-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
NxwVBWkJ8NqzugHVfOiB6oPwEBGe2oLfATLvmYrTfsLHBYFr1f3KcJu5RwgSvf4/
g8ZkK4qdQZnKL8VXOK/VDQ==
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2000 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period ________________________ TO ________________________ Commission file number 1-44 ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 41-0129150 (State or other jurisdiction of (I. R. S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 4666 Faries Parkway Box 1470 Decatur, Illinois 62525 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code 217-424-5200 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ___. Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, no par value - 633,736,151 shares (January 31, 2001) PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales and other operating income $4,940,999 $4,615,421 Cost of products sold and other operating costs 4,524,691 4,209,148 __________ __________ Gross Profit 416,308 406,273 Selling, general and administrative expenses 187,443 199,476 __________ __________ Earnings From Operations 228,865 206,797 Other income (expense) (44,262) (53,534) __________ __________ Earnings Before Income Taxes 184,603 153,263 Income taxes 59,996 51,343 __________ __________ Net Earnings $ 124,607 $ 101,920 = = = = = = = = = = = = Average number of shares outstanding 633,402 639,210 Basic and diluted earnings per common share $.20 $.16 Dividends per common share $.05 $.048 See notes to consolidated financial statements. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales and other operating income $9,575,783 $9,226,687 Cost of products sold and other operating costs 8,875,567 8,548,094 __________ __________ Gross Profit 700,216 678,593 Selling, general and administrative expenses 356,766 370,211 __________ __________ Earnings From Operations 343,450 308,382 Other income (expense) (42,658) (100,433) __________ __________ Earnings Before Income Taxes 300,792 207,949 Income taxes 66,756 69,662 __________ __________ Net Earnings $ 234,036 $ 138,287 = = = = = = = = = = = = Average number of shares outstanding 632,992 640,489 Basic and diluted earnings per common share $.37 $.22 Dividends per common share $.098 $.094 See notes to consolidated financial statements. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, 2000 2000 (In thousands) ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 541,726 $ 477,226 Marketable securities 399,479 454,223 Receivables 2,327,140 2,139,896 Inventories 3,161,642 2,856,884 Prepaid expenses 304,187 234,138 __________ __________ Total Current Assets 6,734,174 6,162,367 Investments and Other Assets Investments in and advances to affiliates 2,043,776 1,876,633 Long-term marketable securities 680,198 617,633 Other assets 515,310 489,386 __________ __________ 3,239,284 2,983,652 Property, Plant and Equipment Land 161,172 163,722 Buildings 2,085,664 2,098,124 Machinery and equipment 8,775,957 8,702,639 Construction in progress 397,213 416,546 Less allowances for depreciation (6,295,617) (6,103,950) __________ __________ 5,124,389 5,277,081 __________ __________ $15,097,847 $14,423,100 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = See notes to consolidated financial statements. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, 2000 2000 (In thousands) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Short-term debt $ 1,463,097 $ 1,550,571 Accounts payable 2,366,056 2,139,744 Accrued expenses 735,333 610,735 Current maturities of long-term debt 23,648 31,895 __________ __________ Total Current Liabilities 4,588,134 4,332,945 Long-term Debt 3,314,929 3,277,218 Deferred Credits Income taxes 657,864 560,772 Other 147,006 141,922 __________ __________ 804,870 702,694 Shareholders' Equity Common stock 5,245,409 5,232,597 Reinvested earnings 1,497,290 1,325,323 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (352,785) (447,677) __________ __________ 6,389,914 6,110,243 __________ __________ $15,097,847 $14,423,100 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = See notes to consolidated financial statements. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 (In thousands) Operating Activities Net earnings $ 234,036 $ 138,287 Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operations Depreciation and amortization 292,972 302,677 Deferred income taxes 11,113 9,416 Amortization of long-term debt discount 23,958 20,980 (Gain) loss on marketable securities transactions 24,998 (12,677) Other 47,110 64,977 Changes in operating assets and liabilities Receivables (212,552) (325,538) Inventories (311,687) (338,151) Prepaid expenses (70,343) 27,192 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 358,446 502,527 _________ _________ Total Operating Activities 398,051 389,690 Investing Activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment (147,544) (255,055) Net assets of businesses acquired (3,129) (6,670) Investments in and advances to affiliates, net (112,479) (241,983) Purchases of marketable securities (333,859) (595,620) Proceeds from sales of marketable securities 427,903 396,943 Increase in other assets - (50,000) _________ _________ Total Investing Activities (169,108) (752,385) Financing Activities Long-term debt borrowings 31,907 103,548 Long-term debt payments (29,142) (43,874) Net borrowings (payments) under line of credit agreements (87,594) 378,050 Purchases of treasury stock (17,502) (124,911) Cash dividends and other (62,112) (59,935) _________ _________ Total Financing Activities (164,443) 252,878 _________ _________ Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 64,500 (109,817) Cash and Cash Equivalents Beginning of Period 477,226 681,378 _________ _________ Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period $ 541,726 $ 571,561 = = = = = = = = = = = = See notes to consolidated financial statements. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) Note 1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the quarter and six months ended December 31, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2001. For
further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2000. Note 2. New Accounting Standards Effective July 1, 2000, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 133 (SFAS 133), "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS 133 establishes standards for recognition and
measurement of derivatives and hedging activities. As a result of this adoption, the Company recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle to other comprehensive income (loss) of $(32 million), net
of a $19 million tax benefit, for derivatives which hedge the variable cash flows of certain forecasted transactions. The fair value of these derivative instruments was previously classified in inventory. Effective July 1, 2000, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-19, "Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent". The adoption of this issue results in the Company reporting the total sales value of
grain merchandised, in lieu of net margins from grain merchandised, in the "Net sales and operating income" category. The "Gross profit" category is unchanged as costs related to the grain merchandised are now reported in the "Cost of products sold and
other operating costs" category. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to this change. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) Note 3. Inventory and Related Contracts
In addition, the Company from time to time will hedge portions of its production requirements. The instruments used are readily marketable exchange-traded futures contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges. The changes in the market value of such futures contracts has historically been, and is expected to continue to be, highly effective at offsetting changes in price movements of the hedged item. Gains and losses arising from open and closed hedging transactions are deferred in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes, and recognized in the statement of earnings when the finished goods produced from the hedged item are sold.
The Company also values certain inventories using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) and first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
Note 4. Per Share Data
All references to share and per share information have been adjusted for the 5 percent stock dividend paid September 25, 2000.
Note 5. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income (loss) was $269 million and $(5) million for the quarters ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Comprehensive income was $361 million and $61 million for the six months ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 6. Other Income (Expense)
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 |
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 |
|||
(In thousands) |
(In thousands) |
|||
Investment Income |
$ 43,414 |
$ 31,237 |
$ 79,732 |
$ 62,084 |
Interest Expense |
(99,470) |
(99,519) |
(200,670) |
(184,958) |
Net gain (loss) on marketable securities transactions |
562 |
6,685 |
(25,148) |
12,677 |
Equity in earnings of affiliates |
10,258 |
5,634 |
95,414 |
5,474 |
Other |
974 |
2,429 |
8,014 |
4,290 |
_________ |
_________ |
_________ |
_________ |
|
$ (44,262) |
$ (53,534) |
$ (42,658) |
$ (100,433) |
|
= = = = = = |
= = = = = = |
= = = = = = |
= = = = = = |
|
Note 7. Antitrust Investigation and Related Litigation
The Company, along with other domestic and foreign companies, was named as a defendant in a number of putative class action antitrust suits and other proceedings involving the sale of lysine, citric acid, sodium gluconate, monosodium glutamate and high-fructose corn syrup. These actions and proceedings generally involve claims for unspecified compensatory damages, fines, costs, expenses and unspecified relief. The Company intends to vigorously defend these actions and proceedings unless they can be settled on terms deemed acceptable by the parties. These matters have resulted and could result in the Company being subject to monetary damages, other sanctions and expenses.
The Company has made provisions to cover the fines, litigation settlements and costs related to certain of the aforementioned suits and proceedings. Because of the early stage of other putative class actions and proceedings, including those related to high-fructose corn syrup, the ultimate outcome and materiality of these matters cannot presently be determined. Accordingly, no provision for any liability that may result therefrom has been made in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
OPERATIONS
The Company is in one business segment - procuring, transporting, storing, processing and merchandising agricultural commodities and products. A summary of net sales and other operating income by classes of products and services is as follows:
THREE MONTHS ENDED December 31, |
SIX MONTHS ENDED December 31, |
||||
2000 |
1999 |
2000 |
1999 |
||
(in millions) |
(in millions) |
||||
Oilseed products |
$1,774 |
$1,873 |
$3,456 |
$3,700 |
|
Grain Merchandised |
1,705 |
1,272 |
3,330 |
2,714 |
|
Corn products |
598 |
520 |
1,117 |
980 |
|
Wheat and other milled products |
337 |
359 |
669 |
720 |
|
Other products and services |
527 |
591 |
1,004 |
1,113 |
|
$4,941 |
$4,615 |
$9,576 |
$9,227 |
Net sales and other operating income increased 7 percent to $4.9 billion for the quarter and increased 4 percent to $9.6 billion for the six months due principally to increased sales volumes. Sales of oilseed products decreased 5 percent to $1.8 billion for the quarter and decreased 7 percent to $3.5 billion for the six months due primarily to decreased sales volumes and, to a lesser extent, to lower average selling prices. The decrease in sales volume is a result of permanently closing several oilseed crushing facilities as well as indefinitely closing several other facilities. Record vegetable oil stocks continue to put downward pressure on vegetable oil selling prices. Partially offsetting these decreases were strong domestic soybean meal demand and increased European protein meal demand due to meat and bone meal restrictions stemming from BSE concerns. Sales of merchandised grain increased 34 percent for the quarter to $1.7 billion and increased 23 percent for the six months to $3.3 billion due principally to increased sales volumes attributable to South American operations and to newly-established Latin American merchandising offices. Lower average selling prices of grain merchandised partially offset these volume increases. Sales of corn products increased 15 percent to $598 million for the quarter and increased 14 percent to $1.1 billion for the six months due primarily to increased sales volumes and higher average selling prices of the Company's fuel alcohol arising from increased demand from existing sales markets, expansion into new markets and to higher gasoline prices. These increases more than offset decreases in sales volume and average selling price of the Company's sweetener products as cool and wet weather hurt sales in the soft drink industry and thus impacted the demand for sweetener products. Sales of wheat and other milled products decreased 6 percent to $337 million for the quarter and decreased 7 percent to $669 million for the six months due to both decreased sales volumes and lower average selling prices relating to flat growth in the demand for the products, customer consolidations and industry production overcapacity. The decrease in sales of other products and services was due primarily to lower average selling prices of the Company's cocoa products reflecting the lower cost of raw materials.
Cost of products sold and other operating costs increased $316 million to $4.5 billion for the quarter and increased $327 million to $8.9 billion for the six months due primarily to increased volumes of grain merchandised and to higher manufacturing costs due principally to increases in energy and fuel related costs.
Gross profit increased $10 million to $416 million for the quarter due primarily to increased average selling prices. Gross profit increased $22 million to $700 million for the six months due primarily to increased grain merchandising margins and to declines in average raw material costs compared to unchanged average selling prices. These increases in gross profit were partially offset by higher manufacturing costs due principally to increases in energy and fuel related costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $12 million for the quarter to $187 million and decreased $13 million for the six months to $357 million due primarily to decreased bad debt expense and decreased salary-related costs associated with prior year's facility closures and consolidations. These decreases were partially offset by increased advertising and promotional expenses.
Other expense decreased $9 million to $44 million for the quarter due principally to increased investment income resulting primarily from an $8 million interest refund related to IRS settlements. Other expense decreased $58 million for the six months to $43 million due principally to increased equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. This increase resulted primarily from a gain of $95 million representing the Company's equity share of the gain reported by the Company's unconsolidated affiliate, Compagnie Industrelle et Financiere des Produits Amylaces SA ("CIP"), upon the sale of its interests in wet corn milling and wheat starch production businesses. This increase was partially offset by realized losses on marketable securities transactions.
Income taxes increased for the quarter primarily due to higher pretax earnings. This increase was partially offset by a lower effective income tax rate. For the six months, income taxes decreased due to a lower effective income tax rate and to lower pretax earnings, excluding the gain from the aforementioned CIP transaction. No taxes have been provided on the gain related to the CIP transaction as CIP is a corporate joint venture and the intent is to permanently reinvest the proceeds from the sale. The Company's effective income tax rate for the quarter and six months, excluding the effect of the CIP transaction, was 32.5% compared to an effective rate of 33.5% for the comparable periods of a year ago.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2000, the Company continued to show substantial liquidity with working capital of $2.1 billion. Capital resources remained strong as reflected in the Company's net worth of $6.4 billion. The Company's ratio of long-term debt to total capital at December 31, 2000 is approximately 32%.
As described in Note 7 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements, the Company has made provisions to cover fines, litigation settlements and costs related to certain putative class action antitrust suits and other proceedings. Because of the early stage of other putative class actions and proceedings, including those related to high-fructose corn syrup, the ultimate outcome and materiality of these matters cannot presently be determined. Accordingly, no provision for any liability that may result therefrom has been made in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There were no material changes during the quarter ended December 31, 2000.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
In 1993, the State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency ("Illinois EPA") brought administrative enforcement proceedings arising out of the Company's alleged failure to obtain proper permits for certain pollution control equipment at one of the Company's processing facilities in Illinois. The Company and Illinois EPA executed a settlement agreement which is currently before the Illinois Pollution Control Board for approval. However, in June 1999, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("U.S. EPA") issued a Notice of Violation involving some of the matters covered under the pending State settlement and in January 2000 the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") issued a Notice of Proposed Civil Enforcement Action against the Company regarding these same matters. Further, in 1998, the Illinois EPA filed an administrative enforcement proceeding arising out of certain alleged permit exceedances relating to the same facility. Also in 1998 and 2000, the Company voluntarily reported to the Illinois EPA certain other permit exceedances related to other processes at that same facility, and in 1999 Illinois EPA issued a Notice of Violation relating to the exceedances disclosed in 1998. The Company understands that all pending and threatened enforcement actions at the facility will be consolidated into two proceedings, one to be brought by the State which will subsume the settlement presently pending before the Board and another which has been brought by the Department of Justice. The Company and the DOJ have signed a settlement agreement which includes a penalty of approximately $1.5 million in resolution of the federal action. Also in 1998, the State of Illinois filed a civil administrative action alleging violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder, arising from a one time release of denatured ethanol at one of its Illinois distribution facilities. The Company is in discussions with the Illinois EPA to settle the remaining matters with the State. In January 2000, U.S. EPA issued a Notice of Violation to the Company for another Illinois facility regarding alleged emissions violations and the failure to obtain proper permits for various equipment at that facility. In management's opinion, the settlements and the remaining proceedings, all seeking compliance with applicable environmental permits and regulations, will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
On July 31, 2000, the federal environmental authorities in Brazil ("IBAMA") issued an Administrative Notice upon the Company requiring payment of approximately $5.6 million for the discharge of an industrial wastewater from its facility located in Rondonopolis. The Company has appealed this penalty. The federal authorities recently indicated that they will reduce the fine to between $250,000 and $500,000. The Company is unwilling to pay a penalty within that range and will pursue the appeal. Also, in December 2000 the federal Brazilian authorities notified the Company that it had not fulfilled certain agreements its predecessor had entered into regarding tree farming required to allow the harvesting of wood for use as fuel. A penalty of approximately $750,000 was proposed based on the wood growth shortfall. The Company submitted evidence that the growth shortfall was approximately one-third of that estimated by the government and IBAMA has generally accepted that figure. The Company is currently considering its settlement options and researching its predecessor's liability for this matter.
The Company is involved in approximately 25 administrative and judicial proceedings in which it has been identified as a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the federal Superfund law and its state analogs for the study and clean-up of sites contaminated by material discharged into the environment. In all of these matters, there are numerous PRPs. Due to various factors such as the required level of remediation and participation in the clean-up effort by others, the Company's future clean-up costs at these sites cannot be reasonably estimated. However, in management's opinion, these proceedings will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
LITIGATION REGARDING ALLEGED ANTICOMPETITIVE PRACTICES
The Company is currently a defendant in various lawsuits related to alleged anticompetitive practices by the Company as described in more detail below. The Company intends to vigorously defend the actions unless they can be settled on terms deemed acceptable to the parties.
GOVERNMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
Federal grand juries in the Northern Districts of Illinois, California and Georgia, under the direction of the DOJ, have been investigating possible violations by the Company and others with respect to the sale of lysine, citric acid and high fructose corn syrup, respectively. In connection with an agreement with the DOJ in fiscal 1997, the Company paid the United States fines of $100 million. This agreement constitutes a global resolution of all matters between the DOJ and the Company and brought to a close all DOJ investigations of the Company. The federal grand juries in the Northern Districts of Illinois (lysine) and Georgia (high fructose corn syrup) have been closed.
The Company has received notice that certain foreign governmental entities were commencing investigations to determine whether anticompetitive practices occurred in their jurisdictions. Except for the investigations being conducted by the Commission of the European Communities, the Mexican Federal Competition Commission and the Brazilian Department of Protection and Economic Defense as described below, all such matters have been resolved as previously reported. In June 1997, the Company and several of its European subsidiaries were notified that the Commission of the European Communities had initiated an investigation as to possible anticompetitive practices in the amino acid markets, in particular the lysine market, in the European Union. On October 29, 1998, the Commission of the European Communities initiated formal proceedings against the Company and others and adopted a Statement of Objections. The reply of the Company was filed on February 1, 1999 and the hearing was held on March 1, 1999. On August 8, 1999, the Commission of the European Communities adopted a supplementary Statement of Objections expanding the period of involvement as to certain other companies. On June 7, 2000, the Commission of the European Communities adopted a decision imposing a fine against the Company in the amount of EUR 47.3 million. The Company has appealed this decision. In September 1997, the Company received a request for information from the Commission of the European Communities with respect to an investigation being conducted by that Commission into the possible existence of certain agreements and/or concerted practices in the citric acid market in the European Union. On March 28, 2000, the Commission of European Communities initiated formal proceedings against the Company and others and adopted a Statement of Objections. The reply of the Company was filed on June 9, 2000. In November 1998, a European subsidiary of the Company received a request for information from the Commission of the European Communities with respect to an investigation being conducted by that Commission into the possible existence of certain agreements and/or concerted practices in the sodium gluconate market in the European Union. On May 17, 2000, the Commission of European Communities initiated formal proceedings against the Company and others and adopted a Statement of Objections. The reply of Company was filed on September 1, 2000. On February 11, 1999 a Mexican subsidiary of the Company was notified that the Mexican Federal Competition Commission had initiated an investigation as to possible anticompetitive practices in the citric acid market in Mexico. On November 22, 2000, the Company received an Official Letter of Responsibility from the Mexican Federal Competition Commission relative to this investigation. The reply of the Company was filed on January 30, 2001. On May 8, 2000, a Brazilian subsidiary of the Company was notified of the commencement of an administrative proceeding by the Department of Protection and Economic Defense relative to possible anticompetitive practices in the lysine market in Brazil. On July 3, 2000, the Brazilian subsidiary of the Company filed a Statement of Defense in this proceeding. The ultimate outcome and materiality of the proceedings of the Commission of the European Communities and the Brazilian Department of Protection and Economic Defense cannot presently be determined. The Company may become the subject of similar antitrust investigations conducted by the applicable regulatory authorities of other countries.
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP ACTIONS
The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in thirty-one antitrust suits involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup in the United States. Thirty of these actions have been brought as putative class actions.
FEDERAL ACTIONS. Twenty-two of these putative class actions allege violations of federal antitrust laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup, and seek injunctions against continued alleged illegal conduct, treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative classes in these cases comprise certain direct purchasers of high fructose corn syrup during certain periods in the 1990s. These twenty-two actions have been transferred to the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois and consolidated under the caption In Re High Fructose Corn Syrup Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1087 and Master File No. 95-1477. The Court has set a trial date of September 4, 2001 for this matter.
On January 14, 1997, the Company, along with other companies, was named a defendant in a non-class action antitrust suit involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. This action which is encaptioned Gray & Co. v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al, No. 97-69-AS, and was filed in federal court in Oregon, alleges violations of federal antitrust laws and Oregon and Michigan state antitrust laws, including allegations that defendants conspired to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize the price of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, and seeks treble damages, attorneys' fees and costs of an unspecified amount. This action was transferred for pretrial proceedings to the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.
STATE ACTIONS. The Company, along with other companies, also has been named as a defendant in seven putative class action antitrust suits filed in California state court involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup. These California actions allege violations of the California antitrust and unfair competition laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup, and seek treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, restitution and other unspecified relief. One of the California putative classes comprises certain direct purchasers of high fructose corn syrup in the State of California during certain periods in the 1990s. This action was filed on October 17, 1995 in Superior Court for the County of Stanislaus, California and encaptioned Kagome Foods, Inc. v Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. et al., Civil Action No. 37236. This action has been removed to federal court and consolidated with the federal class action litigation pending in the Central District of Illinois referred to above. The other six California putative classes comprise certain indirect purchasers of high fructose corn syrup and dextrose in the State of California during certain periods in the 1990s. One such action was filed on July 21, 1995 in the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, California and is encaptioned Borgeson v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. BC131940. This action and four other indirect purchaser actions have been coordinated before a single court in Stanislaus County, California under the caption, Food Additives (HFCS) cases, Master File No. 39693. The other four actions are encaptioned, Goings v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 750276 (Filed on July 21, 1995, Orange County Superior Court); Rainbow Acres v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 974271 (Filed on November 22, 1995, San Francisco County Superior Court); Patane v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 212610 (Filed on January 17, 1996, Sonoma County Superior Court); and St. Stan's Brewing Co. v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 37237 (Filed on October 17, 1995, Stanislaus County Superior Court). On October 8, 1997, Varni Brothers Corp. filed a complaint in intervention with respect to the coordinated action pending in Stanislaus County Superior Court, asserting the same claims as those advanced in the consolidated class action.
The Company, along with other companies, also has been named a defendant in a putative class action antitrust suit filed in Alabama state court. The Alabama action alleges violations of the Alabama, Michigan and Minnesota antitrust laws, including allegations that defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup, and seeks an injunction against continued illegal conduct, damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative class in the Alabama action comprises certain indirect purchasers in Alabama, Michigan and Minnesota during the period March 18, 1994 to March 18, 1996. This action was filed on March 18, 1996 in the Circuit Court of Coosa County, Alabama, and is encaptioned Caldwell v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 96-17. On April 23, 1997, the court granted the defendants' motion to sever and dismiss the non-Alabama claims. On March 27, 2000, defendants moved for summary judgment in light of a recent Alabama Supreme Court case holding that the Alabama antitrust laws apply only to intrastate commerce. On June 28, 2000 and August 11, 2000, plaintiffs filed amended complaints. On September 6, 2000 defendants moved to dismiss or in the alternative to strike plaintiffs' amended complaints. These motions are currently pending.
LYSINE ACTIONS
The Company, along with other companies, had been named as a defendant in twenty-three putative class action antitrust suits involving the sale of lysine in the United States. Except for the actions specifically described below, all such suits have been settled, dismissed or withdrawn.
CANADIAN ACTIONS. The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in one putative class action antitrust suit filed in Ontario Court (General Division) in which the plaintiffs allege the defendants reached agreements with one another as to the price at which each of them would sell lysine to customers in Ontario and as to the total volume of lysine that each company would supply in Ontario in violation of Sections 45 (1)(c) and 61(1)(b) of the Competition Act. The putative class is comprised of certain indirect purchasers in Ontario during the period from June 1, 1992 to June 27, 1995. The plaintiffs seek C$25 million for violations of the Competition Act, C$10 million in punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages, interest and costs of the action. This action was served upon the Company on June 11, 1999 and is encaptioned Rein Minnema and Minnema Farms Ltd. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., Court File No. G23495-99. The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a respondent in a motion seeking authorization to institute a class action filed in Superior Court in the Province of Quebec, District of Montreal, in which the applicants allege the respondents conspired, combined, agreed or arranged to prevent or lessen, unduly, competition with respect to the sale of lysine in Canada in violation of Section 45(1)(c) of the Competition Act. The putative class is comprised of certain indirect purchasers in Quebec after June 1992. The applicants seek at least C$4,460,000, costs of investigation, attorneys' fees and interest. This motion is encaptioned Option Consommateurs, et al v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., Court No. 500-06-000089-991.
STATE ACTION. The Company has been named as a defendant, along with other companies, in one putative class action antitrust suit alleging violations of the Alabama antitrust laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of lysine, and seeking an injunction against continued alleged illegal conduct, damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative class in this action comprises certain indirect purchasers of lysine in the State of Alabama during certain periods in the 1990s. This action was filed on August 17, 1995 in the Circuit Court of DeKalb County, Alabama, and is encaptioned Ashley v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 95-336. On March 13, 1998, the court denied plaintiff's motion for class certification. Subsequently, the plaintiff amended his complaint to add approximately 300 individual plaintiffs. On March 23, 2000, defendants filed a motion for summary judgment in light of a recent Alabama Supreme Court case holding that the Alabama antitrust laws apply only to intrastate commerce. On August 11, 2000, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. On September 15, 2000, defendants moved to dismiss or in the alternative to strike plaintiffs' amended complaint. These motions are currently pending.
CITRIC ACID ACTIONS
The Company, along with other companies, had been named as a defendant in fourteen putative class action antitrust suits and two non-class action antitrust suits involving the sale of citric acid in the United States. Except for the action specifically described below, all such suits have been settled or dismissed.
CANADIAN ACTIONS. The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in three actions filed pursuant to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992, in which the plaintiffs allege that the defendants violated the Competition Act with respect to the sale of citric acid in Canada. One of these actions was filed in the Superior Court of Justice, in Newmarket, Ontario, and encaptioned Ashworth v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., Court file No. 53510/99. The putative class is comprised of certain indirect purchasers in Ontario during the period from July 1, 1991 to June 27, 1995. The plaintiffs in this action seek general damages in the amount of C$30 million and punitive and exemplary damages in the amount of C$30 million, interest, costs and fees. The second action was filed in the Superior Court of Justice in London, Ontario, and encaptioned Fairlee Fruit Juice Limited v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., Court File No. 32562/99. The plaintiffs in this action seek general damages in the amount of C$300 million, punitive and exemplary damages in the amount of C$20 million, interest, costs and fees. The Company has become aware of, but has not yet been formally served with, a third action commenced in Barrie, Ontario in the (Ontario) Superior Court of Justice under the Class Proceedings Act. In that action, encaptioned E. D. Smith & Sons, Limited v. Archer Daniels Midland Company et al., Court File No. 99-B673, the putative class is persons or corporations who were resident or carried on business in Ontario and who were direct and indirect purchasers of citric acid between July 1, 1991 and July 27, 1995. The action claims damages in the amount of C$24 million for breach of the Competition Act, conspiracy and infliction of economic injury, plus C$10 million for punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages, plus interest and costs. All three Ontario actions referred to above have now been transferred to Toronto, Ontario. The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a respondent in a motion seeking authorization to institute a class action filed in Superior Court in the Province of Quebec, District of Montreal, in which the applicants allege the respondents comprised, combined, agreed or arranged to prevent or lessen, unduly, competition with respect to the sale of citric acid in Canada in violation of Section 45(1)(c) of the Competition Act. The putative class is comprised of certain indirect purchasers in Quebec since July 1991. The applicants seek C$3.1 million, the costs of investigation, attorneys' fees and interest. This motion is encaptioned Option Consommateurs, et al. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland-Company, et al., Court No.500-06-000094-991.
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP/CITRIC ACID STATE CLASS ACTIONS
The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in five putative class action antitrust suits involving the sale of both high fructose corn syrup and citric acid. Two of these actions allege violations of the California antitrust and unfair competition laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid, and seek treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, restitution and other unspecified relief. The putative class in one of these California cases comprises certain direct purchasers of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid in the State of California during the period January 1, 1992 until at least October 1995. This action was filed on October 11, 1995 in the Superior Court of Stanislaus County, California and is entitled Gangi Bros. Packing Co. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 37217. The putative class in the other California case comprises certain indirect purchasers of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid in the state of California during the period October 12, 1991 until November 20, 1995. This action was filed on November 20, 1995 in the Superior Court of San Francisco County and is encaptioned MCFH, Inc. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 974120. The California Judicial Council has bifurcated the citric acid and high fructose corn syrup claims in these actions and coordinated them with other actions in San Francisco County Superior Court and Stanislaus County Superior Court. As noted in prior filings, the Company accepted a settlement agreement with counsel for the citric acid plaintiff class. This settlement received final court approval and the case was dismissed on September 30, 1998. The Company, along with other companies, also has been named as a defendant in at least one putative class action antitrust suit filed in West Virginia state court involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid. This action also alleges violations of the West Virginia antitrust laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid, and seeks treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative class in the West Virginia action comprises certain entities within the State of West Virginia that purchased products containing high fructose corn syrup and/or citric acid for resale from at least 1992 until 1994. This action was filed on October 26, 1995, in the Circuit Court for Boone County, West Virginia, and is encaptioned Freda's v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 95-C-125. The Company, along with other companies, also has been named as a defendant in a putative class action antitrust suit filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid. This action alleges violations of the District of Columbia antitrust laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid, and seeks treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative class in the District of Columbia action comprises certain persons within the District of Columbia that purchased products containing high fructose corn syrup and/or citric acid during the period January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1994. This action was filed on April 12, 1996 in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, and is encaptioned Holder v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 96-2975. On November 13, 1998, plaintiff's motion for class certification was granted. The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in a putative class action antitrust suit filed in Kansas state court involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid. This action alleges violations of the Kansas antitrust laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup and citric acid, and seeks treble damages of an unspecified amount, court costs and other unspecified relief. The putative class in the Kansas action comprises certain persons within the State of Kansas that purchased products containing high fructose corn syrup and/or citric acid during at least the period January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1994. This action was filed on May 7, 1996 in the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas and is encaptioned Waugh v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Case No. 96-C-2029. Plaintiff's motion for class certification is currently pending.
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP/CITRIC ACID/LYSINE STATE CLASS ACTIONS
The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in six putative class action antitrust suits filed in California state court involving the sale of high fructose corn syrup, citric acid and/or lysine. These actions allege violations of the California antitrust and unfair competition laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the prices of high fructose corn syrup, citric acid and/or lysine, and seek treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, restitution and other unspecified relief. One of the putative classes comprises certain direct purchasers of high fructose corn syrup, citric acid and/or lysine in the State of California during a certain period in the 1990s. This action was filed on December 18, 1995 in the Superior Court for Stanislaus County, California and is encaptioned Nu Laid Foods, Inc. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 39693. The other five putative classes comprise certain indirect purchasers of high fructose corn syrup, citric acid and/or lysine in the State of California during certain periods in the 1990s. One such action was filed on December 14, 1995 in the Superior Court for Stanislaus County, California and is encaptioned Batson v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 39680. The other actions are encaptioned Nu Laid Foods, Inc. v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., No 39693 (Filed on December 18, 1995, Stanislaus County Superior Court); Abbott v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., No. 41014 (Filed on December 21, 1995, Stanislaus County Superior Court); Noldin v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., No. 41015 (Filed on December 21, 1995, Stanislaus County Superior Court); Guzman v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., No. 41013 (Filed on December 21, 1995, Stanislaus County Superior Court) and Ricci v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., No. 96-AS-00383 (Filed on February 6, 1996, Sacramento County Superior Court). As noted in prior filings, the plaintiffs in these actions and the lysine defendants have executed a settlement agreement that has been approved by the court and the California Judicial Council has bifurcated the citric acid and high fructose corn syrup claims and coordinated them with other actions in San Francisco County Superior Court and Stanislaus County Superior Court.
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE ACTIONS
The Company, along with other companies, has been named as a defendant in twelve putative class action antitrust suits involving the sale of monosodium glutamate and/or other food flavor enhancers in the United States.
FEDERAL ACTIONS. Eight of these putative class actions allege violations of federal antitrust laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the price of monosodium glutamate, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, and seek various relief, including treble damages of an unspecified amount, attorneys fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative classes in these cases comprise certain direct purchasers of monosodium glutamate, disodium inosinate and/or disodium guanylate during certain periods in the 1990's to the present. The Company has never produced or sold disodium inosinate or disodium guanylate. One such action was filed on October 27, 1999 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and is encaptioned Thorp, Inc. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., NoC99 4752 (VRW). The second action was filed on October 27, 1999 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and is encaptioned Premium Ingredients, Ltd. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., No. C 99 4742(MJJ). The third action was filed on October 28, 1999 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and is encaptioned Felbro Food Products v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., No.C99 4761(MJJ). The fourth action was filed on November 17, 1999 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and is encaptioned First Spice Mixing Co., Inc. v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., No. C 99 4977 (PJH). The fifth action was filed on November 23, 1999 in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and is encaptioned Diversified Foods and Seasonings, Inc. v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., Inc. et al., No. 99 CV 5501. The sixth action was filed on December 16, 1999 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and is encaptioned M. Phil Yen, Inc. v. Ajinomoto Co. Inc., et al., No. 99 Div 06514 (EK). The seventh action was filed on January 27, 2000 in the Northern District of California and is encaptioned Chicago Ingredients, Inc. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., et al., No. C 00 0308 (JL). The eighth action was filed on April 12, 2000 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is encaptioned Heller Seasonings & Ingredients, Inc. v. Ajinomoto U.S.A., Inc., et al., No. 00-CV-1905. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has consolidated these actions for coordinated pretrial discovery in the United States District Court of the District of Minnesota.
STATE ACTION. The Company, along with at least one other company, also has been named as a defendant in four putative class action antitrust suits filed in California state court involving the sale of monosodium glutamate and/or other food flavor enhancers. These actions allege violations of California antitrust and unfair competition laws, including allegations that the defendants agreed to fix, stabilize and maintain at artificially high levels the price of monosodium glutamate and/or other food flavor enhancers, and seek treble damages of an unspecified amount, restitution, attorneys' fees and costs, and other unspecified relief. The putative classes in these actions comprise certain indirect purchasers of monosodium glutamate and/or other food flavor enhancers in the State of California during certain periods in the 1990's. The first action originally was filed on June 25, 1999 in the Superior Court of San Francisco County and in encaptioned Fu's Garden Restaurant v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, et al., Civil Action No. 304471. The second action was filed on January 14, 2000 in the Superior Court of San Francisco County and is encaptioned JMN Restaurant Management, Inc. v. Ajinomoto Co., Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 309236. The third action was filed on May 2, 2000 in the Superior Court of San Francisco County and is encaptioned Tanuki Restaurant and Lilly Zapanta v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al, Civil Action No. 311871. The fourth action was filed on May 24, 2000 in the Superior Court of San Francisco County and is encaptioned Tasty Sunrise Burgers v. Archer Daniels Midland Co., et al., Civil Action No. 312373. On June 19, 2000, the court consolidated all of these cases for pretrial and trial purposes.
OTHER
The Company has made provisions to cover certain legal proceedings and related costs and expenses as described in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion of operations and financial condition. However, because of the early stage of other putative class actions and proceedings described above, including those related to high fructose corn syrup, the ultimate outcome and materiality of these matters cannot presently be determined. Accordingly, no provision for any liability that may result therefrom has been made in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Submission of matters to a vote of Security Holders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on October 26, 2000. Proxies for the Annual Meeting were solicited pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. There was no solicitation in opposition to the Board of Director nominees as listed in the proxy statement and all of such nominees were elected as follows:
Nominee |
Shares Cast For |
Shares Withheld |
D. O. Andreas |
508,787,072 |
16,222,514 |
G. O. Coan |
510,073,039 |
14,936,547 |
G. A. Andreas |
509,386,515 |
15,623,071 |
J. K. Vanier |
509,986,324 |
15,023,262 |
A. Young |
509,895,897 |
15,113,689 |
R. Burt |
510,180,774 |
14,828,812 |
O. G. Webb |
510,163,133 |
14,846,453 |
F. Ross Johnson |
509,665,720 |
15,343,866 |
R. S. Strauss |
509,449,248 |
15,560,338 |
M. B. Mulroney |
509,927,416 |
15,082,170 |
J. R. Block |
509,758,090 |
15,251,496 |
M. H. Carter |
510,233,561 |
14,776,025 |
D. J. Mimran |
510,281,284 |
14,728,302 |
H. de Boon |
510,250,960 |
14,758,626 |
There were no abstentions or broker non-votes regarding the election of directors.
For |
517,700,082 |
Against |
4,712,492 |
Abstain |
2,597,012 |
For |
151,351,223 |
Against |
277,918,166 |
Abstain |
18,633,539 |
For |
7,325,402 |
Against |
417,475,587 |
Abstain |
23,101,939 |
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
a) Exhibits
(3)(i) Composite Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, filed as Exhibit (3)(i) to Form 10K for the year ended June 30, 1999 (File No.1-44) is incorporated herein by reference.
(ii) Bylaws, as amended and restated, filed on May 12, 2000 as Exhibit 3(ii) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, are incorporated herein by reference.
b) A Form 8-K was not filed during the quarter ended December 31, 2000.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ARCHER DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
/s/ D. J. Schmalz
D. J. Schmalz
Vice President
And Chief Financial Officer
/s/ D. J. Smith
D. J. Smith
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Dated: February 14, 2001
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----