.6%86.8% of net sales, in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018. Gross profit increased to $54.5$45.9 million, or 16.0%13.6% of net sales, in the thirdsecond quarter of 20182019 from $39.1$44.5 million, or 13.4%13.2% of net sales, in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018.
The small increase in gross profit margin percentage was driven principally byprimarily the increaseresult of two factors that served to mostly offset each other. Unit volumes increased 5.6%, while the copper wire spread. The spread between the average price paid for a pound of raw copper and the average sales price for a pound of copper contained in finished wire increased 7.3%decreased 0.4% in the thirdsecond quarter of 20182019 versus the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018. The spread increaseddecreased as a result of the average sales price per pound of copper sold increasing 0.9%decreasing 6.1% while the per pound cost of raw copper purchased decreased 2.3%8.7%. The percentage change on sales is on a higher nominal dollar amount than on purchases and, therefore, spreads change on a nominal dollar basis. The margin changes were due primarily to the competitive pricing environment in the industry. In aluminum wire, which represented 7.7%8.0% of our net sales in the thirdsecond quarter of 2018,2019, we continued to experience pressure on margins due to import competition from China. As announced previously, we have taken actioncontinue to enforce our rights under the U.S. trade remedy laws. On May 30, 2019, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed a preliminary antidumping ruling on imports of aluminum wire from China at rates ranging from 58.36 to 63.32 percent.  The final results of that actionthe U.S. Government’s ongoing antidumping and countervailing duty investigations are pending.not expected until the end of the year.
Total raw materials cost, including the LIFO adjustment, decreased to 73.2%74.6% of net sales in the thirdsecond quarter of 2018,2019, from 74.8%76.4% of net sales in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018. Increased overhead costs added tooffset some of the increasematerial cost reduction in total cost of sales dollars, although decreasing as a percent of net sales.dollars. Overheads contain some fixed and semi-fixed components which do not fluctuate as much as sales dollars fluctuate.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, using the last-in, first out (LIFO) method, or market. The Company maintains two inventory pools for LIFO purposes. As permitted by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company maintains its inventory costs and cost of goods sold on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis and makes a monthly adjustment to adjust total inventory and cost of goods sold from FIFO to LIFO. The Company applies the lower of cost or market (LCM) test by comparing the LIFO cost of its raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventories to estimated market values, which are based primarily upon the most recent quoted market price of copper and other material prices as of the end of each reporting period. The Company performs a lower of cost or market calculation quarterly. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2018,2019, no LCM adjustment was required. However, decreases

in copper and other material prices could necessitate establishing an LCM reserve in future periods. Additionally, future

reductions in the quantity of inventory on hand could cause copper or other raw materials that are carried in inventory at costs different from the cost of copper and other raw materials in the period in which the reduction occurs to be included in costs of goods sold for that period at the different price.
Due primarily to decreasesincreases in copper costs and price and volume movements of other materials, a LIFO adjustment was recorded, decreasing cost of sales by $9.1$3.3 million during the thirdsecond quarter of 2018.2019. During the thirdsecond quarter of 2017,2018, a LIFO adjustment was recorded, increasing cost of sales by $11.0$1.7 million.
Selling expenses, consisting of commissions and freight, for the thirdsecond quarter of 20182019 were $17.5$17.3 million, or 5.1% of net sales, compared to $13.7$17.3 million, or 4.7%5.1% of net sales, in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018. Commissions paid to independent manufacturers’ representatives are paid as a relatively stable percentage of sales dollars and, therefore, exhibited little change in percentage terms. Freight costs as a percentagedecreased to 2.6% of net sales increased $2.6 million to $9.1 million orin the second quarter of 2019 from 2.7% of net sales in the thirdsecond quarter of 2018 from 2.2% of net sales in the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to significant increases in freight rates. Freight rates are up nationally as the highly publicized shortage of drivers and new regulations on the trucking industry impact rates in that industry.2018. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses for the thirdsecond quarter of 20182019 were $6.7 million, or 2.0% of net sales, compared to $5.4$6.5 million, or 1.9% of net sales, compared to $4.2 million, or 1.2% of net sales, in the thirdsecond quarter of 2017.2018. The G&A increase was driven primarily by increased stock compensation expenses and legal expenses.expense, driven primarily by our strong stock price performance driving the mark to market accounting on stock appreciation rights. The net stock compensation expense increased $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2019 versus the second quarter of 2018. The Company did not record any bad debt expense during the thirdsecond quarters of 20182019 or 2017.2018.
NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 Compared toNine Six Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018
Net sales for the first ninesix months of 20182019 were $969.0$651.6 million compared to net sales of $863.0$628.2 million for the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. This 12.3%3.7% increase in net sales is primarily the result of a 13.7%2.8% increase in copper wire sales, driven by a 10.9%9.3% increase in copper wire unit volume shipped, partially offset by a 5.9% decrease in the average selling price of copper wire and a 2.6% increase in copper wire unit volume shipped.wire. Unit volume is measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire shipped during the period. Fluctuations in sales prices are primarily a result of changing copper and other raw material prices and product price competition. The average cost per pound of raw copper purchased increased 10.9%decreased 9.1% in the first ninesix months of 20182019 compared to the first ninesix months of 20172018 and was the principal driver of the increaseddecreased average sales price of copper wire.
Cost of goods sold increased to $832.5$564.3 million in the first ninesix months of 2018, from $748.82019, compared to $546.2 million in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. Gross profit increased to $136.5$87.2 million, or 14.1%13.4% of net sales, in the first ninesix months of 2018 from $114.22019 versus $82.0 million, or 13.2%13.1% of net sales, in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018.
The increase in gross profit margin percentage was driven principally byincreased primarily as a result of the 9.3% unit volume increase and an increase in the spread between the average price paid for a pound of raw copper and the average sale price for a pound of copper in the first ninesix months of 20182019 versus the first ninesix months of 20172018 due primarily to competitive industry pricing. Fluctuations in sales prices are primarily a result of changing copper raw material prices and product price competition. The copper spread increased 10.7%0.9% in the first ninesix months of 20182019 versus the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. The spread increased as a result of the 10.9% increase5.9% decrease in the average sales price per copper pound sold while the per pound cost of raw copper also increased 10.9%decreased 9.1%. In nominal dollars, the sales price increased moredecreased less than the cost of copper.
Due primarily to decreases in copper costs and an increase in copper inventory quantities on hand, aided somewhat by price and
volume movements of other materials in the first ninesix months of 2018, LIFO adjustments were recorded, decreasing cost of sales by $5.4 million. During the same period in 2017,2019, LIFO adjustments were recorded, increasing cost of sales by $15.0$0.5 million. During the same period in 2018, LIFO adjustments were recorded, increasing cost of sales by $3.7 million. Based on current copper prices, there is no LCM adjustment necessary. Future reductions in the price of copper could require the Company to record an LCM adjustment against the related inventory balance, which would result in a negative impact on net income.
Selling expenses for the first ninesix months of 20182019 increased to $50.4$33.7 million, or 5.2% of net sales, from $41.3compared to $32.9 million, or 4.8%
5.2% of net sales, in the same period of 2017.2018. Commissions paid to independent manufacturers’ representatives are paid as a relatively stable percentage of sales dollars, and therefore, exhibited little change in percentage terms, increasing $2.5$0.8 million in concert with the increased sales dollars. Freight costs for the first ninesix months of 2018 increased2019 decreased to 2.7% of net sales, from 2.3%versus 2.8% of net sales for the first ninesix months of 2017. As discussed above, freight rates are up nationally as the highly publicized shortage of drivers and new regulations on the trucking industry impact rates in that industry.2018. General and administrative expenses were $18.2$15.1 million, or 1.9%2.3% of net sales, in the first nine monthshalf of 20182019 compared to $15.9$11.5 million, or 1.8% of net sales, in the first ninehalf of 2018. The G&A increase was driven primarily by increased stock compensation expense, driven primarily by our strong stock price performance driving the mark to market accounting on stock appreciation rights. The net stock compensation expense increased $2.8 million in the first six months of 2017.2019 versus the first six months of 2018. The Company did not record any bad debt expense during the first ninesix months of 20182019 and 2017.2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company maintains a substantial inventory of finished products to satisfy customers’ delivery requirements promptly. As is customary in the building wire industry, the Company provides payment terms to most of its customers that exceed terms that it receives from its suppliers. Copper suppliers generally give very short payment terms (less than 15 days) while the Company and the building wire industry give customers much longer terms. In general, the Company’s standard payment terms result in the collection of a significant majority of net sales within approximately 75 days of the date of invoice. As a result of this timing difference, building wire companies must have sufficient cash and access to capital resources to finance their working capital needs, thereby creating a barrier to entry for companies who do not have sufficient liquidity and capital resources. The two largest components of working capital, receivables and inventory, and to a lesser extent, capital expenditures, are the primary drivers of the Company’s liquidity needs. Generally, these needs will cause the Company’s cash balance to rise and fall inversely to the receivables and inventory balances. The Company’s receivables and inventories will rise and fall in concert with several factors, most notably the price of copper and other raw materials and the level of unit sales. Capital expenditures have historically been necessary to expand and update the production capacity of the Company’s manufacturing operations. The Company has historically satisfied its liquidity and capital expenditure needs with cash generated from operations and borrowings under its various debt arrangements. The Company historically uses its revolving credit facility to manage day to day operating cash needs as required by daily fluctuations in working capital and has the facility in place should such a need arise in the future.
For more information on the Company’s revolving credit facility, see Note 6 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 to this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Cash provided by operating activities was $33.1$27.9 million in the first ninesix months of 20182019 compared to $20.9$6.0 million of cash providedused in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. The following changes in components of cash flow from operations were notable. The Company had net income of $53.1$31.2 million in the first ninesix months of 20182019 compared to net income of $38.5$29.4 million in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. Accounts receivable increased $41.7$20.6 million in the first ninesix months of 2018 compared to increasing $37.82019 and $29.5 million in the first ninesix months of 2017,2018, resulting in a negativepositive change in cash flow of $3.9$8.9 million in the first ninesix months of 20182019 versus the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. Accounts receivable generally fluctuate in proportion to dollar sales and, to a lesser extent, are affected by the timing of when sales occur during a given quarter. With an average of 60 to 75 days of sales outstanding, quarters in which sales are more back-end loaded will have higher accounts receivable balances outstanding at quarter-end. Inventory value increased in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, using cash of $3.6 million and $2.1decreased $6.3 million in the first ninesix months of 2019 compared to increasing $4.5 million in the first six months 2018 and 2017.producing a positive swing in cash flow of $10.8 million in 2019 versus 2018. Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities provided cash of $2.3 million in the first six months of 2019 versus using $9.6 million in 2018 versus a $15.1 million sourcethe first six months of cash in 2017,2018, resulting in a negativepositive change in cash flow of $5.5$11.9 million. In the first ninesix months of 2018,2019, changes in current and deferred taxes providedused cash of $2.2$1.1 million versus a $4.3$1.3 million use of cash in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. These changes in cash flow were the primary drivers of the $12.2$33.8 million increase in cash provided by operations in the first ninesix months of 20182019 compared to the first ninesix months of 2017.2018.
Cash used in investing activities increased to $21.2 million in the first ninesix months of 20182019 from $15.3$14.8 million in the first ninesix months of 20172018 due to higher capital expenditures on plant and equipment. Cash used in financing activities in the first ninesix months of 20182019 consisted of $1.3$0.8 million of cash dividends paid, partially offset by $0.4$0.6 million of proceeds from exercised stock options. These changes in cash flow were the primary drivers of the $0.8used $0.3 million of cash used in financing activities for the first ninesix months of 20182019 versus $0.1$0.5 million used in the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2018,2019, the balance on the Company’s revolving line of credit remained at zero. The Company’s cash balance was $134.5$184.8 million at SeptemberJune 30, 2019 versus $102.0 million at June 30, 2018, versus $101.4 million at September 30, 2017.as a result of the changes in cash flow discussed above.
During the remainder of 2018,2019, the Company expects its capital expenditures will consist primarily of expenditures related to the purchases of manufacturing equipment throughout its facilities to update equipment and address production bottlenecks. The total capital expenditures for all of 20182019 associated with these projects are currently estimated to be between $34$40 million and $39$45 million. We have plans on the drawing board for significant capital expenditures, but these plans have been delayed by issues arising in connection with a highway expansion project which may bisect our property. The Company also expects its future working capital requirements to fluctuate as a result of changes in unit sales volumes and the price of copper and other raw materials. The Company believes that the current cash balance, cash flow from operations, and the financing available from its revolving credit facility will satisfy anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements during 2018.2019.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains various “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information that is based on management’s belief as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. The words “believes”, “estimates”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “seeks”, “expects”, “intends” and similar expressions identify some of the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company’s operating results are fluctuations in the economy and in the level of activity in the building and construction industry, demand for the Company’s products, the impact of price competition and fluctuations in the price of copper and other raw materials. For more information regarding “forward-looking statements”statements,” see “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
There have been no material changes from the information provided in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports it files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report conducted by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files with or submits to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
For information on the Company’s legal proceedings, see Note 8 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2018.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Note 7 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 to this report is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit

Number
Description
3.1
3.2
4.1Form of certificate for Common Stock (filed as Exhibit 1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on June 4, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference).
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION
 (Registrant)
  
Dated: November 2, 2018August 1, 2019/s/ DANIEL L. JONES
 Daniel L. Jones

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
  
Dated: November 2, 2018August 1, 2019/s/ FRANK J. BILBAN
 
Frank J. Bilban
Vice President-Finance, Treasurer,

Secretary and Chief Financial Officer


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