Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Form 10-Q

 


 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

or

 

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

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission File No. 001-32260

 


Westlake Chemical Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   76-0346924

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77056

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(713) 960-9111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  x   Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s sole class of common stock, as of October 30, 2006, was 65,244,614.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

Item

   Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
   1) Financial Statements    3
   2) Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    24
   3) Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    33
   4) Controls and Procedures    33
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   
   1) Legal Proceedings    34
   1A) Risk Factors    34
   2) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    34
   6) Exhibits    34

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 
     (in thousands of dollars, except
par values and share amounts)
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 202,824     $ 237,895  

Short-term investments

     100,275       —    

Accounts receivable, net

     335,063       302,779  

Inventories, net

     312,928       339,870  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     9,512       9,306  

Deferred income taxes

     13,040       13,013  
                

Total current assets

     973,642       902,863  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     909,532       863,232  

Equity investment

     26,347       20,042  

Other assets, net

     62,581       41,052  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,972,102     $ 1,827,189  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 145,033     $ 199,777  

Accrued liabilities

     124,920       104,872  

Current portion of long-term debt

     —         1,200  
                

Total current liabilities

     269,953       305,849  

Long-term debt

     260,135       265,689  

Deferred income taxes

     230,757       221,088  

Other liabilities

     38,956       40,457  
                

Total liabilities

     799,801       833,083  
                

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 13 and 16)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, nonvoting, noncumulative, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 65,240,856 and 65,121,850 shares issued and outstanding in 2006 and 2005, respectively

     652       651  

Additional paid-in capital

     426,653       424,537  

Retained earnings

     743,135       569,164  

Minimum pension liability, net of tax

     (1,976 )     (1,976 )

Unearned compensation on restricted stock

     —         (971 )

Cumulative translation adjustment

     3,837       2,701  
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,172,301       994,106  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,972,102     $ 1,827,189  
                

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

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

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

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  
     (in thousands of dollars, except per share data)  

Net sales

   $ 672,417     $ 605,391     $ 1,960,463     $ 1,804,666  

Cost of sales

     563,241       516,127       1,595,017       1,496,139  
                                

Gross profit

     109,176       89,264       365,446       308,527  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     22,165       19,202       60,703       53,994  
                                

Income from operations

     87,011       70,062       304,743       254,533  

Interest expense

     (3,432 )     (5,834 )     (13,356 )     (17,867 )

Debt retirement cost

     —         —         (25,853 )     (646 )

Other income, net

     3,268       888       8,657       322  
                                

Income before income taxes

     86,847       65,116       274,191       236,342  

Provision for income taxes

     25,191       21,590       94,029       83,147  
                                

Net income

   $ 61,656     $ 43,526     $ 180,162     $ 153,195  
                                

Earnings per common share

        

Basic

   $ 0.95     $ 0.67     $ 2.77     $ 2.36  
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.95     $ 0.67     $ 2.76     $ 2.35  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     65,134,582       65,026,962       65,110,448       64,987,068  

Diluted

     65,237,824       65,261,382       65,234,840       65,252,220  

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2005  
     (in thousands of dollars)  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 180,162     $ 153,195  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     61,974       60,649  

Provision for (recovery of) bad debts

     686       (2,568 )

Amortization of debt issue costs

     661       1,100  

Loss from disposition of fixed assets

     2,346       1,794  

Deferred tax expense

     9,617       30,527  

Equity in (income) loss of joint venture

     (1,731 )     267  

Write-off of debt issuance costs

     3,623       646  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Accounts receivable

     (32,970 )     (119,219 )

Inventories

     26,942       33,228  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (206 )     1,668  

Accounts payable

     (32,594 )     (10,714 )

Accrued liabilities

     20,048       31,193  

Other, net

     (24,690 )     (6,640 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     213,868       175,126  
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (100,659 )     (60,732 )

Additions to equity investment

     (4,574 )     —    

Purchases of short-term investments

     (134,625 )     —    

Sales and maturities of short-term investments

     34,350       —    

Proceeds from disposition of assets

     20       43  

Settlements of derivative instruments

     (27,520 )     —    
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (233,008 )     (60,689 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     1,404       966  

Dividends paid

     (6,192 )     (4,551 )

Proceeds from borrowings

     249,185       —    

Repayment of borrowings

     (256,000 )     (30,900 )

Capitalized debt issuance costs

     (4,328 )     —    
                

Net cash used for financing activities

     (15,931 )     (34,485 )
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (35,071 )     79,952  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     237,895       43,396  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 202,824     $ 123,348  
                

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

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

1. Basis of Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States have not been included pursuant to such rules and regulations. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2005 financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation (the “Company”) included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2006. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2006, the results of its operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the changes in its cash position for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2006 or any other interim period. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. The interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and related disclosures.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have, if any, on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and related disclosures.

In September 2006, the FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires an enterprise to recognize in its statement of financial position an asset for a defined benefit postretirement plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a defined benefit postretirement plan’s underfunded status. In addition, each entity must recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, and the Company will adopt this standard for its annual financial statements for 2006. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 158 to have any significant impact on its consolidated results of operations and the impact of the adoption of this statement on its consolidated financial position will not be material.

Also in September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities” (“FSP No. AUG AIR-1”). FSP No. AUG AIR-1 prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance turnarounds because it causes the recognition of a liability in a period prior to the occurrence of the transaction or obligation. The Company does not account for its turnarounds utilizing this accounting method, so FSP No. AUG AIR-1 is not expected to impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

The Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108 in September 2006. This bulletin provides guidance regarding the methodology of quantifying the dollar amounts of errors in determining materiality of those errors. These methods should be implemented for annual financial statements covering the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

2. Stock-Based Compensation

The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted, and the stockholders have approved, the Westlake Chemical Corporation 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). Under the 2004 Plan, all employees of the Company, as well as certain individuals who have agreed to become the Company’s employees, are eligible for awards. Shares of common stock may be issued as authorized in the 2004 Plan. At the discretion of the administrator of the 2004 Plan, employees and non-employee directors may be granted awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards or cash awards (any of which may be a performance award). The total compensation expense related to the 2004 Plan was $440 and $1,384 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The realized excess tax benefit from exercised options during those same periods was $194 and $271, respectively.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for its stock-based compensation plan in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), and complied with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), for disclosure purposes. Under these provisions, no compensation expense was recognized for stock options because the exercise price for all options was equal to the market price at the grant date, and any compensation expense resulting from restricted stock was recognized ratably over the associated vesting term. The Company provided pro forma disclosure amounts in accordance with SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” as if the fair value method defined by SFAS 123 had been applied to its stock options.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), using the modified prospective transition method and therefore has not restated results of prior periods. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 includes compensation expense of all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provision of SFAS 123. Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted after January 1, 2006 is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. The Company recognizes these compensation costs net of a forfeiture rate and recognizes the compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award for only those shares expected to vest. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”) regarding the SEC’s interpretation of SFAS 123R and the valuation of share-based payments for public companies.

Upon adoption of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006, amounts previously recorded in stockholders’ equity under APB 25 at December 31, 2005 related to unearned compensation for restricted stock awards have been reversed against paid-in capital and will be expensed over the vesting period in accordance with SFAS 123R. As a result of adopting SFAS 123R, the impact to the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 on income before income taxes and net income was a decrease of $292 and $184, respectively, from the amount that would have been reported if the Company had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB 25. The impact for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was a decrease in income before income taxes and net income of $934 and $588, respectively. The impact on both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was less than $0.01 per share.

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

The pro forma table below reflects net income and basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005, had the Company applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2005

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2005

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 43,526     $ 153,195  

Pro forma stock option compensation expense

     (362 )     (1,235 )

Provision for income taxes on pro forma stock option expense

     120       435  
                

Pro forma net income

   $ 43,284     $ 152,395  
                

Basic and diluted earnings per share

    

As reported:

    

Basic

   $ 0.67     $ 2.36  

Diluted

   $ 0.67     $ 2.35  

Pro forma:

    

Basic

   $ 0.67     $ 2.35  

Diluted

   $ 0.66     $ 2.34  

Option activity and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were as follows:

 

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

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   438,763     $ 16.88      

Granted

   57,958       35.22      

Exercised

   (96,524 )     14.57      

Cancelled

   (15,490 )     16.23      
              

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

   384,707       20.25    8.3    $ 4,724
              

Exercisable at September 30, 2006

   130,355       16.34    8.0      2,042
              

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2006 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on September 30, 2006. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $1,052 and $1,564, respectively.

As of September 30, 2006, $1,416 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value its options. The table below presents the weighted average value and assumptions used in developing each option’s fair value. Volatility was calculated using historical trends of the Company’s common stock price.

 

     2006 Options     2005 Options     2004 Options  

Weighted average fair value

   $ 14.87     $ 12.81     $ 6.52  

Risk-free interest rate

     4.8 %     4.3 %     4.0 %

Expected life in years

     6-7       8       10  

Expected volatility

     34.0 %     36.5 %     28.1 %

Expected dividend yield

     0.3 %     0.4 %     0.6 %

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Non-vested restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2006 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were as follows:

 

    

Number of

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

Non-vested at December 31, 2005

   42,129     $ 27.22

Granted

   25,876       34.90

Forfeited

   (496 )     27.22

Vested

   (13,151 )     27.22
        

Non-vested at September 30, 2006

   54,358       30.81
        

As of September 30, 2006, there was $1,365 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

3. Short-term Investments

The Company selectively invests some of its cash in short-term investments in auction rate securities and began doing so during the third quarter of 2006. Auction rate securities are variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates that generally have long-term stated maturities of 20 to 30 years. However, these securities have certain economic characteristics of short-term investments due to an interest rate reset mechanism and the availability to liquidate the securities through a Dutch auction process that occurs on pre-determined intervals of less than 90 days. As such, these investments are classified as short-term investments.

The auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale securities due to management’s intent to hold these securities for short periods of time. As of September 30, 2006, the fair market value of the securities equaled the cost and there were no unrealized gains or losses associated with these investments. The fair values of auction rate securities by contractual maturity, were as follows:

 

    

September 30,

2006

Due in 0-10 years

     —  

Due in 11-20 years

     52,625

Due after 20 years

     47,650
      
   $ 100,275
      

4. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of the following:

 

    

September 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 

Accounts receivable — trade

   $ 330,147     $ 301,091  

Accounts receivable — affiliates

     1,261       845  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (3,704 )     (3,460 )
                
     327,704       298,476  

Accounts receivable — other

     7,359       4,303  
                

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 335,063     $ 302,779  
                

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

5. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

    

September 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 

Finished products

   $ 179,944     $ 186,241  

Feedstock, additives and chemicals

     113,135       133,949  

Materials and supplies

     27,717       27,790  
                
     320,796       347,980  

Allowance for inventory obsolescence

     (7,868 )     (8,110 )
                

Inventories, net

   $ 312,928     $ 339,870  
                

6. Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment of $18,623 and $15,385 is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $54,722 and $51,279 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

7. Equity Investment

In the second quarter of 2006, the Company increased its ownership percentage in Suzhou Huasu Plastics Co. Ltd., the Company’s joint venture in China, from approximately 43% to approximately 58% at a cost of $6,441 ($1,867 was paid in the fourth quarter of 2005 and $4,574 was paid in the second quarter of 2006). The Company will continue to account for this investment using the equity method of accounting because the entity does not meet the definition of a variable interest entity under FIN 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (revised December 2003) – an interpretation of ARB No. 51,” and because contractual arrangements allowing certain substantive participatory rights to minority shareholders prevent the Company from exercising a controlling financial interest over this entity.

8. Other Assets

Amortization expense on other assets of $2,644 and $4,077 is included in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $7,913 and $10,470 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

9. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 29.0% and 34.3% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, respectively, as compared to 33.2% and 35.2% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2005. The current year rate is below the statutory rate primarily due to adjustments to deferred income taxes and the extra-territorial exclusion income benefit (“ETI”), which reduced income tax expense by $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2006. Excluding these adjustments, the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2006 would have been 35.6%. The 2005 rate also includes an adjustment to deferred tax of $2.3 million. Excluding this adjustment, the rate for the first nine months of 2005 would have been 36.1%. The adjusted effective tax rates for 2006 and 2005 are higher than the statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and reflects a tax benefit of approximately 1.0% related to the domestic manufacturing deduction.

10. Derivative Commodity Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments, in conjunction with certain physical commodity positions, to reduce price volatility risk on commodities. Increases and decreases in the fair value of these trades are included in earnings. The Company had a net gain of $17,675 in connection with trading activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to a net loss of $8,708 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Of the 2006 net gain, $13,538 related to derivative gains and $4,137 related to sales of related physical feedstock positions. Of the 2005 net loss, $36,274 related to derivative losses, offset by $27,566 in gains on the sale of related physical feedstock positions. Net trading gains in the third quarter of 2006 totaled $5,390 ($2,188 related to commodity derivative gains and $3,202 was due to gains on the sale of

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

related physical positions) compared to a net loss of $8,452 ($34,377 related to commodity derivative losses offset by $25,925 in gains on the sale of physical positions related to spread trades) for the third quarter of 2005. Risk management asset balances of $3,895 and $-0- were included in “Accounts receivable, net” and risk management liability balances of $-0- and $31,891 were included in current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

11. Earnings per Share

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

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

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005
     (in thousands)    (in thousands)

Weighted average common shares—basic

   65,135    65,027    65,110    64,987

Plus incremental shares from:

Assumed conversion of options

   90    220    111    231

Restricted stock

   13    14    14    34
                   

Weighted average common shares—diluted

   65,238    65,261    65,235    65,252
                   

12. Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits

Components of Net Periodic Costs for pension benefits are as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Service cost

   $ 267     $ 250     $ 800     $ 800  

Interest cost

     471       444       1,413       1,354  

Expected return on plan assets

     (551 )     (482 )     (1,651 )     (1,446 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     80       80       239       239  

Amortization of net loss

     99       63       299       202  
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 366     $ 355     $ 1,100     $ 1,149  
                                

Components of Net Periodic Costs for other benefits are as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Service cost

   $ 89    $ 97    $ 272    $ 292

Interest cost

     122      103      390      308

Amortization of transition obligation

     28      28      85      85

Amortization of prior service cost

     67      67      200      200

Amortization of net loss

     87      62      241      186
                           

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 393    $ 357    $ 1,188    $ 1,071
                           

The Company made no contributions to the Salaried and Wage pension plans during the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 but made contributions of $2,498 and $6,074 to the Salaried and Wage pension plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company is not scheduled to contribute any additional funds to the pension plans during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations that can impose civil and criminal sanctions and that may require it to remove or mitigate the effects of the disposal or release of chemical substances at various sites. Under some of these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be held liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances on, under, or in its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused the presence of the contaminants, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time they occurred. Because several of the Company’s production sites have a history of industrial use, it is impossible to predict precisely what effect these laws and regulations will have on the Company in the future. As is typical for chemical businesses, soil and groundwater contamination has occurred in the past at some of the Company’s sites and might occur or be discovered at other sites in the future. The Company’s investigations have not revealed any contamination caused by the Company’s operations that would likely require the Company to incur material long-term remediation efforts and associated liabilities.

Calvert City, Kentucky

Contract Litigation with Goodrich and PolyOne. In connection with the 1990 and 1997 acquisitions of the Goodrich Corporation chemical manufacturing complex in Calvert City, Goodrich agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities related to preexisting contamination at the site. In addition, the Company agreed to indemnify Goodrich for contamination attributable to the ownership, use or operation of the plant after the closing dates. The soil and groundwater at the manufacturing complex, which does not include the Company’s polyvinyl chloride facility in Calvert City, had been extensively contaminated by Goodrich’s operations. In 1993, the Geon Corporation was spun off from Goodrich, and Geon assumed the responsibility to operate the site-wide remediation system and Goodrich’s indemnification obligations for any liabilities arising from preexisting contamination at the site. Subsequently, Geon’s name was changed to PolyOne. Part of the former Goodrich facility, which the Company did not acquire and on which it does not operate and that it believes is still owned by either Goodrich or PolyOne, is listed on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA. The investigation and remediation of contamination at the Company’s manufacturing complex is currently being coordinated by PolyOne.

Given the scope and extent of the underlying contamination at the Company’s manufacturing complex, the remediation will likely take a number of years. The costs incurred to treat contaminated groundwater collected from beneath the site were $4,556 in 2005, and the Company expects this level of expenditures to continue for the life of the remediation. For the past several years, PolyOne has asserted that the Company’s actions after its acquisition of the complex have contributed to or otherwise exacerbated the contamination at the site. The Company denied those allegations. Goodrich has also asserted claims similar to those of PolyOne. In addition, Goodrich has asserted that the Company is responsible for a portion of the ongoing costs of treating contaminated groundwater being pumped from beneath the site. In May 2003, Goodrich began withholding payment of 45% of the monthly costs incurred by the Company to operate certain pollution control equipment owned by Goodrich at the site.

In October 2003, the Company filed suit against Goodrich in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky for breach of contract to recover unpaid invoices related to the Company’s operation of groundwater treatment equipment. Goodrich filed an answer and counterclaim in which it alleged that the Company was responsible for contamination at the facility. The Company denied those allegations and filed a motion to dismiss Goodrich’s counterclaim. By order dated April 9, 2004, the court dismissed part of Goodrich’s counterclaim while retaining the remainder. Goodrich also filed a third-party complaint against PolyOne. PolyOne in turn filed motions to dismiss, filed counterclaims against Goodrich and filed cross-claims against the Company in which it alleged breach of contract and that Goodrich and the Company had conspired to defraud PolyOne. On June 8, 2004, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on its breach of contract claim against Goodrich. On June 16, 2004, the Company filed a motion to dismiss PolyOne’s cross-claims. By order dated March 9, 2005, the court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss PolyOne’s cross-claims. On March 29, 2005, the court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment on the Company’s breach of contract claim against Goodrich. On April 12, 2005, Goodrich filed a motion for reconsideration of the order granting summary judgment. On July 5, 2005, Goodrich and the Company entered a Non-Waiver Agreement pursuant to which Goodrich paid the Company all past due amounts, including interest, in the amount of $3,132. This reimbursement is reflected in the

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 resulting in a $2,606 reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses and $526 of interest income. Goodrich further agreed to make all future payments for services on a timely basis. Pursuant to the Non-Waiver Agreement, both parties retained all rights and legal arguments, including Goodrich’s right to pursue its motion for reconsideration. The granting of such motion could result in the Company being required to repay Goodrich for the amounts paid by Goodrich under the Non-Waiver Agreement. The case is continuing with respect to Goodrich’s counterclaims against the Company, and Goodrich’s third-party claims against PolyOne and PolyOne’s counterclaims against Goodrich. Extensive discovery is ongoing and the trial may occur in April 2007. A court-ordered mediation is currently scheduled for January 2007.

Administrative Proceedings and Related Litigation. In addition, there are several administrative proceedings in Kentucky involving Goodrich and PolyOne. On September 23, 2003, the Kentucky State Cabinet re-issued Goodrich’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, permit which requires Goodrich to remediate contamination at the Calvert City manufacturing complex. Goodrich was named as the sole permittee. Both Goodrich and PolyOne have challenged that determination. Goodrich filed an appeal (Goodrich I) of that permit on October 23, 2003, and PolyOne filed a separate challenge (PolyOne I) on November 13, 2003. In both proceedings, Goodrich and PolyOne are seeking to shift Goodrich’s cleanup responsibilities under Goodrich’s RCRA permit to other parties, including the Company. The Company has either intervened directly or been named as a party in both of these proceedings. Mediation was conducted in these proceedings during 2004 but was unsuccessful. On September 27, 2004, the Kentucky State Cabinet sent PolyOne a determination requiring PolyOne to be added to the Goodrich RCRA permit due to PolyOne’s operation of the site remediation system. On October 22, 2004, PolyOne filed an appeal (PolyOne II). In this second proceeding, PolyOne is challenging the State’s determination that PolyOne is required to submit an application for a major modification of the Goodrich permit and assume the regulatory status of an operator under the permit. PolyOne makes a number of charges against the Company that, if proven, might cause the Kentucky State Cabinet to demand that the Company also be added to the Goodrich permit. Goodrich and PolyOne have alleged in Goodrich I and PolyOne I that Goodrich cannot be held responsible for contamination on property they do not own. Both Goodrich and PolyOne have also alleged that the Company is responsible for contamination at the manufacturing complex, which the Company has denied.

On January 24, 2005, Goodrich filed a challenge (Goodrich II) to the Kentucky State Cabinet’s determination which had rejected a Goodrich proposal to perform a particular soil remediation procedure. The Company’s motion to intervene in PolyOne II and Goodrich II was subsequently granted.

On March 18, 2005, the Goodrich I and II and PolyOne I and II proceedings were consolidated and the hearing for the consolidated case was set for September 12, 2006. Subsequently, the Kentucky State Cabinet agreed to allow Goodrich to perform a test of the soil remediation procedure. Goodrich then withdrew its complaint and the Goodrich II proceeding was dismissed. By order dated January 19, 2006, the hearing for the consolidated administrative proceedings was rescheduled to April 3, 2007.

On March 22, 2005, after the court had dismissed PolyOne’s cross-claims against the Company, PolyOne filed a separate RCRA citizen suit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, which covers the same issues raised in the Goodrich and PolyOne administrative proceedings. On May 23, 2005 the Company filed a motion to dismiss the PolyOne complaint, which PolyOne responded to on June 7, 2005. The Company filed its reply to PolyOne’s response on June 21, 2005, and the motion is pending.

In January 2004, the Kentucky State Cabinet notified the Company by letter that, due to its ownership of a closed landfill (known as Pond 4) at the manufacturing complex, the Company would be required to submit a post-closure permit application under RCRA. This could require the Company to bear the responsibility and cost of performing remediation work at Pond 4 and solid waste management units and areas of concern located on property adjacent to Pond 4 that is owned by the Company. The Company acquired Pond 4 from Goodrich in 1997 as part of the acquisition of other facilities. Under the 1997 contract, the Company has the right to reconvey title to Pond 4 back to Goodrich, which the Company has tendered. On March 21, 2005, the Company filed suit against Goodrich in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky to require Goodrich to accept the tendered reconveyance and to indemnify the Company for its costs incurred in connection with Pond 4. On May 20, 2005, Goodrich filed a motion to dismiss portions of the Company’s complaint. On June 27, 2005, the Company filed a response in opposition to Goodrich’s motion to dismiss, and Goodrich filed its reply on July 18, 2005. In addition, on June 6, 2005, Goodrich filed a third-party complaint against PolyOne, seeking to hold PolyOne responsible for any of Goodrich’s Pond 4 liabilities to the Company. PolyOne moved to dismiss Goodrich’s third-party complaint on August 30, 2005. Goodrich responded to PolyOne’s motion on October 7, 2005, and

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

PolyOne filed its reply on October 21, 2005. Finally, the Company filed a motion for partial summary judgment on Goodrich’s liability for the Company’s costs incurred in connection with Pond 4 on August 9, 2005. Goodrich responded to the Company’s motion on September 6, 2005, and the Company replied on September 27, 2005. The motion is now pending.

The Company has also filed an appeal with the Kentucky State Cabinet regarding its January 2004 letter. Goodrich and PolyOne have both filed motions to intervene in this appeal. On July 1, 2004, the Company notified the Kentucky State Cabinet that the Company would prefer to conduct a clean-closure equivalency determination, or CCED, of Pond 4 rather than pursue a post-closure care RCRA permit. The proposal to conduct the CCED was rejected by the Kentucky State Cabinet. By letter dated, December 21, 2004, the Kentucky State Cabinet directed the Company to file a post-closure permit application for Pond 4. On February 23, 2005, the Company filed a motion for stay of the order requiring the Company to file the permit application. On February 18, 2005, the Company also sent a letter to the Kentucky State Cabinet demanding that it enforce the Goodrich RCRA permit against Goodrich since the RCRA permit requires Goodrich to address Pond 4. By letter dated, September 25, 2006, the Kentucky State Cabinet has indicated that the permit application will be due on March 19, 2007.

Monetary Relief. None of the parties involved in the proceedings relating to the disputes with Goodrich and PolyOne and the Kentucky State Cabinet described above has formally quantified the amount of monetary relief that they are seeking from the Company, nor has the court or the Kentucky State Cabinet proposed or established an allocation of the costs of remediation among the various participants. Any monetary liabilities that the Company might incur with respect to the remediation of contamination at the manufacturing complex in Calvert City would likely be spread out over an extended period. While the Company has denied responsibility for any such remediation costs and is actively defending its position, the Company is not in a position at this time to state what effect, if any, these proceedings could have on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Environmental Investigations. In March and June 2002, the EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center, or NEIC, conducted an environmental investigation of the Company’s manufacturing complex in Calvert City consisting of the ethylene dichloride (“EDC”)/vinyl chloride monomer (“VCM”), ethylene and chlor-alkali plants. In May 2003, the Company received a report prepared by the NEIC summarizing the results of that investigation. Among other things, the NEIC concluded that the requirements of several regulatory provisions had not been met. The Company analyzed the NEIC report and identified areas where it believed that erroneous factual or legal conclusions, or both, may have been drawn by the NEIC. The Company held a number of discussions with the EPA concerning its conclusions. In February 2004, representatives of the EPA orally informed the Company that the agency proposed to assess monetary penalties against it and to require it to implement certain injunctive relief to ensure compliance. In addition, the EPA’s representatives informed the Company that the EPA, the NEIC and the Kentucky State Cabinet would conduct an inspection of its polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) facility in Calvert City, which is separate from the manufacturing complex and was not visited during the 2002 inspection. That additional inspection took place in late February 2004. The Company has not yet received a written report from the agencies regarding the actions that they propose to take in response to that visit. The EPA submitted to the Company an information request under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act and issued a Notice of Violation, both pertaining to the inspection of the EDC/VCM plant. The Notice of Violation does not propose any specific penalties. The EPA also issued to the Company information requests under Section 3007 of RCRA and Section 114 of the Clean Air Act regarding the PVC plant inspection. The Company and the EPA met in June 2004 and have continued to hold settlement discussions pursuant to which the EPA has indicated it will impose monetary penalties and will require plant modifications that will require capital expenditures. The Company expects that, based on the EPA’s past practices, the amount of any monetary penalties would be reduced by a percentage of the expenditures that the Company would agree to make for certain “supplemental environmental projects.” The Company is not in a position at this time to state what effect, if any, these proceedings could have on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the Company has recorded an accrual for a probable loss related to monetary penalties. Although the ultimate amount of liability is not ascertainable, the Company believes that any amounts exceeding the recorded accruals should not materially affect the Company’s financial condition. It is possible, however, that the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for a particular reporting period.

Legal Matters

In October 2003, the Company filed suit against CITGO Petroleum Corporation in state court in Lake Charles, Louisiana, asserting that CITGO had failed to take sufficient hydrogen under two successive contracts pursuant to which the

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Company has supplied and the Company supplies to CITGO hydrogen that the Company generates as a co-product in its ethylene plants in Lake Charles. In December 2003, CITGO responded with an answer and a counterclaim against the Company, asserting that CITGO had overpaid the Company for hydrogen due to the Company’s allegedly faulty sales meter and that the Company is obligated to reimburse CITGO for the overpayments. In January 2004, the Company filed a motion to compel arbitration of CITGO’s counterclaim and to stay all court proceedings relating to the counterclaim. In May 2004, the parties filed a joint motion with the court to provide for CITGO’s counterclaim to be resolved by arbitration. The Company’s claim against CITGO is approximately $8,100 plus interest at the prime rate plus two percentage points and attorneys’ fees. CITGO’s claim against the Company is approximately $7,800 plus interest at the prime rate plus two percentage points and attorneys’ fees. The parties held a mediation conference in April 2004 at which they agreed to conduct further discovery with a view towards holding another mediation conference to attempt to settle their disputes. Subsequently, the parties have held discussions regarding a settlement. The Company can offer no assurance that a settlement can be achieved, and if no settlement is achieved, the Company intends to vigorously pursue its claim against CITGO and its defense against CITGO’s counterclaim.

On March 30, 2006, Westlake Vinyls, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, received notice that Royal Polymers Limited (“Royal”), a customer, had commenced a lawsuit against it in the Superior Court of Justice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Royal was seeking a declaration that the 2004 vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) supply agreement between Royal, as buyer, and Westlake Vinyls, Inc., as seller, was void and unenforceable as a result of the elimination of a published industry price factor which comprises one factor of a multi-factor pricing formula. Sales to Royal accounted for 16% of the net sales of the Company’s Vinyls segment and 7% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2005. Westlake Vinyls, Inc. continued to supply VCM to Royal and Royal continued to take VCM, although the parties were not in agreement as to the price of the VCM. In March 2006, Royal began short-paying invoices for VCM purchased, which shortfall aggregated a total of $10,223 as of September 30, 2006, making payments at prices lower than those the Company believed were called for under the agreement (the reduced payments were retroactive to January 1, 2006). The Company deferred recognition of the amount withheld pending a resolution. On April 6, 2006, Westlake Vinyls, Inc. commenced a lawsuit against Royal in the same Ontario court seeking a declaration that the supply agreement was valid and binding, and an order requiring Royal to pay any shortfall amounts. A hearing at the court in Toronto on the parties’ claims against one another had been set for October 25, 2006. On October 4, 2006, the Company announced that it had reached a settlement with Georgia Gulf Corporation (“Georgia Gulf”), which acquired the parent company of Royal on October 3, 2006, to resolve the dispute. In connection with the settlement, Westlake Vinyls Inc. entered into a new agreement to supply VCM to Georgia Gulf, and the Company agreed to forgive the shortfall amount for the period from January 1, 2006 through October 3, 2006. As the Company had reserved for the amount withheld, there is no additional earnings impact as a result of the settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, the parties agreed to release their respective claims and dismiss the lawsuits pending in the Ontario court.

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

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

14. Segment Information

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

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Net sales to external customers

        

Olefins

        

Polyethylene

   $ 188,047     $ 188,864     $ 583,923     $ 526,449  

Ethylene, styrene and other

     173,478       142,364       465,971       498,836  
                                

Total olefins

     361,525       331,228       1,049,894       1,025,285  
                                

Vinyls

        

Fabricated finished goods

     162,947       153,818       485,235       425,136  

VCM, PVC and other

     147,945       120,345       425,334       354,245  
                                

Total vinyls

     310,892       274,163       910,569       779,381  
                                
   $ 672,417     $ 605,391     $ 1,960,463     $ 1,804,666  
                                

Intersegment sales

        

Olefins

   $ 40,827     $ 21,525     $ 118,877     $ 69,174  

Vinyls

     218       269       849       836  
                                
   $ 41,045     $ 21,794     $ 119,726     $ 70,010  
                                

Income (loss) from operations

        

Olefins

   $ 41,851     $ 45,086     $ 163,445     $ 139,502  

Vinyls

     48,944       28,850       147,606       121,482  

Corporate and other

     (3,784 )     (3,874 )     (6,308 )     (6,451 )
                                
   $ 87,011     $ 70,062     $ 304,743     $ 254,533  
                                

Depreciation and amortization

        

Olefins

   $ 12,293     $ 9,767     $ 35,872     $ 34,699  

Vinyls

     8,747       9,320       26,005       25,918  

Corporate and other

     38       18       97       32  
                                
   $ 21,078     $ 19,105     $ 61,974     $ 60,649  
                                

Other income (expense), net

        

Olefins

   $ —       $ (67 )   $ (1 )   $ (1,996 )

Vinyls

     71       (188 )     156       276  

Corporate and other

     3,197       1,143       8,502       2,042  
                                
     3,268       888       8,657       322  

Debt retirement cost

     —         —         (25,853 )     (646 )
                                
   $ 3,268     $ 888     $ (17,196 )   $ (324 )
                                

Capital expenditures

        

Olefins

   $ 30,371     $ 10,079     $ 72,440     $ 26,691  

Vinyls

     7,283       5,936       27,707       32,194  

Corporate and other

     118       625       512       1,847  
                                
   $ 37,772     $ 16,640     $ 100,659     $ 60,732  
                                

 

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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

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

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Income from operations

   $ 87,011     $ 70,062     $ 304,743     $ 254,533  

Interest expense

     (3,432 )     (5,834 )     (13,356 )     (17,867 )

Debt retirement cost

     —         —         (25,853 )     (646 )

Other income, net

     3,268       888       8,657       322  
                                

Income before taxes

   $ 86,847     $ 65,116     $ 274,191     $ 236,342  
                                

 

     September 30,
2006
   December 31,
2005

Total Assets

     

Olefins

   $ 1,030,287    $ 961,742

Vinyls

     588,230      573,709

Corporate and other

     353,585      291,738
             
   $ 1,972,102    $ 1,827,189
             

15. Comprehensive Income Information

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Net income

   $ 61,656    $ 43,526    $ 180,162    $ 153,195

Other comprehensive income (loss):

           

Change in foreign currency translation

     234      1,427      1,136      1,087
                           

Comprehensive income

   $ 61,890    $ 44,953    $ 181,298    $ 154,282
                           

16. Long-Term Debt

Long-term indebtedness consists of the following:

 

     September 30,
2006
   December 31,
2005
 

6 5/8% Senior notes due 2016

   $ 249,246    $ —    

8 3/4% Senior notes due 2011

     —        247,000  

Term loan

     —        9,000  

Loan related to tax-exempt revenue bonds

     10,889      10,889  
               

Total debt

     260,135      266,889  

Less: current portion

     —        (1,200 )
               

Long-term debt

   $ 260,135    $ 265,689  
               

In the first quarter of 2006, the Company issued $250,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016, the proceeds of which, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem all of the Company’s 8 3/4% senior notes due 2011 and repay the Company’s term loan. The 6 5/8 % senior notes were issued with an original issue discount of $815. As a result of the early redemption of the 8 3/4 % senior notes and the repayment of the term loan, the Company recognized $25,853 of debt retirement costs in the first quarter of 2006 consisting of a pre-payment premium on the 8 3/4% senior notes of $22,230 and a write-off of $3,623 in previously capitalized debt issuance cost. The issuance of the 6 5/8% senior notes resulted in the capitalization of $4,328 related to debt issuance cost.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

17. Subsequent Events

On October 9, 2006, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Eastman Chemical Company’s polyethylene and Epolene® polymers businesses, related assets and a 200 mile, 10 inch pipeline from Mont Belvieu, Texas to Longview, Texas, all of which are headquartered in Longview, Texas. The purchase price is $255,000 in cash, which includes working capital, and is subject to working capital adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to standard closing conditions including regulatory review. The business and assets to be acquired in this transaction generated approximately $680,000 in revenue during 2005. The Company’s management believes that the acquisition of these facilities will further strengthen the Company’s position in the North American polyethylene market and will increase its ability to provide an improved overall product mix and new technology.

18. Guarantor Disclosures

The Company’s payment obligations under its 6 5/8% senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of its current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee other debt of the Company or of another guarantor of the 6 5/8% senior notes in excess of $5,000 (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Each Guarantor Subsidiary is 100% owned by the parent company. These guarantees are the joint and several obligations of the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The following unaudited condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Westlake Chemical Corporation, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the remaining subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”), together with consolidating adjustments necessary to present the Company’s results on a consolidated basis.

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information as of September 30, 2006

 

    

Westlake

Chemical

Corporation

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated

Balance Sheet

          

Current assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 190,117     $ 99     $ 12,608     $ —       $ 202,824

Short-term investments

     100,275       —         —         —         100,275

Accounts receivable, net

     (101,842 )     322,199       (3,472 )     118,178       335,063

Inventories, net

     —         306,260       6,668       —         312,928

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     10       9,229       273       —         9,512

Deferred income taxes

     12,398       —         642       —         13,040
                                      

Total current assets

     200,958       637,787       16,719       118,178       973,642

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —         898,106       11,427       (1 )     909,532

Equity investment

     1,461,356       15,300       26,347       (1,476,656 )     26,347

Other assets, net

     43,278       49,637       5,694       (36,028 )     62,581
                                      

Total assets

   $ 1,705,592     $ 1,600,830     $ 60,187     $ (1,394,507 )   $ 1,972,102
                                      

Current liabilities

          

Accounts payable

   $ 18,036     $ 125,494     $ 1,502     $ 1     $ 145,033

Accrued liabilities

     17,333       106,237       1,381       (31 )     124,920
                                      

Total current liabilities

     35,369       231,731       2,883       (30 )     269,953

Long-term debt

     249,246       (76,238 )     4,949       82,178       260,135

Deferred income taxes

     228,883       —         1,874       —         230,757

Other liabilities

     19,793       19,165       —         (2 )     38,956

Stockholders’ equity

     1,172,301       1,426,172       50,481       (1,476,653 )     1,172,301
                                      

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,705,592     $ 1,600,830     $ 60,187     $ (1,394,507 )   $ 1,972,102
                                      

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information as of December 31, 2005

 

    

Westlake

Chemical

Corporation

  

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

  

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated

Balance Sheet

            

Current assets

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 231,957    $ 151    $ 5,787     $ —       $ 237,895

Accounts receivable, net

     60,697      290,749      98       (48,765 )     302,779

Inventories, net

     —        331,867      8,003       —         339,870

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     10      9,007      289       —         9,306

Deferred income taxes

     12,398      —        615       —         13,013
                                    

Total current assets

     305,062      631,774      14,792       (48,765 )     902,863

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        850,280      12,952       —         863,232

Equity investment

     1,163,403      15,300      20,042       (1,178,703 )     20,042

Other assets, net

     43,235      28,017      5,830       (36,030 )     41,052
                                    

Total assets

   $ 1,511,700    $ 1,525,371    $ 53,616     $ (1,263,498 )   $ 1,827,189
                                    

Current liabilities

            

Accounts payable

   $ 18,705    $ 181,093    $ (21 )   $ —       $ 199,777

Accrued liabilities

     4,509      99,042      1,266       55       104,872

Current portion of long-term debt

     1,200      —        —         —         1,200
                                    

Total current liabilities

     24,414      280,135      1,245       55       305,849

Long-term debt

     254,800      90,597      5,142       (84,850 )     265,689

Deferred income taxes

     219,802      —        1,286       —         221,088

Other liabilities

     18,578      21,880      —         (1 )     40,457

Stockholders’ equity

     994,106      1,132,759      45,943       (1,178,702 )     994,106
                                    

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,511,700    $ 1,525,371    $ 53,616     $ (1,263,498 )   $ 1,827,189
                                    

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

    

Westlake

Chemical

Corporation

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   Eliminations     Consolidated  

Statement of Operations

           

Net sales

   $ —       $ 660,684     $ 13,897    $ (2,164 )   $ 672,417  

Cost of sales

     —         553,552       11,853      (2,164 )     563,241  
                                       

Gross profit

     —         107,132       2,044      —         109,176  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     346       20,650       1,169      —         22,165  
                                       

Income (loss) from operations

     (346 )     86,482       875      —         87,011  

Interest expense

     (437 )     (2,995 )     —        —         (3,432 )

Other income (expense), net

     60,821       161       818      (58,532 )     3,268  
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

     60,038       83,648       1,693      (58,532 )     86,847  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (1,618 )     26,665       144      —         25,191  
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 61,656     $ 56,983     $ 1,549    $ (58,532 )   $ 61,656  
                                       

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

    

Westlake

Chemical

Corporation

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   Eliminations     Consolidated  

Statement of Operations

           

Net sales

   $ —       $ 596,839     $ 12,194    $ (3,642 )   $ 605,391  

Cost of sales

     —         508,999       10,770      (3,642 )     516,127  
                                       

Gross profit

     —         87,840       1,424      —         89,264  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     313       18,119       770      —         19,202  
                                       

Income (loss) from operations

     (313 )     69,721       654      —         70,062  

Interest expense

     (727 )     (5,107 )     —        —         (5,834 )

Other income (expense), net

     44,454       12       148      (43,726 )     888  
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

     43,414       64,626       802      (43,726 )     65,116  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (112 )     21,429       273      —         21,590  
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 43,526     $ 43,197     $ 529    $ (43,726 )   $ 43,526  
                                       

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

     Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   Eliminations     Consolidated  

Statement of Operations

           

Net sales

   $ —       $ 1,930,503     $ 37,820    $ (7,860 )   $ 1,960,463  

Cost of sales

     —         1,569,676       33,201      (7,860 )     1,595,017  
                                       

Gross profit

     —         360,827       4,619      —         365,446  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,054       56,780       2,869      —         60,703  
                                       

Income (loss) from operations

     (1,054 )     304,047       1,750      —         304,743  

Interest expense

     (1,893 )     (11,463 )     —        —         (13,356 )

Other income (expense), net

     173,832       561       2,208      (193,797 )     (17,196 )
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

     170,885       293,145       3,958      (193,797 )     274,191  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (9,277 )     102,597       709      —         94,029  
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 180,162     $ 190,548     $ 3,249    $ (193,797 )   $ 180,162  
                                       

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

     Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   Eliminations     Consolidated  

Statement of Operations

           

Net sales

   $ —       $ 1,783,798     $ 31,005    $ (10,137 )   $ 1,804,666  

Cost of sales

     —         1,479,412       26,864      (10,137 )     1,496,139  
                                       

Gross profit

     —         304,386       4,141      —         308,527  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,537       50,144       2,313      —         53,994  
                                       

Income (loss) from operations

     (1,537 )     254,242       1,828      —         254,533  

Interest expense

     (2,036 )     (15,831 )     —        —         (17,867 )

Other income (expense), net

     155,760       (1,138 )     51      (154,997 )     (324 )
                                       

Income (loss) before income taxes

     152,187       237,273       1,879      (154,997 )     236,342  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     (1,008 )     83,481       674      —         83,147  
                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 153,195     $ 153,792     $ 1,205    $ (154,997 )   $ 153,195  
                                       

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

    

Westlake

Chemical

Corporation

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Statement of Cash Flows

          

Net income (loss)

   $ 180,162     $ 190,548     $ 3,249     $ (193,797 )   $ 180,162  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

          

Depreciation and amortization

     661       59,443       2,531       —         62,635  

Provision for bad debts

     —         686       —         —         686  

Gain from disposition of fixed assets

     —         2,346       —         —         2,346  

Deferred tax expense

     9,082       —         535       —         9,617  

Equity in income of joint venture

     —         —         (1,731 )     —         (1,731 )

Write-off of debt issuance costs

     —         3,623       —         —         3,623  

Net changes in working capital and other

     (278,452 )     32,745       8,440       193,797       (43,470 )
                                        

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     (88,547 )     289,391       13,024       —         213,868  

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     —         (98,989 )     (1,670 )     —         (100,659 )

Additions to equity investment

     —         —         (4,574 )     —         (4,574 )

Purchase of short-term investments

     (134,625 )     —         —         —         (134,625 )

Sales and maturities of short-term investments

     34,350       —         —         —         34,350  

Settlements of futures contracts

     —         (27,520 )     —         —         (27,520 )

Other

     —         20       —         —         20  
                                        

Net cash used for investing activities

     (100,275 )     (126,489 )     (6,244 )     —         (233,008 )

Intercompany financing

     162,913       (162,954 )     41       —         —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,404       —         —         —         1,404  

Dividends paid

     (6,192 )     —         —         —         (6,192 )

Proceeds from borrowings

     249,185       —         —         —         249,185  

Repayments of borrowings

     (256,000 )     —         —         —         (256,000 )

Capitalized debt issuance costs

     (4,328 )     —         —         —         (4,328 )
                                        

Net cash used for (provided by) financing activities

     146,982       (162,954 )     41       —         (15,931 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (41,840 )     (52 )     6,821       —         (35,071 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     231,957       151       5,787       —         237,895  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 190,117     $ 99     $ 12,608     $ —       $ 202,824  
                                        

 

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Table of Contents

WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

     Westlake
Chemical
Corporation
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Statement of Cash Flows

          

Net income (loss)

   $ 153,195     $ 153,792     $ 1,205     $ (154,997 )   $ 153,195  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

          

Depreciation and amortization

     1,100       58,719       1,930       —         61,749  

Recovery of bad debts

     —         (2,586 )     18       —         (2,568 )

Loss from disposition of fixed assets

     —         1,773       21       —         1,794  

Deferred tax expense

     (1,008 )     31,532       3       —         30,527  

Equity in loss of joint venture

     —         —         267       —         267  

Write off of debt issuance costs

     646       —         —         —         646  

Net changes in working capital and other

     (220,458 )     (7,600 )     2,577       154,997       (70,484 )
                                        

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     (66,525 )     235,630       6,021       —         175,126  

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     —         (57,686 )     (3,046 )     —         (60,732 )

Other

     —         43       —         —         43  
                                        

Net cash used for investing activities

     —         (57,643 )     (3,046 )     —         (60,689 )

Intercompany financing

     178,030       (177,882 )     (148 )     —         —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     966       —         —         —         966  

Dividends paid

     (4,551 )     —         —         —         (4,551 )

Proceeds from borrowings

           —      

Repayments of borrowings

     (30,900 )     —         —         —         (30,900 )
                                        

Net cash used for (provided by) financing activities

     143,545       (177,882 )     (148 )     —         (34,485 )

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     77,020       105       2,827       —         79,952  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     39,312       70       4,014       —         43,396  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 116,332     $ 175     $ 6,841     $ —       $ 123,348  
                                        

 

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Table of Contents

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

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with information contained in the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Westlake Chemical Corporation and the notes thereto and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation included in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Please read “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of limitations inherent in such statements.

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

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On April 18, 2006, we announced that we had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to develop an ethane-based ethylene, polyethylene and other derivatives project in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Government of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has expressed an interest in becoming a minority equity partner in the project. As currently envisioned, the project would use 37,500 barrels per day of ethane to produce 570,000 metric tons (1.25 billion pounds) per year of ethylene, which would in turn be used to produce polyethylene and other derivative products. The project could be expanded in the future as more ethane becomes available. The capital cost is initially estimated to be approximately $1.5 billion. The size, scope, and cost of the project are subject to further definition in connection with a detailed feasibility study that we are currently performing. It is expected that the project will be financed through a project financing arrangement. The preliminary project schedule contemplates that construction would start in late 2007 and that the project would start operations in late 2010.

In early September 2006, we encountered mechanical problems with a compressor and related equipment at one of our ethylene units in Lake Charles, Louisiana, resulting in an unscheduled shutdown of that unit. While the unit was down, we completed a maintenance turnaround of that unit that was scheduled for late 2006 or early 2007. During the unit’s shut-down, we also completed portions of our previously announced project to upgrade the feedstock flexibility at our ethylene plant, which is expected to reduce energy costs and provide for additional ethylene capacity. The unit was successfully restarted in late October and resumed full production. We expect to incur approximately $3.0 million in maintenance expense and $25 million to $30 million in turnaround costs which will be capitalized.

On October 4, 2006 we announced that we had concluded an agreement with Georgia Gulf Corporation to supply them vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). This new agreement replaces a prior contract we had with a subsidiary of Royal Group Technologies Ltd. (Royal), which Georgia Gulf recently acquired. The new agreement also terminates litigation pending in court in Toronto, Ontario, that arose in March 2006 between us and Royal regarding the prior contract. See the discussion regarding the dispute settlement in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

On October 9, 2006, one of our subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Eastman Chemical Company’s polyethylene and Epolene® polymers businesses, related assets and a 200 mile, 10 inch pipeline from Mont Belvieu, Texas to Longview, Texas, all of which are headquartered in Longview, Texas. The purchase price is $255.0 million in cash, which includes working capital, and is subject to working capital adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to standard closing conditions including regulatory review. The business and assets to be acquired in this transaction generated approximately $680 million in revenue during 2005. The polyethylene business and associated operating facilities have a capacity of 1,125 million pounds per year of polyethylene. This capacity is comprised of 700 million pounds per year of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and 425 million pounds of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). After the closing of the transaction, our total polyethylene capacity will be in excess of 2.5 billion pounds per year. We will also acquire technology for the production of specialty polyolefin polymers including: acrylate co-polymers; Epolene® polymers for the adhesives, coatings and other consumer products markets; and Energx technology for LLDPE, which is designed to provide enhanced strength and performance properties. We believe that the acquisition of these assets is an excellent strategic fit and will further strengthen our position in the North American polyethylene market and increase our ability to provide an improved overall product mix and new technology.

 

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Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Selected Financial and Operating Data

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  
     (in millions of dollars, except per share data)  

Net sales to external customers

        

Olefins

        

Polyethylene

   $ 188.0     $ 188.9     $ 583.9     $ 526.5  

Ethylene, styrene and other

     173.5       142.3       466.0       498.8  
                                

Total olefins

     361.5       331.2       1,049.9       1,025.3  

Vinyls

        

Fabricated finished goods

     163.0       153.8       485.3       425.1  

VCM, PVC and other

     147.9       120.4       425.3       354.3  
                                

Total vinyls

     310.9       274.2       910.6       779.4  
                                
   $ 672.4     $ 605.4     $ 1,960.5     $ 1,804.7  
                                

Income (loss) from operations

        

Olefins

   $ 41.9     $ 45.1     $ 163.4     $ 139.5  

Vinyls

     48.9       28.9       147.6       121.5  

Corporate and other

     (3.8 )     (3.9 )     (6.3 )     (6.5 )
                                

Total income from operations

     87.0       70.1       304.7       254.5  

Interest expense

     (3.4 )     (5.8 )     (13.3 )     (17.9 )

Debt retirement cost

         (25.9 )     (0.6 )

Other income, net

     3.3       0.8       8.7       0.3  

Provision for income taxes

     (25.2 )     (21.6 )     (94.0 )     (83.1 )
                                

Net income

   $ 61.7     $ 43.5     $ 180.2     $ 153.2  
                                

Earnings per share (diluted)

     0.95       0.67       2.76       2.35  
                                

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     Average Sales
Price
    Volume     Average Sales
Price
    Volume  

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

        

Olefins (1)

   +19.8 %   -11.3 %   +17.3 %   -7.9 %

Vinyls (2)

   +11.4 %   +1.8 %   +13.2 %   +3.2 %

Company average

   +15.7 %   -5.3 %   +15.1 %   -2.7 %

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

 

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Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Average industry prices (1)

           

Ethane (cents/lb)

   25.5    23.1    22.5    19.4

Propane (cents/lb)

   26.0    22.9    24.4    20.4

Ethylene (cents/lb) (2)

   50.7    41.2    49.2    40.3

Low density polyethylene (cents/lb) (3)

   78.7    65.2    76.6    65.1

Linear low density polyethylene (cents/lb) (4)

   70.7    57.2    68.6    57.1

Styrene (cents/lb) (5)

   70.1    60.3    64.1    62.1

Caustic ($/short ton) (6)

   361.7    390.0    393.1    372.3

Chlorine ($/short ton) (7)

   332.5    350.0    332.5    343.3

VCM (cents/lb) (8)

   43.9    38.6    43.4    38.2

PVC (cents/lb) (9)

   61.3    53.2    61.4    53.7

(1) Industry pricing data was obtained through the Chemical Market Associates, Inc., or CMAI. We have not independently verified the data.
(2) Represents average North American spot prices of ethylene over the period as reported by CMAI.
(3) Represents average North American contract prices of LDPE general purpose film over the period as reported by CMAI.
(4) Represents average North American contract prices of LLDPE butene film over the period as reported by CMAI.
(5) Represents average North American spot prices of styrene over the period as reported by CMAI.
(6) Represents average North American spot prices of caustic soda (diaphragm grade) over the period as reported by CMAI.
(7) Represents average North American contract prices of chlorine (into chemicals) over the period as reported by CMAI.
(8) Represents North American contract prices of VCM over the period as reported by CMAI.
(9) Represents North American contract prices of PVC over the period as reported by CMAI.

Overview

We earned net income of $61.7 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 41.8% from the third quarter of 2005 net income of $43.5 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. Income from operations was $87.0 million on net sales of $672.4 million for the third quarter of 2006. This compares favorably with third-quarter 2005 income from operations of $70.1 million on net sales of $605.4 million. The improvement in income from operations was primarily the result of increased selling prices, which outpaced higher feedstock costs, and improved feedstock trading results. The improvement in income from operations was partially offset by lower production volumes and higher maintenance expense due to an unscheduled outage at one of our ethylene units at Lake Charles, Louisiana. Sales increased $67.0 million, or 11.1%, over the third quarter of 2005. In addition, our income from operations margin increased to 12.9% in the third quarter of 2006 from 11.6% in the third quarter of 2005.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, net income was $180.2 million, or $2.76 per diluted share, which included an after-tax charge of $16.3 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, related to debt retirement costs incurred in the first quarter of 2006. For the first nine months of 2005, net income was $153.2 million and earnings per share was $2.35 per diluted share. Net sales increased $155.8 million, or 8.6%, to $1,960.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from the $1,804.7 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Income from operations was $304.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to $254.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The year to date increases were primarily due to higher selling prices, which outpaced higher feedstock and natural gas costs, and improved feedstock trading results. These increases were partially offset by lower production volumes and higher maintenance expense due to a maintenance turnaround at our facility in Calvert City, Kentucky and the unscheduled outage at one of our ethylene units at Lake Charles, Louisiana. Year to date net income for 2006 also benefited from lower interest expense resulting from lower interest rates due to the refinancing completed in the first quarter of 2006. Additionally, net income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 benefited from adjustments to deferred income taxes and ETI, which reduced income tax expense and increased net income by $3.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share.

Third Quarter 2006 Compared with Third Quarter 2005

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $67.0 million to $672.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $605.4 million in the third quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to price increases for all of our major products and higher sales volumes for styrene and PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for ethylene, polyethylene, PVC pipe and VCM. Higher selling prices largely resulted from higher raw material costs that were passed through to our customers. The decreased sales volumes for polyethylene, PVC pipe and VCM were primarily due to lower demand. Demand for many of our products typically declines when prices are falling as prices did in the latter half of the third quarter of 2006 as customers draw

 

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down their own inventories until prices stabilize. Merchant ethylene sales volumes were also lower primarily due to the unscheduled outage at our Lake Charles ethylene facility. PVC resin sales volumes increased due to the supply of additional volumes from our Geismar, Louisiana facility.

Gross Margin. Gross margin percentage increased to 16.2% in the third quarter of 2006 from 14.7% in the third quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to price increases for most of our major products and higher sales volumes for styrene and PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by higher raw material costs for ethane and propane and the negative impact of the unscheduled outage at our Lake Charles ethylene unit. Our raw material costs in both segments normally track industry prices, which experienced an increase of 10.2% for ethane and 13.6% for propane as compared to the third quarter of 2005. Our third quarter raw material costs benefited from improved feedstock related trading results (see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements).

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.0 million, or 15.4%, in the third quarter of 2006 as compared to the third quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily due to the settlement in the third quarter of 2005 pursuant to which Goodrich paid the Company $3.1 million, including interest, in settlement of past due amounts. This reimbursement resulted in a reduction of $2.6 million in selling, general and administrative expense in the third quarter of 2005 (see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements).

Interest Expense. Interest expense in the third quarter of 2006 decreased by $2.4 million to $3.4 million from $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2005 primarily due to lower average interest rates and decreased borrowings. Average interest rates were lower due to the refinancing completed in the first quarter of 2006.

Other Income, Net. Other income increased by $2.5 million to $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2005 primarily due to higher interest income associated with higher cash balances and higher interest rates and increased equity in income from our joint venture in China.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 29.0% in the third quarter of 2006 as compared to 33.2% in the third quarter of 2005. The effective rate is below the statutory rate primarily due to adjustments to deferred income taxes and ETI, which reduced income tax expense by $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2006. The rate for the third quarter of 2005 was also below the statutory rate primarily due to a $2.3 million adjustment to deferred taxes in that period.

Olefins Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $30.3 million, or 9.1%, to $361.5 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $331.2 million in the third quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to price increases for all major products and increased sales volumes for styrene. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for ethylene and polyethylene. Average selling prices for the Olefins segment increased by 19.8% in the third quarter of 2006 as compared to the third quarter of 2005. Higher selling prices were primarily the result of higher raw material costs that were passed through to customers. Ethylene production, and as a consequence ethylene sales, were lower due to the unscheduled outage at our Lake Charles ethylene facility, and polyethylene sales volumes decreased due to lower demand. As mentioned above, our customers will typically draw down their own inventories in periods of declining prices, which was the case in the latter half of the third quarter of 2006.

Income from Operations. Income from operations decreased by $3.2 million, or 7.1%, to $41.9 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $45.1 million in the third quarter of 2005. This decrease was primarily due to a 11.3% decrease in sales volumes for all of our Olefins products and the negative impact of the unscheduled outage at our Lake Charles ethylene unit. The unplanned outage resulted in higher maintenance costs and lower fixed cost absorption which lowered overall segment margins.

Vinyls Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $36.7 million, or 13.4%, to $310.9 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $274.2 million in the third quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to higher selling prices for most of our Vinyls products and higher sales volumes of PVC resin. Average selling prices for the Vinyls segment increased by 11.4% in the third quarter of 2006 as compared to the third quarter of 2005. We were able to pass along to customers the increase in propane prices that occurred during the third quarter, and as a result, sales prices for the segment were higher. PVC resin sales volumes increased largely due to additional volumes from the Geismar facility. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for PVC pipe and VCM. PVC pipe sales volumes were higher in the third quarter of 2005 as customers were buying large volumes before and after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the U.S. Gulf Coast. This phenomenon did not reoccur in the third quarter of 2006. VCM sales volumes were down due to lower demand.

 

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Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $20.0 million, or 69.2%, to $48.9 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $28.9 million in the third quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to overall higher selling prices and higher sales volumes for PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for PVC pipe, as explained above, and VCM as well as increased raw material costs.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $155.8 million to $1,960.5 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $1,804.7 million in the first nine months of 2005. This increase was primarily due to price increases for most of our major products and higher sales volumes for PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for ethylene, polyethylene, PVC pipe and VCM. Higher selling prices largely resulted from higher raw material costs that were passed through to our customers. Merchant ethylene sales volumes were lower due to the increase in internal ethylene consumption at our Geismar facility. PVC resin sales volumes increased primarily due to the supply of additional volumes from our Geismar facility.

Gross Margin. Gross margin percentage increased to 18.6% in the first nine months of 2006 from 17.1% in the first nine months of 2005. This increase was primarily due to price increases for most of our major products and higher sales volumes for PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for ethylene, polyethylene, PVC pipe and VCM, higher raw material costs of ethane and propane and lower production volumes and higher maintenance expense due to the unscheduled outage at our Lake Charles ethylene unit and the maintenance turnaround at Calvert City. Our raw material costs in both segments normally track industry prices, which experienced an increase of 15.7% for ethane and 19.9% for propane as compared to the first nine months of 2005. Our raw material costs benefited from improved feedstock related trading results (see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements).

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.7 million, or 12.4%, in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to the first nine months of 2005. The increase was primarily due to higher professional fees, the Goodrich settlement in 2005 (see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements), increased headcount, increased variable compensation and higher sales commissions.

Interest Expense. Interest expense in the first nine months of 2006 decreased by $4.6 million to $13.3 million from $17.9 million in the first nine months of 2005. Average interest rates were lower in the first nine months of 2006 due to the issuance of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% senior notes on January 13, 2006 and the redemption of the $247.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 3/4% senior notes in February 2006. Average debt balances were also lower during the first nine months of 2006.

Debt Retirement Cost. As a result of the redemption of $247.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 3/4% senior notes due July 15, 2011 and the repayment of $9.0 million of our term loan, we recognized $25.9 million in non-operating expense in the first quarter of 2006, consisting of a pre-payment premium on our 8 3/4% senior notes of $22.2 million and a write-off of $3.7 million in previously capitalized debt issuance cost. We recognized $0.6 million in non-operating expense in the first quarter of 2005 resulting from a write-off in previously capitalized debt issuance cost in connection with the repayment of $30.0 million of our term loan.

Other Income, Net. Other income increased by $8.4 million to $8.7 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $0.3 million in the first nine months of 2005 primarily due to higher interest income associated with higher cash balances and higher interest rates and increased equity in income from our joint venture in China.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 34.3% in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to 35.2% in the first nine months of 2005. The current year rate is below the statutory rate primarily due to adjustments to deferred income taxes and ETI, which reduced income tax expense by $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2006. Excluding these adjustments, the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2006 would have been 35.6%. The 2005 rate also includes an adjustment to deferred tax of $2.3 million. Excluding this adjustment, the rate for the first nine months of 2005 would have been 36.1%. The adjusted effective tax rates for 2006 and 2005 are higher than the statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and reflects a tax benefit of approximately 1.0% related to the domestic manufacturing deduction.

Olefins Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $24.6 million, or 2.4%, to $1,049.9 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $1,025.3 million in the first nine months of 2005. This increase was primarily due to higher sales prices throughout the Olefins segment, which were partially offset by lower sales volumes for most products. Average selling prices for the Olefins segment increased by 17.3% in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to the first nine months of 2005. Higher selling prices were primarily the result of our ability to pass along higher raw material costs to our customers. Overall sales volumes for the Olefins segment decreased 7.9% due to an increase in the internal requirements for ethylene at our Geismar facility (which is part of our Vinyls segment) and due to lower demand for some of our Olefins products as explained earlier.

 

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Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $23.9 million, or 17.1%, to $163.4 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $139.5 million in the first nine months of 2005. This increase was primarily due to price increases throughout the Olefins segment which resulted in higher profit margins for polyethylene and ethylene, despite higher raw material costs for ethane and propane. This increase was partially offset by lower sales volumes and higher expenses related to the unscheduled outage and maintenance turnaround at one of our Lake Charles ethylene units. The year to date results also benefited from improved feedstock trading results.

Vinyls Segment

Net Sales. Net sales increased by $131.2 million, or 16.8%, to $910.6 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $779.4 million in the first nine months of 2005. This increase was primarily due to higher selling prices for all of our major Vinyls products and higher sales volumes of PVC resin. Average selling prices for the Vinyls segment increased by 13.2% in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to the first nine months of 2005. We were able to pass along the increase in propane prices and as a result had higher sales prices for the segment. Overall, the Vinyls segment sales volumes increased 3.2% compared to the first nine months of 2005 as a result of higher PVC resin sales which more than offset the decline in VCM, PVC pipe and PVC fabricated product sales volumes. PVC resin sales volumes increased primarily due to additional volumes from the Geismar facility. PVC pipe sales volumes were higher in the third quarter of 2005 as customers were buying large volumes before and after the two major hurricanes that hit the U.S. Gulf Coast. This phenomenon did not reoccur in the third quarter of 2006. VCM sales volumes were down due to lower demand.

Income from Operations. Income from operations increased by $26.1 million, or 21.5%, to $147.6 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $121.5 million in the first nine months of 2005. This increase was primarily due to higher selling prices for most of our Vinyls products and higher sales volumes for PVC resin. These increases were partially offset by higher raw material costs, lower production volumes and higher maintenance expense related to the planned maintenance turnaround at our Calvert City facility that occurred in May 2006.

 

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CASH FLOW DISCUSSION FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Operating activities provided cash of $213.9 million in the first nine months of 2006 compared to $175.1 million in the same period in 2005. The $38.8 million increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to improvements in net income and favorable changes in working capital, which were partially offset by debt retirement costs of $25.9 million, turnaround costs of $26.7 million and unscheduled maintenance expense of $3.1 million. Changes in components of working capital, which we define for purposes of this cash flow discussion as accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expense and other current assets less accounts payable and accrued liabilities, used cash of $18.8 million in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $63.8 million of cash used in the first nine months of 2005. This change represents a decrease in cash use of $45.0 million. In the first nine months of 2006, accounts receivable increased by $33.0 million largely due to higher sales prices, and in some cases higher volumes, while inventory decreased by $26.9 million. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (excluding those accruals that are included in the section “Cash flows from investing activities”) decreased by $12.5 million during the first nine months of 2006 primarily due to lower feedstock purchases as a result of the unscheduled outage at our Lake Charles ethylene unit.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities during the first nine months of 2006 was $233.0 million as compared to $60.7 million in the first nine months of 2005. Capital expenditures were $100.7 million in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to $60.7 million in the first nine months of 2005. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to a project designed to upgrade the feedstock flexibility in our ethylene plant and a project to expand our ethylene capacity. The remaining capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2006 primarily related to maintenance, safety and environmental projects. The capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2005 primarily related to maintenance, safety and environmental projects. The additions to equity investments of $4.6 million in the first nine months of 2006 relate to the additional equity interest purchased in Suzhou Huasu Plastics Co. Ltd., our joint venture in China, as discussed previously. We also invested $100.3 million in auction rate securities during the third quarter of 2006 as part of our cash investment strategy. In addition, almost all of the cash settlement of derivative instruments in the first nine months of 2006 related to derivative losses recognized in 2005.

Financing Activities

Net cash used by financing activities during the first nine months of 2006 was $15.9 million as compared to $34.5 million in the first nine months of 2005. During the first nine months of 2006, we received proceeds from new debt of $249.2 million, which was offset as we repaid debt of $256.0 million and paid dividends of $6.2 million. We also incurred $4.3 million in costs associated with the refinancing that were capitalized and that will be amortized over the term of the new debt. During the first nine months of 2005 we used $30.9 million to repay debt and $4.6 million to pay dividends.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Financing Arrangements

Our principal sources of liquidity are from cash and cash equivalents, cash from operations, short-term borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility and access to and availability of long-term financing.

Cash and Short-term investments

Cash balances and short-term investments totaled $303.1 million at September 30, 2006 compared to $237.9 million of cash balances at December 31, 2005. There were no short-term investments at December 31, 2005. On October 9, 2006, one of our subsidiaries entered into an agreement to purchase Eastman Chemical Company’s polyethylene and Epolene® polymers businesses and related assets for $255.0 million in cash, subject to adjustment. The transaction is expected to close in 2006. We believe the September 30, 2006 cash and short-term investment levels are adequate to fund our short-term cash requirements.

Debt

Our present debt structure is used to fund our business operations, and our revolving credit facility is a source of liquidity. On January 6, 2006, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the commitment from $200.0 million to $300.0 million and generally reduce the interest payable. After the amendment, effective January 6, 2006, any borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at either LIBOR plus 1.00% or prime rate minus 0.50%. The revolving credit facility also requires an unused commitment fee of 0.25%. All rates under the facility are subject to quarterly grid pricing adjustments based on a fixed charge coverage ratio. The maturity of the facility was extended to January 6, 2011.

 

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As of September 30, 2006, our long-term debt, including current maturities, totaled $260.1 million, consisting of $249.2 million principal amount of 6 5/8% senior notes due 2016 and a $10.9 million loan from the proceeds of tax-exempt revenue bonds (supported by an $11.3 million letter of credit). Debt outstanding under the tax-exempt bonds bears interest at variable rates.

On January 13, 2006, we issued $250.0 million of 6 5/8% aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2016, the proceeds of which, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem our 8 3/4% senior notes due 2011 and repay our term loan as follows:

 

    On January 18, 2006, we repaid the entire $9.0 million outstanding under our term loan, plus accrued but unpaid interest.

 

    On two redemption dates, February 8, 2006 and February 13, 2006, we redeemed the entire $247.0 million principal amount outstanding of our 8 3/4% senior notes due 2011, and paid a make-whole premium of $22.2 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

As a result of the early redemption of the 8 3/4% senior notes due 2011 and the repayment of the term loan, we recognized $25.9 million in non-operating expense in the first quarter of 2006 consisting of a pre-payment premium on the 8 3/4 % senior notes of $22.2 million and a write-off of $3.7 million in previously capitalized debt issuance cost.

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

The agreements governing the 6 5/8% senior notes and the revolving credit facility each contain customary covenants and events of default. Accordingly, these agreements impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions, among other things, provide limitations on incurrence of additional indebtedness, the payment of dividends, certain investments and acquisitions and sales of assets. These limitations are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions, including, without limitation, an exception for the payment of our regular quarterly dividend of up to $0.20 per share (currently $0.04 per share). The 6 5/8% senior notes indenture does not allow distributions, including dividends and certain other restricted payments unless, after giving pro forma effect to the distribution, our fixed charge coverage ratio is at least 2.0 and such payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other distributions after January 13, 2006, is less than the sum of 50% of our consolidated net income for the period from October 1, 2003 to the end of the most recent quarter for which financial statements have been filed, plus 100% of net cash proceeds received after October 1, 2003 as a contribution to our common equity capital or from the issuance or sale of certain securities, plus several other adjustments. The amount allowed under this restriction was $431.6 million at September 30, 2006. The revolving credit facility also restricts dividend payments unless, after giving effect to such payment, the availability under the line of credit equals or exceeds $60.0 million. None of the agreements require us to maintain specified financial ratios, except that the revolving credit facility requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 when availability falls below $60.0 million. In addition, the 6 5/8% senior notes indenture and the revolving credit facility restrict our ability to create liens, to engage in certain affiliate transactions and to engage in sale-leaseback transactions.

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

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

 

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

 

    timing of the transaction with Eastman and the integration of the acquired business with our existing businesses;

 

    impact of the transaction with Eastman on our position in the North American polyethylene market and our ability to provide an improved overall product mix and new technology;

 

    anticipated future results of operations;

 

    industry outlook;

 

    production capacities;

 

    our ability to borrow additional funds under our credit facility;

 

    our ability to meet our liquidity needs;

 

    expected outcomes of legal and administrative proceedings and their expected effects on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows; and

 

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

We have based these statements on assumptions and analyses in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe were appropriate in the circumstances when the statements were made. These statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including those described in “Risk Factors” in Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and the following:

 

    general economic and business conditions;

 

    timing, duration and impact of turnarounds;

 

    the cyclical nature of the chemical industry;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    industry production capacity and operating rates;

 

    the supply/demand balance for our products;

 

    competitive products and pricing pressures;

 

    access to capital markets;

 

    terrorist acts;

 

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

 

    changes in laws or regulations;

 

    technological developments;

 

    our ability to implement our business strategies; and

 

    creditworthiness of our customers.

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

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Commodity Price Risk

A substantial portion of our products and raw materials are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. Accordingly, product margins and the level of our profitability tend to fluctuate with changes in the business cycle. We try to protect against such instability through various business strategies. Our strategies include ethylene product feedstock flexibility and moving downstream into the olefins and vinyls products where pricing is more stable. We use derivative instruments in certain instances to reduce price volatility risk on feedstocks and products. Based on our open derivative positions at September 30, 2006, a hypothetical $1.00 increase in the price of a MMBTU of natural gas would have increased our income before taxes by $2.5 million, a hypothetical $1.00 increase in the price of a barrel of crude oil would have decreased our income before taxes by $0.3 million and a hypothetical $0.10 increase in the price of a gallon of ethane would have increased our income before taxes by $0.2 million. Additional information concerning derivative commodity instruments appears in the consolidated financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to fixed and variable rate debt. At September 30, 2006, we had variable rate debt of $10.9 million outstanding. All of the debt outstanding under our tax-exempt revenue bonds is at variable rates. We do not currently hedge our variable interest rate debt, but we may do so in the future. The average variable interest rate for our variable rate debt of $10.9 million as of September 30, 2006 was 3.88%. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the average interest rate on our variable rate debt would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $0.1 million. Also, at September 30, 2006, we had $249.2 million of fixed rate debt. We are subject to the risk of higher interest cost if and when this debt is refinanced. If interest rates are 1% higher at the time of refinancing, our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $2.5 million.

Item 4. Controls And Procedures

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

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2006, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Westlake Chemical Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the “2005 Form 10-K”), filed on February 23, 2006, contained a description of various legal proceedings in which we are involved, including environmental proceedings at our facilities in Calvert City, Kentucky. See Note 13 to Consolidated Financial Statements for an update of certain of those proceedings, which information is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For a discussion of risk factors, please read Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the 2005 Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Period

  

Total Number

of Shares
Purchased (1)

  

Average Price

Paid Per

Share

  

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased as Part

of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

  

Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that

May Yet Be
Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs

July 2006    —        —      N/A    N/A
August 2006    —        —      N/A    N/A
September 2005    3,751    $ 29.807    N/A    N/A
                     
   3,751    $ 29.807    N/A    N/A

(1) The shares purchased during the period covered by this report represent shares withheld by us in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock granted to our employees under the 2004 Omnibus Plan.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   

Exhibit

2.1    Acquisition Agreement dated as of October 9, 2006 by and between Westlake NG II Corporation and Eastman Chemical Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 12, 2006).
10.1    Form of Award Letter for Stock Options granted effective as of August 21, 2006, to Non-Management Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 24, 2006).
10.2    Form of Restricted Stock Award granted effective as of August 21, 2006, to Non-Management Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 24, 2006).
31.1    Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d – 14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer).
31.2    Rule 13a – 14(a) / 15d – 14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer).
32.1    Section 1350 Certification (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer).

 

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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.

 

  WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Date: November 3, 2006   By:  

/s/ Albert Chao

   

Albert Chao

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 3, 2006   By:  

/s/ John D. Gibbons

   

John D. Gibbons

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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