The CompanyGrafTech is a leading manufacturer of graphite electrodes, the critical consumable for the electric arc furnace industry. We are the only graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, a key raw material for graphite electrodes. This vertical integration allowsGrafTech to enter into longer term agreements with its customers. These agreements have a duration of more than 12 months and include pre-determined ranges of volumes and prices. This provides greater earnings stability and visibility forGrafTech and a committed, secure source of supply for our customers. The environmental and economic advantages of electric arc furnace steel production positions both that industry and the graphite electrode industry for continued long-term growth. We believeGrafTech's leadership position, strong cash flows, and advantaged low cost structure and vertical integration are sustainable competitive advantages. The services and solutions we provide will position our customers and us for a better future. Commercial Update and OutlookGrafTech reported strong sales volumes of 43 thousand MT in the third quarter of 2021, consisting of long-term agreement ("LTA") volumes of 28 thousand MT at an average approximate price of$9,500 per MT and non-LTA volumes of 15 thousand MT at an average approximate price of$4,600 per MT. The non-LTA prices for graphite electrodes delivered and recognized in revenue in the third quarter increased 12% over second quarter non-LTA pricing. The non-LTA sales price reflects a mix of annual agreements negotiated in the fourth quarter of 2020, quarterly agreements negotiated earlier in 2021 along with spot agreements. By volume, more than three quarters of third quarter non-LTA sales were at prices agreed to under annual and quarterly agreements, when graphite electrode prices were lower than they are currently, and the remainder at spot pricing. In the fourth quarter, we expect our non-LTA price for graphite electrodes delivered and recognized in revenue to be 7-9% higher than in the third quarter of 2021. In 2022, we expect our non-LTA pricing to be significantly higher than the second half of 2021 as market conditions have improved since we last negotiated annual pricing contracts in late 2020. We also expect some cost increases in the fourth quarter of 2021 and into 2022, driven by recent global cost pressures, particularly for third-party needle coke, energy, and freight. Production volumes in the third quarter of 2021 increased 22% compared to the third quarter of 2020 but were impacted sequentially by our annual planned major maintenance work at our two European facilities. In the third quarter of 2021, we introduced additional connecting pin production capabilities at ourSt Marys, Pennsylvania facility. Globally, steel market capacity utilization rates continue to be strong: Q3 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2020 Global steel market (ex-China ) capacity utilization rates (1) 74% 75% 60% U.S. steel market capacity utilization rates (2) 85% 82% 64% 1 Source:World Steel Association and Metal Expert 2 Source:American Iron and Steel Institute The estimated shipments of graphite electrodes under our LTAs for 2021 have been updated from our prior estimates as follows: 2021 2022 2023 through 2024 Estimated LTA volume (thousands of 106-110 95-105 35-45 metric tons) Estimated LTA revenue (in millions)$1,000-$1,045 $910-$1,010 $350-$450 (1)
(1) Includes expected termination fees from a few customers that have failed to meet certain obligations under their LTAs
25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES Capital Structure and Capital Allocation As ofSeptember 30, 2021 ,GrafTech had cash and cash equivalents of$87 million and total debt of approximately$1.1 billion . We continue to make progress in reducing our long-term debt, repaying$100 million in the third quarter, for a total debt repayment of$300 million in the first nine months of 2021. We repurchased 4.3 million shares in the third quarter for approximately$46 million under our existing open market share repurchase authorization. For the remainder of 2021, we continue to expect our primary use of cash to be debt repayment. Our capital expenditure range expectations are unchanged, between$55 and$65 million . In addition, our Board of Directors has approved a new$150 million open market stock repurchase program. The Company is now authorized to repurchase up to$163 million in shares of the Company's common stock, inclusive of the$13 million remaining under the prior stock repurchase program as of the end of the third quarter of this year. Key metrics used by management to measure performance In addition to measures of financial performance presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, we use certain other financial measures and operating metrics to analyze the performance of our company. The "non-GAAP" financial measures consist of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS. which help us evaluate growth trends, establish budgets, assess operational efficiencies and evaluate our overall financial performance. The key operating metrics consist of sales volume, production volume, production capacity and capacity utilization. Key financial measures For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months September 30, Ended September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net sales$ 347,348 $ 286,987 $ 982,495 $ 886,351 Net income$ 119,886 $ 94,234 $ 246,850 $ 309,278 Earnings per share(1)$ 0.45 $ 0.35 $ 0.92 $ 1.15 EBITDA(2)$ 173,021 $ 150,960 $ 394,763 $ 483,634 Adjusted net income(2)$ 119,038 $ 96,109 $ 333,405 $ 308,344 Adjusted earnings per share(1)(2)$ 0.45 $ 0.36 $ 1.25 $ 1.15 Adjusted EBITDA(2)$ 172,175 $ 153,105 $ 487,123 $ 483,408 (1) Earnings per share represents diluted earnings per share. Adjusted earnings per share represents adjusted diluted earnings per share. (2) Non-GAAP financial measures; see below for information and reconciliations of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Key operating metrics For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months September 30, Ended September 30, (in thousands, except utilization) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Sales volume (MT)(1) 43 33 123 98 Production volume (MT)(2) 39 32 119 98 Production capacity excluding St. Marys (MT)(3)(4) 48 48 150 150 Capacity utilization excluding St. Marys (3)(5) 81 % 67 % 79 % 65 % Total production capacity (MT)(4)(6) 55 55 171 171 Total capacity utilization(5)(6) 71 % 58 % 70 % 57 % (1) Sales volume reflects only graphite electrodes manufactured byGrafTech . (2) Production volume reflects graphite electrodes we produced during the period. (3) In the first quarter of 2018, ourSt. Marys, Pennsylvania facility began graphitizing a limited amount of electrodes sourced from ourMonterrey, Mexico facility. 26 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES (4) Production capacity reflects expected maximum production volume during the period under normal operating conditions, standard product mix and expected maintenance outage. Actual production may vary. (5) Capacity utilization reflects production volume as a percentage of production capacity. (6) Includes graphite electrode facilities in Calais,France ;Monterrey, Mexico ;Pamplona ,Spain ; andSt. Marys, Pennsylvania . Non-GAAP financial measures In addition to providing results that are determined in accordance with GAAP, we have provided certain financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS are nonGAAP financial measures. We define EBITDA, a nonGAAP financial measure, as net income or loss plus interest expense, minus interest income, plus income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for any pension and other post employment benefit ("OPEB") plan expenses or gains, public offerings and related expenses, noncash gains or losses from foreign currency remeasurement of nonoperating assets and liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is theU.S. dollar, related party tax receivable agreement, datedApril 27, 2018 ("TRA") adjustments, stock-based compensation, noncash fixed asset writeoffs and Change in Control charges that were triggered as a result of the ownership of our largest stockholder falling below 30% of our total outstanding shares. For purposes of this section, a "Change in Control" occurred when Brookfield and any affiliates thereof ceased to own stock of the Company that constitutes at least thirty percent (30%) or thirty-five percent (35%), as applicable, of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary metric used by our management and our Board of Directors to establish budgets and operational goals for managing our business and evaluating our performance. We monitor adjusted EBITDA as a supplement to our GAAP measures, and believe it is useful to present to investors, because we believe that it facilitates evaluation of our periodtoperiod operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature, allowing comparison of our recurring core business operating results over multiple periods unaffected by differences in capital structure, capital investment cycles and fixed asset base. In addition, we believe adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are widely used by investors, securities analysts, ratings agencies, and other parties in evaluating companies in our industry as a measure of financial performance and debtservice capabilities. Our use of adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures for capital equipment or other contractual commitments, including any capital expenditure requirements to augment or replace our capital assets; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect expenses relating to our pension and OPEB plans; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the noncash gains or losses from foreign currency remeasurement of nonoperating assets and liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is theU.S. dollar; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect public offerings and related expenses; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect related party TRA adjustments; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect stock-based compensation or the noncash writeoff of fixed assets; •adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Change in Control charges; and •other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure. We define adjusted net income, a nonGAAP financial measure, as net income or loss and excluding the items used to calculate adjusted EBITDA, less the tax effect of those adjustments. We define adjusted EPS, a nonGAAP financial measure, as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average of diluted common shares outstanding during the period. We believe adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are useful to present to investors because we believe that they assist investors' understanding of the underlying operational profitability of the Company. 27 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES In evaluating EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, you should be aware that in the future, we will incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the reconciliation below, other than change in control charges. Our presentations of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS should not be construed as suggesting that our future results will be unaffected by these expenses or any unusual or nonrecurring items. When evaluating our performance, you should consider EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS alongside other measures of financial performance and liquidity, including our net income, EPS and other GAAP measures. The following tables reconcile our non-GAAP key financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures: Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income For the Three Months ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (in thousands, except per share data) Net income$ 119,886 $
94,234
Diluted income per common share: Net income per share $ 0.45$ 0.35 $ 0.92$ 1.15 Weighted average shares outstanding 267,178,963 267,279,555 267,441,394 267,920,890 Net income$ 119,886 $ 94,234 $ 246,850 $ 309,278 Adjustments, pre-tax: Pension and OPEB plan expenses (1) 434 583 1,295 1,666 Public offerings and related expenses (2) - - 663 4 Non-cash loss (gain) on foreign currency remeasurement (3) (1,542) 798 365 (441) Stock-based compensation (4) 262 764 1,580 1,891 Non-cash fixed asset write-off (5) - - 313 - Related party Tax Receivable Agreement adjustment (6) - - 47 (3,346) Change in Control LTIP award (7) - - 73,384 - Change in control stock-based compensation acceleration (7) - - 14,713 - Total non-GAAP adjustments pre-tax (846) 2,145 92,360 (226) Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments 2 270 5,805 708 Adjusted net income$ 119,038 $ 96,109 $ 333,405 $ 308,344 (1)Service and interest cost of our OPEB plans. Also includes a mark-to-market loss (gain) for plan assets as of December of each year. (2)Legal, accounting, printing and registration fees associated with the public offerings and related expenses. (3)Non-cash gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries where the functional currency is theU.S. dollar. (4)Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation grants. (5)Non-cash write-off of fixed assets. (6)Non-cash expense adjustment for future payment to our sole pre-IPO stockholder for tax assets that are expected to be utilized. (7)In the second quarter of 2021, we incurred change in control charges as a result of the ownership of our largest stockholder, Brookfield, moving below 30% of our shares outstanding. 28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of EPS to Adjusted EPS
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 EPS$ 0.45 $ 0.35 $ 0.92 $ 1.15 Adjustments per share: Pension and OPEB plan expenses (1) - - - 0.01 Public offerings and related expenses (2) - - - - Non-cash gains and losses on foreign currency remeasurement (3) - 0.01 - - Stock-based compensation (4) - - 0.02 0.01 Non-cash fixed asset write-off (5) - - - - Related party Tax Receivable Agreement adjustment (6) - - - (0.02) Change in control LTIP award (7) - - 0.27 - Change in control stock-based compensation acceleration (7) - - 0.06 - Total non-GAAP adjustments pre-tax per share - 0.01 0.35 - Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments per share - - 0.02 - Adjusted EPS$ 0.45 $ 0.36 $ 1.25 $ 1.15 (1)Service and interest cost of our OPEB plans. Also includes a mark-to-market loss (gain) for plan assets as of December of each year. (2)Legal, accounting, printing and registration fees associated with the public offerings and related expenses. (3)Non-cash gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries where the functional currency is theU.S. dollar. (4)Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation grants. (5)Non-cash fixed asset write-off recorded for obsolete assets. (6)Non-cash expense adjustment for future payment to our sole pre-IPO stockholder for tax assets that are expected to be utilized. (7)In the second quarter of 2021, we incurred Change in Control charges as a result of the ownership of our largest shareholder, Brookfield, moving below 30% of our total shares outstanding. 29 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (in thousands) Net income$ 119,886 $ 94,234 $ 246,850 $ 309,278 Add: Depreciation and amortization 15,584 16,241 48,415 45,074 Interest expense 16,048 22,474 54,209 69,026 Interest income (417) (93) (653) (1,582) Income taxes 21,920 18,104 45,942 61,838 EBITDA 173,021 150,960 394,763 483,634 Adjustments: Pension and OPEB plan expenses (1) 434 583 1,295 1,666 Public offerings and related expenses (2) - - 663 4 Non-cash loss (gain) on foreign currency remeasurement (3) (1,542) 798 365 (441) Stock-based compensation (4) 262 764 1,580 1,891 Non-cash fixed asset write-off (5) - - 313 - Related party Tax Receivable Agreement adjustment (6) - - 47 (3,346) Change in Control LTIP award (7) - - 73,384 - Change in control stock-based compensation acceleration (7) - - 14,713 - Adjusted EBITDA$ 172,175 $ 153,105 $ 487,123 $ 483,408 (1)Service and interest cost of our OPEB plans. Also includes a mark-to-market loss (gain) for plan assets as of December of each year. (2)Legal, accounting, printing and registration fees associated with the public offerings and related expenses. (3)Non-cash gains and losses from foreign currency remeasurement of non-operating assets and liabilities of our non-U.S. subsidiaries where the functional currency is theU.S. dollar. (4)Non-cash expense for stock-based compensation grants. (5)Non-cash write-off of fixed assets. (6)Non-cash expense adjustment for future payment to our sole pre-IPO stockholder for tax assets that are expected to be utilized. (7)In the second quarter of 2021, we incurred change in control charges as a result of the ownership of our largest shareholder, Brookfield, moving below 30% of our shares outstanding. Key operating metrics In addition to measures of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain operating metrics to analyze the performance of our company. The key operating metrics consist of sales volume, production volume, production capacity and capacity utilization. These metrics align with management's assessment of our revenue performance and profit margin and will help investors understand the factors that drive our profitability. Sales volume reflects only graphite electrodes manufactured byGrafTech . For a discussion of our revenue recognition policy, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies-Revenue Recognition" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Sales volume helps investors understand the factors that drive our net sales. Production volume reflects graphite electrodes produced during the period. Production capacity reflects expected maximum production volume during the period under normal operating conditions, standard product mix and expected maintenance downtime. Capacity utilization reflects production volume as a percentage of production capacity. Production volume, production capacity and capacity utilization help us understand the efficiency of our production, evaluate cost of sales and consider how to approach our contract initiative. 30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES Results of Operations The Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2021 Compared to the Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2020 The tables presented in our period-over-period comparisons summarize our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and illustrate key financial indicators used to assess the consolidated financial results. Throughout this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("MD&A"), insignificant changes may be deemed not meaningful and are generally excluded from the discussion. For the Three Months Ended September 30, Increase/ 2021 2020 Decrease % Change (Dollars in thousands) Net sales$ 347,348 $ 286,987 $ 60,361 21 % Cost of sales 170,286 131,862 38,424 29 % Gross profit 177,062 155,125 21,937 14 % Research and development 983 650 333 51 % Selling and administrative expenses 19,006 19,062 (56) - % Operating income 157,073 135,413 21,660 16 % Other (income) expense, net (364) 694 (1,058) (152) % Interest expense 16,048 22,474 (6,426) (29) % Interest income (417) (93) (324) 348 % Income before provision for income taxes 141,806 112,338 29,468 26 % Provision for income taxes 21,920 18,104 3,816 21 % Net income$ 119,886 $ 94,234 $ 25,652 27 % Net sales. Net sales increased from$287.0 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$347.3 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . The third quarter of 2020 was impacted by market conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Stronger demand for our products in the third quarter of 2021 resulted in a 30% increase in sales volume compared to the same period of 2020. Partially offsetting the increased volume was a decrease in average realized sales prices. This decrease in prices reflects an increased percentage of non-LTA sales at prices lower than our LTA contracted prices. Cost of sales. We experienced an increase in cost of sales from$131.9 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$170.3 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , primarily due to the 30% increase in sales volume of manufactured electrodes. We expect some cost increases in the fourth quarter of 2021 and into 2022, driven by recent global cost pressures, particularly for third-party needle coke, energy and freight. Selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses were flat from$19.1 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$19.0 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . Interest expense. Interest expense decreased from$22.5 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$16.0 million in the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , primarily due to lower interest rates and lower average borrowings. Provision for income taxes. The following table summarizes the expense for income taxes: For the Three Months ended September 30, 2021 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Tax expense $ 21,920$ 18,104 Pre-tax income 141,806 112,338 Effective tax rates 15.5 % 16.1 % 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES The effective tax rate for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2021 was 15.5%. This rate differs from theU.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates, which was partially offset by the net combined impact related to theU.S. taxation of global intangible low taxed income ("GILTI") and Foreign Tax Credits ("FTCs"). The effective tax rate for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 was 16.1%. This rate differs from theU.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates. Tax expense increased from$18.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$21.9 million for the three months endedSeptember 30 , 2021.This change is primarily related to an increase in pre-tax income, partially offset by a decrease in effective tax rate due to the mix of worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates andU.S. taxation of GILTI. The Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2021 Compared to the Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2020 The tables presented in our period-over-period comparisons summarize our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and illustrate key financial indicators used to assess the consolidated financial results. Throughout our MD&A, insignificant changes may be deemed not meaningful and are generally excluded from the discussion. For the Nine Months Ended September 30, Increase/ 2021 2020 Decrease % Change (Dollars in thousands) Net sales$ 982,495 $ 886,351 $ 96,144 11 % Cost of sales 518,549 401,379 117,170 29 % Gross profit 463,946 484,972 (21,026) (4) % Research and development 2,970 2,072 898 43 % Selling and administrative expenses 114,942 49,995 64,947 130 % Operating income 346,034 432,905 (86,871) (20) % Other income (361) (2,309) 1,948 (84) % Related party Tax Receivable Agreement expense (benefit) 47 (3,346) 3,393 N/A Interest expense 54,209 69,026 (14,817) (21) % Interest income (653) (1,582) (929) 59 % Income before provision for income taxes 292,792 371,116 (78,324) (21) % Provision for income taxes 45,942 61,838 (15,896) (26) % Net income$ 246,850 $ 309,278 $ (62,428) (20) % Net sales. Net sales increased by$96.1 million , or 11%, from$886.4 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$982.5 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . Higher net sales reflect a 26% increase in sales volume driven primarily by improved customer demand, as the same period of 2020 was impacted by market conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Partially offsetting the increased volume was a decrease in average realized sales prices. This decrease in prices reflects an increased percentage of non-LTA sales at prices lower than our LTA contracted prices. Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased by$117.2 million , or 29%, from$401.4 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$518.5 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . This increase was primarily due to the 26% increase in sales volume of manufactured electrodes. Additionally, cost of sales for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 was impacted by a one-time long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") charge of$30.7 million resulting from a Change in Control after our largest stockholder's ownership of our common stock was reduced below 30% of our outstanding common stock. We expect some cost increases in the fourth quarter of 2021 and into 2022, driven by recent global cost pressures, particularly for third-party needle coke, energy and freight. 32 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES Selling and administrative expenses. Selling and administrative expenses increased from$50.0 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$114.9 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 primarily due to the aforementioned Change in Control resulting in$42.6 million of one-time LTIP expense. Additionally, the Change in Control resulted in$12.9 million of one-time accelerated stock based compensation expense. Other income. Other income decreased from$2.3 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$0.4 in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . This change was primarily due to advantageous non-cash foreign currency impacts on non-operating assets and liabilities in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 that did not recur in the same period of 2021. Related party Tax Receivable Agreement expense (benefit). During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded an adjustment to our related-party payable-Tax Receivable Agreement liability resulting in a benefit of$3.3 million due to the revised profit expectation for the year 2020, primarily caused by market conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest expense. Interest expense decreased by$14.8 million from$69.0 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$54.2 million in the same period of 2021, primarily due to lower interest rates and lower average borrowings. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of$4.3 million in amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discounts in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 resulting from prepayments on our term loan. Additionally, 2021 interest expense was negatively impacted by the absence of a$3.8 million benefit that occurred in 2020 resulting from discounts on debt repurchases. Provision for income taxes. The following table summarizes the expense for income taxes: For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Tax expense $ 45,942$ 61,838 Pre-tax income 292,792 371,116 Effective tax rates 15.7 % 16.7 % The effective tax rate for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 was 15.7%. This rate differs from theU.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates, partially offset by the net combined impact related to theU.S. taxation of GILTI and FTCs. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , the effective tax rate of 16.7% differs from theU.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates. The tax expense decreased from$61.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 to$45.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . This change is primarily related to the reduction in pre-tax income and the decrease in effective tax rate due to the mix of worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates and theU.S. taxation of GILTI.GrafTech has considered the tax impact of COVID-19 legislation, including theU.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and has concluded that there is no material tax impact. The Company continues to monitor the tax effects of any legislative changes. Effects of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates When the currencies of non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility decline (or increase) in value relative to theU.S. dollar, this has the effect of reducing (or increasing) theU.S. dollar equivalent cost of sales and other expenses with respect to those facilities. In certain countries in which we have manufacturing facilities, and in certain export markets, we sell in currencies other than theU.S. dollar. Accordingly, when these currencies increase (or decline) in value relative to theU.S. dollar, this has the effect of increasing (or reducing) net sales. The result of these effects is to increase (or decrease) operating profit and net income. Many of the non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility have been subject to significant economic and political changes, which have significantly impacted currency exchange rates. We cannot predict changes in currency exchange rates in the future or whether those changes will have net positive or negative impacts on our net sales, cost of sales or net income. 33 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES The impact of these changes in the average exchange rates of other currencies against theU.S. dollar on our net sales was a decrease of$0.4 million and an increase of$9.1 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , respectively, compared to the same period of 2020. The impact of these changes on our cost of sales was an increase of$1.9 million and$13.5 million for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , respectively, compared to the same period of 2020. We have in the past and may in the future use various financial instruments to manage certain exposures to risks caused by currency exchange rate changes, as described under "Part I, Item 3-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk." Liquidity and Capital Resources Our sources of funds have consisted principally of cash flow from operations and debt, including our credit facilities (subject to continued compliance with the financial covenants and representations). Our uses of those funds (other than for operations) have consisted principally of dividends, capital expenditures, scheduled debt repayments, optional debt repayments, share repurchases and other obligations. Disruptions in theU.S. and international financial markets could adversely affect our liquidity and the cost and availability of financing to us in the future. We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs. As ofSeptember 30, 2021 , we had liquidity of$333.4 million , consisting of$246.7 million of availability under our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) (subject to continued compliance with the financial covenants and representations) and cash and cash equivalents of$86.7 million . We had long-term debt of$1,127.4 million and short-term debt of$0.1 million as ofSeptember 30, 2021 . As ofDecember 31, 2020 , we had liquidity of$391.8 million consisting of$246.4 million available on our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (subject to continued compliance with the financial covenants and representations) and cash and cash equivalents of$145.4 million . We had long-term debt of$1,420.0 million and short-term debt of$0.1 million as ofDecember 31, 2020 . As ofSeptember 30, 2021 andDecember 31, 2020 ,$64.3 million and$114.6 million , respectively, of our cash and cash equivalents were located outside of theU.S. We repatriate funds from our foreign subsidiaries through dividends. All of our subsidiaries face the customary statutory limitation that distributed dividends cannot exceed the amount of retained and current earnings. In addition, for our subsidiary inSouth Africa , theSouth Africa Central Bank requires that certain solvency and liquidity ratios remain above defined levels after the dividend distribution, which historically has not materially affected our ability to repatriate cash from this jurisdiction. The cash and cash equivalents balances inSouth Africa were$2.5 million and$1.6 million as ofSeptember 30, 2021 andDecember 31, 2020 , respectively. Upon repatriation to theU.S. , the foreign source portion of dividends we receive from our foreign subsidiaries is no longer subject toU.S. federal income tax as a result of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Cash flow and plans to manage liquidity. Our cash flow typically fluctuates significantly between quarters due to various factors. These factors include customer order patterns, fluctuations in working capital requirements, timing of tax payments, timing of capital expenditures, acquisitions, divestitures and other factors. Cash flow from operations is expected to remain at positive sustained levels due to the predictable earnings generated by our LTAs with our customers. Debt Structure We had availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility of$246.7 million as ofSeptember 30, 2021 and$246.4 million as ofDecember 31, 2020 , which consisted of the$250 million limit reduced by$3.3 million and$3.6 million of outstanding letters of credit, respectively. InFebruary 2018 , the Company entered into a credit agreement (the "2018 Credit Agreement"), which provides for (i) a$2,250 million senior secured term facility (the "2018 Term Loan Facility") after giving effect to theJune 2018 amendment (the "First Amendment") that increased the aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Term Loan Facility from$1,500 million to$2,250 million and (ii) a$250 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the "2018 Revolving Credit Facility" and, together with the 2018 Term Loan Facility, the "Senior Secured Credit Facilities").GrafTech Finance Inc. ("GrafTech Finance") is the sole borrower under the 2018 Term Loan Facility while GrafTech Finance,GrafTech Switzerland SA ("Swissco") and GrafTech Luxembourg II S.à.r.l. ("LuxembourgHoldco " and, together with GrafTech Finance and Swissco, the "Co-Borrowers") are co-borrowers under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility. The 2018 Term Loan Facility and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility mature onFebruary 12, 2025 andFebruary 12, 2023 , respectively. The 2018 Term Loan Facility bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin equal to 3.00% per annum following an amendment inFebruary 2021 (the "Second Amendment") that decreased the Applicable Rate (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement) by 34 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES 0.50% for each pricing level or (ii) the ABR Rate (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin equal to 2.00% per annum following the Second Amendment, in each case with one step down of 25 basis points based on achievement of certain public ratings of the 2018 Term Loan Facility. The Second Amendment also decreased the interest rate floor from 1.0% to 0.50% for the 2018 Term Loan Facility. The 2018 Revolving Credit Facility bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) the Adjusted LIBO Rate, plus an applicable margin initially equal to 3.75% per annum or (ii) the ABR Rate, plus an applicable margin initially equal to 2.75% per annum, in each case with two 25 basis point step downs based on achievement of certain senior secured first lien net leverage ratios. In addition, we are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused commitments under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by each of our domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exceptions, and byGrafTech Luxembourg I S.à.r.l., a Luxembourg société à responsabilité limitée and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary ofGrafTech , Luxembourg HoldCo, and Swissco (collectively, the "Guarantors") with respect to all obligations under the 2018 Credit Agreement of each of our foreign subsidiaries that is aControlled Foreign Corporation (within the meaning of Section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the "Code")). All obligations under the 2018 Credit Agreement are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by: (i) a pledge of all of the equity securities of each domestic Guarantor and of each other direct, wholly owned domestic subsidiary ofGrafTech and any Guarantor, (ii) a pledge on no more than 65% of the equity interests of each subsidiary that is aControlled Foreign Corporation (within the meaning of Section 956 of the Code), and (iii) security interests in, and mortgages on, personal property and material real property of each domestic Guarantor, subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions specified in the 2018 Credit Agreement. The obligations of each foreign subsidiary ofGrafTech that is aControlled Foreign Corporation under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility are secured by (i) a pledge of all of the equity securities of each Guarantor that is aControlled Foreign Corporation and of each direct, wholly owned subsidiary of any Guarantor that is aControlled Foreign Corporation , and (ii) security interests in certain receivables and personal property of each Guarantor that is aControlled Foreign Corporation , subject to permitted liens and certain exceptions specified in the 2018 Credit Agreement. The 2018 Term Loan Facility amortizes at a rate of$112.5 million a year payable in equal quarterly installments, with the remainder due at maturity. The Co-Borrowers are permitted to make voluntary prepayments at any time without premium or penalty. GrafTech Finance is required to make prepayments under the 2018 Term Loan Facility (without payment of a premium) with (i) net cash proceeds from non-ordinary course asset sales (subject to customary reinvestment rights and other customary exceptions and exclusions), and (ii) commencing with the Company's fiscal year endedDecember 31, 2019 , 75% of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the 2018 Credit Agreement), subject to step-downs to 50% and 0% of Excess Cash Flow based on achievement of a senior secured first lien net leverage ratio greater than 1.25 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 and less than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00, respectively. Scheduled quarterly amortization payments of the 2018 Term Loan Facility during any calendar year reduce, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount of the required Excess Cash Flow prepayment for such calendar year, and the aggregate amount of Excess Cash Flow prepayments for any calendar year reduce subsequent quarterly amortization payments of the 2018 Term Loan Facility as directed by GrafTech Finance. As ofSeptember 30, 2021 , we have satisfied all amortization requirements through prepayments through the maturity date. The 2018 Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable toGrafTech and restricted subsidiaries, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, fundamental changes, dispositions, and dividends and other distributions. The 2018 Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant that requiresGrafTech to maintain a senior secured first lien net leverage ratio not greater than 4.00:1.00 when the aggregate principal amount of borrowings under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility and outstanding letters of credit issued under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (except for undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate amount equal to or less than$35 million ), taken together, exceed 35% of the total amount of commitments under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility. The 2018 Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. 2020 Senior Notes OnDecember 22, 2020 , GrafTech Finance issued$500 million aggregate principal amount of the 4.628% senior secured notes due 2028 (the "2020 Senior Notes") at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount thereof in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outsidethe United States under Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 2020 Senior Notes were issued pursuant to the indenture amongGrafTech Finance, as issuer, the Company, as a guarantor, the other subsidiaries of the Company named therein as guarantors andU.S. Bank National Association , as trustee and notes collateral agent (the "Indenture"). 35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES The 2020 Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Company and all of its existing and future direct and indirectU.S. subsidiaries that guarantee, or borrow under, the credit facilities under its 2018 Credit Agreement. The 2020 Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu basis by the collateral securing the term loans under the 2018 Credit Agreement.GrafTech Finance, the Company and the other guarantors granted a security interest in such collateral, consisting of substantially all of their respective assets, as security for the obligations of GrafTech Finance, the Company and the other guarantors under the 2020 Senior Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a collateral agreement, dated as ofDecember 22, 2020 (the "Collateral Agreement"), among GrafTech Finance, the Company, the other subsidiaries of the Company named therein as grantors andU.S. Bank National Association , as collateral agent. The 2020 Senior Notes bear interest at the rate of 4.625% per annum, which accrues fromDecember 22, 2020 and is payable in arrears onJune 15 andDecember 15 of each year, commencing onJune 15, 2021 . The 2020 Senior Notes will mature onDecember 15, 2028 , unless earlier redeemed or repurchased, and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. GrafTech Finance may redeem some or all of the 2020 Senior Notes at the redemption prices and on the terms specified in the Indenture. If the Company or GrafTech Finance experiences specific kinds of changes in control or the Company or any of its restricted subsidiaries sells certain of its assets, thenGrafTech Finance must offer to repurchase the 2020 Senior Notes on the terms set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability, and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries, to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase capital stock or redeem or repurchase subordinated debt, incur or suffer to exist liens securing indebtedness, make certain investments, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, consummate certain asset sales and effect a consolidation or merger, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets. The Indenture contains events of default customary for agreements of its type (with customary grace periods, as applicable) and provides that, upon the occurrence of an event of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or GrafTech Finance, all outstanding 2020 Senior Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other type of event of default occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding 2020 Senior Notes may declare all of the Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately. The entirety of the 2020 Senior Notes proceeds was used to pay down a portion of our 2018 Term Loans. Uses of Liquidity OnJuly 30, 2019 , our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to$100 million of our outstanding common stock. We may purchase shares from time to time on the open market, including under Rule 10b5-1 and/or Rule 10b-18 plans. The amount and timing of repurchases are subject to a variety of factors including liquidity, stock price, applicable legal requirements, other business objectives and market conditions. We repurchased 4,293,924 shares of common stock for a total purchase price of$46.2 million under this program during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . The Company had$12.8 million remaining under this program as ofSeptember 30, 2021 . Additionally, our Board of Directors has approved a new$150 million open market stock repurchase program. We currently pay a quarterly dividend of$0.01 per share, or$0.04 on an annualized basis. We review our capital structure with the Board of Directors on an ongoing basis. There can be no assurance that we will pay dividends in the future in these amounts or at all. Our Board of Directors may change the timing and amount of any future dividend payments or eliminate the payment of future dividends in its sole discretion, without any prior notice to our stockholders. Our ability to pay dividends will depend upon many factors, including our financial position and liquidity, results of operations, legal requirements, restrictions that may be imposed by the terms of our current and future credit facilities and other debt obligations and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. During 2020, we reduced our long-term debt principal by$400 million . During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , we repaid an additional$300 million of principal of our 2018 Term Loans. For the remainder of 2021, we continue to expect our primary use of cash to be debt repayment. Our capital expenditure range expectations for 2021 are unchanged, between$55 and$65 million . Potential uses of our liquidity include dividends, share repurchases, capital expenditures, acquisitions, scheduled debt repayments, optional debt repayments, and other general purposes. An improving economy, while resulting in improved results of operations, could increase our cash requirements to purchase inventories, make capital expenditures and fund payables and other obligations until increased accounts receivable are converted into cash. A downturn, including any potential resurgence of 36 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES the COVID-19 pandemic, could significantly and negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows, which, coupled with increased borrowings, could negatively impact our credit ratings, our ability to comply with debt covenants, our ability to secure additional financing and the cost of such financing, if available. In order to seek to minimize our credit risks, we may reduce our sales of, or refuse to sell (except for prepayment, cash on delivery or under letters of credit or parent guarantees), our products to some customers and potential customers. Our unrecovered trade receivables worldwide have not been material during the last two years individually or in the aggregate. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company paid out$61.5 million under its LTIP resulting from a Change in Control provision upon Brookfield's ownership of the Company's common stock falling below 30% of our total outstanding shares, which occurred in the second quarter of 2021. We paid an additional$5.3 million related to payroll taxes in the third quarter of 2021 and the remaining$6.6 million related to payroll taxes will be paid in subsequent quarters. For details of the LTIP, see Note 7 "Contingencies" to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We manage our capital expenditures by taking into account quality, plant reliability, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements, prudent or essential maintenance requirements, global economic conditions, available capital resources, liquidity, long-term business strategy and return on invested capital for the relevant expenditures, cost of capital and return on invested capital of the Company as a whole and other factors. Capital expenditures totaled$40.4 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 . In the event that operating cash flows fail to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our business needs, including capital expenditures, any such shortfall would need to be made up by increased borrowings under our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility, to the extent available. Cash Flows The following table summarizes our cash flow activities: For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 (in millions) Cash flow provided by (used in): Operating activities$ 343.0 $ 416.7 Investing activities$ (40.1) $ (30.6) Financing activities$ (360.8) $ (307.6) Operating Activities Cash flow from operating activities represents cash receipts and cash disbursements related to all of our activities other than investing and financing activities. Operating cash flow is derived by adjusting net income (loss) for: •Non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization, impairment, post retirement obligations, and severance and pension plan changes; •Gains and losses attributed to investing and financing activities such as gains and losses on the sale of assets, loan modification charges and unrealized currency transaction gains and losses; and •Changes in operating assets and liabilities, which reflect timing differences between the receipt and payment of cash associated with transactions and when they are recognized in results of operations. The net impact of the changes in working capital (operating assets and liabilities), which are discussed in more detail below, include the impact of changes in: receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, accrued taxes, interest payable and payments of other current liabilities. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , changes in working capital resulted in a net source of funds of$47.2 million , which was impacted by: 37 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES •net cash outflows in accounts receivable of$3.5 million from the increase in accounts receivable due to the timing of sales; •net cash outflows due to increased inventory of$7.2 million resulting from higher costs and quantities on hand; •net cash outflows due to increased prepaid expense and other current assets of$17.7 million resulting primarily from the timing of refunds of value-added taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions; •net cash outflows from decreased income taxes payable of$2.4 million resulting from tax payments, partially offset by 2021 income tax accruals; •net cash inflows from increases in accounts payable and accruals of$71.7 million , due to increased raw material purchases; and •net cash inflows from increases in interest payable of$6.2 million , due to the timing of interest payments on the 2020 Senior Notes. Uses of cash in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 included payments under our LTIP of$66.7 million , payments under the TRA of$21.8 million , cash taxes paid of$51.4 million , cash paid for interest of$38.3 million , and contributions to pension and other benefit plans of$3.6 million . During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , changes in working capital resulted in a net source of funds of$85.1 million , which was impacted by: •net cash inflows in accounts receivable of$78.4 million from the decrease in accounts receivable due to lower sales; •net cash inflows in inventory of$10.4 million from our efforts to reduce inventory levels and lower production levels; •net cash inflows of$5.4 million from the decrease in other current assets primarily due to value-added tax refunds received from foreign governments; •net cash inflows from increased income taxes payable of$16.0 million resulting from our ability to defer approximately$50.0 million of tax payment in a foreign jurisdiction resulting from government enacted COVID-19 relief, partially offset by lower required tax payments due to lower profitability; and •net cash outflows from decreases in accounts payable and accruals of$25.1 million , due to lower purchases of third-party needle coke and payments. Uses of cash in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 included payments under the TRA of$27.9 million , cash paid for interest of$68.0 million and taxes paid of$31.9 million , and contributions to pension and other benefit plans of$5.3 million . Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities was$40.1 million during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , resulting primarily from capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities was$30.6 million during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , resulting from capital expenditures. Financing Activities Net cash outflow from financing activities was$360.8 million during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2021 , which was the result of the repayment of$300.0 million of principal on our 2018 Term Loan Facility, common stock repurchases of$42.4 million , taxes paid related to stock awards vesting of$4.1 million ,$3.1 million of debt issuance and modification costs and$8.0 million of total dividends to stockholders. Net cash outflow from financing activities was$307.6 million during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2020 , which was the result of the repayment of$249.2 million on our 2018 Term Loan Facility,$28.2 million of total dividends to stockholders and$30.1 million of stock repurchases. 38 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART I (CONT'D) GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES Related Party Transactions We have engaged in transactions with affiliates or related parties during 2021 and we expect to continue to do so in the future. These transactions include ongoing obligations under the TRA, Stockholders Rights Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement, each with Brookfield. Recent Accounting Pronouncements We discuss recently adopted accounting standards in Note 1, "Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Description of Our Financing Structure We discuss our financing structure in more detail in Note 4, "Debt and Liquidity" of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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