Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements particularly in light of the economic, social, and market uncertainty created by, among other things, the war in Ukraine. See “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
Centrus Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Centrus,” the “Company”, “we” or “us”), is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel components and services for the nuclear power industry, which provides a reliable source of carbon free energy. References to “Centrus”, the “Company”, “our”, or “we” include Centrus Energy Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries as well as the predecessor to Centrus, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Centrus operates two business segments: (a) LEU, which supplies various components of nuclear fuel to commercial customers from our global network of suppliers, and (b) Technical Solutions, which provides advanced engineering, design, manufacturing, and services to government and private sector customers and is deploying uranium enrichment through HALEU production and other capabilities necessary for production of advanced nuclear fuel to power existing and next-generation reactors around the world.
Our LEU segment currently provides most of the Company’s revenue and involves the sale of enriched uranium, the fissile component of nuclear fuel, primarily to utilities that operate commercial nuclear power plants. The majority of these sales are for the enrichment component of LEU, which is measured in SWU. Centrus also sells natural uranium hexafluoride (the raw material needed to produce LEU) and occasionally sells uranium concentrates, uranium conversion, or LEU with the natural uranium hexafluoride and SWU components combined into one sale.
LEU is a critical component in the production of nuclear fuel for reactors that produce electricity. We supply LEU and its components to both domestic and international utilities for use in nuclear reactors worldwide. We provide LEU from multiple sources, including our inventory, medium- and long-term supply contracts, and spot purchases. As a long-term supplier of LEU to our customers, our objective is to provide value through the reliability and diversity of our supply sources.
Published spot price indicators for SWU reached previous historic highs in April 2009 at $163 per SWU. In the years following the 2011 Fukushima accident in Japan, spot prices declined more than 75%, bottoming out in August 2018 at $34 per SWU. This was followed by a period of price increases, which reached $155 per SWU by December 31, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, spot prices were $180 per SWU, which surpasses the previous historic high. This represents an increase of 16% since the beginning of the year and 429% over the 2018 historic low. This surge in the SWU spot price beginning in 2022 has been driven primarily by uncertainty created as a result of the war in Ukraine, coupled with growing interest in nuclear power as a source of reliable carbon-free energy.
When Russian supply is included, the uranium enrichment segment of the global nuclear fuel market is oversupplied. But without Russian supply, the global market for uranium enrichment would be undersupplied. Further, it is not clear that there are sufficient inventories of enriched uranium in the United States to compensate for a loss of Russian supply, absent new capacity that will take a number of years to deploy. A report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2023 reported that while U.S. utilities may have enough inventory to cover one reload of their reactors, “truly strategic physical stockpiles are almost non-existent.”1
Changes in the supply-demand balance and in the competitive landscape arising from the war in Ukraine may affect pricing trends, change customer spending patterns, and create additional uncertainty in the uranium market. At the same time, uncertainty remains about future demand for nuclear power generation. To address such changes and uncertainty, we continue to evaluate opportunities to grow our business organically or through acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
Our Technical Solutions segment is committed to the restoration of America’s domestic uranium enrichment production capability in order to play a critical role in meeting U.S. national security and energy security requirements and advancing America’s nonproliferation, energy, and climate objectives. Our Technical Solutions segment is also focused on repairing broken and vulnerable supply chains, providing clean energy jobs, and supporting the communities in which we operate. Our goal is to deliver major components of the next-generation nuclear fuels that will provide reliable carbon-free power around the world.
Under the HALEU Demonstration Contract, Centrus was engaged by the DOE to construct a cascade of 16 AC100M centrifuges in Piketon, Ohio to demonstrate HALEU production. The DOE has funded the contract up to $173.0 million with a period of performance that ended November 30, 2022. Closeout activities on the HALEU Demonstration Contract are ongoing. The DOE elected to change the scope of the HALEU Demonstration Contract and moved the operational portion of the contract to a new, competitively-awarded contract that would provide for operations beyond the term of the existing HALEU Demonstration Contract.
On November 10, 2022, the DOE notified Centrus that the Company had been awarded the HALEU Operation Contract and work began on December 1, 2022. The base contract value is approximately $150 million with two phases through 2024. Phase 1 included an approximately $30 million cost-share contribution from Centrus matched by approximately $30 million from the DOE to complete construction of the cascade, begin operations and produce the initial 20 kilograms of HALEU UF6 by no later than December 31, 2023. On October 11, 2023, the Company announced that it began enrichment operations in Piketon, Ohio. On November 7, 2023, the Company announced that it made its first delivery of HALEU to the DOE, completing Phase 1 by successfully demonstrating its HALEU production process. During November 2023, the Company transitioned to Phase 2 of the HALEU Operation Contract.
Phase 2 of the HALEU Operation Contract includes production of 900 kilograms of HALEU UF6 per year as well as continued operations and maintenance. The DOE owns the HALEU produced from the demonstration cascade, and Centrus is being compensated on a cost-plus-incentive-fee basis, with an expected Phase 2 contract value of approximately $90 million, subject to Congressional appropriations. The HALEU Operation Contract also gives DOE options to pay for up to nine additional years of production from the cascade beyond the base contract; those options are at the DOE’s sole discretion and subject to the availability of Congressional appropriations. Concurrently, pursuant to an amendment to our lease for the Piketon facility, the DOE assumed all D&D liabilities arising out of the HALEU Operation Contract.
1 International Atomic Energy Agency, “Global Inventories of Secondary Uranium Supplies” (IAEA-TECDOC-2030), p. 54 (2023).
Under the HALEU Operation Contract, DOE is contractually obligated to provide the 5B Cylinders necessary to collect the output of the cascade, but ongoing supply chain challenges have created difficulties for the DOE in timely securing enough 5B Cylinders for the entire production year. To support the DOE in mitigating the risk of further delays in delivery of 5B Cylinders, the Company received technical direction and a contract modification from the DOE to procure compliant 5B Cylinders and components. The contractual obligation to furnish compliant 5B Cylinders under the HALEU Operation Contract continues to rest with the DOE. During periods where quantities of 5B Cylinders are insufficient, the Company will not be able to produce HALEU but will be able to continue operations of the cascade and perform preventive maintenance and regulatory compliance-type activities. Centrus anticipates that the delays in obtaining sufficient 5B Cylinders will be temporary but no longer expects to achieve delivery of the 900 kilograms of HALEU UF6 anticipated for Phase 2 of the contract, which extends to November 2024. Although inadequate for meeting the full delivery quantity target, the DOE has been successful in locating a small number of 5B Cylinders. Using the 5B Cylinders currently made available by the DOE, Centrus has now achieved cumulative deliveries to the DOE of approximately 332 kilograms of HALEU UF6. We anticipate additional 5B Cylinders will be available during the fourth quarter, which will allow the Company to continue producing HALEU. The target fee for Phase 2 of the contract was estimated to be $7.5 million based on the estimated costs for the contract and is subject to a contract minimum fee of $6.9 million. In accordance with the HALEU Operation Contract, the Company has submitted several change requests for work being performed on infrastructure, facility repairs, and 5B Cylinders. The additional work is being performed under the DOE’s technical direction.
The DOE continues to pursue the availability of HALEU for the ARDP and for the advanced reactor market in general. The DOE issued RFPs for deconversion of HALEU into different forms needed to fabricate fuels used by various advanced reactor developers and the production of HALEU on November 28, 2023 and January 9, 2024, respectively. On June 27, 2024, the DOE issued an RFP focusing on the domestic production of LEU to ensure the availability of domestically enriched uranium in a quantity that would be sufficient to address a supply disruption and gaps in domestic production and enrichment. The Company submitted proposals in response to each of these RFPs, with the goal of expanding production capability at the Piketon facility, subject to availability of funding and/or off-take commitments. The DOE plans to award multiple indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contracts to the successful bidders, after which the awardees will compete for individual task orders. The total to be awarded under the RFPs is $3.4 billion with a minimum of $2.0 million for each award, subject to further appropriations.
On October 16, 2024, DOE selected ACO and three other awardees under a competitive solicitation aimed at expanding domestic commercial production of HALEU which is needed to fuel many of the next-generation nuclear reactor design currently under development. The contract has a minimum value of $2.0 million and a maximum value of $2.7 billion for all awardees. On October 4, 2024, DOE selected ACO and five other awardees under a separate solicitation aimed at HALEU deconversion, a subsequent step in the HALEU production process. The contract has a minimum value of $2.0 million and a maximum value of $0.8 billion for all awardees The ultimate dollar amount under each contract and the potential scale of the expansion supported will depend upon the scope of task orders that DOE may subsequently issue under the contracts for which we will compete. Although we believe that we are well positioned, there is no assurance that we will be awarded any task orders or any contracts under any of our outstanding RFPs and, if awarded, the nature, timing and amount of the task orders that may be issued under an award is uncertain.
The war in Ukraine, along with the recently enacted Import Ban Act, which had been contemplated by Congress for more than a year, has contributed to a significant increase in market prices for enrichment and prompted calls for public and private investment in new, domestic uranium enrichment capacity not only for HALEU production, but also for LEU production to support the existing fleet of reactors. As a result, coupled with the Company’s award for HALEU production and competing for an award under the June 27, 2024 RFP for LEU production, Centrus is exploring the opportunity to deploy LEU enrichment alongside HALEU enrichment to meet a range of commercial and U.S. government requirements, which would bring cost synergies while increasing revenue opportunities. Our ability to deploy LEU and/or HALEU enrichment, and the timing, sequencing, and scale of those capabilities, is subject to the availability of funding (through DOE awards, outstanding DOE RFP and other sources) and off-take commitments.
The Energy Act of 2020 (“The Energy Act”) required the DOE to establish a program to support the availability of HALEU for civilian domestic research, development, demonstration, and commercial use. The Energy Act also reauthorized DOE nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, including advanced fuel, research and development for advanced reactors, used fuel technologies, and integration of nuclear energy systems for both existing plants and advanced nuclear concepts. It also authorized the funding of an ARDP which was launched by the DOE in May 2020. There are a number of advanced reactors under development that would use HALEU. Nine of the ten advanced reactor designs initially selected by the DOE for its ARDP will require HALEU. Various agencies of the U.S. government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the DOE are building small modular reactors and microreactors, which demonstrates the focus on both the development of microreactors and HALEU. We believe our investments in advanced enrichment technology and our progress in demonstrating HALEU production will position the Company to meet the needs of government and commercial customers in the future as they deploy advanced reactors and next generation fuels and also offers potential cost synergies for a return to LEU production. Further, the Company is taking steps to pursue, including through the exploration of strategic partnerships, technologies that are complementary to HALEU production and critical to the HALEU ecosystem, including deconversion and fuel fabrication.
While the monthly price indicators have increased for several years, the uranium enrichment segment of the nuclear fuel market remains oversupplied and faces uncertainty about future demand for nuclear power generation. However, without Russian supply, the global market would be undersupplied for uranium enrichment. Recent data from the International Trade Commission shows a significant increase in the importation of enriched uranium into the U.S. from China in 2023 and 2024. If this trend continues, it will likely have significant changes in the competitive landscape that will affect pricing trends and customer spending patterns and create uncertainty and likely have a negative impact on our business. To address these changes, we have taken steps to adjust our cost structure; we may seek further adjustments to our cost structure and operations and evaluate opportunities to grow our business organically or through acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
We are also actively considering and expect to consider potential strategic transactions from time to time, which could involve, without limitation, acquisitions and/or dispositions of businesses or assets, joint ventures or investments in businesses, products or technologies or changes to our capital structure. For further discussion, refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Market Conditions and Outlook
The global nuclear industry outlook has improved after many years of decline or stagnation. The development of advanced small and large-scale reactors, the innovation of advanced fuel types, and the commitment of nations to begin deploying nuclear power or to increase the share of nuclear power in their nations has created optimism in the market. Part of the momentum has resulted from efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change and improve health and safety.
According to the WNA, as of September 2024, there were 67 reactors under construction worldwide, approximately one-half of which are in China. The United States, with over 90 operating reactors, remains the world’s largest market for nuclear fuel. The nuclear industry in the United States, Japan, and Europe faces headwinds as well as opportunities. In the United States, the industry has been under pressure from the expansion of subsidized renewable energy as well as relatively low-cost natural gas resources in recent years, although natural gas prices in the U.S. electricity sector tripled between 2020 and 2022 according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”). Nine U.S. reactors have prematurely shut down in the past ten years, and others could shut down in the next few years. At the same time, construction was completed and commercial operations began in the second quarter of 2024 on one large reactor and one formerly shutdown reactor has plans to restart. The DOE recently released a report outlining a pathway to deployment of approximately 200 gigawatts of additional capacity by 2050, which would triple the nuclear energy capacity in the United States.
The IEA projects that global nuclear energy generation will grow substantially in the next three decades. In the IEA’s 2024 World Energy Outlook, nuclear generation is forecasted to grow by 18% by 2030 and 47% by 2040 under the “Stated Policies” scenario. In the “Net Zero Emissions by 2050” scenario, nuclear generation would grow by 41% by 2030 and more than double by 2040.
As a consequence of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, over 60 reactors in Japan and Germany were taken offline, and other countries curtailed or slowed their construction of new reactors or accelerated the retirement of existing plants. In Japan, 12 reactors have restarted and an additional 13 reactors are in the process of restart approval. Due to the war in Ukraine, the EU is encouraging its member countries to reconsider the planned early retirement of existing plants in order to reduce reliance on Russian gas imports.
In October 2020, the DOC reached an agreement with the Russian Federation on an extension of the RSA, a trade agreement that allows for Russian-origin nuclear fuel to be exported to the United States in limited quantities. The two parties agreed to extend the agreement through 2040 and to set aside a significant portion of the quota for Centrus’ shipments to the United States through 2028 to perform under our TENEX Supply Contract. This outcome allowed for sufficient quota for Centrus to continue serving its utility customers and support its investments in building new capacity. Use of this quota is subject to compliance with limitations under the RSA. These limitations include a requirement that we return natural uranium to TENEX for the LEU we receive under the TENEX Supply Contract at approximately the same time that we deliver the LEU to our customers. Our ability to meet this requirement depends on the capacity or willingness of the facilities, where natural uranium is supplied to us by customers, to allow us to deliver this natural uranium to TENEX. We were notified by one facility that it will no longer receive natural uranium for TENEX. As a result, we will need to rely to a greater extent on deliveries at other processors or explore other options in order to comply with the RSA’s natural uranium delivery requirement.
On July 13, 2023, the Company and TerraPower, LLC (“TerraPower”) entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) to expand their collaboration aimed at establishing commercial-scale, domestic production capabilities for HALEU to fuel the NatriumTM reactor that TerraPower is building in Wyoming. Under this MOU, the Company and TerraPower will collaborate to ensure the Natrium demonstration reactor will have sufficient HALEU at the milestones necessary to meet the project's 2030 operation date. Subject to a definitive agreement to be negotiated, Centrus will work toward scaling up production capacity with additional centrifuge cascades to meet TerraPower's fuel requirements.
On August 28, 2023, the Company and Oklo Inc. (“Oklo”) announced a new MOU to support the deployment of Oklo’s advanced fission powerhouses and advanced nuclear fuel production in Southern Ohio subject to a definitive agreement to be negotiated. Oklo and Centrus plan to enter into a broad range of collaboration programs supporting the development and operation of Oklo’s Aurora powerhouses, including supply of HALEU produced by Centrus at the Piketon, Ohio facility. Centrus also intends to buy clean, reliable, and affordable energy from Oklo’s planned Ohio plants to power its HALEU production facility.
The war in Ukraine has escalated tensions between Russia and the international community. As a result, the United States and other countries have imposed, including through the U.S.’s enactment of the Import Ban Act discussed below, and may continue imposing, additional sanctions and export controls against certain Russian products, services, organizations, and/or individuals. Such additional restrictions could affect our ability to purchase, take delivery of, transport, or re-sell Russian uranium enrichment, engage in transactions with TENEX, or implement the TENEX Supply Contract, which would have a negative material impact on our business. Further, sanctions by the United States, Russia or other countries may impact our ability and cost to transport, export, import, take delivery, or make payments related to the LEU we purchase and may require us to increase purchases from non-Russian sources to the extent available. For example, due to restrictions imposed by Canada on the ability of Canadian persons and entities to provide ocean transportation services to Russia, a permit is required for our shipper, a Canadian company, to transport the LEU that we procure under the TENEX Supply Contract to the United States. A Canadian permit issued to our shipper was extended to March 2027, but for so long as the sanctions remain in place, the shipper will require further extensions beyond the current validity of the permit for continued shipments of LEU imports. In addition, on June 24, 2024, members of the EU agreed to issue a 14th sanctions package, primarily targeting the export of Russian liquid natural gas and other services. The sanctions package includes restrictions on the transportation of empty containers to Russia. Since we supply empty cylinders under the TENEX Supply Contract that are filled and returned to us, this new sanctions package may impact the transportation of LEU from Russia to the extent such export activity has a nexus to an EU member state (e.g., through a ship’s flag, nationalities of crew members, etc.). This new sanctions package does not impact our near term deliveries. We are working with our shipper to determine the extent of the impact of the new sanctions on the transportation of LEU from Russia which may ultimately require our shipper to obtain special authorizations for the shipment of empty containers to Russia if a nexus with an EU member state exists. The U.S. and Canadian governments have indicated that the EU agrees that this round of sanctions should not capture these containers and are working with the EU to clarify.
In response to the war in Ukraine, there were proposals to ban imports of uranium products that could cut off or reduce our ability to import LEU in one or more years under the TENEX Supply Contract. In fact, on May 13, 2024, the Import Ban Act was enacted. This new law bans imports of LEU from Russia into the U.S. beginning August 11, 2024, subject to issuance of waivers by the DOE. In accordance with the instructions published by the DOE on May 24, 2024, the Company filed its first waiver request application on May 27, 2024, to permit the importation of LEU already committed for delivery to its U.S. customers in 2024 through 2027. On July 18, 2024, the DOE issued the Company a waiver allowing it to import LEU from Russia for deliveries already committed by the Company to its U.S. customers in years 2024 and 2025. For the years 2026 and 2027, the DOE deferred its decision to an unspecified date closer in time to the deliveries. On June 7, 2024, the Company filed a second waiver request application to allow for importation of LEU from Russia for processing and reexport to the Company's foreign customers and is awaiting DOE's determination. The Company plans to file a third waiver request application to allow for importation of LEU from Russia in 2026 and 2027 for use in the U.S. that have yet to be committed to our customers. The U.S. ban on imports of Russian LEU, without the grant of additional timely waivers, would have a negative material impact on our business. Through 2027, well over one-half of the LEU that we expect to deliver to customers was sourced under the TENEX Supply Contract. While we have other sources of supply, they are not sufficient to replace the TENEX supply. It is uncertain whether any waiver would be granted in response to our pending or any potential future applications and, if granted, whether any waiver would be granted in a timely manner.
In addition, there is draft legislation in the U.S. Congress designed to impose sanctions on Rosatom which would prohibit (again, subject to government-issued waivers) transactions with TENEX, a subsidiary of Rosatom. Since the enactment of the Import Ban Act, TENEX has continued to implement the TENEX Supply Contract while we pursue waivers from the DOE. However, we do not know what future actions TENEX might take in response to the new law. If TENEX refuses to make future deliveries or otherwise suspends deliveries for an extended period under the TENEX Supply Contract, our delivery obligations to our customers would be negatively impacted, including a material adverse effect on the Company.
In addition to limitations targeted specifically at imports of LEU, the expanding sanctions imposed by the United States and foreign governments on the mechanisms used to make payments to Russia and to obtain services, including transportation and other services, have increased the risk that implementation of the TENEX Supply Contract may be disrupted in the future. If the U.S. government were to prohibit companies and individuals from engaging in transactions with Rosatom and its subsidiaries, including TENEX, the Company and its suppliers could not implement the TENEX Supply Contract absent a license or other authorization from the sanctioning government.
Given all the foregoing, we continue to monitor the situation closely in order to address the potential impact of any new sanctions or restrictions on the Company and possible mitigation thereof.
For further discussion of these risks and uncertainties, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Operating Results
Our revenue, operating results, and cash flows can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year. Our LEU segment backlog consists primarily of long-term, fixed commitment contracts and contingent sales commitments, and we have visibility on a significant portion of our revenue for 2024-2027.
Given the current uncertainty and disruption in the market, due to, among other things, the war in Ukraine, we are no longer providing guidance on our results of operations for 2024. Please see Forward Looking Statements at the beginning of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Our future operating results are subject to uncertainties that could affect results either positively or negatively. Among the factors that could affect our results are the following:
•Our ability to obtain additional waivers to allow us to import LEU from Russia so that we may continue supplying LEU to our customers, given the enactment of the Import Ban Act in May 2024;
•Conditions in the LEU and energy markets, including pricing, demand, operations, government restrictions on imports, exports or investments, and regulations of our business and activities and those of our customers, suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors;
•Recently enacted sanctions and the potential for additional sanctions and other measures that restrict with whom we may transact or affect the importation, sales or purchases of SWU or uranium or goods or services required for the sale, purchase, transportation or delivery of such SWU or uranium;
•Armed conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, government actions and other events or third-party actions that disrupt supply chains, production, transportation, payments, and importation of nuclear materials or other critical supplies or services;
•The availability and terms of additional purchases or sales of SWU and uranium;
•Timing of customer orders, related deliveries, and purchases of LEU or LEU components;
•Costs of and future funding and demand for HALEU;
•Financial market conditions and other factors that may affect pension and benefit liabilities and the value of related assets;
•The outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies;
•Potential use of cash for strategic or financial initiatives;
•Actions taken by customers and suppliers, including actions that might affect existing contracts;
•The U.S. government’s ability to satisfy its obligations, including supplying government furnished equipment under its agreements with the Company or processing security clearances due to a shutdown or other reasons; and
•Market, international trade, and other conditions impacting Centrus’ customers and the industry.
For further discussion of these uncertainties, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Backlog
The Company’s backlog is $3.8 billion and $2.0 billion as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and extends to 2040. Backlog is recognized as revenue in future periods as work is performed or deliveries of SWU and uranium are made.
Our backlog in the LEU segment extends to 2040. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our backlog is approximately $2.8 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. The backlog is the estimated aggregate dollar amount of revenue for future SWU and uranium deliveries primarily under medium and long-term contracts with fixed commitments and approximately $2.0 billion in contingent LEU sales commitments, subject to entering into definitive agreements, in support of potential construction of LEU production capacity at the Piketon, Ohio facility. The contingent sales commitments depend on our ability to secure substantial public and private investment necessary to build new enrichment capacity. The LEU segment backlog also includes approximately $0.2 billion of deferred revenue and advances from customers as of September 30, 2024, whereby customers have made advance payments to be applied against future deliveries. No orders in our backlog are considered at risk related to customer operations. However, these medium and long-term contracts are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including existing import laws and restrictions such as the RSA, which limits imports of Russian uranium products into the United States and applies to our sales using material procured under the TENEX Supply Contract, as well as the potential for additional sanctions and other restrictions affecting the Company or its suppliers, in response to the evolving situation regarding the war in Ukraine.
Our backlog in the Technical Solutions segment extends to 2033. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our backlog is approximately $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. Our backlog includes both funded amounts (services for which funding has been both authorized and appropriated by the customer), unfunded amounts (services for which funding has not been appropriated), and unexercised options in our contracts. If any of our contracts were to be terminated or options not being exercised, our remaining backlog would be reduced by the expected value of the cancelled contracts or forgone options.
Revenue
We have two reportable segments: the LEU segment and the Technical Solutions segment.
Revenue from our LEU segment is derived primarily from the following:
•sales of the SWU component of LEU,
•sales of natural uranium hexafluoride, uranium concentrates or uranium conversion, and
•sales of enriched uranium product that include both the natural uranium hexafluoride and SWU components of LEU.
Our Technical Solutions segment reflects our technical, manufacturing, engineering, and operations services offered to public and private sector customers, including engineering and testing activities as well as technical and resource support currently being performed by the Company. This includes the HALEU Operation Contract and other contracts with public and private sector customers.
SWU and Uranium Sales
Revenue from our LEU segment accounted for approximately 60% and 79% of our total revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. The majority of our customers are domestic and international utilities that operate nuclear power plants, with international sales constituting approximately 44% of revenue from our LEU segment since 2022. Our agreements with electric utilities are primarily medium and long-term fixed-commitment contracts under which our customers are obligated to purchase a specified quantity of the SWU component of LEU from us. Contracts where we sell both the SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride components of LEU to utilities or where we sell natural uranium hexafluoride to utilities and other nuclear fuel related companies are generally shorter-term, fixed-commitment contracts. Individual customer orders for the SWU component of LEU fulfilled in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 averaged approximately $9.0 million per order. As a result, a relatively small shift in the timing of customer orders for LEU may cause significant variability in our operating results period over period.
Utility customers, in general, have the option to make payment but defer receipt of SWU and uranium products purchased from Centrus beyond the contractual sale period, resulting in the deferral of revenue recognition and related costs. Refer to Note 2, Revenue and Contracts with Customers, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
Our financial performance over time can be affected significantly by changes in prices for SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride. Market prices for SWU and uranium significantly declined from 2011 until mid-2018, when they began to trend upward. More recently, market uncertainty in the wake of the war in Ukraine has driven SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride prices sharply higher. Since our backlog includes contracts awarded to us in previous years, the average SWU price billed to customers typically lags published price indicators by several years. While some sales reflect the low prices prevalent in recent years, certain older contracts included in our backlog have prices that are above current market prices.
The newly enacted Import Ban Act, which bans the importation of LEU from Russia, may severely limit importation through 2027 and will cut off supply of LEU from Russia after 2027. This has drawn attention to the potential for significant tightening of supplies in the market. Russian enrichment plants represent 44% of the world’s capacity, and Russian capacity significantly exceeds its domestic needs. According to data from the WNA, the annual enrichment requirements of reactors worldwide outside of Russia vastly exceeds the available supply of non-Russian enrichment, which potentially threatens the viability of some reactors, including those in the United States. While inventories and increased production at non-Russian plants may partially mitigate the shortfall, these options would not fully replace Russian supply. Deployment of new capacity ultimately could replace Russian enrichment, but this capacity will take a number of years and significant funding from private and/or government sources to come online. Centrus is seeking public and private funding to deploy new production capacity at its Piketon, Ohio, plant to help meet the need for new, domestic supplies of enriched uranium.
The following chart summarizes SWU long-term price and SWU and UF6 spot price indicators, as published by TradeTech, LLC in Nuclear Market Review:
SWU and Uranium Market Price Indicators*
* Source: Nuclear Market Review, a TradeTech publication, www.uranium.info
Our contracts with customers are denominated primarily in U.S. dollars, and, although revenue has not been materially affected by changes in the foreign exchange rate of the U.S. dollar, we may have a competitive price advantage or disadvantage in obtaining new contracts in a competitive bidding process depending upon the weakness or strength of the U.S. dollar. Under a customer contract that commenced deliveries in 2023, payments are denominated in euros, and subject to exchange rate risk. Costs of our primary competitors are denominated in other currencies. Our contracts with suppliers are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. We have a SWU supply agreement, that commenced in 2023, with prices payable in a combination of U.S. dollars and euros but with a contract-defined exchange rate.
On occasion, we accept payment for SWU in the form of natural uranium hexafluoride. Revenue from the sale of SWU under such contracts is recognized at the time LEU is delivered and is based on the fair value of the natural uranium hexafluoride at contract inception, or as the quantity of natural uranium hexafluoride is finalized, if variable.
Cost of sales for SWU and uranium is based on the amount of SWU and uranium hexafluoride sold and delivered during the period and unit inventory costs, which are determined using the average cost method. Changes in purchase costs have an effect on inventory costs and cost of sales. Cost of sales includes costs for inventory management at off-site licensed locations, as well as, certain legacy costs related to former employees of the Portsmouth GDP and Paducah GDP.
Technical Solutions
Our Technical Solutions segment reflects our technical, manufacturing, engineering, and operations services offered to public and private sector customers, including the American Centrifuge engineering, procurement, construction, manufacturing, and operations services being performed under the HALEU Operation Contract. Subject to the availability of sufficient funding and off-take commitments, our goal is to expand our uranium enrichment capacity to meet the full range of U.S. government and commercial requirements for enriched uranium. With our government and private sector customers, we seek to leverage our domestic enrichment experience as well as our engineering know-how and precision manufacturing facility to assist customers with a range of engineering, design, and advanced manufacturing projects, including the production of fuel-related components for next-generation nuclear reactors and the development of related facilities. We continue to invest in advanced technology because of the potential for future growth into new areas of business for the Company, while also preserving our unique workforce at our Technology and Manufacturing Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and our production facility near Piketon, Ohio.
Results of Operations
Segment Information
The following tables present elements of the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income that are categorized by segment (dollar amounts in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | $ Change | | % Change |
LEU segment | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | |
SWU revenue | $ | 34.8 | | | $ | 40.5 | | | $ | (5.7) | | | (14) | % |
Uranium revenue | — | | | — | | | — | | | n/a |
Total | 34.8 | | | 40.5 | | | (5.7) | | | (14) | % |
Cost of sales | 29.6 | | | 30.4 | | | (0.8) | | | (3) | % |
Gross profit | $ | 5.2 | | | $ | 10.1 | | | $ | (4.9) | | | (49) | % |
| | | | | | | |
Technical Solutions segment | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 22.9 | | | $ | 10.8 | | | $ | 12.1 | | | 112 | % |
Cost of sales | 19.2 | | | 9.6 | | | 9.6 | | | 100 | % |
Gross profit | $ | 3.7 | | | $ | 1.2 | | | $ | 2.5 | | | 208 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 57.7 | | | $ | 51.3 | | | $ | 6.4 | | | 12 | % |
Cost of sales | 48.8 | | | 40.0 | | | 8.8 | | | 22 | % |
Gross profit | $ | 8.9 | | | $ | 11.3 | | | $ | (2.4) | | | (21) | % |
Revenue
Revenue from the LEU segment was $34.8 million and $40.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $5.7 million (or 14%). SWU revenue decreased by $5.7 million as a result of a 71% decrease in the volume of SWU sold, partially offset by a 194% increase in the average price of SWU sold.
Revenue from the Technical Solutions segment was $22.9 million and $10.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $12.1 million (or 112%). Revenue generated by the HALEU Operation Contract increased by $12.7 million due to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in late 2023. The remaining change was attributable to other contracts.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the LEU segment was $29.6 million and $30.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $0.8 million (or 3%). SWU costs decreased as a result of a 71% decrease in the volume of SWU sold, partially offset by a 229% increase in the average unit cost of SWU sold. Cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, included $1.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the revaluation of inventory loans.
Cost of sales for the Technical Solutions segment was $19.2 million and $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $9.6 million (or 100%). Costs incurred for the HALEU Operation Contract increased by $8.8 million due to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in late 2023. The remaining increase was attributable to other contracts. For details on HALEU Operation Contract accounting, refer to Technical Solutions Segment above.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the LEU segment was $5.2 million and $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $4.9 million (or 49%). The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to the specific contract and pricing mix of SWU contracts and the timing of their deliveries quarter over quarter. This was reflected by a decrease in the volume of SWU sold, partially offset by an increase in the average profit margin per SWU.
Gross profit for the Technical Solutions segment was $3.7 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $2.5 million (or 208%). The increase was primarily attributable to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the HALEU Operation Contract in late 2023.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | $ Change | | % Change |
LEU segment | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | |
SWU revenue | $ | 198.1 | | | $ | 147.4 | | | $ | 50.7 | | | 34 | % |
Uranium revenue | 29.9 | | | 39.5 | | | (9.6) | | | (24) | % |
Total | 228.0 | | | 186.9 | | | 41.1 | | | 22 | % |
Cost of sales | 189.3 | | | 126.1 | | | 63.2 | | | 50 | % |
Gross profit | $ | 38.7 | | | $ | 60.8 | | | $ | (22.1) | | | (36) | % |
| | | | | | | |
Technical Solutions segment | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 62.4 | | | $ | 29.7 | | | $ | 32.7 | | | 110 | % |
Cost of sales | 51.4 | | | 28.2 | | | 23.2 | | | 82 | % |
Gross profit | $ | 11.0 | | | $ | 1.5 | | | $ | 9.5 | | | 633 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | |
Revenue | $ | 290.4 | | | $ | 216.6 | | | $ | 73.8 | | | 34 | % |
Cost of sales | 240.7 | | | 154.3 | | | 86.4 | | | 56 | % |
Gross profit | $ | 49.7 | | | $ | 62.3 | | | $ | (12.6) | | | (20) | % |
Revenue
Revenue from the LEU segment was $228.0 million and $186.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $41.1 million (or 22%). SWU revenue increased by $50.7 million as a result of a 33% increase in the average price of SWU sold and a 2% increase in the volume of SWU sold. Uranium revenue decreased by $9.6 million as a result of a 40% decrease in the volume of uranium sold, partially offset by a 26% increase in the average price of uranium sold.
Revenue from the Technical Solutions segment was $62.4 million and $29.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $32.7 million (or 110%). Revenue generated by the HALEU Operation Contract increased by $33.1 million due to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in late 2023. The remaining change was attributable to other contracts.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the LEU segment was $189.3 million and $126.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $63.2 million (or 50%). SWU costs increased as a result of a 75% increase in the average unit cost of SWU sold and a 2% increase in the volume of SWU sold. Uranium costs decreased as a result of a 40% decrease in the volume of uranium sold, partially offset by a 31% increase in the average unit cost of uranium sold. Cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, included $3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively, for the revaluation of inventory loans.
Cost of sales for the Technical Solutions segment was $51.4 million and $28.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $23.2 million (or 82%). Costs incurred for the HALEU Operation Contract increased by $21.8 million due to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in late 2023. For details on HALEU Operation Contract accounting, refer to Technical Solutions Segment above. The remaining increase was attributable to costs incurred under other contracts.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the LEU segment was $38.7 million and $60.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $22.1 million (or 36%). The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was due primarily to the decrease in margin on SWU sales due to the specific contract and pricing mix of SWU contracts and the timing of their deliveries period over period. This was reflected by a decrease in the average profit margin per SWU, partially offset by an increase in the volume of SWU sold.
Gross profit for the Technical Solutions segment was $11.0 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $9.5 million (or 633%). The increase was primarily attributable to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the HALEU Operation Contract in late 2023.
Non-Segment Information
The following tables present elements of the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income that are not categorized by segment (dollar amounts in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | $ Change | | % Change |
Gross profit | $ | 8.9 | | | $ | 11.3 | | | $ | (2.4) | | | (21) | % |
Advanced technology costs | 4.1 | | | 3.3 | | | 0.8 | | | 24 | % |
Selling, general and administrative | 10.0 | | | 9.5 | | | 0.5 | | | 5 | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | 2.4 | | | 1.4 | | | 1.0 | | | 71 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating loss | (7.6) | | | (2.9) | | | (4.7) | | | (162) | % |
Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit loss (income) | 0.8 | | | (0.6) | | | 1.4 | | | 233 | % |
Interest expense | 0.1 | | | 0.4 | | | (0.3) | | | (75) | % |
Investment income | (2.6) | | | (2.3) | | | (0.3) | | | (13) | % |
Other expense (income), net | — | | | (1.0) | | | 1.0 | | | 100 | % |
Income (loss) before income taxes | (5.9) | | | 0.6 | | | (6.5) | | | (1,083) | % |
Income tax benefit | (0.9) | | | (7.6) | | | 6.7 | | | 88 | % |
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (5.0) | | | $ | 8.2 | | | $ | (13.2) | | | (161) | % |
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $2.4 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $1.0 million (or 71%). Amortization expense for the intangible asset related to the September 2014 sales backlog is a function of SWU sales volume under that backlog, and amortization expense for the intangible asset related to customer relationships is amortized on a straight-line basis.
Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Loss (Income)
Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit loss (income) netted to a loss of $0.8 million and income of $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a change of $1.4 million (or 233%). Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income consist primarily of the expected return on plan assets and the remeasurement related to lump sum payouts, partially offset by interest cost as the discounted present value of benefit obligations nears payment, as described in Note 8, Pension and Postretirement Health and Life Benefits of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Tax Benefit
Income tax benefit was $0.9 million and $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $6.7 million (or 88%). Income tax benefit for both periods resulted from applying the annual effective tax rate to the quarterly income from continuing operations adjusted for discrete items. In addition, a decrease to the federal tax valuation allowance of $7.7 million was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2023. For more information about the valuation allowance, see Note 14, Income Taxes, in our Consolidated Financial Statements on our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) netted to a loss of $5.0 million and income of $8.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a change of $13.2 million (or 161%). The change of $13.2 million was primarily attributable to a decrease of $6.7 million in income tax benefit and a decrease of $4.9 million in gross profit from the LEU segment, partially offset by an increase of $2.5 million in gross profit from the Technical Solutions segment.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | $ Change | | % Change |
Gross profit | $ | 49.7 | | | $ | 62.3 | | | $ | (12.6) | | | (20) | % |
Advanced technology costs | 13.9 | | | 10.8 | | | 3.1 | | | 29 | % |
Selling, general and administrative | 25.7 | | | 27.5 | | | (1.8) | | | (7) | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | 7.2 | | | 4.2 | | | 3.0 | | | 71 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating income | 2.9 | | | 19.8 | | | (16.9) | | | (85) | % |
Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit loss (income) | (15.4) | | | 0.1 | | | (15.5) | | | (15,500) | % |
Interest expense | 0.8 | | | 0.9 | | | (0.1) | | | (11) | % |
Investment income | (7.8) | | | (6.4) | | | (1.4) | | | (22) | % |
Other expense (income), net | 0.1 | | | (1.0) | | | 1.1 | | | 110 | % |
Income before income taxes | 25.2 | | | 26.2 | | | (1.0) | | | (4) | % |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 5.7 | | | (1.9) | | | 7.6 | | | 400 | % |
Net income and comprehensive income | $ | 19.5 | | | $ | 28.1 | | | $ | (8.6) | | | (31) | % |
| | | | | | | |
Advanced Technology Costs
Advanced technology costs were $13.9 million and $10.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $3.1 million (or 29%). Advanced technology costs consist of American Centrifuge work and related expenses that are outside of our customer contracts in the Technical Solutions segment, including bid and proposal activities and work to improve our centrifuge manufacturing capability.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative costs were $25.7 million and $27.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $1.8 million (or 7%). This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in employee-related expenses, including equity related compensation.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $7.2 million and $4.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $3.0 million (or 71%). Amortization expense for the intangible asset related to the September 2014 backlog is a function of SWU sales volume under that backlog, and amortization expense for the intangible asset related to customer relationships is amortized on a straight-line basis.
Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Loss (Income)
Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit loss (income) netted to income of $15.4 million and a loss of $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a change of $15.5 million (or 15,500%). The change is primarily due to the $16.8 million remeasurement gain driven by the partial annuitization of two pension plans in May 2024. The remaining change is primarily related to the expected return on plan assets, partially offset by interest cost as the discounted present value of benefit obligations nears payment, as described in Note 8, Pension and Postretirement Health and Life Benefits of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense was $5.7 million and income tax benefit was $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a change of $7.6 million (or 400%). Income tax expense (benefit) for both periods resulted from applying the annual effective tax rate to the quarterly income from continuing operations adjusted for discrete items. In addition, a decrease to the federal tax valuation allowance of $7.7 million was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. For more information about the valuation allowance, see Note 14, Income Taxes, in our Consolidated Financial Statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Net Income and Comprehensive Income
Net income was $19.5 million and $28.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $8.6 million (or 31%). The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $22.1 million in gross profit in the LEU segment and an increase in income tax expense of $7.6 million, partially offset by an increase of $15.5 million in nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income and an increase of $9.5 million in gross profit from the Technical Solutions segment.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had a consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance of $194.3 million. In addition, there was $29.8 million of restricted cash related to three inventory loans, which required a cash deposit into an escrow fund. See Note 3, Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company anticipates having adequate liquidity to support our business operations for at least the next 12 months from the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our view of liquidity is dependent on, among other things, conditions affecting our operations, including market, international trade restrictions, sanctions and other conditions, the impact of the May 2024 enactment of the Import Ban Act and our ability to obtain additional waivers thereunder, the level of expenditures and government funding for our services contracts, and the timing of customer payments. Liquidity requirements for our existing operations are affected primarily by the timing and amount of customer sales and our inventory purchases.
The Company believes its LEU segment backlog is a source of stability for our liquidity position. Subject to market conditions, we see the potential for growing uncommitted demand for LEU during the next few years with accelerated open demand in 2025 and beyond.
Cash resources and net sales proceeds from our LEU segment fund technology costs that are outside of our customer contracts in the Technical Solutions segment and general corporate expenses, including cash interest payments on our debt. We believe our investment in advanced U.S. uranium enrichment technology will position the Company to meet the needs of our customers as they deploy advanced reactors and require next generation fuels.
On November 10, 2022, the Company was awarded the HALEU Operation Contract. The HALEU Operation Contract provides for a 50/50 cost-share contract for Phase 1 of the base contract to complete the cascade, begin operations and produce the initial, small quantity demonstration HALEU. Phase 2 includes continued operations and maintenance on a cost-plus-incentive-fee basis. Finally, the HALEU Operation Contract includes options for the government to unilaterally extend performance for up to an additional nine years comprised of three options of three years each, also on a cost-plus-incentive-fee basis. The Company also is performing additional work on infrastructure and facility repairs and costs associated with 5B Cylinder refurbishment under the DOE’s technical direction. The Company’s goal is to modularly scale up the facility as demand for HALEU grows in the commercial and government sectors, subject to the availability of funding and/or contracts to purchase the output of the plant.
Although the Company believes demand for HALEU will emerge over the next several years, there are no guarantees about whether or when government or commercial demand for HALEU will materialize, and there are a number of technical, regulatory, and economic hurdles that must be overcome for these fuels and the reactors that will use these fuels to come to market. For further discussion, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
If funding by the U.S. government of gas centrifuge technology is reduced or discontinued, or we are not awarded a future DOE contract to continue to operate the cascade or expand it, such actions may have a material adverse impact on our ability to deploy the American Centrifuge technology and on our liquidity.
Capital expenditures of approximately $22.5 million are anticipated over the next 12 months.
On October 12, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with an insurer (“Insurer”) for one of its defined benefit plans to purchase a group annuity contract and transferred approximately $186.5 million of its pension plan obligations to the insurer. The purchase of the group annuity contract was funded directly by the assets of the pension plan of approximately $171.4 million. The purchase resulted in a transfer of benefit administrative responsibilities for approximately 1,400 beneficiaries effective December 1, 2023. The Company recorded income related to the pension settlement in the fourth quarter of $28.6 million, which was included in Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Income in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with an insurer (“Insurer”) for two of its defined benefit plans to purchase a group annuity contract and transferred approximately $234 million of its pension plan obligations to the insurer. The purchase of the group annuity contract was funded directly by the assets of the pension plan of approximately $224 million. The purchase resulted in a transfer of future benefit obligations and administrative responsibilities for more than 1,000 beneficiaries effective September 1, 2024.
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company transferred $15.4 million of pension plan assets and the related obligations under two participating group annuity contracts to two non-participating group additional agreements for two of its defined benefit plans. The purchase resulted in a transfer of future benefit obligations and administrative responsibilities for more than 400 beneficiaries effective October 1, 2024.
The Company recognized income related to these events of $0.2 million $16.8 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, in Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Loss (Income) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We are also actively considering and expect to consider potential strategic transactions from time to time, which at any given time may be in various stages of discussion, diligence, or negotiation. These could involve, without limitation, acquisitions and/or dispositions of businesses or assets, joint ventures or investments in businesses, products or technologies, or changes to our capital structure. In connection with any such transaction, we would seek to satisfy these needs through a combination of working capital, cash generated from operations, or additional debt or equity financing.
The change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are as follows on a summarized basis (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Cash used in operating activities | $ | (20.9) | | | $ | (8.8) | |
Cash used in investing activities | (3.4) | | | (1.1) | |
Cash provided by financing activities | 17.4 | | | 13.9 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | — | | | (0.6) | |
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (6.9) | | | $ | 3.4 | |
Operating Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $20.9 million. The net decrease was primarily due to approximately $262 million of disbursements for operations, of which approximately $203 million relates to payments for LEU inventory deliveries and cash outflows for the Technical Solutions segment, with the remaining disbursements being for corporate administration, benefits claims, and advanced technology costs. These cash outflows were partially offset by approximately $241 million in cash collections, the majority of which is customer collections.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $8.8 million. The net decrease was primarily due to approximately $251 million of disbursements for operations, of which approximately $200 million relates to payments for LEU inventory deliveries and cash outflows for the Technical Solutions segment, with the remaining disbursements being for corporate administration, benefits claims, and advanced technology costs. These cash outflows were partially offset by approximately $242 million in cash collected from customers, investment income, and reimbursements for postretirement health and life benefits paid by the Company.
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures were $3.4 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Financing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, cash of $23.4 million and $23.2 million, respectively, was provided from the net proceeds related to the issuance of 567,491 and 722,568 shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock under ATM offerings. For both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, payments of $6.1 million of interest classified as debt are classified as a financing activity. Refer to Note 6, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the accounting for the 8.25% Notes maturing in February 2027.
Working Capital
The following table summarizes the Company’s working capital (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 194.3 | | | $ | 201.2 | |
Accounts receivable | 19.1 | | | 49.4 | |
Inventories, net | 189.9 | | | 222.1 | |
Current debt | (6.1) | | | (6.1) | |
Deferred revenue and advances from customers, net of deferred costs | (147.7) | | | (165.0) | |
Other current assets and liabilities, net | (49.5) | | | (87.3) | |
Working capital | $ | 200.0 | | | $ | 214.3 | |
We are managing our working capital to seek to improve the long-term value of our LEU and Technical Solutions businesses and are planning to continue funding the Company’s qualified pension plans because we believe these uses of working capital are in the best interest of all stakeholders. We expect that any other uses of working capital will be undertaken in light of these strategic priorities and will be based on the Company’s determination as to the relative strength of its operating performance and prospects, financial position, and expected liquidity requirements. In addition, we expect that any such other uses of working capital will be subject to compliance with contractual restrictions to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject, including the terms and conditions of our 8.25% Notes. We continually evaluate alternatives to manage our capital structure and may opportunistically repurchase, exchange, or redeem Company securities from time to time.
2023 Shelf Registration
The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272984) with the SEC on June 28, 2023, which became effective on July 10, 2023. Pursuant to this shelf registration statement, the Company may offer and sell up to $200 million in securities, in aggregate. The Company retains broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered.
Common Stock Issuance
On February 9, 2024, the Company entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc., Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC and Roth Capital Partners, LLC (collectively, the “Agents”), relating to the ATM offering of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. Pursuant to this sales agreement, the Company sold an aggregate of 115,661 and 567,491 shares of its Class A Common Stock at the market price in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, for a total of $4.6 million and $24.5 million, respectively. After expenses and commissions paid to the Agents, the Company’s proceeds totaled $4.5 million and $23.8 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. Additionally, the Company recorded direct costs of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, related to the issuance. The shares of Class A Common Stock were issued pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272984), which became effective on July 10, 2023, and a prospectus supplement dated February 9, 2024.
Pursuant to a separate sales agreement with its Agents, the Company sold, through its ATM offering at the market price, an aggregate of 0 and 722,568 shares of its Class A Common Stock in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, for a total of $0 and $24.4 million, respectively. After expenses and commissions paid to the Agents, the Company’s proceeds totaled $0 and $23.4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Additionally, the Company recorded direct costs of $0 and $0.2 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, related to the issuance. The shares of Class A Common Stock were issued pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-239242), which became effective on August 5, 2020, and two prospectus supplements dated December 31, 2020 and December 5, 2022, respectively.
Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement, the Company has used and/or intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of its securities offered under these prospectuses for working capital and general corporate purposes including, but not limited to, capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness, potential acquisitions and other business opportunities. Pending any specific application, the Company may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of indebtedness.
Rights Agreement
On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Section 382 Rights Agreement, which amends the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2016 , by and among the Company, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc., as rights agent, as previously amended by (i) the First Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of February 14, 2017, (ii) the Second Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of April 3, 2019, (iii) the Third Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of April 13, 2020, (iv) the Fourth Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of June 16, 2021, and (v) the Fifth Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of June 20, 2023.
The Fifth Amendment to the Rights Agreement (i) increased the purchase price for each one one-thousandth (1/1000th) of a share of the Company’s Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, from $18.00 to $160.38; and (ii) extended the Final Expiration Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2026.
The Fifth Amendment was not adopted as a result of, or in response to, any effort to acquire control of the Company. The Fifth Amendment was adopted in order to preserve for the Company’s stockholders the long-term value of the Company’s NOL carryforwards for United States federal income tax purposes and other tax benefits.
The Sixth Amendment was approved by the Board on May 28, 2024 and makes clarifying changes relating to the definition of “Beneficial Owner”, “beneficially owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” contained in the Rights Agreement.
Capital Structure and Financial Resources
Interest on the 8.25% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears as of February 28 and August 31 based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 8.25% Notes are guaranteed on a subordinated and limited basis by, and secured by substantially all assets of, Enrichment Corp. The 8.25% Notes mature on February 28, 2027. Additional terms and conditions of the 8.25% Notes are described in Note 6, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 8, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Contractual Commitments
There have been no material changes to our contractual commitments from those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
DOE Technology License
We have a non-exclusive license in DOE inventions that pertain to enriching uranium using gas centrifuge technology. The license agreement with DOE provides for annual royalty payments based on a varying percentage (1% up to 2%) of our annual revenues from sales of the SWU component of LEU produced by us using DOE centrifuge technology. There is a minimum annual royalty payment of $100,000 and the maximum cumulative royalty over the life of the license is $100 million. There is currently no commercial enrichment facility producing LEU using DOE centrifuge technology. We are continuing to advance our U.S. centrifuge technology that has evolved from DOE inventions at specialized facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee with a view to deploying a commercial enrichment facility over the long term.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than our SWU purchase commitments and the license agreement with DOE relating to the American Centrifuge technology, there were no material off-balance sheet arrangements at September 30, 2024.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no significant changes to the critical accounting estimates disclosed in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.