816.983.1303

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 

 

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  þ      No  o

 

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

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

Kansas City Southern
Form 10-Q
September 30, 2008

Index

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Form 10-Q
September 30, 2008

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Kansas City Southern

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Kansas City Southern

 

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Performance Based Awards.   During 2007, the Company granted performance based nonvested stock awards. The awards granted establish an annual target number of shares that generally vest at the end of a three year requisite service period following the grant date. In addition to the three year service condition, the number of nonvested shares to be received depends on the attainment of performance goals based on the following annual measures: operating ratio, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and return on capital employed. The number of nonvested shares ultimately earned will range from zero to 200% of the annual target award.

 

A summary of performance based nonvested awards activity at target is as follows:

 

 

 

 

The Company expenses the grant date fair value of the awards which are probable of being earned based on forecasted annual performance goals over the three year performance period. Compensation expense on performance based awards was less than $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and $1.3 million and $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for performance based awards was less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

As of September 30, 2008, $2.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to performance based awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of .72 years. The unrecognized compensation cost includes only the amount determined to be probable of being earned based upon the attainment of the annual performance goals. The fair value (at vest date) of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $1.4 million.

 

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Restricted stock granted to employees and officers is included in weighted average shares for purposes of computing basic earnings per common share as it is earned. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if convertible securities were converted into common stock or stock options were exercised. The following table reconciles the weighted average shares used for the basic earnings per share computation to the shares used for the diluted earnings per share computation (in thousands) :

 

 

 

The following table reconciles net income available to common stockholders for purposes of basic earnings per share to net income available to common stockholders for purposes of diluted earnings per share (in millions) :

 

 

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but rather eliminates inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB FSP 157-2 which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. These nonfinancial items include assets and liabilities such as reporting units measured at fair value in a goodwill impairment test and nonfinancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Effective January 1, 2008, KCS adopted SFAS 157 prospectively for financial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a recurring basis. The partial adoption of SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on KCS’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

SFAS 157 Hierarchy Tables.   The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment

 

 

 

 

The following table presents additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.

 

Changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2008 (in millions) :

 

 

Changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (in millions) :

 

 

 

The Company does not engage in the trading of derivative financial instruments except where the Company’s objective is to manage fuel price risk, foreign currency fluctuations, or the variability of forecasted interest payments attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, the Company enters into derivative transactions in limited situations based on management’s assessment of current market conditions and perceived risks. However, management intends to respond to evolving business and market conditions and in doing so, may enter into such transactions more frequently as deemed appropriate.

 

Forward starting interest rate swap.   On March 18, 2008, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap, which has been designated as a cash flow hedge under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). The forward starting interest rate swap effectively converts interest payments from variable rates to fixed rates. The hedging instrument has a notional amount of $75.0 million and forward starting settlements indexed off the three-month London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) will occur every quarter through March 28, 2011.

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

On September 16, 2008, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap, which has been designated as a cash flow hedge under SFAS 133. The forward starting interest rate swap effectively converts interest payments from variable rates to fixed rates. The hedging instrument has a notional amount of $50.0 million and forward starting settlements indexed off the three-month LIBOR will occur every quarter beginning September 30, 2008 through September 30, 2010.

 

The aforementioned swaps are highly effective as defined by SFAS 133 and as a result there will be de minimus income statement variability associated with ineffectiveness of these hedges. At September 30, 2008, the estimated fair value of the forward starting interest rate swaps was an unrealized gain of $2.3 million and was recognized in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Foreign Currency Balance.   At September 30, 2008, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KCS (“KCSM”), had financial assets and liabilities denominated in Mexican pesos of Ps.1,917 million and Ps.697 million, respectively. At December 31, 2007, KCSM had financial assets and liabilities denominated in Mexican pesos of Ps.1,921 million and Ps.595 million, respectively. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the exchange rate was Ps.10.79 per U.S. dollar and Ps.10.90 per U.S. dollar, respectively.

 

 

Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity within the consolidated balance sheets, rather than net income. Under existing accounting standards, other comprehensive income for KCS reflects the net unrealized gain on cash flow hedge, net of tax, and amortization of prior service credit, net of tax.

 

KCS’ total comprehensive income is as follows (in millions) :

 

 

 

On September 24, 2008, KCSM entered into a financing agreement (the “Agreement”) with DVB Bank AG (“DVB”). KCSM received the loan principal amount under the Agreement of $52.2 million on September 26, 2008. KCSM used the proceeds to finance approximately 80% of the purchase price of twenty-nine ES44AC locomotives (the “Locomotives”) delivered and purchased by KCSM in June 2008. KCSM granted DVB a security interest in the Locomotives to secure the loan. The Agreement requires KCSM to make sixty equal quarterly principal payments plus interest at an annual rate of 6.195%. The first payment is due and payable on December 31, 2008, and the final payment is due and payable on September 29, 2023.

 

The Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants typical of such equipment loan agreements. Events of default in the Agreement include, but are not limited to, certain payment defaults, certain bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings and the failure to perform any covenants or agreements

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

contained in the Agreement. Any event of default could trigger acceleration of KCSM’s payment obligations under the terms of the Agreement.

 

 

On June 12, 2008, the Company called for redemption all of the outstanding shares of its 4.25% Series C Redeemable Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) with a redemption date of July 15, 2008 (the “Redemption Date”). The holders of the outstanding shares had the option to redeem at a redemption price of $500 per share or convert each share into 33.4728 shares of KCS common stock. Each share converted is also entitled to receive an appropriate number of common stock or other preferred stock purchase rights under KCS’ 2005 Rights Agreement. As of the Redemption Date, holders had converted all 400,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock into 13,389,109 shares of common stock.

 

 

Litigation.   The Company is a party to various legal proceedings and administrative actions, all of which, except as set forth below, are of an ordinary, routine nature and incidental to its operations. Included in these proceedings are various tort claims brought by current and former employees for job related injuries and by third parties for injuries related to railroad operations. KCS aggressively defends these matters and has established liability reserves, which management believes are adequate to cover expected costs. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of any legal proceeding, in the opinion of management, other than those proceedings described in detail below, such proceedings and actions should not, individually, or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and liquidity. However, a material adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on the operating results of a particular quarter or fiscal year.

 

Environmental Liabilities.   The Company’s U.S. operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The major U.S. environmental laws to which the Company is subject include, among others, the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA,” also known as the Superfund law), the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. CERCLA can impose joint and several liabilities for cleanup and investigation costs, without regard to fault or legality of the original conduct, on current and predecessor owners and operators of a site, as well as those who generate, or arrange for the disposal of, hazardous substances. The Company does not believe that compliance with the requirements imposed by the environmental legislation will impair its competitive capability or result in any material additional capital expenditures, operating or maintenance costs. The Company is, however, subject to environmental remediation costs as described below.

 

The Company’s Mexico operations are subject to Mexican federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment through the establishment of standards for water discharge, water supply, emissions, noise pollution, hazardous substances and transportation and handling of hazardous and solid waste. The Mexican government may bring administrative and criminal proceedings and impose economic sanctions against companies that violate environmental laws, and temporarily or even permanently close non-complying facilities.

 

The risk of incurring environmental liability is inherent in the railroad industry. As part of serving the petroleum and chemicals industry, the Company transports hazardous materials and has a professional team available to respond to and handle environmental issues that might occur in the transport of such materials. Additionally, the Company is a partner in the Responsible Care ^® program and, as a result, has initiated additional environmental, health and safety programs. The Company performs ongoing reviews and evaluations of the various environmental programs and issues within the Company’s operations, and, as necessary, takes actions intended to limit the Company’s exposure to potential liability.

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The Company owns property that is, or has been, used for industrial purposes. Use of these properties may subject the Company to potentially material liabilities relating to the investigation and cleanup of contaminants, claims alleging personal injury, or property damage as the result of exposures to, or release of, hazardous substances. Although the Company is responsible for investigating and remediating contamination at several locations, based on currently available information, the Company does not expect any related liabilities, individually or collectively, to have a material impact on its financial position or cash flows. Should the Company become subject to more stringent cleanup requirements at these sites, discover additional contamination, or become subject to related personal or property damage claims, the Company could incur material costs in connection with these sites.

 

The Company records liabilities for remediation and restoration costs related to past activities when the Company’s obligation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Costs of ongoing compliance activities to current operations are expensed as incurred. The Company’s recorded liabilities for these issues represent its best estimates (on an undiscounted basis) of remediation and restoration costs that may be required to comply with present laws and regulations. Although these costs cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the ultimate outcome of identified matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or cash flows.

 

Environmental remediation expense was $3.7 million and $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and was included in Casualties and insurance expense on the consolidated statements of income. Additionally, as of September 30, 2008, KCS had a liability for environmental remediation of $6.6 million. This amount was derived from a range of reasonable estimates based upon the studies and site surveys described above and in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS 5”).

 

Casualty Claim Reserves.   The Company’s casualty and liability reserve is based on actuarial studies performed on an undiscounted basis. This reserve is based on personal injury claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on various factors, it is management’s opinion that the recorded liability is a reasonable estimate of aggregate future payments. Adjustments to the liability are reflected as operating expenses in the period in which changes to estimates are known. Casualty claims in excess of self-insurance levels are insured up to certain coverage amounts, depending on the type of claim and year of occurrence. The activity in the reserve follows (in millions):

 

 

The casualty claim reserve balance as of September 30, 2008 is based on an updated study of casualty reserves for data through May 31, 2008 and review of the last four month’s experience. The activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily relates to the net settlements and the reserves for Federal Employers Liability Act (“FELA”), third-party, and occupational illness claims. The changes to the reserve in the current year compared to the prior year primarily reflect a large litigation settlement in 2007 and the current accruals related to the trend of loss experience since the date of the prior study.

 

Reflecting potential uncertainty surrounding the outcome of casualty claims, it is reasonably possible based on assessments that future costs to settle casualty claims may range from approximately $89 million to $104 million. While the final outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

believes that the $95.3 million recorded is the best estimate of the Company’s future obligations for the settlement of casualty claims at September 30, 2008. The most sensitive assumptions for personal injury accruals are the expected average cost per claim and the projected frequency rates for the number of claims that will ultimately result in payment. A 5% increase or decrease in either the expected average cost per claim or the frequency rate for claims with payments would result in an approximate $4.8 million increase or decrease in the Company’s recorded personal injury reserves.

 

Management believes that previous reserve estimates for prior claims were reasonable based on current information available. The Company is continuing its practice of accruing monthly for estimated claim costs, including any changes recommended by studies performed and evaluation of recent known trends; based on this practice, management believes all accruals are appropriately reflected.

 

Antitrust Lawsuit.   As of September 30, 2008, 29 putative class actions were on file against KCSR, along with the other Class I U.S. railroads (and, in some cases, the Association of American Railroads), in various Federal district courts alleging that the railroads conspired to fix fuel surcharges in violation of U.S. antitrust laws. On November 6, 2007, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that these putative class action cases be consolidated for pretrial handling before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, where the matters remain pending (“the Multidistrict Litigation”). All of the plaintiffs in the Multidistrict Litigation filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint on April 15, 2008. KCSR was not named as a defendant in that Consolidated Amended Complaint pursuant to an agreement with the Multidistrict Litigation plaintiffs to toll the statute of limitations, and the Multidistrict Litigation will not proceed with KCSR as a party. In any event, KCSR maintains there is no merit to the price fixing allegations asserted against the Company. If KCSR is named as a defendant in lawsuits making such claims in the future, either in the Multidistrict Litigation or otherwise, the Company intends to vigorously contest such allegations.

 

The New Jersey Attorney General’s office, which had sought information regarding fuel surcharges from KCSR and other railroads, has informed KCSR that it is discontinuing its investigation of KCSR with respect to fuel surcharges.

 

Certain Disputes with Ferromex.   KCSM and Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. (“Ferromex”) both initiated administrative proceedings seeking a determination by the Mexican Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (“Ministry of Communications and Transportation” or “SCT”) of the rates that the companies should pay each other in connection with the use of trackage rights, interline and terminal services. The SCT issued a ruling setting the rates for trackage rights in March of 2002, and a ruling setting the rates for interline and terminal services in August of 2002. KCSM and Ferromex challenged both rulings.

 

Following the trial and appellate court decisions, in February of 2006 the Mexican Supreme Court sustained KCSM’s appeal of the SCT’s trackage rights ruling, in effect vacating the ruling and ordering the SCT to issue a new ruling consistent with the Court’s decision. On June 27, 2008, KCSM was served with the new ruling issued by the SCT. In this ruling, the SCT established the consideration that KCSM and Ferromex must pay each other in connection with the use of the trackage rights granted in their respective concessions between 2002 and 2004, and further stated that in the event KCSM and Ferromex failed to reach an agreement in connection with the rates for the years after 2004, the SCT shall make a determination along the same lines. On September 19, 2008, KCSM appealed this new ruling with the Mexican Tribunal Federal de Justicia Fiscal y Administrativa (“Administrative and Fiscal Federal Court”).

 

In April 2005, the Administrative and Fiscal Federal Court ruled in favor of KCSM in the challenge to the SCT interline and terminal services decision. Ferromex, however, challenged this court ruling before the Fifteenth Collegiate Court, and the Court ruled in its favor. Both Ferromex and KCSM have challenged the rulings on different grounds. This most recent challenge is now before the Mexican Supreme Court, which as of the date of this filing has yet to issue a decision on the matter.

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

In addition to the above, Ferromex has filed three commercial proceedings against KCSM. In the first claim, which was served in 2001 and is related to the payment of consideration for interline services, KCSM received a favorable decision and Ferromex has been ordered to pay related costs and expenses. Although it has not yet done so, Ferromex has the right to challenge this decision. KCSM received an unfavorable decision in the second claim filed in 2004 and has filed a challenge to this judgment, the outcome of which is still pending. The third claim, filed in 2006, is an action for access to records related to interline services between 2002 and 2004. No decision has been rendered on the third claim. KCSM is continually analyzing all of the records related to this dispute to determine the adequacy of the reserves for the amounts due to as well as due from Ferromex.

 

KCSM expects various proceedings and appeals related to the matters described above to continue over the next few years. Although KCSM and Ferromex have challenged these matters based on different grounds and these cases continue to evolve, management believes the reserves related to these matters are adequate and does not believe there will be a future material impact to the results of operations arising out of these disputes.

 

Disputes Relating to the Provision of Services to a Large U.S. Auto Manufacturer.   KCSM is involved in several disputes related to providing service to a large U.S. Auto Manufacturer (the “Auto Manufacturer”).

 

In March 2008, the Auto Manufacturer filed an arbitration suit against KCSM under a contract entered into in 1999 for services to the Auto Manufacturer’s plants in Mexico, which, as amended, had a stated termination date of January 31, 2008. The Auto Manufacturer claims that the contract was implicitly extended and continued in effect beyond its stated termination date, and that KCSM is therefore required to continue abiding by its terms, including, but not limited to, the rates contemplated in such contract. KCSM claims that the contract did in fact expire on its stated termination date of January 31, 2008, and that services rendered thereafter are thus subject to the general terms and conditions (including rates) applicable in the absence of a specific contract, pursuant to Mexican law. Accordingly, KCSM filed a counterclaim against the Auto Manufacturer to, among other things, recover the applicable rate difference. The Auto Manufacturer is also seeking a declaration by the arbitrator that the rates being assessed by KCSM are discriminatory, even though the rates being charged are within the legal rate limits set by Mexican law for such freight transportation. KCSM believes that the facts of this dispute provide it with strong legal arguments and intends to vigorously defend its claims in this proceeding. As a result, management believes the final resolution of these claims will not have any material impact on KCSM’s results of operations.

 

In May 2008, the SCT initiated a proceeding against KCSM, at the Auto Manufacturer’s request, alleging that KCSM impermissibly bundled international rail services and engaged in discriminatory pricing practices with respect to rail services provided by KCSM to the Auto Manufacturer. If the SCT finally determines that KCSM did engage in such actions, the SCT could impose sanctions on KCSM. On July 23, 2008, the SCT delivered notice to KCSM of new proceedings against KCSM, claiming, among other things, that KCSM refused to grant Ferromex access to certain trackage rights in Coahuila on six different occasions and thus denied Ferromex the ability to provide service to the Auto Manufacturer at this location.

 

Management believes it has strong defenses to all of these charges and intends to defend all these proceedings vigorously. KCSM does not believe that these SCT proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. However, if KCSM is ultimately sanctioned in connection with the bundling and discriminatory pricing practices alleged by the Auto Manufacturer, any such sanction would be considered a “generic” sanction under Mexican law (i.e., sanctions applied to conduct not specifically referred to in specific subsections of the Mexican railway law). If challenges against any such sanction are conclusively ruled adversely to KCSM and a sanction is effectively imposed, and if the SCT imposes other “generic” sanctions on four additional occasions over the remaining term of the Concession, KCSM could be subject to possible future SCT action seeking revocation of its Concession. Likewise, if each of the six refusals to allow Ferromex to serve the Auto Manufacturer in Coahuila is finally decided to warrant a separate sanction, KCSM could be subject to a future SCT action seeking revocation of its Concession.

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Revocation of the Concession would materially adversely affect KCSM’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

Disputes Relating to the Scope of the Mandatory Trackage Rights.   KCSM and Ferromex are parties to various cases involving disputes over the application and proper interpretation of the mandatory trackage rights. In particular, in August 2002, the SCT issued a ruling related to Ferromex’s trackage rights in Monterrey, Nuevo León. KCSM and Ferromex both appealed the SCT’s ruling and after considerable litigation, on September 17, 2008, the Mexican Administrative and Fiscal Federal Court announced a decision, which if upheld, would grant Ferromex rights that KCSM believes to be broader than those set forth in both its and Ferromex’s concession titles. KCSM further believes that this decision conflicts with current applicable law and with relevant judicial precedents and intends to challenge it and to continue to pursue all other remedies available to it. KCSM believes that there will be no material adverse effect on KCSM’s results of operations or financial condition from the outcome of this case.

 

Other SCT Sanction Proceedings.   In April 2006, the SCT initiated proceedings against KCSM, claiming that KCSM had failed to make certain minimum capital investments projected for 2004 and 2005 under its five-year business plan filed with the SCT prior to its April 2005 acquisition by Kansas City Southern or “KCS” (collectively, the “Capital Investment Proceedings”). KCSM believes it made capital expenditures exceeding the required amounts. KCSM responded to the SCT by providing evidence in support of its investments and explaining why it believes sanctions are not appropriate. In May 2007, KCSM was served with an SCT resolution regarding the Capital Investment Proceeding for 2004, where the SCT determined that KCSM had indeed failed to make the minimum capital investments required for such year, but resolved to impose no sanction as this would have been KCSM’s first breach of the relevant legal provisions. In June 2007, KCSM was served with an SCT resolution regarding the Capital Investment Proceeding for 2005, where the SCT determined that KCSM had indeed failed to make the minimum capital investments required for such year, and imposed a fine in the amount of Ps.46,800. KCSM has filed actions challenging both the 2004 and 2005 investment plan resolutions issued by the SCT. KCSM will have the right to challenge any adverse ruling by the Mexican Administrative and Fiscal Federal Court.

 

KCSM believes that even if sanctions are ultimately imposed as a consequence of the Capital Investment Proceedings, there will be no material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. However, each of these potential sanctions is considered a “generic” sanction under Mexican law (i.e., sanctions applied to conduct not specifically referred to in specific subsections of the Mexican railway law). If these potential sanctions are conclusively ruled adversely against KCSM and sanctions are imposed, and if the SCT imposes other sanctions related to KCSM’s capital investments or other “generic” sanctions on three additional occasions over the remaining term of the Concession, KCSM could be subject to possible future SCT action seeking revocation of its Concession. Such revocation would materially adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of KCSM.

 

Mancera Proceeding.   In February 2006, Mancera Ernst & Young, S.C., (“Mancera”) filed a claim against KCSM seeking payment for an additional contingency fee for costs and expenses related to Mancera’s representation of KCSM in its value added tax or “VAT” claim against the Mexican government. In March 2006, KCSM responded to the claim. On April 15, 2008 KCSM was served with a resolution that required KCSM to pay an amount, which included interest and damages lower than the amount originally claimed by Mancera. This resolution was appealed by KCSM to challenge the payment of any interest and damages and was appealed by Mancera seeking to increase the amount it is to be paid for contingency fees. On September 30, 2008, KCSM was notified of the resolution by the Ninth Court of Appeals, which released KCSM from any obligation for damages to Mancera but increased the amount of fees to be paid to Mancera. KCSM intends to appeal this decision and believes that it has adequately reserved for its obligation under the engagement agreement with Mancera.

 

Kansas City Southern

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Credit Risk.   The Company continually monitors risk related to the recent downturn in the automotive industry and certain customer concentrations. Significant changes in customer concentration or payment terms, deterioration of customer credit-worthiness or weakening in economic trends could have a significant impact on the collectability of the Company’s receivables and operating results. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Currently, management’s assessment is that it will collect all outstanding receivables, or at this time, based on its assessment has recorded necessary reserves as appropriate.

 

 

The liability for unrecognized tax benefits decreased from $32.6 million as of December 31, 2007 to $2.1 million as of September 30, 2008, primarily due to an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination settlement for years 1997 through 2002. The remaining $2.1 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2008 would affect the effective income tax rate if recognized and is not expected to change in the next 12 months.

 

As a result of the IRS examination settlement, accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits was reduced from $15.8 million to $0.1 million as of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008, respectively.

 

 

The Company strategically manages its rail operations as one reportable business segment over a single coordinated rail network that extends from the midwest and southeast portions of the United States south into Mexico and connects with other Class I railroads. Financial information reported at this level, such as revenues, operating income and cash flows from operations, is used by corporate management, including the Company’s chief operating decision-maker, in evaluating overall financial and operational performance, market strategies, as well as the decisions to allocate capital resources.

 

The Company’s strategic initiatives, which drive its operational direction, are developed and managed at the Company’s headquarters and targets are communicated to its various regional activity centers. Corporate management is responsible for, among others, KCS’ marketing strategy, the oversight of large cross-border customer accounts, overall planning and control of infrastructure and rolling stock, the allocation of capital resources based upon growth and capacity constraints over the coordinated network, and other functions such as financial planning, accounting, and treasury.

 

The role of each region is to manage the operational activities and monitor and control costs over the coordinated rail network. Such cost control is required to ensure that pre-established efficiency standards set at the corporate level are attained. The regional activity centers are responsible for executing the overall corporate strategy and operating plan established by corporate management as a coordinated system.

 

 

 

 

KCSR has outstanding $200.0 million of 7 1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2009 and $275.0 million of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2015 which are unsecured obligations of KCSR, which are also jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by KCS and certain wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. As a result, the following accompanying condensed consolidating financial information (in millions) has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial statements of guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities registered or being registered.” This condensed information is not intended to present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the individual companies or groups of companies in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For the 7 1 / 2 % senior note issue, KCSR registered exchange notes with the SEC that have substantially identical terms and associated guarantees; and all of the initial 7 1 / 2 % senior notes have been exchanged for $200.0 million of registered exchange notes. The 8.0% senior notes were registered by means of an amendment to KCS’ shelf registration statement filed and declared effective by the SEC on May 23, 2008.