EX-99.1 2 ex991q12015.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 EX 99.1 Q1 2015
Intrepid Potash Announces First Quarter Results
Delivers Strong Earnings and Cash Flow

DENVER, April 28, 2015 - Intrepid Potash Inc. (Intrepid) (NYSE:IPI) today reported its results for the first quarter 2015.

First quarter results

•
Net income of $6.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $0.4 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2014.

•
Adjusted net income1 of $6.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared with adjusted net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2014.

•
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $32.5 million, compared with $16.8 million a year ago.

•
Cash flow from operating activities was $32.7 million for the first quarter 2015 and cash paid for capital expenditures was $8.7 million.

•
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments at quarter end totaled $112.6 million.

"We delivered solid results driven by our advantage of selling into the highest margin and cash flow opportunities across our diverse markets and customer base," said Intrepid's Executive Chairman, President and CEO Bob Jornayvaz. "In the quarter, we improved earnings and increased free cash flow1 by lowering our per ton cash operating costs1 and achieving higher prices compared with last year's first quarter.”

Product Highlights

Potash

First quarter potash sales volume and pricing reflect solid demand in the agricultural market as customers made purchases to be well positioned for the spring season. Intrepid's industrial market, which comprised 14% of potash sales, experienced weaker demand yet maintained stable pricing during the first quarter as oil and gas rig counts declined. Positive year-over-year pricing and cost trends led to increased gross margin and cash flow1 on a per ton basis.






Potash sales volume in the first quarter was 231,000 tons, a slight decrease from last year's first quarter. Intrepid's average net realized sales price per ton1 was $362 ($399 per metric tonne), which is up $45 and $14 per ton from the comparable period in 2014 and sequentially from the fourth quarter, respectively. Intrepid produced 237,000 tons during the first quarter.

Intrepid's first quarter cash flow per potash ton sold of $136 represents a 50% improvement over the first quarter 2014. Cash operating costs of $199 per ton improved $6 from last year's first quarter. They were up 4% sequentially from the fourth quarter 2014 due to slightly lower production volume.

Gross margin per ton for potash was more than double first quarter 2014's level despite year-over-year cost of goods sold per ton increasing, in part, from additional depreciation expense from recent capital investments.

Langbeinite - Trio® 

Trio® demonstrated stronger pricing, improved cash operating costs, and more per ton gross margin and cash flow compared with first quarter last year. Sales and production volumes increased as well.

Demand for Trio® continues to outpace supply. Sales volume in the first quarter 2015 grew 72% year over year to 62,000 tons. The average net realized sales price per ton has strengthened and in the first quarter it was $367 ($405 per metric tonne). This is $27 more than the same period last year and $13 more than the fourth quarter 2014. Production volume of 36,000 tons was up slightly from last year's first quarter.

Cash operating costs were $181 per ton, a $35 improvement from last year's first quarter. Intrepid generated $156 of cash flow per Trio® ton sold, $59 more than during the same period last year.

Market conditions and outlook:

Intrepid slightly modified its potash sales outlook for the first half and full year to reflect potentially less customer restocking in the second quarter. While potash prices for the remainder of this year may be further pressured from global producers, Intrepid expects to maintain its historical average net realized sales price advantage over the other North American competitors.

Intrepid affirms its full-year potash production volume and per ton cost outlooks. The normal annual production seasonality of the low cost solar tons and the timing of annual maintenance outages at the West Mine will impact second quarter potash production volume, and therefore, per ton cost of goods sold and cash operating costs. Cash operating costs and cost of goods sold per ton are anticipated to improve from their high points in the second quarter as more low cost solar tons are produced during the fall. Costs are expected to be at their lowest point in the fourth quarter.





Intrepid tightened its first half sales outlook for Trio® to incorporate strong first quarter results. Production outlook is unchanged and the cost forecast was increased modestly. Pricing for Trio® is expected to be at least stable to first quarter levels.
Intrepid's outlook is presented below. This information reflects Intrepid's best estimate at the current time and will be impacted by actual market conditions, results of operations, and production results.

 
First-Half
 
Second-Half
 
Full-Year
 
2015
 
2015
 
2015
Potash

 

 
 
Production (tons)
390,000 - 410,000
 
460,000 - 490,000
 
850,000 - 900,000
Sales (tons)
400,000 - 415,000
 
425,000 - 445,000
 
825,000 - 860,000
Cash operating costs ($/ton)
$200 - $215
 
$190 - $205
 
$195 - $210
Total COGS ($/ton)
$285 - $300
 
$275 - $290
 
$280 - $295
 

 

 
 
Trio®

 

 
 
Production (tons)
75,000 - 90,000
 
80,000 - 95,000
 
155,000 - 185,000
Sales (tons)
95,000 - 105,000
 
85,000 - 100,000
 
180,000 - 205,000
Cash operating costs ($/ton)
$170 - $185
 
$170 - $185
 
$170 - $185
Total COGS ($/ton)
$245 - $260
 
$240 - $255
 
$240 - $255
 

 

 
 
Other (millions)

 

 
 
Interest expense
$3.0 - $3.5
 
$3.0 - $3.5
 
$6.0 - $7.0
Depreciation, depletion, and accretion
$37.5 - $42.5
 
$37.5 - $42.5
 
$75.0 - $85.0
Selling and administrative expense
$14.5 - $15.5
 
$14.5 - $15.5
 
$29.0 - $31.0
Cash paid for capital investments
not provided
 
not provided
 
$40.0 - $50.0

Notes

1 Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA), average net realized sales price per ton, per ton cash operating costs, per ton average gross margin, cash flow per ton and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this press release for additional information.

Unless expressly stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to tons in this press release refer to short tons. One short ton equals 2,000 pounds. One metric tonne, which many international competitors use, equals 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds.





Conference Call Information

A teleconference to discuss the quarter is scheduled for April 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The dial in number is 800-319-4610 for U.S. and Canada, and is +1-631-982-4565 for other countries. The call will also be streamed on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com.

An audio recording of the conference call will be available through May 28, 2015, at www.intrepidpotash.com and by dialing 800-319-6413 for U.S. and Canada, or +1-631-883-6842 for other countries. The replay will require the input of the conference identification number 763324.

About Intrepid

Intrepid Potash (NYSE: IPI) is the only U.S. producer of potash and supplies approximately 9% of the country’s annual consumption. Potash is applied as an essential nutrient for healthy crop development, utilized in several industrial applications and used as an ingredient in animal feed. Intrepid also produces a highly sought-after specialty fertilizer, Trio®, which delivers three key nutrients, potassium, magnesium and sulfate, in a single particle.

Intrepid is geographically advantaged serving diverse customers in markets where a logistical advantage exists; and is a leader in the utilization of solar evaporation production, one of the lowest cost, environmentally friendly production methods for potash. Intrepid produces potash from three solar solution facilities and two conventional underground mines.

Intrepid routinely posts important information, including information about upcoming investor presentations and press releases, on its website under the Investor Relations tab. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com to receive automatic email alerts or Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements - that is, statements about future, not past, events. The forward-looking statements in this document often relate to our future performance and management's expectations for the future, including statements about our financial outlook. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are uncertain. For us, the particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our forward-looking statements include the following:

•
changes in the price, demand, or supply of potash or Trio®/langbeinite
•
circumstances that disrupt or limit our production, including operational difficulties or operational variances due to geological or geotechnical variances




•
interruptions in rail or truck transportation services, or fluctuations in the costs of these services
•
increased labor costs or difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified employees and contractors, including workers with mining, mineral processing, or construction expertise
•
the costs of, and our ability to successfully construct, commission, and execute, any of our strategic projects
•
adverse weather events, including events affecting precipitation and evaporation rates at our solar solution mines
•
changes in the prices of raw materials, including chemicals, natural gas, and power
•
the impact of federal, state, or local governmental regulations, including environmental and mining regulations; the enforcement of those regulations; and governmental policy changes
•
our ability to obtain any necessary governmental permits relating to the construction and operation of assets
•
changes in our reserve estimates
•
competition in the fertilizer industry
•
declines or changes in U.S. or world agricultural production or fertilizer application rates
•
declines in the use of potash products by oil and gas companies in their drilling operations
•
changes in economic conditions
•
our ability to comply with covenants in our debt-related agreements to avoid a default under those agreements, or the total amount available to us under our credit facility is reduced, in whole or in part, because of covenant limitations
•
disruption in the credit markets
•
our ability to secure additional federal and state potash leases to expand our existing mining operations
•
the other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission

In addition, new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make.

All information in this document speaks as of April 28, 2015. New information or events after that date may cause our forward-looking statements in this document to change. We have no duty to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to conform the statements to actual results or to reflect new information or future events.

Contact:
Gary Kohn, Investor Relations        
Phone: 303-996-3024




Email: gary.kohn@intrepidpotash.com







INTREPID POTASH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Sales
 
$
117,021

 
$
98,875

Less:
 
 
 
 
Freight costs
 
10,912

 
9,932

Warehousing and handling costs
 
3,747

 
2,812

Cost of goods sold
 
83,282

 
78,573

Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments
 
360

 
3,566

Gross Margin
 
18,720

 
3,992

 
 
 
 
 
Selling and administrative
 
7,468

 
6,746

Accretion of asset retirement obligation
 
424

 
406

Restructuring expense
 
—

 
1,827

Other operating expense (income)
 
66

 
(2,947
)
Operating Income (Loss)
 
10,762

 
(2,040
)
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
(1,644
)
 
(1,380
)
Interest income
 
155

 
53

Other income
 
327

 
234

 Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
 
9,600

 
(3,133
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
(3,071
)
 
2,778

Net Income (Loss)
 
$
6,529

 
$
(355
)
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
75,589,092

 
75,444,953

Diluted
 
75,707,079

 
75,444,953

Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.09

 
$
—

Diluted
 
$
0.09

 
$
—




7


INTREPID POTASH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
AS OF MARCH 31, 2015 AND DECEMBER 31, 2014
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
66,786

 
$
67,589

Short-term investments
 
34,310

 
10,434

Accounts receivable:
 
 
 
 
Trade, net
 
38,516

 
28,561

Other receivables, net
 
3,280

 
3,600

Refundable income taxes
 
72

 
114

Inventory, net
 
74,446

 
84,094

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
4,087

 
4,739

Current deferred tax asset, net
 
280

 
3,356

Total current assets
 
221,777

 
202,487

 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties, net
 
770,188

 
785,250

Long-term parts inventory, net
 
17,700

 
16,366

Long-term investments
 
11,546

 
11,856

Other assets, net
 
3,922

 
4,035

Non-current deferred tax asset, net
 
146,838

 
146,725

Total Assets
 
$
1,171,971

 
$
1,166,719

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable:
 
 
 
 
Trade
 
$
17,032

 
$
19,953

Related parties
 
69

 
55

Accrued liabilities
 
15,628

 
12,483

Accrued employee compensation and benefits
 
10,187

 
12,069

Other current liabilities
 
2,063

 
2,075

Total current liabilities
 
44,979

 
46,635

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
150,000

 
150,000

Asset retirement obligation
 
20,813

 
20,389

Other non-current liabilities
 
2,330

 
2,410

Total Liabilities
 
218,122

 
219,434

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; and 75,672,087 and
 
 
 
 
75,536,741 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively
 
76

 
76

Additional paid-in capital
 
576,211

 
576,186

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(18
)
 
(28
)
Retained earnings
 
377,580

 
371,051

Total Stockholders' Equity
 
953,849

 
947,285

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
1,171,971

 
$
1,166,719




8


INTREPID POTASH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014
(In thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
6,529

 
$
(355
)
Deferred income taxes
 
2,956

 
(2,778
)
Items not affecting cash:
 

 

Depreciation, depletion, and accretion
 
21,276

 
19,649

Stock-based compensation
 
1,062

 
1,028

Lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments
 
360

 
3,566

Other
 
378

 
223

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 

Trade accounts receivable, net
 
(9,955
)
 
(9,431
)
Other receivables, net
 
319

 
(3,316
)
Refundable income taxes
 
41

 
2,025

Inventory, net
 
7,954

 
6,743

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
666

 
1,005

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and accrued employee
compensation and benefits
 
1,180

 
(335
)
Other liabilities
 
(92
)
 
(700
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
32,674

 
17,324

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant, equipment, and mineral properties
 
(8,678
)
 
(31,919
)
Purchases of investments
 
(27,600
)
 
(5
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
 
3,838

 
18,051

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(32,440
)
 
(13,873
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Employee tax withholding paid for restricted stock upon vesting
 
(1,037
)
 
(611
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(1,037
)
 
(611
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(803
)
 
2,840

Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
 
67,589

 
394

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
66,786

 
$
3,234


9



INTREPID POTASH, INC.
SELECTED OPERATIONS DATA (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Production volume (in thousands of tons):
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
237

 
220

   Langbeinite
 
36

 
32

Sales volume (in thousands of tons):
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
231

 
242

   Trio®
 
62

 
36

 
 
 
 
 
Gross sales (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
$
90,729

 
$
84,497

   Trio®
 
26,292

 
14,378

   Total
 
117,021

 
98,875

Freight costs (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
7,206

 
7,661

   Trio®
 
3,706

 
2,271

   Total
 
10,912

 
9,932

Net sales (in thousands)(1):
 
 
 
 
   Potash
 
83,523

 
76,836

   Trio®
 
22,586

 
12,107

   Total
 
$
106,109

 
$
88,943

 
 
 
 
 
Potash statistics (per ton):
 
 
 
 
   Average net realized sales price(1)
 
$
362

 
$
317

   Cash operating costs(1)(2) 
 
199

 
205

   Depreciation and depletion
 
79

 
64

   Royalties
 
14

 
11

      Total potash cost of goods sold
 
$
292

 
$
280

   Warehousing and handling costs
 
13

 
10

      Average potash gross margin(1)
 
$
57

 
$
27

 
 
 
 
 
Trio® statistics (per ton):
 
 
 
 
   Average net realized sales price(1)
 
$
367

 
$
340

   Cash operating costs(1)
 
181

 
216

   Depreciation and depletion
 
58

 
68

   Royalties
 
18

 
17

      Total Trio® cost of goods sold
 
$
257

 
$
301

   Warehousing and handling costs
 
12

 
10

      Average Trio® gross margin(1)
 
$
98

 
$
29


(1) Net sales, average net realized sales price, cash operating costs and average gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures. See the non-GAAP reconciliations set forth later in this press release for additional information.
(2) On a per ton basis, by-product credits were $8 and $6 for the first quarter of 2015, and 2014, respectively. By-product credits were $1.8 million and $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2015, and 2014, respectively. Cash operating costs and GAAP total cost of goods sold are shown net of by-product credits.

10

INTREPID POTASH, INC.
UNAUDITED NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use several non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and evaluate our performance. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted EBITDA, net sales, average net realized sales price, cash operating costs, average potash and Trio® gross margin, cash flow per ton and free cash flow. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures varies among companies, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors for analysis of our business. We also refer to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the potash mining industry. Many investors use the published research reports of these professional research analysts and others in making investment decisions.

Below is additional information about our non-GAAP financial measures, including, if applicable, reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures:

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share

Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures that are calculated as net income (loss) or earnings (loss) per diluted share adjusted for certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period. These items include, among others, restructuring expenses and changes to the allowance associated with the employment-related high wage tax credits in New Mexico. We consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be useful because they allow for period-to-period comparisons of our operating results excluding items that we believe are not indicative of our fundamental ongoing operations.

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income (Loss)
$
6,529

 
$
(355
)
Adjustments

 

     Allowance for New Mexico employment credits(1)
—

 
(2,947
)
     Restructuring expense
—

 
1,827

     Calculated income tax effect(2)
—

 
448

          Total adjustments
—

 
(672
)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
$
6,529

 
$
(1,027
)

(1) In the third quarter of 2013, we received notification that our application for certain New Mexico employment-related high wage tax credits had been denied and established an additional pre-tax, non-cash allowance of approximately $2.8 million. In Q1 2014, Intrepid received notification from the State of New Mexico that the vast majority of the credits will be allowed and therefore reversed $2.9 million of the total allowance.
(2) Assumes an annual effective tax rate of 40%.

11


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share
$
0.09

 
$
—

Adjustments
 
 
 
     Allowance for New Mexico employment credits
—

 
(0.04
)
     Restructuring expense
—

 
0.02

     Calculated income tax effect
—

 
0.01

          Total adjustments
—

 
(0.01
)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share
$
0.09

 
$
(0.01
)


Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (or adjusted EBITDA) is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net income (loss) adjusted for the changes to the allowance associated with the employment-related high wage tax credits in New Mexico, restructuring expenses, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion, and asset retirement obligation accretion. We consider adjusted EBITDA to be useful because it reflects our operating performance before the effects of certain non-cash items and other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operations. We use adjusted EBITDA to assess operating performance and as one of the measures under our performance-based compensation programs for employees.
    

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
6,529

 
$
(355
)
     Allowance for New Mexico employment credits
 
—

 
(2,947
)
     Restructuring expense
 
—

 
1,827

     Interest expense
 
1,644

 
1,380

     Income tax expense (benefit)
 
3,071

 
(2,778
)
     Depreciation, depletion, and accretion
 
21,276

 
19,649

          Total adjustments
 
25,991

 
17,131

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
32,520

 
$
16,776



Net Sales and Average Net Realized Sales Price per Ton

Net sales and average net realized sales price are non-GAAP financial measures. Net sales are calculated as sales less freight costs. Average net realized sales price is calculated as net sales, divided by the number of tons sold in the period. We consider net sales and average net realized sales price to be useful because they remove the effect of transportation and delivery costs on sales and pricing. When we arrange transportation and delivery for a customer, we include in revenue and in freight costs the costs associated with transportation and delivery. However, many of our customers arrange for and pay their own transportation and delivery costs, in which case these costs are not included in our revenue and freight costs. We use net sales and average net realized sales price per ton as key performance indicators to analyze sales and price trends. We also use net sales as one of the measures under our performance-based compensation programs for employees.


12


 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
Sales
 
$
90,729

 
$
26,292

 
$
117,021

 
$
84,497

 
$
14,378

 
$
98,875

Freight costs
 
7,206

 
3,706

 
10,912

 
7,661

 
2,271

 
9,932

   Net sales
 
$
83,523

 
$
22,586

 
$
106,109

 
$
76,836

 
$
12,107

 
$
88,943

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Divided by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tons sold (in thousands)
 
231

 
62

 
 
 
242

 
36

 
 
   Average net realized sales price per ton
 
$
362

 
$
367

 
 
 
$
317

 
$
340

 
 


Cash Operating Costs per Ton

Cash operating costs per ton is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as total cost of goods sold divided by the number of tons sold in the period and then adjusted to exclude per-ton depreciation, depletion, and royalties. Total cost of goods sold is reported net of by-product credits and does not include warehousing and handling costs. We consider cash operating costs per ton to be useful because it represents our core, per-ton costs to produce potash and Trio®. We use cash operating costs per ton as an indicator of performance and operating efficiencies and as one of the measures under our performance-based compensation programs for employees.


 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
 
Potash
 
Trio®
 
Total
Cost of goods sold
 
$
67,454

 
$
15,828

 
$
83,282

 
$
67,859

 
$
10,714

 
$
78,573

Divided by sales volume (in thousands of tons)
 
231

 
62

 
 
 
242

 
36

 
 
   Cost of goods sold per ton
 
$
292

 
$
257

 
 
 
$
280

 
$
301

 
 
Less per-ton adjustments
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
   Depreciation and depletion
 
$
79

 
$
58

 
 
 
$
64

 
$
68

 
 
   Royalties
 
14

 
18

 
 
 
11

 
17

 
 
Cash operating costs per ton
 
$
199

 
$
181

 
 
 
$
205

 
$
216

 
 


Average Potash and Trio® Gross Margin and Cash Flow per Ton

Average potash and Trio® gross margin and cash flow per ton are non-GAAP financial measures. Average gross margin per ton is calculated by subtracting the sum of per ton total cost of goods sold and per ton warehousing and handling costs from the average net realized sales price. Cash flow per ton is calculated by adding depreciation and depletion to average gross margin. We believe these measures are useful because they represent the average margin and cash flow we

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realize on each ton of potash and Trio® sold. The reconciliations of average potash and Trio® net realized sales price to GAAP sales is set forth separately above under the heading “Net Sales and Average Net Realized Sales Price per Ton.”
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Potash
 
 
 
 
Average potash net realized sales price
 
$
362

 
$
317

Less total potash cost of goods sold
 
292

 
280

Less potash warehousing and handling costs
 
13

 
10

   Average potash gross margin per ton
 
$
57

 
$
27

   Depreciation and depletion
 
79

 
64

    Cash flow per ton
 
$
136

 
$
91



 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Trio®
 
 
 
 
Average Trio® net realized sales price
 
$
367

 
$
340

Less total Trio® cost of goods sold
 
257

 
301

Less Trio® warehousing and handling costs
 
12

 
10

   Average Trio® gross margin per ton
 
$
98

 
$
29

   Depreciation and depletion
 
58

 
68

    Cash flow per ton
 
$
156

 
$
97



Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for capital expenditures. We consider free cash flow to be a useful measure of liquidity because it indicates cash generated by normal business operations, including capital expenditures. Free cash flow does not represent cash available for discretionary expenditures because we have non-discretionary obligations, such as debt service obligations, that are not deducted from this measure.

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Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Net cash provided by operating activities
32,674

 
17,324

Less cash paid for additions to property, plant, equipment and mineral properties
(8,678
)
 
(31,919
)
Free cash flow
23,996

 
(14,595
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
(32,440
)
 
(13,873
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(1,037
)
 
(611
)

Note: net cash used in investing activities includes cash paid for additions to property, plant equipment and mineral properties.



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