UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008

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 No. 001-32260

 

 

Westlake Chemical Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 76-0346924

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(713) 960-9111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨  Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s sole class of common stock, as of JulyOctober 31, 2008, was 65,633,774.65,655,133.

 

 

 


INDEX

 

Item

Item

  Page

Item

  Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

1)

  

Financial Statements

  3  

Financial Statements

  3

2)

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  20  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  20

3)

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  27  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  28

4)

  

Controls and Procedures

  27  

Controls and Procedures

  29
PART II. OTHER INFORMATIONPART II. OTHER INFORMATION  

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

1)

  

Legal Proceedings

  28  

Legal Proceedings

  30

1A)

  

Risk Factors

  28  

Risk Factors

  30

4)

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  28

2)

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  30

6)

  

Exhibits

  28  

Exhibits

  30

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

  June 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007
   September 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007
 
  (in thousands of dollars, except
par values and share amounts)
   (in thousands of dollars, except
par values and share amounts)
 

ASSETS

      

Current assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $22,462  $24,914   $22,452  $24,914 

Accounts receivable, net

   641,504   507,463    562,804   507,463 

Inventories, net

   514,462   527,871    491,185   527,871 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   21,436   14,232    13,593   14,232 

Deferred income taxes

   17,636   17,705    17,576   17,705 
              

Total current assets

   1,217,500   1,092,185    1,107,610   1,092,185 

Property, plant and equipment, net

   1,159,799   1,126,212    1,181,572   1,126,212 

Equity investment

   31,690   29,486    32,009   29,486 

Restricted cash

   146,150   199,450    146,695   199,450 

Other assets, net

   130,833   122,002    128,925   122,002 
              

Total assets

  $2,685,972  $2,569,335   $2,596,811  $2,569,335 
              

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current liabilities

      

Accounts payable

  $342,911  $314,951   $275,896  $314,951 

Accrued liabilities

   122,090   126,311    115,893   126,311 
              

Total current liabilities

   465,001   441,262    391,789   441,262 

Long-term debt

   549,438   511,414    515,948   511,414 

Deferred income taxes

   297,191   287,965    291,177   287,965 

Other liabilities

   39,914   42,024    39,003   42,024 
              

Total liabilities

   1,351,544   1,282,665    1,237,917   1,282,665 

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 12 and 15)

      

Stockholders’ equity

      

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

   —     —      —     —   

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 65,633,774 and 65,487,119 shares issued and outstanding in 2008 and 2007, respectively

   656   655 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 65,655,133 and 65,487,119 shares issued and outstanding in 2008 and 2007, respectively

   657   655 

Additional paid-in capital

   433,272   431,197    434,531   431,197 

Retained earnings

   903,969   857,872    927,886   857,872 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

      

Benefits liability, net of tax

   (8,795)  (9,234)   (8,576)  (9,234)

Cumulative translation adjustment

   5,326   6,180    4,396   6,180 
              

Total stockholders’ equity

   1,334,428   1,286,670    1,358,894   1,286,670 
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $2,685,972  $2,569,335   $2,596,811  $2,569,335 
              

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (in thousands of dollars, except per share data)   (in thousands of dollars, except per share data) 

Net sales

  $1,106,449  $782,664  $2,021,510  $1,501,466   $1,073,735  $840,160  $3,095,245  $2,341,626 

Cost of sales

   1,009,989   698,233   1,888,346   1,359,146    1,001,948   754,100   2,890,294   2,113,246 
                          

Gross profit

   96,460   84,431   133,164   142,320    71,787   86,060   204,951   228,380 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   22,884   22,152   45,729   47,375    22,999   26,305   68,728   73,680 
                          

Income from operations

   73,576   62,279   87,435   94,945    48,788   59,755   136,223   154,700 

Interest expense

   (9,287)  (4,495)  (17,815)  (8,088)   (8,093)  (4,692)  (25,908)  (12,780)

Other income (expense), net

   2,199   (292)  4,607   699 

Other income, net

   1,267   305   5,874   1,004 
                          

Income before income taxes

   66,488   57,492   74,227   87,556    41,962   55,368   116,189   142,924 

Provision for income taxes

   19,215   19,602   21,567   29,994    14,598   17,027   36,165   47,021 
                          

Net income

  $47,273  $37,890  $52,660  $57,562   $27,364  $38,341  $80,024  $95,903 
                          

Basic and diluted earnings per share

  $0.72  $0.58  $0.81  $0.88   $0.42  $0.59  $1.23  $1.47 
                          

Weighted average shares outstanding:

          

Basic

   65,264,781   65,224,697   65,262,169   65,221,365    65,275,499   65,238,376   65,266,645   65,227,147 

Diluted

   65,296,743   65,324,714   65,292,816   65,324,616    65,341,150   65,325,668   65,309,045   65,325,020 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

  Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 
  (in thousands of dollars)   (in thousands of dollars) 

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income

  $52,660  $57,562   $80,024  $95,903 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities:

   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   53,378   50,716    81,527   77,425 

Provision for bad debts

   381   201    2,057   226 

Amortization of debt issue costs

   438   378    662   567 

Stock-based compensation expense

   2,076   1,387    3,126   2,108 

Loss from disposition of fixed assets

   3,150   25    4,479   187 

Deferred income taxes

   9,088   14,417    3,096   15,997 

Equity in income of joint venture

   (2,204)  (1,520)   (2,523)  (1,895)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

      

Accounts receivable

   (134,628)  (92,807)   (57,604)  (129,327)

Inventories

   13,409   (8,243)   36,686   (10,123)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (7,204)  1,440    639   8,870 

Accounts payable

   27,492   22,761    (40,785)  29,310 

Accrued liabilities

   (4,733)  (4,246)   (10,945)  17,532 

Other, net

   (21,350)  (7,893)   (23,853)  (11,779)
              

Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities

   (8,047)  34,178 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   76,586   95,001 
              

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Additions to property, plant and equipment

   (81,751)  (50,483)   (127,163)  (86,295)

Proceeds from disposition of assets

   346   33    573   33 

Settlements of derivative instruments

   535   3,673    344   3,339 

Addition to equity investment

   —     (308)   —     (308)

Settlement of acquisition purchase price

   —     8,043    —     8,043 
              

Net cash used for investing activities

   (80,870)  (39,042)   (126,246)  (75,188)
              

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

   —     62    208   303 

Dividends paid

   (6,563)  (5,229)   (10,010)  (8,503)

Proceeds from borrowings

   620,235   191,684    851,635   287,884 

Repayment of borrowings

   (582,252)  (191,684)   (847,162)  (212,884)

Utilization of restricted cash

   55,045   —      55,045   —   

Capitalized debt issuance costs

   (2,518)  —   
              

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   86,465   (5,167)

Net cash provided by financing activities

   47,198   66,800 
              

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (2,452)  (10,031)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (2,462)  86,613 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   24,914   52,646    24,914   52,646 
              

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $22,462  $42,615   $22,452  $139,259 
              

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

1. Basis of Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim periods. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States have not been included. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2007 financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation (the “Company”) included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2008. TheseThe accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, its results of operations for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007 and the changes in its cash position for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007.

Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2008 or any other interim period. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The Company adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, except as noted below, and it did not have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations.

Relative to SFAS 157, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) 157-1 and 157-2. FSP 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” (SFAS 13) and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions, while FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of the application of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.

The Company adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, with the exception of the application of the statement to non-recurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. Non-recurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities for which the Company has not applied the provisions of SFAS 157 include those measured at fair value in goodwill impairment testing, indefinite lived intangible assets measured at fair value for impairment testing, asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value, and those initially measured at fair value in a business combination. The adoption of SFAS 157 has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In addition, the adoption of this statement with respect to non-recurring nonfinancial assets and liabilities in the future is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Relative to SFAS 157, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) 157-1 and 157-2. FSP 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS 13”), and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions, while FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of the application of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, as discussed above.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-anActivities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). This statement does not change the accounting for derivatives but will require enhanced disclosures about derivative strategies and accounting practices. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after January 15, 2008, and the Company will comply with any necessary disclosure requirements beginning with the 2009 interim financial statements.

2. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of the following:

 

  June 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007
   September 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007
 

Accounts receivable — trade

  $625,422  $498,073   $540,077  $498,073 

Accounts receivable — affiliates

   1,919   1,365    1,775   1,365 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   (3,914)  (3,546)   (5,568)  (3,546)
              
   623,427   495,892    536,284   495,892 

Accounts receivable — other

   18,077   11,571    26,520   11,571 
              

Accounts receivable, net

  $641,504  $507,463   $562,804  $507,463 
              

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

3. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

  June 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007
   September 30,
2008
 December 31,
2007
 

Finished products

  $313,813  $332,882   $296,974  $332,882 

Feedstock, additives and chemicals

   169,685   164,832    160,501   164,832 

Materials and supplies

   39,574   38,058    41,070   38,058 
              
   523,072   535,772    498,545   535,772 

Allowance for inventory obsolescence

   (8,610)  (7,901)   (7,360)  (7,901)
              

Inventories, net

  $514,462  $527,871   $491,185  $527,871 
              

4. Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment of $22,433$23,218 and $21,500$22,700 is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $44,387$67,605 and $40,636$63,336 is included for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

5. Other Assets

Amortization expense on other assets of $5,163$5,155 and $5,050$4,198 is included in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $9,429$14,584 and $10,458$14,656 is included for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

6. Stock-Based Compensation

Under the Westlake Chemical Corporation 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”), all employees and non-employee directors of the Company, as well as certain individuals who have agreed to become the Company’s employees, are eligible for awards. Shares of common stock may be issued as authorized in the 2004 Plan. At the discretion of the administrator of the 2004 Plan, employees and non-employee directors may be granted awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards or cash awards (any of which may be a performance award). The Company utilizes the fair value method to account for these awards, and the total compensation expense related to the 2004 Plan was $1,130$1,050 and $863$721 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $2,076$3,126 and $1,387$2,108 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Option activity and changes during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 were as follows:

 

  Options Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term
(Years)
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
  Options Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term
(Years)
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

  677,243  $26.43      677,243  $26.43    

Granted

  239,891   19.29      259,021   19.40    

Exercised

  —     —        (14,389)  14.50    

Cancelled

  (6,062)  18.45      (9,975)  18.81    
                  

Outstanding at June 30, 2008

  911,072  $24.60  8.2  $70

Outstanding at September 30, 2008

  911,900  $24.70  8.0  $1,556
                        

Exercisable at June 30, 2008

  277,216  $19.64  6.7  $70

Exercisable at September 30, 2008

  280,776  $20.52  6.5  $1,134
                        

For options outstanding at JuneSeptember 30, 2008, the options had the following range of exercise prices:

 

Range of Prices

  Options Outstanding  Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)
  Options Outstanding  Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life (Years)

$14.50—$19.29

  430,715  8.1

$14.50—$20.83

  432,726  8.0

$25.42—$36.10

  480,357  8.3  479,174  8.1

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the secondthird quarter of 2008 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on JuneSeptember 30, 2008. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007 was $0$96 and $57, respectively. There were no$221, respectively, and the total intrinsic value of options exercised duringfor the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008.2008 and 2007 was $96 and $278, respectively.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, $5,176$4,883 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.53.3 years.

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its options. The table below presents the weighted average value and assumptions used in determining the fair value for each option granted during the first six months of 2008 and 2007. There were no options granted during either of the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007, and the first nine months of 2008 and 2007. Volatility was calculated using historical trends of the Company’s common stock price.

 

  Stock Option Grants   Stock Option Grants 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Weighted average fair value

  $7.40  $14.23 

Weighted average fair value of grants

  $8.97  $10.57  $7.52  $14.15 

Risk-free interest rate

   5.0%  4.5%   5.1%  4.4%  5.0%  4.5%

Expected life in years

   6   6-10    6-7   6-7   6-7   6-10 

Expected volatility

   34.7%  33.2%   38.7%  33.4%  35.0%  33.2%

Expected dividend yield

   1.0%  0.5%   1.0%  0.7%  1.0%  0.5%

Non-vested restricted stock awards as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and changes during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 were as follows:

 

  Number of
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Number of
Shares
 Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Non-vested at December 31, 2007

  228,761  $31.45  228,761  $31.45

Granted

  147,767   19.29  155,812   19.37

Vested

  (6,423)  36.10  (21,022)  30.08

Forfeited

  (1,112)  26.10  (2,187)  25.00
          

Non-vested at June 30, 2008

  368,993  $26.55

Non-vested at September 30, 2008

  361,364  $26.39
          

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, there was $6,650$6,142 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.23.0 years. The total fair value of shares of restricted stock that vested during the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007 was $0$279 and $38,$365, respectively, and the total fair value of shares of restricted stock that vested during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and 2007 was $89$369 and $219,$584, respectively.

7. Derivative Commodity Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments, in conjunction with certain physical commodity positions, to reduce price volatility risk on commodities. The Company had a net loss of $6,882$7,795 in connection with trading activity for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 compared to a net gain of $4,808$6,424 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007. All of the 2008 net loss was related to derivative losses. Of the 2007 net gain, $1,707 related to derivative gains and $3,101$7,902 related to sales of related physical feedstock positions.positions and was partially offset by $1,478 related to derivative losses. Net trading losses in the secondthird quarter of 2008 totaled $7,016,$913, all of which were attributable to derivative losses, compared to a net gain of $4,080$1,616 in the third quarter of 2007 ($962 related to commodity derivative3,421 in gains and $3,118 related to sales of related physical feedstock positions) for the second quarter of 2007.positions, offset by $1,805 related to derivative losses). Gains and losses in connection with trading activity are included in cost of sales. The fair value of risk management liability balances of $13,855$6,693 and $6,415 were included in current liabilities in the

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Under SFAS 157, inputs used to measure fair value are classified in one of three levels:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The following table summarizes the classification of the trading liabilities by fair value measurement level at JuneSeptember 30, 2008:

 

   Level 1  Level 2  Total

Risk management liabilities

  $6,009  $7,846  $13,855
            
   Level 1  Level 2  Total

Risk management liabilities

  $6,464  $229  $6,693
            

8. Plant Closure

The Company decided to permanently close the Pawling, New York facility and consolidate manufacturing of window and door components in Calgary, Canada in the first quarter of 2008. Asset impairments, severance and other costs recorded in the first sixnine months of 2008 related to this closure were approximately $2,663.$2,947.

9. Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” on January 1, 2007. The total gross unrecognized tax benefits for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 were reduced by $2,069$2,838 due to the settlement of tax audits.audits and expiring statutes of limitations. Management anticipates additional reductions to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $2,741an additional $1,579 within the next twelve months due to expiring statutes of limitations.

The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of January 1, 2008, the Company had approximately $3,289 of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company has increased the accrued interest and penalties by approximately $537$651 during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008. There was also a reduction in interest and penalties of $807$1,784, due to the settlement of tax audits and expiring statutes of limitations resulting in a net decrease of $270$1,133 during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to the examinations by tax authorities before the year 1999. During the second quarter of 2008, the Internal Revenue Service completed the audit of the Company for the tax years 2005 and 2006 tax years.2006.

The effective income tax rate was 29.1%31.1% for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008. The 2008 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits, the domestic manufacturing deduction, and a reduction of gross unrecognized tax benefits, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective tax rate was 34.3%32.9% for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007. The 2007 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

10. Earnings per Share

There are no adjustments to “Net income” for the diluted earnings per share computations.

The following table reconciles the denominator for the basic and diluted earnings per share computations shown in the consolidated statements of operations:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2008  2007  2008  2007
   (in thousands)  (in thousands)

Weighted average common shares—basic

  65,265  65,225  65,262  65,221

Plus incremental shares from:

        

Assumed exercise of options

  23  87  25  90

Assumed vesting of restricted stock

  9  13  6  14
            

Weighted average common shares—diluted

  65,297  65,325  65,293  65,325
            

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   2008  2007  2008  2007
   (in thousands)  (in thousands)

Weighted average common shares—basic

  65,275  65,238  65,267  65,227

Plus incremental shares from:

        

Assumed exercise of options

  34  78  27  85

Assumed vesting of restricted stock

  32  10  15  13
            

Weighted average common shares—diluted

  65,341  65,326  65,309  65,325
            

11. Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs

Components of Net Periodic Costs are as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Pension Post-Retirement  Pension Post-Retirement  Pension Post-Retirement  Pension Post-Retirement
  2008 2007 2008  2007  2008 2007 2008  2007  2008 2007 2008  2007  2008 2007 2008  2007

Service cost

  $247  $260  $23  $78  $493  $520  $47  $156  $246  $260  $24  $78  $739  $780  $71  $234

Interest cost

   594   557   275   146   1,187   1,114   550   292   593   557   274   146   1,780   1,671   824   438

Expected return on plan assets

   (614)  (599)  —     —     (1,229)  (1,198)  —     —     (615)  (599)  —     —     (1,844)  (1,797)  —     —  

Amortization of transition obligation

   —     —     29   29   —     —     57   57   —     —     29   28   —     —     86   85

Amortization of prior service cost

   79   79   53   66   159   159   106   133   80   80   53   67   239   239   159   200

Amortization of net loss

   134   133   41   103   269   265   83   207   135   132   42   104   404   397   125   311
                                                

Net periodic benefit cost

  $440  $430  $421  $422  $879  $860  $843  $845  $439  $430  $422  $423  $1,318  $1,290  $1,265  $1,268
                                                

The Company contributed $600 to the Wage pension plan in the first sixnine months of 2008. No other contributions were made in the first sixnine months of 2008 and 2007 to the Salaried and Wage pension plans, andplans; however, the Company has contributed an additional $795 to the Salaried pension plan during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company has no current plan to contribute any additional funds to the plans during the remainder of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations that can impose civil and criminal sanctions and that may require it to mitigate the effects of contamination caused by the release or disposal of hazardous substances into the environment. Under one law, an owner or operator of property may be held strictly liable for remediating contamination without regard to whether that person caused the contamination, and without regard to whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time they occurred. Because several of the Company’s production sites have a history of industrial use, it is impossible to predict precisely what effect these requirements will have on the Company.

Contract Disputes with Goodrich and PolyOne.In connection with the 1990 and 1997 acquisitions of the Goodrich Corporation chemical manufacturing complex in Calvert City, Kentucky, Goodrich agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities related to preexisting contamination at the complex. For its part, the Company agreed to indemnify Goodrich for post-closing contamination caused by the Company’s operations. The soil and groundwater at the complex, which does not include the Company’s nearby PVC facility, had been extensively contaminated by Goodrich’s operations. In 1993, Goodrich spun off the predecessor of PolyOne, and that predecessor assumed Goodrich’s indemnification obligations relating to preexisting contamination. PolyOne is now coordinating the investigation and remediation of contamination at the complex.

In 2003, litigation arose among the Company, Goodrich and PolyOne with respect to the allocation of the cost of remediating contamination at the site. The parties settled this litigation in December 2007 and the case was dismissed. In the settlement the parties agreed that, among other things: (1) PolyOne would pay 100% of the costs (with specified exceptions), net of recoveries or credits from third parties, incurred with respect to environmental issues at the Calvert City site from August 1, 2007 forward; (2) either the

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Company or PolyOne might, from time to time in the future (but not more than once every five years), institute a proceeding to adjust that percentage; and (3) the Company and PolyOne would negotiate a new environmental remediation utilities and services agreement to cover the Company’s provision to or on behalf of PolyOne of certain environmental remediation services at the site. The current environmental remediation activities at the Calvert City complex do not have a specified termination date but are expected to last for the foreseeable future. The costs incurred to provide the environmental remediation services were $2,912 in 2007.

Administrative Proceedings.There are several administrative proceedings in Kentucky involving the Company, Goodrich and PolyOne related to the same manufacturing complex in Calvert City. In 2003, the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (“Cabinet”) re-issued Goodrich’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, permit which requires Goodrich to remediate contamination at the Calvert City manufacturing complex. Both Goodrich and PolyOne challenged various terms of the permit in an attempt to shift Goodrich’s clean-up obligations under the permit to the Company.

In January 2004, the Cabinet notified the Company that the Company’s ownership of a closed landfill (known as former Pond 4) requires it to submit an application for its own permit under RCRA. This could require the Company to bear the cost of performing

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

remediation work at former Pond 4 and adjacent areas at the complex. The Company challenged the Cabinet’s January 2004 order and has obtained several extensions to submit the required permit application. In October 2006, the Cabinet notified Goodrich and the Company that both were “operators” of former Pond 4 under RCRA, and ordered them to jointly submit an application for a RCRA permit. Goodrich and the Company have both challenged the Cabinet’s October 2006 order.

All of these administrative proceedings have been consolidated. The case has been continued, and a status conference is scheduled for December 10, 2008.

Litigation Related to the Administrative Proceedings.The Company has the contractual right to reconvey title to former Pond 4 back to Goodrich, and the Company has tendered former Pond 4 back to Goodrich under this provision. In March 2005, the Company sued Goodrich in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky to require Goodrich to accept the tendered reconveyance and to indemnify the Company for costs the Company incurred in connection with former Pond 4. Goodrich subsequently filed a third-party complaint against PolyOne, seeking to hold PolyOne responsible for any of Goodrich’s former Pond 4 liabilities to the Company. Goodrich moved to dismiss the Company’s suit against it, the Company filed a motion for partial summary judgment against Goodrich, and PolyOne moved to dismiss Goodrich’s third-party complaint against it. On March 30, 2007, the court granted Goodrich’s motion to dismiss the Company’s claim that Goodrich is required to accept the tendered reconveyance. Although the Company’s motion for partial summary judgment was denied on March 30, 2007, the Company’s claim for indemnification of its costs incurred in connection with Pond 4 is still before the court. A status conference was held on July 9,October 24, 2008, and the case was continued for ninety days.until March 19, 2009.

Monetary Relief. Except as noted above, with respect to the settlement of the contract litigation among the Company, Goodrich and PolyOne, neither the court nor the Cabinet has established any allocation of the costs of remediation among the various parties that are involved in the judicial and administrative proceedings discussed above. The Company is not in a position at this time to state what effect, if any, the resolution of these proceedings could have on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in 2008 and later years. Any cash expenditures that the Company might incur in the future with respect to the remediation of contamination at the complex would likely be spread out over an extended period. As a result, the Company believes it is unlikely that any remediation costs allocable to it will be material in terms of expenditures made in any individual reporting period.

Environmental Investigations. In 2002, the EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center, or NEIC, investigated the Company’s manufacturing complex in Calvert City. In early 2004, the NEIC investigated the Company’s nearby PVC plant. The EPA subsequently submitted information requests to the Company under the Clean Air Act and RCRA. The Company and the EPA met in June 2004 to attempt to voluntarily resolve the notices of violation that were issued to the Company for the 2002 investigation and to voluntarily resolve any issues raised at the PVC plant in the 2004 investigation. Since then, the parties have continued to engage in settlement discussions. The EPA has indicated that it will impose monetary penalties and require plant modifications that will involve capital expenditures. The Company expects that, based on the EPA’s past practices, the amount of any monetary penalties would be reduced by a portion of the expenditures that the Company would agree to make for certain “supplemental environmental projects.” The Company has recorded an accrual for a probable loss related to monetary penalties and other items to be expensed. Although the ultimate amount of liability is not ascertainable, the Company believes that any amounts exceeding the recorded accruals should not materially affect the Company’s financial condition. It is possible, however, that the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for a particular reporting period.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

EPA Audit of Ethylene Units in Lake Charles.During 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, conducted an audit of the Company’s ethylene units in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with a focus on leak detection and repair, or LDAR. By letter dated January 31, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, notified the Company that the EPA had referred the matter to the DOJ to bring a civil case against the Company alleging violations of various environmental laws and regulations. The DOJ informed the Company that it would seek monetary penalties and require the Company to implement an “enhanced LDAR” program for the ethylene units. The Company’s representatives met with the EPA on February 14, 2008 to conduct initial settlement discussions. While the Company can offer no assurance as to an outcome, the Company believes that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

In addition to the matters described above, the Company is involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company does not believe that any of these routine legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

13. Segment Information

The Company operates in two principal business segments: Olefins and Vinyls. These segments are strategic business units that offer a variety of different products. The Company manages each segment separately as each business requires different technology and marketing strategies.

 

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008  2007 2008 2007 

Net sales to external customers

           

Olefins

           

Polyethylene

  $499,024  $382,473  $943,187  $726,004   $504,035  $393,237  $1,447,222  $1,119,241 

Ethylene, styrene and other

   266,938   132,367   483,596   273,062    221,028   177,181   704,624   450,243 
                          

Total olefins

   765,962   514,840   1,426,783   999,066    725,063   570,418   2,151,846   1,569,484 

Vinyls

           

Fabricated finished products

   145,047   131,024   236,653   258,751    127,498   126,129   364,151   384,880 

VCM, PVC and other

   195,440   136,800   358,074   243,649    221,174   143,613   579,248   387,262 
                          

Total vinyls

   340,487   267,824   594,727   502,400    348,672   269,742   943,399   772,142 
                          
  $1,106,449  $782,664  $2,021,510  $1,501,466   $1,073,735  $840,160  $3,095,245  $2,341,626 
                          

Intersegment sales

           

Olefins

  $35,620  $19,260  $52,386  $30,361   $33,496  $20,808  $85,882  $51,169 

Vinyls

   455   279   836   519    641   312   1,477   831 
                          
  $36,075  $19,539  $53,222  $30,880   $34,137  $21,120  $87,359  $52,000 
                          

Income (loss) from operations

           

Olefins

  $57,804  $42,716  $77,956  $69,935   $18,190  $57,032  $96,146  $126,967 

Vinyls

   18,354   20,817   15,269   28,609    30,483   5,420   45,752   34,029 

Corporate and other

   (2,582)  (1,254)  (5,790)  (3,599)   115   (2,697)  (5,675)  (6,296)
                          
  $73,576  $62,279  $87,435  $94,945   $48,788  $59,755  $136,223  $154,700 
                          

Depreciation and amortization

           

Olefins

  $19,182  $17,487  $36,843  $33,143   $19,670  $17,791  $56,513  $50,934 

Vinyls

   8,143   8,838   16,441   17,499    8,427   8,882   24,868   26,381 

Corporate and other

   52   36   94   74    52   36   146   110 
                          
  $27,377  $26,361  $53,378  $50,716   $28,149  $26,709  $81,527  $77,425 
                          

Other income (expense), net

           

Olefins

  $42  $119  $58  $170   $9  $—    $67  $170 

Vinyls

   67   28   166   90    64   (68)  230   21 

Corporate and other

   2,090   (439)  4,383   439    1,194   373   5,577   813 
                          
  $2,199  $(292) $4,607  $699   $1,267  $305  $5,874  $1,004 
                          

Capital expenditures

     

Olefins

  $14,036  $19,861  $29,504  $30,353 

Vinyls

   23,985   10,300   50,747   17,924 

Corporate and other

   746   1,449   1,500   2,206 
             
  $38,767  $31,610  $81,751  $50,483 
             

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   2008  2007  2008  2007

Capital expenditures

        

Olefins

  $9,276  $18,723  $38,780  $49,076

Vinyls

   35,463   16,157   86,210   34,081

Corporate and other

   673   932   2,173   3,138
                
  $45,412  $35,812  $127,163  $86,295
                

A reconciliation of total segment income from operations to consolidated income before taxes is as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007   2008 2007 2008 2007 

Income from operations

  $73,576  $62,279  $87,435  $94,945   $48,788  $59,755  $136,223  $154,700 

Interest expense

   (9,287)  (4,495)  (17,815)  (8,088)   (8,093)  (4,692)  (25,908)  (12,780)

Other income (expense), net

   2,199   (292)  4,607   699 

Other income, net

   1,267   305   5,874   1,004 
                          

Income before taxes

  $66,488  $57,492  $74,227  $87,556   $41,962  $55,368  $116,189  $142,924 
                          

 

  June 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007

Total Assets

        

Olefins

  $1,714,140  $1,612,146  $1,573,005  $1,612,146

Vinyls

   751,714   664,745   783,706   664,745

Corporate and other

   220,118   292,444   240,100   292,444
            
  $2,685,972  $2,569,335  $2,596,811  $2,569,335
            

14. Comprehensive Income Information

 

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2008  2007  2008 2007  2008 2007  2008 2007

Net income

  $47,273  $37,890  $52,660  $57,562  $27,364  $38,341  $80,024  $95,903

Other comprehensive income:

             

Amortization of benefits liability, net of tax

   219   —     439   —     219   —     658   —  

Change in foreign currency translation

   209   1,945   (854)  2,249   (930)  1,763   (1,784)  4,012
                        

Comprehensive income

  $47,701  $39,835  $52,245  $59,811  $26,653  $40,104  $78,898  $99,915
                        

15. Long-Term Debt

Long-term indebtedness consists of the following:

 

   June 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007

6 5/8% senior notes due 2016

  $249,389  $249,348

Revolving line of credit

   39,160   1,177

 3/4% senior notes due 2032

   250,000   250,000

Loan related to tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds

   10,889   10,889
        

Long-term debt

  $549,438  $511,414
        
   September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007

6 5/8% senior notes due 2016

  $249,409  $249,348

Revolving line of credit due 2013

   5,650   1,177

6 3/4% senior notes due 2032

   250,000   250,000

Loan related to tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds due 2027

   10,889   10,889
        

Long-term debt

  $515,948  $511,414
        

On September 8, 2008, the Company amended its senior secured revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the lenders’ commitments under the facility from $300,000 to $400,000. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, the Company had borrowings under the revolving credit facility that bore interest at either LIBOR plus 1.00%2.25% or the prime rate less 0.50%plus 0.75%. The revolving credit facility

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

also requires an unused commitment fee of 0.25%0.625%. All interest rates under the facility are subject to quarterly grid pricing adjustments based on a fixed charge coverage ratio.average daily loan availability. The facility matures on January 6, 2011.September 8, 2013.

16. Guarantor Disclosures

The Company’s payment obligations under its 6 5/8%8% senior notes and 6 3/4%4% senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of its current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of the Company or of another guarantor of the 6 5/8%8% senior notes or the 6 3/4%4% senior notes in excess of $5,000 (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Each Guarantor Subsidiary is 100% owned by the parent company.Company. These guarantees are the joint and several obligations of the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The following unaudited condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial condition, results of

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

operations and cash flows of Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the remaining subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”), together with consolidating adjustments necessary to present the Company’s results on a consolidated basis.

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations Consolidated  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated

Balance Sheet

                 

Current assets

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $12,378  $98  $9,986  $—    $22,462  $14,289  $66  $8,097  $—    $22,452

Accounts receivable, net

   248,258   620,779   3,072   (230,605)  641,504   181,260   548,003   (1,196)  (165,263)  562,804

Inventories, net

   —     503,888   10,574   —     514,462   —     479,146   12,039   —     491,185

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   221   20,971   244   —     21,436   523   12,866   204   —     13,593

Deferred income taxes

   17,344   —     292   —     17,636   17,295   —     281   —     17,576
                              

Total current assets

   278,201   1,145,736   24,168   (230,605)  1,217,500   213,367   1,040,081   19,425   (165,263)  1,107,610

Property, plant and equipment, net

   —     1,147,287   12,512   —     1,159,799   —     1,166,128   15,444   —     1,181,572

Equity investment

   1,753,848   23,250   31,690   (1,777,098)  31,690   1,797,460   23,250   32,009   (1,820,710)  32,009

Restricted cash

   146,150   —     —     —     146,150   146,695   —     —     —     146,695

Other assets, net

   42,678   118,304   5,881   (36,030)  130,833   44,910   114,098   5,946   (36,029)  128,925
                              

Total assets

  $2,220,877  $2,434,577  $74,251  $(2,043,733) $2,685,972  $2,202,432  $2,343,557  $72,824  $(2,022,002) $2,596,811
                              

Current liabilities

                 

Accounts payable

  $22,359  $318,462  $2,090  $—    $342,911  $20,133  $252,076  $3,687  $—    $275,896

Accrued liabilities

   20,393   101,176   605   (84)  122,090   19,761   94,769   1,520   (157)  115,893
                              

Total current liabilities

   42,752   419,638   2,695   (84)  465,001   39,894   346,845   5,207   (157)  391,789

Long-term debt

   538,549   273,161   4,281   (266,553)  549,438   505,059   209,031   2,996   (201,138)  515,948

Deferred income taxes

   295,485   —     1,706   —     297,191   290,179   —     998   —     291,177

Other liabilities

   9,663   30,251   —     —     39,914   8,406   30,597   —     —     39,003

Stockholders’ equity

   1,334,428   1,711,527   65,569   (1,777,096)  1,334,428   1,358,894   1,757,084   63,623   (1,820,707)  1,358,894
                              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $2,220,877  $2,434,577  $74,251  $(2,043,733) $2,685,972  $2,202,432  $2,343,557  $72,824  $(2,022,002) $2,596,811
                              

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information as of December 31, 2007

 

   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated

Balance Sheet

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $16,173  $96  $8,645  $—    $24,914

Accounts receivable, net

   183,723   492,974   (2,307)  (166,927)  507,463

Inventories, net

   —     515,465   12,406   —     527,871

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   10   13,867   355   —     14,232

Deferred income taxes

   17,344   —     361   —     17,705
                    

Total current assets

   217,250   1,022,402   19,460   (166,927)  1,092,185

Property, plant and equipment, net

   —     1,113,365   12,847   —     1,126,212

Equity investment

   1,671,979   23,250   29,486   (1,695,229)  29,486

Restricted cash

   199,450   —     —     —     199,450

Other assets, net

   43,053   109,302   5,677   (36,030)  122,002
                    

Total assets

  $2,131,732  $2,268,319  $67,470  $(1,898,186) $2,569,335
                    

Current liabilities

        

Accounts payable

  $29,319  $284,658  $974  $—    $314,951

Accrued liabilities

   16,654   108,702   1,055   (100)  126,311
                    

Total current liabilities

   45,973   393,360   2,029   (100)  441,262

Long-term debt

   500,525   213,647   102   (202,860)  511,414

Deferred income taxes

   286,603   —     1,362   —     287,965

Other liabilities

   11,961   30,063   —     —     42,024

Stockholders’ equity

   1,286,670   1,631,249   63,977   (1,695,226)  1,286,670
                    

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $2,131,732  $2,268,319  $67,470  $(1,898,186) $2,569,335
                    

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated 

Statement of Operations

            

Net sales

  $—    $1,095,472  $14,102  $(3,125) $1,106,449   $—    $1,062,110  $13,854  $(2,229) $1,073,735 

Cost of sales

   —     1,000,198   12,916   (3,125)  1,009,989    —     989,964   14,213   (2,229)  1,001,948 
                                

Gross profit

   —     95,274   1,186   —     96,460    —     72,146   (359)  —     71,787 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   272   21,573   1,039   —     22,884    545   20,912   1,542   —     22,999 
                                

Income (loss) from operations

   (272)  73,701   147   —     73,576    (545)  51,234   (1,901)  —     48,788 

Interest expense

   (3,933)  (5,292)  (62)  —     (9,287)   (2,144)  (5,865)  (84)  —     (8,093)

Other income (expense), net

   38,204   286   1,244   (37,535)  2,199 

Other income, net

   26,108   187   461   (25,489)  1,267 
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   33,999   68,695   1,329   (37,535)  66,488    23,419   45,556   (1,524)  (25,489)  41,962 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   (13,274)  32,632   (143)  —     19,215    (3,945)  18,887   (344)  —     14,598 
                                

Net income (loss)

  $47,273  $36,063  $1,472  $(37,535) $47,273   $27,364  $26,669  $(1,180) $(25,489) $27,364 
                                

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated 

Statement of Operations

            

Net sales

  $—    $773,052  $12,218  $(2,606) $782,664   $—    $828,528  $13,405  $(1,773) $840,160 

Cost of sales

   —     688,937   11,902   (2,606)  698,233    —     741,934   13,939   (1,773)  754,100 
                                

Gross profit

   —     84,115   316   —     84,431    —     86,594   (534)  —     86,060 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   348   21,201   603   —     22,152    482   25,464   359   —     26,305 
                                

Income (loss) from operations

   (348)  62,914   (287)  —     62,279    (482)  61,130   (893)  —     59,755 

Interest expense

   1,451   (5,946)  —     —     (4,495)   469   (5,161)  —     —     (4,692)

Other income (expense), net

   37,520   (297)  1,002   (38,517)  (292)   39,222   (426)  540   (39,031)  305 
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   38,623   56,671   715   (38,517)  57,492    39,209   55,543   (353)  (39,031)  55,368 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   733   19,117   (248)  —     19,602    868   16,670   (511)  —     17,027 
                                

Net income (loss)

  $37,890  $37,554  $963  $(38,517) $37,890 

Net income

  $38,341  $38,873  $158  $(39,031) $38,341 
                                

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated 

Statement of Operations

            

Net sales

  $—    $1,999,750  $23,691  $(1,931) $2,021,510   $—    $3,063,472  $37,546  $(5,773) $3,095,245 

Cost of sales

   —     1,868,545   21,732   (1,931)  1,888,346    —     2,860,122   35,945   (5,773)  2,890,294 
                                

Gross profit

   —     131,205   1,959   —     133,164    —     203,350   1,601   —     204,951 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   1,052   42,657   2,020   —     45,729    1,597   63,569   3,562   —     68,728 
                                

Income (loss) from operations

   (1,052)  88,548   (61)  —     87,435    (1,597)  139,781   (1,961)  —     136,223 

Interest expense

   (8,970)  (8,715)  (130)  —     (17,815)   (11,114)  (14,580)  (214)  —     (25,908)

Other income, net

   48,912   426   2,484   (47,215)  4,607    75,020   613   2,945   (72,704)  5,874 
                                

Income before income taxes

   38,890   80,259   2,293   (47,215)  74,227    62,309   125,814   770   (72,704)  116,189 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   (13,770)  35,415   (78)  —     21,567    (17,715)  54,302   (422)  —     36,165 
                                

Net income

  $52,660  $44,844  $2,371  $(47,215) $52,660   $80,024  $71,512  $1,192  $(72,704) $80,024 
                                

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated 

Statement of Operations

            

Net sales

  $—    $1,483,889  $22,345  $(4,768) $1,501,466   $—    $2,312,418  $35,749  $(6,541) $2,341,626 

Cost of sales

   —     1,342,765   21,149   (4,768)  1,359,146    —     2,084,699   35,088   (6,541)  2,113,246 
                                

Gross profit

   —     141,124   1,196   —     142,320    —     227,719   661   —     228,380 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   641   44,909   1,825   —     47,375    1,124   70,372   2,184   —     73,680 
                                

Income (loss) from operations

   (641)  96,215   (629)  —     94,945    (1,124)  157,347   (1,523)  —     154,700 

Interest expense

   2,024   (10,112)  —     —     (8,088)   2,493   (15,273)  —     —     (12,780)

Other income (expense), net

   56,253   (11)  1,829   (57,372)  699    95,476   (437)  2,369   (96,404)  1,004 
                                

Income before income taxes

   57,636   86,092   1,200   (57,372)  87,556    96,845   141,637   846   (96,404)  142,924 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   74   30,054   (134)  —     29,994    942   46,724   (645)  —     47,021 
                                

Net income

  $57,562  $56,038  $1,334  $(57,372) $57,562   $95,903  $94,913  $1,491  $(96,404) $95,903 
                                

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated 

Statement of Cash Flows

            

Cash flows from operating activities

            

Net income

  $52,660  $44,844  $2,371  $(47,215) $52,660   $80,024  $71,512  $1,192  $(72,704) $80,024 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities

            

Depreciation and amortization

   438   51,848   1,530   —     53,816    662   79,092   2,435   —     82,189 

(Recovery of) provision for bad debts

   —     479   (98)  —     381 

Provision for (recovery of) bad debts

   —     2,155   (98)  —     2,057 

Stock-based compensation expense

   —     2,005   71   —     2,076    —     3,018   108   —     3,126 

Gain from disposition of fixed assets

   —     3,150   —     —     3,150    —     4,479   —     —     4,479 

Deferred tax expense

   8,647   —     441   —     9,088    3,270   —     (174)  —     3,096 

Equity in income of joint venture

   —     —     (2,204)  —     (2,204)   —     —     (2,523)  —     (2,523)

Net changes in working capital and other

   (88,316)  (86,020)  107   47,215   (127,014)   (134,763)  (33,963)  160   72,704   (95,862)
                                

Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities

   (26,571)  16,306   2,218   —     (8,047)   (50,807)  126,293   1,100   —     76,586 

Cash flows from investing activities

            

Additions to property, plant and equipment

   —     (80,663)  (1,088)  —     (81,751)   —     (125,580)  (1,583)  —     (127,163)

Settlements of futures contracts

   —     346   —     —     346    —     344   —     —     344 

Proceeds from disposition of assets

   —     535   —     —     535    —     573   —     —     573 
                                

Net cash used for investing activities

   —     (79,782)  (1,088)  —     (80,870)   —     (124,663)  (1,583)  —     (126,246)

Cash flows from financing activities

            

Intercompany financing

   (63,689)  63,478   211   —     —      1,725   (1,660)  (65)  —     —   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   208   —     —     —     208 

Dividends paid

   (6,563)  —     —     —     (6,563)   (10,010)  —     —     —     (10,010)

Proceeds from borrowings

   620,235   —     —     —     620,235    851,635   —     —     —     851,635 

Repayments of borrowings

   (582,252)  —     —     —     (582,252)   (847,162)  —     —     —     (847,162)

Utilization of restricted cash

   55,045   —     —     —     55,045    55,045   —     —     —     55,045 

Capitalized debt issuance cost

   (2,518)  —     —     —     (2,518)
                                

Net cash provided by financing activities

   22,776   63,478   211   —     86,465 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (3,795)  2   1,341   —     (2,452)

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   48,923   (1,660)  (65)  —     47,198 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (1,884)  (30)  (548)  —     (2,462)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   16,173   96   8,645   —     24,914    16,173   96   8,645   —     24,914 
                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $12,378  $98  $9,986  $—    $22,462   $14,289  $66  $8,097  $—    $22,452 
                                

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued– (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007

 

  Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
 Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated 

Statement of Cash Flows

            

Cash flows from operating activities

            

Net income

  $57,562  $56,038  $1,334  $(57,372) $57,562   $95,903  $94,913  $1,491  $(96,404) $95,903 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities

            

Depreciation and amortization

   378   49,175   1,541   —     51,094    567   75,113   2,312   —     77,992 

Provision for doubtful accounts

   —     21   180   —     201    —     45   181   —     226 

Loss from disposition of fixed assets

   —     25   —     —     25    —     187   —     —     187 

Deferred tax expense

   13,839   —     578   —     14,417    15,935   —     62   —     15,997 

Equity in income of joint venture

   —     —     (1,520)  —     (1,520)   —     —     (1,895)  —     (1,895)

Net changes in working capital and other

   (89,978)  (49,709)  (5,286)  57,372   (87,601)   (123,910)  (66,123)  220   96,404   (93,409)
                                

Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities

   (18,199)  55,550   (3,173)  —     34,178    (11,505)  104,135   2,371   —     95,001 

Cash flows from investing activities

            

Additions to property, plant and equipment

   —     (49,591)  (892)  —     (50,483)   —     (84,984)  (1,311)  —     (86,295)

Additions to equity investments

   —     —     (308)  —     (308)   —     —     (308)  —     (308)

Acquisition of business

   8,043   —     —     —     8,043    8,043   —     —     —     8,043 

Proceeds from disposition of assets

   —     33   —     —     33    —     33   —     —     33 

Settlements of derivative instruments

   —     3,673   —     —     3,673    —     3,339   —     —     3,339 
                                

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

   8,043   (45,885)  (1,200)  —     (39,042)   8,043   (81,612)  (1,619)  —     (75,188)

Cash flows from financing activities

            

Intercompany financing

   9,619   (9,659)  40   —     —      22,430   (22,494)  64   —     —   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   62   —     —     —     62    303   —     —     —     303 

Dividends paid

   (5,229)  —     —     —     (5,229)   (8,503)  —     —     —     (8,503)

Proceeds from borrowings

   191,684   —     —     —     191,684    287,884   —     —     —     287,884 

Repayments of borrowings

   (191,684)  —     —     —     (191,684)   (212,884)  —     —     —     (212,884)
                                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   4,452   (9,659)  40   —     (5,167)   89,230   (22,494)  64   —     66,800 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (5,704)  6   (4,333)  —     (10,031)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   85,768   29   816   —     86,613 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   46,670   91   5,885   —     52,646    46,670   91   5,885   —     52,646 
                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $40,966  $97  $1,552  $—    $42,615   $132,438  $120  $6,701  $—    $139,259 
                                

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with information contained in the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Westlake Chemical Corporation and the notes thereto and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation included in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Please read “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of limitations inherent in such statements.

We are a vertically integrated manufacturer and marketer of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated products. Our two principal business segments are Olefins and Vinyls. We use the majority of our internally-produced basic chemicals to produce higher value-added chemicals and fabricated products.

Recent Developments

During August and September 2008, we shut down our vinyls facilities at our Geismar, Louisiana complex and our olefins facilities at our Lake Charles, Louisiana complex due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Both complexes sustained minimal damage from the hurricanes; however, the energy and power shortages caused by the hurricanes affected many suppliers and, as a consequence, the Lake Charles facilities were shut down for approximately three weeks due to the two hurricanes, while the Geismar facilities were shut down for approximately one and a half weeks due to Hurricane Gustav.

In August 2008, we announced that we will construct a new chlor-alkali plant to be located at our vinyls manufacturing complex in Geismar, Louisiana. The new chlor-alkali unit is expected to produce 250,000 ECUs annually upon completion, bringing our total ECU capacity to 525,000 per year, including the chlor-alkali expansion at our Calvert City complex described below. The new plant is expected to improve the vertical integration of our vinyls business from chlorine downstream into VCM and PVC, and increase caustic soda sales. The project is currently estimated to cost between $250.0 million and $300.0 million and is targeted for completion in the first half of 2011. We expect the project will be partially funded with funds drawn from the proceeds of the issuance of the 6 3/4% revenue bonds of the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facility and Development Authority, issued in December 2007 for the benefit of the Company, which are currently held as restricted cash.

We announced in March 2008 that we will open a new PVC pipe plant in Yucca, Arizona to produce pipe for water, sewer, irrigation and related industrial and residential markets in the Western United States. The new plant is expected to begin full operations by the first quarter of 2009 and have the capacity to produce approximately 120 million pounds of PVC pipe annually in its initial phase.

In October 2007, we announced that we intend to expand our chlor-alkali and PVC resin units and build a large diameter PVC pipe plant at our Calvert City complex. The expanded chlor-alkali unit is expected to add 50,000 ECUs, bringing our total capacity to 275,000 ECUs per year.ECUs. The chlor-alkali expansion is expected to improve the vertical integration of our vinyls business from chlorine downstream into VCM and PVC and increase caustic soda sales once the expansion is completed, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2009. The PVC resin plant expansion is expected to increase capacity by 300 million pounds per year, bringing our total PVC capacity to 1.7 billion pounds annually. The expansion is expected to be completed in the first half of 2009 and the2009. The expansion is expected to consume VCM that is currently being sold on the merchant market and will enhance the integration of the vinyls product chain. We haveDuring the third quarter of 2008, we also started construction ofproduction at a new large diameter PVC pipe facility at the complex with a capacity of approximately 50 million pounds per year of large diameter pipe. We expect this project will be completed in the third quarter of 2008. Our annual PVC pipe capacity willis expected to increase to approximately 985 million pounds whenwith this expansion and the completion of the Yucca project are completed.project.

Since 2006 we have been in discussions with the Government of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (the “Government”) to develop an ethane-based ethylene, polyethylene and other derivatives project in that country. As originally envisioned, the project would use 37,500 barrels per day of ethane to produce 570,000 metric tons (1.25 billion pounds) per year of ethylene, which would in turn be used to produce polyethylene and other derivative products. The details of the project are subject to further definition as our study of the project continues. One of the major constraints to the project has been the rising international capital costs of the construction of such plants around the world. We and the Government are discussing how to overcome that challenge. In the interim, we have suspended active work on the project.

Results of Operations

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2008  2007  2008  2007
   (dollars in thousands)

Net External Sales

        

Olefins

        

Polyethylene

  $499,024  $382,473  $943,187  $726,004

Ethylene, styrene and other

   266,938   132,367   483,596   273,062
                

Total olefins

   765,962   514,840   1,426,783   999,066

Vinyls

        

Fabricated finished products

   145,047   131,024   236,653   258,751

VCM, PVC and other

   195,440   136,800   358,074   243,649
                

Total vinyls

   340,487   267,824   594,727   502,400
                

Total

  $1,106,449  $782,664  $2,021,510  $1,501,466
                

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2008  2007  2008  2007 
   (dollars in thousands) 

Income (loss) from operations

     

Olefins

   57,804   42,716   77,956   69,935 

Vinyls

   18,354   20,817   15,269   28,609 

Corporate and other

   (2,582)  (1,254)  (5,790)  (3,599)
                 

Total income from operations

   73,576   62,279   87,435   94,945 

Interest expense

   (9,287)  (4,495)  (17,815)  (8,088)

Other income (expense), net

   2,199   (292)  4,607   699 

Provision for income taxes

   (19,215)  (19,602)  (21,567)  (29,994)
                 

Net income

  $47,273  $37,890  $52,660  $57,562 
                 

Diluted earnings per share

  $0.72  $0.58  $0.81  $0.88 
                 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2008 2007 2008 2007 
  (dollars in thousands) 

Net External Sales

     

Olefins

     

Polyethylene

  $504,035  $393,237  $1,447,222  $1,119,241 

Ethylene, styrene and other

   221,028   177,181   704,624   450,243 
             

Total olefins

   725,063   570,418   2,151,846   1,569,484 

Vinyls

     

Fabricated finished products

   127,498   126,129   364,151   384,880 

VCM, PVC and other

   221,174   143,613   579,248   387,262 
             

Total vinyls

   348,672   269,742   943,399   772,142 
             

Total

  $1,073,735  $840,160  $3,095,245  $2,341,626 
             

Income (loss) from operations

     

Olefins

   18,190   57,032   96,146   126,967 

Vinyls

   30,483   5,420   45,752   34,029 

Corporate and other

   115   (2,697)  (5,675)  (6,296)
             

Total income from operations

   48,788   59,755   136,223   154,700 

Interest expense

   (8,093)  (4,692)  (25,908)  (12,780)

Other income, net

   1,267   305   5,874   1,004 

Provision for income taxes

   (14,598)  (17,027)  (36,165)  (47,021)
             

Net income

  $27,364  $38,341  $80,024  $95,903 
             

Diluted earnings per share

  $0.42  $0.59  $1.23  $1.47 
             
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008
 Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
 
  Average
Sales Price
 Volume Average
Sales Price
 Volume   Average
Sales Price
 Volume Average
Sales Price
 Volume 

Key product sales price and volume percentage change from prior year period

          

Olefins(1)

  38.9% 9.9% 37.9% 5.0%   32.3%  -5.2%  35.2%  1.9%

Vinyls(2)

  14.6% 12.5% 15.5% 2.9%   25.6%  3.7%  19.2%  3.0%

Company average

  30.6% 10.8% 30.4% 4.3%   30.2%  -2.4%  29.9%  2.3%

 

(1)Includes: Ethylene and co-products, polyethylene, and styrene.
(2)Includes: Ethylene co-products, caustic, VCM, PVC resin, PVC pipe, and other fabricated products.

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2008  2007  2008  2007  2008  2007  2008  2007

Average industry prices(1)

                

Ethane (cents/lb)

  35.4  24.3  34.8  22.1  36.7  27.6  35.4  23.9

Propane (cents/lb)

  40.2  26.7  37.5  24.8  39.8  29.0  38.3  26.2

Ethylene (cents/lb) (2)

  65.7  44.7  63.1  42.3  68.0  50.2  64.9  44.9

Polyethylene (cents/lb) (3)

  94.7  72.7  91.3  69.8  103.7  79.0  95.4  72.9

Styrene (cents/lb) (4)

  78.8  71.3  75.7  68.0  85.7  68.1  79.0  68.0

Caustic ($/short ton) (5)

  641.7  405.0  597.9  382.5  885.8  450.0  693.9  405.0

Chlorine ($/short ton) (6)

  275.0  322.5  287.5  310.0  265.0  322.5  280.0  314.2

PVC (cents/lb) (7)

  58.7  59.0  56.5  56.2  64.0  61.3  59.0  57.8

 

Source: CMAI

 

(1)Industry pricing data was obtained through the Chemical Market Associates, Inc., or CMAI. We have not independently verified the data.
(2)Represents average North American spot prices of ethylene over the period as reported by CMAI.
(3)Represents average North American contract prices of polyethylene low density film over the period as reported by CMAI.
(4)Represents average North American contract prices of styrene over the period as reported by CMAI.
(5)Represents average North American spot prices of caustic soda (diaphragm grade) over the period as reported by CMAI.
(6)Represents average North American contract prices of chlorine (into chemicals) over the period as reported by CMAI.
(7)Represents North American contract prices of PVC over the period as reported by CMAI. In the first quarter of 2008, CMAI made a 16 cent per pound downward, non-market related adjustment to PVC resin prices.prices that has carried forward to subsequent periods.

Summary

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, net income was $47.3$27.4 million, or $0.72$0.42 per diluted share, on net sales of $1,106.4$1,073.7 million. This represents an increasea decrease in net income of $9.4$10.9 million, or $0.14$0.17 per diluted share, from the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007 net income of $37.9$38.3 million, or $0.58$0.59 per diluted share, on net sales of $782.7$840.2 million. Sales for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 increased $323.7$233.5 million over the secondthird quarter of 2007 largely due to higher sales prices and volumes for most major products.products, which were partially offset by a small decrease in overall sales volumes. Income from operations was $73.6$48.8 million for the secondthird quarter of 2008 as compared to $62.3$59.8 million for the secondthird quarter of 2007. The secondthird quarter of 2008 income from operations increased as compared to the second quarter of 2007 as higher polyethylene and styrene sales prices outpaced higher raw material, natural gas and electricity costs. In addition, the second quarter of 2007 was adversely impacted by a major turnaround lasting 30 dayshigher feedstock and energy costs and outages at one of our ethylene units inthe Lake Charles Louisiana.and Geismar facilities related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The increases innegative impact from the second quarter of 2008 operating incomehurricanes and higher costs were partially offset by continued weaknessincreased prices and reduced selling, general and administrative expense. The 2007 results were negatively impacted by the settlement of contract litigation and related legal expenses, which lowered operating income in the residential construction market, which negatively impacted Vinyls segment margins, and lower results fromthird quarter of 2007. In addition, trading activity. Trading activity resulted in a loss in the secondthird quarter of 2008 of $7.0$0.9 million as compared to a gain of $4.1$1.6 million in the secondthird quarter of 2007. Net income declined in the three months ended June 30,third quarter of 2008 benefitedcompared to the third quarter of 2007 primarily due to the lower income from operations and the increase of $3.4 million in interest expense as a result of higher average debt outstanding during the third quarter of 2008. The continued weak construction market in the U.S. has kept vinyls downstream product margins at low levels. This market weakness, coupled with industry capacity additions and the economic uncertainty resulting from the reversalinstability in the credit and financial markets, is expected to make it difficult to significantly improve vinyls margins in the near term. With respect to the Olefins segment, we are concerned with the weakness in the global economy and increased supply from the Middle East, both of $2.7 million of tax reserves due to tax settlements which reduced income tax expense for the period.could reduce our sales volumes and margins.

For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, net income was $52.7$80.0 million, or $0.81$1.23 per diluted share, on net sales of $2,021.5$3,095.2 million. This represents a decrease in net income of $4.9$15.9 million, or $0.07$0.24 per diluted share, from the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2007 net income of $57.6$95.9 million, or $0.88$1.47 per diluted share, on net sales of $1,501.5$2,341.6 million. Sales for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 increased $520.0$753.6 million over the first sixnine months of 2007 largely due to higher sales prices for all major products and higher sales volumes for ethylene and PVC resin.resin, which was partially offset by lower sales volume for PVC pipe. Income from operations was $87.4$136.2 million for the first halfnine months of 2008 as compared to $94.9$154.7 million for the first halfnine months of 2007. The income from operations for the first sixnine months of 2008 was negatively impacted by a number of factors, including lower margins due to higher raw material, natural gasthe effects of Hurricanes Gustav and electricity costs and a loss from trading activities. The weakness in the residential construction market has contributed to the continued low margins in our Vinyls segment. Raw material costs for the first half of 2008 were significantly higher than raw material costs in the first six months of 2007, and trading activity resulted in a loss of $6.9 million for the first half of 2008 as compared to a gain of $4.8 million for the first half of 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, we decided to close our Pawling, New York window and door component manufacturing facility. The costs related to the closure of the manufacturing facility, andIke, a turnaround and revamp of our styrene facility in Lake Charles, higher raw material, natural gas and electricity costs, lower PVC pipe sales volume and a loss from trading activities. These negative impacts were partially offset by the higher sales prices. Trading activity resulted in a loss of $7.8 million for 48 days in March and Aprilthe first nine months of 2008 also negatively impacted income from operations inas compared to a gain of $6.4 million for the first halfnine months of 2008.2007. The first halfnine months of 2007 waswere negatively impacted by a turnaround at one of our ethylene units in Lake Charles.Charles and the settlement of contract litigation and related legal expenses.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SecondThird Quarter 2008 Compared with SecondThird Quarter 2007

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $323.7$233.5 million to $1,106.4$1,073.7 million in the secondthird quarter of 2008 from $782.7$840.2 million in the secondthird quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices and volumes for most of our major products. Average sales prices for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008 increased by 30.6%30.2% as compared to the secondthird quarter of 2007. Overall sales volumes decreased by 2.4% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007 as decreased sales volumes for ethylene and polyethylene were only partially offset by increases in styrene and PVC resin sales volumes.

Gross Margin. Gross margin percentage decreased to 8.7%6.7% in the secondthird quarter of 2008 from 10.8%10.2% in the secondthird quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to the significantimpact of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and an increase in raw material, natural gas and electricity costs. Our raw material cost in both segments normally tracks industry prices, which experienced an increase of 45.7%33.0% for ethane and 50.6%37.2% for propane as compared to the secondthird quarter of 2007. Average sales prices increased by 30.6%30.2% for that same period. Also contributing to the lower gross margin percentage was a trading loss of $7.0$0.9 million in the secondthird quarter of 2008 as compared to a $4.1$1.6 million gain in the secondthird quarter of 2007.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.3 million, or 12.5%, in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the third quarter of 2007. The continued weak residential construction marketdecrease was largely due to a legal settlement in the U.S. has kept vinyls margins at low levels. This, coupled with announced industry capacity additions expected to come on-line later this yearthird quarter of 2007 and continued high feedstock costs, is expected to make it difficult to significantly improve vinyls marginsthe associated reduction in 2008. With respect to Olefins, global polyethylene prices have remained strong due to higher naphtha costs and strong demand. We are, however, concerned with the possibility of a recession, which could impact our ability to raise prices sufficiently to offset the rise in energy and feedstock costs.legal expenses.

Interest Expense.Interest expense in the secondthird quarter of 2008 increased by $4.8$3.4 million, to $9.3$8.1 million, from $4.5$4.7 million in the secondthird quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher average debt outstanding for the period, largely as a result of our issuance of the 6 3/4% senior notes in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Other Income, (Expense), Net. Other income, (expense), net increased by $2.5$1.0 million to $2.2$1.3 million in the secondthird quarter of 2008 from a loss of $0.3 million in the secondthird quarter of 2007, primarily due to higher2007. Higher interest income associated with the restricted cash balance related to our 6 3/4%4 % senior notes contributed to the increase.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 34.8% in the third quarter of 2008. The 2008 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective tax rate was 30.8% for the third quarter of 2007. The 2007 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes.

Olefins Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $154.7 million, or 27.1%, to $725.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $570.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for all major products, partially offset by lower sales volumes for ethylene and polyethylene. Polyethylene sales volumes were negatively impacted by the hurricane activity but were also slowed as customers reduced their purchases in anticipation of lower polyethylene sales prices. Average selling prices for the Olefins segment increased by 32.3% in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the third quarter of 2007.

Income from Operations. Income from operations decreased by $38.8 million, or 68.1%, to $18.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $57.0 million in the third quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to the impact of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which caused two separate shut-downs of our Lake Charles facilities during the third quarter of 2008, lower sales volumes and higher feedstock, natural gas and electricity costs, which were partially offset by higher sales prices. Trading activity resulted in a loss in the third quarter of 2008 of $0.9 million as compared to a gain of $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2007.

Vinyls Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $79.0 million, or 29.3%, to $348.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $269.7 million in the third quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher selling prices for most of our products and higher sales volumes for PVC resin, partially offset by lower PVC pipe sales volumes. Average selling prices for the Vinyls segment increased by 25.6% in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007.

Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $25.1 million to $30.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to increased prices for caustic, PVC resin, ethylene co-products and PVC pipe and higher sales volumes for PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by higher feedstock costs for propane and ethylene and lower PVC pipe sales volumes. The reduced demand for PVC downstream products has led to reduced demand for chlorine, which in turn, has resulted in higher prices and margins for caustic. The third quarter of 2007 was negatively impacted by $6.7 million due to a legal settlement and expenses associated with the litigation.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $753.6 million to $3,095.2 million in the first nine months of 2008 from $2,341.6 million in the first nine months of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for all of our major products and higher sales volumes for PVC resin. Average sales prices for the first nine months of 2008 increased by 29.9% as compared to the first nine months of 2007.

Gross Margin. Gross margin percentage decreased to 6.6% in the first nine months of 2008 from 9.8% in the first nine months of 2007. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily due to the increase in feedstock, natural gas and electricity costs, which were partially offset by higher sales prices. Our raw material cost in both segments normally tracks industry prices, which experienced an increase of 48.1% for ethane and 46.2% for propane as compared to the first nine months of 2007. Margins were also negatively impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike during the third quarter of 2008 and a trading loss of $7.8 million in the first nine months of 2008 as compared to a $6.4 million gain in the first nine months of 2007.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $5.0 million, or 6.8%, in the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the first nine months of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the transition costs related to the acquisition of the Longview facilities incurred in the first four months of 2007 and a legal settlement in the third quarter of 2007 and the associated reduction in legal expenses.

Interest Expense.Interest expense in the first nine months of 2008 increased by $13.1 million, to $25.9 million, from $12.8 million in the first nine months of 2007, primarily due to higher average debt outstanding for the period, largely as a result of our issuance of the 6 3/4% senior notes in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net increased by $4.9 million to $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2008 from $1.0 million in the first nine months of 2007 primarily due to higher interest income from the restricted cash balance associated with our 6 3/4% senior notes, higher equity in income from our joint venture in China and a $0.9 million write-down of a long-term investment in the second quarter of 2007.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 28.9% in31.1% for the second quarterfirst nine months of 2008. The 2008 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits, the domestic manufacturing deduction, and a reduction of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of $2.7 million due to tax settlements, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective tax rate was 34.1%32.9% for the second quarterfirst nine months of 2007. The 2007 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes.

Olefins Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $251.2$582.3 million, or 48.8%37.1%, to $766.0 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $514.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices and sales volumes for all major products. Average selling prices for the Olefins segment increased by 38.9% in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007.

Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $15.1 million, or 35.4%, to $57.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $42.7 million in the second quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for polyethylene and styrene, which were partially offset by higher feedstock, natural gas and electricity costs. The second quarter of 2007 was also adversely impacted by the scheduled turnaround at one of our ethylene units in Lake Charles, which was down for approximately 30 days during the quarter. Trading activity resulted in a loss in the second quarter of 2008 of $7.0 million as compared to a gain of $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2007.

Vinyls Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $72.7 million, or 27.1%, to $340.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $267.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher selling prices for PVC resin and caustic and higher sales volumes for PVC resin and PVC pipe. Average selling prices for the Vinyls segment increased by 14.6% in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007.

Income from Operations. Income from operations decreased by $2.4 million, or 11.5%, to $18.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $20.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to significantly higher feedstock costs for propane and ethylene and a slight decrease in PVC pipe prices. These decreases in income from operations were partially offset by higher sales prices for PVC resin and caustic and higher sales volumes for PVC resin and PVC pipe in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007. The Vinyls segment margins continue to be negatively impacted by the weakness in the construction market.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $520.0 million to $2,021.5$2,151.8 million in the first sixnine months of 2008 from $1,501.5$1,569.5 million in the first sixnine months of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for most of our major products and higher sales volume for ethylene and PVC resin. Average sales prices for the first half of 2008 increased by 30.4% as compared to the first half of 2007.

Gross Margin. Gross margin percentage decreased to 6.6% in the first half of 2008 from 9.5% in the first half of 2007. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily due to the significant increase in feedstock, natural gas and electricity costs, which were partially offset by higher sales prices. Our raw material cost in both segments normally tracks industry prices, which experienced an increase of 57.5% for ethane and 51.2% for propane as compared to the first six months of 2007. Margins were also negatively impacted by a trading loss of $6.9 million in the first half of 2008 as compared to a $4.8 million gain in the first half of 2007.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.7 million, or 3.6%, in the first half of 2008 as compared to the first half of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the transition costs related to the acquisition of the Longview facilities incurred in the first four months of 2007.

Interest Expense.Interest expense in the first six months of 2008 increased by $9.7 million, to $17.8 million, from $8.1 million in the first six months of 2007, primarily due to higher average debt outstanding for the period, largely as a result of our issuance of the 6 3/4% senior notes in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net increased by $3.9 million to $4.6 million in the first six months of 2008 from $0.7 million in the first six months of 2007 primarily due to higher interest income associated with the restricted cash balance associated with our 63/4% senior notes, higher equity in income from our joint venture in China and a $0.9 million write-down of a long-term investment in 2007.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 29.1% for the first half of 2008. The 2008 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits, the domestic manufacturing deduction, and a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective tax rate was 34.3% for the first half of 2007. The 2007 tax rate was below the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax credits and the domestic manufacturing deduction, partially offset by state income taxes.

Olefins Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $427.7 million, or 42.8%, to $1,426.8 million in the first half of 2008 from $999.1 million in the first half of 2007. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices for all major products and, to a lesser extent, higher ethylene sales volumes.products. Average selling prices for the Olefins segment increased by 37.9%35.2% in the first sixnine months of 2008 as compared to the first sixnine months of 2007.

Income from Operations. Income from operations increaseddecreased by $8.1$30.9 million, or 11.6%24.3%, to $78.0$96.1 million in the first sixnine months of 2008 from $69.9$127.0 million in the first sixnine months of 2007. This increaseThe decrease was primarilylargely due to the increaseimpact of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which caused two separate outages at the Lake Charles plant during the third quarter of 2008, the impact of a styrene plant turnaround in polyethyleneLake Charles during the first quarter of 2008, and styrene sales prices, which was partially offset by the increase in feedstock, natural gas and electricity costs.costs, which were higher than the increase in sales prices. Trading activity resulted in a loss of $6.9$7.8 million in the first sixnine months of 2008 as compared to a gain of $4.8$6.4 million in the first sixnine months of 2007. The first sixnine months of 20082007 were negatively impacted by the styrene plant turnaround in Lake Charles, while the first half of 2007 was negatively impacted by a major turnaround and an unscheduled outage at one of our ethylene units in Lake Charles.

Vinyls Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $92.3$171.3 million, or 18.4%22.2%, to $594.7$943.4 million in the first halfnine months of 2008 from $502.4$772.1 million in the first halfnine months of 2007. This increase was due to higher selling prices for PVC resin and causticall major products and increased PVC resin sales volumes. Average selling prices for the Vinyls segment increased by 15.5%19.2% in the first halfnine months of 2008 as compared to the first halfnine months of 2007. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for VCM and PVC pipe.

Income from Operations. Income from operations decreasedincreased by $13.3$11.8 million, or 46.5%34.7%, to $15.3$45.8 million in the first halfnine months of 2008 as compared to $28.6$34.0 million in the first halfnine months of 2007. This decreaseincrease was primarily due to significantlyhigher sales prices, which were partially offset by higher feedstock costs for propane and ethyleneethylene. Pricing and lower sales volumesmargins have been especially strong for PVC pipe. Continuedcaustic in the first nine months of 2008, but weakness in the construction market has reduced marginscontinues to affect demand in our vinyls downstream businesses. In addition, the closure of our Pawling facility in the first quarter of 2008 negatively impacted income from operations in the first sixnine months of 2008. Closure costs, including severance, inventory write-downs and fixed asset impairments, totaled approximately $2.7$2.9 million in the first sixnine months of 2008. These decreasesResults for the first nine months of 2007 were partially offsetnegatively impacted by higher sales volumes for PVC resin$6.7 million due to a legal settlement and higher selling prices for PVC resin and caustic.expenses associated with the litigation.

CASH FLOW DISCUSSION FOR SIXNINE MONTHS ENDED JUNESEPTEMBER 30, 2008 AND 2007

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Operating activities usedprovided cash of $8.0$76.6 million in the first sixnine months of 2008 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $34.2$95.0 million in the first sixnine months of 2007. The $42.2$18.4 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to unfavorable changes in working capital, higher tax payments, capitalized costs related to the styrene turnaround in the first quarter and lower income from operations in 2008.2008 and higher turnaround costs, partially offset by changes in working capital. Income from operations decreased by $7.5$18.5 million in the first sixnine months of 2008 as compared to the first sixnine months of 2007. Changes in components of working capital, which we define for purposes of this cash flow discussion as accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expense and other current assets less accounts payable and accrued liabilities, used cash of $105.7$72.0 million in the first halfnine months of 2008, compared to $81.1$83.7 million of cash used in the first halfnine months of 2007, an increasea decrease in cash use of $24.6$11.7 million. The unfavorable change in working capital was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable resulting from increased sales prices and volumes as compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities during the first sixnine months of 2008 was $80.9$126.2 million as compared to net cash used for investing activities of $39.0$75.2 million in the first sixnine months of 2007. Capital expenditures were $81.8$127.2 million in the first halfnine months of 2008 compared to $50.5$86.3 million in the first halfnine months of 2007. The increase in capital expenditures in the 2008 period was largely due to expenditures related to the expansions at Calvert City and the openingretrofitting of the new plant at Yucca. The remaining capital expenditures in the sixnine months of 2008 and 2007 primarily related to maintenance, safety and environmental projects.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the first sixnine months of 2008 was $86.5$47.2 million as compared to net cash usedprovided of $5.2$66.8 million in the first sixnine months of 2007. The 2008 activity was primarily related to borrowing a net $38.0$4.5 million under our revolving credit facility and $55.0 million in draw-downs of our restricted cash for use for eligible capital expenditures, partially offset by the $6.6$10.0 million payment of cash dividends.dividends and $2.5 million of fees in connection with the amendment of our revolving credit agreement. During the first sixnine months of 2007, we paid $5.2$8.5 million of cash dividends.dividends and borrowed a net $75.0 million under our revolving credit facility.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Financing Arrangements

Our principal sources of liquidity are from cash and cash equivalents, cash from operations, short-term borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our long-term financing. As discussed previously, we are currently evaluatingWe recently announced the potential developmentconstruction of an ethane-based ethylene, polyethylene and other derivatives project in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is expected that, if the project moves forward, we would invest some level of cash and the remainder would be financed through a project financing arrangement. We are also expanding ournew chlor-alkali and PVC resin units, building a large diameter PVC pipe plant at our Calvert

City facilityGeismar, Louisiana facility. We expect this project will cost between $250.0 million and starting up a PVC pipe facility$300.0 million and will be partially funded with funds drawn from the proceeds of the issuance of the 6 3/4% revenue bonds of the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facility and Development Authority, issued in Yucca, Arizona. The expected aggregate cost of these chlor-alkali and PVC projects is approximately $125.0 million.December 2007 for our benefit, which are currently held as restricted cash. We believe that our sources of liquidity as described above along with any additional project financing, will be adequate to fund our cash requirements. Should we pursue additional expansions of existing assets or acquisition of third party assets, the availability of additional liquidity at cost effective interest rates cannot be assured due to the current volatility of the commercial credit markets.

Cash

Cash balances (excluding restricted cash) were $22.5 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2008 compared to $24.9 million at December 31, 2007. In addition, we have a revolving credit facility available to supplement cash, if needed, as described under “Debt” below.

Debt

Our $300.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility is a source of liquidity. As of June 30, 2008, any borrowings under the revolving credit facility bore interest at either LIBOR plus 1.00% or the prime rate less 0.50%. The revolving credit facility also requires an unused commitment fee of 0.25%. All interest rates under the facility are subject to quarterly grid pricing adjustments based on a fixed charge coverage ratio. The facility matures on January 6, 2011.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, our long-term debt totaled $549.4$515.9 million, consisting of $250.0 million principal amount of 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016 (less the unamortized discount of $0.7$0.6 million), $250.0 million of 6 3/4%4% senior notes due 2032, a $10.9 million loan from the proceeds of tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds (supported by an $11.3 million letter of credit) and $39.2$5.6 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The 6 3/4%4% senior notes evidence and secure our obligations to the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facility and Development Authority, a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana (the “Authority”), under a loan agreement relating to the issuance of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Authority’s tax-exempt revenue bonds. Debt outstanding under the tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds bears interest at variable rates.

On September 8, 2008, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the lenders’ commitments under the facility from $300 million to $400 million. As of September 30, 2008, we had borrowings under the revolving credit facility that bore interest at either LIBOR plus 2.25% or the prime rate plus 0.75%. The revolving credit facility also requires an unused commitment fee of 0.625%. All interest rates under the facility are subject to quarterly grid pricing adjustments based on average daily loan availability. The facility matures on September 8, 2013.

On December 13, 2007, the Authority issued $250.0 million of 6 3/4% tax-exempt4% exempt revenue bonds due November 1, 2032 under the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005. The bonds are non-callable through November 1, 2017. The bonds are subject to redemption and the holders may require the bonds to be repurchased upon a change of control or a change in or loss of the current tax status. In connection with the issuance of the bonds, we entered into a loan agreement with the Authority pursuant to which we agreed to pay all of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the bonds and certain other amounts to the Authority. The proceeds from the bond offering were loaned by the Authority to us. We intend to use the proceeds to expand, refurbish and maintain certain of our facilities in the Louisiana Parishes of Calcasieu and Ascension. To evidence and secure our obligations under the loan agreement, we entered into a second supplemental indenture, by and among us, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, and issued $250 million aggregate principal amount of our 6 3/4%4% senior notes due 2032 to be held by the trustee pursuant to the terms and provisions of the loan agreement. The 6 3/4%4% senior notes are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with other existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. All domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of ours or of another guarantor of the senior notes in excess of $5.0 million are guarantors of the senior notes. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we had drawn $103.2 million of bond proceeds. The balance of the proceeds, principal plus current and accrued interest income, remains with a trustee, and is classified on our consolidated balance sheet as a non-current asset, restricted cash, until such time as we request reimbursement of amounts used to expand, refurbish and maintain our facilities in Calcasieu and Ascension Parishes.

On January 13, 2006, we issued $250.0 million of 6 5/8%8% aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2016. The 6 5/8% 8%senior notes are unsecured and were issued with an original issue discount of $0.8 million. There is no sinking fund and no scheduled amortization of the notes prior to maturity. The notes are subject to redemption and the holders may require us to repurchase the notes upon a change of control. All domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of ours or of another guarantor of the senior notes in excess of $5.0 million are guarantors of the notes.

The agreements governing the 6 5/8%8% and the 6 3/4%4% senior notes (together the “senior notes”) and the revolving credit facility each contain customary covenants and events of default. Accordingly, these agreements impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions, among other things, provide limitations on incurrence of additional indebtedness, the payment of dividends, certain investments and acquisitions and sales of assets. These limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, including, without limitation, an exception for the payment of our regular quarterly dividend of up to $0.20$0.21 per share (currently $0.05$0.0525 per share). The senior notes indenture does not allow distributions, unless, after giving pro forma effect to the distribution, our fixed charge coverage ratio is at least 2.0 and such payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other distributions after January 13, 2006, is less than the sum of 50% of our consolidated net income for the period from October 1,

2003 to the end of the most recent quarter for which financial statements have been filed, plus 100% of net cash proceeds received after October 1, 2003 as a contribution to our common equity capital or from the issuance or sale of certain securities, plus several other adjustments. The amount allowed under this restriction was $498.8$508.9 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2008. The revolving credit facility also restricts dividend payments unless, after giving effect to such payment, the availability under the line of credit equals or exceeds $60.0$75.0 million. None of the agreements require us to maintain specified financial ratios, except that the revolving credit facility requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 when availability falls below $60.0$75.0 million. In addition, the senior notes indenture and the revolving credit facility restrict our ability to create liens, to engage in certain affiliate transactions and to engage in sale-leaseback transactions.

In December 1997, we entered into a loan agreement with a public trust established for public purposes for the benefit of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana. The public trust issued $10.9 million principal amount of tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds (revenue bonds) in order to finance our construction of waste disposal facilities for an ethylene plant. The revenue bonds expire in December 2027 and are subject to redemption and mandatory tender for purchase prior to maturity under certain conditions. Interest on the revenue bonds accrues at a rate determined by a remarketing agent and is payable quarterly. The interest rate on the revenue bonds at JuneSeptember 30, 2008 was 1.75%8.23%.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the foreseeable future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor provisions for forward-looking information. Certain of the statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These include such matters as:

 

future operating rates, margins, cash flow and demand for our products;

 

industry market outlook;

 

production capacities;

 

our ability to borrow additional funds under our credit facility;

 

our ability to meet our liquidity needs;

 

our intended quarterly dividends;

 

future capacity additions and expansions in the industry;

 

timing, size, scope, cost and other matters related to the project in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago;

 

timing and results of the planned expansions of our chlor-alkali and PVC resin units, building of a large diameter PVC plant at our Calvert City manufacturing complex and start-up of our PVC pipe facility in Yucca, Arizona;

 

timing, costs and results of a planned new chlor-alkali plant in Geismar, Louisiana;

compliance with present and future environmental regulations and costs associated with environmentally related penalties, capital expenditures, remedial actions and proceedings;

 

the amount of unrecognized tax benefits;

 

effects of pending legal proceedings; and

 

timing of and amount of capital expenditures.

We have based these statements on assumptions and analyses in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe were appropriate in the circumstances when the statements were made. These statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including those described in “Risk Factors” in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and the following:

 

general economic and business conditions;

 

the cyclical nature of the chemical industry;

the availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and energy;

 

uncertainties associated with the United States and worldwide economies, including those due to political tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere;

 

current and potential governmental regulatory actions in the United States and regulatory actions and political unrest in other countries;

 

industry production capacity and operating rates;

 

the supply/demand balance for our products;

 

competitive products and pricing pressures;

instability in the credit and financial markets;

access to capital markets;

 

terrorist acts;

 

operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks);

 

changes in laws or regulations;

 

technological developments;

 

our ability to implement our business strategies; and

 

creditworthiness of our customers.

Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Any of the factors, or a combination of these factors, could materially affect our future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and our actual results and future developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements or present or prior earnings levels. Every forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Commodity Price Risk

A substantial portion of our products and raw materials are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. Accordingly, product margins and the level of our profitability tend to fluctuate with changes in the business cycle. We try to protect against such instability through various business strategies. Our strategies include ethylene product feedstock flexibility and moving downstream into the olefins and vinyls products where pricing is more stable. We use derivative instruments in certain instances to reduce price volatility risk on feedstocks and products; however, we had no significant open derivative positions at JuneSeptember 30, 2008. Additional information concerning derivative commodity instruments appears in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to fixed and variable rate debt. At JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we had variable rate debt of $50.0$16.5 million outstanding. All of the debt outstanding under our credit facility and tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds is at variable rates. We do not currently hedge our variable interest rate debt, but we may do so in the future. The average variable interest rate for our variable rate debt of $50.0$16.5 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2008 was 3.90%7.38%. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the average interest rate on our variable rate debt would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $0.5$0.2 million. Also, at JuneSeptember 30, 2008, we had $500.0 million principal amount of undiscounted fixed rate debt. We are subject to the risk of higher interest cost if and when this debt is refinanced. If interest rates are 1% higher at the time of refinancing, our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $5.0 million.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. In the course of this evaluation, management considered certain internal control areas in which we have made and are continuing to make changes to improve and enhance controls. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, in all material respects, with respect to (i) the accumulation and communication to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we submit under the Exchange Act, and (ii) the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of such information within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (the “2007 Form 10-K”), filed on February 20, 2008, contained a description of various legal proceedings in which we are involved, including environmental proceedings at our facilities in Calvert City, Kentucky. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for an update of certain of those proceedings, which information is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors

For a discussionOther than the addition of the risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors please readas previously disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the 2007 Form 10-K.

The global financial crisis may have impacts on our business and financial condition that we currently cannot predict.

The continued credit crisis and related instability in the global financial system has had, and may continue to have, an impact on our business and our financial condition. We may face significant challenges if conditions in the financial markets do not improve. Our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access such markets, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The credit crisis could have an impact on the lenders under our revolving credit facility or on our customers and suppliers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us. Additionally, the crisis could lead to reduced demand for our products, which could have a negative impact on our revenues.

 

Item 4.2.SubmissionUnregistered Sales of Matters to a VoteEquity Securities and Use of Security HoldersProceeds

The Company’s 2008 annual meetingfollowing table provides information on our purchase of stockholders was held on May 19,equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Three matters were voted upon by the Company’s stockholders at such meeting: (1) two members of the board of directors were re-elected, (2) the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 was ratified and (3) the material terms of the performance goals under the 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan were re-approved. The following tabulation sets forth the number of votes cast for, against or withheld and the number of abstentions and broker non-votes.

 

Election of Directors

  Votes For  Votes Withheld

Dorothy C. Jenkins

  55,850,746  9,385,857

Max L. Lukens

  56,978,478  8,258,125

Period

  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
  Average Price
Paid Per
Share
  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly

Announced Plans
or Programs
  Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

July 2008

  —     —    N/A  N/A

August 2008

  —     —    N/A  N/A

September 2008

  3,107  $19.29  N/A  N/A
             
  3,107  $19.29  N/A  N/A

 

Ratification of

  Votes For  Votes Against  Votes to Abstain  Broker Non-Votes

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  65,136,764  96,135  3,705  0

Material terms of performance goals

  64,263,807  967,084  5,711  0
(1)The shares of common stock purchased during the third quarter of 2008 represent shares withheld by us in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock granted to our employees under the 2004 Plan.

 

Item 6.Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

   

10.1

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 8, 2008 by and among Westlake Chemical Corporation certain of its domestic subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as agent for lenders, and lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Westlake’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2008).

31.1

  Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d – 14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer).

31.2

  Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d – 14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer).

32.1

  Section 1350 Certification (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer).

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.

 

  WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Date: August 6,November 7, 2008  By: 

/s/ Albert Chao

   Albert Chao
   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: August 6,November 7, 2008  By: 

/s/ M. Steven Bender

   M. Steven Bender
   

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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