form10q2q2015.htm


 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2014

Commission File Number 001-34420

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
20-2055624
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 
600 Brickell Ave, Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33131
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(786) 509-6900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, $0.0001 par value
The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

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 þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
(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 Act). Yes o No þ

As of February 3, 2015, the registrant had 73,749,990 shares of common stock outstanding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 

 

 
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
 
 
 
Page
No.       
PART I
Item 1.
Financial Statements                                                                                                                                     
 1
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 17
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                                                                                                                                     
 24
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                                                     
 24
     
PART II
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                                                     
 25
Item 1A.
Risk Factors                                                                                                                                     
 25
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 25
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosure
 25
Item 6.
Exhibits                                                                                                                                     
 25
SIGNATURES                                                                                                                                                    
 26
EX-31.1
 
EX-31.2
 
EX-32.1
EX-95
EX-101
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
PART I
 
Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
 
1

 
 

 
GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
  (Unaudited)
                 
           
December 31,
 
June 30,
           
2014
 
2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
         
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
104,533   
 
97,792   
 
Marketable securities
   
5,660   
 
10,399   
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $792
       
   
and $811 at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, respectively
 
67,644   
 
100,829   
 
Inventories
   
117,753   
 
80,924   
 
Deferred tax assets
   
484   
 
7,042   
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
22,376   
 
26,259   
     
Total current assets
   
318,450   
 
323,245   
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
463,091   
 
469,169   
Deferred tax assets
   
840   
 
901   
Goodwill
     
43,343   
 
43,343   
Other intangible assets
   
477   
 
477   
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
 
5,973   
 
5,973   
Other assets
   
1,871   
 
2,018   
     
Total assets
 
$
834,045   
 
845,126   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
         
 
Accounts payable
 
$
42,546   
 
46,613   
 
Short-term debt
   
72   
 
59   
 
Share-based liabilities
   
9,919   
 
12,552   
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
36,437   
 
38,758   
     
Total current liabilities
 
88,974   
 
97,982   
Long-term liabilities:
         
 
Revolving credit agreements and other long-term debt
 
125,122   
 
125,145   
 
Deferred tax liabilities
   
47,595   
 
50,845   
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
50,038   
 
50,626   
     
Total liabilities
   
311,729   
 
324,598   
Commitments and contingencies (note 11)
       
Stockholders’ equity:
         
 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value. Authorized, 150,000,000 shares; issued, 75,637,059
       
   
and 75,623,454 shares at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, respectively
 
8   
 
8   
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
401,802   
 
398,685   
 
Retained earnings
   
81,487   
 
70,875   
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(17,697)  
 
(5,377)  
 
Treasury stock at cost, 1,887,069 and 1,874,003 shares at December 31, 2014
       
   
and June 30, 2014, respectively
 
(29,208)  
 
(28,966)  
     
Total Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. stockholders’ equity
 
436,392   
 
435,225   
 
Noncontrolling interest
   
85,924   
 
85,303   
     
Total stockholders’ equity
 
522,316   
 
520,528   
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
834,045   
 
845,126   
                 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
2

 

 
GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
Three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                             
             
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
             
December 31,
   
December 31,
             
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
Net sales
   
$
198,016   
 
178,406   
 
$
404,099   
 
351,400   
Cost of goods sold
 
157,745   
 
150,713   
   
326,362   
 
302,993   
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
23,024   
 
26,499   
   
38,589   
 
51,637   
Contract acquisition cost
 
—    
 
14,400   
   
—    
 
14,400   
Curtailment gain
 
—    
 
(5,831)  
   
—    
 
(5,831)  
   
Operating income (loss)
 
17,247   
 
(7,375)  
   
39,148   
 
(11,799)  
Other income (expense):
                 
 
Bargain purchase gain
 
—    
 
29,538   
   
—    
 
29,538   
 
Interest income
 
57   
 
4   
   
138   
 
132   
 
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
 
(1,130)  
 
(1,050)  
   
(2,373)  
 
(5,928)  
 
Foreign exchange loss
 
(85)  
 
(728)  
   
(990)  
 
(1,109)  
 
Other income  (expense)
 
214   
 
(3)  
   
789   
 
18   
   
Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
16,303   
 
20,386   
   
36,712   
 
10,852   
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
5,478   
 
(3,207)  
   
13,323   
 
(5,916)  
   
Net income
 
10,825   
 
23,593   
   
23,389   
 
16,768   
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
 
(852)  
 
(2,825)  
   
(1,714)  
 
(2,852)  
   
Net income attributable to Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
$
9,973   
 
20,768   
 
$
21,675   
 
13,916   
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                 
 
Basic
     
73,749   
 
75,267   
   
73,752   
 
75,289   
 
Diluted
     
73,877   
 
75,388   
   
73,887   
 
75,377   
Earnings per common share:
                 
 
Basic
   
$
0.14   
 
0.28   
 
$
0.29   
 
0.18   
 
Diluted
     
0.13   
 
0.28   
   
0.29   
 
0.18   
Cash dividends declared per common share
 
0.08   
 
0.07   
   
0.15   
 
0.14   
                             
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
3

 

 
GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
           
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                             
             
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
             
December 31,
   
December 31,
             
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
Net income
$
10,825   
 
23,593   
 
$
23,389   
 
16,768   
Other comprehensive loss:
                 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
 
(5,910)  
 
(2,095)  
   
(12,785)  
 
(961)  
 
Unrealized loss on available for sale securitites, net of tax
 
(552)  
 
—    
   
(628)  
 
—    
   
Total other comprehensive loss
 
(6,462)  
 
(2,095)  
   
(13,413)  
 
(961)  
     
Comprehensive income
 
4,363   
 
21,498   
   
9,976   
 
15,807   
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
624   
 
2,138   
   
621   
 
2,739   
     
Comprehensive income attributable to Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
$
3,739   
 
19,360   
 
$
9,355   
 
13,068   
                             
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
 
4

 
 
GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                           
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                                           
             
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
       
                             
Accumulated
           
                     
Additional
     
Other
 
Treasury
     
Total
             
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
Stock
 
Noncontrolling
 
Stockholders’
             
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Loss
 
at Cost
 
Interest
 
Equity
Balance at June 30, 2014 75,623      8     
398,685   
 
70,875  
  (5,377)     (28,966)    
85,303   
 
520,528   
Share-based compensation
7   
 
—    
 
3,037   
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
3,037   
Stock option exercises
7   
 
—    
 
80   
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
80   
Share repurchase
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(242)  
 
—    
 
(242)  
Cash dividend
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(11,063)  
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(11,063)  
Comprehensive income (loss)
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
21,675   
 
(12,320)  
 
—    
 
621   
 
9,976   
Balance at December 31, 2014
75,637   
$
8   
 
401,802   
 
81,487   
 
(17,697)  
 
(29,208)  
 
85,924   
 
522,316   
                                           
Balance at June 30, 2013
75,589   
 $
8   
 
399,234   
 
70,628   
 
(4,918)  
 
(4)  
 
81,132   
 
546,080   
Share-based compensation
4   
 
—    
 
(1,819)  
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(1,819)  
Share repurchase
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(7,283)  
 
—    
 
(7,283)  
Cash dividend
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(10,356)  
 
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
(10,356)  
Comprehensive income (loss)
—    
 
—    
 
—    
 
13,916   
 
(848)  
 
—    
 
2,739   
 
15,807   
Balance at December 31, 2013
75,593   
$
8   
 
397,415   
 
74,188   
 
(5,766)  
 
(7,287)  
 
83,871   
 
542,429   
                                           
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
5

 
 
 
GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                     
               
Six Months Ended
               
December 31,
               
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
       
 
Net income
   
$
23,389   
 
16,768   
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
       
     
Depreciation and amortization
 
23,871   
 
21,972   
     
Depletion
 
395   
 
715   
     
Share-based compensation
 
3,037   
 
(1,819)  
     
Unrealized foreign exchange loss
 
36   
 
—    
     
Curtailment gain
 
—    
 
(5,831)  
     
Bargain purchase gain
 
—    
 
(29,538)  
     
Amortization of deferred financing fees
 
88   
 
3,577   
     
Deferred taxes
 
4,645   
 
(9,935)  
     
Amortization of customer contract liabilities
 
(3,727)  
 
(3,366)  
     
Accretion
 
120   
 
129   
     
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       
       
Accounts receivable, net
 
32,056   
 
13,661   
       
Inventories
 
(39,333)  
 
14,275   
       
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
(557)  
 
12,015   
       
Accounts payable
 
(3,819)  
 
2,513   
       
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
(136)  
 
22,188   
       
Other
   
2,703   
 
4,637   
         
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
42,768   
 
61,961   
Cash flows from investing activities:
       
 
Capital expenditures
 
(30,634)  
 
(18,064)  
 
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
 
7,355   
 
—    
 
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired of $0 and $200, respectively
 
—    
 
(3,800)  
         
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(23,279)  
 
(21,864)  
Cash flows from financing activities:
       
 
Payments of short-term debt
 
(10)  
 
(269)  
 
Borrowings under revolving credit agreements
 
—    
 
131,400   
 
Payments under revolving credit agreements
 
—    
 
(161,650)  
 
Dividend payment
   
(11,063)  
 
(10,356)  
 
Debt issuance costs
 
—    
 
(1,080)  
 
Proceeds from stock option exercises
 
80   
 
—    
 
Purchase of treasury shares
 
(242)  
 
(7,283)  
 
Other financing activities
 
(1,292)  
 
(1,263)  
         
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(12,527)  
 
(50,501)  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(221)  
 
(708)  
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
6,741   
 
(11,112)  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
97,792   
 
169,676   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
104,533   
 
158,564   
                     
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
       
 
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest
$
1,060   
 
1,859   
 
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes, net of refunds totaling $554 and $4,310, respectively
 
9,912   
 
(3,536)  
           
   See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
6

 

GLOBE SPECIALTY METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
(1)           Organization and Business Operations
 
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company, we, or our) is among the world’s largest producers of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys, important ingredients in a variety of industrial and consumer products. The Company’s customers include major silicone chemical, aluminum and steel manufacturers, auto companies and their suppliers, ductile iron foundries, manufacturers of photovoltaic solar cells and computer chips, and concrete producers.
 
(2)             Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
a. Basis of Presentation
 
In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) of the results for the interim periods presented and such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements, but does not include all of the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the six months ended December 31, 2014.
 
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014, the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements and Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended December 31, 2013 have been revised to reflect the impact of completing the purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Silicon Technology (Pty) Ltd., as described in Note 3.
 
b. Receivables Sale Arrangement
 
The Company has the option to sell certain accounts receivables up to a cap of $55,000 on a non-recourse basis to an unrelated financial institution under a receivables purchase arrangement in the US. The Company accounts for this transaction as a sale of receivables, removes receivables sold from its financial statements, and records cash proceeds when received by the Company as cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The receivables are sold at a discount rate of 30 day LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum discounted upfront on the date of purchase. The Company entered into the arrangement in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The arrangement has a term of twelve months and will be renewed for an additional twelve month period in the absence of written termination notice provided by the Company no later than sixty days prior to the termination date of the arrangement. In fiscal 2015, the Company sold $24,000 of receivables under the arrangement.
 
c. Use of Estimates
 
The Company prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company based its estimates and judgments on historical experience, known or expected trends and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
d. Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized when title, ownership, and risk of loss pass to the customer, all of which occurs when products are delivered to the Company’s customers or when products are picked up by a customer or a customer’s carrier. Written sales terms, including the selling price, are determined at the time of shipment or delivery. We have not experienced significant credit issues with our customers.  Shipping and other transportation costs charged to buyers are recorded in both net sales and cost of goods sold. Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and, therefore, are excluded from net sales.
 
e. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Accordingly, we will adopt this new guidance beginning in fiscal 2018. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this new guidance and management is currently evaluating which transition approach to use. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
 
(3)             Business Combinations
 
Siltech:
 
On November 21, 2013, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Silicon Technology (Pty) Ltd. (Siltech) for $4,000. The Company paid for the acquisition from available cash. Siltech is a silicon-based alloy producer in South Africa with an annual production capacity of approximately 45,000 metric tons. The acquisition was made to increase the Company’s current silicon-based alloy capacity by approximately 30% and its strategic location will enable the Company to supplement its existing facility to service the large European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets. The Siltech facility was in an idled status when purchased. The Company restarted operations at the facility in October of 2014.
 
 The Siltech acquisition was recorded as a business combination under Accounting Standards Codification 805 (“ASC 805”), Business Combinations, with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed provisionally recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date while costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred. The Company utilized the services of third-party valuation consultants, along with estimates and assumptions provided by the Company, to estimate the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The third-party valuation consultants utilized several appraisal methodologies including income, market and cost approaches to estimate the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.
 
 
7

 
The preliminary fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based upon preliminary calculations, valuations, and assumptions that were subject to change as the Company obtained additional information during the measurement period. The purchase price allocation for the Siltech acquisition was finalized during the quarter ended December 31, 2014. The adjustments, which primarily relate to the finalization of environmental remediation obligation assumed (the adjustment was recorded to Other long term liabilities), were made to the preliminary purchase accounting amounts. The following table summarizes the provisional amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date as well as adjustments made to arrive at the final purchase price allocation.
 
Based on the final purchase price allocation, the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired of $33,538 exceeded the purchase price of $4,000, resulting in a gain on bargain purchase of $29,538. The measurement period adjustments were recorded as an adjustment to the gain on bargain purchase. The purchase price of $4,000 was allocated as follows:
 
 
 
Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as previously reported)
 
Measurement Period Adjustments
 
Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as adjusted)
Assets
           
 
Current assets
$
2,298   
 
101   
 
2,399   
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
46,500   
 
(233)  
 
46,267   
   
Total assets acquired
$
48,798   
 
(132)  
 
48,666   
                 
Liabilities
           
 
Accounts payable
$
317   
 
106   
 
423   
 
Accrued expenses
 
478   
 
(272)  
 
206   
 
Deferred tax liabilities
 
11,760   
 
1,586   
 
13,346   
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
10,000   
 
(8,847)  
 
1,153   
   
Total liabilities assumed
$
22,555   
 
(7,427)  
 
15,128   
   
Net assets acquired
 
26,243   
 
7,295   
 
33,538   
   
Consideration paid
 
4,000   
 
—    
 
4,000   
   
Gain on bargain purchase
$
22,243   
 
7,295   
 
29,538   
 
ASC 805 requires that when the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeds the purchase price, resulting in a bargain purchase of a business, the acquirer must reassess the reasonableness of the values assigned to all of the net assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration transferred. The Company performed such reassessment and concluded that the fair values assigned for the Siltech acquisition are reasonable. The gain on bargain purchase was primarily attributable to the fact that Siltech was considered an ancillary business to the seller (Siltech being the seller’s only silicon-based alloy operation), coupled with the previous weaker silicon-based alloys pricing in the marketplace driven by end-user demand (which resulted in the idling of the facility by the seller in 2012).
 
(4)             Inventories
 
Inventories comprise the following:
 
       
December 31,
 
June 30,
       
2014
 
2014
Finished goods
$
37,701   
 
27,406   
Work in process
 
5,179   
 
5,120   
Raw materials
 
60,752   
 
33,843   
Parts and supplies
 
14,121   
 
14,555   
 
Total
 $
117,753   
 
80,924   
 
At December 31, 2014, $110,043 in inventory is valued using the first-in, first-out method and $7,710 using the average cost method. At June 30, 2014, $73,894 in inventory is valued using the first-in, first-out method and $7,030 using the average cost method.
 
(5)             Property, Plant, and Equipment
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net, comprise the following:
 
               
December 31,
 
June 30,
               
2014
 
2014
Land, land improvements, and land use rights
$
13,042   
 
13,615   
Building and improvements
 
94,103   
 
89,222   
Machinery and equipment
 
230,886   
 
217,358   
Furnaces
       
237,505   
 
208,368   
Mineral reserves
   
55,843   
 
55,843   
Mine development
 
11,083   
 
9,317   
Other
         
15,593   
 
14,712   
Construction in progress
 
15,656   
 
53,753   
 
Property, plant, and equipment, gross
 
673,711   
 
662,188   
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
(210,620)  
 
(193,019)  
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
 $
463,091   
 
469,169   
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 was $12,701 and $24,266, of which $12,458 and $23,780 is recorded in cost of goods sold and $243 and $486 is recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses, respectively. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 was $11,400 and $22,687, of which $11,132 and $22,150 was recorded in cost of goods sold and $268 and $537 was recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses, respectively.
 
8

 
 
There was no capitalized interest for both the three and six months ended December 31, 2014. Capitalized interest for both the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 was $103.
 
Mineral reserves are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Mineral reserves are included in “Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Depletion of mineral reserves is computed using the units-of-production method utilizing only proven and probable reserves (as adjusted for recoverability factors) in the depletion base.
 
(6)             Goodwill and Other Intangibles
 
Goodwill and other intangibles presented below have been allocated to the Company’s operating segments.
 
a. Goodwill
 
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, during the six months ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
                 
Globe
     
               
GMI
Metales
Solsil
Other
Total
                         
Goodwill
     
$
34,900    
14,313    
57,656    
7,260    
114,129    
Accumulated impairment loss
 
—    
(6,000)   
(57,656)   
(7,130)   
(70,786)   
 
Balance at June 30, 2014
 
34,900    
8,313    
—    
130    
43,343    
                         
Goodwill
       
34,900    
14,313    
57,656    
7,260    
114,129    
Accumulated impairment loss
 
—    
(6,000)   
(57,656)   
(7,130)  
(70,786)   
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
 $
34,900    
8,313    
—    
130    
43,343    
 
b. Other Intangible Assets
 
There were no changes in the value of the Company’s indefinite lived intangible assets during the six months ended December 31, 2014.
 
(7)             Debt
 
a. Short-Term Debt
 
Short-term debt comprises the following:
 
                   
Weighted
   
               
Outstanding
 
Average
 
Unused
               
Balance
 
Interest Rate
 
Credit Line
December 31, 2014:
           
Type debt:
               
 
Export financing
$
—    
 
NA
$
9,078   
 
Other
       
72   
 
13.17%
 
—    
   
Total
   
$
72   
   
$
9,078   
                         
June 30, 2014:
             
Type debt:
               
 
Export financing
$
—    
 
NA
$
9,208   
 
Other
       
59   
 
14.47%
 
—    
   
Total
   
$
59   
   
$
9,208   
 
Export Financing Agreements – The Company’s Argentine subsidiary maintains various short-term export financing agreements. Generally, these arrangements are for periods ranging between seven and eleven months, and require the Company to pledge as collateral certain export accounts receivable.
 
b. Revolving Credit Agreements
 
A summary of the Company’s revolving credit agreements at December 31, 2014 is as follows:
 
                   
Weighted
         
               
Outstanding
 
Average
   
Unused
 
Total
               
Balance
 
Interest Rate
   
Commitment
 
Commitment
Revolving multi-currency credit facility
$
125,000   
 
1.66%
 
$
173,978   
 
300,000   
Revolving credit agreement
 
—    
 
5.00%
 
$
12,930   
 
12,930   
 
On August 20, 2013, the Company entered into a $300,000 five-year revolving multi-currency credit facility, which includes a $10,000 sublimit for swing line loans and a $25,000 sublimit letter of credit facility. The credit facility refinanced existing debt under the revolving multi-currency credit agreement dated May 31, 2012 and closing costs. The credit facility currently provides up to an additional $173,978 of borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2014. At the Company’s election, the credit facility may be increased by an amount up to $150,000 in the aggregate; such increase may be in the form of term loans or increases in the revolving credit line, subject to lender commitments and certain conditions as described in the credit agreement. The agreement contains provisions for adding domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers under the credit facility. The agreement terminates on August 20, 2018 and requires no scheduled prepayments before that date. The Company classifies borrowings under this credit facility as long-term liabilities.
 
 
9

 
 
Interest on borrowings under the multi-currency credit facility is payable, at the Company’s election, at either (a) a base rate (the higher of (i) the U.S. federal funds rate plus 0.50% per annum, (ii) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate or (iii) a Eurocurrency Rate for loans with a one month interest period plus 1.00% per annum plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% per annum (such margin determined by reference to the leverage ratio set forth in the credit agreement), or (b) the Eurocurrency Rate plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per annum (such margin determined by reference to the leverage ratio set forth in the credit agreement). Certain commitment fees are also payable under the credit agreement. The credit agreement contains various covenants. They include, among others, a maximum net debt to earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortization ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. The credit facility is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). Borrowings under the credit agreement are collateralized by the assets of the Company and the Guarantors, including certain real property, equipment, accounts receivable, inventory and the stock of certain of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with its financial loan covenants at December 31, 2014.
 
At December 31, 2014, there was a $125,000 balance outstanding on the revolving multi-currency credit facility. The total commitment outstanding on this credit facility includes $722 outstanding letters of credit associated with landlord guarantees and $300 outstanding letters of credit associated with economic development.
 
On October 1, 2010, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility, which was amended on March 5, 2012 and further amended on June 30, 2013. The amended agreement provided for a $20,000 revolving credit facility.  The agreement expired on December 31, 2014.
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Quebec Silicon, entered into a revolving credit agreement dated October 1, 2010, amended on November 23, 2011 and further amended and restated on September 20, 2012, which provides for up to $15,000 Canadian Dollars to fund Quebec Silicon’s working capital requirements. Funding under the revolving credit agreement is available upon request at any time, up to the full amount of the unused credit commitment and subject to continued compliance with the terms of the agreement. Interest on borrowings under the credit agreement is payable at a variable rate of Canadian prime plus 2.00% (5.00% at December 31, 2014), payable quarterly. The credit agreement expires on September 20, 2015, and may be terminated earlier, at the lender’s discretion subject to certain change in ownership conditions being met. All of Quebec Silicon’s assets, properties and revenues have been pledged as security for Quebec Silicon’s obligations under the revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2014, there was no outstanding balance under the facility.
 
c. Other Long-Term Debt
 
             
Weighted
     
         
Outstanding
 
Average
   
Unused
         
Balance
 
Interest Rate
   
Credit Line
Other
 
$
122   
 
19.00%
 
$
—    
 
d. Fair Value of Debt
 
The recorded carrying values of our debt balances approximate fair value given our debt is at variable rates tied to market indicators.
 
(8)             Derivative Instruments
 
The Company enters into derivative instruments to hedge certain interest rate, currency, and commodity price risks. The Company does not engage in interest rate, currency, or commodity speculation, and no derivatives are held for trading purposes. All derivatives are accounted for using mark-to-market accounting. The Company believes it is not practical to designate its derivative instruments as hedging instruments as defined under ASC Subtopic 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). Accordingly, the Company adjusts its derivative financial instruments to current market value through the condensed consolidated statement of operations based on the fair value of the agreement as of period end. Although not designated as hedged items as defined under ASC 815, these derivative instruments serve to significantly offset the Company’s interest rate, currency, and commodity risks. Gains or losses from these transactions offset gains or losses on the assets, liabilities, or transactions being hedged. No credit loss is anticipated as the counterparties to these agreements are major financial institutions that are highly rated.
 
Interest Rate Risk:
 
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on certain of its short-term and long-term debt obligations. The Company currently has no interest rate derivatives to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
 
Foreign Currency Risk:
 
The Company is exposed to market risk arising from changes in currency exchange rates as a result of its operations outside the United States, principally in Argentina, China, Canada, and South Africa. A portion of the Company’s net sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Most of the Company’s operating costs for its non-U.S. operations are denominated in local currencies, principally the Canadian dollar, Argentine peso, Chinese renminbi, and South African rand. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of the Company’s non-U.S. dollar net sales, and related accounts receivable balances, and its operating costs are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations. Derivative instruments are not used extensively to manage this risk. At December 31, 2014, the Company had no outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts.
 
Commodity Price Risk:
 
The Company is exposed to price risk for certain raw materials and energy used in its production process. The raw materials and energy that the Company uses are largely commodities subject to price volatility caused by changes in global supply and demand and governmental controls. Derivative financial instruments are not used extensively to manage the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in the cost of commodity products used in its operations. The Company attempts to reduce the impact of increases in its raw material and energy costs by negotiating long-term contracts and through the acquisition of companies or assets for the purpose of increasing its access to raw materials with favorable pricing terms. The Company currently has no commodity derivatives to reduce exposure to commodity price fluctuations.
 
The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations is summarized in the following table:
 
                 
Loss Recognized
   
Loss Recognized
   
                 
During the Three Months
   
During the Six Months
   
                 
Ended December 31,
   
Ended December 31,
 
Location
                 
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
 
of Loss
Foreign exchange forward and option contracts
$
—    
 
(176)   
  $
—    
 
(603)   
 
Foreign exchange loss
 
There are no derivative instruments outstanding at December 31, 2014.
 
10

 
 
(9)           Benefit Plans
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Globe Metallurgical Inc. (GMI), sponsors three noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees. These plans were frozen in 2003. The Company’s subsidiary, Core Metals, sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain domestic employees. This plan was closed to new participants in April 2009. The Company’s subsidiary, Quebec Silicon, sponsors a contributory defined benefit pension plan. This plan was closed to new participants in December 2013.
 
Quebec Silicon sponsors a postretirement benefit plan for certain employees, based on length of service and remuneration. Postretirement benefits consist of a group insurance plan covering plan members for life insurance, disability, hospital, medical, and dental benefits. On December 27, 2013, the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers Union of Canada (“CEP”) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which resulted in a curtailment pertaining to the closure of the postretirement benefit plan for union employees retiring after January 31, 2016. The Company remeasured the benefit obligations reflecting the curtailment which resulted in a curtailment gain of $5,831. The curtailment gain is included in operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2014.
 
The components of net periodic pension expense for the Company’s defined benefit pension and postretirement plans are as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
Interest cost
$
705    
 
762    
 
$
1,425    
 
1,528    
Service cost
 
229    
 
293    
   
465    
 
902    
Expected return on plan assets
 
(798)   
 
(680)   
   
(1,607)   
 
(1,361)   
Amortization of net loss
 
175    
 
313    
   
348    
 
627    
     Net periodic pension expense
$
311    
 
688    
 
$
631    
 
1,696    
 
The Company expects to make required and discretionary contributions of approximately $2,033 to the defined benefit pension and postretirement plans for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, of which $790 has been contributed through December 31, 2014.
 
(10)           Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate, adjusted as necessary for quarterly events. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes — Accounting for Income Taxes in Interim Periods, the Company’s quarterly effective tax rate does not reflect a benefit associated with losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries. The effective tax rates for the six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were based on our forecasted annualized effective tax rates, adjusted for discrete items that occurred within the respective periods.
 
The Company’s effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2014 was a tax expense of 36.3% compared to a tax benefit of 54.5% for the six months ended December 31, 2013. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the operations in certain jurisdictions shifting to a profit this year while certain loss jurisdictions continue to not provide a benefit. The estimated annual effective tax expense rate excluding discrete items is 35.5%.
 
The Company maintains valuation allowances where it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, the Company evaluates factors such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carry back and carry forward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of the realization of a deferred tax asset. During the six months ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s net valuation allowances increased by $1,335 primarily due to an increase in valuation allowances against net operating losses (NOLs) in our foreign jurisdictions where it is more likely than not that the NOLs will not be utilized.
 
The Company files a consolidated U.S. income tax return and tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions. Our subsidiaries also file tax returns in various foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s principal jurisdictions include the U.S., Argentina, Canada, Poland, China, and South Africa. A number of years may elapse before a tax return is audited and finally resolved. The open tax years subject to examination varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions and the related open tax years subject to examination are as follows: the U.S. from 2011 to present, Canada from 2012 to present, Argentina from 2010 to present, and China from 2011 to present.
 
The Company regularly evaluates its tax positions for additional unrecognized tax benefits and associated interest and penalties, if applicable. There are many factors that are considered when evaluating these tax positions including: interpretation of tax laws, recent tax litigation on a position, past audit or examination history, and subjective estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management. However, if management’s estimates are not representative of actual outcomes, the Company’s results could be materially impacted. There were no material changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions during the six months ended December 31, 2014.
 
(11)             Commitments and Contingencies
 
a. Legal Contingencies
 
The Company is subject to various lawsuits, investigations, claims, and proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, including, but not limited to, labor and employment, commercial, environmental, safety, and health matters, as well as claims and indemnities associated with its historical acquisitions and divestitures. Although it is not presently possible to determine the outcome of these matters, in the opinion of management, it is not reasonably possible that the ultimate disposition of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded $4,559 with respect to an indemnification obligation from a prior divestiture.
 
b. Environmental Contingencies
 
It is the Company’s policy to accrue for costs associated with environmental assessments, remedial efforts, or other environmental liabilities when it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated. When a liability for environmental remediation is recorded, such amounts will be recorded without giving effect to any possible future recoveries. At December 31, 2014, there are no significant liabilities recorded for environmental contingencies. With respect to the cost for ongoing environmental compliance, including maintenance and monitoring, such costs are expensed as incurred unless there is a long-term monitoring agreement with a governmental agency, in which case a liability is established at the inception of the agreement.
 
c. Asset Retirement Obligations 
 
As of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, the Company has recorded asset retirement obligation accruals for mine reclamation and preparation plant closure costs totaling $8,937 and $9,134, respectively. There were no assets that were legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2014 or June 30, 2014.
 
11

 
 
d. Employee Contracts
 
As of December 31, 2014, there are 149 employees that are covered by union agreements expiring within one year.
 
e. Contract Acquisition Cost
 
During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Company acquired a supply arrangement that resulted in a payment of $14,400, which impacted operating income for the period.
 
f. Contractual Obligations
 
  The Company has minimum power charges that are enforceable and legally binding, and do not represent total anticipated purchases. Minimum charge requirements expire after providing one year notice of contract cancellation. The Company has outstanding purchase obligations with suppliers for raw materials in the normal course of business. These purchase obligation amounts represent only those items which are based on annual agreements that are enforceable and legally binding, and do not represent total anticipated purchases. The Company’s contractual obligations have not changed materially from June 30, 2014.
 
(12)             Stockholders’ Equity
 
Dividend
 
On February 10, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the annual dividend to $0.300 per common share, payable quarterly in March 2014, June 2014, September 2014, and December 2014.  The March 2014 quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, totaling $5,559, was paid on March 12, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2014.  The June 2014 quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, totaling $5,541, was paid on June 24, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 10, 2014.  The September 2014 quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, totaling $5,532, was paid on September 24, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2014.  The December 2014 quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, totaling $5,531, was paid on December 22, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 8, 2014.
 
Treasury Stock
 
On December 13, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorized the Company to repurchase up to $75,000 of the Company’s common stock valid through December 31, 2014. The program did not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of shares. On November 5, 2014, the Company extended its previously announced stock repurchase program, authorizing the repurchase of up to $45,800 of its common shares through December 31, 2015. During the six months ended December 31, 2014, 13,066 shares were repurchased at an aggregated cost of $242.
 
(13)             Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per common share are calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Diluted earnings per common share assumes the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock grants, provided in each case the effect is dilutive.
 
The reconciliation of the amounts used to compute basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
 
               
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
               
December 31,
   
December 31,
               
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
Basic earnings per share computation
                 
Numerator:
                       
Net income attributable to Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
$
9,973    
 
20,768    
 
$
21,675    
 
13,916    
Denominator:
                     
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
 
73,748,935    
 
75,267,485    
   
73,751,530    
 
75,288,838    
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.14    
 
0.28    
 
$
0.29    
 
0.18    
Diluted earnings per share computation
                 
Numerator:
                       
Net income attributable to Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
$
9,973    
 
20,768    
 
$
21,675    
 
13,916    
Denominator:
                     
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
 
73,748,935    
 
75,267,485    
   
73,751,530    
 
75,288,838    
Effect of dilutive securities
 
128,495    
 
120,954    
   
135,679    
 
88,440    
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
 
73,877,430    
 
75,388,439    
   
73,887,209    
 
75,377,278    
Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.13    
 
0.28    
 
$
0.29    
 
0.18    
 
Potential common shares associated with outstanding stock options totaling 128,495 and 0 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 135,679 and 157,859 for the six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
 
(14)             Share-Based Compensation
 
a. Stock Plan
 
The Company’s share-based compensation program consists of the Globe Specialty Metals, Inc. 2006 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan (the Stock Plan). The Stock Plan was initially approved by the Company’s stockholders on November 10, 2006, and was amended and approved by the Company’s stockholders on December 6, 2010 to increase by 1,000,000 the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Stock Plan. The Stock Plan, as amended, provides for the issuance of a maximum of 6,000,000 shares of common stock for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified options, stock grants, and share-based awards. Any remaining shares available for grant, but not yet granted, will be carried over and used in the following fiscal years.
 
 
12

 
 
On August 17, 2012, the Board authorized the Company to offer to amend certain outstanding options representing the right to purchase shares issued to directors, officers and current employees pursuant to the Stock Plan, to permit these options alternatively to be settled for cash or exercised for the issuance of shares, at the election of the option holder. This modification of the outstanding options changed its classification from equity awards to liability awards and the fair value of the liability awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period through settlement. These outstanding options are excluded from the weighted average diluted shares outstanding calculation in note 13 (Earnings Per Share). The Company believes the outstanding options will be settled in cash.
 
At December 31, 2014, there were 2,470,421 shares available for grant. All option grants have vesting terms of up to 3 years and maximum contractual terms ranging from 5 to 10 years.  It is the Company’s policy to issue new shares to satisfy the requirements of its share-based compensation plan.  Currently the Company does not expect to repurchase shares in the future to support its share-based compensation plan.
 
During the six months ended December 31, 2014, share-based compensation awards consisted of the issuance of 6,130 nonqualified stock options and 5,100 restricted stock grants. A summary of the changes in options outstanding under the Stock Plan during the six months ended December 31, 2014 is presented below:
 
                     
Weighted-
     
                     
Average
     
                 
Weighted-
 
Remaining
   
Aggregate
           
Number of
   
Average
 
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
           
Options
   
Exercise Price
 
Term in Years
   
Value
Outstanding as of June 30, 2014
 
1,714,996  
 
$
17.05  
 
2.96  
 
$
6,874  
Granted
   
6,130  
   
20.58  
         
Exercised
   
(56,990)
   
11.92  
         
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014
 
1,664,136  
 
$
17.23  
 
2.53  
 
$
2,779  
                             
Exercisable as of December 31, 2014
 
1,168,733  
 
$
17.15  
 
2.27  
 
$
2,102  
 
The Company estimates the fair value of grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the six months ended December 31, 2014:
 
               
2014
Risk-free interest rate
 
1.74%
Expected dividend yield
 
1.46%
Expected volatility
 
44.25%
Expected term (years)
 
5.00
 
The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of zero coupon U.S. Treasury bonds with terms similar to the expected term of the options. The expected dividend yield is estimated over the expected life of the options based on our historical annual dividend activity. The expected volatility reflects movements in our stock price over the most recent historical period equivalent to the expected life of the options. The expected forfeiture rate is zero as anticipated forfeitures are estimated to be minimal based on historical data.  The expected term is the average of the vesting period and contractual term.
 
During the six months ended December 31, 2014, 248,235 options vested.  There are total vested options of 1,168,733 and 495,403 unvested options outstanding at December 31, 2014.
 
For the three and six months ended December 31, 2014, pre-tax share-based compensation expense was $586 and $945, respectively.  For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, pre-tax share-based compensation expense was $759 and $11,973, respectively. The expense is reported within selling, general, and administrative expenses.  The $1,924 liability associated with share-based compensation awards at December 31, 2014 is included in Share-based liabilities.
 
b. Executive Bonus Plan
 
In addition to share-based awards issued under the Stock Plan, the Company issues restricted stock units under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan. The fair value of restricted stock units is based on quoted market prices of the Company’s stock at the end of each reporting period. These restricted stock units proportionally vest over three years, but are not delivered until the end of the third year. The Company will settle these awards by cash transfer, based on the Company’s stock price on the date of transfer. During the six months ended December 31, 2014, there were no restricted stock units granted, 412,837 restricted stock units were exercised, and as of December 31, 2014, 250,574 restricted stock units were outstanding. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2014, pre-tax compensation expense (income) for these restricted stock units was $151 and ($66), respectively. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, pre-tax compensation expense for these restricted stock units was $1,955 and $4,120, respectively.  The expense is reported within selling, general, and administrative expenses. Of the $9,761 liability associated with these restricted stock units at December 31, 2014, $7,755 is included in Share-based liabilities and $2,006 is included in other long-term liabilities.
 
c. Stock Appreciation Rights
 
The Company issues cash-settled stock appreciation rights as an additional form of incentivized bonus. Stock appreciation rights vest and become exercisable in one-third increments over three years.  The Company settles all awards by cash transfer, based on the difference between the Company’s stock price on the date of exercise and the date of grant.  The Company estimates the fair value of stock appreciation rights using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. During the six months ended December 31, 2014, there were 150,000 stock appreciation rights issued. During the six months ended December 31, 2014, there were 4,262 stock appreciation rights that were exercised.  There were 1,518,327 stock appreciation rights outstanding as of December 31, 2014.  For the three and six months ended December 31, 2014, pre-tax compensation expense for these stock appreciation rights was $431 and $506, respectively.  For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, pre-tax compensation expense for these stock appreciation rights was $7,419 and $7,558 respectively. The expense is reported within selling, general, and administrative expenses.  The $3,589 liability associated with these stock appreciation rights at December 31, 2014 is included in other long-term liabilities.
 
 
13

 
 
d. Unearned Compensation Expense
 
As of December 31, 2014, the Company has unearned pre-tax compensation expense of $1,140, related to nonvested liability classified stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average term of 0.61 years. The unearned compensation expense represents the minimum expense to be recognized over the grant date vesting terms or earlier as a result of accelerated expense recognition due to remeasurement of compensation cost for liability classified awards. Future expense may exceed the unearned compensation expense in the future due to the remeasurement of liability classified awards. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has unearned pre-tax compensation expense of $1,374 and $1,180 related to nonvested equity classified stock options and restricted stock grants, which will be recognized over a weighted average term of 1.85 and 5.87 years, respectively.
 
(15)             Fair Value Measurements
 
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:
 
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1. For example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets.
 
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability. For example, cash flow modeling using inputs based on management’s assumptions.
 
The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014:
 
               
Total
 
Level 1
Marketable securities
$
5,660  
 
5,660  
 
Total assets at fair value
$
5,660  
 
5,660  
 
The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2014:
 
               
Total
 
Level 1
Marketable securities
$
10,399  
 
10,399  
 
Total assets at fair value
$
10,399  
 
10,399  
 
The Company does not have any liabilities that are required to be remeasured at fair value at December 31, 2014 or at June 30, 2014.
 
Marketable securities consist of corporate bonds and money market funds for which fair values were based on quoted prices in active markets and were therefore classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. During the six months ended December 31, 2014, the Company sold $2,345 of these bonds for a gain of $21.
 
See note 7 (Debt) for information regarding the fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt.
 
(16)             Related Party Transactions
 
From time to time, the Company enters into transactions in the normal course of business with related parties.
 
A current and a former member of the board of directors are affiliated with Marco International. During the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company:
 
 
Entered into agreements with Marco International to purchase carbon electrodes. Marco International billed $6,155 and $4,997 during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $13,365 and $5,768 during the six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under these agreements. At December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, payables to Marco International under these agreements totaled $0 and $1,140, respectively.
 
 
Entered into agreements with Marco International to purchase rare earth minerals. Marco International billed $188 and $189 during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $532 and $378 during the six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under these agreements. At December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, there were no payables to Marco International under these agreements.
 
 
Entered into an agreement to sell ferrosilicon to Marco International. Net sales were $142 and $203 during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $355 and $244 during the six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under this agreement. At December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, receivables from Marco International under this agreement totaled $142 and $0, respectively.
 
 
Entered into an agreement to sell calcium silicon powder to Marco International. Net sales were $0 and $1,017 during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $0 and $1,933 during the six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under this agreement. At December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, there were no receivables from Marco International under this agreement.
 
 
 
14

 
 
(17)             Operating Segments
 
Operating segments are based upon the Company’s management reporting structure and include the following five reportable segments:
 
 
GMI — a manufacturer of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys and a provider of specialty metallurgical coal for the silicon metal and silicon-based alloys industries located in North America.
 
 
Globe Metales — a manufacturer of silicon-based alloys located in Argentina.
 
 
Solsil — a developer of upgraded metallurgical grade silicon metal located in the United States.
 
 
Corporate — general corporate expenses, investments, and related investment income.
 
 
Other — operations that do not fit into the above reportable segments and are immaterial for purposes of separate disclosure. The operating segments include Yonvey’s electrode production operations as well as Siltech’s silicon alloy production and certain other distribution operations for the sale of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys.
 
Each of the Company’s reportable segments distributes its products in both its country of domicile, as well as to other international customers. The following presents the Company’s consolidated net sales by product line:
 
       
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
       
December 31,
   
December 31,
       
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
Silicon metal
$
112,097  
 
87,477  
 
$
222,725  
 
172,812  
Silicon-based alloys
 
65,868  
 
69,380  
   
135,300  
 
130,776  
Other
   
20,051  
 
21,549  
   
46,074  
 
47,812  
 
Total
$
198,016  
 
178,406  
 
$
404,099  
 
351,400  
 
a. Segment Data
 
Summarized financial information for our reportable segments as of and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, is shown in the following tables:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
2014
   
2013
   
Net Sales
Operating Income (Loss)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
   
Net Sales
Operating Income (Loss)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
GMI
$
190,863  
30,869  
30,419  
 
$
163,876  
9,713  
9,042  
Globe Metales
 
12,237  
418  
126  
   
12,799  
1,165  
138  
Solsil
 
—  
(37)
(28)
   
—  
—  
—  
Corporate
 
—  
(11,860)
(11,875)
   
—  
(17,290)
12,175  
Other
 
5,554  
(2,128)
(2,322)
   
3,432  
(903)
(909)
Eliminations
 
(10,638)
(15)
(17)
   
(1,701)
(60)
(60)
 
$
198,016  
17,247  
16,303  
 
$
178,406  
(7,375)
20,386  

 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
2014
   
2013
   
Net Sales
Operating Income (Loss)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Total Assets
   
Net Sales
Operating Income (Loss)
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
GMI
$
384,318  
58,387  
57,583  
637,113  
 
$
323,476  
20,541  
19,098  
Globe Metales
25,512  
1,620  
1,089  
68,569  
   
24,740  
2,494  
695  
Solsil
 
—  
(70)
(52)
15,563  
   
—  
(32)
(32)
Corporate
 
—  
(16,594)
(17,228)
372,199  
   
—  
(33,283)
(7,363)
Other
 
9,613  
(4,062)
(4,546)
103,090  
   
6,641  
(1,679)
(1,706)
Eliminations
 
(15,344)
(133)
(134)
(362,489)
   
(3,457)
160  
160  
 
$
404,099  
39,148  
36,712  
834,045  
 
$
351,400  
(11,799)
10,852  
 
The accounting policies of our operating segments are the same as those disclosed in note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to our June 30, 2014 financial statements. We evaluate segment performance principally based on operating income (loss).
 
 
15

 
 
b. Geographic Data
 
Net sales are attributed to geographic regions based upon the location of the selling unit. Net sales by geographic region for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of the following:
 
       
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
       
December 31,
   
December 31,
       
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
United States
$
157,776  
 
152,487  
 
$
324,031  
 
300,817  
Argentina
 
8,250  
 
11,236  
   
17,951  
 
21,932  
Canada
 
28,111  
 
11,252  
   
55,220  
 
22,289  
China
 
7  
 
178  
   
11  
 
217  
Poland
 
2,602  
 
3,253  
   
5,616  
 
6,145  
South Africa
 
1,270  
 
—  
   
1,270  
 
—  
 
Total
$
198,016  
 
178,406  
 
$
404,099  
 
351,400  
 
Long-lived assets by geographical region at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014 consist of the following:
 
       
December 31,
 
June 30,
       
2014
 
2014
United States
$
337,488  
 
334,559  
Argentina
 
25,328  
 
25,611  
Canada
 
80,896  
 
90,071  
China
 
14,196  
 
15,029  
Poland
 
777  
 
813  
South Africa
 
48,226  
 
46,906  
 
Total
$
506,911  
 
512,989  
 
Long-lived assets consist of property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, and goodwill and other intangible assets.
 
c. Major Customer Data
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s major customers and their respective percentages of consolidated net sales for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Dow Corning
18%
 
16%
 
20%
 
17%
Momentive Performance Materials
12%
 
10%
 
11%
 
8%
All other customers
70%
 
74%
 
69%
 
75%
     Total
100%
 
100%
 
100%
 
100%
 
Sales to Dow Corning for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 consist of sales associated with Dow Corning’s 49% ownership interest in WVA Manufacturing, LLC (WVA LLC), and Quebec Silicon Limited Partnership (QSLP).  Sales to Dow Corning are included in the GMI segment.
 
 (18)             Subsequent Events
 
On February 3, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved an annual dividend of $0.32 per common share, payable quarterly.  Accordingly, a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share will be payable on March 12, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2015.

 
16

 


Item 2.   
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
You should read the following discussion and analysis together with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. These forward-looking statements involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, as more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
 
Introduction
 
We are one of the leading manufacturers of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys. As of December 31, 2014, we owned and operated seven principal manufacturing facilities, in two primary operating segments: GMI, our North American operations and, Globe Metales, our Argentine operations.
 
Business Segments
 
We operate in five reportable segments:
 
 
GMI — a manufacturer of silicon metal and silicon-based alloys located in North America with plants in Beverly, Ohio, Alloy, West Virginia, Niagara Falls, New York, Selma, Alabama, Bridgeport, Alabama and Bécancour, Quebec and a provider of specialty metallurgical coal for the silicon metal and silicon-based alloys industries located in Corbin, Kentucky;
 
 
Globe Metales — a manufacturer of silicon-based alloys located in Argentina with a silicon-based alloys plant in Mendoza;
 
 
Solsil — a developer of upgraded metallurgical grade silicon metal located Beverly, Ohio;
 
 
Corporate — a corporate office including general expenses, investments, and related investment income; and
 
 
Other — includes an electrode production operation in China (Yonvey) and a cored-wire production facility located in Poland and a manufacturer of silicon-based alloys located in South Africa. These operations do not fit into the above reportable segments and are immaterial for purposes of separate disclosure.
 
Reported and Adjusted EBITDA
 
Reported and Adjusted EBITDA are pertinent non-GAAP financial metrics we utilize to measure our success and are included in our quarterly press releases. These financial metrics are used to provide supplemental measures of our performance which we believe are important because they eliminate items that have less bearing on our current and future operating performance and highlights trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of these measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures are provided elsewhere in this report.
 
         Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
       
December 31,
   
December 31,
       
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
       
(Dollars in thousands)
   
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
10,825   
 
23,593   
 
$
23,389   
 
16,768   
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
5,478   
 
(3,207)  
   
13,323   
 
(5,916)  
Net interest expense
 
1,073   
 
1,046   
   
2,235   
 
5,796   
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion
12,761   
 
11,463   
   
24,386   
 
22,816   
Reported EBITDA
$
30,137   
 
32,895   
 
$
63,333   
 
39,464   
 
 
         Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended
       
December 31,
   
December 31,
       
2014
 
2013
   
2014
 
2013
       
(Dollars in thousands)
   
(Dollars in thousands)
Reported EBITDA
$
30,137   
 
32,895   
 
$
63,333   
 
39,464   
 
Remeasurement of stock option liability
(1,036)  
 
7,825   
   
(3,441)  
 
19,889   
 
Siltech start-up costs
 
1,178   
 
—    
   
3,060   
 
—    
 
Transaction and due diligence expenses
631   
 
308    
   
1,114   
 
469    
 
Business interruption
 
899   
 
—    
   
2,352   
 
—    
 
Lease termination
 
457   
 
—    
   
457   
 
—    
 
Plant relocation
 
568   
 
—    
   
568   
 
—    
 
Divestiture indemnification payment
 
4,559   
 
—    
   
4,559   
 
—    
 
Quebec Silicon lockout costs
 
—    
 
2,290   
   
—    
 
4,898   
 
Quebec Silicon curtailment gain
 
—    
 
(5,831)  
   
—    
 
(5,831)  
 
Contract acquisition cost
 
—    
 
14,400   
   
—    
 
14,400   
 
Variable compensation
 
—    
 
3,885   
   
—    
 
3,885   
 
Bargain purchase gain
 
—    
 
(29,538)   
   
—    
 
(29,538)   
Adjusted EBITDA
$
37,393   
 
26,234   
 
$
72,002   
 
47,636   
 
Reported and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not rely upon them or consider them in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures, such as net income and other consolidated income or other cash flows statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Because of these limitations, Reported and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business.
 
 
17

 
 
Overview and Recent Developments
 
Customer demand remains strong for silicon metal and silicon-based alloys in our major end markets, which include chemical, aluminum, automotive, steel and solar. The sales mix did not change during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 as compared to the prior quarter, as we shipped more silicon metal than silicon-based alloys.  The decrease in silicon-based alloys tons sold was due to less supply as a result of a planned conversion at one of our U.S. production facilities from silicon-based alloys to silicon metal on certain furnaces.
 
Net sales for the second quarter decreased $8,067,000 or 4% from the immediately preceding quarter as a result of a 3% decrease in tons sold and a 23% decrease in coal, fines, and other products. Silicon metal volumes decreased 3% while silicon-based alloys volumes decreased 4%, as a result of holiday scheduling and the switchover of one of our U.S. production furnaces to silicon metal.  Silicon metal prices and silicon-based alloys prices in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 were $55/MT higher compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
 
The ramp-up of our South African acquisition, Siltech, remains on-track, with both furnaces up and running. These initiatives are expected to drive future earnings through higher sales volumes and lower costs.
 
Outlook
 
Customer demand for silicon metal in the United States remains strong in our end markets, including solar, steel, autos and consumer goods. As in the past, we have business that is fixed-priced and business that is priced based on indices. We will continue to sell on a fixed and an indexed basis as appropriate and leave room for spot business as well. We are seeing consistent demand and positive signs for the major end markets that use our products directly and indirectly. The continued imposition of Canadian anti-dumping and countervailing duties action against imports of silicon metal from China has had a positive impact on pricing and sales in the Canadian market, and we anticipate more of this same trend in the future.
 
We completed four minor planned maintenance outages in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.  We do not have any major maintenance outages scheduled for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, known or expected trends and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies have not significantly changed from those discussed in “Part II — Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 except as follows:
 
Income Taxes
 
In determining our quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Subsequent recognition, derecognition and measurement of a tax position taken in a previous period are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur.
 
Results of Operations
 
GSM Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Consolidated Operations:
 
     
Three Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Net sales
$
198,016  
 
178,406  
 
19,610  
 
11.0%
Cost of goods sold
 
157,745  
 
150,713  
 
7,032  
 
4.7%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
23,024  
 
26,499  
 
(3,475) 
 
(13.1%)
Contract acquisition cost
 
—  
 
14,400  
 
(14,400) 
 
NA
Curtailment gain
 
—  
 
(5,831) 
 
5,831  
 
NA
 
Operating income (loss)
 
17,247  
 
(7,375) 
 
24,622  
 
(333.9%)
Bargain purchase gain
 
—  
 
29,538  
 
(29,538) 
 
NA
Interest expense, net
 
(1,073) 
 
(1,046) 
 
(27) 
 
2.6%
Other income (expense)
 
129  
 
(731) 
 
860  
 
(117.6%)
 
Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
16,303  
 
20,386  
 
(4,083) 
 
(20.0%)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
5,478  
 
(3,207) 
 
8,685  
 
(270.8%)
 
Net income
 
10,825  
 
23,593  
 
(12,768) 
 
(54.1%)
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
 
(852) 
 
(2,825) 
 
1,973  
 
(69.8%)
 
Net income attributable to Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
$
9,973  
 
20,768  
 
(10,795) 
 
(52.0%)
 
 
 
18

 
 
Net Sales:
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
   
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
   
Net Sales
   
Net Sales
   
$ (in 000s)
 
MT
 
$/MT
   
$ (in 000s)
 
MT
 
$/MT
Silicon metal
$
112,097  
 
38,436  
$
2,916  
 
$
87,477  
 
31,631  
$
2,766  
Silicon-based alloys
 
65,868  
 
32,450  
 
2,030  
   
69,380  
 
34,985  
 
1,983  
Silicon metal and silicon-based alloys
177,965  
 
70,886  
 
2,511  
   
156,857  
 
66,616  
 
2,355  
Silica fume and other
 
20,051  
           
21,549  
       
Total net sales
$
198,016  
         
$
178,406  
       
 
Net sales increased $19,610,000 or 11% from the prior year to $198,016,000 primarily as a result of a 6% increase in tons sold.  The increase in sales volumes was driven by a 22% increase in silicon metal tons sold, which was partially offset by a 7% decrease in silicon-based alloys tons sold, resulting in an increase in net sales of $21,108,000.  The increase in silicon metal tons sold was primarily due to the unionized employee lockout at the Becancour, Canada plant which contributed 6,577 fewer tons in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, and due to the conversion of certain furnaces at one of our U.S. production facilities from silicon-based alloys to silicon metal, in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.  The net decrease in silicon-based alloys tons sold was due to the conversion of certain furnaces at one of our U.S. production facilities from silicon-based alloys to silicon metal, partially offset by an increase in tons sold resulting from the continued ramp-up of the Siltech ferrosilicon manufacturing plant in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.
 
The average selling price of silicon metal increased by 6% and the average selling price of silicon-based alloys increased 2% during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 compared to the prior year quarter.  The increase in silicon metal pricing was due to higher pricing on calendar 2014 contracts, including higher pricing on index based contracts compared to calendar 2013 contracts.  The increase in silicon-based alloys pricing was due to stronger pricing in the marketplace driven by less import competition and higher end-user demand, particularly in North America.
 
Other revenue decreased $1,498,000 primarily due to a decrease in coal and fine sales.
 
Cost of Goods Sold:
 
The $7,032,000 or 5% increase in cost of goods sold was a result of a 6% increase in tons sold, offset by a 1% decrease in cost per ton sold.  The decrease in cost per ton sold is primarily due to the ramp-up of Siltech production of ferrosilicon at a lower cost per ton and manufacturing cost reduction initiatives.
 
Gross margin represented approximately 20% of net sales in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 and increased from 16% of net sales in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, primarily as a result of higher average selling prices for both silicon metal and silicon-based alloy, and higher silicon metal tons sold.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
 
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses of $3,475,000, or 13%, was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $9,038,000. In addition, we had a decrease in variable based compensation of $1,149,000. These decreases were partially offset by a divestiture indemnification payment of $4,559,000, an increase in salaries, taxes and benefits of $997,000 and an increase in accounting, legal and professional fees of $888,000.
 
Contract Acquisition Cost:
 
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company acquired a supply arrangement that resulted in a payment of $14,400,000.
 
Curtailment Gain:
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Quebec Silicon, sponsors a postretirement benefit plan for certain employees, based on length of service and remuneration. Postretirement benefits consist of a group insurance plan covering plan members for life insurance, disability, hospital, medical, and dental benefits. On December 27, 2013, the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers Union of Canada (“CEP”) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which resulted in a curtailment pertaining to the closure of the postretirement benefit plan for union employees retiring after January 31, 2016. The Company remeasured the benefit obligations reflecting the curtailment which resulted in a curtailment gain of $5,831,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.
 
Bargain Purchase Gain:
 
On November 21, 2013, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Silicon Technology (Pty) Ltd. (Siltech) for $4,000,000. The Company paid for the acquisition from available cash. Siltech is a silicon-based alloy producer in South Africa with an annual production capacity of approximately 45,000 metric tons. The acquisition was made to increase the Company’s current silicon-based alloy capacity by approximately 30% and its strategic location will enable the Company to supplement its existing facility to service the large European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets. The purchase price allocation for the Siltech acquisition was finalized during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired of $33,538,000 exceeded the purchase price of $4,000,000 resulting in a gain on bargain purchase of $29,538,000.
 
Net Interest Expense:
 
Net interest expense remained consistent for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 as compared to the prior year quarter.
 
Other Income (Expense):
 
Other Income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was approximately $129,000 compared to other expense of $731,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. The variance compared to the prior year quarter is due primarily to a foreign exchange loss in the prior year resulting from the revaluation of a U.S. dollar loan at a foreign subsidiary and holdings of the Argentine peso.
 
19

 
 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes:
 
The tax provision as a percentage of pre-tax income was approximately 33.6%, or $5,478,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 and the tax provision (benefit) as a percentage of pre-tax income was approximately (15.7%), or $(3,207,000), in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. The change in effective tax rate was a result of a switch to income in the U.S. which generated tax expense.
 
Segment Operations
 
GMI
 
     
Three Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Net sales
$
190,863  
 
163,876  
 
26,987  
 
16.5%
Cost of goods sold
 
150,713  
 
137,526  
 
13,187  
 
9.6%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
9,281  
 
8,068  
 
1,213  
 
15.0%
Contract acquisition cost
 
—  
 
14,400  
 
(14,400) 
 
NA
Curtailment gain
 
—  
 
(5,831) 
 
5,831  
 
NA
 
Operating income
$
30,869  
 
9,713  
 
21,156  
 
217.8%
 
Net sales increased $26,987,000 or 17% from the prior year to $190,863,000.  The increase was attributable to an 8% increase in tons sold and an 8% increase in the average selling price.  Silicon metal tons sold increased 22% primarily due to the unionized employee lockout at the Becancour, Canada plant which contributed 6,577 fewer tons in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and  due to the conversion of certain furnaces at one of our U.S. production facilities from silicon-based alloys to silicon metal in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.   Silicon-based alloys tons sold decreased 7% due to the aforementioned furnace conversion.  Silicon metal pricing increased 6% due to higher pricing on calendar 2014 contracts, including higher pricing on index based contracts compared to calendar 2013 contracts.  Silicon-based alloys pricing increased 4% due to an increase in ferrosilicon pricing driven by higher demand and supply constraints.  Other revenue increased $4,025,000 primarily due to an increase in silica fume tons sold.
 
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company acquired a supply arrangement that resulted in a payment of $14,400,000.
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Quebec Silicon, sponsors a postretirement benefit plan for certain employees, based on length of service and remuneration. Postretirement benefits consist of a group insurance plan covering plan members for life insurance, disability, hospital, medical, and dental benefits. On December 27, 2013, the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers Union of Canada (“CEP”) ratified a new collective bargain agreement, which resulted in a curtailment pertaining to the closure of the postretirement benefit plan for union employees retiring after January 31, 2016. The Company remeasured the benefit obligations reflecting the curtailment which resulted in a curtailment gain of $5,831,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.
 
Operating income increased $21,156,000 from the prior year to $30,869,000.  This increase was primarily due to the increase in silicon metal tons sold, and the increase in silicon metal and silicon-based alloys average sales price.  In addition, operating income was further increased due to the contract acquisition cost of $14,400,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014,   These increases to operating income were offset by an increase to the cost of goods sold of 10% due to volume increasing 8% and cost per ton sold increasing 2%, which was due to a shift in mix from lower cost ferrosilicon products to higher cost silicon metal products.  In addition, the increases in operating income were further offset by a curtailment gain in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, as discussed above.
 
Globe Metales
 
     
Three Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Net sales
$
12,237  
 
12,799  
 
(562) 
 
(4.4%)
Cost of goods sold
 
10,994  
 
10,773  
 
221  
 
2.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
825  
 
861  
 
(36) 
 
(4.2%)
 
Operating income
$
418  
 
1,165  
 
(747) 
 
(64.1%)
 
Net sales decreased $562,000 or 4% from the prior year to $12,237,000.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a 5% decrease in tons sold.  Overall volume decreased due to weaker demand from Europe, partially offset by an increase in demand from the North America steel and automotive markets.
 
Operating income decreased $747,000 from the prior year to $418,000.  The decrease was primarily due to lower volumes and an increase in the cost per ton sold.
 
Solsil
 
     
Three Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Cost of goods sold
$
37  
 
—  
 
37  
 
NA
 
Operating loss
$
(37) 
 
—  
 
(37) 
 
NA
 
Solsil suspended commercial production during fiscal year 2010 as a result of a significant decline in the price of polysilicon and the decline in demand for upgraded metallurgical grade silicon.
 
20

 
Corporate
 
     
Three Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
11,860  
 
17,290  
 
(5,430) 
 
(31.4%)
 
Operating loss
$
(11,860) 
 
(17,290) 
 
5,430  
 
31.4%
 
The operating loss decreased $5,430,000 from the prior year to $11,860,000.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $5,430,000 year over year primarily due to an decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $9,038,000, a decrease in variable-based compensation of $1,411,000. These decreases were partially offset by a divestiture indemnification payment of $4,559,000.
 
GSM Six Months Ended December 31, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Consolidated Operations:
 
     
Six Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Net sales
$
404,099  
 
351,400  
 
52,699  
 
15.0%
Cost of goods sold
 
326,362  
 
302,993  
 
23,369  
 
7.7%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
38,589  
 
51,637  
 
(13,048) 
 
(25.3%)
Contract acquisition cost
 
—  
 
14,400  
 
(14,400) 
 
NA
Curtailment gain
 
—  
 
(5,831) 
 
5,831  
 
NA
 
Operating income (loss)
 
39,148  
 
(11,799) 
 
50,947  
 
(431.8%)
Bargain purchase gain
 
—  
 
29,538  
 
(29,538) 
 
NA
Interest expense, net
 
(2,235) 
 
(5,796) 
 
3,561  
 
(61.4%)
Other expense
 
(201) 
  
(1,091) 
 
890  
 
(81.6%)
 
Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
36,712  
 
10,852  
 
25,860  
 
238.3%
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
13,323  
 
(5,916) 
 
19,239  
 
(325.2%)
 
Net income
 
23,389  
 
16,768  
 
6,621  
 
39.5%
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
 
(1,714) 
 
(2,852) 
 
1,138  
 
(39.9%)
 
Net income attributable to Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
$
21,675  
 
13,916  
 
7,759  
 
55.8%
 
Net Sales:
 
   
Six Months Ended December 31, 2014
   
Six Months Ended December 31, 2013
   
Net Sales
   
Net Sales
   
$ (in 000s)
 
MT
 
$/MT
   
$ (in 000s)
 
MT
 
$/MT
Silicon metal
$
222,725  
 
77,852  
$
2,861  
 
$
172,812  
 
63,250  
$
2,732  
Silicon-based alloys
 
135,300  
 
66,350  
 
2,039  
   
130,776  
 
65,401  
 
2,000  
Silicon metal and silicon-based alloys
358,025  
 
144,202  
 
2,483  
   
303,588  
 
128,651  
 
2,360  
Silica fume and other
 
46,074  
           
47,812  
       
Total net sales
$
404,099  
         
$
351,400  
       
 
Net sales increased $52,699,000 or 15% from the prior year to $404,099,000 primarily as a result of a 5% increase in average selling prices and a 12% increase in metric tons sold.  The increase in sales volume was driven by a 23% increase in silicon metal tons sold and a 2% increase in silicon-based alloys tons sold, resulting in a increase in net sales of $54,437,000.  The increase in silicon metal volume was due to the unionized employee lockout at the Becancour Canada plant which contributed 16,310 fewer tons during the first half of fiscal year 2014 and due to an increase from the conversion of certain furnaces at one of our U.S. production facilities from silicon-based alloys to silicon metal.  The increase in silicon-based alloys was primarily due to an increase in demand from the steel and automotive industries in North America.
 
The average selling price of silicon metal increased 5% and the average selling price of silicon-based alloys increased 2%.  The increase in silicon metal pricing was due to higher pricing on annual calendar 2014 contracts, including higher pricing on index-based contracts.  The increase in silicon-based alloys pricing is due to stronger pricing in the marketplace driven by less import competition and higher end-user demand, particularly in North America.
 
Other revenue decreased $1,738,000 primarily due to a decrease in coal and fines sales.
 
Cost of Goods Sold:
 
The $23,369,000 or 8% increase in cost of goods sold was a result of a 12% increase in metric tons sold and a 4% decrease in cost per ton sold.  The decrease in cost per ton sold is primarily due to the ramp up of Siltech production of ferrosilicon at a lower cost per ton and manufacturing cost reduction initiatives.
 
Gross margin represented approximately 19% of net sales in the first half of fiscal year 2015 and increased from 14% of net sales in the first half of fiscal year 2014.  This increase was primarily as a result of an increase in average selling prices and an increase in metric tons sold.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
 
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses of $13,048,000 or 25% was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $22,478,000, partially offset by a divestiture indemnification payment of $4,559,000, an increase in accounting, legal and professional fees of $1,346,000, and an increase in salaries and benefits of $2,702,000.
 
21

 
 
Contract acquisition cost:
 
During the first half of fiscal year 2014, the Company acquired a supply arrangement that resulted in a payment of $14,400,000.
 
Curtailment Gain:
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Quebec Silicon, sponsors a postretirement benefit plan for certain employees, based on length of service and remuneration. Postretirement benefits consist of a group insurance plan covering plan members for life insurance, disability, hospital, medical, and dental benefits. On December 27, 2013, the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers Union of Canada (“CEP”) ratified a new collective bargain agreement, which resulted in a curtailment pertaining to the closure of the postretirement benefit plan for union employees retiring after January 31, 2016. The Company remeasured the benefit obligations reflecting the curtailment which resulted in a curtailment gain of $5,831,000 in the first half of fiscal year 2014.
 
Bargain Purchase Gain:
 
On November 21, 2013, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of Silicon Technology (Pty) Ltd. (Siltech) for $4,000,000. The Company paid for the acquisition from available cash. Siltech is a silicon-based alloy producer in South Africa with an annual production capacity of approximately 45,000 metric tons. The acquisition was made to increase the Company’s current silicon-based alloy capacity by approximately 30% and its strategic location will enable the Company to supplement its existing facility to service the large European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets. The purchase price allocation for the Siltech acquisition was finalized during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired of $33,538,000 exceeded the purchase price of $4,000,000 resulting in a gain on bargain purchase of $29,538,000.
 
Net Interest Expense:
 
Net interest expense decreased $3,561,000 compared to the prior year primarily due to the write-off of deferred financing costs of approximately $3,354,000 in connection with the refinancing of our existing $300,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility in the prior year.
 
Other Expense:
 
Other expense decreased $890,000 primarily due to a lower foreign exchange loss of a U.S. dollar loan at a foreign subsidiary and holdings of the Argentine peso.
 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes:
 
The tax provision as a percentage of pre-tax income was approximately 36.3%, or $13,323,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2014 and the tax provision (benefit) as a percentage of pre-tax income was approximately (54.5%), or $(5,916,000), for the six months ended December 31, 2013. The change in effective tax rate was a result of a switch to income in the U.S. which generated a tax expense.
 
Segment Operations
 
GMI
 
     
Six Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Net sales
$
384,318  
 
323,476  
 
60,842  
 
18.8%
Cost of goods sold
 
308,627  
 
278,112  
 
30,515  
 
11.0%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
17,304  
 
16,254  
 
1,050  
 
6.5%
Contract acquisition cost
 
—  
 
14,400  
 
(14,400) 
   
NA
Curtailment gain
 
—  
 
(5,831) 
 
5,831  
 
NA
 
Operating income
$
58,387  
 
20,541  
 
37,846  
 
184.2%
 
Net sales increased $60,842,000 or 19% from the prior year to $384,318,000.  The increase was primarily attributable to a 14% increase in tons sold coupled with a 6% increase in average selling prices.  Silicon metal volume increased 23% primarily due to the unionized employee lockout at the Becancour, Canada plant which contributed 16,310 fewer tons during the first half of fiscal year 2014, and an increase from our conversion of certain furnaces from silicon-based alloys to silicon metal.  Silicon-based alloys volume increased 3% primarily due to demand from the steel and automotive industries. Silicon metal pricing increased 5% primarily due to higher pricing on annual calendar 2014 contracts, including higher pricing on index-based contracts.  Silicon-based alloys pricing increased 3% from stronger pricing in the marketplace, driven by less import competition and higher end-user demand.
 
During the first half of fiscal year 2014, the Company concluded a supply arrangement that resulted in a payment of $14,400,000.
 
The Company’s subsidiary, Quebec Silicon, sponsors a postretirement benefit plan for certain employees, based on length of service and remuneration. Postretirement benefits consist of a group insurance plan covering plan members for life insurance, disability, hospital, medical, and dental benefits. On December 27, 2013, the Communications, Energy and Paper Workers Union of Canada (“CEP”) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which resulted in a curtailment pertaining to the closure of the postretirement benefit plan for union employees retiring after January 31, 2016. The Company remeasured the benefit obligations reflecting the curtailment which resulted in a curtailment gain of $5,831,000 during the first half of fiscal year 2014.
 
Operating income increased $37,846,000 from the prior year to $58,387,000.  This increase was due to higher average selling prices for silicon metal and silicon-based alloys and higher silicon metal and silicon-based alloy volume.  Cost of goods sold increased 11% while shipments increased 14%.  The decrease in cost per ton sold is primarily due to manufacturing cost reduction initiatives.  In addition, operating income was further increased by contract acquisition cost of $14,400,000 in the first half of fiscal year 2014. These increases were offset by a decrease due to the curtailment gain in the first half fiscal year 2014, as discussed above.
 
22

 
Globe Metales
 
     
Six Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
     
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Net sales
$
25,512  
 
24,740  
 
772  
 
3.1%
Cost of goods sold
 
22,172  
 
20,701  
 
1,471  
 
7.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
1,720  
 
1,545  
 
175  
 
11.3%
 
Operating income
$
1,620  
 
2,494  
 
(874) 
 
(35.0%)
 
Net sales increased $772,000 or 3% from the prior year to $25,512,000.  This increase was primarily due to a 1% increase in average selling prices and a 6% increase in tons sold.  Overall pricing and volume increased due to the increase in the North American steel and automotive market demand.
 
Operating income decreased $874,000.  The decrease was primarily due to a 6% increase in tons sold and a higher cost per ton sold.
 
Solsil
 
     
Six Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Cost of goods sold
$
70 
 
32 
 
38 
 
118.8%
 
Operating loss
$
(70)
 
(32)
 
(38)
 
(118.8%)
 
Solsil suspended commercial production during fiscal year 2010 as a result of a significant decline in the price of polysilicon and the decline in demand for upgraded metallurgical grade silicon.
 
Corporate
 
     
Six Months Ended
       
     
December 31,
 
Increase
 
Percentage
     
2014
 
2013
 
(Decrease)
 
Change
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Results of Operations
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
16,594 
 
33,283 
 
(16,689) 
 
(50.1%)
 
Operating loss
$
(16,594)
 
(33,283)
 
16,689  
 
50.1%
 
Operating loss decreased $16,689,000 from the prior year to $16,594,000.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $16,689,000 year over year primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $22,478,000, partially offset by a $4,559,000 divestiture indemnification payment.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Sources of Liquidity
 
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents balance, cash flows from operations, and unused commitments under our existing credit facilities. At December 31, 2014, our cash and cash equivalents balance was approximately $104,533,000 and we had $186,908,000 available for borrowing under our existing financing arrangements. We generated cash flows from operations totaling $42,768,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of cash and cash equivalents included in the Company’s consolidated cash that was held by foreign subsidiaries was approximately $17,481,000. In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into an arrangement to have the option to sell selected accounts receivables up to a cap of $55,000,000 on a non-recourse basis to an unrelated financial institution under a receivables purchase arrangement in the US. In fiscal 2015, the Company sold $24,000,000 under the arrangement.
 
Certain of our subsidiaries borrow funds in order to finance working capital requirements and capital expansion programs. The terms of certain of our financing arrangements place restrictions on distributions of funds to us, however, we do not expect this to have an impact on our ability to meet our cash obligations. We believe we have access to adequate resources to meet our needs for normal operating costs, capital expenditures, and working capital for our existing business. Our ability to fund planned capital expenditures and make acquisitions will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in our industry as well as financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
 
Cash Flows
 
The following table summarizes our primary sources (uses) of cash during the periods presented:
 
       
Six Months Ended
       
December 31,
       
2014
 
2013
       
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
$
97,792   
 
169,676   
Cash provided by operating activities
 
42,768   
 
61,961   
Cash used in investing activities
 
(23,279)  
 
(21,864)  
Cash used in financing activities
 
(12,527)  
 
(50,501)  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(221)  
 
(708)  
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
                 104,533   
 
158,564   
 
23

 
 
Operating Activities:
 
Our business is cyclical and cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate during the year and from year-to-year due to economic conditions.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $42,768,000 and $61,961,000 during the first six months of fiscal year 2015 and 2014, respectively. The $19,193,000 decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in working capital partially offset by the comparative effects of the bargain purchase and curtailment gains in fiscal 2014 as well as an increase in operating results for the first half of fiscal year 2015 as compared to the prior year.  In the first half of fiscal year 2015, inventory increased due to production ramp-up at Yonvey and raw material build up at Siltech in preparation for production.
 
Investing Activities:
 
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $23,279,000 and $21,864,000 during the first six months of fiscal year 2015 and 2014, respectively. In the first half of fiscal year 2015, capital expenditures increased by approximately $12,570,000 due to the restart of the Siltech facility, which was partially offset by $7,355,000 from the sale of marketable securities as well as the comparative effect of the acquisition of Siltech in the first six months of fiscal 2014 which resulted in the use of approximately $3,800,000 in net cash.
 
Financing Activities:
 
Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $12,527,000 and $50,501,000 during the first six months of fiscal year 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Net cash used for financing activities decreased by approximately $37,974,000 from the prior year, primarily due to $30,250,000 of net debt payments made in the first half of fiscal year 2014 and a decrease in stock repurchases of $7,041,000 compared to the prior year.
 
Exchange Rate Change on Cash:
 
The effect of exchange rate changes on cash was related to fluctuations in renminbi, Canadian dollars and rand, the functional currency of our Chinese, Canadian and South African subsidiaries.
 
Commitments and Contractual Obligations
 
Our commitments and contractual obligations have not changed significantly from those disclosed in “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Commitments and Contractual Obligations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements or relationships with unconsolidated entities of financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
 
Litigation and Contingencies
 
The Company is subject to various lawsuits, investigations, claims, and proceedings that arise in the normal course of business, including, but not limited to, labor and employment, commercial, environmental, safety, and health matters, as well as claims and indemnities associated with its historical acquisitions and divestitures. Although it is not presently possible to determine the outcome of these matters, in the opinion of management, it is not reasonably possible that the ultimate disposition of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded $4,559,000 with respect to an indemnification obligation from a prior divestiture.
 
At December 31, 2014, there are no significant liabilities recorded for environmental contingencies. With respect to the cost for ongoing environmental compliance, including maintenance and monitoring, such costs are expensed as incurred unless there is a long-term monitoring agreement with a governmental agency, in which case a liability is established at the inception of the agreement.
 
Accounting Pronouncements to be Implemented
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Accordingly, we will adopt this new guidance beginning in fiscal 2018. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this new guidance and management is currently evaluating which transition approach to use. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Our market risks have not changed significantly from those disclosed in “Part II — Item 7A. — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, respectively), we have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a -15(e)) as of December 31, 2014. Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officers and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
24

 

PART II
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 
In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations, claims, and proceedings, including, but not limited to, contractual disputes, labor and employment, environmental, health and safety matters, as well as claims and indemnities associated with our historical acquisitions and divestitures. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations, claims, and proceedings asserted against us, we believe any currently pending legal proceeding to which we are a party is not reasonably possible to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations or liquidity.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
 
A description of the risks associated with our business, financial condition, and results of operations is set forth in “Part I — Item 1A. — Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. There have been no material changes in our risks from such description.
 
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
During fiscal year 2015, we purchased shares of our common stock in the open market and through block purchases pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, we did not purchase any of our common stock.
 
Period
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Approximate Dollar value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
October 1, 2014 – October 31, 2014
$0
 
0
 
$45,780,000
November 1, 2014 – November 30, 2014
$0
 
0
 
$45,780,000
December 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014
$0
 
0
 
$45,780,000
 
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure
 
    The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulations S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95 to the Quarterly Report.
 
Item 6.  Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Document                                               
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
32.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
95
Mine Safety Disclosure†
101
The following materials from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Income Statements, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements. †
____________
 
Filed herewith.
 
   

 
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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.
 
Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
By:                       /s/ Jeff Bradley                                                     
Jeff Bradley
Chief Executive Officer
 
By:                     /s/ Joseph Ragan                                            
Joseph Ragan
Chief Financial Officer
 
February 9, 2015


 
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