Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

ACQUISITION OF AK STEEL

ACQUISITION OF AK STEEL

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

Transaction Overview

On March 13, 2020, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we completed the acquisition of AK Steel, in which we were the acquirer. As a result of the Merger, each share of AK Steel common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than excluded shares) was converted into the right to receive 0.400 Cliffs common shares and, if applicable, cash in lieu of any fractional Cliffs common shares.

The acquisition combined Cliffs, North America’s largest producer of iron ore pellets, with AK Steel, a leading producer of innovative flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, to create a vertically integrated producer of value-added iron ore and steel products. The combination is expected to create significant opportunities to generate additional value from market trends across the entire steel value chain and enable more consistent, predictable performance through normal market cycles. Together, Cliffs and AK Steel have a presence across the entire manufacturing process, from mining to pelletizing to the development and production of finished high value steel products, including

Next Generation Advanced High Strength Steels for automotive and other markets. The combination is expected to generate cost synergies, primarily from consolidating corporate functions, reducing duplicative overhead costs, and procurement and energy cost savings, as well as operational and supply chain efficiencies. The combined company is well positioned to provide high-value iron ore and steel solutions to customers primarily across North America.

Total net revenues for AK Steel for the most recent pre-acquisition year ended December 31, 2019 were $6,359.4 million. Following the acquisition, the operating results of AK Steel were included in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and are reported as part of our Steel and Manufacturing segment. For the period subsequent to the acquisition (March 13, 2020 through March 31, 2020), AK Steel's Revenues were $217.5 million and Net loss attributable to Cliffs shareholders was $55.1 million, which includes $23.2 million and $17.6 million related to amortization of the fair value inventory step-up and severance costs, respectively.

Additionally, we incurred acquisition costs of $23.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, which were recorded in Acquisition-related costs on the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations.

Refer to NOTE 7 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES for information regarding debt transactions executed in connection with the Merger.

The Merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $1.5 billion. The following tables summarize the consideration paid for AK Steel and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

The fair value of the total purchase consideration was determined as follows:



	(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
Fair value of Cliffs common shares issued for AK Steel outstanding common stock	$	617.6
Fair value of replacement equity awards	4.3
Fair value of AK Steel debt	913.6
Total transaction consideration	$	1,535.5

The fair value of Cliffs common shares issued for outstanding shares of AK Steel common stock and with respect to Cliffs common shares underlying converted AK Steel equity awards that vested upon completion of the Merger is calculated as follows:



	(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
Number of shares of AK Steel common stock issued and outstanding	316.9
Exchange ratio	0.400
Shares of Cliffs common shares issued to AK Steel stockholders	126.8
Price per share of Cliffs common shares	$	4.87
Fair value of Cliffs common shares issued for AK Steel outstanding common stock	$	617.6

The fair value of AK Steel's debt included in the consideration is calculated as follows:



	(In Millions)
Credit Facility	$	590.0
7.50% Senior Secured Notes due July 2023	323.6
Fair value of debt included in consideration	$	913.6

Valuation Assumption and Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

We estimated fair values at March 13, 2020 for the preliminary allocation of consideration to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the measurement period, we will continue to obtain information to assist in finalizing the fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which may differ materially from these preliminary estimates. If we determine any measurement period adjustments are material, we will apply those adjustments, including any related impacts to net income, in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. We are in the process of conducting a valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the acquisition, most notably, inventories, including manufacturing supplies and critical spares, personal and real property, leases, deferred taxes, investments, asset retirement obligations, OPEB liabilities and intangible assets/liabilities, and the final allocation will be made when completed, including the result of any identified goodwill. Accordingly, the provisional measurements noted below are preliminary and subject to modification in the future.

The preliminary purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Merger was:



	(In Millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	37.7
Accounts receivable	666.0
Inventories	1,562.8
Other current assets	67.5
Property, plant and equipment	2,184.4
Intangible assets	163.0
Right-of-use asset, operating lease	225.9
Other non-current assets	85.9
Accounts payable	(636.3		)
Accrued liabilities	(222.5		)
Other current liabilities	(181.8		)
Long-term debt	(1,179.4		)
Deferred income taxes	(19.7		)
Operating lease liability, non-current	(188.1		)
Intangible liability	(140.0		)
Pension and OPEB liabilities	(873.0		)
Asset retirement obligations	(13.9		)
Other non-current liabilities	(144.2		)
Net identifiable assets acquired	$	1,394.3
Goodwill	141.2
Total net assets acquired	$	1,535.5

The goodwill resulting from the acquisition of AK Steel was assigned to Precision Partners, our downstream tooling and stamping operations, and AK Tube, our tubing operations, that are reporting units included in the Steel and Manufacturing segment. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable assets recognized and primarily represents the growth opportunities in lightweighting solutions to automotive customers, as well as any synergistic benefits to be realized from the acquisition of AK Steel. None of the goodwill is expected be deductible for income tax purposes.

The preliminary purchase price allocated to identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired was:



	(In Millions)			Weighted Average Life (In Years)
Intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	91.0		18
Developed technology	61.0			17
Trade names and trademarks	11.0			10
Total identifiable intangible assets	$	163.0		17
Intangible liability:
Above-market supply contract	$	(140.0	)	13

The above-market supply contract relates to a long-term coke supply agreement with SunCoke Middletown, a consolidated variable interest entity. Refer to NOTE 18 - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES for further information.

Pro Forma Results

The following table provides unaudited pro forma financial information, prepared in accordance with Topic 805, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, as if AK Steel had been acquired as of January 1, 2019:



	(In Millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Revenues	$	1,526.4		$	1,787.3
Net loss attributable to Cliffs shareholders	$	(17.4	)	$	(79.7	)

The unaudited pro forma financial information has been calculated after applying our accounting policies and adjusting the historical results with pro forma adjustments, net of tax, that assume the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2019. Significant pro forma adjustments include the following:


1.	The elimination of intercompany revenues between Cliffs and AK Steel of $67.8 million and $67.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.


2.	The 2020 pro forma net income was adjusted to exclude $23.2 million of non-recurring inventory acquisition accounting adjustments incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The 2019 pro forma net income was adjusted to include $84.8 million of non-recurring inventory acquisition accounting adjustments.


3.	The elimination of nonrecurring transaction costs incurred by Cliffs and AK Steel in connection with the Merger of $26.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.


4.	Total other pro forma adjustments included income of $13.1 million and $4.2 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, primarily due to reduced interest and amortization expense, offset partially by additional depreciation expense.


5.	The income tax impact of pro forma transaction adjustments that affect Net loss attributable to Cliffs shareholders at a statutory rate of 24.3% resulted in an income tax expense of $11.6 million and an income tax benefit of $18.3 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The unaudited pro forma financial information does not reflect the potential realization of revenue synergies or cost savings, nor does it reflect other costs relating to the integration of the two companies. This unaudited pro forma financial information should not be considered indicative of the results that would have actually occurred if the acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2019, nor are they indicative of future results.