(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware | 13-3398766 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |
Depositary Units Representing Limited Partner Interests | New York Stock Exchange | |
5% Cumulative Pay-in-Kind Redeemable Preferred Units Representing Limited Partner Interests |
New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No x
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 o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):
Large Accelerated Filer o | Accelerated Filer x | Non-accelerated Filer o | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of depositary units held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009, the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based upon the closing price of depositary units on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape on such date was $235,914,967.
The number of depositary and preferred units outstanding as of the close of business on March 2, 2010 was 80,807,829 and 13,127,179, respectively.
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Icahn Enterprises L.P., or Icahn Enterprises, is a master limited partnership formed in Delaware on February 17, 1987. As of December 31, 2009, we are a diversified holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in the following continuing operating businesses: Investment Management, Automotive, Metals, Real Estate, and Home Fashion.
Subsequent to December 31, 2009, we acquired Carl C. Icahns controlling interests in American Railcar Industries, Inc., or ARI, and Viskase Companies, Inc., or Viskase. The acquisitions of controlling interests in ARI and Viskase each represent acquisitions of entities under common control and will be accounted for at historical cost similar to a pooling of interests. Future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, will reflect the results of ARI and Viskase operations as additional segments of our business, with periods prior to the acquisition recasted to reflect the common control acquisitions. See Note 21, Subsequent Events, to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report, for further discussion of these acquisitions.
We own a 99% limited partner interest in Icahn Enterprises Holdings L.P., or Icahn Enterprises Holdings. Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are owned through Icahn Enterprises Holdings and substantially all of our operations are conducted through Icahn Enterprises Holdings and its subsidiaries. Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc., or Icahn Enterprises GP, our sole general partner, owns a 1% general partnership interest in both Icahn Enterprises Holdings and us, representing an aggregate 1.99% general partnership interest in Icahn Enterprises Holdings and us. Icahn Enterprises GP is owned and controlled by Mr. Icahn. As of December 31, 2009, affiliates of Mr. Icahn owned 68,760,427 of our depositary units and 11,360,173 of our preferred units, which represented approximately 92.0% and 86.5% of our outstanding depositary units and preferred units, respectively. As referenced elsewhere in this report, we are required to redeem all of our outstanding preferred units by March 31, 2010. Refer to Part II, Item 5, Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities, for further discussion.
As noted above, we conduct our operations through various continuing operating businesses. Segment and geographic information for our continuing operating businesses as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009 is presented in Note 17, Segment and Geographic Reporting, to the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this report.
We believe that our core strengths include: identifying and acquiring undervalued assets and businesses, often through the purchase of distressed securities; increasing value through management, financial or other operational changes; and managing complex legal, regulatory or financial issues, which may include bankruptcy or insolvency, environmental, zoning, permitting and licensing issues.
The key elements of our business strategy include the following:
Continue to Invest in and Grow Our Existing Operating Businesses. We believe that we have developed a strong portfolio of businesses with experienced management teams. We may expand our existing businesses if appropriate opportunities are identified, as well as use our established businesses as a platform for additional acquisitions in the same or related areas.
Actively Manage Our Businesses. We continually evaluate our operating businesses with a view towards maximizing value. In each of our businesses, we assemble senior management teams with the expertise to run their businesses and we give management specific operating objectives that they must achieve. We have significant experience in assisting our management teams in rationalizing cost structure and implementing cost efficiencies and value enhancements for sourcing, procurement, insurance, human resources and risk management (including hedging, among other activities). We bring an owners perspective to our operating businesses, and we hold management accountable for performance.
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Seek to Acquire Undervalued Assets. We intend to continue to make investments in businesses in asset intensive sectors that are undervalued and have potential for growth. In the current economic environment, we are focused on distressed sectors and companies. We also seek to capitalize on investment opportunities arising from market inefficiencies, economic or market trends that have not been identified and reflected in market value, or complex or special situations. Certain opportunities may arise from disappointing financial results, liquidity or capital needs, lowered credit ratings, revised industry forecasts or legal complications. We may acquire businesses or assets directly or we may establish an ownership position through the purchase of debt or equity securities of troubled entities and may then negotiate for the ownership or effective control of such assets.
On August 8, 2007, we acquired the partnership interests consisting of the general partnership interests in Icahn Onshore LP, or Onshore GP, and Icahn Offshore LP, or the Offshore GP, and together with the Onshore GP, the General Partners, acting as general partners of Icahn Partners LP, or the Onshore Fund, and the Offshore Master Funds (as defined below) managed and controlled by Mr. Icahn. Additionally, we acquired the general partnership interest in Icahn Capital Management LP, or New Icahn Management. The General Partners (and from August 8, 2007 through December 31, 2007, New Icahn Management) provide investment advisory and certain administrative and back office services to the Private Funds but do not provide such services to any other entities, individuals or accounts. Interests in the Private Funds (as defined below) are offered only to certain sophisticated and qualified investors on the basis of exemptions from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws and are not publicly available. The General Partners may receive special profits interest allocations and incentive allocations from the Private Funds. As discussed below, effective January 1, 2008, the management agreements between New Icahn Management and the Private Funds (as defined below) were terminated, resulting in the termination of the obligations of the Feeder Funds (as defined below) and the Onshore Fund to pay management fees thereunder.
As referred to herein, the Offshore Master Funds consist of (i) Icahn Partners Master Fund LP, (ii) Icahn Partners Master Fund II L.P., and (iii) Icahn Partners Master Fund III L.P. The Onshore Fund and the Offshore Master Funds are collectively referred to herein as the Investment Funds.
The General Partners also act as general partner of a fund formed as a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership that invests in the Offshore Master Funds. This fund, together with other funds that also invest in the Offshore Master Funds, are collectively referred to herein as the Feeder Funds. The Feeder Funds and the Investment Funds are collectively referred to herein as the Private Funds. As referred to and discussed below, the Feeder Funds include, but are not limited to, Icahn Fund Ltd., Icahn Fund II Ltd. and Icahn Fund III Ltd.
The investment strategy of the General Partners is set and led by Mr. Icahn. The Private Funds seek to acquire securities in companies that trade at a discount to inherent value as determined by various metrics including replacement cost, break-up value, cash flow and earnings power and liquidation value.
The General Partners utilize a process-oriented, research-intensive, value-based investment approach. This approach generally involves three critical steps: (i) fundamental credit, valuation and capital structure analysis; (ii) intense legal and tax analysis of fulcrum issues such as litigation and regulation that often affect valuation; and (iii) combined business valuation analysis and legal and tax review to establish a strategy for gaining an attractive risk-adjusted investment position within a specific credit, industry or litigation segment. This approach focuses on exploiting market dislocations or misjudgments that may result from market euphoria, litigation, complex contingent liabilities, corporate malfeasance and weak corporate governance, general economic conditions or market cycles and complex and inappropriate capital structures.
The Private Funds are often activist investors ready to take the steps necessary to seek to unlock value, including tender offers, proxy contests and demands for management accountability. The Private Funds may employ a number of strategies and are permitted to invest across a variety of industries and types of securities, including long and short equities, long and short bonds, bank debt and other corporate obligations,
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options, swaps and other derivative instruments thereof, risk arbitrage and capital structure arbitrage and other special situations. The Private Funds invest a material portion of their capital in publicly traded equity and debt securities of companies that the General Partners believe to be undervalued by the marketplace. The Private Funds sometimes take significant positions in the companies in which they invest.
In general, the results of our Investment Management segment are primarily driven by assets under management, or AUM, and the performance of the Private Funds. Revenues from this segment are principally derived from three sources: (1) special profits interest allocations; (2) incentive allocations; and (3) gains and losses from our investments in the Private Funds.
Prior to January 1, 2008, the management agreements provided that management fees were generally 2.5% per annum of the net asset value of fee-paying capital in the Private Funds before the incentive allocation. These fees were paid by each Feeder Fund and the Onshore Fund to New Icahn Management at the beginning of each quarter in an amount equal to 0.625% of the balance of each capital account of a fee-paying limited partner. Effective January 1, 2008, the management agreements were terminated, as discussed further below.
Incentive allocations are generally 25% (prior to July 1, 2009) of the net profits (both realized and unrealized) generated by the Investment Funds and are subject to a high water mark (whereby the General Partners do not earn incentive allocations during a particular year even though the fund had a positive return in such year until losses in prior periods are recovered). These allocations are calculated and distributed to the General Partners annually other than incentive allocations earned as a result of investor redemption events during interim periods. Effective July, 1, 2009, certain limited partnership agreements and offering memoranda of the Private Funds (referred to as the Fund Documents) were revised to provide Investors (as defined below) with various new options for investments in the Private Funds (each referred to herein as an Option), as discussed further below.
The General Partners and their affiliates may also earn income through their investments in the Investment Funds. In these cases, the income consists of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment activities along with interest, dividends and other income.
Effective January 1, 2008, the management agreements between New Icahn Management and the Private Funds were terminated resulting in the termination of the Feeder Funds and the Onshore Funds obligations to pay management fees thereunder. In addition, the limited partnership agreements of the Investment Funds, or Investment Fund LPAs, were amended to provide that, as of January 1, 2008, the General Partners will provide or cause their affiliates to provide to the Private Funds the administrative and back office services that were formerly provided by New Icahn Management, or the Services, and, in consideration of providing the Services, the General Partners will receive special profits interest allocations from the Investment Funds.
The Investment Fund LPAs provide that, effective January 1, 2008, that the applicable General Partner is eligible to receive a special profits interest allocation at the end of each calendar year from each capital account maintained at the Investment Fund that is attributable to, in the case of the Onshore Fund, each limited partner in the Onshore Fund and, in the case of the Feeder Funds, each investor in the Feeder Funds (excluding certain investors that are affiliates of Mr. Icahn) (each, an Investor). This allocation is generally equal to 0.625% (prior to July 1, 2009) of the balance in each fee-paying capital account as of the beginning of each quarter (for each Investor, the Target Special Profits Interest Amount) except that amounts are allocated to the General Partners in respect of special profits interest allocations only to the extent net increases (i.e., net profits) are allocated to an Investor for the fiscal year. Accordingly, any special profits interest allocations allocated to the General Partners in any year cannot exceed the net profits allocated to such Investor. In the event that sufficient net profits are not generated by an Investment Fund with respect to a capital account to meet the full Target Special Profits Interest Amount for an Investor for a calendar year, a special profits interest allocation will be made to the extent of such net profits, if any, and the shortfall will be carried forward (without interest or a preferred return) and added to the Target Special Profits Interest Amount determined for such Investor for the next calendar year. Appropriate adjustments will be made to the calculation of the special profits interest allocation for new subscriptions and withdrawals by Investors. In the event that an Investor redeems in full from a Feeder Fund or the Onshore Fund before the full targeted Target
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Special Profits Interest Amount determined for such Investor has been allocated to the General Partner in the form of a special profits interest allocation, the Target Special Profits Interest Amount that has not yet been allocated to the General Partner will be eliminated and the General Partner will never receive it.
Effective July 1, 2009, the Fund Documents were revised primarily to provide Investors with various new options for investments in the Private Funds effective July 1, 2009. Each Option has certain eligibility criteria for Investors and existing Investors were permitted to roll over their investments made in the Private Funds prior to July 1, 2009, or Pre-Election Investments, into one or more of the new Options. For fee-paying investments, the special profits interest allocations will range from 1.5% to 2.25% per annum and the incentive allocations will range from 15% (in some cases subject to a preferred return) to 22% per annum. The new Options also have different redemption terms as discussed below.
The economic and withdrawal terms of the Pre-Election Investments remain the same, which include a special profits interest allocation of 2.5% per annum, an incentive allocation of 25% per annum and a three-year lock-up period (or sooner, subject to the payment of an early withdrawal fee). Certain of the Options will preserve each Investors existing high water mark with respect to its rolled over Pre-Election Investments and one of the Options establishes a hypothetical high water mark for new capital invested before December 31, 2010 by persons that were Investors prior to June 30, 2009. Effective with permitted withdrawals on December 31, 2009, if an Investor did not roll over a Pre-Election Investment into another Option when it was first eligible to do so without the payment of a withdrawal fee, the Private Funds required such Investor to withdraw such Pre-Election Investment.
The Investment Management segment will waive the special profits interest allocation (and prior to January 1, 2008, waived the management fees) and incentive allocations for Mr. Icahns direct and indirect holdings and, in their sole discretion, may modify or may elect to reduce or waive such fees with respect to any shareholder that is an affiliate, employee or relative of Mr. Icahn or his affiliates, or for any other investor.
Investors that invested in the Private Funds prior to July 1, 2009, in general, were initially subject to a one-year absolute lock-up with the ability to redeem in the second and third years subject to an early redemption fee of 8% and 4%, respectively, payable to the applicable Private Fund. On July 1, 2009, pursuant to the Fund Documents, certain of the Private Funds introduced four new share classes for new and existing Investors (such new classes being referred to as Option 1, Option 2, Option 3 or Option 4). Option 1 Investors in the Private Funds are subject to a rolling three-year lock-up period. The first year of which is absolute, with the ability to redeem in the second and third years subject to an early redemption fee of 4% and 8%, respectively, payable to the applicable Private Fund. Option 2 Investors in the Private Funds are subject to a rolling three-year lock-up period. The first two years of which are absolute, with the ability to redeem in the third year with an early redemption fee of 4%, payable to the applicable Private Fund. Option 3 and Option 4 Investors in the Private Funds are not subject to any lock-up but the amount of each semi-annual redemption made by each Option 3 Investor and Option 4 Investor may be limited on each redemption date based on the aggregate redemptions for the applicable Private Funds on such date. All Investors may redeem on June 30 and December 31 of each fiscal year provided that they have given 90 days prior written notice and are not subject to a lock-up period. All redemptions are subject to certain additional restrictions. In addition to the aforementioned Options, certain Investors with reduced fees are subject to a three-year absolute lock-up.
We, along with the Private Funds, have entered into a covered affiliate agreement pursuant to which we (and certain of our subsidiaries) agreed, in general, to be bound by certain restrictions on our investments in any assets that the General Partners deem suitable for the Private Funds, other than government and agency bonds, cash equivalents and investments in non-public companies. We and our subsidiaries will not be restricted from making investments in the securities of certain companies in which Mr. Icahn or companies he controlled had an interest as of the date of the initial launch of the Private Funds, and companies in which we had an interest on August 8, 2007, the date of acquisition of the partnership interests. We and our subsidiaries, either alone or acting together with a group, will not be restricted from (i) acquiring all or any portion of the assets of any public company in connection with a negotiated transaction or series of related negotiated transactions or (ii) engaging in a negotiated merger transaction with a public company and, pursuant thereto,
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conducting and completing a tender offer for securities of the company. In addition, Mr. Icahn and his affiliates (other than Icahn Enterprises, Icahn Enterprises Holdings and their subsidiaries) continue to have the right to co-invest with the Private Funds. We have no interest in, nor do we generate any income from, any such co-investments, which have been and may continue to be substantial. The terms of the covered affiliate agreement may be amended, modified or waived with our consent and the consent of each of the Private Funds, provided, however, that a majority of the members of an investor committee maintained for certain of the Private Funds may (with our consent) amend, modify or waive any provision of the covered affiliate agreement with respect to any particular transaction or series of related transactions.
The investment management industry is intensely competitive, with competition based on a variety of factors, including investment performance, the quality and experience of investment professionals and business reputation. The Private Funds compete for fund investors, investment opportunities and talent with other hedge funds, private equity funds, specialized funds, traditional asset managers, commercial banks and other financial institutions.
Our Investment Management business is supported by an experienced team of 29 professionals as of December 31, 2009, including an investment, legal and operations group. In many cases, team members have worked together successfully and have provided business, investing and legal services for a number of years with respect to the Private Funds operations.
On July 3, 2008, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement with Thornwood Associates Limited Partnership, or Thornwood, and Thornwoods general partner, Barberry Corp., or Barberry, we acquired a majority interest in Federal-Mogul Corporation, or Federal-Mogul, for an aggregate price of $862,750,000 (or $17.00 per share, which represented a discount to Thornwoods purchase price of such shares). Thornwood and Barberry are wholly owned by Mr. Icahn.
On December 2, 2008, we acquired an additional interest in Federal-Mogul from Thornwood, which represented the remaining Federal-Mogul Shares owned by Thornwood. As a result of this transaction, we beneficially own 75,241,924 Federal-Mogul Shares, or 75.7% of the total issued and outstanding capital stock of Federal-Mogul.
Federal-Mogul is a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety technologies, serving the worlds foremost original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, of automotive, light commercial, heavy-duty, agricultural, marine, rail, off-road and industrial vehicles, as well as the worldwide aftermarket. Federal-Moguls leading technology and innovation, lean manufacturing expertise, as well as marketing and distribution deliver world-class products, brands and services with quality excellence at a competitive cost. Federal-Mogul is focused on its sustainable global profitable growth strategy, creating value and satisfaction for its customers, shareholders and employees. Federal-Mogul has established a global presence and conducts its operations through various manufacturing, distribution and technical centers that are wholly owned subsidiaries or partially owned joint ventures, organized into four product groups: Powertrain Energy, Powertrain Sealing and Bearings, Vehicle Safety and Protection and Global Aftermarket. Federal-Mogul offers its customers a diverse array of market-leading products for OEM, and replacement parts, or aftermarket, applications including pistons, piston rings, piston pins, cylinder liners, valve seats and guides ignition products, dynamic seals, bonded piston seals, combustion and exhaust gaskets, static gaskets and seals, rigid heat shields, engine bearings, industrial bearings, bushings and washers, transmission components, brake disc pads, brake linings, brake blocks, element resistant systems protection sleeving products, acoustic shielding, flexible heat shields, brake system components, chassis products, wipers, fuel pumps and lighting.
Federal-Mogul has operations in 33 countries and, accordingly, all of Federal-Moguls product groups derive sales from both domestic and international markets. The attendant risks of Federal-Moguls international operations are primarily related to currency fluctuations, changes in local economic and political conditions, and changes in laws and regulations.
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Federal-Mogul derives significant sales from both the original equipment, or OE, market and the aftermarket. Federal-Mogul seeks to participate in both of these markets by leveraging its OE product engineering and development capability, manufacturing excellence, and expertise to manage a broad and deep range of replacement parts to service the aftermarket. Federal-Mogul is the OE technology market share leader in several product groups. Federal-Mogul believes that it is uniquely positioned to offer premium brands, OE replacement and entry level products for all Global Aftermarket customers. Therefore, Federal-Mogul can be first to the aftermarket with new products, service expertise and customer support. As of December 31, 2009, Federal-Mogul had current OE products included on more than 300 global vehicle platforms and more than 700 global powertrains used in light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. This broad range of vehicle and powertrain applications reinforces Federal-Moguls belief in its unique market position.
Federal-Mogul is a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and files annual, quarterly and current reports. Each of these reports is separately filed with the SEC and is publicly available.
Federal-Moguls strategy is to develop and deliver leading technology and innovation which results in market share expansion in the OE market and aftermarket. Federal-Mogul assesses individual opportunities to execute its strategy based upon estimated sales and margin growth, cost reduction potential, internal investment returns and other criteria, and makes investment decisions on a case-by-case basis. Opportunities meeting or exceeding benchmark return criteria may be undertaken through research and development activities, acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic alliances, or restructuring activities as further discussed below.
Federal-Mogul maintains technical centers throughout the world designed to:
| provide solutions for customers and bring new, innovative products to market; |
| integrate Federal-Moguls leading technologies into advanced products and processes; |
| provide engineering support for all of Federal-Moguls manufacturing sites; and |
| provide technological expertise in engineering and design development. |
Federal-Moguls research and development activities are conducted at its research and development locations. Within the United States, these centers are located in Plymouth, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio; Skokie, Illinois; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Exton, Pennsylvania. Internationally, Federal-Moguls research and development centers are located in Burscheid, Germany; Nuremberg, Germany; Wiesbaden, Germany; Bad Camberg, Germany; Chapel, United Kingdom; Crepy, France; Shanghai, China and Yokohama, Japan.
Each of Federal-Moguls business units is engaged in engineering, research and development efforts working closely with customers to develop custom solutions to meet their needs. Total expenditures for research and development activities, including product engineering and validation costs, were $140 million and $142 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, or fiscal 2009, and for the period March 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, respectively.
Federal-Mogul forms joint ventures and strategic alliances to gain share in emerging markets, facilitate the exchange of technical information and development of new products, extend current product offerings, provide best cost manufacturing operations and broaden its customer base. Federal-Mogul believes that certain of its joint ventures have provided, and will continue to provide, opportunities to expand business relationships with Asian and other OEMs operating in BRIC growth markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Federal-Mogul is currently involved in 32 joint ventures located in 13 different countries throughout the world, including China, India, Korea, Russia and Turkey. Of these joint ventures, Federal-Mogul maintains a controlling interest in 18 entities and, accordingly, the financial results of these entities are included in the consolidated financial statements. Federal-Mogul has a non-controlling interest in 14 of its joint ventures, of
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which eight are accounted for under the equity method and six are accounted for under the cost method. Federal-Mogul does not hold a controlling interest in an entity based on exposure to economic risks and potential rewards (variable interests) for which it is the primary beneficiary. Further, Federal-Moguls joint ventures are businesses established and maintained in connection with its operating strategy and are not special purpose entities.
Federal-Mogul, as part of the sustainable global profitable growth strategy, has undertaken various restructuring activities to streamline its operations, consolidate and take advantage of available capacity and resources, and ultimately achieve cost reductions. These restructuring activities include efforts to integrate and rationalize businesses and to relocate manufacturing operations to best cost countries. Such activities have resulted in the redeployment of human and capital resources to Federal-Moguls core businesses.
An unprecedented downturn in the global automotive industry and global financial markets led Federal-Mogul to announce, in September and December 2008, certain restructuring actions designed to improve operating performance and respond to increasingly challenging conditions in the global automotive market. It was anticipated that this plan would reduce Federal-Moguls global workforce by approximately 8,600 positions when compared with the workforce as of September 30, 2008. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and the period March 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, Federal-Mogul has recorded $31 million and $127 million, respectively, in net restructuring expenses associated with this plan and expects to incur additional restructuring expenses up to $6 million through the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, or fiscal 2010. Because the significant majority of the costs expected to be incurred in relation to this plan are related to severance expenses, such activities are expected to yield future annual savings at least equal to the costs incurred.
Federal-Moguls restructuring activities are further discussed in Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in Note 3, Operating Units, to the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this report.
The following provides an overview of products manufactured and distributed by Federal-Mogul:
| Powertrain Energy. Powertrain Energy products are used in automotive, light truck, heavy-duty, industrial, marine, agricultural, power generation and small air-cooled engine applications. The primary products of this product group include pistons, piston rings, piston pins, cylinder liners, valve seats and guides, and ignition products. |
| Powertrain Sealing and Bearings. Federal-Mogul is one of the worlds leading sealing solutions and bearings providers. Product offerings include dynamic seals, bonded piston seals, combustion and exhaust gaskets, static gaskets and seals, rigid heat shields, engine bearings, industrial bearings, bushings and washers, sintered engine and transmission components, and metallic filters. |
| Vehicle Safety and Protection. Federal-Mogul supplies friction, systems protection, chassis, wipers, fuel and lighting products. Federal-Mogul is one of the worlds largest suppliers of friction materials. These products are used in the automotive, motorcycle, heavy-duty, commercial/industrial, aerospace, railway and consumer products markets. The primary products of this product group include brake disc pads, brake linings, brake blocks, element resistant systems protection sleeving products, flexible heat shields, brake system components, chassis products, windshield wipers, fuel pumps and lighting products. |
| Global Aftermarket. Global Aftermarket sells products manufactured within the above product groups and purchased from outside suppliers to the independent automotive, heavy-duty and commercial/industrial replacement markets. |
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The automotive vehicle market sector and energy, industrial and transport market sector are comprised of two primary markets: the OE and OES market (collectively referred to as the OE market) in which Federal-Moguls products are used in the manufacture of new products and for manufacturer service replacement parts, and the aftermarket in which Federal-Moguls products are used as replacement parts for current production and previous models through the independent aftermarket or other service distribution channels.
The OE Market. Demand for automotive parts in the OE market is generally a function of the number of new vehicles produced, which is driven by macro-economic factors such as interest rates, fuel prices, consumer confidence, employment trends, regulatory requirements and trade agreements. Although OE demand is tied to planned vehicle production, parts suppliers also have the opportunity to grow through increasing their product content per vehicle, by increasing market share with existing customers, and by expanding into new or emerging markets. Companies with a global presence, leading technology and innovation, and advanced product engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities are best positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.
The Aftermarket Business. Global Aftermarket products for current production and previous models are sold directly to a wide range of distributors, retail parts stores and mass merchants who distribute these products to professional service providers and do-it-yourself consumers. Demand for aftermarket products is driven by many factors, including the durability of OE parts, the number of vehicles in operation, the average age of the vehicle fleet and vehicle usage. Although the number of vehicles on the road and different models available continue to increase, the aftermarket has experienced softness due to increases in average useful lives of automotive parts resulting from continued technological advancements and resulting improvements in durability.
Federal-Mogul supplies OEMs with a wide variety of technologically innovative parts, essentially all of which are manufactured by Federal-Mogul. Federal-Moguls OE customers consist of automotive and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers as well as agricultural, off-highway, marine, railroad, aerospace, high performance and industrial application manufacturers. Federal-Mogul has well-established relationships with substantially all major American, European and Asian automotive OEMs.
Federal-Moguls aftermarket customers include independent warehouse distributors who redistribute products to local parts suppliers, distributors of heavy-duty vehicular parts, engine rebuilders, retail parts stores and mass merchants. The breadth of Federal-Moguls product lines, the strength of its leading brand names, marketing expertise, sizable sales force, and its distribution and logistics capability, are central to the success of Federal-Moguls Global Aftermarket operations.
No individual customer accounted for more than 5% of segment net sales during fiscal 2009.
The global vehicular parts business is highly competitive. Federal-Mogul competes with many independent manufacturers and distributors of component parts globally. In general, competition for sales is based on price, product quality, technology, delivery, customer service and the breadth of products offered by a given supplier. Federal-Mogul is meeting these competitive challenges by developing world-class technologies, efficiently integrating its manufacturing and distribution operations, expanding its product coverage within its core businesses, restructuring its operations and transferring production to best cost countries, and utilizing its worldwide technical centers to develop and provide value-added solutions to its customers. A summary of Federal-Moguls primary independent competitors by product group is set forth below:
| Powertrain Energy Primary competitors include Aisin, Art Metal, BinZou, Bleistahl, Dong Yang, GKN, Hitachi Automotive, Kolbenschmidt, Mahle, NPR, Riken, STI and Sumitomo. |
| Powertrain Sealing and Bearings Primary competitors include Daido, Dana/Reinz, Elring Klinger, Freudenberg, GKN, Kolbenschmidt, Mahle, Miba, NOK and Pall. |
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| Vehicle Safety and Protection Primary competitors include Affinia, Akebono, Bosch, Delfinger, Delphi, Galfer, General Electric, Honeywell, Nishimbo, Stanley, TMD, Trico, and Valeo. |
| Global Aftermarket Primary competitors include Affinia, Bosch, Contitech, Delphi, Denso, Honeywell, Mahle, TMD, Trico, TRW and Valeo. |
For OEM customers, Federal-Mogul generally receives purchase orders for specific products supplied for particular vehicles. These supply relationships typically extend over the life of the related vehicle, subject to interim design and technical specification revisions, and do not require the customer to purchase a minimum quantity. In addition to customary commercial terms and conditions, purchase orders generally provide for annual price reductions based upon expected productivity improvements and other factors. Customers typically retain the right to terminate purchase orders, but Federal-Mogul generally cannot terminate purchase orders. OEM order fulfillment is typically manufactured in response to customer purchase order releases, and Federal-Mogul ships directly from a manufacturing location to the customer for use in vehicle production and assembly. Accordingly, Federal-Moguls manufacturing locations do not typically maintain significant finished goods inventory, but rather produce from on-hand raw materials and work-in-process inventory within relatively short manufacturing cycles. A significant risk to Federal-Mogul is lower than expected vehicle production by one or more of its OEM customers or termination of the business based upon perceived or actual shortfalls in delivery, quality or value.
For its Global Aftermarket customers, Federal-Mogul generally establishes product line arrangements that encompass all parts offered within a particular product line. These are typically open-ended arrangements that are subject to termination by either Federal-Mogul or the customer at any time. Pricing is market responsive and subject to adjustment based upon competitive pressures and other commercial factors. Global Aftermarket order fulfillment is largely performed from finished goods inventory stocked in Federal-Moguls worldwide distribution network. Inventory stocking levels in Federal-Moguls distribution centers are established based upon historical and anticipated future customer demand.
Although customer programs typically extend to future periods, and although there is an expectation that Federal-Mogul will supply certain levels of OE production and aftermarket shipments over such periods, Federal-Mogul believes that outstanding purchase orders and product line arrangements do not constitute firm orders. Firm orders are limited to specific and authorized customer purchase order releases placed with its manufacturing and distribution centers for actual production and order fulfillment. Firm orders are typically fulfilled as promptly as possible after receipt from the conversion of available raw materials and work-in-process inventory for OEM orders and from current on-hand finished goods inventory for aftermarket orders. The dollar amount of such purchase order releases on hand and not processed at any point in time is not believed to be significant based upon the timeframe involved.
Federal-Mogul purchases various raw materials and component parts for use in its manufacturing processes, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, non-metallic raw materials, stampings, castings and forgings. Federal-Mogul also purchases parts manufactured by other manufacturers for sale in the aftermarket. Federal-Mogul has not experienced any significant shortages of raw materials, components or finished parts and normally does not carry inventories of raw materials or finished parts in excess of those reasonably required to meet its production and shipping schedules. In fiscal 2009, no outside supplier of Federal-Mogul provided products that accounted for more than 2% of Federal-Moguls annual purchases.
Federal-Mogul achieved material and services cost savings of approximately $104 million during fiscal 2009. Federal-Mogul achieved this impact through negotiated price reductions, resourcing activities, technical projects, contractual price escalators and market fluctuations. Through its global purchasing function, Federal-Mogul continues to work with its suppliers to reduce its global material costs.
Federal-Moguls business is moderately seasonal because many North American customers typically close assembly plants for two weeks in July for model year changeovers, and for an additional week during the December holiday season. Customers in Europe historically shut down vehicle production during portions of
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July and August and one week in December. Shut-down periods in the Asia/Pacific region generally vary by country. The aftermarket experiences seasonal fluctuations in sales due to demands caused by weather and driving patterns. Historically, Federal-Moguls sales and operating profits have been the strongest in its second quarter.
Federal-Mogul had approximately 39,000 employees as of December 31, 2009.
Various unions represent approximately 37% of Federal-Moguls U.S. hourly employees and approximately 70% of Federal-Moguls non-U.S. hourly employees. With the exception of two facilities in the United States, most of Federal-Moguls unionized manufacturing facilities have their own contracts with their own expiration dates, and as a result, no contract expiration date affects more than one facility.
An unprecedented downturn in the global automotive industry and global financial markets led Federal-Mogul to announce, as described above, in September and December 2008, certain restructuring actions designed to improve operating performance and respond to increasingly challenging conditions in the global automotive market. It was anticipated that this plan would reduce Federal-Moguls global workforce by approximately 8,600 positions when compared with the workforce as of September 30, 2008.
Federal-Moguls operations, consistent with those of the manufacturing sector in general, are subject to numerous existing and proposed laws and governmental regulations designed to protect the environment, particularly regarding plant wastes and emissions and solid waste disposal. Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment for environmental control activities did not have a material impact on Federal-Moguls financial position or cash flows in fiscal 2009 and are not expected to have a material impact on Federal-Moguls financial position or cash flows in fiscal 2010.
Federal-Mogul holds in excess of 4,200 patents and patent applications on a worldwide basis, of which 943 have been filed in the United States. Of the approximately 4,200 patents and patent applications, approximately 30% are in production use and/or are licensed to third parties, and the remaining 70% are being considered for future production use or provide a strategic technological benefit to Federal-Mogul.
Federal-Mogul does not materially rely on any single patent, nor will the expiration of any single patent materially affect Federal-Moguls business. Federal-Moguls current patents expire over various periods into the year 2033. Federal-Mogul is actively introducing and patenting new technology to replace formerly patented technology before the expiration of the existing patents. In the aggregate, Federal-Moguls worldwide patent portfolio is materially important to its business because it enables Federal-Mogul to achieve technological differentiation from its competitors.
Federal-Mogul also maintains more than 5,800 active trademark registrations and applications worldwide. In excess of 90% of these trademark registrations and applications are in commercial use by Federal-Mogul or are licensed to third parties.
PSC Metals is principally engaged in the business of collecting, processing and selling ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
PSC Metals collects industrial and obsolete scrap metal, processes it into reusable forms, and supplies the recycled metals to its customers, including electric-arc furnace mills, integrated steel mills, foundries, secondary smelters and metals brokers. These services are provided through PSC Metals recycling facilities located in eight states. PSC Metals ferrous products include shredded, sheared and bundled scrap metal and other purchased scrap metal such as turnings (steel machining fragments), cast furnace iron and broken furnace iron and processes them into a size, density and purity required by customers to meet their production needs. PSC Metals also processes non-ferrous metals including aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel and
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nickel-bearing metals. Non-ferrous products are a significant raw material in the production of aluminum and copper alloys used in manufacturing. PSC Metals also operates a secondary products business that includes the supply of secondary plate and pipe that is sold into niche markets for counterweights, piling and foundations, construction materials and infrastructure end-markets.
The distressed global economic conditions have affected the scrap metal industry. We cannot predict whether, or how long, current market conditions will continue to persist. However, in response to these conditions, PSC Metals has implemented various measures to align its cost structure to the current market environment. Some of these measures include significant staff reductions and salary freezes, temporary idling of major equipment and certain operations and reduced capital spending.
PSC Metals purchases processed and unprocessed ferrous scrap metal from various sources, including individuals and traditional junk yards and industrial manufacturers who recycle the offal from their metal-forming processes and steel mills who look to PSC Metals to remarket secondary product they would otherwise scrap. PSC Metals sets the price paid to its suppliers based on market factors such as the demand and price for processed material and on the underlying metal content of the scrap material being purchased. Changes in scrap prices could cause the collection rates of scrap to increase (when prices are higher) or decrease (when prices are lower). The variation in prices and collection rates can have a significant effect on sales volumes through PSC Metals scrap yards. Scrap material is processed in PSC Metals recycling yards where it is shredded, cut, broken, sheared, sorted and classified for use as raw material in the steel making process. PSC Metals then sells processed ferrous scrap to end-users such as steel producing mini-mills and integrated steel makers and foundries, as well as brokers who aggregate materials for other large users. Additionally, a significant amount of valuable, non-ferrous metal is also recovered as a by-product of the shredding process, which is sold separately as discussed below.
Demand for processed ferrous scrap metal is highly dependent on the overall strength of the domestic steel industry, particularly producers utilizing electric-arc furnace technology. The domestic steel industry is, in turn, heavily influenced by foreign competition and demand and by overall US and global economic conditions. Most of PSC Metals customers purchase processed ferrous scrap through negotiated spot sales contracts, that establish the quantity purchased for the current month. The price PSC Metals charges for ferrous scrap depends upon market demand relative to the supply of scrap and scrap substitutes and transportation costs, as well as the quality and grade of the material. In many cases, PSC Metals selling prices also include the cost of transportation to the end user.
The primary non-ferrous commodities that PSC Metals recycles are aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel and other nickel-bearing metals. The geographic markets for non-ferrous scrap tend to be larger than those for ferrous scrap due to the higher selling prices of non-ferrous metals relative to their weight, which justify the cost of shipping over greater distances. Non-ferrous scrap is typically sold on a spot basis, either directly or through brokers, to intermediate or end-users, which include smelters, foundries and aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers. Prices for non-ferrous scrap are driven by demand for finished non-ferrous metal goods and by the general level of economic activity, with prices generally related to the price of the primary metal on the London Metals Exchange or the New York Commodity Exchange.
PSC Metals business strategy consists of growing its core scrap yard business through expansion, ensuring a consistent supply to its customers through vertical integration by working closely with supply sources and owning distribution and transportation systems, and investing in PSC Metals infrastructure and operating equipment.
The scrap metal recycling industry is highly competitive, cyclical in nature and commodity-based. Operating results tend to reflect and be amplified by changes in general economic conditions, which in turn drive domestic manufacturing and the consumption of scrap in the production of steel and foundry products.
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The demand for product and production activity of PSC Metals scrap consumers drives market pricing levels in PSC Metals ferrous and non-ferrous scrap sales. Demand is driven by mill production schedules related to regional manufacturing requirements and service center stocking levels. Due to its low price-to-weight ratio, raw ferrous scrap is generally purchased locally. Ferrous scrap prices are local and regional in nature. Where there are overlapping regional markets, however, the prices do not tend to differ significantly between the regions due to the ability of companies to ship scrap metal from one region to another. The most significant limitation on the size of the geographic market for the procurement of ferrous scrap is the transportation cost. This leads to significant fluctuations in demand and pricing for PSC Metals products. The secondary products business is less cyclical but is affected by the rate of secondary product generated by steel mills generating these products and the market demands in plate and pipe markets.
PSC Metals procures scrap inventory from numerous sources. These suppliers generally are not bound by long-term contracts and have no contractual obligation to sell scrap metals to us. In periods of low industry prices, suppliers may elect to hold scrap to wait for higher prices or intentionally slow their scrap collection activities. These activities will impact the volume and average pricing of scrap in PSC Metals scrap yard operations.
PSC Metals had one individually significant customer in fiscal 2009 that represented approximately 11% of its net sales. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of segment net sales in fiscal 2009.
As of December 31, 2009, PSC Metals employed 851 persons, including 130 employees with collective bargaining agreements.
Our Real Estate operations consist of rental real estate, property development and associated resort activities. Our rental real estate operations consist primarily of retail, office and industrial properties leased to single corporate tenants. Historically, substantially all of our real estate assets leased to others have been net-leased under long-term leases. With certain exceptions, these tenants are required to pay all expenses relating to the leased property and, therefore, we are typically not responsible for payment of expenses, including maintenance, utilities, taxes, insurance or any capital items associated with such properties.
Our property development and resort operations are run primarily through Bayswater Development LLC, a real estate investment, management and development subsidiary that focuses primarily on the construction and sale of single-family houses, multi-family homes, lots in subdivisions and planned communities and raw land for residential development. Our New Seabury development property in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and our Grand Harbor and Oak Harbor development property in Vero Beach, Florida each include land for future residential development of approximately 327 and 870 units of residential housing, respectively. Both developments operate golf and resort activities as well. Our long-term investment horizon and operational expertise allow us to acquire properties with limited current income and complex entitlement and development issues.
Our Real Estate business strategy is based on our long-term investment outlook. We maximize the value of our commercial lease portfolio through effective management of existing properties and disposal of assets on an opportunistic basis. We continue to market our remaining residential product while scaling back on new construction as the residential market continues to experience an unprecedented downturn. In keeping with the Real Estate business strategy of investing capital to grow existing operations, we actively pursue prudent acquisitions of additional commercial and residential properties at favorable prospective returns.
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Resort operations are highly seasonal with peak activity in Cape Cod from June to September and in Florida from November to February. Sales activity for our real estate developments in Cape Cod and New York typically peak in late winter and early spring, while in Florida our peak selling season is during the winter months.
Our Real Estate segment had approximately 270 employees as of December 31, 2009, which fluctuates due to the seasonal nature of certain of our businesses. No employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
We conduct our Home Fashion operations through our interest in WestPoint International Inc., or WPI, a manufacturer and distributor of home fashion consumer products based in New York, New York. On August 8, 2005, WPI and its subsidiaries completed the purchase of substantially all the assets of WestPoint Stevens Inc., or WPS, and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to an asset purchase agreement, or the Purchase Agreement, approved by The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with Chapter 11 proceedings of WPS. WPS was a premier manufacturer and marketer of bed and bath home fashions supplying leading U.S. retailers and institutional customers. Before the asset purchase transaction, WPI did not have any operations.
On August 8, 2005, we acquired 13.2 million, or 67.7%, of the 19.5 million outstanding common shares of WPI. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement between WPI and WPS, rights to subscribe for an additional 10.5 million shares of common stock at a price of $8.772 per share, or the rights offering, were allocated among former creditors of WPS. Depending upon the extent to which the other holders exercise certain subscription rights, we may acquire additional shares and may beneficially own between 15.7 million and 23.7 million shares of WPI common stock representing between 52.3% and 79.0%, respectively, of the 30.0 million common shares that would then be outstanding.
On December 20, 2006, we acquired: (a) 1,000,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of WPI for a purchase price of $100 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $100.0 million, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock of WPI for a purchase price of $100 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $100.0 million. Each of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 Preferred Stock has a 4.5% annual dividend, which is paid quarterly. For the first two years after issuance, the dividends are to be paid in the form of additional preferred stock. Thereafter, the dividends are to be paid in cash or in additional preferred stock at the option of WPI. Each of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 Preferred Stock is convertible into common shares of WPI at a rate of $10.50 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution provisions; provided, however, that under certain circumstances, $92.1 million of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock may be converted at a rate of $8.772 per share.
WPI has its own board of directors and audit committee. We are the only holders of WPIs preferred stock, and, in accordance with its terms, we have the right to elect six of the ten directors of the WPI board of directors. None of the independent directors of the board of directors of Icahn Enterprises GP serves on the WPI board of directors.
Depending on the outcome of current pending litigation, we may own less than a majority of WPIs shares of common stock and our ownership of the preferred stock may change. Our loss of control of WPI could adversely affect WPIs business and the value of our investment.
We consolidated WPI for the period from the date of acquisition on August 8, 2005 through December 31, 2009. If we were to own less than 50% of the outstanding common stock, we would have to evaluate whether we should continue to consolidate WPI and our financial statements could be materially different than those presented in our financial statements. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Item 3, Legal Proceedings.
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WPIs business consists of manufacturing, sourcing, designing, marketing, distributing and selling home fashion consumer products. WPI differentiates itself in the $11.3 billion home fashion textile industry based on its nearly 200-year reputation for providing its customers with (1) a full assortment of home fashion products; (2) good customer service; (3) a superior value proposition; and (4) branded and private label products with strong consumer recognition. WPI markets a broad range of manufactured and sourced bed, bath, basic bedding and kitchen textile products, including sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, quilts, comforters and duvet covers, bath and beach towels, bath rugs, bed skirts, bed pillows, flocked blankets, woven blankets and throws, heated blankets, mattress pads, kitchen towels and kitchen accessories. WPI continues to serve substantially all the former customers of WPS, as well as new customers using assets acquired from WPS, and subsequent acquisition and joint venture assets, and through sourcing activities.
WPI manufactures and sources its products in a wide assortment of colors and patterns from a variety of fabrics, including chambray, twill, sateen, flannel and linen, and from a variety of fibers, including cotton, synthetics and cotton blends. WPI seeks to position its business as a single-source supplier to retailers of home fashion products, offering a broad assortment of products across multiple price points. WPI believes that product and price point breadth allows it to provide a comprehensive product offering for each major distribution channel.
WPI has transitioned the majority of its manufacturing to low-cost countries and continues to maintain its corporate offices and distribution operations in the United States.
WPIs strategy is to increase its revenues by selling more licensed, differentiated and proprietary products to WPIs new and existing customers. WPI believes that it can improve margins over time through upgraded marketing, selective product development, enhanced design, additional distribution channels and improved customer service capabilities, as well as by lowering its cost of goods sold and improve its long-term profitability by reducing its dependence upon higher-cost domestic sources of manufactured products through establishing offshore manufacturing and sourcing arrangements. This may entail further U.S. plant closings in addition to those already closed. In addition, WPI continues to lower its general and administrative expense by consolidating its locations, outsourcing, reducing headcount and applying more stringent oversight of expense areas where potential savings may be realized.
WPI markets its products under trademarks, brand names and private labels. WPI uses trademarks, brand names and private labels as merchandising tools to assist its customers in coordinating their product offerings and differentiating their products from those of their competitors.
WPI manufactures and sells its own branded line of home fashion products consisting of merchandise bearing registered trademarks that include Atelier Martex, Grand Patrician, Martex, Patrician, Lady Pepperell, Eco Pure, Luxor, Seduction, Utica, Vellux, Baby Martex and Chatham.
In addition, some of WPIs home fashion products are manufactured and sold pursuant to licensing agreements under designer and brand names that include, among others, Lauren, Ralph Lauren, IZOD, Charisma, Rachael Ray, Casa Cristina, Little MissMatched and Harley Davidson.
Private label brands, also known as store brands, are controlled by individual retail customers through use of their own brands or through an exclusive license or other arrangement with brand owners. Private label brands provide retail customers with a way to promote consumer loyalty, as the brand is owned and controlled by WPIs retail customers and not by WPI. As WPIs customer base has experienced consolidation, there has been an increasing focus on proprietary branding strategies.
The percentage of WPIs net sales derived from the sale of private label branded and unbranded products for fiscal 2009 was approximately 30%. For fiscal 2009, the percentage of WPI net sales derived from sales under brands it owns and controls was 33%, and the percentage of WPI net sales derived from sales under brands owned by third parties pursuant to licensing arrangements with WPI was 37%.
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WPI markets its products through leading department stores, mass merchants, specialty stores, food and drug stores and institutional channels. WPI also markets its brands and products in certain international markets through licenses or direct sales to international retailers and distributors. Through marketing efforts directed towards retailers and institutional clients, WPI seeks to create products and services in direct response to recognized consumer trends by focusing on elements such as product design, product innovation, packaging, store displays and other marketing support.
WPI works closely with its major customers to assist them in merchandising and promoting WPIs products to consumers. In addition, WPI regularly meets with its customers in an effort to maximize product exposure and sales and to jointly develop merchandise assortments and plan promotional events specifically tailored to the customer. WPI provides merchandising assistance with store layouts, fixture designs, advertising and point-of-sale displays. Advertising and a comprehensive internet website have served to enhance brand recognition and direct customers to retail outlets to purchase WPI products. WPI also provides its customers with suggested customized advertising materials designed to increase product sales. A heightened focus on consumer research provides needed products on a continual basis. WPI distributes finished products directly to retailers. The majority of WPIs remaining sales of home fashion products are through the institutional channel, which includes hospitality and healthcare establishments, as well as laundry supply businesses.
Until October 2007, WPI also sold its own and other manufacturers products through 30 retail stores. On October 18, 2007, WPI entered into an agreement to sell the inventory at all of its 30 retail outlet stores and as of December 31, 2007 had terminated the majority of the leases for the 28 leased locations. The operation of the retail stores business is included in the results from discontinued operations.
In order to gain operating efficiencies, to increase supply chain visibility and to achieve substantial cost savings, WPI engaged a third-party provider of logistics to consolidate WPIs domestic warehousing and distribution operations.
WPI continues to focus on reducing its general and administrative costs by shifting its back office and manufacturing operations to offshore locations as well as outsourcing many of these job functions to third-party outsourcing providers.
The home fashion industry is highly competitive. Future success will, to a large extent, depend on WPIs ability to be a competitive low-cost producer. WPI competes with both foreign and domestic companies on, among other factors, the basis of price, quality and customer service. In the sheet and towel markets, WPI competes with many suppliers. WPI may also face competition in the future from companies that are currently third-party suppliers to WPI. Future success depends on the ability to remain competitive in the areas of marketing, product development, price, quality, brand names, manufacturing capabilities, distribution and order processing. Additionally, the easing of trade restrictions over time has led to growing competition from low priced products imported from Asia and Latin America.
The home fashion industry is somewhat seasonal, with a peak sales season in the fall with respect to WPIs blanket products. In response to this seasonality, WPI increases its blanket inventory levels during the first six months of the year to meet customer demands for the peak fall season. In addition, the home fashion industry is cyclical and performance may be negatively affected by downturns in consumer spending.
WPI had two individually significant customers in fiscal 2009 that each represented approximately 19% and 13% of its net sales. No other individual customers accounted for more than 10% of segment net sales in fiscal 2009.
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WPI and its subsidiaries had 2,218 employees as of December 31, 2009.
On January 15, 2010, we acquired a 54.3% controlling interest in ARI from affiliates of Mr. Icahn. The financial results of ARI are not included in our consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this report as the acquisition occurred subsequent to December 31, 2009. The acquisition of ARI represents an acquisition of an entity under common control and we will consolidate the financial results of ARI in future filings with the SEC on an as-if-pooling basis. Historical revenues from manufacturing operations were $301 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and, $758 million and $648 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Historical revenues from railcar services were $44 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and, $51 million and $50 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
ARI is a leading North American designer and manufacturer of hopper and tank railcars. ARI also repairs and refurbishes railcars, provides fleet management services and designs and manufactures certain railcar and industrial components. ARI provides its railcar customers with integrated solutions through a comprehensive set of high quality products and related services.
ARI operates in two business groups: manufacturing operations and railcar services. Manufacturing operations consists of railcar manufacturing and railcar and industrial component manufacturing. Railcar services consists of railcar repair, refurbishment and fleet management services.
ARIs primary customers include companies that purchase railcars for lease by third parties, or leasing companies, industrial companies and those that use railcars for freight transport, or shippers, and Class I railroads. In servicing this customer base, ARI believes its integrated railcar repair, refurbishment and fleet management services and its railcar components manufacturing business help it further penetrate the general railcar manufacturing market. These products and services provide ARI with cross-selling opportunities and insights into its customers railcar needs that they use to improve its products and services and enhance its reputation.
ARI is a reporting company under the Exchange Act and files annual, quarterly and current reports. Each of these reports is separately filed with the SEC and is publicly available.
ARI designs and manufactures special, customized and general purpose railcars and a wide range of components primarily for the North American railcar and industrial markets. ARI also supports the railcar industry through a variety of integrated railcar services, including repair, maintenance, consulting, engineering and fleet management services.
ARI primarily manufactures two types of railcars, hopper railcars and tank railcars, but has the ability to produce additional railcar types. ARI also manufactures various components for railcar and industrial markets.
ARIs primary railcar services are repair, refurbishment and fleet management services. Its primary customers for these services are leasing companies and shippers. ARI can service the entire railcar fleets of its customers, including railcars manufactured by other companies. ARIs railcar services provide it insight into its customers railcar needs that it can use to improve its products. These services also may create new customer relationships and enhance relationships with its existing customers.
On January 15, 2010, we acquired a 71.4% controlling interest in Viskase from affiliates of Mr. Icahn. The financial results of Viskase are not included in our consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this report as the acquisition occurred subsequent to December 31, 2009. The acquisition of Viskase represents
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an acquisition of an entity under common control and we will consolidate the financial results of Viskase in future filings with the SEC on an as-if-pooling basis. Historical net sales for Viskase were $284 million and $250 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Net sales for fiscal 2009 is not yet available. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2009, Viskase had net sales of $222 million.
Viskase is a leading worldwide producer of non-edible cellulosic, fibrous and plastic casings used to prepare and package processed meat and poultry products. Viskase provides value-added product support services to its customers, which include some of the worlds largest global consumer products companies. In 1925, one of Viskases predecessors invented the basic process for producing casings from regenerated cellulose for commercial production, and Viskase and its predecessors have been in the processed meat flexible packaging business for over 80 years. Viskase believes it is one of the two largest worldwide producers of non-edible cellulosic casings for small-diameter processed meats, such as hot dogs. In addition, Viskase believes it is one of the three largest worldwide producers of non-edible fibrous casings for large-diameter sausages, salami, hams and other processed meat products. Viskase also produces plastic casings for a wide range of processed meat and poultry applications. Viskases high-quality product offering and superior customer service have resulted in strong and longstanding relationships with a blue-chip customer base that includes Kraft Foods, Smithfield Foods and ConAgra Foods. The average length of Viskases relationships with its top ten customers is greater than ten years. Viskase operates seven manufacturing facilities, nine distribution centers and two service centers spread across North America, Europe and South America and, as a result, Viskase is able to sell its products globally.
The flexible packaging market in the United States is comprised of paper, plastic film or foil products, and laminations of these materials. Viskase participates in the cellulosic, fibrous and plastic casings segments of the general flexible packaging market. Its casings are used in the production of processed meat and poultry products, such as hot dogs, sausages, salami, ham and bologna. In the manufacturing of these products, the meat or poultry is placed into a particular casing and then cooked, smoked or dried. The casing utilized determines the size, consistency of shape and overall appearance and quality of the final product. Cellulosic, fibrous and plastic casings also permit high-speed stuffing and processing of products on commercially available, automated equipment, which provides Viskases customers with consistent product quality, high production output rates and lower manufacturing costs.
Viskases business strategy is to continue to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs. Viskase has been successful in implementing certain cost savings initiatives and will continue to pursue similar opportunities that enhance its profitability and competitive positioning as a casings market leader. Viskase believes that further sustainable cost savings are achievable in the areas of waste management and operational alignment. Reduction of extrusion, shirring and printing waste is feasible at various facilities as Viskase continues to refine its product mix and opportunistically reduce labor costs. In addition, its ongoing efforts to rationalize SKUs and improve raw materials purchasing worldwide is expected to further optimize its manufacturing operations and streamline its organization. Viskase plans to conservatively invest capital in its manufacturing processes through the installation of more efficient equipment in order to achieve productivity gains.
Viskases main product lines are as follows:
NOJAX® Casings Small-diameter cellulosic casings designed for the production of hot dogs, wieners, frankfurters, viennas, cocktail sausages, coarse ground dinner sausages and other small-diameter processed meats.
Fibrous Casings Paper-reinforced cellulosic casings utilized in the manufacture of a wide variety of cooked, smoked and dried processed meats, including large sausages, bologna, salami, ham, pepperoni and deli meats.
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VISFLEXTM and VISMAXTM Casings Plastic (polyamide) casings, each designed with distinct performance characteristics targeted at a wide range of sausage, deli meat and other processed meat and poultry applications.
Viskase also manufactures other specialty cellulosic products, notably a family of large cellulosic casings with limited applications for mortadella and specialty sausages, as well as some non-food products targeted at dialysis membrane and specialized battery separator market applications.
Viskase has five manufacturing or finishing facilities located outside the continental United States: Monterrey, Mexico; Beauvais, France; Thâon-les-Vosges, France; Caronno, Italy; and Guarulhos, Brazil. Net sales from customers located outside the United States represented approximately 67% of its total net sales in fiscal 2009. Viskases operations in France are responsible for distributing products, directly or through distributors, in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. While overall consumption of processed meat products in North America and Western Europe is stable, there is a potential for market growth in Eastern Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.
We seek to invest our available cash and cash equivalents in liquid investments with a view to enhancing returns as we continue to assess further acquisitions of operating businesses.
Through December 31, 2009, we have made direct investments aggregating $1.7 billion in the Private Funds for which no special profits interest allocations (and, prior to January 1, 2008, management fees) or incentive allocations are applicable. As of December 31, 2009, the total value of these investments was approximately $1.7 billion, with an unrealized gain of $328 million for fiscal 2009. These amounts are reflected in the Private Funds net assets and earnings. Additionally, subsequent to December 31, 2009, we invested an additional $250 million in the Private Funds. We may redeem our direct investment in the Private Funds on a quarterly basis with at least 65 days notice.
We conduct our activities in a manner so as not to be deemed as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Investment Company Act. Generally, this means that we do not invest or intend to invest in securities as our primary business and that no more than 40% of our total assets will be invested in investment securities as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act. In addition, we intend to structure our investments so as to continue to be taxed as a partnership rather than as a corporation under the applicable publicly traded partnership rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.
We maintain an internet website at www.ielp.com. We provide access to our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports free of charge through this website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the SEC. In addition, paper copies of annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge upon written request by contacting our headquarters at the address located on the front cover of this report or under Investor Relations on the Companys website.
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Mr. Icahn, through affiliates, owns 100% of Icahn Enterprises GP, our general partner, and approximately 92.0% of our outstanding depositary units and approximately 86.5% of our preferred units as of December 31, 2009, and, as a result, has the ability to influence many aspects of our operations and affairs. Icahn Enterprises GP also is the general partner of Icahn Enterprises Holdings.
In addition, if Mr. Icahn were to sell, or otherwise transfer, some or all of his interests in us to an unrelated party or group, a change of control could be deemed to have occurred under the terms of the indentures governing our new notes (as defined below) which would require us to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the date of repurchase. However, it is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control to make the required repurchase of notes.
We have invested and may in the future invest in entities in which Mr. Icahn also invests. We also have purchased and may in the future purchase entities or investments from him or his affiliates. Although Icahn Enterprises GP has never received fees in connection with our investments, our partnership agreement allows for the payment of these fees. Mr. Icahn may pursue other business opportunities in industries in which we compete and there is no requirement that any additional business opportunities be presented to us. We continuously identify, evaluate and engage in discussions concerning potential investments and acquisitions, including potential investments in and acquisitions of affiliates of Mr. Icahn. There cannot be any assurance that any potential transactions that we consider will be completed.
The market for our equity securities may be subject to disruptions that could cause substantial volatility in their prices. In general, the current global economic crisis has caused substantial market volatility and unrest. Any such disruptions or continuing volatility may adversely affect the value of your securities.
While we made cash distributions in the amount of $0.25 per depositary unit in each of the four quarters of fiscal 2009, the payment of future distributions will be determined by the board of directors of Icahn Enterprises GP, our general partner, quarterly, based on a review of a number of factors, including those described below and other factors that it deems relevant at the time that declaration of a distribution is considered.
Our ability to pay distributions will depend on numerous factors, including the availability of adequate cash flow from operations; the proceeds, if any, from divestitures; our capital requirements and other obligations; restrictions contained in our financing arrangements; and our issuances of additional equity and debt securities. The availability of cash flow in the future depends as well upon events and circumstances outside our control, including prevailing economic and industry conditions and financial, business and similar factors. No assurance can be given that we will be able to make distributions or as to the timing of any distribution. If distributions are made, there can be no assurance that holders of depositary units may not be required to recognize taxable income in excess of cash distributions made in respect of the period in which a distribution is made.
Our general partner manages and operates Icahn Enterprises. Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, holders of our outstanding depositary units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. Holders of depositary units have no right to elect the general partner on an annual or other
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continuing basis, and our general partner generally may not be removed except pursuant to the vote of the holders of not less than 75% of the outstanding depositary units. In addition, removal of the general partner may result in a default under our debt securities. As a result, holders of depositary units have limited say in matters affecting our operations and others may find it difficult to attempt to gain control or influence our activities.
We conduct our businesses through Icahn Enterprises Holdings in several states. Maintenance of limited liability will require compliance with legal requirements of those states. We are the sole limited partner of Icahn Enterprises Holdings. Limitations on the liability of a limited partner for the obligations of a limited partnership have not clearly been established in several states. If it were determined that Icahn Enterprises Holdings has been conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership statute or the possession or exercise of the right by the partnership, as limited partner of Icahn Enterprises Holdings, to remove its general partner, to approve certain amendments to the Icahn Enterprises Holdings partnership agreement or to take other action pursuant to the Icahn Enterprises Holdings partnership agreement, constituted control of Icahn Enterprises Holdings business for the purposes of the statutes of any relevant state, Icahn Enterprises and/or unitholders, under certain circumstances, might be held personally liable for Icahn Enterprises Holdings obligations to the same extent as our general partner. Further, under the laws of certain states, Icahn Enterprises might be liable for the amount of distributions made to Icahn Enterprises by Icahn Enterprises Holdings.
Holders of our depositary units may also have to repay Icahn Enterprises amounts wrongfully distributed to them. Under Delaware law, we may not make a distribution to holders of our depositary units if the distribution causes our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and nonrecourse liabilities are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted. Delaware law provides that a limited partner who receives such a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount for three years from the distribution date.
Additionally, under Delaware law an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations, if any, of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership. However, such an assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him or her at the time he or she became a limited partner if the liabilities could not be determined from the partnership agreement.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, to pay distributions with respect to our depositary units and to fund operations depends on existing cash balances and our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
Our current businesses and businesses that we acquire may not generate sufficient cash to service our debt. In addition, we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or investments and future borrowings may not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. After taking into effect the debt extinguishment on our 2012 Notes and 2013 Notes and the issuance of the New Notes, approximately $600 million of indebtedness will come due in the three-year period ending December 31, 2012, which includes our mortgages payable, credit facilities and related interest payments due thereon. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
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We are a holding company. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, U.S. government and agency obligations and other short-term investments, our assets consist primarily of investments in our subsidiaries. Moreover, if we make significant investments in operating businesses, it is likely that we will reduce the liquid assets at Icahn Enterprises and Icahn Enterprises Holdings in order to fund those investments and the ongoing operations of our subsidiaries. Consequently, our cash flow and our ability to meet our debt service obligations and make distributions with respect to depositary units likely will depend on the cash flow of our subsidiaries and the payment of funds to us by our subsidiaries in the form of dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise.
The operating results of our subsidiaries may not be sufficient to make distributions to us. In addition, our subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us and distributions and intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries to us may be restricted by applicable law or covenants contained in debt agreements and other agreements to which these subsidiaries may be subject or enter into in the future. The terms of any borrowings of our subsidiaries or other entities in which we own equity may restrict dividends, distributions or loans to us. For example, we have credit facilities for Federal-Mogul and WPI, our majority owned subsidiaries, and our real estate development properties that also restrict dividends, distributions and other transactions with us. To the degree any distributions and transfers are impaired or prohibited, our ability to make payments on our debt and to make distributions on our depositary units will be limited.
In January 2010, we issued $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior notes due 2016, or the 2016 Notes, and $1,150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8% senior notes due 2018, or the 2018 Notes (and, together with the 2016 Notes, referred to herein as the New Notes) in a private placement not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. The New Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of January 15, 2010 by us and Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp., or Icahn Enterprises Finance, as co-issuer. The proceeds from the sale of the New Notes were used in part to repay the existing senior unsecured 7.125% notes due 2013, or the 2013 Notes, and the senior unsecured 8.125% notes due 2012, or the 2012 Notes.
The covenants in the indenture governing the New Notes are substantially similar to the covenants in the indenture governing our variable rate notes due 2013 (and the covenants in the indentures that governed the 2013 Notes and the 2012 Notes) and do not prohibit our subsidiaries from incurring additional debt. We and Icahn Enterprises Holdings may incur additional indebtedness if we comply with certain financial tests contained in the indentures that govern these notes. However, our subsidiaries other than Icahn Enterprises Holdings are not subject to any of the covenants contained in the indentures governing or senior notes, including the covenant restricting debt incurrence. If new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries current levels, the related risks that we, and they, now face could intensify. In addition, under the indenture governing our new notes, certain important events, such as leveraged recapitalizations that would increase the level of our indebtedness, would not constitute a change of control.
If there were an event of default under one of our debt instruments, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to that debt to be due and payable immediately. In addition, any event of default or declaration of acceleration under one debt instrument could result in an event of default under one or more of our other debt instruments. It is possible that, if the defaulted debt is accelerated, our assets and cash flow may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under our outstanding debt instruments and we cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance or restructure the payments on those debt securities.
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Mr. Icahn, through certain affiliates, owns 100% of Icahn Enterprises GP and approximately 92.0% of our outstanding depositary units and approximately 86.5% of our outstanding preferred units as of December 31, 2009. Applicable pension and tax laws make each member of a controlled group of entities, generally defined as entities in which there are at least an 80% common ownership interest, jointly and severally liable for certain pension plan obligations of any member of the controlled group. These pension obligations include ongoing contributions to fund the plan, as well as liability for any unfunded liabilities that may exist at the time the plan is terminated. In addition, the failure to pay these pension obligations when due may result in the creation of liens in favor of the pension plan or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or the PBGC, against the assets of each member of the controlled group.
As a result of the more than 80% ownership interest in us by Mr. Icahns affiliates, we and our subsidiaries are subject to the pension liabilities of all entities in which Mr. Icahn has a direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 80%. One such entity, ACF Industries LLC, is the sponsor of several pension plans which, as of December 31, 2009, were not underfunded on an ongoing actuarial basis but would be underfunded by approximately $117 million if those plans were terminated, as most recently reported by the plans actuaries. These liabilities could increase or decrease, depending on a number of factors, including future changes in promised benefits, investment returns, and the assumptions used to calculate the liability. As members of the controlled group, we would be liable for any failure of ACF to make ongoing pension contributions or to pay the unfunded liabilities upon a termination of the ACF pension plans. In addition, other entities now or in the future within the controlled group that includes us may have pension plan obligations that are, or may become, underfunded and we would be liable for any failure of such entities to make ongoing pension contributions or to pay the unfunded liabilities upon a termination of such plans.
The current underfunded status of the ACF pension plans requires ACF to notify the PBGC of certain reportable events, such as if we cease to be a member of the ACF controlled group, or if we make certain extraordinary dividends or stock redemptions. The obligation to report could cause us to seek to delay or reconsider the occurrence of such reportable events.
Starfire Holding Corporation, or Starfire, which is 100% owned by Mr. Icahn, has undertaken to indemnify us and our subsidiaries from losses resulting from any imposition of certain pension funding or termination liabilities that may be imposed on us and our subsidiaries or our assets as a result of being a member of the Icahn controlled group. The Starfire indemnity (which does not extend to pension liabilities of our subsidiaries that would be imposed on us as a result of our interest in these subsidiaries and not as a result of Mr. Icahn and his affiliates more than 80% ownership interest in us) provides, among other things, that so long as such contingent liabilities exist and could be imposed on us, Starfire will not make any distributions to its stockholders that would reduce its net worth to below $250 million. Nonetheless, Starfire may not be able to fund its indemnification obligations to us.
Because we are a holding company and a significant portion of our assets may, from time to time, consist of investments in companies in which we own less than a 50% interest, we run the risk of inadvertently becoming an investment company that is required to register under the Investment Company Act. Registered investment companies are subject to extensive, restrictive and potentially adverse regulations relating to, among other things, operating methods, management, capital structure, dividends and transactions with affiliates. Registered investment companies are not permitted to operate their business in the manner in which we operate our business, nor are registered investment companies permitted to have many of the relationships that we have with our affiliated companies.
In order not to become an investment company required to register under the Investment Company Act, we monitor the value of our investments and structure transactions with an eye toward the Investment Company Act. As a result, we may structure transactions in a less advantageous manner than if we did not have Investment Company Act concerns, or we may avoid otherwise economically desirable transactions due to those concerns. In addition, events beyond our control, including significant appreciation or depreciation in the market value of certain of our publicly traded holdings or adverse developments with respect to our
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ownership of certain of our subsidiaries, such as our potential loss of control of WPI, one of our majority owned subsidiaries, could result in our inadvertently becoming an investment company. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings, for further discussion.
If it were established that we were an investment company, there would be a risk, among other material adverse consequences, that we could become subject to monetary penalties or injunctive relief, or both, in an action brought by the SEC, that we would be unable to enforce contracts with third parties or that third parties could seek to obtain rescission of transactions with us undertaken during the period it was established that we were an unregistered investment company.
We believe that we have been and are properly treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. This allows us to pass through our income and deductions to our partners. However, the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, could challenge our partnership status and we could fail to qualify as a partnership for past years as well as future years. Qualification as a partnership involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Code. For example, a publicly traded partnership is generally taxable as a corporation unless 90% or more of its gross income is qualifying income, which includes interest, dividends, oil and gas revenues, real property rents, gains from the sale or other disposition of real property, gain from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of interest or dividends, and certain other items. We believe that in all prior years of our existence at least 90% of our gross income was qualifying income and we intend to structure our business in a manner such that at least 90% of our gross income will constitute qualifying income this year and in the future. However, there can be no assurance that such structuring will be effective in all events to avoid the receipt of more than 10% of non-qualifying income. If less than 90% of our gross income constitutes qualifying income, we may be subject to corporate tax on our net income, at a Federal rate of up to 35% plus possible state taxes. Further, if less than 90% of our gross income constituted qualifying income for past years, we may be subject to corporate level tax plus interest and possibly penalties. In addition, if we register under the Investment Company Act, it is likely that we would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The cost of paying federal and possibly state income tax, either for past years or going forward could be a significant liability and would reduce our funds available to make distributions to holders of units, and to make interest and principal payments on our debt securities. To meet the qualifying income test we may structure transactions in a manner which is less advantageous than if this were not a consideration, or we may avoid otherwise economically desirable transactions.
Legislation has been introduced into Congress which, if enacted, could have a material and adverse effect on us. These proposals include legislation which would tax publicly traded partnerships engaged in the Investment Management segment, such as us, as corporations. Other proposals, including a proposal in H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, or the Extenders Bill, that was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, if eventually enacted and applied to us, would treat the income from carried interests, when recognized for tax purposes, as ordinary income and as not qualifying as investment income for purposes of the 90% investment income test that publicly traded partnerships must meet to be classified as partnerships. Under the Extenders Bill as currently drafted, this treatment would not apply to a partnership that is publicly traded on the date of enactment for any taxable year of the partnership that begins before the date 10 years after the date of enactment. It is unclear whether such legislation will be enacted. Moreover, it is unclear what specific provisions may be enacted, including what the effective date will be, and accordingly what any such legislations impact will be on us. It is possible that if such legislation were enacted we would be treated as an association, taxable as a corporation, which would materially increase our taxes. As an alternative, we might be required to restructure our operations, and possibly dispose of certain businesses, in order to avoid or mitigate the impact of any such legislation.
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Because we are treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, holders of units are generally required to pay federal income tax, and, in some cases, state or local income tax, on the portion of our taxable income allocated to them, whether or not such income is distributed. Accordingly, it is possible that holders of depositary units may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their share of our taxable income, or even equal to their tax liability on the portion of our income allocated to them.
Effective internal and disclosure controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud and to operate successfully as a public company. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention of those responsible for oversight of the registrants financial reporting.
To the extent that any material weakness or significant deficiency exists in our consolidated subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting, such material weakness or significant deficiency may adversely affect our ability to provide timely and reliable financial information necessary for the conduct of our business and satisfaction of our reporting obligations under federal securities laws, which could affect our ability to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE. Ineffective internal and disclosure controls could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our depositary units or the rating of our debt.
We are a limited partnership organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. Under the federal rules of civil procedure, you may not be able to sue us in federal court on claims other than those based solely on federal law, because of lack of complete diversity. Case law applying diversity jurisdiction deems us to have the citizenship of each of our limited partners. Because we are a publicly traded limited partnership, it may not be possible for you to attempt to sue us in a federal court because we have citizenship in all 50 U.S. states and operations in many states. Accordingly, you will be limited to bringing any claims in state court.
Certain individual members of our management team may, from time to time, be involved in the management of other businesses, including those owned or controlled by Mr. Icahn and his affiliates. Accordingly, these individuals may focus a portion of their time and attention on managing these other businesses. Conflicts may arise in the future between our interests and the interests of the other entities and business activities in which such individuals are involved.
We may expand our existing businesses if appropriate opportunities are identified, as well as use our established businesses as a platform for additional acquisitions in the same or related areas. Any such acquisition, if consummated, could involve risks not presently faced by us. In addition, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of any such acquisition.
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In addition to the following risk factors specific to each of our businesses, all of our businesses are subject to the effects of the following:
| the continued threat of terrorism; |
| continued or future economic downturn; |
| loss of any of our or our subsidiaries key personnel; |
| the unavailability, as needed, of additional financing; and |
| the unavailability of insurance at acceptable rates. |
During most of fiscal 2008 and into fiscal 2009, the global securities markets and the economy generally were characterized by extreme volatility and illiquidity and significant overall deterioration. These and other factors had a negative effect on the Private Funds and, therefore, our Investment Management segment. Although the global markets and the economic climate improved in fiscal 2009, there is significant risk that these conditions could again deteriorate and experience volatility and illiquidity and these conditions could continue for a significant period of time. In the event that some or all of these conditions occur, the Private Funds could be materially and adversely affected in many different ways. Furthermore, difficult market conditions may also increase the risk of default with respect to investments held by the Private Funds that have significant debt investments. Many other factors beyond the control of our Investment Management segment may adversely affect the Private Funds, including, without limitation, rising interest rates, inflation, terrorism or political uncertainty.
The financial results of our Investment Management segment are primarily driven by AUM and the performance of the Private Funds. The historical consolidated financial information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not indicative of the future financial results of our Investment Management segment. In particular, with respect to the historical returns of our Investment Management segment:
| Past favorable market conditions and profitable investment opportunities may not occur in the future; |
| Future returns may be affected by the risks described elsewhere in this report, including risks of the industries and businesses in which a particular Private Fund invests. |
Our revenue from our Investment Management segment is derived principally from three sources: (1) special profits interest allocations; (2) incentive allocations; and (3) gains or losses in our investments in the Private Funds. In the event that one or more of the Private Funds were to perform poorly, our Investment Management segment revenue could decline and we may not receive special profits interest allocations or incentive allocations. The incentive allocations are subject to a high watermark, whereby the General Partners do not earn incentive allocations during a particular year even though the fund had a positive return in such year until losses in prior periods are recovered.
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In the event that the performance of a Private Fund is negative, our Investment Management segment revenue could decline, we will not receive any special profit allocations in future periods from such Private Fund and the amount of the Private Funds high watermark with respect to the incentive allocations will increase. Moreover, we could experience losses on our direct investments of our own capital as a result of any such poor performance of the Private Funds. Investors and potential investors in the Private Funds regularly assess the Private Funds performance. The ability of the Private Funds to raise capital, and the avoidance of excessive redemption levels, will depend on several factors, including the Private Funds continued performance at a level that is satisfactory to investors and potential investors in the Private Funds.
We have invested an aggregate of $1.7 billion of our capital in the Private Funds and the net asset value thereof as of December 31, 2009 is approximately $1.7 billion. In addition, subsequent to December 31, 2009, we invested an additional $250 million in the Private Funds. If the Private Funds experience negative performance, the value of these investments will be negatively impacted.
The success of the Private Funds investment strategy may require, among other things: (i) that our Investment Management segment properly identify companies whose securities prices can be improved through corporate and/or strategic action or successful restructuring of their operations; (ii) that the Private Funds acquire sufficient securities of such companies at a sufficiently attractive price; (iii) that the Private Funds avoid triggering anti-takeover and regulatory obstacles while aggregating their positions; (iv) that management of portfolio companies and other security holders respond positively to our proposals; and (v) that the market price of portfolio companies securities increases in response to any actions taken by the portfolio companies. We cannot assure you that any of the foregoing will succeed.
Our Investment Management segments revenue depends on the investments made by the Private Funds. There are numerous and significant risks associated with these investments, certain of which are described in this risk factor and in other risk factors set forth herein.
Certain investment positions in which each Private Fund may have an interest may be illiquid. The Private Funds may own restricted or non-publicly traded securities and securities traded on foreign exchanges. These investments could prevent a Private Fund from liquidating unfavorable positions promptly and subject the Private Fund to substantial losses.
At any given time, a Private Funds assets may become highly concentrated within a particular company, industry, asset category, trading style or financial or economic market. In that event, the Private Funds investment portfolio will be more susceptible to fluctuations in value resulting from adverse economic conditions affecting the performance of that particular company, industry, asset category, trading style or economic market than a less concentrated portfolio would be. As a result, the Private Funds investment portfolio could become concentrated and its aggregate return may be volatile and may be affected substantially by the performance of only one or a few holdings.
The Private Funds seek to invest in securities that are undervalued. The identification of investment opportunities in undervalued securities is a difficult task, and there are no assurances that such opportunities will be successfully recognized or acquired. While investments in undervalued securities offer the opportunity for above-average capital appreciation, these investments involve a high degree of financial risk and can result in substantial losses. Returns generated from the Private Funds investments may not adequately compensate for the business and financial risks assumed.
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From time to time, each Private Fund may invest in bonds or other fixed income securities, such as commercial paper and higher yielding (and, therefore, higher risk) debt securities. It is likely that a major economic recession could severely disrupt the market for such securities and may have a material adverse impact on the value of such securities. In addition, it is likely that any such economic downturn could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities.
For reasons not necessarily attributable to any of the risks set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (for example, supply/demand imbalances or other market forces), the prices of the securities in which the Private Funds invest may decline substantially. In particular, purchasing assets at what may appear to be undervalued levels is no guarantee that these assets will not be trading at even more undervalued levels at a future time of valuation or at the time of sale.
The prices of financial instruments in which the Private Funds may invest can be highly volatile. Price movements of forward and other derivative contracts in which the Private Funds assets may be invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The Private Funds are subject to the risk of failure of any of the exchanges on which their positions trade or of their clearinghouses.
Each Private Fund may leverage its capital if its general partner believes that the use of leverage may enable the Private Fund to achieve a higher rate of return. Accordingly, a Private Fund may pledge its securities in order to borrow additional funds for investment purposes. Each Private Fund may also leverage its investment return with options, short sales, swaps, forwards and other derivative instruments. The amount of borrowings that each Private Fund may have outstanding at any time may be substantial in relation to its capital. While leverage may present opportunities for increasing a Private Funds total return, leverage may increase losses as well. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment by a Private Fund would be magnified to the extent such fund is leveraged. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage by each Private Fund in a market that moves adversely to the Private Funds investments could result in a substantial loss to the Private Fund that would be greater than if the Private Fund was not leveraged. There is no assurance that leverage will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
In general, the use of short-term margin borrowings results in certain additional risks to the Private Funds. For example, should the securities pledged to brokers to secure any Private Funds margin accounts decline in value, the Private Fund could be subject to a margin call, pursuant to which it must either deposit additional funds or securities with the broker, or suffer mandatory liquidation of the pledged securities to compensate for the decline in value. In the event of a sudden drop in the value of any of the Private Funds assets, the Private Fund might not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to satisfy its margin requirements.
Any of the Private Funds may enter into repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. When a Private Fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it sells securities issued by the U.S. or a non-U.S. government, or agencies thereof, to a broker-dealer or financial institution, and agrees to repurchase such securities for the price paid by the broker-dealer or financial institution, plus interest at a negotiated rate. In a reverse repurchase transaction, the Private Fund buys securities issued by the U.S. or a non-U.S. government, or agencies thereof, from a broker-dealer or financial institution, subject to the obligation of the broker-dealer or financial institution to repurchase such securities at the price paid by the Private Fund, plus interest at a negotiated rate. The use of repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements by any of the Private Funds involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities to a Private Fund under a reverse repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Private Fund will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could involve costs or delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, the Private Funds ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, if a seller defaults on its obligation to repurchase securities under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Private
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Fund may suffer a loss to the extent it is forced to liquidate its position in the market, and proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price agreed to by the defaulting seller.
The financing used by each Private Fund to leverage its portfolio will be extended by securities brokers and dealers in the marketplace in which the Private Fund invests. While the Private Fund will attempt to negotiate the terms of these financing arrangements with such brokers and dealers, its ability to do so will be limited. The Private Fund is therefore subject to changes in the value that the broker-dealer ascribes to a given security or position, the amount of margin required to support such security or position, the borrowing rate to finance such security or position and/or such broker-dealers willingness to continue to provide any such credit to the Private Fund. Because each Private Fund currently has no alternative credit facility which could be used to finance its portfolio in the absence of financing from broker-dealers, it could be forced to liquidate its portfolio on short notice to meet its financing obligations. The forced liquidation of all or a portion of the Private Funds portfolios at distressed prices could result in significant losses to the Private Fund.
In the wake of the recent global financial crisis, government and regulatory agencies in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions have imposed certain temporary and permanent regulations and restrictions. Furthermore, as a result of highly publicized financial scandals, government officials and investors have exhibited significant concerns over the integrity of the financial markets. Accordingly, the regulatory environment in which our Investment Management segment operates is subject to further regulation in addition to the rules already promulgated. In particular, in recent years, there has been ongoing debate by U.S. and foreign governments regarding new rules and regulations for private investment funds. Our Investment Management segment may be adversely affected by the enactment of new or revised regulations, or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of rules and regulations imposed by the SEC, other U.S. or foreign governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets. For example, the SEC may require most hedge fund managers to register under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Such changes could place limitations on the type of investor that can invest in the Private Funds. Further, such changes may limit the scope of investment activities that may be undertaken by the Private Funds managers. Any such changes could increase the cost of our Investment Management segments doing business and/or materially adversely impact our profitability. In addition, the SEC may limit the Private Funds current exemption from registration as investment companies under the Investment Company Act. Additionally, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The SEC, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges have taken and are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The regulation of derivatives transactions and funds that engage in such transactions is an evolving area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Private Funds and the Investment Management segment could be substantial and adverse.
In addition, changes in tax law could adversely affect us. Legislation has been introduced in Congress which, if enacted, could have a material adverse effect on us. Proposals include legislation which would tax publicly traded partnerships engaged in the Investment Management segment, such as us, as corporations. Other proposals would treat the income from carried interests, when recognized for tax purposes, as ordinary income and as not qualifying as investment income for purposes of the 90% investment income test that publicly traded partnerships must meet to be classified as partnerships. It is unclear whether such legislation will be enacted. Moreover, it is unclear what specific provisions may be enacted, including what the effective date will be, and accordingly what any such legislations impact will be on us. It is possible that if such legislation were enacted we would be treated as an association, taxable as a corporation, which would materially increase our taxes. As an alternative, we might be required to restructure our operations, and possibly dispose of certain businesses, in order to avoid or mitigate the impact of any such legislation.
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The investment management industry is intensely competitive, with competition based on a variety of factors, including investment performance, the quality and experience of investment professionals and business reputation. The Private Funds compete for fund investors, investment opportunities and talent with other hedge funds, private equity funds, specialized funds, traditional asset managers, commercial banks and other financial institutions.
Several of our competitors have raised, or may raise, significant amounts of capital and many of them have investment objectives similar to the Private Funds, which may create additional competition for investment opportunities for the Private Funds and may reduce the size and duration of pricing inefficiencies that many alternative investment strategies seek to exploit. Our competitors may benefit from a lower cost of capital or have higher risk tolerance or different risk assessments, which may allow them to bid more aggressively than us.
The Private Funds may lose investment opportunities in the future if they do not match investment prices, structures and terms offered by competitors. Alternatively, the Private Funds may experience decreased rates of return and increased risks of loss if they match investment price structures and terms offered by competitors. In addition, changes in the global capital markets could diminish the attractiveness of the Private Funds relative to investments in other investment products. This competitive pressure could materially adversely affect the ability of our Investment Management segment to make successful investments for the Private Funds and reduce the AUM of the Private Funds.
These and other factors could reduce our Investment Management segment revenue and earnings and materially adversely affect our Investment Management segment.
The success of the Private Funds depends upon the ability of our Investment Management segment to develop and implement investment strategies that achieve the Private Funds investment objectives. Subjective decisions made by employees of our Investment Management segment may cause the Private Funds to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities on which the Private Funds would otherwise have capitalized. In the event that Mr. Icahn ceases to participate in the management of the Private Funds, the consequences to the Private Funds and our investment in them could be material and adverse and could lead to the premature termination of the Private Funds. In the event that Mr. Icahn dies, or is unable, by reason of illness or injury, to perform his duties as chief executive officer of the General Partners for 90 consecutive days, or for any reason other than death, illness or injury ceases to perform those duties, the investors in each of the Private Funds will have certain redemption rights. The occurrence of such an event could have a material adverse effect on the revenues and earnings of our Investment Management segment, and the ability of the Private Funds to maintain or grow their AUM. Such redemptions could possibly lead to a liquidation of one or more of the Private Funds and a corresponding elimination of our potential to earn special profits interest allocations and incentive allocations. The loss of Mr. Icahn could, therefore, ultimately result in a loss of substantially all of the earnings of our Investment Management segment.
Investments by the Private Funds include investments in debt or equity securities of publicly traded companies that we do not control. Such investments may be acquired by a Private Fund through open market trading activities or through purchases of securities from the issuer. These investments will be subject to the risk that the company in which the investment is made may make business, financial or management decisions with which our Investment Management segment disagree or that the majority of stakeholders or the management of the company may take risks or otherwise act in a manner that does not serve the best interests of the Private Fund. In addition, a Private Fund may make investments in which it shares control over the investment with co-investors, which may make it more difficult for it to implement its investment approach or exit the investment when it otherwise would. If any of the foregoing were to occur, the values of the investments by the Private Funds could decrease and our Investment Management segment revenues could suffer as a result.
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The Private Funds may utilize financial instruments, both for investment purposes and for risk management purposes in order to (i) protect against possible changes in the market value of a Private Funds investment portfolios resulting from fluctuations in the securities markets and changes in interest rates; (ii) protect a Private Funds unrealized gains in the value of its investment portfolios; (iii) facilitate the sale of any such investments; (iv) enhance or preserve returns, spreads or gains on any investment in the Private Funds portfolio; (v) hedge the interest rate or currency exchange rate on any of the Private Funds liabilities or assets; (vi) protect against any increase in the price of any securities our Investment Management segment anticipate purchasing at a later date; or (vii) for any other reason that our Investment Management segment deem appropriate.
The success of any hedging activities will depend, in part, upon the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the portfolio investments being hedged. However, hedging techniques may not always be possible or effective in limiting potential risks of loss. Since the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of our Investment Management segments hedging strategy will also be subject to the ability of our Investment Management segment to continually recalculate, readjust and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. While a Private Fund may enter into hedging transactions to seek to reduce risk, such transactions may result in a poorer overall performance for the Private Fund than if it had not engaged in such hedging transactions. For a variety of reasons, a Private Fund may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between the hedging instruments utilized and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such an imperfect correlation may prevent the Private Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Private Fund to risk of loss. Each Private Fund does not intend to seek to hedge every position and may determine not to hedge against a particular risk for various reasons, including, but not limited to, because it does not regard the probability of the risk occurring to be sufficiently high as to justify the cost of the hedge. Our Investment Management segment may not foresee the occurrence of the risk and therefore may not hedge against all risks.
Some of the tactics that the Private Funds may use involve litigation. The Private Funds could be a party to lawsuits that they initiate or that are initiated by a company in which the Private Funds invest, other shareholders, or state and federal governmental bodies. There can be no assurance that litigation, once begun, would be resolved in favor of the Private Funds.
In addition, we will be exposed to risk of litigation by a Private Funds investors if our Investment Management segments management of the Private Funds is alleged to constitute gross negligence, willful misconduct or dishonesty or breach of contract or organizational documents. Further, the Private Funds may be subject to third-party litigation arising from investors dissatisfaction with the performance of the Private Funds or based on claims that it improperly exercised control or influence over portfolio investments. Our Investment Management segment may also be exposed to the risk of litigation or investigation by investors or regulators relating to transactions which presented conflicts of interest that were not properly addressed. In such actions, we would be obligated to bear legal, settlement and other costs (which may exceed our available insurance coverage). In addition, our rights to indemnification from the applicable Private Funds may be challenged.
Certain of the Private Funds are incorporated or formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Cayman Islands laws, particularly with respect to shareholder rights, partner rights and bankruptcy, may differ from the laws of the United States and could possibly change to the detriment of the applicable Private Fund.
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Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (including non-U.S. governments) and securities denominated or whose prices are quoted in non-U.S. currencies pose, to the extent not successfully hedged, currency exchange risks (including blockage, devaluation and non-exchangeability), as well as a range of other potential risks, which could include expropriation, confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains or other income, political or social instability, illiquidity, price volatility and market manipulation. In addition, less information may be available regarding securities of non-U.S. issuers, and non-U.S. issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to, or as uniform as, those of U.S. issuers. Transaction costs of investing in non-U.S. securities markets are generally higher than in the United States. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers than there is in the United States. The Private Funds may have greater difficulty taking appropriate legal action in non-U.S. courts. Non-U.S. markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures which in some markets have at times failed to keep pace with the volume of transactions, thereby creating substantial delays and settlement failures that could adversely affect the Private Funds performance. Investments in non-U.S. markets may result in imposition of non-U.S. taxes or withholding on income and gains recognized with respect to such securities. There can be no assurance that adverse developments with respect to such risks will not materially adversely affect the Private Funds investments that are held in certain countries or the returns from these investments.
The Private Funds may invest in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers in weak financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth, facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, or that are involved in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Investments of this type may involve substantial financial, legal and business risks that can result in substantial, or at times even total, losses. The market prices of such securities are subject to abrupt and erratic market movements and above-average price volatility. It may take a number of years for the market price of such securities to reflect their intrinsic value. In liquidation (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate insolvency and reorganization, there exists the risk that the reorganization either will be unsuccessful (due to, for example, failure to obtain requisite approvals), will be delayed (for example, until various liabilities, actual or contingent, have been satisfied) or will result in a distribution of cash, assets or a new security the value of which will be less than the purchase price to the Private Funds of the security in respect to which such distribution was made and the terms of which may render such security illiquid.
| Generally, there are few limitations set forth in the offering documents of the Private Funds on the execution of their investment activities, which are subject to the sole discretion of our Investment Management segment. |
| A Private Fund may buy or sell (or write) both call options and put options, and when it writes options, it may do so on a covered or an uncovered basis. When the Private Fund sells (or writes) an option, the risk can be substantially greater than when it buys an option. The seller of an uncovered call option bears the risk of an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price. The risk is theoretically unlimited unless the option is covered. If it is covered, the Private Fund would forego the opportunity for profit on the underlying security should the market price of the security rise above the exercise price. Swaps and certain options and other custom instruments are subject to the risk of non-performance by the swap counterparty, including risks relating to the creditworthiness of the swap counterparty, market risk, liquidity risk and operations risk. |
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| The ability of the Private Funds to execute a short selling strategy may be materially adversely impacted by temporary and/or new permanent rules, interpretations, prohibitions, and restrictions adopted in response to adverse market events. Regulatory authorities may from time-to-time impose restrictions that adversely affect the Private Funds ability to borrow certain securities in connection with short sale transactions. In addition, traditional lenders of securities might be less likely to lend securities under certain market conditions. As a result, the Private Funds may not be able to effectively pursue a short selling strategy due to a limited supply of securities available for borrowing. |
| The Private Funds may engage in short-selling, which is subject to a theoretically unlimited risk of loss because there is no limit on how much the price of a security may appreciate before the short position is closed out. The Private Funds may be subject to losses if a security lender demands return of the borrowed securities and an alternative lending source cannot be found or if the Private Funds are otherwise unable to borrow securities that are necessary to hedge its positions. There can be no assurance that the Private Funds will be able to maintain the ability to borrow securities sold short. There also can be no assurance that the securities necessary to cover a short position will be available for purchase at or near prices quoted in the market. |
| The Private Funds may effect transactions through over-the-counter or interdealer markets. The participants in such markets are typically not subject to credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as are members of exchange-based markets. This exposes the Private Funds to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Private Fund to suffer a loss. Such counterparty risk is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where a Private Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of its counterparties. The Private Funds are not restricted from dealing with any particular counterparty or from concentrating any or all of the Private Funds transactions with one counterparty. |
| Credit risk may arise through a default by one of several large institutions that are dependent on one another to meet their liquidity or operational needs, so that a default by one institution causes a series of defaults by other institutions. This systemic risk may materially adversely affect the financial intermediaries (such as prime brokers, clearing agencies, clearing houses, banks, securities firms and exchanges) with which the Private Funds interact on a daily basis. |
| The efficacy of investment and trading strategies depends largely on the ability to establish and maintain an overall market position in a combination of financial instruments. The Private Funds trading orders may not be executed in a timely and efficient manner due to various circumstances, including systems failures or human error. In such event, the Private Funds might only be able to acquire some but not all of the components of the position, or if the overall positions were to need adjustment, the Private Funds might not be able to make such adjustment. As a result, the Private Funds may not be able to achieve the market position selected by our Investment Management segment and might incur a loss in liquidating their position. |
| Each Private Funds assets may be held in one or more accounts maintained for the Private Fund by its prime broker or at other brokers or custodian banks, which may be located in various jurisdictions. The prime broker, other brokers (including those acting as sub-custodians) and custodian banks are subject to various laws and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions in the event of their insolvency. Accordingly, the practical effect of these laws and their application to the Private Funds assets may be subject to substantial variations, limitations and uncertainties. The insolvency of any of the prime brokers, local brokers, custodian banks or clearing corporations may result in the loss of all or a substantial portion of the Private Funds assets or in a significant delay in the Private Fund having access to those assets. |
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| A Private Fund may invest in synthetic instruments that will usually have a contractual relationship only with the counterparty of the synthetic security. In the event of the insolvency of any counterparty, the Private Funds recourse will be limited to the collateral, if any, posted by the counterparty and, in the absence of collateral, the Private Fund will be treated as a general creditor of the counterparty. While the Private Fund expects that returns on a synthetic financial instrument may reflect those of each related reference obligation, as a result of the terms of the synthetic financial instrument and the assumption of the credit risk of the counterparty, a synthetic financial instrument may have a different expected return, a different (and potentially greater) probability of default and different expected loss and recovery characteristics following a default. Upon the occurrence of a credit event, maturity, acceleration or other termination of a synthetic financial instrument, the terms of the synthetic financial instrument may permit or require the counterparty to satisfy its obligations under the synthetic financial instrument by delivering to the Private Fund one or more deliverable obligations (which may not be the reference obligation) or a cash payment (which may be less than the then-current market value of the reference obligation). In addition, a synthetic financial instrument may provide for early termination at a price based upon a marked-to-market valuation, which may be less than the principal or notional amount of the synthetic security. A Private Fund may also invest in credit default swaps. The credit default swap market is rapidly evolving and substantial changes to the terms and conditions under which these financial instruments are traded have recently been revised. Additional revisions and regulatory reform should also be expected in the near future. |
Federal-Moguls revenues are closely tied to global OE automobile sales, production levels and independent aftermarket parts replacement activity. The OE market is characterized by short-term volatility, with overall expected long-term growth in global vehicle sales and production. Automotive production in the local markets served by Federal-Mogul can be affected by macro-economic factors such as interest rates, fuel prices, consumer confidence, employment trends, regulatory and legislative oversight requirements and trade agreements. A variation in the level of automobile production would affect not only sales to OE customers but, depending on the reasons for the change, could impact demand from aftermarket customers. Federal-Moguls results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected if Federal-Mogul fails to respond in a timely and appropriate manner to changes in the demand for its products.
Relative to the global automotive industry, the financial stability of the United States automotive industry has been deteriorating. Several companies have announced significant restructuring activities to eliminate excess capacity, reduce costs and achieve other benefits normally associated with restructuring activities. Continued declines in the automotive production levels of Federal-Moguls major OE customers, particularly with respect to platforms for which Federal-Mogul is a significant supplier, could materially reduce sales and harm Federal-Moguls profitability.
Accounts receivable potentially subject Federal-Mogul to concentrations of credit risk. Federal-Moguls customer base includes virtually every significant global automotive manufacturer, numerous Tier 1 automotive suppliers and a large number of distributors and installers of automotive aftermarket parts.
During fiscal 2009, many of Federal-Moguls OE customers continued to lower production levels due to a reduction in end-customer demand. Several other global automotive manufacturers are also experiencing operating and profitability issues as well as labor concerns. In this environment, it is difficult to forecast future OE customer production schedules, the potential for labor disputes or the success or sustainability of any strategies undertaken by any of Federal-Moguls customers in response to the current industry environment. This environment may also put additional pricing pressure on suppliers to reduce the cost of products, which would reduce Federal-Moguls margins. In addition, cuts in production schedules are also sometimes
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announced by Federal-Moguls OE customers with little advance notice, making it difficult for Federal-Mogul to respond with corresponding cost reductions.
Federal-Moguls supply base has also been adversely affected by industry conditions. Lower production levels for OEMs and increases in certain raw material, commodity and energy costs have resulted in severe financial distress among many companies within the automotive supply base. Several large suppliers and customers have filed for bankruptcy protection or ceased operations. Unfavorable industry conditions have also resulted in financial distress within Federal-Moguls supply base and an increase in commercial disputes and the risk of supply disruption. In addition, the adverse industry environment has required Federal-Mogul to provide financial support to distressed suppliers or take other measures to ensure uninterrupted production. While Federal-Mogul has taken certain actions to mitigate these factors, Federal-Mogul has offset only a portion of their overall impact on its operating results. The continuation or worsening of these industry conditions would adversely affect Federal-Moguls profitability, operating results and cash flow.
Federal-Mogul has manufacturing and distribution facilities in many countries. International operations are subject to certain risks including:
| exposure to local economic conditions; |
| exposure to local political conditions (including the risk of seizure of assets by foreign governments); |
| currency exchange rate fluctuations (including, but not limited to, material exchange rate fluctuations, such as devaluations) and currency controls; and |
| export and import restrictions. |
The likelihood of such occurrences and their potential effect on our Federal-Mogul are unpredictable and vary from country to country.
Certain of Federal-Moguls operating entities report their financial condition and results of operations in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (including, but not limited to, Brazilian real, British pound, Chinese yuan renminbi, Czech crown, euro, Indian rupee, Mexican peso, Polish zloty, Russian ruble and Venezuelan bolivar). In reporting its consolidated statements of operations, Federal-Mogul translates the reported results of these entities into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rates. As a result, fluctuations in the dollar against foreign currencies will affect the value at which the results of these entities are included within Federal-Moguls consolidated results.
Federal-Mogul is exposed to a risk of gain or loss from changes in foreign exchange rates whenever Federal-Mogul, or one of its foreign subsidiaries, enters into a purchase or sales agreement in a currency other than its functional currency. While Federal-Mogul reduces such exposure by matching most revenues and costs within the same currency, changes in exchange rates could impact its financial condition or results of operations.
As of December 31, 2009, Federal-Mogul had approximately $2.9 billion of outstanding indebtedness. Federal-Mogul is permitted by the terms of its debt instruments to incur substantial additional indebtedness, subject to the restrictions therein. Federal-Moguls inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy its debt obligations, or to refinance its debt obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have a material adverse effect on its Federal-Moguls business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Federal-Moguls indebtedness could:
| limit its ability to borrow money for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other corporate purposes; |
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| require Federal-Mogul to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow to payments on indebtedness, which would reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product development and other corporate requirements; |
| increase its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; and |
| limit its ability to respond to business opportunities. |
A significant portion of Federal-Moguls indebtedness accrues interest at variable rates. To the extent market interest rates rise, the cost of Federal-Moguls debt would increase, adversely affecting Federal-Moguls financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Federal-Mogul engages in numerous financial transactions and contracts including insurance policies, letters of credit, credit line agreements, financial derivatives (including interest rate swaps), and investment management agreements involving various counterparties. Federal-Mogul is subject to the risk that one or more of these counterparties may become insolvent and therefore be unable to discharge its obligations under such contracts.
Federal-Mogul operates in an extremely competitive industry, driven by global vehicle production volumes and part replacement trends. Business is typically awarded to the supplier offering the most favorable combination of cost, quality, technology and service. In addition, customers continue to require periodic price reductions that require Federal-Mogul to continually assess, redefine and improve its operations, products and manufacturing capabilities to maintain and improve profitability. Federal-Moguls management continues to develop and execute initiatives to meet the challenges of the industry and to achieve its strategy; however, there can be no assurance that Federal-Mogul will be able to compete effectively in the automotive market.
Federal-Moguls future performance substantially depends on its ability to retain and motivate executive officers and key employees, both individually and as a group. If Federal-Mogul loses any of its executive officers or key employees, which have many years of experience with Federal-Mogul and within the automotive industry and other manufacturing industries, or are unable to recruit qualified personnel, its ability to manage the day-to-day aspects of its business may be materially adversely affected. The loss of the services of one or more executive officers or key employees, who also have strong personal ties with customers and suppliers, could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The employment agreement of José Maria Alapont, Federal-Moguls President and Chief Executive Officer since March 1, 2005, expires on March 23, 2010. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that Mr. Alapont will not retire and will remain as President and Chief Executive Officer of Federal-Mogul upon expiration of his employment agreement. The loss of Mr. Alaponts services could have a material adverse effect on Federal-Moguls business, financial condition and results of operations.
Federal-Mogul does not currently maintain key person life insurance.
The automotive industry, like other industries, continues to be impacted by the rising cost of providing pension and other post employment benefits. In addition, Federal-Mogul sponsors certain defined benefit plans worldwide that are underfunded and will require cash payments. If the performance of the assets in the pension plans does not meet our expectations, or other actuarial assumptions are modified, our required contributions may be higher than we expect.
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In the past, Federal-Mogul has grown through acquisitions, and may engage in acquisitions in the future as part of its sustainable global profitable growth strategy. The full benefits of these acquisitions, however, require integration of manufacturing, administrative, financial, sales and marketing approaches and personnel. If Federal-Mogul is unable to successfully integrate its acquisitions, it may not realize the benefits of the acquisitions, the financial results may be negatively affected, or additional cash may be required to integrate such operations.
In the future, Federal-Mogul may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition or joint venture opportunities or complete any particular acquisition, combination, joint venture or other transaction on acceptable terms. Federal-Moguls identification of suitable acquisition candidates and joint venture opportunities and the integration of acquired business operations involve risks inherent in assessing the values, strengths, weaknesses, risks and profitability of these opportunities. This includes the effects on its business, diversion of managements attention and risks associated with unanticipated problems or unforeseen liabilities, and may require significant financial resources that would otherwise be used for the ongoing development of its business.
The difficulties of integration may be increased by the necessity of coordinating geographically dispersed organizations, integrating personnel with disparate business backgrounds and combining different corporate cultures. These difficulties could be further increased to the extent Federal-Mogul pursues acquisition or joint venture opportunities internationally. Federal-Mogul may not be effective in retaining key employees or customers of the combined businesses. Federal-Mogul may face integration issues pertaining to the internal controls and operations functions of the acquired companies and also may not realize cost efficiencies or synergies that were anticipated when selecting the acquisition candidates. Federal-Mogul may experience managerial or other conflicts with its joint venture partners. Any of these items could adversely affect its results of operations.
Federal-Moguls failure to identify suitable acquisition or joint venture opportunities may restrict its ability to grow its business. If Federal-Mogul is successful in pursuing future acquisitions or joint ventures, it may be required to expend significant funds, incur additional debt and/or issue additional securities, which may materially adversely affect results of its operations. If Federal-Mogul spends significant funds or incurs additional debt, its ability to obtain financing for working capital or other purposes could decline and Federal-Mogul may be more vulnerable to economic downturns and competitive pressures.
Federal-Mogul expects to continue to incur restructuring expenses and related costs through fiscal 2010 in connection with its sustainable global profitable growth strategy. It is possible that such costs could vary from initially projected amounts or that achieving the expected synergies and cost savings will require additional costs or charges to earnings in future periods. It is also possible that the expected synergies may not be achieved. Any costs or charges could adversely impact its business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Federal-Mogul purchases a broad range of materials, components and finished parts. Federal-Mogul also uses a significant amount of energy, both electricity and natural gas, in the production of its products. A significant disruption in the supply of these materials, supplies and energy or the failure of a supplier with whom Federal-Mogul has established a single source supply relationship could decrease production and shipping levels, materially increase operating costs and materially adversely affect profit margins. Shortages of materials or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor or transportation in the markets where Federal-Mogul purchases
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material, components and supplies for the production of products or where the products are produced, distributed or sold, whether as a result of labor strife, war, further acts of terrorism or otherwise, in each case may adversely affect profitability.
In recent periods there have been significant fluctuations in the prices of aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, platinum, resins, steel, other base metals and energy which have had and may continue to have an unfavorable impact on Federal-Moguls business. Any continued fluctuations in the price or availability of energy and materials may have an adverse effect on Federal-Moguls results of operations or financial condition. To address increased costs associated with these market forces, a number of Federal-Moguls suppliers have implemented surcharges on existing fixed price contracts. Without the surcharge, some suppliers claim they will be unable to provide adequate supply. Competitive and marketing pressures may limit Federal-Moguls ability to pass some of the supply and material cost increases onto its customers, particularly with domestic vehicle manufacturers, and may prevent Federal-Mogul from doing so in the future. Furthermore, Federal-Moguls customers are generally not obligated to accept price increases that Federal-Mogul may desire to pass along to them. This inability to pass on price increases to customers when material prices increase rapidly or to significantly higher than historic levels could adversely affect its operating margins and cash flow, possibly resulting in lower operating income and profitability.
In order to mitigate short-term variation in operating results due to the aforementioned commodity price fluctuations, Federal-Mogul hedges a portion of near-term exposure to certain raw materials used in production processes, primarily natural gas, copper, nickel, lead, platinum, high-grade aluminum and aluminum alloy. The results of Federal-Moguls hedging practice could be positive, neutral or negative in any period depending on price changes in the hedged exposures.
Federal-Moguls hedging activities are not designed to mitigate long-term commodity price fluctuations and, therefore, will not protect from long-term commodity price increases. Federal-Moguls future hedging positions may not correlate to actual energy or raw materials costs, which would cause acceleration in the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on hedging positions in operating results.
Federal-Mogul is subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to the release or discharge of materials into the environment, the management, use, processing, handling, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous waste materials, or otherwise relating to the protection of public and employee health, safety and the environment. These laws and regulations expose Federal-Mogul to liability for the environmental condition of its current facilities, and also may expose Federal-Mogul to liability for the conduct of others or for Federal-Moguls actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time these actions were taken. These laws and regulations also may expose Federal-Mogul to liability for claims of personal injury or property damage related to alleged exposure to hazardous or toxic materials in foreign countries where such liability has not been resolved through Federal-Moguls 524(g) Trust. Despite Federal-Moguls intention to be in compliance with all such laws and regulations, Federal-Mogul cannot guarantee that it will at all times be in compliance with all such requirements. The cost of complying with these requirements may also increase substantially in future years. If Federal-Mogul violates or fails to comply with these requirements, Federal-Mogul could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. These requirements are complex, change frequently and may become more stringent over time, which could have a material adverse effect on its business.
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Federal-Moguls failure to maintain and comply with environmental permits that it is required to maintain could result in fines or penalties or other sanctions and have a material adverse effect on its operations or results. Future events, such as new environmental regulations or changes in or modified interpretations of existing laws and regulations or enforcement policies, newly discovered information or further investigation or evaluation of the potential health hazards of products or business activities, may give rise to additional compliance and other costs that could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial conditions and results of operations.
Federal-Mogul is involved in legal proceedings and commercial or contractual disputes that, from time to time, are significant. These are typically claims that arise in the normal course of business including, without limitation, commercial or contractual disputes, including disputes with suppliers, intellectual property matters, personal injury claims, environmental issues, tax matters and employment matters. No assurances can be given that such proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse impact on its profitability and consolidated financial position.
Various patent, copyright, trade secret and trademark laws afford only limited protection and may not prevent Federal-Moguls competitors from duplicating its products or gaining access to its proprietary information and technology. These means also may not permit Federal-Mogul to gain or maintain a competitive advantage.
Any of Federal-Moguls patents may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or rendered unenforceable. Federal-Mogul cannot guarantee that it will be successful should one or more of its patents be challenged for any reason. If Federal-Moguls patent claims are rendered invalid or unenforceable, or narrowed in scope, the patent coverage afforded to Federal-Moguls products could be impaired, which could significantly impede Federal-Moguls ability to market its products, negatively affect its competitive position and materially adversely affect its business and results of operations.
Federal-Moguls pending or future patent applications may not result in an issued patent. Additionally, newly issued patents may not provide Federal-Mogul with meaningful protection against competitors or against competitive technologies. The United States federal courts may invalidate Federal-Moguls patents or find them unenforceable. Competitors may also be able to design around Federal-Moguls patents. Other parties may develop and obtain patent protection for more effective technologies, designs or methods. If these developments were to occur, it could have an adverse effect on its sales. If Federal-Moguls intellectual property rights are not adequately protected, it may not be able to commercialize its technologies, products or services and its competitors could commercialize its technologies, which could result in a decrease in Federal-Moguls sales and market share, and could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Federal-Mogul cannot guarantee that its products, manufacturing processes or other methods do not infringe the patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties. Infringement and other intellectual property claims and proceedings brought against Federal-Mogul, whether successful or not, could result in substantial costs and harm its reputation. Such claims and proceedings can also distract and divert management and key personnel from other tasks important to the success of its business. In addition, intellectual property litigation or claims could force Federal-Mogul to do one or more of the following:
| cease selling or using any of products that incorporate the asserted intellectual property, which would adversely affect Federal-Moguls revenue; |
| pay substantial damages for past use of the asserted intellectual property; |
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| obtain a license from the holder of the asserted intellectual property, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all; and |
| redesign or rename, in the case of trademark claims, products to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may not be possible and could be costly and time-consuming if it is possible to do. |
In the event of an adverse determination in an intellectual property suit or proceeding, or Federal-Moguls failure to license essential technology, Federal-Moguls sales could be harmed and its costs could increase, which could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Climate change is receiving ever increasing attention worldwide. Many scientists, legislators and others attribute global warming to increased levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which has led to significant legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. There are a number of pending legislative and regulatory proposals to address greenhouse gas emissions. For example, in June 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act that would phase-in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions if enacted into law. The U.S. Senate is considering a different bill, and it is uncertain whether, when and in what form a federal mandatory carbon dioxide emissions reduction program may be adopted. Similarly, certain countries in which our Automotive segment operates have adopted the Kyoto Protocol, and this and other international initiatives under consideration could affect its international operations. These actions could increase costs associated with Federal-Moguls operations, including costs for raw materials and transportation. Because it is uncertain what laws will be enacted, we cannot predict the potential impact of such laws on our Automotive segment and on our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Our scrap metals business operates in a highly competitive environment. We primarily provide services to industrial companies. Many other companies offer the same or similar services and compete with our metals business on a number of bases including, but not limited to: (i) price; (ii) quality of service; (iii) proximity to the consumer; (iv) proximity to sources of supply; (v) local or regional presence; (vi) technology; (vii) safety performance; and (viii) financial strength. Many of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do either nationally or in the particular locale in which they operate. Some of these competitors are larger and have more diverse businesses than we do. In addition, we also face increased competition from steel mills that are vertically integrated into the scrap metal business. Some of our foreign competitors may be able to pursue business opportunities without regard for the laws and regulations with which we must comply, such as environmental regulations. These companies may have a lower cost structure, more operating flexibility and consequently they may be able to offer better prices and more services than we can. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully with these companies. In addition to larger companies, we compete with many smaller competitors operating locally in this highly fragmented market. Some of the companies may have lower operating costs and may be able to compete more effectively on price.
We are exposed to commodity price risk during the period that we have title to products that are held in inventory for processing and/or resale. Prices of commodities, including scrap metals, can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond our control, including:
| general economic conditions; |
| labor costs; |
| competition; |
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| financial condition of our major customers; |
| access and costs associated with transportation systems; |
| the availability of imports; |
| the availability and relative pricing of scrap metal substitutes; and |
| import duties, ocean freight costs, tariffs and currency exchange rates. |
In an increasing price environment for raw materials, competitive conditions may limit our ability to pass on price increases to our consumers. In a decreasing price environment for processed scrap, we may not have the ability to fully recoup the cost of raw scrap metal we process and sell to our customers. New entrants into our markets could result in higher purchase prices for raw materials and lower margins from our scrap metals. Prices in the scrap metal industry are established and adjusted monthly by the major steel producers. The price of ferrous scrap is a significant factor influencing the profitability of the scrap metals industry.
Our scrap metals business may be adversely affected by increases in steel imports into the United States, which will have an adverse impact on domestic steel production and a corresponding adverse impact on the demand for scrap metals domestically. Additionally, our scrap metals business could be negatively affected by strengthening in the U.S. dollar or increased freight costs which could negatively impact export sales and a stronger U.S. dollar could also attract imports of scrap or scrap substitutes, reducing demand for our scrap metals.
During periods of high demand for scrap metals, tightness can develop in the supply and demand for ferrous scrap. The relative scarcity of ferrous scrap, particularly prime or industrial grades, and its high price during such periods have created opportunities for producers of alternatives to scrap metals, such as pig iron and direct reduced iron pellets and others. Although these alternatives have not been a major factor in the industry to date, we cannot assure you that the use of alternatives to scrap metals may not proliferate in the future if the prices for scrap metals rise, if the supplies of available unprepared ferrous scrap tighten or if costs to import scrap decline precipitously.
As part of our scrap metals business we procure scrap inventory from numerous sources. These suppliers generally are not bound by long-term contracts and have no obligation to sell scrap metals to us. In periods of low industry prices, suppliers may elect to hold scrap to wait for higher prices or intentionally slow their scrap collection activities. If a substantial number of scrap suppliers cease selling scrap metals to us, our scrap metals business could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, a slowdown of industrial production in the United States would reduce the supply of industrial grades of scrap metal to the scrap metals recycling industry, resulting in our scrap metals business having less scrap to process and market.
Because of the heavy industrial activities conducted at our facilities, there exists a risk of serious injury or death to our employees or other visitors notwithstanding the safety precautions we take. Our scrap metals business is subject to regulation by federal, state and local agencies responsible for employee health and safety, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. While we have in place policies to minimize such risks, we may nevertheless be unable to avoid material liabilities for any death or injury that may occur in the future and these types of incidents may have a material adverse effect on our scrap metals business.
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We are subject to comprehensive local, state and federal statutory and regulatory environmental requirements relating to, among others:
| the acceptance, storage, handling and disposal of solid, hazardous and Toxic Substances Control Act waste; |
| the discharge of materials into the air; |
| the management and treatment of wastewater and storm water; |
| the remediation of soil and groundwater contamination; |
| the restoration of natural resource damages; and |
| the protection of our employees health and safety. |
We believe that we are currently in material compliance with applicable statutes and regulations governing the protection of human health and the environment, including employee health and safety. We can give you no assurance, however, that we will continue to be in material compliance or avoid material fines, penalties and expenses associated with compliance issues in the future.
Such laws and regulations also require manifests to be completed and delivered in connection with any shipment of prescribed materials so that the movement and disposal of such materials can be traced and the persons responsible for any mishandling of such materials identified. Regulatory requirements may also be imposed as conditions of operating permits or licenses both initially and upon renewal or modification. As part of our scrap metals business, we must properly remove, handle, recycle or dispose of waste materials or incur liability. Transportation, transfer, storage and disposal of waste are difficult and accidents may occur. These laws and regulations are stringent and are likely to become more stringent. Existing and new laws and regulations may require our scrap metals business to modify, supplement, replace or curtail its operating methods or to modify or replace facilities or equipment at costs that may be substantial without any corresponding increase in revenues.
Hazardous substances are present in some of the processing, transfer and storage facilities owned or leased by our scrap metal business and landfill facilities used by our scrap metals business. Remediation may be required at these sites at substantial cost. We cannot assure you that the ultimate cost and expense of corrective action will not substantially exceed any reserves and have a material adverse impact on our scrap metals business. In addition, governments have from time to time required companies to remediate sites where materials were properly disposed because those governments have instituted higher standards.
We are required to obtain, and must comply with, various permits and licenses to conduct our scrap metals business. Failure to obtain or violations of any permit or license, if not remedied, could result in our incurring substantial fines, suspension of our scrap metals business or closure of a site. Further, our scrap metals business is conducted primarily outdoors and as such, depending on the nature of the ground cover, involves the risk of releases of wastes and other regulated materials to the soil and, possibly, to groundwater. From time to time, as part of our continuous improvement programs, we incur costs to improve environmental control systems.
A high level of public concern exists over industrial by-products recovery operations, including the location and operation of transfer, processing, storage and disposal facilities and the collection, processing or handling of industrial by-products and waste materials, particularly hazardous materials. Zoning, permit and licensing applications and proceedings and regulatory enforcement proceedings are all matters open to public scrutiny and comment. As a result, from time to time, our scrap metals business may be subject to citizen opposition and adverse publicity that may have a negative effect on operations and delay or limit the expansion and developing of operating properties, and could have a material adverse effect on our scrap metals operation.
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Our scrap metals business is substantially dependent upon the overall economic conditions in the United States and other global markets. The economic climate could substantially decrease the demand for our scrap metals products and adversely affect our scrap metals business. Ferrous and non-ferrous scrap has been historically vulnerable to significant declines in consumption and product pricing during prolonged periods of economic downturn. The downturn in the construction, auto, industrial equipment and other industries could adversely affect the sales and profitability of our scrap metals business.
Our scrap metals business is subject to potential liability for personal injuries and property damage caused by releases of hazardous substances and for remediation of risks posed by hazardous substances. Consistent with industry trends, we may be unable to obtain an adequate amount of environmental impairment insurance for our scrap metals business at a reasonable premium to cover liability to third persons for environmental damage. Accordingly, if our scrap metals business were to incur liability for environmental damage either not provided for under such coverage or in excess of such coverage, our scrap metals business could be materially or adversely affected.
Our scrap metals business recycling and manufacturing processes depend, in part, upon shredders, which could be out of service temporarily as a result of unanticipated failures. As a result, we may experience interruptions in our scrap metals business processing and production capabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our residential development sales activity continued at a slow pace in fiscal 2009, particularly for our Florida properties. Sales of our vacation properties in New Seabury, Massachusetts and Florida rely heavily on favorable credit markets and a robust economy. Sale or leasing, including lease renewals, of the commercial properties in our net lease portfolio also rely heavily on financially healthy buyers and tenants. To the extent current conditions continue, the value of our real estate portfolio may continue to decline. We cannot assure that we will be able to recoup our investments in our residential properties or continue to sell or lease our commercial properties at profitable rates.
We have invested and expect to continue to invest in unentitled land, undeveloped land and distressed development properties. These properties involve more risk than properties on which development has been completed. Unentitled land may not be approved for development. These investments do not generate any operating revenue, while costs are incurred to obtain government approvals and develop the properties. Construction may not be completed within budget or as scheduled and projected rental levels or sales prices may not be achieved and other unpredictable contingencies beyond our control could occur. We will not be able to recoup any of such costs until such time as these properties, or parcels thereof, are either disposed of or developed into income-producing assets.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of tenants in our retail, industrial and office properties may adversely affect the income produced by our properties. If a tenant defaults, we may experience delays and incur substantial costs in enforcing our rights as landlord. If a tenant files for bankruptcy, we cannot evict the tenant solely because of such bankruptcy. A court, however, may authorize a tenant to reject or terminate its lease with us. We may also incur additional vacancy and other re-tenanting expense.
Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real property may become liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous substances,
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pollutants and contaminants released on, under, in or from its property. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release of such substances. To the extent any such substances are found in or on any property invested in by us, we could be exposed to liability and be required to incur substantial remediation costs. The presence of such substances or the failure to undertake proper remediation may adversely affect the ability to finance, refinance or dispose of such property. We generally conduct a Phase I environmental site assessment on properties in which we are considering investing. A Phase I environmental site assessment involves record review, visual site assessment and personnel interviews, but does not typically include invasive testing procedures such as air, soil or groundwater sampling or other tests performed as part of a Phase II environmental site assessment. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any assessments we conduct will disclose all potential liabilities or that future property uses or conditions or changes in applicable environmental laws and regulations or activities at nearby properties will not result in the creation of environmental liabilities with respect to a property.
As of December 31, 2009, we owned approximately 67.7% of the outstanding shares of common stock and 100% of the preferred stock of WPI. As a result of a decision of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York reversing certain provisions of the Bankruptcy Court order pursuant to which we acquired our ownership of a majority of the common stock of WPI, the proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court on remand and the proceedings filed in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, our percentage of the outstanding shares of common stock of WPI could be reduced to less than 50% and perhaps substantially less and our ownership of the preferred stock of WPI could also be affected.
If we were to lose control of WPI, it could adversely affect the business and prospects of WPI and the value of our investment in it. In addition, we consolidated the balance sheet of WPI as of December 31, 2009 and WPIs results of operations for the period from the date of acquisition (August 8, 2005) through December 31, 2009. If we were to own less than 50% of the outstanding common stock or the challenge to our preferred stock ownership is successful, we would have to evaluate whether we should consolidate WPI and if so our financial statements could be materially different than as presented as of December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
WPI operated at a loss during fiscal 2009, and we expect that WPI will continue to operate at a loss during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010. We cannot assure you that it will be able to operate profitably in the future.
During fiscal 2009, WPIs six largest customers accounted for approximately 59% of its net sales. Other retailers have indicated that they intend to significantly increase their direct sourcing of home fashion products from foreign sources. The loss of any of WPIs largest accounts, or a material portion of sales to those accounts, would have an adverse effect upon WPIs business, which could be material.
A portion of WPIs sales is derived from licensed designer brands. The license agreements for WPIs designer brands generally are for a term of one to three years. Some of the licenses are automatically renewable for additional periods, provided that sales thresholds set forth in the license agreements are met. The loss of a significant license could have an adverse effect upon WPIs business, which could be material. Under certain circumstances, these licenses can be terminated without WPIs consent due to circumstances beyond WPIs control.
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WPI currently has manufacturing or sales and distribution centers in two foreign countries: Pakistan and Bahrain. Its international sales and operations may be subject to various political and economic risks including, but not limited to: possible unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations or hyperinflation; changes in a countrys or regions political or economic conditions; governmental regulations, including import and export controls; tariffs; limits on the repatriation of funds; and taxes.
Should any of these risks occur, it could impair WPIs ability to export its products to the United States or result in a loss of sales and profits from its U.S. and international operations.
Any shortage in the raw materials WPI uses to manufacture its products could adversely affect its operations. The principal raw materials that WPI uses in the manufacture of its products are cotton of various grades and staple lengths and polyester and nylon in staple and filament form. Since cotton is an agricultural product, its supply and quality are subject to weather patterns, disease and other factors. The price of cotton is also influenced by supply and demand considerations, both domestically and worldwide, and by the cost of polyester. Although WPI has been able to acquire sufficient quantities of cotton for its operations in the past, any shortage in the cotton supply by reason of weather patterns, disease or other factors, or a significant increase in the price of cotton, could adversely affect its operations. The price of man-made fibers, such as polyester and nylon, is influenced by demand, manufacturing capacity and costs, petroleum prices, cotton prices and the cost of polymers used in producing these fibers. In particular, the effect of increased energy prices may have a direct impact upon the cost of dye and chemicals, polyester and other synthetic fibers. Any significant prolonged petrochemical shortages could significantly affect the availability of man-made fibers and could cause a substantial increase in demand for cotton. This could result in decreased availability of cotton and possibly increased prices and could adversely affect WPIs operations.
The home fashion industry is highly competitive. WPIs future success will, to a large extent, depend on its ability to remain a low-cost producer and to remain competitive. WPI competes with both foreign and domestic companies on, among other factors, the basis of price, quality and customer service. In the home fashion market, WPI competes with many companies. WPIs future success depends on its ability to remain competitive in the areas of marketing, product development, price, quality, brand names, manufacturing capabilities, distribution and order processing. Any failure to compete effectively could adversely affect WPIs sales and, accordingly, its operations. Additionally, the easing of trade restrictions over time has led to growing competition from low priced products imported from Asia and Latin America. The lifting of import quotas in 2005 has accelerated the loss of WPIs market share. There can be no assurance that the foreign competition will not grow to a level that could have an adverse effect upon WPIs ability to compete effectively.
WPI has increased the percentage of its products that are made overseas and faces additional risks associated with these efforts. Adverse factors that WPI may encounter include:
| logistical challenges caused by distance; |
| language and cultural differences; |
| legal and regulatory restrictions; |
| the difficulty of enforcing agreements with overseas suppliers; |
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| currency exchange rate fluctuations; |
| political and economic instability; and |
| potential adverse tax consequences. |
To improve WPIs competitive position, WPI intends to continue to significantly reduce its cost of goods sold by restructuring some of its remaining operations in the plants located in the United States, increasing production within its non-U.S. facilities and joint venture operation and sourcing goods from lower-cost overseas facilities and vendors. There is no assurance that WPI will be successful in its continuing restructuring efforts, the failure of which could adversely impact WPIs profitability and ability to compete effectively.
Retailers of consumer goods have consolidated and become more powerful over time. As buying power has become more concentrated, pricing pressure on vendors has grown. With the ability to buy imported products directly from foreign sources, retailers pricing leverage has increased and also allowed for growth in private label brands that displace and compete with WPI proprietary brands. Retailers pricing leverage has resulted in a decline in WPIs unit pricing and margins and resulted in a shift in product mix to more private label programs. If WPI is unable to diminish the decline in its pricing and margins, it may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability.
Retailers of consumer goods are dependent upon consumer spending. In turn, consumer spending is broadly a function of the overall economic environment. Given the weaknesses, both in the overall economy and of comparable retail store sales, the level of consumer retail spending for home textile products is likely to decline, which would have an adverse impact on WPIs business and financial results.
To the extent that WPIs retailers of consumer goods are faced with financial difficulties due to weakened consumer demand, depending upon the amount of business that WPI does with any such customer, WPIs financial results may be adversely affected. This adverse impact could arise out of the potential recoverability of a receivable from a financially impaired retailer or from this customer doing less business with WPI. WPI believes it maintains adequate receivable reserves for specifically known events and an overall general provision for unknown circumstances. However, depending upon the magnitude of any future unknown event, these reserves may not be sufficient.
WPI is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations governing, among other things, the discharge, storage, handling, usage and disposal of a variety of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and wastes used in, or resulting from, its operations, including potential remediation obligations under those laws and regulations. WPIs operations are also governed by federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to employee safety and health which, among other things, establish exposure limitations for cotton dust, formaldehyde, asbestos and noise, and which regulate chemical, physical and ergonomic hazards in the workplace. Consumer product safety laws, regulations and standards at the federal and state level govern the manufacture and sale of products by WPI. Although WPI does not expect that compliance with any of these laws and regulations will adversely affect its operations, we cannot assure you that regulatory requirements will not become more stringent in the future or that WPI will not incur significant costs to comply with those requirements.
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The North American railcar market has been, and ARI expects it to continue to be highly cyclical. The recent worldwide financial turmoil and associated economic downturn has adversely affected the overall railcar industry as well as sales of ARIs railcars and other products and has caused it to slow its production rates. For example, over approximately the past two and a half years, ARI has experienced a decrease in demand and an increase in pricing pressures in the railcar markets, and over the past three years its new railcar orders have declined from approximately 2,510 in 2007, to approximately 280 in fiscal 2008 and none in fiscal 2009. We anticipate that the current economic downturn is likely to continue to adversely affect sales of ARIs railcars and other products and ARI expects its shipments and revenues to decrease in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009. We cannot assure you that these conditions will improve soon, if at all. Downturns in part or all of the railcar manufacturing industry may continue to occur in the future, resulting in decreased demand for ARIs products and services.
Most of the end users of ARIs railcars acquire them through leasing arrangements with its leasing company customers. The current economic environment and restricted credit markets have resulted in stricter borrowing conditions and, in some cases, higher interest rates for new borrowings, either of which could increase the cost of, or potentially deter, new leasing arrangements. These factors could cause ARIs leasing company customers to purchase fewer railcars. In addition, the slow-down of the U.S. economy has reduced and may continue to reduce requirements for the transport of products carried by the railcars ARI manufactures. These factors have resulted and may continue to result in decreased demand and increased pricing pressures on the sales of railcars. Sales of other of ARIs industrial products also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the slowdown in industrial output, as well. All of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our Railcar operations.
Railcars are typically sold pursuant to large, periodic orders, and therefore, a limited number of customers typically represent a significant percentage of railcar sales in any given year. ARIs top ten customers accounted for approximately 90.0%, 90.7% and 87.9% of its total consolidated revenues in fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively. Moreover, ARIs top three customers accounted for approximately 85.2%, 82.0% and 80.1% of its total consolidated revenues in fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively. In addition, one of ARIs affiliated customers accounted for 68.3% of its backlog as of December 31, 2009. The loss of any significant portion of its sales to any major customer, the loss of a single major customer or a material adverse change in the financial condition of any one of its major customers could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and financial results. If one of ARIs significant customers was unable to pay due to financial conditions, it could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
ARI faces intense competition in all of its markets. In its railcar manufacturing business, ARI has three primary competitors. Certain of its competitors have recently expanded their capabilities into its focused railcar markets. Any of these competitors may, from time to time, have greater resources than does ARI. Some railcar manufacturers produce railcars primarily for use in their own railcar leasing operations, competing directly with leasing companies, some of which are ARIs largest customers. ARIs current competitors may increase their participation, or new competitors may enter into the railcar markets in which it competes. Strong competition within the industry, which has been exacerbated by the recent economic downturn, has led to pricing pressures and could limit ARIs ability to maintain or increase prices or obtain better margins on its railcars. These pressures may intensify if consolidation among its competitors occurs. If ARI produces any
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types of railcars other than what it currently produces, ARI will be competing with other manufacturers that may have more experience with that railcar type.
New competitors, or alliances among existing competitors, may emerge in the railcar components industry and rapidly gain market share. ARI competes with numerous companies in its railcar fleet management and railcar repair services businesses, ranging from companies with greater resources than it has to small, local companies.
Technological innovation by any of its existing competitors, or new competitors entering any of the markets in which ARI does business, could put it at a competitive disadvantage and could cause it to lose market share. Increased competition for the sales of its railcars, its fleet management and repair services and its railcar components could result in price reductions, reduced margins and loss of market share, which could materially adversely affect its prospects and our Railcar operations.
The cost of raw materials, including steel, and components, including scrap metal, used in the production of ARIs railcars, represents approximately 80.0% to 85.0% of its manufacturing costs. ARI has provisions in all of its current railcar manufacturing contracts that allow it to pass on to its customers, price fluctuations in and surcharges related to certain raw materials, including steel, as well as certain components. ARI may not be able to pass on price increases to its customers in the future, which could adversely affect its operating margins and cash flows. Any fluctuations in the price or availability of steel, or any other material or component used in the production of its railcars, may have a material adverse effect on our Railcar operations. Such price increases could reduce demand for ARIs railcars. As customers may not accept contracts with price adjustment clauses in the future, ARI may lose railcar orders or enter into contracts with fixed pricing provisions or other less favorable contract terms, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
If any of ARIs raw material or component suppliers were unable to continue their businesses or were to seek bankruptcy relief, the availability or price of the materials ARI uses could be adversely affected. Deliveries of its raw materials and components may also fluctuate depending on various factors including supply and demand for the raw material or component, or governmental regulation relating to the raw material or component, including regulation relating to importation.
ARIs railcar manufacturing business depends on the adequate supply of numerous railcar components, such as railcar wheels, axles, brakes, tank railcar heads, sideframes, bearings, yokes, bolsters and other heavy castings. Some of these components are only available from a limited number of domestic suppliers. Strong demand can cause industry-wide shortages of many critical components as reliable suppliers could reach capacity production levels. Supply constraints in its industry are exacerbated because, although multiple suppliers may produce certain components, railcar manufacturing regulations and the physical capabilities of manufacturing facilities restrict the types and sizes of components and raw materials that manufacturers may use. In addition, ARI does not carry significant inventories of certain components and procures many of its components on an as needed basis. In the event that its suppliers of railcar components and raw materials were to stop or reduce the production of railcar components and raw materials that it uses, or refuse to do business with ARI for any reason, ARIs business would be disrupted. ARIs inability to obtain components and raw materials in required quantities or of acceptable quality could result in significant delays or reductions in railcar shipments and could materially or adversely affect its operating results.
If any of ARIs significant suppliers of railcar components were to shut down operations, its business and financial results could be affected as it may incur substantial delays and significant expense in finding alternative sources. The quality and reliability of alternative sources may not be the same and these alternative sources may charge significantly higher prices.
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An interruption in manufacturing capabilities at ARIs complexes in Paragould or Marmaduke, Arkansas or at any of its component manufacturing facilities, whether as a result of equipment failure or any other reason, could reduce, prevent or delay production of its railcars or railcar and industrial components, which could alter the scheduled delivery dates to its customers and affect its production schedule. This could result in the termination of orders, the loss of future sales and a negative impact to ARIs reputation with its customers and in the railcar industry, all of which could materially adversely affect our Railcar operations.
All of ARIs facilities are subject to the risk of catastrophic loss due to unanticipated events, such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornados or weather conditions. ARI may experience plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of equipment failures, loss of power, delays in equipment deliveries, or extensive damage to any of its facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our Railcar operations.
ARIs strategy depends in part on its continued development and sale of new railcar designs to expand or maintain its market share in its current railcar markets and new railcar markets. Any new or modified railcar design that ARI develops may not gain widespread acceptance in the marketplace and any such products may not be able to compete successfully with existing railcar designs or new railcar designs that may be introduced by its competitors. Furthermore, ARI may experience significant initial costs of production of new railcar product lines related to training, labor and operating inefficiencies. To the extent that the total costs of production significantly exceed its anticipated costs of production, ARI may incur a loss on its sale of new railcar product lines.
ARIs results of operations in any particular quarterly period may be significantly affected by the number and type of railcars manufactured and shipped in that period, which is impacted by customer needs that vary greatly year to year, as discussed above. The customer acceptance and title transfer or customer acceptance and shipment of ARIs railcars determines when it records the revenues associated with its railcar sales. Given this, the timing of customer acceptance and title transfer of ARIs railcars could cause fluctuations in our Railcar segment quarterly results. The railroads could potentially go on strike or have other service interruptions, which could ultimately create a bottleneck and potentially cause ARI to slow down or halt its shipment and production schedules, which could have a materially adverse affect on our Railcar operations.
As a result of these fluctuations, we believe that comparisons of ARIs sales and operating results between quarterly periods within the same year and between quarterly periods within different years may not be meaningful and, as such, these comparisons should not be relied upon as indicators of ARIs future performance.
As of December 31, 2009, the employees at ARIs sites covered by collective bargaining agreements collectively represent approximately 17.2% of ARIs total workforce. Disputes with regard to the terms of these agreements or ARIs potential inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with these unions in the future could result in, among other things, strikes, work stoppages or other slowdowns by the affected workers. We cannot guarantee that ARIs relations with its railcar services workforce will remain positive nor can we guarantee that union organizers will not be successful in future attempts to organize ARIs railcar
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manufacturing employees or employees at some of its other facilities. If ARIs workers were to engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown other employees were to become unionized or the terms and conditions in future labor agreements were renegotiated, ARI could experience a significant disruption of its operations and higher ongoing labor costs. In addition, ARI could face higher labor costs in the future as a result of severance or other charges associated with layoffs, shutdowns or reductions in the size and scope of its operations.
ARI may be subject to significant warranty claims in the future relating to workmanship and materials. These types of warranty claims could result in costly product recalls, significant repair costs and damage to ARIs reputation, which could materially adversely affect our Railcar operations. Unresolved warranty claims could result in users of its products bringing legal actions against ARI.
Various patent, copyright, trade secret and trademark laws afford only limited protection and may not prevent ARIs competitors from duplicating its products or gaining access to its proprietary information and technology. These means also may not permit ARI to gain or maintain a competitive advantage.
Any of ARIs patents may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or rendered unenforceable. ARI cannot guarantee that it will be successful should one or more of its patents be challenged for any reason. If ARIs patent claims are rendered invalid or unenforceable, or narrowed in scope, the patent coverage afforded its products could be impaired, which could significantly impede its ability to market its products, negatively affect its competitive position and materially adversely affect our Railcar operations.
ARIs pending or future patent applications held by it may not result in an issued patent and, if patents are issued to ARI, such patents may not provide meaningful protection against competitors or against competitive technologies. The U.S. Federal courts may invalidate ARIs patents or find them unenforceable. Competitors may also be able to design around ARIs patents. Other parties may develop and obtain patent protection for more effective technologies, designs or methods. If these developments were to occur, it could have an adverse effect on ARIs sales. If ARIs intellectual property rights are not adequately protected, it may not be able to commercialize it technologies, products or services and its competitors could commercialize its technologies, which could result in a decrease in ARIs sales and market share and could materially adversely affect our Railcar operations.
ARI cannot guarantee you that its products, manufacturing processes or other methods do not infringe the patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties. Infringement and other intellectual property claims and proceedings brought against ARI, whether successful or not, could result in substantial costs and harm its reputation. Such claims and proceedings can also distract and divert ARIs management and key personnel from other tasks important to the success of ARIs business. In addition, intellectual property litigation or claims could force ARI to do one or more of the following:
| cease selling or using any of its products that incorporate the asserted intellectual property, which would adversely affect its revenue; |
| pay substantial damages for past use of the asserted intellectual property; |
| obtain a license from the holder of the asserted intellectual property, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all; and |
| redesign or rename, in the case of trademark claims, its products to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may be costly and time-consuming even if possible. |
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In the event of an adverse determination in an intellectual property suit or proceeding, or ARIs failure to license essential technology, its sales could be harmed and its costs could increase, which could materially adversely affect our Railcar operations.
Viskase faces competition in the United States and internationally from competitors that may have substantially greater financial resources than it has. The cellulosic casings industry includes several competitors that are larger and better capitalized than Viskase is. Currently, Viskases primary competitors include Viscofan, S.A., Kalle Nalo GmbH, and VT Holding Group, although new competitors could enter the market or competing products could be introduced. Although small cellulosic prices have experienced annual increases since 2006, and Viskase believes that the current output in its industry is in balance with global demand and that levels of capacity utilization are high, the continuous-flow nature of the casings manufacturing process has historically required competitors in its industry to compete based on price in order to maintain volume, which could result in lower pricing in future years. Viskase attempts to differentiate its products on the basis of product quality and performance, product development, service, sales and distribution, but Viskase and competitors in its industry have used price as a competitive factor in an attempt to obtain greater volumes. If prices decline, Viskase may not be able to achieve profitability, whereas certain of its competitors who are better capitalized may be positioned to absorb such price declines. Any of these factors could result in a material reduction of our Food Packaging operations.
Viskases principal raw materials, paper and pulp, constitute an important aspect and cost factor of its operations. Viskase generally purchases its paper and pulp from a single source or a small number of suppliers. Any inability of its suppliers to timely deliver raw materials or any unanticipated adverse change in its suppliers could be disruptive and costly to Viskase. Viskases inability to obtain raw materials from its suppliers would require it to seek alternative sources. These alternative sources may not be adequate for all of Viskases raw material needs, nor may adequate raw material substitutes exist in a form that its processes could be modified to use. These risks could materially and adversely affect our Food Packaging operations.
Viskase and other participants in its industry have considered alternatives to cellulosic casings for many years. As resin technology improves or other technologies develop, alternative casings or other manufacturing methods may be developed that threaten the long-term sustainability and profitability of Viskases cellulosic casings, which is its core product, and its fibrous casings. Viskases failure to anticipate, develop or efficiently and timely integrate new technologies that provide viable alternatives to cellulosic casings, including plastic and film alternatives, may cause it to lose customers and market share to competitors integrating such technologies, which, in turn, would negatively impact our Food Packaging operations.
Viskase could be adversely affected if consumers in the food markets were to lose confidence in the safety and quality of meat or poultry products, particularly with respect to processed meat or poultry products for which casings are used, such as hot dogs, deli meats and sausages. Outbreaks of, or even adverse publicity about the possibility of, diseases such as avian influenza and mad cow disease, food-borne pathogens such as E. coli and listeria and any other food safety problems or concerns relating to meat and poultry products may discourage consumers from buying such products. These risks could also result in additional governmental regulations, or cause production and delivery disruptions or product recalls. Each of these risks could adversely affect the demand for Viskases products, and consequently, our Food Packaging operations.
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Various medical studies detailing the health-related attributes of particular foods, including meat and poultry products, affect the purchase patterns, dietary trends and consumption preferences of consumers. These patterns, trends and preferences are routinely changing. For example, general dietary concerns about meat products, such as the cholesterol, calorie, sodium and fat content of such products, could result in reduced demand for such products, which would, in turn, cause a reduction in the demand for Viskases products and a decrease in its sales volume and revenue.
The reliability of Viskases production facilities is critical to the success of its business. In recent years, Viskase has streamlined its productive capacity to be better aligned with its sales volumes. At current operating levels, Viskase has little or no excess production capacity for certain products. If the operations of any of its manufacturing facilities were interrupted or significantly delayed for any reason, including labor stoppages, Viskase may be unable to shift production to another facility without incurring a significant drop in production. Such a drop in production would negatively affect its sales and its relationships with its customers.
Viskase currently has manufacturing or sales and distribution centers in seven foreign countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Poland. Its international sales and operations may be subject to various political and economic risks including, but not limited to: possible unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations or hyperinflation; changes in a countrys or regions political or economic conditions; governmental regulations, including import and export controls; tariffs; limits on the repatriation of funds; and taxes. Viskases sales to customers located outside the United States generally are subject to taxes on the repatriation of funds. In addition, international operations in certain parts of the world may be subject to international balance of payments difficulties that may raise the possibility of delay or loss in the collection of accounts receivable from sales to customers in those countries. Historically, net sales to customers located outside the United States represent the majority of Viskases total net sales.
Should any of these risks occur, it could impair Viskases ability to export its products or conduct sales to customers located outside of the United States and result in a loss of sales and profits from its international operations.
In recent years, the trend among Viskases customers has been towards consolidation within the meat processing industry. These consolidations have enhanced the purchasing power of its customers who, not being contractually obligated to purchase its products, tend to exert increased pressure with respect to pricing terms, product quality and new products. As Viskases customer base continues to consolidate, the already high level of competition for the business of fewer customers is expected to intensify. If Viskase does not continue to enhance the value of its product offering in a way that provides greater benefit to its customers, Viskases sales volumes and revenues could decrease.
Viskase relies on a combination of trademarks, patents, trade secret rights and other rights to protect its intellectual property. Viskases trademark or patent applications may not be approved and our trademarks or patents may be challenged by third parties. Viskase cannot be certain that the steps it has taken will prevent the misappropriation of its intellectual property, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect its rights as fully as the laws of the United States. From time to time, it has been necessary for Viskase to enforce its intellectual property rights against infringements by third parties, and Viskase expects to
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continue to do so in the ordinary course of its business. Viskase also may be subjected to claims by others that it has violated their intellectual property rights. Even if Viskase prevails, third party-initiated or company-initiated claims may be time consuming and expensive to resolve, and may result in a diversion of Viskases time and resources. The occurrence of any of these factors could diminish the value of its trademark, patent and intellectual property portfolio, increase competition within its industry and negatively impact its sales volume and revenues.
Viskases sales to customers located outside the United States are conducted primarily through subsidiaries organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside of the United States. Viskases ability to meet its debt service obligations with cash from foreign subsidiaries will depend upon the results of operations of these subsidiaries and may be subject to contractual or other restrictions and other business considerations. In particular, to the extent Viskases foreign subsidiaries incur additional indebtedness to expand its operations, the ability of its foreign subsidiaries to provide us cash may be limited. In addition, dividend and interest payments to Viskase from its foreign subsidiaries may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which would reduce the amount of funds it receives from such foreign subsidiaries. Dividends and other distributions from Viskases foreign subsidiaries may also be subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and restrictions on repatriation, which could further reduce the amount of funds it receives from such foreign subsidiaries.
Our partnership agreement allows us to take advantage of investment opportunities we believe exist outside of our operating businesses. The equity securities in which we may invest may include common stock, preferred stock and securities convertible into common stock, as well as warrants to purchase these securities. The debt securities in which we may invest may include bonds, debentures, notes or non-rated mortgage-related securities, municipal obligations, bank debt and mezzanine loans. Certain of these securities may include lower rated or non-rated securities which may provide the potential for higher yields and therefore may entail higher risk and may include the securities of bankrupt or distressed companies. In addition, we may engage in various investment techniques, including derivatives, options and futures transactions, foreign currency transactions, short sales and leveraging for either hedging or other purposes. We may concentrate our activities by owning significant or controlling interest in certain investments. We may not be successful in finding suitable opportunities to invest our cash and our strategy of investing in undervalued assets may expose us to numerous risks.
We have entered into a covered affiliate agreement, pursuant to which we (and certain of our subsidiaries) have agreed, in general, to be bound by certain restrictions on our investments in any assets that the General Partners deem suitable for the Private Funds, other than government and agency bonds, cash equivalents and investments in non-public companies. We and our subsidiaries will not be restricted from making investments in the securities of certain companies in which Mr. Icahn or companies he controlled had an interest in as of the date of the initial launch of the Private Funds, and companies in which we had an interest as of the date of the acquisition of the partnership interests on August 8, 2007 of our Investment Management business. We and our subsidiaries, either alone or acting together with a group, will not be restricted from (i) acquiring all or any portion of the assets of any public company in connection with a negotiated transaction or series of related negotiated transactions or (ii) engaging in a negotiated merger transaction with a public company and, pursuant thereto, conducting and completing a tender offer for securities of the company.
Our investments may not be successful for many reasons including, but not limited to:
| fluctuations of interest rates; |
| lack of control in minority investments; |
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| worsening of general economic and market conditions; |
| lack of diversification; |
| fluctuations of U.S. dollar exchange rates; and |
| adverse legal and regulatory developments that may affect particular businesses. |
There are no unresolved SEC staff comments.
Federal-Moguls world headquarters is located in Southfield, Michigan, which is a leased facility. Federal-Mogul had 175 manufacturing facilities, technical centers, distribution centers, and sales and administration office facilities worldwide at December 31, 2009. Approximately 44% of the facilities are leased; the majority of which are distribution centers, and sales and administration offices. Federal-Mogul owns the remainder of the facilities.
Type of Facility | North America | Europe | Rest of World | Total | ||||||||||||
Manufacturing facilities | 39 | 43 | 22 | 104 | ||||||||||||
Technical centers | 9 | 7 | 2 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Distribution centers | 9 | 8 | 4 | 21 | ||||||||||||
Sales and administration offices | 9 | 8 | 15 | 32 | ||||||||||||
66 | 66 | 43 | 175 |
The facilities range in size from approximately 100 square feet to 1.1 million square feet. Federal-Moguls management believes that substantially all of Federal-Moguls facilities are in good condition and that it has sufficient capacity to meet its current and expected manufacturing and distribution needs.
PSC Metals is headquartered in Mayfield Heights, Ohio and as of December 31, 2009, operates 31 yards and two secondary products storage centers. PSC Metals facilities are strategically located in high volume scrap markets throughout the upper Midwestern and Southeastern United States, placing PSC Metals in proximity to both suppliers and consumers of scrap metals. A secondary products storage center is located in Smithville, Ontario.
Our Real Estate segment is headquartered in White Plains, New York. As of December 31, 2009, our Real Estate segment owned 30 retail, office and industrial properties, the majority of which are net leased to single corporate tenants. These primarily consist of fee and leasehold interests in 13 states. Approximately 80% of these properties are currently net-leased, 6.7% are operating properties and 2.7% are vacant as of December 31, 2009.
We own, primarily through our subsidiary, Bayswater Development LLC, residential development properties. Bayswater, a real estate investment, management and development company, focuses primarily on the construction and sale of single-family houses, multi-family homes and lots in subdivisions and planned communities and raw land for residential development.
Our residential development properties consist of our New Seabury Resort in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the waterfront communities of Grand Harbor and Oak Harbor in Vero Beach, Florida. These communities include properties in various stages of development. We also own 400 acres of developable land adjacent to Grand Harbor.
At our New Seabury Resort we operate a golf club, with two championship golf courses, the Popponesset Inn, a private beach club, a fitness center and a tennis facility.
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We also own three golf courses, a tennis complex, fitness center, beach club and clubhouses and an assisted living facility located adjacent to the Intercoastal Waterway in Vero Beach, Florida.
WPI is headquartered in New York, New York. WPIs properties are indirectly owned or leased through its subsidiaries. Its properties include 85,425 square feet of leased office, showroom and design space in New York, New York. WPI leases 35,424 square feet elsewhere for other administrative, storage and office space.
WPI owns and operates two manufacturing facilities located in Alabama and Florida that contain, in the aggregate, approximately 286,000 square feet and also owns a manufacturing facility in Bahrain containing approximately 833,000 square feet. The facility in Bahrain is located on land leased from the Kingdom of Bahrain under various long-term leases. WPI leases and operates a 51,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Florida. In fiscal 2009, WPI closed the Biddeford, Mane and Elkin, North Carolina manufacturing facilities. Three manufacturing facilities remain after these closures, two in the United States and one in Bahrain.
WPI owns and operates three distribution centers and warehouses for its operations located in Alabama, Florida and North Carolina, which contain, in the aggregate, approximately 1.7 million square feet and also owns a distribution facility in Bahrain containing approximately 63,000 square feet. The facility in Bahrain is located on land leased from the Kingdom of Bahrain under various long-term leases. In fiscal 2009, WPI closed the distribution centers located in Biddeford, Maine and Elkin, North Carolina.
All asbestos-related personal injury claims against the Predecessor Federal-Mogul (together with its United States and United Kingdom affiliates that commenced bankruptcy proceedings in the United States and administration proceedings in the United Kingdom, referred to as the Debtors) will be addressed by the U.S. Asbestos Trust or the U.K. Asbestos Trust in accordance with the terms of the Debtors confirmed Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (As Modified) for Predecessor Federal-Mogul and certain of its affiliates, or the Plan, and the Company Voluntary Arrangements, or CVAs, and such claims will be treated and paid in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the CVAs, and their related documents. All asbestos property damage claims against the Debtors have been compromised and resolved through the Plan and the CVAs. Accordingly, the Debtors have not recorded an asbestos liability as of December 31, 2009 or 2008.
Federal-Mogul is a defendant in lawsuits filed, or the recipient of administrative orders issued, in various jurisdictions pursuant to the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or CERCLA, or other similar national, provincial or state environmental laws. These laws require responsible parties to pay for remediating contamination resulting from hazardous substances that were discharged into the environment by them, by prior owners or occupants of their property, or by others to whom they sent such substances for treatment or other disposition. Federal-Mogul has been notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, other national environmental agencies, and various provincial and state agencies that it may be a potentially responsible party, or PRP, under such laws for the cost of remediating hazardous substances pursuant to CERCLA and other national and state or provincial environmental laws. PRP designation typically requires the funding of site investigations and subsequent remedial activities.
Many of the sites that are likely to be the costliest to remediate are often current or former commercial waste disposal facilities to which numerous companies sent wastes. Despite the joint and several liability which might be imposed on Federal-Mogul under CERCLA and some of the other laws pertaining to these sites, Federal-Moguls share of the total waste sent to these sites has generally been small. Therefore, Federal-Mogul believes its exposure for liability at these sites is limited.
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Federal-Mogul has also identified certain other present and former properties at which it may be responsible for cleaning up or addressing environmental contamination, in some cases as a result of contractual commitments. Federal Mogul is actively seeking to resolve these actual and potential statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations. Although difficult to quantify based on the complexity of the issues, Federal-Mogul has accrued amounts corresponding to its best estimate of the costs associated with such regulatory and contractual obligations on the basis of available information from site investigations and best professional judgment of consultants.
Total environmental liabilities were $22 million and $26 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Federal-Mogul believes that such accruals will be adequate to cover its estimated liability for its exposure in respect to such matters. In the event that such liabilities were to significantly exceed the amounts recorded by Federal-Mogul, Federal-Moguls results of operations and financial condition could be materially affected. At December 31, 2009, Federal-Mogul estimates that reasonably possible material additional losses above and beyond its best estimate of required remediation costs, as recorded, approximate $45 million.
Federal-Mogul is involved in other legal actions and claims, directly and through its subsidiaries that arise in the normal course of business. Federal-Mogul does not believe that the outcomes of these other actions or claims are likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, operating results, or cash flows.
In November and December 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, or the District Court, rendered a decision in Contrarian Funds LLC v. WestPoint Stevens, Inc. et al., and issued orders reversing certain provisions of the Bankruptcy Court order, or the Sale Order, pursuant to which we acquired our ownership of a majority of the common stock of WPI. WPI acquired substantially all of the assets of WPS. The District Court remanded to the Bankruptcy Court for further proceedings.
On April 13, 2006, the Bankruptcy Court entered a remand order, or the Remand Order, which provided, among other things, that all of the shares of common stock and rights to acquire shares of common stock of WPI issued to us and the other first lien lenders or held in escrow pursuant to the Sale Order constituted replacement collateral. The Bankruptcy Court held that the 5,250,000 shares of common stock that we acquired for cash were not included in the replacement collateral. The Bankruptcy Court also held that, in the event of a sale of the collateral, including the sale of the shares we received upon exercise of certain subscription rights, or the Exercise Shares, all proceeds would be distributed, pro rata, among all first lien lenders, including us, until the first lien debt was satisfied, in full. The parties filed cross-appeals of the Remand Order.
On October 9, 2007, the District Court entered an Order, or the October 9th Order, on the appeal and cross-appeal. The District Court affirmed the Remand Order but held that, as to the Exercise Shares, any sale proceeds would be divided between us and the first lien lenders (including us), generally based upon the ratio of the amount we paid to exercise the rights to the total value of the Exercise Shares on the date they were acquired. We are holders of approximately 39.99% of the outstanding first lien debt and approximately 51.21% of the outstanding second lien debt.
Each of the parties filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. As part of that appeal, the parties have the right to raise issues relating to the District Courts November 2005 opinion, and the Orders entered thereon, as well as issues relating to the October 9th Order. Briefing has been completed on the appeal, oral argument was heard on November 14, 2008, and we await the courts decision.
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On October 3, 2007, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, or the Chancery Court, issued a Limited Status Quo Order, or the Order, in Beal Bank, S.S.B., et al. v. WestPoint International, Inc. et al., in connection with the complaint filed on January 19, 2007, as amended, by Beal Bank, S.S.B. and certain creditors of WPS collectively, the Plaintiffs. The Order required that WPI and subsidiaries seek a further court order, obtain consent or give notice before engaging in certain actions. On October 15, 2007, the Chancery Court issued a Modified Limited Status Quo Order, or the Modified Order, modifying certain provisions of the prior order to permit WPI and its subsidiaries to conduct ordinary course of business activities without further notice, consent, or order, including (i) ordinary course of business sales and purchases provided any particular transaction does not exceed $20,000,000 and (ii) transfers of excess inventory, unused equipment and/or unused real property to an unrelated third party provided the sale price for any particular real property transaction does not exceed $30,000,000.
On June 4, 2008, the Chancery Court granted defendants motion for summary judgment on Plaintiffs claims for breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion, and dismissed those claims. The Court granted Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment, on liability only, on Plaintiffs claim that WPI breached the Registration Rights Agreement, holding that WPI was obliged to proceed with the registration of its securities with the SEC. The Court denied the remainder of the parties summary judgment motions. In further proceedings, the Chancery Court held that because a decision of the Second Circuit on the appeal in the federal proceedings may directly affect some claims and may influence the issues to be tried on other claims in the Chancery Court, the trial should be held in Delaware after the decision by the Second Circuit. Therefore, no trial date has been set.
We continue to vigorously defend against all claims asserted in the federal and Delaware proceedings and believe that we have valid defenses. However, we cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or the ultimate impact on our investment in WPI and its subsidiaries or the business prospects of WPI and its subsidiaries.
If we were to lose control of WPI, it could adversely affect the business and prospects of WPI and the value of our investment in it. In addition, we consolidated the balance sheet of WPI as of December 31, 2009 and WPIs results of operations for the period from the date of acquisition (August 8, 2005) through December 31, 2009. If we were to own less than 50% of the outstanding common stock or the challenge to our preferred stock ownership is successful, we would have to evaluate whether we should consolidate WPI and, if so, our consolidated financial statements could be materially different than those presented for all periods presented.
National Energy Group, Inc., or NEGI, is a defendant, together with Icahn Enterprises and various individuals, including one of our current directors, as additional defendants, in a purported stockholder derivative and class action lawsuit alleging that among other things, certain of NEGIs current and former officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties to NEGI and its stockholders in connection with NEGIs sale of its 50% interest in an oil and gas holding company. Following such disposition, NEGI has had no business and its principal assets consist of cash and short-term investments which currently aggregate approximately $48 million. In March, 2008, NEGI dissolved and filed a Form 15 with the SEC deregistering its securities with the SEC under the Exchange Act. As a result, NEGIs status as a public company has been suspended. No cash distributions will be made to NEGIs shareholders until the NEGI board determines that NEGI has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, its liabilities and obligations, including any liabilities relating to the lawsuit.
The parties to the lawsuit have reached an agreement in principle to settle the lawsuit which is subject to court approval, pursuant to which we will pay approximately $9 million and all claims against all defendants will be dismissed. We expect the settlement to be approved and finalized in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.
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PSC Metals has been designated as a PRP under U.S. federal and state superfund laws with respect to certain sites with which PSC Metals may have had a direct or indirect involvement. It is alleged that PSC Metals and its subsidiaries or their predecessors transported waste to the sites, disposed of waste at the sites or operated the sites in question. PSC Metals has reviewed the nature and extent of the allegations, the number, connection and financial ability of other named and unnamed PRPs and the nature and estimated cost of the likely remedy. Based on reviewing the nature and extent of the allegations, PSC Metals has estimated its liability to remediate these sites to be immaterial at each of December 31, 2009 and 2008. If it is determined that PSC has liability to remediate those sites and that more expensive remediation approaches are required in the future, PSC Metals could incur additional obligations, which could be material.
Certain of PSC Metals facilities are environmentally impaired in part as a result of operating practices at the sites prior to their acquisition by PSC Metals and as a result of PSC Metals operations. PSC Metals has established procedures to periodically evaluate these sites, giving consideration to the nature and extent of the contamination. PSC Metals has provided for the remediation of these sites based upon managements judgment and prior experience. PSC Metals has estimated the liability to remediate these sites to be $27 million and $24 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Management believes, based on past experience, that the vast majority of these environmental liabilities and costs will be assessed and paid over an extended period of time. PSC Metals believes that it will be able to fund such costs in the ordinary course of business.
Estimates of PSC Metals liability for remediation of a particular site and the method and ultimate cost of remediation require a number of assumptions that are inherently difficult to make, and the ultimate outcome may be materially different from current estimates. Moreover, because PSC Metals has disposed of waste materials at numerous third-party disposal facilities, it is possible that PSC Metals will be identified as a PRP at additional sites. The impact of such future events cannot be estimated at the current time.
None.
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Our depositary units are traded on the NYSE under the symbol IEP. The range of high and low sales prices for the depositary units on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape (as reported by The Wall Street Journal) for each quarter from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009 is as follows:
Quarter Ended: | High | Low | Distributions Per Depositary Unit |
|||||||||
March 31, 2008 | $ | 133.56 | $ | 79.25 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||
June 30, 2008 | 96.02 | 70.00 | 0.25 | |||||||||
September 30, 2008 | 69.00 | 38.40 | 0.25 | |||||||||
December 31, 2008 | 50.00 | 20.75 | 0.25 | |||||||||
March 31, 2009 | 41.30 | 21.36 | 0.25 | |||||||||
June 30, 2009 | 39.25 | 25.09 | 0.25 | |||||||||
September 30, 2009 | 44.37 | 32.29 | 0.25 | |||||||||
December 31, 2009 | 42.74 | 37.03 | 0.25 |
As of December 31, 2009, there were approximately 10,000 record holders of our depositary units.
There were no repurchases of our depositary units during fiscal 2009 or fiscal 2008.
During fiscal 2009, we paid four quarterly distributions to holders of our depositary units of $0.25 per unit.
On February 26, 2010 the board of directors of Icahn Enterprises GP approved a quarterly cash distribution of $0.25 per unit on its depositary units payable in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The distribution is payable on March 30, 2010 to depositary unitholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2010. Under the terms of the indenture dated April 5, 2007 governing our variable rate notes due 2013, we will also be making a $0.15 distribution to holders of these notes in accordance with the formula set forth in the indenture.
The declaration and payment of distributions is reviewed quarterly by Icahn Enterprises GPs board of directors based upon a review of our balance sheet and cash flow, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities, our expected capital and liquidity requirements, the provisions of our partnership agreement and provisions in our financing arrangements governing distributions, and keeping in mind that limited partners subject to U.S. federal income tax have recognized income on our earnings even if they do not receive distributions that could be used to satisfy any resulting tax obligations. The payment of future distributions will be determined by the board of directors quarterly, based upon the factors described above and other factors that it deems relevant at the time that declaration of a distribution is considered. Payments of distributions are subject to certain restrictions. There can be no assurance as to whether or in what amounts any future distributions might be paid.
As of March 2, 2010, there were 80,807,829 depositary units and 13,127,179 preferred units outstanding. Our preferred units trade on the NYSE under the symbol IEP-P. The preferred units represent limited partner interests in Icahn Enterprises and have certain rights and designations, generally as follows. Each preferred unit has a liquidation preference of $10.00 and entitles the holder to receive distributions payable solely in additional preferred units, at a rate of $0.50 per preferred unit per annum (which is equal to a rate of 5% of the liquidation preference of the unit) payable annually on March 31 of each year, each referred to as a payment date.
On March 31, 2009, we distributed to holders of record of our preferred units as of March 17, 2009, 624,925 additional preferred units.
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We are required to redeem all of our outstanding preferred units by March 31, 2010 for a price equal to the liquidation preference of the preferred units plus any accrued but unpaid distributions. Each preferred unit has a liquidation preference of $10.00 and entitles the holder to receive distributions payable solely in additional preferred units, at a rate of $0.50 per preferred unit per annum (which is equal to a rate of 5% of the liquidation preference of the unit) payable annually on March 31 of each year. Pursuant to the terms of our partnership agreement, at our option we may pay the redemption price either in all cash or by the issuance of additional depositary units. On December 30, 2009, we announced that the audit committee of our board of directors of Icahn Enterprises GP, our general partner, approved the redemption of all outstanding preferred units on March 31, 2010 in accordance with the terms of its partnership agreement at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference of the preferred units, plus accrued but unpaid distributions thereon.
Each depositary unitholder will be taxed on the unitholders allocable share of our taxable income and gains and, with respect to preferred unitholders, accrued guaranteed payments, whether or not any cash is distributed to the unitholder.
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The following table contains our selected historical consolidated financial data, which should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements at those dates and for those periods, contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The historical selected financial data as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements at those dates and for those periods, not contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as adjusted retrospectively for certain reclassifications of our real estate segment as held and used, and the application of the presentation and disclosure requirements for non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
(In Millions, Except Per Unit Amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 7,865 | $ | 5,027 | $ | 2,491 | $ | 3,006 | $ | 1,528 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1,194 | $ | (3,173 | ) | $ | 480 | $ | 1,008 | $ | 286 | |||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | 1 | 485 | 84 | 850 | 23 | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 1,195 | (2,688 | ) | 564 | 1,858 | 309 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests | (961 | ) | 2,645 | (256 | ) | (750 | ) | (227 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises | $ | 234 | $ | (43 | ) | $ | 308 | $ | 1,108 | $ | 82 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises allocable to: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Limited partners | $ | 229 | $ | (57 | ) | $ | 103 | $ | 507 | $ | (21 | ) | ||||||||
General partner | 5 | 14 | 205 | 601 | 103 | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises | $ | 234 | $ | (43 | ) | $ | 308 | $ | 1,108 | $ | 82 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises from: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 233 | $ | (528 | ) | $ | 219 | $ | 311 | $ | 54 | |||||||||
Discontinued operations | 1 | 485 | 89 | 797 | 28 | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises | $ | 234 | $ | (43 | ) | $ | 308 | $ | 1,108 | $ | 82 | |||||||||
Basic income (loss) per LP Unit: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 3.04 | $ | (7.84 | ) | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.87 | ) | ||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | 0.01 | 7.04 | 1.34 | 8.19 | 0.50 | |||||||||||||||
Basic income (loss) per LP unit | $ | 3.05 | $ | (0.80 | ) | $ | 1.58 | $ | 8.22 | $ | (0.37 | ) | ||||||||
Basic weighted average LP units outstanding | 75 | 71 | 65 | 62 | 54 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted income (loss) per LP Unit: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 2.96 | $ | (7.84 | ) | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.87 | ) | ||||||||
Income from discontinued operations | 0.01 | 7.04 | 1.34 | 8.19 | 0.50 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted income (loss) per LP unit | $ | 2.97 | $ | (0.80 | ) | $ | 1.58 | $ | 8.22 | $ | (0.37 | ) | ||||||||
Dilutive weighted average LP units outstanding | 79 | 71 | 65 | 62 | 54 | |||||||||||||||
Other Financial Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(1) | $ | 727 | $ | 786 | $ | 520 | $ | 1,392 | $ | 358 | ||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | 846 | 398 | 407 | 435 | 206 | |||||||||||||||
Cash distributions declared, per LP Unit | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.55 | 0.40 | 0.20 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,870 | $ | 2,612 | $ | 2,113 | $ | 1,884 | $ | 367 | ||||||||||
Investments | 5,360 | 4,515 | 6,432 | 3,458 | 3,399 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 2,654 | 2,878 | 533 | 555 | 517 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | 17,554 | 18,145 | 12,434 | 9,280 | 7,257 | |||||||||||||||
Debt | 4,735 | 4,571 | 2,041 | 953 | 918 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred limited partner units | 136 | 130 | 124 | 118 | 112 | |||||||||||||||
Equity attributable to Icahn Enterprises | 2,648 | 2,398 | 2,313 | 2,832 | 1,738 |
(1) | EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense and depreciation, depletion and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding the effects of impairment, restructuring costs, expenses associated with U.S. based funded pension plans, purchase |
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accounting inventory adjustments, discontinued operations and gains/losses on extinguishment of debt. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis, net of the effect of non-controlling interests. We conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. The operating results of our subsidiaries may not be sufficient to make distributions to us. In addition, our subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us for payment of our indebtedness, payment of distributions on our depositary units or otherwise, and distributions and intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries to us may be restricted by applicable law or covenants contained in debt agreements and other agreements to which these subsidiaries currently may be subject or into which they may enter into in the future. The terms of any borrowings of our subsidiaries or other entities in which we own equity may restrict dividends, distributions or loans to us. |
We believe that providing EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to investors have economic substance as these measures provide important supplemental information of our performance to investors and permits investors and management to evaluate the operating performance of our business without regard to potential distortions introduced by interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization and the effects of impairment, restructuring costs, expenses associated with U.S. based funded pension plans, purchase accounting inventory adjustments, discontinued operations and gains/losses on extinguishment of debt. Additionally, we believe this information is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies that have issued debt. Management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our operating results, as well as in planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. Adjusting earnings for these recurring charges allows investors to evaluate our performance from period to period, as well as our peers, without the effects of certain items that may vary depending on accounting methods and the book value of assets. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA present meaningful measures of corporate performance exclusive of our capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired and financed.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. For example, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
| do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments; |
| do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and |
| do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt. |
Although depreciation, depletion and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, depleted or amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements. Other companies in the industries in which we operate may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Given these limitations, we rely primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only as a supplemental measure of our financial performance. The following table reconciles, on a basis attributable to Icahn Enterprises, net income attributable to Icahn Enterprises to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA for prior periods has been revised to conform to our current calculation. EBITDA results for prior periods have been adjusted in order to properly be reflected on a basis attributable to Icahn Enterprises:
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For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
(In Millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises | $ | 234 | $ | (43 | ) | $ | 308 | $ | 1,108 | $ | 82 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 245 | 273 | 157 | 134 | 103 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) expense | (45 | ) | 308 | 23 | (8 | ) | 30 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 293 | 248 | 32 | 158 | 143 | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA attributable to Icahn Enterprises | $ | 727 | $ | 786 | $ | 520 | $ | 1,392 | $ | 358 | ||||||||||
Impairment of assets(a) | $ | 33 | $ | 337 | $ | 19 | $ | 7 | $ | | ||||||||||
Restructuring costs(b) | 37 | 117 | 13 | 8 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Purchase accounting inventory adjustment(c) | | 54 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Expenses associated with U.S. based funded pension plans(d) | 50 | 3 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations(e) | (1 | ) | (753 | ) | (145 | ) | (972 | ) | (153 | ) | ||||||||||
Net gain on extinguishment of debt(f) | | (146 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Icahn Enterprises | $ | 846 | $ | 398 | $ | 407 | $ | 435 | $ | 207 |
(a) | Represents asset impairment charges, primarily relating to our Automotive segment in fiscal 2008, related to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. |
(b) | Restructuring costs represent expenses incurred by our Automotive and Home Fashion segments, relating to efforts to integrate and rationalize businesses and to relocate manufacturing operations to best-cost countries. |
(c) | In connection with the application of purchase accounting upon the acquisition of Federal-Mogul, we adjusted Federal-Moguls inventory balance as of March 1, 2008 to fair value. This resulted in an additional non-cash charge to cost of goods sold during fiscal 2008 which is reflected net of non-controlling interests. |
(d) | Represents expense associated with Federal-Moguls U.S. based funded pension plans, net of non-controlling interests. |
(e) | Discontinued operations primarily include the operating results of and gains on sales of our former oil and gas operations which were sold in November, 2006 and our former gaming segment, American Casino & Entertainment Properties, LLC, which was sold in February 2008. |
(f) | During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we purchased outstanding debt of entities in our consolidated financial statements in the principal amount of $352 million and recognized an aggregate gain of $146 million. |
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Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is comprised of the following sections:
(1) | Overview |
| Introduction |
| Other Significant Events |
(2) | Results of Operations |
| Overview |
| Consolidated Financial Results from Continuing Operations |
| Investment Management |
| Automotive |
| Metals |
| Real Estate |
| Home Fashion |
| Holding Company |
| Interest Expense |
| Income Taxes |
| Discontinued Operations |
(3) | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
| Holding Company |
| Consolidated Cash Flows |
| Borrowings |
| Contractual Commitments |
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
| Discussion of Segment Liquidity and Capital Resources |
| Investment Management |
| Automotive |
| Metals |
| Real Estate |
| Home Fashion |
| Distributions |
(4) | Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates |
(5) | Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates |
(6) | Forward-Looking Statements |
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The following discussion is intended to assist you in understanding our present business and the results of operations together with our present financial condition. This section should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes.
Icahn Enterprises L.P., or Icahn Enterprises, is a master limited partnership formed in Delaware on February 17, 1987. We own a 99% limited partner interest in Icahn Enterprises Holdings L.P., or Icahn Enterprises Holdings. Icahn Enterprises Holdings and its subsidiaries own substantially all of our assets and liabilities and conduct substantially all of our operations. Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc., or Icahn Enterprises GP, our sole general partner, which is owned and controlled by Mr. Icahn, owns a 1% general partner interest in both us and Icahn Enterprises Holdings, representing an aggregate 1.99% general partner interest in us and Icahn Enterprises Holdings. As of December 31, 2009, affiliates of Mr. Icahn owned 68,760,427 of our depositary units and 11,360,173 of our preferred units, which represented approximately 92.0% and 86.5% of our outstanding depositary units and preferred units, respectively. As referenced elsewhere in this report, we are required to redeem all of our outstanding preferred units by March 31, 2010. Please see Item 5 Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Distributions, for further discussion.
We are a diversified holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in the following operating businesses: Investment Management, Automotive, Metals, Real Estate, Home Fashion and, subsequent to our acquisitions of American Railcar Industries, Inc., or ARI, and Viskase Companies, Inc., or Viskase, on January 15, 2010, Railcar and Food Packaging, respectively. In addition to our operating businesses, we discuss below the Holding Company, which includes the unconsolidated results of Icahn Enterprises and Icahn Enterprises Holdings, and investment activity and expenses associated with the activities of the Holding Company.
On January 15, 2010, we and Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp. (referred to collectively as the Issuers), sold $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Unsecured 7.75% Notes due 2016, or the 2016 Notes, and $1,150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Unsecured 8% Notes due 2018, or the 2018 Notes and, together with the 2016 Notes, referred to as the New Notes, pursuant to the purchase agreement, dated January 12, 2010, or the Purchase Agreement, by and among the Issuers, Icahn Enterprises Holdings, as guarantor, or the Guarantor, and Jefferies & Company, Inc., as initial purchaser, or the Initial Purchaser. The 2016 Notes were priced at 99.411% of their face value and the 2018 Notes were priced at 99.275% of their face value. The gross proceeds from the sale of the New Notes were approximately $1,986,656,000, a portion of which was used to purchase the approximately $1.28 billion in aggregate principal amount (or approximately 97%) of the senior unsecured 7.125% notes due 2013, or the 2013 Notes, and the senior unsecured 8.125% notes due 2012, or the 2012 Notes, and, together with the 2013 Notes, referred to as the Senior Unsecured Notes, that were tendered pursuant to certain cash tender offers and consent solicitations and to pay related fees and expenses. Interest on the New Notes will be payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2010. The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions whereby the Issuers and the Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other, have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities. The Senior Unsecured Notes were satisfied and discharged on January 15, 2010.
The New Notes are issued under and are governed by an indenture, dated January 15, 2010, or the Indenture, among the Issuers, the Guarantor and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. The Indenture contains customary events of defaults and covenants relating to, among other things, the incurrence of debt, affiliate transactions, liens and restricted payments. On or after January 15, 2013, the Issuers may redeem all of the 2016 Notes at a price equal to 103.875% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with such optional redemption prices decreasing to 101.938% on and after January 15, 2014 and 100% on and after January 15, 2015. On or after January 15, 2014, the Issuers may redeem all of the 2018 Notes at a price equal to 104.000% of the principal amount of the 2018 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid
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interest, with such option redemption prices decreasing to 102.000% on and after January 15, 2015 and 100% on and after January 15, 2016. Before January 15, 2013, the Issuers may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of each of the 2016 Notes and 2018 Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 107.750% and 108.000%, respectively, of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2016 Notes or 2018 Notes, as the case may be, originally issued remains outstanding immediately after such redemption. If the Issuers experience a change of control, the Issuers must offer to purchase for cash all or any part of each holders New Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the New Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The New Notes and the related guarantee are the senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers and rank equally with all of the Issuers and the Guarantors existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and rank senior to all of the Issuers and the Guarantors existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The New Notes and the related guarantee are effectively subordinated to the Issuers and the Guarantors existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness. The New Notes and the related guarantee are also effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Issuers subsidiaries other than the Guarantor.
In connection with the sale of the New Notes, the Issuers and the Guarantor entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 15, 2010, or the Registration Rights Agreement, with the Initial Purchaser. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers have agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC, on or prior to 120 calendar days after the closing of the offering of the New Notes, to register an offer to exchange the New Notes for registered notes guaranteed by the Guarantor with substantially identical terms, and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective by the 210th day after the closing of the offering of the New Notes. Additionally, the Issuers and the Guarantor may be required to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the New Notes in certain circumstances. If the Issuers and the Guarantor fail to satisfy these obligations, the Issuers may be required to pay additional interest to holders of the New Notes under certain circumstances.
Effective as of January 15, 2010, the indenture governing the 2012 Notes, dated as of May 12, 2004, or the 2012 Notes Indenture, among the Issuers, the Guarantor and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, has been satisfied and discharged in accordance with its terms by the Issuers. The Issuers deposited a total of approximately $364 million with Wilmington Trust Company as trustee and depository under the 2012 Notes Indenture for a cash tender offer to repay all amounts outstanding under the 2012 Notes and to satisfy and discharge the 2012 Notes Indenture. Approximately $345 million was deposited with the depository to purchase the 2012 Notes that were tendered pursuant to the cash tender offer. In connection with the purchase of the tendered 2012 Notes, the Issuers paid total consideration of approximately $355 million, which consisted of: (i) $345 million of base consideration for the aggregate principal amount tendered; (ii) $3 million of accrued and unpaid interest on the tendered 2012 Notes; and (iii) $7 million of consent payments in connection with the solicitation of consents from holders of 2012 Notes to eliminate the incurrence of indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock covenant in the 2012 Notes Indenture. The Issuers also deposited approximately $8 million with the trustee in connection with the redemption of the remaining 2012 Notes.
Effective as of January 15, 2010, the indenture governing the 2013 Notes, dated as of February 7, 2005, or the 2013 Notes Indenture, among the Issuers, the Guarantor and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, has been satisfied and discharged in accordance with its terms by the Issuers. The Issuers deposited a total of approximately $1,018 million with Wilmington Trust Company as trustee under the 2013 Notes Indenture and depositary for a cash tender offer to repay all accounts outstanding under the 2013 Notes and to satisfy and discharge the 2013 Notes Indenture. Approximately $939 million was deposited with the depositary to purchase the 2013 Notes that were tendered pursuant to the cash tender offer. In connection with the purchase of the tendered 2013 Notes, the Issuers paid total consideration of approximately $988 million, which consisted of: (i) $939 million of base consideration for the aggregate principal amount tendered; (ii) $28 million of accrued and unpaid interest on the tendered 2013 Notes; and (iii) $21 million of consent payments in connection with the solicitation of consents from holders of 2013 Notes to eliminate the incurrence of
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indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock covenant in the 2013 Notes Indenture. The Issuers also deposited approximately $29 million with the trustee in connection with the redemption of the remaining 2013 Notes.
On January 15, 2010, pursuant to a certain Contribution and Exchange Agreement (referred to as the ARI Contribution and Exchange Agreement) among Icahn Enterprises, Beckton Corp., a Delaware corporation (referred to as Beckton), Barberry, Modal LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (referred to as Modal), and Caboose Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (referred to as Caboose and, together with Barberry and Modal, referred to collectively as the ARI Contributing Parties), the ARI Contributing Parties contributed to Icahn Enterprises 11,564,145 shares of common stock of ARI, representing approximately 54.3% of ARIs total outstanding common stock as of January 15, 2010, collectively owned by the ARI Contributing Parties for aggregate consideration consisting of 3,116,537 (or approximately $141 million based on the closing price of our depositary units on January 15, 2010) of our depositary units, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. ARI is a leading North American designer and manufacturer of hopper and tank railcars. ARI also repairs and refurbishes railcars, provides fleet management services and designs and manufactures certain railcar and industrial components. The transactions contemplated by the ARI Contribution and Exchange Agreement were previously authorized by the Audit Committee of the board of directors of Icahn Enterprises GP, our general partner, on January 11, 2010. The Audit Committee was advised by independent counsel and an independent financial advisor which rendered a fairness opinion.
On January 15, 2010, pursuant to a certain Contribution and Exchange Agreement (referred to as the Viskase Contribution and Exchange Agreement) among Icahn Enterprises, Beckton, Barberry, Koala Holding Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (referred to as Koala), High River Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (referred to as High River), and Meadow Walk Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (referred to as Meadow Walk and, together with Beckton, Barberry, Koala and High River, referred to collectively as the Viskase Contributing Parties), the Viskase Contributing Parties contributed to Icahn Enterprises 25,560,929 shares of common stock of Viskase, representing approximately 71.4% of Viskases total outstanding common stock as of January 15, 2010, collectively owned by the Viskase Contributing Parties for aggregate consideration consisting of 2,915,695 (or approximately $132 million based on the closing price of our depositary units on January 15, 2010) of our depositary units. Viskase is a leading worldwide producer of non-edible cellulosic, fibrous and plastic casings used to prepare and package processed meat and poultry products. The transactions contemplated by the Viskase Contribution and Exchange Agreement were previously authorized by the Audit Committee of the board of directors of Icahn Enterprises GP on January 11, 2010. The Audit Committee was advised by independent counsel and an independent financial advisor which rendered a fairness opinion.
On February 26, 2010, the board of directors approved a payment of a quarterly cash distribution of $0.25 per unit on our depositary units payable in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The distribution will be paid on March 30, 2010, to depositary unitholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2010. Under the terms of the indenture dated April 5, 2007 governing our variable rate notes due 2013, we will also be making a $0.15 distribution to holders of these notes in accordance with the formula set forth in the indenture.
A summary of the significant developments for fiscal 2009 is as follows:
| Income from continuing operations attributable to Icahn Enterprises for our Investment Management segment of $469 million for fiscal 2009 due to positive performance in the Private Funds compared to loss from continuing operations attributable to Icahn Enterprises of $335 million for fiscal 2008; |
| Additional investment of $750 million in the Private Funds in fiscal 2009, bringing Icahn Enterprises cumulative direct investment through December 31, 2009 in the Private Funds to $1.7 billion; |
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| Loss from continuing operations attributable to Icahn Enterprises for our Automotive segment of $29 million with restructuring expenses before non-controlling interests of $32 million for fiscal 2009; |
| Loss from continuing operations attributable to Icahn Enterprises for our Metals segment of $30 million for fiscal 2009, including pretax impairment charges of $13 million; |
| Loss from continuing operations attributable to Icahn Enterprises for our Home Fashion segment of $40 million for fiscal 2009 with restructuring and impairment charges before non-controlling interests of $27 million for fiscal 2009; and |
| Loss from continuing operations attributable to Icahn Enterprises for our Holding Company of $148 million for fiscal 2009, primarily due to interest expense. |
A summary of the significant developments for fiscal 2008 is as follows:
| Consummation of the sale of ACEP on February 20, 2008 for $1.2 billion, realizing a gain of $472 million, after taxes of $260 million; |
| Investment of $465 million of the gross proceeds in a Code Section 1031 Exchange transaction related to the sale of ACEP with the purchase of two net leased properties within our Real Estate segment, resulting in a deferral of $103 million in taxes; |
| $5.7 billion of revenues from our Automotive segment for the period March 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. Additionally, our Automotive segment results for the period March 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 included total asset impairment charges aggregating $434 million, of which $222 million related to goodwill and $130 million related to other indefinite-lived intangible assets. These charges were principally attributable to significant decreases in forecasted future cash flows as Federal-Mogul adjusted to the known and anticipated changes in industry volumes; |
| Increased net sales from our Metals segment of $405 million for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007, resulting from an increase in the average selling price of ferrous scrap, increased volume of shipped ferrous production and the inclusion of financial results of acquisitions made during fiscal 2007 and early fiscal 2008; |
| Loss from continuing operations from our Investment Management segment of $335 million during fiscal 2008 resulting from investment losses from the Private Funds which were primarily affected by the decline in the value of the Private Funds largest equity positions; and |
| Reduced net sales from our Home Fashion segment of $258 million for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 due to the weak home textile retail environment and the elimination of unprofitable programs. |
The following tables summarize revenues and income (loss) attributable to Icahn Enterprises from continuing operations for each of our reportable segments (in millions of dollars):
Revenues(1) Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
Investment Management | $ | 1,596 | $ | (2,783 | ) | $ | 588 | |||||
Automotive(2) | 5,397 | 5,727 | | |||||||||
Metals | 384 | 1,243 | 834 | |||||||||
Real Estate | 96 | 103 | 113 | |||||||||
Home Fashion | 382 | 438 | 706 | |||||||||
Holding Company | 10 | 299 | 250 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 7,865 | $ | 5,027 | $ | 2,491 |
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Income (Loss) Attributable to Icahn Enterprises From Continuing Operations Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
Investment Management | $ | 469 | $ | (335 | ) | $ | 170 | |||||
Automotive(2) | (29 | ) | (350 | ) | | |||||||
Metals | (30 | ) | 66 | 42 | ||||||||
Real Estate | 11 | 14 | 14 | |||||||||
Home Fashion | (40 | ) | (55 | ) | (84 | ) | ||||||
Holding Company | (148 | ) | 132 | 77 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 233 | $ | (528 | ) | $ | 219 |
(1) | Revenues include net sales, net gain (loss) from investment activities, interest, dividend income and other income, net. |
(2) | Automotive results for fiscal 2008 are for the period March 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. |
Icahn Onshore LP, or the Onshore GP, and Icahn Offshore LP, or the Offshore GP (and, together with the Onshore GP, being referred to herein as the General Partners) act as general partner of Icahn Partners LP, or the Onshore Fund, and the Offshore Master Funds (as defined below), respectively. Effective January 1, 2008, in addition to providing investment advisory services to the Private Funds, the General Partners provide or cause their affiliates to provide certain administrative and back office services to the Private Funds. The General Partners do not provide such services to any other entities, individuals or accounts. Interests in the Private Funds are offered only to certain sophisticated and accredited investors on the basis of exemptions from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws and are not publicly available. As referred to herein, the Offshore Master Funds consist of (i) Icahn Partners Master Fund LP, (ii) Icahn Partners Master Fund II L.P. and (iii) Icahn Partners Master Fund III L.P. The Onshore Fund and the Offshore Master Funds are collectively referred to herein as the Investment Funds.
The Offshore GP also acts as general partner of a fund formed as a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership that invests in the Offshore Master Funds. This fund, together with other funds that also invest in the Offshore Master Funds, constitute the Feeder Funds and, together with the Investment Funds, are referred to herein as the Private Funds.
The Private Funds had a positive return for fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2009, the Private Funds long equity and long credit exposures were positive, offset in part by negative performance in the Private Funds short equity and short credit exposures. We believe that there will be continued opportunities for the Private Funds to become active in distressed investing.
The Investment Management segment derives revenues from three sources: (1) special profits interest allocations; (2) incentive allocations and (3) gains and losses from our investments in the Private Funds.
Prior to January 1, 2008, the management agreements between Icahn Capital Management LP (referred to as New Icahn Management) and the Private Funds provided for the management fees to be paid by each of the Feeder Funds and the Onshore Fund to New Icahn Management at the beginning of each quarter generally in an amount equal to 0.625% (2.5% annualized) of the net asset value of each Investors (defined below) investment in the Feeder Fund or Onshore Fund, as applicable, and were recognized quarterly.
Effective January 1, 2008, the limited partnership agreements of the Investment Funds provide that the applicable General Partner is eligible to receive a special profits interest allocation at the end of each calendar year from each capital account maintained in the Investment Funds that is attributable to: (i) in the case of the Onshore Fund, each fee-paying limited partner in the Onshore Fund and (ii) in the case of the Feeder Funds, each fee-paying investor in the Feeder Funds (that excludes certain investors that are affiliates of Mr. Icahn)
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(in each case, referred to herein as an Investor). This allocation is generally equal to 0.625% (prior to July 1, 2009), of the balance in each fee-paying capital account as of the beginning of each quarter (for each Investor, the Target Special Profits Interest Amount) except that amounts are allocated to the General Partners in respect of special profits interest allocations only to the extent that net increases (i.e., net profits) are allocated to an Investor for the fiscal year. Accordingly, any special profits interest allocations allocated to the General Partners in respect of an Investor in any year cannot exceed the net profits allocated to such Investor in such year. (See below for discussion of new fee structure effective July 1, 2009).
In the event that sufficient net profits are not generated by an Investment Fund with respect to a capital account to meet the full Target Special Profits Interest Amount for an Investor for a calendar year, a special profits interest allocation will be made to the extent of such net profits, if any, and the shortfall will be carried forward and added to the Target Special Profits Interest Amount determined for such Investor for the next calendar year. Adjustments, to the extent appropriate, will be made to the calculation of the special profits interest allocations for new subscriptions and withdrawals by Investors. In the event that an Investor redeems in full from a Feeder Fund or the Onshore Fund before the full targeted Target Special Profits Interest Amount determined for such Investor has been allocated to the General Partner in the form of a special profits interest allocation, the amount of the Target Special Profits Interest Amount that has not yet been allocated to the General Partner will be forfeited and the General Partner will never receive it.
Incentive allocations are determined based on the aggregate amount of net profits earned by each fee-paying investor in the Investment Funds (after the special profits interest allocation is made). Incentive allocations are based on the investment performance of the Private Funds, which is a principal determinant of the long-term success of the Investment Management segment because it generally enables assets under management, or AUM, to increase through retention of fund profits and by making it more likely to attract new investment capital and minimize redemptions by Private Fund investors. Incentive allocations are generally 25% (prior to July 1, 2009) of the net profits (both realized and unrealized) generated by fee-paying investors in the Investment Funds, and are subject to a high watermark (whereby the General Partners do not earn incentive allocations during a particular year even though the fund had a positive return in such year until losses in prior periods are recovered). The amount of these incentive allocations are calculated and allocated to the capital accounts of the General Partners annually except for incentive allocations earned as a result of investor redemption events during interim periods, provided that, as discussed below, effective July 1, 2009, certain new options do not provide for incentive allocations at the end of each fiscal year. (See below for discussion of the new fee structure effective July 1, 2009).
Effective July 1, 2009, certain limited partnership agreements and offering memoranda of the Private Funds (referred to as the Fund Documents) were revised primarily to provide existing investors and new investors, or Investors with various new options for investments in the Private Funds (each being referred to as an Option). Each Option has certain eligibility criteria for Investors and existing investors are permitted to roll over their investments made in the Private Funds prior to July 1, 2009 (referred to as the Pre-Election Investments) into one or more of the new Options. For fee-paying investments, the special profits interest allocations will range from 1.5% to 2.25% per annum and the incentive allocations will range from 15% (in some cases subject to a preferred return) to 22% per annum. The new Options also have different withdrawal terms, with certain Options being permitted to withdraw capital every six months (subject to certain limitations on aggregate withdrawals) and other Options being subject to three-year rolling lock-up periods, provided that early withdrawals are permitted at certain times with the payment to the Private Funds of a fee.
The economic and withdrawal terms of the Pre-Election Investments remain the same, which include a special profits interest allocation of 2.5% per annum, an incentive allocation of 25% per annum and a three-year lock-up period (or sooner, subject to the payment of an early withdrawal fee). Certain of the Options will preserve each Investors existing high watermark with respect to its rolled over Pre-Election Investments and one of the Options establishes a hypothetical high watermark for new capital invested before December 31, 2010 by persons that were Investors prior to July 1, 2009. Effective with permitted withdrawals on December 31, 2009, if an Investor did not roll over a Pre-Election Investment into another Option when it was first eligible to do so without the payment of a withdrawal fee, the Private Funds required such Investor to withdraw such Pre-Election Investment.
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The General Partners waived the special profits interest allocations and incentive allocations for Icahn Enterprises investments in the Private Funds and Mr. Icahns direct and indirect holdings and may, in their sole discretion, modify or may elect to reduce or waive such fees with respect to any investor that is an affiliate, employee or relative of Mr. Icahn or his affiliates, or for any other investor.
All of the special profits interest allocations and incentive allocations are eliminated in consolidation; however, our share of the net income from the Private Funds includes the amount of these allocations.
Our Investment Management results are driven by the combination of the Private Funds AUM and the investment performance of the Private Funds, except, as discussed above, that special profits interest allocations are only earned to the extent that there are sufficient net profits generated from the Private Funds to cover such allocations.
The General Partners and their affiliates also earn income (or are subject to losses) through their investments in the Investment Funds. We also earn income (or are subject to losses) through our direct investment in the Investment Funds. In both cases the income or losses consist of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment activities along with interest and dividend income.
The table below reflects changes to AUM for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The end-of-period balances represent total AUM, including any accrued special profits interest allocations and any incentive allocations and our own investments in the Private Funds, as well as investments of other affiliated parties who have not been charged special profits interest allocations or incentive allocations for the periods presented (in millions of dollars):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 4,368 | $ | 7,511 | $ | 4,020 | ||||||
Net in-flows (outflows) | (77 | ) | (274 | ) | 3,005 | |||||||
Appreciation (depreciation) | 1,514 | (2,869 | ) | 486 | ||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 5,805 | $ | 4,368 | $ | 7,511 | ||||||
Fee-paying AUM | $ | 2,152 | $ | 2,374 | $ | 5,050 |
The following table sets forth performance information for the Private Funds that were in existence for the comparative periods presented. These gross returns represent a weighted-average composite of the average gross returns, net of expenses for the Private Funds.
Gross Return(1) for the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||
Private Funds | 33.3 | % | -35.6 | % | 12.3 | % |
(1) | These returns are indicative of a typical investor who has been invested since inception of the Private Funds. The performance information is presented gross of any accrued special profits interest allocations and incentive allocations but net of expenses. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. |
The Private Funds aggregate gross performance was 33.3% for fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2009, the Private Funds performance was primarily driven by their long exposure to the credit markets, including fixed income, bank debt and derivative instruments, as well as an increase in the value of certain core equity holdings. The Private Funds short equity and short credit exposure were negative contributors to performance as both credit and equity markets continued to rally.
We believe that weak economic conditions and the lack of confidence resulting from unprecedented systemic risks associated with derivative and financial leverage may provide potential long-term opportunities for the Private Funds.
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The Private Funds aggregate gross performance was -35.6% for fiscal 2008. During fiscal 2008, losses were primarily a result of the decline in certain of the Private Funds core holdings as well as the Private Funds long credit exposure. For fiscal 2008, the Private Funds short exposure in equity produced gains due to the negative U.S. equity markets. Short exposure to credit contributed gains for fiscal 2008 and overall credit exposure was slightly positive, although such gains were offset by long credit exposure.
The Private Funds aggregate gross performance of 12.3% for fiscal 2007 was driven by a few core equity positions. Additionally, short positions in high-yield credit and the broad U.S. equity markets also added to performance as high-yield spreads widened and the market declined in the last months of the year. However, our long investments in energy more than offset the losses from the energy hedge and, overall, the sector was positive.
Since inception in November 2004, the Private Funds gross returns are 65.3%, representing an annualized rate of return of 10.2% through December 31, 2009, which is indicative of a typical investor who has invested since inception of the Private Funds (excluding management fees, special profits interest allocations and incentive allocations). Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results, particularly in the near term given current market conditions.
We consolidate certain of the Private Funds into our results. Accordingly, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, any special profits interest allocations, incentive allocations and earnings on investments in the Private Funds are eliminated in consolidation. These eliminations have no impact on our net income; however, as our allocated share of the net income from the Private Funds includes the amount of these allocations and earnings.
The tables below provide a reconciliation of the unconsolidated revenues and expenses of our interest in the General Partners and Icahn Capital L.P., or Icahn Capital, to the consolidated U.S. GAAP revenues and expenses. The first column represents the results of operations of our interest in the General Partners and Icahn Capital without the impact of consolidating the Private Funds or the eliminations arising from the consolidation of these funds. This includes the gross amount of any special profits interest allocations, incentive allocations and returns on investments in the Private Funds that is attributable to us only. This also includes gains and losses on our direct investments in the Private Funds. The second column represents the total consolidated income and expenses of the Private Funds for all investors, including us, before eliminations. The third column represents the eliminations required in order to arrive at our consolidated U.S. GAAP reported results for the segment, which is provided in the fourth column.
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Summarized statements of operations for our Investment Management segment on a deconsolidated basis reconciling to a U.S. GAAP basis for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 is as follows (in millions of dollars):
Year Ended December 31, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Icahn Enterprises Interests |
Consolidated Private Funds |
Eliminations | Total U.S. GAAP Results |
|||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Special profits interest allocations | $ | 154 | $ | | $ | (154 | ) | $ | | |||||||
Net gain from investment activities | 352 | (1) | 1,379 | (352 | ) | 1,379 | ||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | | 217 | | 217 | ||||||||||||
506 | 1,596 | (506 | ) | 1,596 | ||||||||||||
Costs and expenses | 35 | 107 | | 142 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | | 4 | | 4 | ||||||||||||
35 | 111 | | 146 | |||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense | 471 | 1,485 | (506 | ) | 1,450 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) | ||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 469 | 1,485 | (506 | ) | 1,448 | |||||||||||
Less: Income attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations | | (1,307 | ) | 328 | (979 | ) | ||||||||||
Income attributable to Icahn Enterprises from continuing operations | $ | 469 | $ | 178 | $ | (178 | ) | $ | 469 |
Year Ended December 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||
Icahn Enterprises Interests |
Consolidated Private Funds |
Eliminations | Total U.S. GAAP Results |
|||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Special profits interest allocations | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Net loss from investment activities | (303 | )(1) | (3,025 | ) | 303 | (3,025 | ) | |||||||||
Interest and dividend income | | 242 | | 242 | ||||||||||||
(303 | ) | (2,783 | ) | 303 | (2,783 | ) | ||||||||||
Costs and expenses | 32 | 21 | | 53 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | | 12 | | 12 | ||||||||||||
32 | 33 | | 65 | |||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense | (335 | ) | (2,816 | ) | 303 | (2,848 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax expense | | | | | ||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations | (335 | ) | (2,816 | ) | 303 | (2,848 | ) | |||||||||
Less: Loss attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations | | 2,787 | (274 | ) | 2,513 | |||||||||||
Loss attributable to Icahn Enterprises from continuing operations | $ | (335 | ) | $ | (29 | ) | $ | 29 | $ | (335 | ) |
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Year Ended December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
Icahn Enterprises Interests |
Consolidated Private Funds |
Eliminations | Total U.S. GAAP Results |
|||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Management fees | $ | 128 | $ | | $ | (117 | ) | $ | 11 | |||||||
Incentive allocations | 71 | | (71 | ) | | |||||||||||
Net gain from investment activities | 21 | (1) | 355 | (21 | ) | 355 | ||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | 1 | 221 | | 222 | ||||||||||||
221 | 576 | (209 | ) | 588 | ||||||||||||
Costs and expenses | 47 | 38 | | 85 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | | 15 | | 15 | ||||||||||||
47 | 53 | | 100 | |||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense | 174 | 523 | (209 | ) | 488 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | (4 | ) | | | (4 | ) | ||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 170 | 523 | (209 | ) | 484 | |||||||||||
Less: Income attributable to non-controlling interests from continuing operations | | (298 | ) | (16 | ) | (314 | ) | |||||||||
Income attributable to Icahn Enterprises from continuing operations | $ | 170 | $ | 225 | $ | (225 | ) | $ | 170 |
(1) | Through December 31, 2009, we have made direct investments aggregating $1.7 billion in the Private Funds for which no special profits interest allocations or incentive allocations are applicable. As of December 31, 2009, the total value of these investments was approximately $1.7 billion, with an unrealized gain of $328 million for fiscal 2009, and unrealized losses of $274 million and $16 million for fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. These investments and related earnings are reflected in the Private Funds net assets and earnings. |
As of December 31, 2009, the full Target Special Profits Interest Amount was $154 million, which includes a carry-forward Target Special Profits Interest Amount of $70 million from December 31, 2008, a Target Special Profits Interest Amount of $54 million for fiscal 2009 and a hypothetical return on the full Target Special Profits Interest Amount from the Investment Funds of $30 million. The full Target Special Profits Interest Amount of $154 million at December 31, 2009 was allocated to the General Partners at December 31, 2009. No accrual for special profits interest allocations was made for fiscal 2008 due to losses in the Investment Funds.
Despite a significant improvement in performance in the Private Funds in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008, incentive allocations were not material for fiscal 2009 as a result of high watermarks that were established for fee-paying investors during fiscal 2008. Incentive allocations are calculated on an investor-by-investor basis. (The General Partners do not earn incentive allocations during a particular period even though the Private Funds may have a positive return in such period until losses in prior periods have been recovered.) The General Partners incentive allocations earned from the Private Funds are accrued on a quarterly basis and are allocated to the General Partners at the end of the Private Funds fiscal year (or sooner on redemptions), provided that, effective July 1, 2009, certain new options do not provide for incentive allocations at the end of each fiscal year.
The net gain from investment activities from our investment in the Private Funds was $352 million for fiscal 2009 as compared to a net loss from investment activities of $303 million for fiscal 2008, each consisting of two components. The first component reflects a net gain of $24 million for fiscal 2009 as compared to a net loss of $29 million for fiscal 2008, primarily relating to the change in the General Partners investment in the Private Funds as a result of the return on earned incentive allocations from prior periods
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retained in the funds. The second component includes a net investment gain of $328 million for fiscal 2009 as compared to a net loss of $274 million for fiscal 2008, on our cumulative direct investment through December 31, 2009 of $1.7 billion in the Private Funds.
Net gains on investment activities from the Private Funds were $1.4 billion for fiscal 2009 as compared to a net loss of $3.0 billion for fiscal 2008. The increase relates to the positive performance of the Private Funds during fiscal 2009.
Interest and dividend income was $217 million for fiscal 2009 and $242 million for fiscal 2008, with the decrease due to amounts earned on interest-paying investments.
The General Partners and Icahn Capitals costs and expenses for fiscal 2009 increased by $3 million as compared to fiscal 2008. Included in the General Partners and Icahn Capitals costs and expenses is compensation expense which increased in fiscal 2009 by $9 million over fiscal 2008, primarily attributable to compensation awards relating to special profits interest allocations but was offset in part by lower general and administrative costs incurred in fiscal 2009 as compared to corresponding prior year period.
The Private Funds costs and expenses, including interest expense, for fiscal 2009 increased by $78 million as compared to fiscal 2008. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in dividend expense and appreciation of the deferred management fee payable by the consolidated Offshore Fund in fiscal 2009 as compared to the corresponding prior year period.
Income attributable to non-controlling interests in fiscal 2009 was approximately $1.0 billion as compared to loss attributable to non-controlling interests of approximately $2.5 billion in fiscal 2008. This change was due to the positive performance of t