UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2023
OR
☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from                     to

 

Commission File Number 001-09097

 

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

	Delaware	31-1095548
	(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
	incorporation or organization)	Identification Number)

 

	7720 Paragon Road, Dayton, Ohio	45459
	(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

 

(937) 276-3931

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value	REX	New York Stock Exchange

 

 

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 ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).                  Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer  ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company ☐
	Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐ No ☒

 

At the close of business on August 31, 2023, the registrant had 17,503,745 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

		Page
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations	4
	Consolidated Statements of Equity	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	33
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	33
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	34
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	34
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	34
Item 3.	Defaults upon Senior Securities	34
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	34
Item 5.	Other Information	34
Item 6.	Exhibits	35

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Unaudited

 

(In Thousands)		July 31,				January 31,
		2023				2023
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	102,166			$	69,612
Short-term investments			182,209				211,331
Restricted cash			2,009				1,735
Accounts receivable			31,998				25,162
Inventory			45,960				48,744
Refundable income taxes			5,654				2,962
Prepaid expenses and other			17,947				13,098
Total current assets			387,943				372,644
Property and equipment, net			135,144				135,497
Operating lease right-of-use assets			12,713				15,214
Other assets			19,554				23,179
Equity method investment			37,582				33,045
Total assets		$	592,936			$	579,579
Liabilities and equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable – trade (includes $1.2 million and $1.5 million with related parties at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively)		$	22,100			$	34,091
Current operating lease liabilities			5,095				5,180
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			20,346				15,328
Total current liabilities			47,541				54,599
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred taxes			1,097				1,097
Long-term operating lease liabilities			7,605				9,855
Other long-term liabilities			3,144				3,034
Total long-term liabilities			11,846				13,986
Equity:
REX shareholders’ equity:
Common stock			299				299
Paid-in capital			3,181				578
Retained earnings			655,117				640,826
Treasury stock			(192,037)				(193,721)
Total REX shareholders’ equity			466,560				447,982
Noncontrolling interests			66,989				63,012
Total equity			533,549				510,994
Total liabilities and equity		$	592,936			$	579,579

 

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

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Unaudited

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		July 31,								July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Net sales and revenue		$	211,977			$	240,328			$	424,691			$	434,556
Cost of sales (includes $26,399 and $35,319 with related parties for the quarters ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $59,887 and $66,077 with related parties for the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively)			193,625				226,225				396,173				408,545
Gross profit			18,352				14,103				28,518				26,011
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(8,618)				(6,667)				(14,387)				(11,866)
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			3,047				3,598				4,537				5,549
Interest and other income, net			3,271				8,181				6,072				8,355
Income before income taxes			16,052				19,215				24,740				28,049
Provision for income taxes			(3,768)				(4,330)				(5,756)				(6,178)
Net income			12,284				14,885				18,984				21,871
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(3,229)				(3,715)				(4,693)				(5,519)
Net income attributable to REX common shareholders		$	9,055			$	11,170			$	14,291			$	16,352
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted			17,460				17,772				17,427				17,777
Basic and diluted net income per share attributable to REX common shareholders		$	0.52			$	0.63			$	0.82			$	0.92

 

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

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity

For the Three and Six Months Ended July 31, 2023 and 2022

Unaudited

 

(In Thousands)

 

		REX Shareholders
		Common Shares
		Issued								Treasury								Paid-in				Retained				Noncontrolling				Total
		Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount				Capital				Earnings				Interests				Equity
Balance at January 31, 2023			29,853			$	299				12,463			$	(193,721)			$	578			$	640,826			$	63,012			$	510,994
Net income																							5,236				1,464				6,700
Noncontrolling interests distribution and other																											(716)				(716)
Issuance of equity awards and stock based compensation expense			–				–				–				61				362				–				–				423
Balance at April 30, 2023			29,853				299				12,463				(193,660)				940				646,062				63,760				517,401
Net income																							9,055				3,229				12,284
Issuance of equity awards and stock based compensation expense			–				–				(113)				1,623				2,241				–				–				3,864
Balance at July 31, 2023			29,853			$	299				12,350			$	(192,037)			$	3,181			$	655,117			$	66,989			$	533,549

 

Continued on the following page

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity

Unaudited

 

(In Thousands)

 

Continued from the previous page

 

		REX Shareholders
		Common Shares
		Issued								Treasury								Retained				Noncontrolling				Total
		Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount				Earnings				Interests				Equity
Balance at January 31, 2022			29,853			$	299				12,092			$	(181,114)			$	611,607			$	56,770			$	487,562
Net income																			5,182				1,804				6,986
Noncontrolling interests distribution and other																							(1)				(1)
Issuance of equity awards and stock based compensation expense			–				–				–				8				36				–				44
Balance at April 30, 2022			29,853				299				12,092				(181,106)				616,825				58,573				494,591
Net income																			11,170				3,715				14,885
Treasury stock acquired											222				(6,193)												(6,193)
Noncontrolling interests distribution and other																							(1,632)				(1,632)
Issuance of equity awards and stock based compensation expense			–				–				(101)				303				1,486				–				1,789
Balance at July 31, 2022			29,853			$	299				12,213			$	(186,996)			$	629,481			$	60,656			$	503,440

 

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

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Unaudited

 

(In Thousands)		Six Months Ended
		July 31,
		2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests		$	18,984			$	21,871
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			8,915				8,984
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets			2,671				2,835
Income from equity method investments			(4,537)				(5,549)
Interest income from investments			(3,967)				(488)
Deferred income tax			3,947				4,153
Stock based compensation expense			3,892				856
Loss on sale of property and equipment – net			205				5
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(6,836)				(12,738)
Inventories			2,784				(7,703)
Refundable income taxes			(2,692)				779
Other assets			(5,153)				(2,153)
Accounts payable, trade			(12,595)				(11,254)
Other liabilities			3,019				1,173
Net cash provided by operating activities			8,637				771
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(8,173)				(2,936)
Purchase of short-term investments			(194,400)				(189,988)
Sale of short-term investments			227,490				25,882
Proceeds from sale of real estate and property and equipment			10				-
Deposits			(20)				-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			24,907				(167,042)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Treasury stock acquired			-				(6,193)
Payments to noncontrolling interests holders			(716)				(1,633)
Net cash used in financing activities			(716)				(7,826)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			32,828				(174,097)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period			71,347				232,068
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period		$	104,175			$	57,971
Non cash investing activities – Accrued capital expenditures		$	1,029			$	260
Non cash financing activities – Stock awards accrued		$	570			$	563
Non cash financing activities – Stock awards issued		$	965			$	1,539
Right-of-use assets acquired and liabilities incurred upon lease execution		$	312			$	4,507
Reconciliation of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	102,166			$	54,639
Restricted cash			2,009				3,332
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	104,175			$	57,971

 

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

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2023

 

Note 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

References to the Company – References to “REX” or the “Company” in the consolidated financial statements and in these notes to the consolidated condensed financial statements refer to REX American Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to state fairly the information set forth therein. Any such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Financial information as of January 31, 2023 included in these financial statements has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023 (fiscal year 2022). These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.

 

Basis of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements in this report include the operating results and financial position of the Company. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company consolidates the results of its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. The Company includes the results of operations of One Earth Energy, LLC (“One Earth”) in its Consolidated Statements of Operations on a delayed basis of one month as One Earth has a fiscal year end of December 31.

 

Stock Split – On June 21, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted resolutions declaring a three-for-one split of the Company’s Common Stock to be effectuated in the form of a 200% stock dividend, payable on August 5, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 29, 2022.

 

Nature of Operations – The Company has one reportable segment, ethanol and by-products. Within the ethanol and by-products segment, the Company has equity investments in three ethanol limited liability companies, two of which are majority ownership interests.

 

Note 2. Accounting Policies

 

The interim consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s fiscal year 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. While management believes that the procedures

followed in the preparation of interim financial information are reasonable, the accuracy of some estimated amounts is dependent upon facts that will exist or calculations that will be accomplished at fiscal year-end. Examples of such estimates include accrued liabilities, such as management bonuses, and the provision for income taxes. Any adjustments pursuant to such estimates during the quarter were of a normal recurring nature. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents includes bank deposits as well as short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes sales of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil when obligations under the terms of the respective contracts with customers are satisfied; this occurs with the transfer of control of products, generally upon shipment from the ethanol plant or upon loading of the rail car used to transport the products.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales includes depreciation, costs of raw materials, third-party freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, other distribution expenses, warehousing costs, plant repair and maintenance costs, plant management, certain compensation costs and general facility overhead charges.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses

 

The Company includes non-production related costs such as professional fees, selling charges and certain payroll in SG&A expenses.

 

Change in Accounting Principles

 

Effective for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company changed the method of accounting for shipping and handling costs for products sold to customers from recorded within “Selling, general and administrative expenses” to recorded within “Cost of sales” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. While both presentations are allowable under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the Company believes that this change in classification is preferable because it improves the comparability of gross margin between periods and among industry peers.

The following tables show the effect of the retrospective change to the Consolidated Statements of Operations previously presented:

 

		Three Months Ended April 30, 2023
		As Previously Reported		Effect of Change		As Currently Reported
Cost of sales		$197,685		$4,863		$202,548
Gross profit		$15,029		$(4,863)		$10,166
Selling, general and administrative		$(10,632)		$4,863		$(5,769)

 

		Three Months Ended July 31, 2022
		As Previously Reported		Effect of Change		As Currently Reported
Cost of sales		$223,744		$2,481		$226,225
Gross profit		$16,584		$(2,481)		$14,103
Selling, general and administrative		$(9,148)		$2,481		$(6,667)

 

		Six Months Ended July 31, 2022
		As Previously Reported		Effect of Change		As Currently Reported
Cost of sales		$406,060		$2,485		$408,545
Gross profit		$28,496		$(2,485)		$26,011
Selling, general and administrative		$(14,351)		$2,485		$(11,866)

 

Financial Instruments

 

Certain of the forward corn purchase and ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil sale contracts are accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”) because these arrangements

are for purchases of corn that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used by the Company and sales of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil in quantities expected to be produced by the Company over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business.

 

The Company uses derivative financial instruments (exchange-traded futures contracts) to manage a portion of the risk associated with changes in commodity prices, primarily related to corn. The Company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy. As such, the Company seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. The Company may take hedging positions in these commodities as one way to mitigate risk. While the Company attempts to link its hedging activities to purchase and sales activities, there are situations in which these hedging activities can themselves result in losses. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The changes in fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recognized in current period earnings as the Company does not use hedge accounting.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company applies an effective tax rate to interim periods that is consistent with the Company’s estimated annual tax rate as adjusted for discrete items impacting the interim periods. The Company provides for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company provides for a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company paid income taxes of approximately $6.4 million and $1.1 million and received no refunds during the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

As of July 31, 2023, and January 31, 2023, total unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $19,034,000. Accrued penalties and interest were approximately $57,000 and approximately $55,000 at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively. If the Company were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded, the provision for income taxes would be reduced by approximately $18.9 million. In addition, the impact of penalties and interest would also benefit the effective tax rate. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are recorded within income tax expense. On a quarterly basis, the Company accrues for the effects of open uncertain tax positions and the related potential penalties and interest.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory includes direct production costs and certain overhead costs such as depreciation, property taxes and utilities associated with producing ethanol and related by-products. Inventory is written down for instances when cost exceeds estimated net realizable value; such write-downs are based primarily upon commodity prices as the market value of inventory is often dependent upon changes in commodity prices. The Company recorded inventory write-downs of approximately $0.2 million and $0.7 million in cost of sales at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively. Fluctuations in the write-down of inventory

generally relate to the levels and composition of such inventory and changes in commodity prices at a given point in time.

 

The components of inventory are as follows as of the dates presented (amounts in thousands):

 

		July 31, 2023				January 31, 2023
Ethanol and other finished goods		$	7,072			$	12,695
Work in process			7,297				10,194
Corn and other raw materials			31,591				25,855
Total		$	45,960			$	48,744

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is recorded at cost or the fair value on the date of acquisition (for property and equipment acquired in a business combination). Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 20 years for fixtures and equipment.

 

In accordance with ASC 360-10 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the carrying value of long-lived assets is assessed for recoverability by management when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company did not identify any indicators of impairment or record any impairment charges during the first six months of fiscal years 2023 or 2022.

 

The Company tests for recoverability of an asset group by comparing its carrying amount to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, if any.

 

Investments

 

The method of accounting applied to long-term investments, whether consolidated, equity or cost, involves an evaluation of the significant terms of each investment that explicitly grant or suggest evidence of control or influence over the operations of the investee and also includes the identification of any variable interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for investments in a limited liability company in which it has a less than 20% ownership interest using the equity method of accounting when the factors discussed in ASC 323, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures” are met. The excess of the carrying value over the underlying equity in the net assets of equity method investees is allocated to specific assets and liabilities. Investments in businesses that the Company does not control but for which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the equity method. The Company accounts for its investment in Big River Resources, LLC (“Big River”) using the equity method of accounting and includes the results on a delayed basis of one month as Big River has a fiscal year end of December 31.

 

The Company periodically evaluates its investments for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. Such impairment evaluations include general economic and

company-specific evaluations. If the Company determines that a decline in market value is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

 

Short-term investments, consisting of U.S. government obligations and certificates of deposit, are considered held to maturity, and therefore are carried at amortized historical cost.

 

Note 3. Net Sales and Revenue

 

The Company recognizes sales of products when obligations under the terms of the respective contracts with customers are satisfied. This occurs with the transfer of control of products, generally upon shipment from the ethanol plant or upon loading of the rail car used to transport the products. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods. Sales, value added and other taxes the Company collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from net sales and revenue.

 

The majority of the Company’s sales have payment terms ranging from 5 to 10 days after transfer of control. The Company has determined that sales contracts do not generally include a significant financing component. The Company has not historically entered into sales contracts in which payment is due from a customer prior to transferring product to the customer. Thus, the Company does not record unearned revenue.

 

The following tables shows disaggregated revenue by product (amounts in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		July 31,								July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Sales of products
Ethanol		$	167,360			$	190,807			$	324,908			$	337,269
Dried distillers grains			31,943				34,261				71,649				66,158
Distillers corn oil			11,419				14,223				24,500				25,325
Modified distillers grains			1,090				2,456				2,656				6,811
Derivative financial instrument gains (losses)			130				(1,474)				860				(1,152)
Other			35				55				118				145
Total		$	211,977			$	240,328			$	424,691			$	434,556

 

Note 4. Leases

 

At July 31, 2023, the Company had lease agreements, as lessee, for railcars. All of the leases are accounted for as operating leases. The lease agreements do not contain a specified implicit interest rate; therefore, the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate was used to determine the present value of future minimum lease payments. The lease term for all of the Company’s leases includes the noncancelable period of the lease and any periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. Certain leases include rent escalations pre-set in the agreements, which are factored into the lease payment stream.

The components of lease expense, classified as SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,								Six Months Ended July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Operating lease expense		$	1,431			$	1,991			$	3,192			$	3,601
Variable lease expense			61				271				303				665
Total lease expense		$	1,492			$	2,262			$	3,495			$	4,266

 

The following table is a summary of future minimum rentals on such leases at July 31, 2023 (amounts in thousands):

 

Years Ended January 31,		Minimum Rentals
Remainder of 2024		$	2,853
2025			4,477
2026			2,325
2027			2,276
2028			1,846
Thereafter			491
Total			14,268
Less: present value discount			1,568
Operating lease liabilities		$	12,700

 

At July 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term is 3.4 years, and the weighted average discount rate is 5.53% for the outstanding leases. At January 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term was 3.7 years, and the weighted average discount rate was 5.51% for the outstanding leases.

 

Note 5. Fair Value

 

The Company applies ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), which provides a framework for measuring fair value under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This accounting standard defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

 

The Company determines the fair market values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820 which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values which are provided below. The Company carries certain cash equivalents, investments and derivative instruments at fair value.

The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities traded in the over-the-counter market are determined using quantitative models that require the use of multiple market inputs including interest rates, prices and indices to generate pricing and volatility factors, which are used to value the position. The predominance of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services. Estimation risk is greater for derivative asset and liability positions that are either option-based or have longer maturity dates where observable market inputs are less readily available or are unobservable, in which case interest rate, price or index scenarios are extrapolated in order to determine the fair value. The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities include adjustments for market liquidity, counterparty credit quality, the Company’s own credit standing and other specific factors, where appropriate.

 

To ensure the prudent application of estimates and management judgment in determining the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities, investments and property and equipment, various processes and controls have been adopted, which include: (i) model validation that requires a review and approval for pricing, financial statement fair value determination and risk quantification; and (ii) periodic review and substantiation of profit and loss reporting for all derivative instruments. Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2023 are summarized below (amounts in thousands):

 

		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value
Commodity futures asset (1)		$	-			$	5,673			$	-			$	5,673
Forward purchase contracts liability (2)		$	-			$	10,707			$	-			$	10,707

 

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2023 are summarized below (amounts in thousands):

 

		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value
Forward purchase contracts asset (1)		$	-			$	105			$	-			$	105
Commodity futures asset (1)			-				80				-				80
Total assets		$	-			$	185			$	-			$	185
Forward purchase contracts liability (2)		$	-			$	355			$	-			$	355
Commodity futures liability (2)			-				67				-				67
Total liabilities		$	-			$	422			$	-			$	422

 

(1) The forward purchase contracts and commodity futures assets are included in “Prepaid expenses and other” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2) The commodity futures and forward purchase contracts liabilities are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

There were no assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at July 31, 2023 or January 31, 2023.

Note 6. Property and Equipment

 

The components of property and equipment are as follows for the periods presented (amounts in thousands):

 

		July 31, 2023				January 31, 2023
Land and improvements		$	31,130			$	30,194
Buildings and improvements			23,784				23,707
Machinery, equipment, and fixtures			303,730				299,665
Construction in progress			13,162				10,255
			371,806				363,821
Less: Accumulated depreciation			(236,662)				(228,324)
Total		$	135,144			$	135,497

 

Note 7. Other Assets

 

The components of other assets are as follows for the periods presented (amounts in thousands):

 

		July 31, 2023				January 31, 2023
Deferred taxes		$	18,018			$	21,964
Other			1,536				1,215
Total		$	19,554			$	23,179

 

Note 8. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

 

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities are as follows for the periods presented (amounts in thousands):

 

			July 31, 2023				January 31, 2023
Accrued payroll and related items		$	2,820			$	4,428
Accrued utility charges			2,507				4,116
Accrued transportation related items			530				1,311
Accrued real estate taxes			2,463				1,850
Commodity futures			-				67
Forward purchase contracts			10,707				355
Accrued income taxes			64				2,049
Other			1,255				1,152
Total		$	20,346			$	15,328

Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in commodity prices (raw materials and finished goods). To manage risks associated with the volatility of these natural business exposures, the Company enters into commodity agreements and forward purchase (corn and natural gas) and sale (ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil) contracts. The Company does not purchase or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company does not purchase or sell derivative financial instruments for which a lack of marketplace quotations would require the use of fair value estimation techniques. The changes in fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recognized in current period earnings as the Company does not use hedge accounting.

 

The following table provides information about the fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments (that are not accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815) and the line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in which the fair values are reflected (in thousands):

 

		Asset Derivatives								Liability Derivatives
		Fair Value								Fair Value
		July 31, 2023				January 31, 2023				July 31, 2023				January 31, 2023
Commodity futures (1)		$	5,673			$	80			$	-			$	67
Forward purchase contracts (2)			-				105				10,707				355
Total		$	5,673			$	185			$	10,707			$	422

 

(1) Commodity futures assets are included in “Prepaid expenses and other” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts include short/sell positions for approximately 9.6 million bushels at July 31, 2023. These contracts included short/sell positions and long/buy positions for approximately 3.2 million bushels and 725,000 bushels of corn, respectively at January 31, 2023. Commodity futures liabilities are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts included short/sell positions for approximately 1.4 million bushels of corn at January 31, 2023.

 

(2) Forward contract liabilities are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts were for purchases of approximately 16.3 million bushels and 12.8 million bushels of corn at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively. Forward purchase contracts assets are included in “Prepaid expenses and other” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts were for purchases of approximately 5.2 million bushels of corn at January 31, 2023.

 

As of July 31, 2023, and January 31, 2023, all of the derivative financial instruments held by the Company were subject to enforceable master netting arrangements with the counterparties. The Company’s accounting policy is to offset positions and amounts owed with the same counterparties. As of July 31, 2023, and January 31, 2023, the gross positions of the enforceable master netting agreements were not significantly different from the net positions presented in the table above. Depending on the amount of an unrealized loss on a derivative contract held by the Company, the counterparties may require collateral to

secure the Company’s derivative contract position. The Company was required to maintain collateral in the amount of approximately $2.0 million and $1.7 million to secure the Company’s derivative liability positions at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively, which is recorded as “Restricted cash” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

See Note 5 which contains fair value information related to derivative financial instruments.

 

The Company recognized gains and (losses), which are included in “Net sales and revenue” in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations, on derivative financial instruments related to ethanol sales contracts of approximately $0.1 million and $(1.5) million for the second quarter of fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company recognized gains and (losses) on derivative financial instruments related to ethanol sales contracts of approximately $0.9 million and $(1.2) million for the first six months of fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The Company recognized losses, which are included in “Cost of sales” in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations, on derivative financial instruments related to corn purchase contracts of approximately $0.8 and of $1.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company recognized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments related to corn purchase contracts of approximately $5.0 million and $(12.9) million for the first six months of fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Note 10. Investments

 

Equity Method Investment in Big River

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s equity method investment at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):

 

				Carrying Amount
Entity		Ownership Percentage		July 31, 2023		January 31, 2023
Big River		10.3%		$37,582		$33,045

 

Undistributed earnings of the Company’s equity method investee totaled approximately $17.6 million and approximately $13.0 million at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively. The Company did not receive any dividends from its equity method investee in the first six months of fiscal year 2023 or 2022.

Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investee is presented in the following table for the periods presented (amounts in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,								Six Months Ended July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Net sales and revenue		$	402,119			$	450,396			$	776,622			$	802,142
Gross profit		$	36,973			$	27,137			$	54,525			$	49,161
Income from continuing operations		$	29,552			$	34,891			$	43,999			$	53,816
Net income		$	29,552			$	34,891			$	43,999			$	53,816

 

Short-term Investments

 

At July 31, 2023, the Company owned United States Treasury Bills (classified as short-term investments) that had an amortized cost, or carrying value, of approximately $182.2 million. The contractual maturity of these investments was less than one year. The yield to maturity rate was approximately 5.1%. Unrealized gains or losses were insignificant.

 

At January 31, 2023, the Company owned United States Treasury Bills (classified as short-term investments) that had an amortized cost, or carrying value, of approximately $211.3 million. The contractual maturity of these investments was less than one year. The yield to maturity rate was approximately 3.9%. Unrealized gains or losses were insignificant.

 

Note 11. Employee Benefits

 

The Company maintains the REX 2015 Incentive Plan, approved by its shareholders, which reserves a total of 1,650,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to its terms. The plan provides for the granting of shares of stock, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. Until 2022, the Company had only granted restricted stock awards. In May 2022, the Company issued restricted stock units to certain officers of the Company which vest based on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) compared to the TSRs of companies that comprise the Russell 2000 Index over a three-year performance period. The Company measures share-based compensation grants at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company records non-cash compensation expense related to liability and equity awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. At July 31, 2023, 1,229,116 shares remain available for issuance under the Plan, excluding the impact of the 67,500 restricted stock units that may vest between zero and 135,000 shares of stock depending on certain performance metrics being achieved.

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

As a component of their compensation, restricted stock has been granted to directors and certain employees at the closing market price of REX common stock on the grant date. In addition, one quarter of executives’ incentive compensation is payable by an award of restricted stock-based on the then closing market price of REX common stock on the grant date. The Company’s board of directors has determined

that the grant date will be June 15th, or the next business day if June 15th is not a business day, for all grants of restricted stock.

 

At July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards was approximately $638,000 and $450,000 respectively. The following tables summarize non-vested restricted stock award activity for the periods presented:

 

		Six Months Ended July 31, 2023
						Weighted				Weighted
						Average  Grant				Average  Remaining
		Non-Vested				Date Fair Value				Vesting Term
		Shares				(000’s)				(in years)
Non-Vested at January 31, 2023			81,264			$	2,320				2
Granted			113,726				3,945
Forfeited			-				-
Vested			32,135				896
Non-Vested at July 31, 2023			162,855			$	5,369				3

 

		Six Months Ended July 31, 2022
						Weighted				Weighted
						Average  Grant				Average  Remaining
		Non-Vested				Date Fair Value				Vesting Term
		Shares				(000’s)				(in years)
Non-Vested at January 31, 2022			30,167			$	773				1
Granted			70,689				2,032
Forfeited			-				-
Vested			18,403				451
Non-Vested at July 31, 2022			82,453			$	2,354				3

 

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

 

In May 2022, the Company issued a total of 67,500 RSUs to certain officers. The number of RSUs eligible to vest will be determined based on how the Company’s TSR compares to the TSR of companies that comprise the Russell 2000 Index during the performance period ending December 31, 2024. The number of RSUs eligible to vest ranges from zero percent to two hundred percent, depending on actual performance during the performance period. While dilutive, the impact to earnings per share is not material to the financial statements.

For the three and six-month periods ended July 31, 2023, the Company recognized compensation cost of approximately $265,000 and $529,000, respectively related to the RSUs. For the three and six-month periods ended July 31, 2022, the Company recognized compensation cost of approximately $188,000 related to the RSUs. Unrecognized compensation cost related to the RSUs at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, was approximately $1.5 million and 2.0 million, respectively.

 

Note 12. Income Taxes

 

The Company’s income tax provision was approximately $3.8 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company’s income tax provision was approximately $5.8 and $6.2 million for the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The Company assessed all available positive and negative evidence to determine whether it expects sufficient future taxable income will be generated to allow for the realization of existing federal deferred tax assets. The Company ceased operation of its refined coal business on November 18, 2021. There is sufficient objectively verifiable income for management to conclude that it is more likely than not that the Company will utilize available federal deferred tax assets prior to their expiration.

 

The Company files a U.S. federal income tax return and various state income tax returns. In general, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended January 31, 2014 and prior. The Company is currently undergoing a federal income tax examination for the years ended January 31, 2015 through January 31, 2020.

 

On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company accrues for the effects of open uncertain tax positions and the related potential penalties and interest. It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit with respect to certain unrecognized tax positions will increase or decrease during the next 12 months; however, the Company does not expect the change to have a material effect on results of operations or financial position. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

		Six Months Ended July 31,
		2023				2022
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period		$	19,088			$	16,781
Changes for prior years’ tax positions			3				93
Changes for current year tax positions			-				-
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period		$	19,091			$	16,874

 

Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company may be involved in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business, from time to time. After taking into consideration legal counsels’ evaluations of any such action(s), management is of the opinion that their outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company recorded a liability of $250,000 at July 31, 2023 and

January 31, 2023, as a probable and reasonably estimable loss associated with a legal contingency for a patent infringement case involving our refined coal facility which is no longer in operation.

 

At July 31, 2023, One Earth and NuGen had combined forward purchase contracts for approximately 16.3 million bushels of corn, the principal raw material for their ethanol plants, and they have combined forward purchase contracts for approximately 2.6 million MmBtu (million British thermal unit) of natural gas.

 

At July 31, 2023, One Earth and NuGen had combined sales commitments for approximately 41.3 million gallons of ethanol, approximately 88,000 tons of distillers grains and approximately 15.7 million pounds of distillers corn oil.

 

At July 31, 2023, One Earth had signed contracts in place for capital projects with approximately $28.5 million remaining in future payments.

 

Note 14. Related-Party Transactions

 

During the second quarters of fiscal years 2023 and 2022, One Earth and NuGen purchased approximately $26.4 million and $35.3 million, respectively, of corn (and other supplies) from minority equity investors and board members of those affiliates. Such purchases totaled approximately $59.9 million and $66.1 million for the six months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had amounts payable to related parties of approximately $1.2 million and $1.5 million at July 31, 2023 and January 31, 2023, respectively.

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

 

Ethanol and By-Products

 

At July 31, 2023, we had investments in three ethanol limited liability companies, in two of which we have a majority ownership interest. The following table is a summary of ethanol entity ownership interests at July 31, 2023:

 

Entity	REX’s Current Ownership Interest
One Earth Energy, LLC	75.8%
NuGen Energy, LLC	99.7%
Big River Resources, LLC:
Big River Resources W Burlington, LLC	10.3%
Big River Resources Galva, LLC	10.3%
Big River United Energy, LLC	5.7%
Big River Resources Boyceville, LLC	10.3%

 

Our ethanol operations and the results thereof are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, ethanol, distillers grains, distillers corn oil and natural gas, and availability of corn. As a result of price volatility for these commodities, our operating results can fluctuate substantially. The price and availability of corn is subject to significant fluctuations depending upon several factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, the amount of corn stored on farms, weather, federal policy, foreign trade, and international disruptions caused by wars or conflicts. Because the market prices of ethanol and distillers grains are not always directly related to corn prices (for example, demand for crude and other energy and related prices, the export market demand for ethanol and distillers grains, soybean meal prices, and the results of federal policy decisions and trade negotiations can impact ethanol and distillers grains prices), at times ethanol and distillers grains prices may not follow movements in corn prices and, in an environment of higher corn prices or lower ethanol or distillers grains prices, reduce the overall margin structure at the plants. As a result, at times, we may operate our plants at negative or minimally positive operating margins.

 

We expect our ethanol plants to produce approximately 2.9 gallons of denatured ethanol for each bushel of corn processed in the production cycle. We refer to the actual gallons of denatured ethanol produced per bushel of corn processed as the realized yield. We refer to the difference between the price per gallon of ethanol and the price per bushel of corn (divided by the realized yield) as the “crush spread”. Should the crush spread decline, it is possible that our ethanol plants will generate operating results that do not provide adequate cash flows for sustained periods of time. In such cases, production at the ethanol plants may be reduced or stopped altogether in order to minimize variable costs at individual plants.

 

We attempt to manage the risk related to the volatility of commodity prices by utilizing forward corn and natural gas purchase contracts, forward ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil sale contracts and commodity futures agreements, as management deems appropriate. We attempt to match quantities of these sale contracts with an appropriate quantity of corn purchase contracts over a given period of time when we can obtain an adequate gross margin resulting from the crush spread inherent in the

contracts we have executed. However, the market for future ethanol sales contracts generally lags the spot market with respect to ethanol price. Consequently, we generally execute fixed price ethanol contracts for no more than four months into the future at any given time and we may lock in our corn or ethanol price without having a corresponding locked in ethanol or corn price for short durations of time. As a result of the relatively short period of time our fixed price contracts cover, we generally cannot predict the future movements in our realized crush spread for more than four months; thus, we are unable to predict the likelihood or amounts of future income or loss from the operations of our ethanol facilities. We utilize derivative financial instruments, primarily exchange traded commodity future contracts and swap contracts, in conjunction with certain of our corn procurement activities and commodity marketing activities.

 

One Earth Energy, LLC Carbon Sequestration and Plant Expansion

 

Through our affiliate, One Earth Energy, LLC, we are in the developmental stage of a carbon sequestration project near the One Earth Energy ethanol plant. A test well has been drilled to a total depth of approximately 7,100 feet, in which almost 2,000 feet of Mt. Simon Sandstone was encountered, which is the geological formation that is the region’s primary carbon storage resource. Three-dimensional seismic testing has been performed, as well as geological modeling for predicting the movement of injected carbon and the plume area to determine maximum injection pressure, reservoir quality and storage capacity for the potential wells. We have applied for a Class VI injection well permit for three wells with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). In addition, we have signed a construction contract for a facility to capture, dehydrate, and compress carbon dioxide from the One Earth Energy ethanol plant to a state suitable for sequestration. We expect to begin site construction during the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 and complete construction by July 31, 2024, at which time testing of the facility would commence. We are currently working on an engineering design study for a short pipeline to deliver carbon dioxide from the ethanol plant to the sequestration site. Although we have made meaningful progress with this project, we continue to complete required documentation for various government agencies and obtain other approvals with no assurances of ultimate success.

 

We also intend to concurrently expand the One Earth ethanol plant. We have received a permit to increase production from 150 million gallons of ethanol per year to 175 million gallons of ethanol per year. Once we achieve that level of production, planned for late 2024, we intend to apply for a 200 million gallon per year permit from the EPA. Finally, we continue to work to identify ways to reduce our carbon intensity (“CI”) score at the One Earth plant with the intention to maximize tax credits available under the Inflation Reduction Act.

 

If all approvals are received, we expect the total cost of these projects to be approximately $165 million, which we currently plan to pay from our available cash. As of the quarter ended July 31, 2023, we have spent or committed $41.9 million toward these projects. If successful, we believe we would qualify for tax credits under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code (“45Q”) and section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code (“45Z”), as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act.

 

Refined Coal

 

On August 10, 2017, we purchased, through a 95.35% owned subsidiary, for approximately $12.0 million, the entire ownership interest of an entity that owned a refined coal facility. We began operating the refined coal facility immediately after the acquisition. As the plant was no longer eligible to receive federal production tax credits beginning on November 18, 2021, we ceased operations on that date. We began classifying this operation as discontinued operations in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The federal production tax credits received through ownership of this facility remain under IRS audit.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2023, we did not change any of our critical accounting policies as disclosed in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2023.

 

Fiscal Year

 

All references in this report to a particular fiscal year are to REX’s fiscal year ended January 31. The Company refers to its fiscal year by reference to the year immediately preceding the January 31 fiscal year end date. For example, “fiscal year 2023” means the period February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024.

 

Results of Operations

 

Trends and Uncertainties

 

Renewable Fuel Standard II (“RFS II”), established in October 2010, has been an important factor in the growth of ethanol usage in the United States. In recent years, there has been much uncertainty on the enforcement of RFS II. When it was originally established, RFS II required the volume of “conventional” or corn derived ethanol to be blended with gasoline to increase each year until it reached 15.0 billion gallons in 2015 and required that it remain at that level through 2022. There are no established congressional target volumes beginning in 2023, and the EPA was given the authority to calculate and establish the target volumes for subsequent periods. The EPA also has the authority to waive the biofuel mandate, in whole or in part, if there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply or the requirement severely harms the domestic economy or environment. In addition, under RFS II, a small refiner that processes less than 75,000 barrels of oil per day can petition the EPA for a waiver of their obligation to submit renewable identification numbers (“RINs”) for the oil they process. The EPA, through consultation with the Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), can grant the refiner a full or partial waiver, or deny the waiver. The EPA issued 88 refinery exemptions for 2016-2018 compliance years, undercutting the statutory renewable fuel volumes by a total of 4.3 billion gallons.

 

On June 21, 2023, the EPA issued final Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for calendar years 2023-2025. The volumes from conventional biofuels (which includes corn-based ethanol) were 15.25 billion gallons for 2023 and 15.0 billion gallons for each of 2024 and 2025.

 

The USDA reported the United States corn harvest in 2022 was 13.7 billion bushels, a decrease of 9% from the prior year. The 2022 corn harvest near the NuGen Energy, LLC ethanol plant was below average for that area, which has lead to increased corn cost and lower supply for that plant.

 

On August 11, 2023, the USDA forecasted the 2023 U.S. corn harvest to be 15.1 billion bushels, which, if realized, would be the second highest on record. That forecast was based on then available information to the USDA, and the actual harvest could differ if, for example, there is unfavorable weather prior to the harvest.

Due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict, corn and natural gas supplies worldwide have been adversely affected, which has contributed to volatility in the prices for both commodities and has impacted corn availability in the United States.

 

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) will likely impact our business by creating a new Clean Fuel Production Credit, section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code, that would be dependent on the level of greenhouse gas emissions reduction for each gallon of ethanol produced and sold, available for years 2025 to 2027. The Act also raises the carbon capture tax credit from $50 per metric ton to $85 per metric ton under section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code. Taxpayers may elect to be treated as making a payment against tax for 100% of the value of the 45Q credit (“direct pay”) for the first five years, starting with the year a qualifying carbon sequestration facility is placed in service, but not beyond December 31, 2032. Companies may elect either the 45Q credit or the 45Z credit in periods in which both tax credits are available. Other potential impacts include (a) extending the biodiesel tax credit, which could positively impact our distillers corn oil prices, as this co-product serves as a low-carbon feedstock for renewable diesel and biomass based diesel production; (b) creating a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel; (c) funding biofuel refueling infrastructure which could positively impact the availability of higher level ethanol blended fuel; and (d) providing for production and purchase credits for electric vehicles, which could impact the amount of internal combustion engines on the road over time, and ultimately reduce the demand for gasoline, diesel fuels and ethanol. Certain rules and implementation guidance associated with the IRA have yet to be finalized, so we cannot determine the full impact it may have on our business at this time.

 

Should any of the trends and uncertainties mentioned above continue, our future operating results could be impacted.

 

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended July 31, 2023 and 2022

 

The following table summarizes our results from operations (amounts in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,								Six Months Ended July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Net sales and revenue		$	211,977			$	240,328			$	424,691			$	434,556
Cost of sales			193,625				226,225				396,173				408,545
Gross profit		$	18,352			$	14,103			$	28,518			$	26,011
Income before income taxes		$	16,052			$	19,215			$	24,740			$	28,049
Provision for income taxes		$	(3,768)			$	(4,330)			$	(5,756)			$	(6,178)
Net income attributable to REX common shareholders		$	9,055			$	11,170			$	14,291			$	16,352

The following table summarizes net sales and revenue by product group (amounts in thousands):

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,								Six Months Ended July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Ethanol		$	167,360			$	190,807			$	324,908			$	337,269
Dried distillers grains			31,943				34,261				71,649				66,158
Distillers corn oil			11,419				14,223				24,500				25,325
Modified distillers grains			1,090				2,456				2,656				6,811
Derivative financial instruments gains (losses)			130				(1,474)				860				(1,152)
Other			35				55				118				145
Total		$	211,977			$	240,328			$	424,691			$	434,556

 

The following table summarizes selected operating data:

 

		Three Months Ended July 31,								Six Months Ended July 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Average selling price per gallon of ethanol (net of hedging)		$	2.42			$	2.65			$	2.32			$	2.47
Gallons of ethanol sold (in millions)			69.1				71.4				140.6				135.9
Average selling price per ton of dried distillers grains		$	226.48			$	249.62			$	236.30			$	233.80
Tons of dried distillers grains sold			141,043				137,250				303,209				282,964
Average selling price per pound of distillers corn oil		$	0.55			$	0.72			$	0.59			$	0.68
Pounds of distillers corn oil sold (in millions)			20.7				19.7				41.3				37.4
Average selling price per ton of modified distillers grains		$	103.01			$	128.50			$	116.20			$	121.65
Tons of modified distillers grains sold			10,583				19,110				22,853				55,989

 

Net sales and revenue in the quarter ended July 31, 2023 decreased approximately 12% compared to the prior year’s second quarter. Net sales and revenue in the first six months ended July 31, 2023 decreased approximately 2% compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

 

Ethanol sales decreased in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 as the quantities sold at our consolidated plants during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 decreased 3% from the prior year comparable period as well as a 9% decrease in the average selling price on ethanol. Ethanol sales decreased 4% in the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022, driven by a 6% decrease in selling price, offset partially by a 3% increase in gallons sold. The decrease in the ethanol selling price resulted primarily from a decrease in commodity prices.

Dried distillers grains sales decreased 7% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 as the average price per ton sold decreased 9%, offset by a 3% increase in tons sold. The decrease in the dried distillers grains selling price resulted primarily from a decrease in corn prices as dried distillers grains prices often correlate with corn pricing. Dried distillers grains sales increased 8% in the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022, primarily driven by a 7% increase in tons sold. In addition, there was a 1% increase in the price of dried distillers grains compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

 

Distillers corn oil sales decreased in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 as the selling price of distillers corn oil decreased 24% over the prior year second quarter, offset partially by a 5% increase in pounds sold. Distillers corn oil sales decreased in the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022 as the selling price of distillers corn oil decreased 13% over the prior year, offset partially by a 11% increase in pounds sold.

 

Modified distillers grains sales decreased in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 due to a decrease in tons sold of 45%, as well as a 20% decrease in price per ton sold. Modified distillers grains sales decreased in the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022 due to a decrease in tons sold of 59%, as well as a 4% decrease in price per ton sold. The decrease in the modified distillers grains selling price resulted primarily from a decrease in corn prices. Our consolidated plants’ decisions to sell modified or dried distillers grains fluctuates from time to time based upon market conditions.

 

Gains on derivative financial instruments, included in net sales and revenue, of approximately $0.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to losses on derivative financial instruments of approximately $1.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. For the first six months of fiscal year 2023, gains on derivative financial instruments, included in net sales and revenue, were approximately $0.9 million, compared to losses of $1.2 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2022. These gains and losses are related to our risk management activities and were impacted by the price movements and types of contracts entered into at one of our consolidated ethanol plants.

 

Cost of sales decreased approximately 14% in the quarter ended July 31, 2023, compared to the prior year second quarter. Corn accounted for approximately 82% ($158.0 million) of our cost of sales during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately 84% ($186.9 million) during the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. The cost of corn decreased approximately $28.7 million due primarily to lower corn prices, as well as a decrease in corn used during the quarter ended July 31, 2023, compared to the prior year second quarter. Natural gas accounted for approximately 3% ($6.4 million) of our cost of sales during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately 7% ($15.3 million) during the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. Cost of sales decreased approximately 3% in the six months ended July 31, 2023, compared to the prior year comparable period. Corn accounted for approximately 81% ($321.8 million) of our cost of sales during the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately 84% ($339.6 million) during the first six months of fiscal year 2022. The decrease in the cost of corn was primarily attributable to lower corn prices during the six month period ended July 31, 2023, compared to the prior year comparable period, partially offset by an increase in corn used between the two periods. Natural gas accounted for approximately 4% ($17.1 million) of our cost of sales during the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately 6% ($26.2 million) during the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

As a result of the foregoing, gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 increased approximately $4.2 million compared to the prior year’s second quarter. Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal year 2023 increased approximately $2.5 million compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

 

We attempt to match quantities of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil sales contracts with an appropriate quantity of corn purchase contracts over a given time period when we can obtain a satisfactory margin resulting from the crush spread inherent in the contracts we have executed. However, the market for future ethanol sales contracts generally lags the spot market with respect to ethanol price. Consequently, we generally execute fixed price sales contracts for no more than four months into the future at any given time and we may lock in our corn or ethanol price without having a corresponding locked in ethanol or corn price for short durations of time. As a result of the relatively short period of time our contracts cover, we generally cannot predict the future movements in our realized crush spread for more than four months.

 

SG&A expenses were approximately $8.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to approximately $6.7 million of expenses for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. SG&A expenses were approximately $14.4 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023, compared to approximately $11.9 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. The increases are primarily related to restricted stock awards granted to certain executive officers in the second quarter of 2023, which were expensed upon issuance.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, we recognized income from our equity investment in Big River of approximately $3.0 million compared to income of approximately $3.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. During the first six months of fiscal year 2023, we recognized income from our equity investment in Big River of approximately $4.5 million compared to income of approximately $5.5 million during the first six months of fiscal year 2022. During the second quarter of 2022, COVID-19 relief grants from the USDA received by Big River contributed $1.6 million to the income we recognized in 2022. Our investment in Big River, which has interests in four ethanol production plants, represents an effective ownership of approximately 37.9 million gallons of ethanol shipped in the trailing twelve months ended July 31, 2023. Due to the inherent volatility of commodity prices within the ethanol industry, we cannot predict the likelihood of future operating results from Big River being similar to historical results.

 

Interest and other income was approximately $3.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 versus approximately $8.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. Interest and other income was approximately $6.1 million for the first six months of 2023 versus approximately $8.4 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. The decrease is due to the Company’s consolidated plants receiving COVID-19 relief grants from the USDA totaling approximately $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, which was offset by an increase in interest income in the current year as yields on our excess cash and short-term investments increased in fiscal year 2023, compared to 2022.

 

As a result of the foregoing, income before income taxes was approximately $16.1 million and $19.2 million for the second quarters of fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively. Income before income taxes was approximately $24.7 million and $28.0 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company applies an effective tax rate to interim periods that is consistent with the Company’s estimated annual tax rate as adjusted for discrete items impacting the interim periods. Our income tax provision was approximately $3.8 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our income tax provision was approximately $ 5.8 million and $6.2 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

As a result of the foregoing, net income was approximately $12.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately $14.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. Net income was approximately $19.0 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately $21.9 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was approximately $3.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 compared to $3.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was approximately $4.7 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023 compared to approximately $5.5 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. These amounts represent the other owners’ share of the income of NuGen and One Earth.

 

As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to REX common shareholders from for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 was approximately $9.1 million, compared to net income attributable to REX common shareholders of approximately $11.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. Net income attributable to REX common shareholders from the first six months of fiscal year 2023 was approximately $14.3 million, compared to net income attributable to REX common shareholders of approximately $16.4 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $8.6 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2023, compared to cash provided by operating activities of approximately $0.8 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. For the first six months of fiscal year 2023, cash was provided by net income of approximately $19.0 million, adjusted for non-cash items of approximately $11.1 million, which consisted of depreciation, amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets, income from equity method investments, interest income from short-term investments, the deferred income tax provision, stock-based compensation expense, and loss on sale of property and equipment. An increase in the balance of accounts receivable used cash of approximately $6.8 million, primarily a result of the timing of products shipped and the receipt of customer payments at One Earth and NuGen. Inventories decreased over the first six months of fiscal year 2023, providing cash of $2.8 million. An increase in the balance of other assets of approximately $5.2 million primarily relates to changes in the carrying value of forward purchase contracts and commodity futures positions recorded at fair value. An increase in the balance of refundable income taxes of approximately $2.7 million primarily relates to overpayment of taxes currently payable for the previous fiscal year and quarterly estimated tax payments. While the Company has tax credits available to offset all amounts owed, the Company is limited to using tax credits for only 75% of federal taxes owed. A decrease in the balance of accounts payable used cash of approximately $12.6 million, which was primarily a result of the timing of inventory receipts and vendor payments. An increase in the balance of other liabilities provided cash of approximately $3.0 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $0.8 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. For the first six months of fiscal year 2022, cash was provided by net income of approximately $21.9 million, adjusted for non-cash items of approximately $10.8 million, which consisted of depreciation, amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets, income from equity method investments, interest income from short-term investments, the deferred income tax provision, stock-based compensation expense, and loss on sale of property and equipment. An increase in the balance of accounts receivable used cash of approximately $12.7 million, primarily a result of the timing of products shipped and the receipt of customer payments at One Earth and NuGen in addition to higher sales and pricing. Inventories increased by approximately $7.7 million, primarily a result of the timing of receipt of raw materials and the shipment of finished goods, as well as an increase in commodity prices. An increase in the balance of other assets of approximately $2.2 million primarily relates to changes in the carrying value of forward purchase contracts recorded at fair value. A decrease in the balance of refundable income taxes of approximately $0.8 million primarily relates to amounts currently payable on income from the first six months of the fiscal year. A decrease in the balance of accounts payable used cash of approximately $11.3 million, which was primarily a result of the timing of inventory receipts and vendor payments. An increase in the balance of other liabilities provided cash of approximately $1.2 million.

 

At July 31, 2023, working capital was approximately $340.4 million, compared to approximately $318.0 million at January 31, 2023. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 8.2 to 1 at July 31, 2023 and 6.8 to 1 at January 31, 2023.

 

Cash of approximately $24.9 million was provided by investing activities for the first six months of fiscal year 2023, compared to cash used by investing activities of approximately $167.0 million during the first six months of fiscal year 2022. During the first six months of fiscal year 2023, we had capital expenditures of approximately $8.2 million, primarily for various capital projects at our consolidated ethanol plants, including expansion and carbon intensity (“CI”) score reduction projects at the One Earth facility. During the first six months of fiscal year 2023, we purchased short-term U.S. Treasury Bills of approximately $194.4 million, while U.S. Treasury Bills of approximately $227.5 million matured. The U.S Treasury Bills had maturities of less than one year and we classified them as short-term investments. Depending on investment options available, we may elect to retain the funds, or a portion thereof, in cash, short-term investments or long-term investments.

 

Cash of approximately $167.0 million was used in investing activities for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. During the first six months of fiscal year 2022, we had capital expenditures of approximately $2.9 million, primarily for improvements at the One Earth and NuGen facilities. During the first six months of fiscal year 2022, we purchased U.S. Treasury Bills of approximately $190.0 million. During the first six months of fiscal year 2022 certificates of deposit of approximately $25.9 million matured. The certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury Bills had maturities of less than one year and we classified as short-term investments.

 

Cash of approximately $0.7 million was used in financing activities for the first six months of fiscal year 2023 for payments to noncontrolling interests holders, compared to approximately $1.6 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2022. No treasury stock was acquired in the first six months of fiscal year 2023, compared to $6.2 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2022.

We are investigating various uses for our excess cash and short-term investments. We have a stock buyback program with 876,786 shares remaining authorized at July 31, 2023. We typically repurchase our common stock when our stock price is trading at a price we deem to be a discount to the underlying value of our net assets. We plan to seek and evaluate various investment opportunities including ethanol and/or energy related, carbon sequestration related, agricultural or other ventures we believe meet our investment criteria. If all approvals are received, we expect capital expenditures related to the construction at the One Earth plant, inclusive of the carbon sequestration project, plant capacity expansion and ongoing efforts to reduce the CI scoring, to approximate $165 million, which we currently plan to pay from our available cash. As of July 31, 2023, approximately $13.4 million has been spent on these projects, with $50 million to $60 million planned to be spent during the remainder of fiscal year 2023.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-Q contains or may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Readers are cautioned that there are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include among other things: the effect of pandemics such as COVID-19 on the Company’s business operations, including impacts on supplies, demand, personnel and other factors, the impact of legislative and regulatory changes, the price volatility and availability of corn, distillers grains, ethanol, distillers corn oil, gasoline and natural gas, commodity market risk, ethanol plants operating efficiently and according to forecasts and projections, logistical interruptions, changes in the international, national or regional economies, the impact of inflation, the ability to attract employees, weather, results of income tax audits, changes in income tax laws or regulations, the impact of U.S. foreign trade policy, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the effects of terrorism or acts of war. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023 (File No. 001-09097).

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with commodity prices as discussed below.

 

We manage a portion of our risk with respect to the volatility of commodity prices inherent in the ethanol industry by using forward fixed-price purchase and fixed-price sale contracts and exchange traded commodity futures contracts. Our remaining exposure to market risk, which includes the impact of our risk management activities resulting from our fixed-price purchase and sale contracts and derivatives, is based on the estimated effect on pre-tax income for the twelve months following July 31, 2023 is as follows, assuming normal operating capacity (amounts in thousands):

 

Commodity		Estimated Total Volume for 12 Months				Unit of Measure				Decrease in Pre-tax Income From a 10% Adverse Change in Price
Ethanol			284,000				Gallons			$	60,709
Corn			101,000				Bushels			$	54,184
Distillers Grains			665				Tons			$	11,328
Distillers Corn Oil			88,000				Pounds			$	4,118
Natural Gas			7,400				MmBtu			$	1,717

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

We are, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business, We believe that any current proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023.

 

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

 

On August 31, 2021, our Board of Directors increased our share repurchase authorization by an additional 1,500,000 shares (split-adjusted). At July 31, 2023, a total of 876,786 shares remained available to purchase under this authorization.

 

There were no share repurchases by the Company in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed with this report:

 

	18		Preferability Letter from RSM US LLP
	31		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
	32		Section 1350 Certifications
	101		The following information from REX American Resources Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2023, formatted in iXBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

	REX American Resources Corporation
	Registrant

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Zafar A. Rizvi (Zafar A. Rizvi)		Chief Executive Officer and President   (Chief Executive Officer)		September 1, 2023
/s/ Douglas L. Bruggeman (Douglas L. Bruggeman)		Vice President, Finance and Treasurer   (Chief Financial Officer)		September 1, 2023