Exhibit 99(b)
NEWS RELEASE
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
1100 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2589
.
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS REPORTS
1998 THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS
---------------------------
Cleveland, OH -- October 21, 1998 -- Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:CLF)
today reported 1998 third quarter earnings of $20.1 million, or $1.78 per
diluted share. Comparable earnings, before special items, in the third quarter
of 1997 were $15.5 million, or $1.36 per diluted share. Net income for the third
quarter of 1997 included a $5.6 million tax credit resulting from the settlement
of prior years' tax issues.
Earnings for the first nine months of 1998 were $37.5 million, or $3.30
per diluted share. Comparable earnings, before special items, in the first nine
months of 1997 were $28.6 million, or $2.50 per diluted share. Net income for
the first nine months of 1997 included the $5.6 million special tax credit
recorded in the third quarter and an after-tax credit of $2.8 million resulting
from the second quarter reversal of an excess accrual for closedown obligations
of the Savage River Mine in Australia.
Following is a summary of results:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Millions, Except Per Share)
-------------------------------
Third Quarter First Nine Months
------------- -----------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Before Special Items:
Amount $20.1 $15.5 $37.5 $28.6
Per Share (Basic) 1.80 1.37 3.33 2.52
Per Share (Diluted) 1.78 1.36 3.30 2.50
Special Items:
Amount -- 5.6 -- 8.4
Per Share (Basic) -- .49 -- .74
Per Share (Diluted) -- .49 -- .74
Net Income:
Amount 20.1 21.1 37.5 37.0
Per Share (Basic) 1.80 1.86 3.33 3.26
Per Share (Diluted) 1.78 1.85 3.30 3.24
</TABLE>
The $4.6 million, or 30 percent, increase in third quarter earnings,
before special items, was mainly due to higher North American sales volume and
price realization, higher royalties and management fees, lower administrative
expenses and a lower effective tax rate. Partly offsetting were higher ferrous
metallics and international development expenses and an increase in the reserve
for accounts receivable.
The $8.9 million, or 31 percent, increase in nine-month earnings, before
special items, was principally due to higher North American sales volume and
price realization, higher royalties and management fees, lower interest expense
and a lower effective tax rate. Partly offsetting were higher ferrous metallics
and international development expenses and non-recurring 1997 Savage River
earnings. Savage River, which produced its last iron ore pellets
in December, 1996, earned $2.9 million in the first nine months of 1997 on sales
of its remaining inventory.
Cliffs' North American iron ore pellet sales in the third quarter of
1998 were a record 4.4 million tons, a 26 percent increase from the 3.5 million
tons sold in the third quarter of 1997. Sales of 9.0 million tons in the first
nine months of 1998 were also a record and 36 percent higher than the 6.6
million tons sold in the first nine months of 1997.
As a result of deteriorating conditions in the North American steel
industry, full year 1998 sales are expected to be lower than previously
estimated, but should be between 12.0 and 12.5 million tons. This would
establish a new record, exceeding the 10.4 million tons sold in 1997 and the
previous record of 11.0 million tons sold in 1996. Fourth quarter 1998 sales
will be lower than the 3.8 million tons sold in the fourth quarter of 1997.
On September 28, 1998, Acme Metals Incorporated, a partner in the
Cliffs-managed Wabush Mine in Canada and an iron ore customer, petitioned for
protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. At the time of the
filing, Cliffs had a $1.2 million trade receivable from Acme. In recognition of
growing concerns about steel industry conditions, a $1.2 million charge ($.9
million after-tax) was recorded in September, to raise the total reserve for
trade receivables to $2.2 million. Since its filing, Acme has maintained
operations with debtor-in-possession financing and has continued its
relationship with Cliffs. Iron ore sales to Acme have historically accounted for
less than 5 percent of Cliffs' annual sales volume.
Administrative expenses decreased by $2.0 million in the third quarter
of 1998 versus 1997 principally due to the lower cost of Performance Share
grants, a key component of senior management compensation. Lower interest
expense in the third quarter and first nine months resulted from increased
capitalization of interest on Cliffs' share of construction costs of the Cliffs
and Associates Limited reduced iron project. Other expenses were higher in both
periods due to increased costs of ferrous metallics and international
development activities and the $1.2 million increase in the reserve for accounts
receivable.
Cliffs-managed mines produced 10.8 million tons of iron ore pellets in
the third quarter of 1998 compared with 10.0 million tons in 1997. Nine-month
production was 30.2 million tons in 1998, up from 29.2 million tons in 1997. For
the full year 1998, the six mines are expected to produce a record 40.3 million
tons, with Cliffs' share being a record 11.5 million tons. In 1997, the mines
produced 39.6 million tons, with Cliffs' share being 10.9 million tons. The
increases in 1998 are mainly due to higher production at the Tilden Mine.
Following is a summary of 1998 production tonnage by mine:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In Millions)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Nine Month Full Year
Actual Estimate
------------------------- ------------------------
Total Cliffs' Share Total Cliffs' Share
----- ------------- ----- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Empire 6.1 1.4 8.3 1.9
Hibbing 5.9 .9 7.8 1.2
LTV Steel Mining 5.5 -- 7.2 --
Northshore 3.2 3.2 4.3 4.3
Tilden 5.0 2.0 6.8 2.8
Wabush 4.5 1.0 5.9 1.3
---- --- ---- ----
30.2 8.5 40.3 11.5
==== === ==== ====
</TABLE>
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All mines are currently operating at capacity levels, with the exception of LTV
Steel Mining, which is reducing production by .3 million tons to lower full year
output to 7.2 million tons.
During the third quarter of 1998, the Company repurchased 177,100 shares
of its common stock at a total cost of $8.3 million. Since the inception of the
stock repurchase program in 1995, 1,130,500 shares have been repurchased at a
total cost of $46.7 million. At September 30, there were 11,148,453 shares
outstanding.
FERROUS METALLICS ACTIVITIES
CLIFFS AND ASSOCIATES LIMITED ("CAL") -- Construction of the hot-briquetted iron
(HBI) project in Trinidad and Tobago with LTV Corporation and Lurgi AG has been
progressing well and completion is expected by the end of the year. Operations
planning and employee training activities are proceeding with the operating
group preparing for commissioning and start-up in the first quarter of 1999. A
training simulator is being utilized to prepare technicians to operate the plant
under various conditions. The plant is projected to achieve its design capacity
rate of 500,000 metric tons per year in mid-1999. Demand for and market prices
of ferrous metallics products in North America continue to deteriorate in large
part due to the availability of substantial quantities of low-priced imported
pig iron.
NORTHSHORE "REDSMELT" PIG IRON PROJECT -- The Company continues to evaluate an
investment in a plant at Cliffs' wholly-owned Northshore Mine in Minnesota that
would produce 700,000 metric tons annually of a premium grade pig iron. While
good progress has been made in a number of areas, uncertainty over state
environmental permitting and market conditions has postponed a decision on
whether or not to proceed with the project.
OUTLOOK
Commenting on the business outlook, Cliffs' President and Chief
Executive Officer John S. Brinzo said, "Steel production in the United States
and Canada, which was fairly strong through the first half of 1998, took a
sudden turn for the worse in the third quarter. Record levels of low-priced
steel imports are wreaking havoc on the industry, adversely impacting order
rates, capacity utilization rates, shipment volumes and profits of virtually
every steelmaker in North America. Competition is fierce and steel prices have
collapsed as producers fight to hold volume. Steel inventories have soared
causing cutbacks in steel production."
In late September, steel producers in the United States and Canada filed
complaints against foreign competitors for unfair trade practices. While
successful resolution of the filings should benefit the steelmakers in the long
run, the outlook for the remainder of 1998 and some part of 1999 is for import
penetration to continue at a relatively high level, causing steel demand to
remain low and steel prices weak.
Cliffs-managed mines are currently planning to start the year 1999
operating at capacity levels; however, production levels can be reduced during
the year. It is anticipated that Cliffs' 1999 sales volume will be less than
1998 sales. Reflecting the difficult business environment, Cliffs and the mines
are reviewing cost reduction initiatives.
Mr. Brinzo added, "Given the state of the iron and steel business,
Cliffs' strong financial position and emphasis on multi-year sales contracts
with a diversified customer base is
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proving beneficial to all stakeholders. It should also be noted that Cliffs'
earnings from royalties and management fees, which typically represent more than
half of pre-tax earnings, are relatively stable over the business cycle. Our
financial strength and unique profile of contractual earnings enable us to deal
with adverse business conditions while we employ the Company's financial
resources to build shareholder value. We remain focused on building a company
that through business cycles delivers both superior performance and higher
sustainable growth."
* * *
Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest supplier of iron ore products to the
North American steel industry and is developing a significant ferrous metallics
business. Subsidiaries of the Company manage six iron ore mines in North America
and hold equity interests in five of the mines. Cliffs has a major iron ore
reserve position in the United States, is a substantial iron ore merchant, and
is constructing a joint venture plant in Trinidad to produce high-quality iron
briquettes.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding iron ore
production and sales volume which reflect forecasts of activity in the steel and
iron ore industries. Actual production and sales volume could differ
significantly from current expectations due to inherent risks such as lower
steel and iron ore demand, higher steel imports, or other factors. This news
release also contains a projection of the construction completion date and
profitability of the Cliffs and Associates Limited project which could change
due to inherent risks such as construction delays, process difficulties, product
pricing, or other factors. Although the Company believes that the
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to
differ materially.
Contacts:
Media: David L. Gardner, (216) 694-5407
Financial Community: Fred B. Rice, (800) 214-0739 or (216) 694-5459
To obtain faxed copies of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc news releases dial
1-800-778-3888. News releases and other information on the Company are available
on the Internet at http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/clf.htm.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
Three Months Nine Months
Ended Sept. 30 Ended Sept. 30
---------------------------- ----------------------------
(In Millions Except Per Share Amounts) 1998 1997 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Product sales and services $ 158.1 $ 133.1 $ 328.5 $ 256.3
Royalties and management fees 15.5 13.7 36.8 34.4
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Operating Revenues 173.6 146.8 365.3 290.7
Investment income (securities) 1.5 1.0 3.7 4.4
Recovery of excess closedown provision - - - 4.3
Other income .6 1.1 2.4 2.9
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
TOTAL REVENUES 175.7 148.9 371.4 302.3
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of goods sold and operating expenses 140.6 118.3 297.9 235.4
Administrative, selling and general expenses 3.4 5.4 13.0 12.6
Interest expense .1 .5 .4 2.2
Other expenses 4.4 1.6 9.4 5.1
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES 148.5 125.8 320.7 255.3
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 27.2 23.1 50.7 47.0
INCOME TAXES
Currently payable 4.1 8.0 7.6 11.3
Deferred 3.0 (6.0) 5.6 (1.3)
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
TOTAL INCOME TAXES 7.1 2.0 13.2 10.0
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
NET INCOME $ 20.1 $ 21.1 $ 37.5 $ 37.0
============ ============= ============ ============
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic $ 1.80 $ 1.86 $ 3.33 $ 3.26
Diluted $ 1.78 $ 1.85 $ 3.30 $ 3.24
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
Basic 11.2 11.4 11.3 11.4
Diluted 11.3 11.5 11.4 11.5
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
Three Months Nine Months
Ended Sept. 30 Ended Sept. 30
---------------------- ----------------------
(In Millions, Brackets Indicate Decrease in Cash) 1998 1997 1998 1997
----------------------------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 20.1 $ 21.1 $ 37.5 $ 37.0
Depreciation and amortization:
Consolidated 2.1 1.7 6.4 5.2
Share of associated companies 3.1 3.1 9.4 9.1
Decrease in Savage River closedown reserve - - - (16.1)
Provision for deferred income taxes 3.0 4.4 5.6 9.2
Tax credit - (5.6) - (5.6)
Other (.6) 2.4 (2.9) 3.0
---------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Before Changes in Operating Assets
and Liabilities 27.7 27.1 56.0 41.8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 46.3 24.2 3.6 (51.1)
---------- --------- --------- ---------
NET CASH FROM (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES 74.0 51.3 59.6 (9.3)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment:
Consolidated (12.7) (3.5) (18.8) (11.0)
Share of associated companies (5.1) (19.0) (18.9) (35.7)
Purchase of Wabush interest - - - (15.0)
Other - - 1.3 4.8
---------- --------- --------- ---------
NET CASH (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES (17.8) (22.5) (36.4) (56.9)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends (4.1) (3.7) (12.1) (11.1)
Repurchases of Common Shares (8.3) - (11.5) (1.7)
---------- --------- --------- ---------
NET CASH (USED BY) FINANCING ACTIVITIES (12.4) (3.7) (23.6) (12.8)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH - (.2) - -
---------- --------- --------- ---------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ 43.8 $ 24.9 $ (.4) $ (79.0)
========== ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLEVELAND-CLIFFS INC
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION
(In Millions)
--------------------------------------------------------
Sept. 30 June 30 Dec. 31 Sept. 30
ASSETS 1998 1998 1997 1997
--------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 115.5 $ 71.7 $ 115.9 $ 86.4
Accounts receivable - net 68.9 73.2 73.4 71.8
Inventories 54.7 87.5 61.4 78.4
Other 15.0 16.6 15.1 14.5
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 254.1 249.0 265.8 251.1
PROPERTIES - NET 146.0 134.6 134.0 133.8
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES 225.8 225.9 218.3 209.4
OTHER ASSETS 76.7 81.1 76.2 86.3
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 702.6 $ 690.6 $ 694.3 $ 680.6
============ =========== =========== ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 87.0 $ 78.0 $ 91.8 $ 90.2
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 70.0 70.0 70.0 70.0
POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT LIABILITIES 69.8 69.8 70.1 70.4
OTHER LIABILITIES 55.1 56.8 55.0 53.3
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 420.7 416.0 407.4 396.7
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 702.6 $ 690.6 $ 694.3 $ 680.6
============ =========== =========== ============
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</TABLE>
Unaudited Financial Statements
In management's opinion, the unaudited financial statements present fairly
the Company's financial position and results. All supplementary information
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements has not been included. For further information, please refer to the
Company's latest Annual Report.
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