GVA 3.31.2015 10Q

 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
 
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________
 
 
 
Commission File Number: 1-12911
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
State of Incorporation:
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number:
Delaware
77-0239383
 
Address of principal executive offices:
585 W. Beach Street
Watsonville, California 95076
(831) 724-1011
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. xYes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). xYes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes x No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of April 30, 2015.
Class
 
Outstanding
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
39,346,462



 




Index

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 101.INS 
EXHIBIT 101.SCH 
EXHIBIT 101.CAL 
EXHIBIT 101.DEF
EXHIBIT 101.LAB 
EXHIBIT 101.PRE 

 
 

2
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited - in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cash and cash equivalents ($52,884, $61,276 and $27,612 related to consolidated construction joint ventures (“CCJVs”))
 
$
239,403

 
$
255,961

 
$
205,780

Short-term marketable securities
 
19,282

 
25,504

 
41,143

Receivables, net ($39,711, $36,781 and $39,014 related to CCJVs)
 
271,328

 
310,934

 
245,281

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
 
56,907

 
36,411

 
53,311

Inventories
 
64,636

 
68,920

 
77,407

Real estate held for development and sale
 
11,609

 
11,609

 
11,742

Deferred income taxes
 
53,231

 
53,231

 
55,874

Equity in construction joint ventures
 
197,570

 
184,575

 
168,045

Other current assets
 
26,613

 
23,033

 
40,142

Total current assets
 
940,579

 
970,178

 
898,725

Property and equipment, net ($9,729, $11,969 and $19,801 related to CCJVs)
 
399,910

 
409,653

 
432,398

Long-term marketable securities
 
80,522

 
76,563

 
65,969

Investments in affiliates
 
32,031

 
32,361

 
33,336

Goodwill
 
53,799

 
53,799

 
53,799

Other noncurrent assets
 
76,687

 
77,940

 
76,944

Total assets
 
$
1,583,528

 
$
1,620,494

 
$
1,561,171

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current liabilities
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
22

 
$
21

 
$
21

Current maturities of non-recourse debt
 
6,435

 
1,226

 
1,226

Accounts payable ($14,960, $18,009 and $22,136 related to CCJVs)
 
121,013

 
151,935

 
141,241

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings ($29,963, $32,830 and $43,087 related to CCJVs)
 
95,328

 
108,992

 
125,618

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
225,255

 
200,652

 
193,307

Total current liabilities
 
448,053

 
462,826

 
461,413

Long-term debt
 
270,105

 
270,105

 
270,127

Long-term non-recourse debt
 

 
5,516

 
6,435

Other long-term liabilities
 
42,058

 
44,495

 
48,662

Deferred income taxes
 
20,615

 
20,446

 
9,803

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


 


Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 3,000,000 shares, none outstanding
 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 39,342,647 shares as of March 31, 2015, 39,186,386 shares as of December 31, 2014 and 39,098,549 shares as of March 31, 2014
 
393

 
392

 
391

Additional paid-in capital
 
133,962

 
134,177

 
126,937

Retained earnings
 
645,931

 
659,816

 
629,443

Total Granite Construction Incorporated shareholders’ equity
 
780,286

 
794,385

 
756,771

Non-controlling interests
 
22,411

 
22,721

 
7,960

Total equity
 
802,697

 
817,106

 
764,731

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
1,583,528

 
$
1,620,494

 
$
1,561,171

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2015
 
2014
Revenue
 
 
 
 
Construction
 
$
188,520

 
$
157,040

Large Project Construction
 
190,305

 
187,336

Construction Materials
 
41,424

 
35,471

Total revenue
 
420,249

 
379,847

Cost of revenue
 
 
 
 

Construction
 
166,845

 
147,896

Large Project Construction
 
172,534

 
171,543

Construction Materials
 
40,761

 
39,000

Total cost of revenue
 
380,140

 
358,439

Gross profit
 
40,109

 
21,408

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
52,203

 
49,247

Gain on sales of property and equipment
 
(811
)
 
(894
)
Operating loss
 
(11,283
)
 
(26,945
)
Other (income) expense
 
 
 
 

Interest income
 
(442
)
 
(479
)
Interest expense
 
3,496

 
3,599

Equity in loss (income) of affiliates
 
63

 
(791
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(1,284
)
 
51

Total other expense
 
1,833

 
2,380

Loss before benefit from income taxes
 
(13,116
)
 
(29,325
)
Benefit from income taxes
 
(4,506
)
 
(8,064
)
Net loss
 
(8,610
)
 
(21,261
)
Amount attributable to non-controlling interests
 
50

 
708

Net loss attributable to Granite Construction Incorporated
 
$
(8,560
)
 
$
(20,553
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders (see Note 12)
 
 
 

Basic
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.53
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.53
)
Weighted average shares of common stock
 
 
 
 

Basic
 
39,215

 
38,951

Diluted
 
39,215

 
38,951

Dividends per common share
 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited - in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(8,610
)
 
$
(21,261
)
 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 

 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
15,627

 
15,832

 
Gain on sales of property and equipment
 
(811
)
 
(894
)
 
Change in deferred income taxes
 
(14
)
 
1,613

 
Stock-based compensation
 
3,163

 
4,095

 
Equity in net income from unconsolidated joint ventures
 
(11,271
)
 
(2,562
)
 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 

 
Receivables
 
36,662

 
68,383

 
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net
 
(29,366
)
 
(43,318
)
 
Inventories
 
4,284

 
(14,933
)
 
Contributions to unconsolidated construction joint ventures
 
(20,000
)
 

 
Distributions from unconsolidated construction joint ventures
 
21,170

 
6,880

 
Other assets, net
 
(3,305
)
 
(10,167
)
 
Accounts payable
 
(28,609
)
 
(19,629
)
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, net
 
14,162

 
(3,816
)
 
Net cash used in operating activities
 
(6,918
)
 
(19,777
)
 
Investing activities
 
 

 
 

 
Purchases of marketable securities
 
(9,988
)
 
(10,000
)
 
Maturities of marketable securities
 
10,000

 
5,000

 
Proceeds from called marketable securities
 
5,000

 
15,000

 
Purchases of property and equipment
 
(7,607
)
 
(10,375
)
 
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
 
1,089

 
1,360

 
Other investing activities, net
 
383

 
39

 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(1,123
)
 
1,024

 
Financing activities
 
 

 
 

 
Cash dividends paid
 
(5,094
)
 
(5,083
)
 
Purchases of common stock
 
(3,191
)
 
(4,278
)
 
(Distributions to) contributions from non-controlling partners
 
(270
)
 
4,278

 
Other financing activities
 
38

 
495

 
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(8,517
)
 
(4,588
)
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(16,558
)
 
(23,341
)
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
255,961

 
229,121

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
239,403

 
$
205,780

 
Supplementary Information
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
612

 
$
624

 
Income taxes
 
202

 
1,551

 
Other non-cash activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Performance guarantees
 
$
4,736

 
$
(438
)
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
Restricted stock units issued, net of forfeitures
 
$
5,281

 
$
6,273

 
Accrued cash dividends
 
5,115

 
5,083

 
Accrued equipment purchases
 
2,313

 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


1.
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Granite Construction Incorporated (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “Granite”) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted, although we believe the disclosures which are made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Further, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly our financial position at March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the results of our operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The December 31, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
Our operations are typically affected more by weather conditions during the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year which may alter our construction schedules and can create variability in our revenues and profitability. Therefore, the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
We prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our annual consolidated financial statements, except as follows:
Change in Accounting Policy for Affirmative Claims
Unresolved contract modifications and claims to recover additional costs to which the Company believes it is entitled under the terms of the projects’ contracts are pending or have been submitted on certain projects. The projects’ owners or their authorized representatives and/or other third parties may be in partial or full agreement with the request or proposed modification, or may have rejected or disagree entirely as to such entitlement.
Effective January 1, 2015, we changed our accounting policy for recognizing revenue associated with affirmative claims with customers. Revenue is now recognized to the extent of costs incurred when it is probable that a claim settlement with a customer will result in additional revenue and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Prior to this change in accounting policy, we recognized revenue from affirmative claims with customers when the claims were settled, generally when a legally binding agreement was signed. We believe this change in accounting policy is preferable as it more accurately reflects the timing and amount of revenue earned on our projects, as well as providing better comparability to our industry peers.
Recognizing claim recoveries requires significant judgments and estimates. During the first quarter of 2015, we implemented new and refined internal controls and processes to enable the reasonable estimation of claims.
Given that these internal controls and processes were not fully implemented until the first quarter of 2015, and we do not believe that it is possible to objectively distinguish information about claims estimates in prior periods from information that subsequently became available, it is impractical to independently and objectively substantiate judgments and estimates that would have been made with respect to claims in prior periods. Therefore, it is not possible to reasonably determine the estimated amounts of and prior reporting periods in which past claims would have met the criteria for recognition under our new accounting policy. Accordingly, we have adopted this accounting policy change prospectively beginning on January 1, 2015.
The effect of adopting the new accounting policy for customer claims was an increase in revenue and gross profit of $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and there were no customer claims settled during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Gross profit associated with claims against non-customers, such as vendors, designers or subcontractors, continues to be recognized when settled. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no claim settlements with non-customers. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, gross profit from claim settlements with non-customers was $7.9 million.
The potential increase or decrease to gross profit from recoveries for contract modifications and claims may be material in future periods when claims, or a portion of such claims, against customers become probable and estimable, estimates are revised or when claims against other third parties are settled. In addition, the Company may incur additional costs when pursuing such potential recoveries.

6
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU will be effective commencing with our quarter ending March 31, 2017. We are currently assessing the potential impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which provides guidance for consolidation of certain legal entities. The guidance changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The ASU will be effective commencing with our quarter ending March 31, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The ASU will be effective commencing with our quarter ending March 31, 2016. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which provides guidance on accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. A cloud computing arrangement that contains a software license will be accounted for consistently with the acquisition of other software licenses. If no software license is present in the contract, the entity should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The ASU will be effective commencing with our quarter ending March 31, 2016. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3.
Revisions in Estimates
Our profit recognition related to construction contracts is based on estimates of costs to complete each project. These estimates can vary significantly in the normal course of business as projects progress, circumstances develop and evolve, and uncertainties are resolved. We recognize revenue associated with unapproved change orders and, effective in the first quarter of 2015, affirmative claims to the extent the related costs have been incurred, the amount can be reliably estimated and recovery is probable. Prior to 2015, we recognized revenue on affirmative claims when we had a signed agreement. See Note 1 for further discussion.
We recognize revisions to estimated total costs as soon as the obligation to perform is determined. When we experience significant changes in our estimates of costs to complete, we undergo a process that includes reviewing the nature of the changes to ensure that there are no material amounts that should have been recorded in a prior period rather than as a revision in estimates for the current period. In our review of these changes for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not identify any amounts that should have been recorded in a prior period. We use the cumulative catch-up method applicable to construction contract accounting to account for revisions in estimates. Under this method, revisions in estimates are accounted for in their entirety in the period of change. There can be no assurance that we will not experience future changes in circumstances or otherwise be required to revise our profitability estimates.
Revenue in an amount equal to cost incurred is recognized if there is not sufficient information to determine the estimated profit on the project with a reasonable level of certainty. The gross profit impact from projects that reached initial profit recognition is not included in the tables below. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the gross profit impact from projects that reached initial profit recognition was $7.6 million and $4.0 million, respectively.
Construction
There were three and two revisions in estimates that individually had an impact of $1.0 million or more on gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The impact to gross profit during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was a $4.8 million increase, ranging from $1.0 million to $2.2 million, due to estimated cost recovery from claims. The impact to gross profit during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was a $3.5 million decrease, ranging from $1.3 million to $2.2 million, due to additional costs and lower productivity than originally anticipated.

7
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Large Project Construction
The net changes in project profitability from revisions in estimates, both increases and decreases, that individually had an impact of $1.0 million or more on gross profit were a net decrease of $0.8 million and a net increase of $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amounts attributable to non-controlling interests were $0.5 million of the net decrease and $0.7 million of the net increase for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The projects are summarized as follows:
Increases
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)
 
2015
 
 
2014
Number of projects with upward estimate changes
 
2

 
 
5

Range of increase in gross profit from each project, net
$
1.1 - 1.9

 
$
1.3 - 7.9

Increase in project profitability
$
3.0

 
$
16.1

The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was due to estimated cost recovery from claims. The increases during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were due to a claim settlement with a vendor and owner-directed scope changes.
Decreases
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in millions)
 
2015
 
 
2014
Number of projects with downward estimate changes
 
3

 
 
2

Range of reduction in gross profit from each project, net
$
1.1 - 1.3

 
$
3.4 - 4.5

Decrease in project profitability
$
3.8

 
$
7.9

The decreases during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were due to additional costs and lower productivity than originally anticipated.

8
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4.
Marketable Securities
All marketable securities were classified as held-to-maturity for the dates presented and the carrying amounts of held-to-maturity securities were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
U.S. Government and agency obligations
 
$
9,290

 
$
10,511

 
$
6,157

Commercial paper 
 
9,992

 
14,993

 
34,986

Total short-term marketable securities
 
19,282

 
25,504

 
41,143

U.S. Government and agency obligations
 
80,522

 
76,563

 
65,969

Total long-term marketable securities
 
80,522

 
76,563

 
65,969

Total marketable securities
 
$
99,804

 
$
102,067

 
$
107,112

Scheduled maturities of held-to-maturity investments were as follows:
(in thousands)
March 31,
2015
Due within one year
$
19,282

Due in one to five years
80,522

Total
$
99,804


9
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

5.
Fair Value Measurement
Fair value accounting standards describe three levels that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. 
The following tables summarize significant assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis for each of the fair value levels (in thousands):
 
 
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
March 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash equivalents
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market funds
 
$
54,709

 
$

 
$

 
$
54,709

Total assets
 
$
54,709

 
$

 
$

 
$
54,709

 
 
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash equivalents
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market funds
 
$
60,618

 
$

 
$

 
$
60,618

Total assets
 
$
60,618

 
$

 
$

 
$
60,618

 
 
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
March 31, 2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash equivalents  
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market funds
 
$
49,770

 
$

 
$

 
$
49,770

Total assets
 
$
49,770

 
$

 
$

 
$
49,770

A reconciliation of cash equivalents to consolidated cash and cash equivalents is as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Cash equivalents
 
$
54,709

 
$
60,618

 
$
49,770

Cash
 
184,694

 
195,343

 
156,010

Total cash and cash equivalents
 
$
239,403

 
$
255,961

 
$
205,780



10
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

In March 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $100.0 million which matures in June 2018 to convert the interest rate of our 2019 NPA (defined in Note 11) from a fixed rate of 6.11% to a floating rate of 4.15% plus six-month LIBOR. The interest rate swap is reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs, and gains or losses are recorded in other (income) expense, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, and was a gain of $1.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The fair value of the interest rate swap is recorded in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and was $1.7 million as of March 31, 2015.
In March 2014, we entered into two diesel commodity swaps covering the periods from May 2014 to October 2014 and from May 2015 to October 2015 which represented roughly 25% of our forecasted purchases for diesel during these periods.  In May 2014, we entered into two natural gas commodity swaps covering the periods from June 2014 to October 2014 and from May 2015 to October 2015 representing roughly 25% of our forecasted purchases of natural gas during these periods. The commodity swaps are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs, and gains or losses are recorded in other (income) expense, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, and was a net loss of $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The fair values of the commodity swaps are recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and were $1.9 million as of March 31, 2015.
The carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments that are not required to be recorded at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows: 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Held-to-maturity marketable securities
 
Level 1
 
$
99,804

 
$
99,811

 
$
102,067

 
$
101,808

 
$
107,112

 
$
106,864

Liabilities (including current maturities):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes payable1
 
Level 3
 
$
200,000

 
$
222,973

 
$
200,000

 
$
220,226

 
$
200,000

 
$
226,503

Credit Agreement loan1
 
Level 3
 
70,000

 
70,391

 
70,000

 
70,153

 
70,000

 
69,368

1The fair values of the senior notes payable and Credit Agreement (defined in Note 11) loan are based on borrowing rates available to us for long-term loans with similar terms, average maturities, and credit risk.
The carrying values of receivables, other current assets, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. In addition, the fair value of non-recourse debt measured using Level 3 inputs approximates its carrying value due to its relative short-term nature and competitive interest rates. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not record any fair value adjustments related to nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.


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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

6.
Receivables, net
Receivables, net at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 are as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Construction contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completed and in progress
 
$
163,671

 
$
191,094

 
$
142,289

Retentions
 
74,718

 
84,760

 
69,574

Total construction contracts
 
238,389

 
275,854

 
211,863

Construction Material sales
 
26,776

 
28,549

 
23,790

Other
 
6,504

 
6,822

 
12,212

Total gross receivables
 
271,669

 
311,225

 
247,865

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
 
341

 
291

 
2,584

Total net receivables
 
$
271,328

 
$
310,934

 
$
245,281

Receivables include amounts billed and billable to clients for services provided as of the end of the applicable period and do not bear interest. To the extent costs have not been billed or are billable, the contract balance is included in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Included in other receivables at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 were items such as notes receivable, fuel tax refunds and income tax refunds. No such receivables individually exceeded 10% of total net receivables at any of these dates.
Financing receivables consisted of retentions receivable and were included in receivables, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014. Certain construction contracts include retainage provisions. The balances billed but not paid by customers pursuant to these provisions generally become due upon completion and acceptance of the project work or products by the owners. No retention receivable individually exceeded 10% of total net receivables at any of the presented dates. As of March 31, 2015, the majority of the retentions receivable are expected to be collected within one year.
We segregate our retention receivables into two categories: escrow and non-escrow. The balances in each category were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Escrow
 
$
22,421

 
$
28,692

 
$
25,603

Non-escrow
 
52,297

 
56,068

 
43,971

Total retention receivables
 
$
74,718

 
$
84,760

 
$
69,574

The escrow receivables include amounts due to Granite which have been deposited into an escrow account and bear interest. Typically, escrow retention receivables are held until work on a project is complete and has been accepted by the owner who then releases those funds, along with accrued interest, to us. There is minimal risk of not collecting on these amounts.
As of March 31, 2015, the non-escrow retention receivables aged over 90 days decreased to $6.7 million from $8.6 million at December 31, 2014. As of both dates, our allowance for doubtful accounts contained no material provision related to non-escrow retention receivables as we determined there were no significant collectability issues.


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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

7.
Construction and Line Item Joint Ventures
We participate in various construction joint ventures, partnerships and a limited liability company of which we are a limited member (“joint ventures”). We also participate in various “line item” joint venture agreements under which each member is responsible for performing certain discrete items of the total scope of contracted work.
Due to the joint and several nature of the performance obligations under the related owner contracts, if any of the members fail to perform, we and the other members would be responsible for performance of the outstanding work. At March 31, 2015, there was approximately $6.1 billion of construction revenue to be recognized on unconsolidated and line item construction joint venture contracts of which $1.9 billion represented our share and the remaining $4.2 billion represented the other members’ share. We are not able to estimate amounts that may be required beyond the remaining cost of the work to be performed. These costs could be offset by billings to the customer or by proceeds from the other members and/or other guarantors.
Construction Joint Ventures
Generally, each construction joint venture is formed to complete a specific contract and is jointly controlled by the venture members. The associated agreements typically provide that our interests in any profits and assets, and our respective share in any losses and liabilities resulting from the performance of the contracts, are limited to our stated percentage interest in the venture. Under our contractual arrangements, we provide capital to these joint ventures in return for an ownership interest. In addition, members dedicate resources to the ventures necessary to complete the contracts and are reimbursed for their cost. The operational risks of each construction joint venture are passed along to the joint venture members. As we absorb our share of these risks, our investment in each venture is exposed to potential gains and losses.
We have determined that certain of these joint ventures are consolidated because they are variable interest entities (“VIEs”), and we are the primary beneficiary, or because they are not VIEs, and we hold the majority voting interest.
We continually evaluate whether there are changes in the status of the VIEs or changes to the primary beneficiary designation of the VIE. Based on our assessments during the three months ended March 31, 2015, we determined no change was required for existing construction joint ventures.

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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Consolidated Construction Joint Ventures
The carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of construction joint ventures we are required to consolidate are included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Cash and cash equivalents1 
 
$
52,884

 
$
61,276

 
$
27,612

Receivables, net
 
39,711

 
36,781

 
39,014

Other current assets
 
2,510

 
1,746

 
4,624

Total current assets
 
95,105

 
99,803

 
71,250

Property and equipment, net
 
9,729

 
11,969

 
19,801

Total assets2
 
$
104,834

 
$
111,772

 
$
91,051

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable 
 
$
14,960

 
$
18,009

 
$
22,136

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings1 
 
29,963

 
32,830

 
43,087

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 
 
1,530

 
2,714

 
7,074

Total liabilities2
 
$
46,453

 
$
53,553

 
$
72,297

1The volume and stage of completion of contracts from our consolidated construction joint ventures may cause fluctuations in cash and cash equivalents as well as billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings and costs in excess of billings and estimated earnings between periods.
2The assets and liabilities of each consolidated joint venture relate solely to that joint venture. The decision to distribute joint venture cash and cash equivalents and assets must generally be made jointly by a majority of the members and, accordingly, these cash and cash equivalents and assets generally are not available for the working capital needs of Granite until distributed.
At March 31, 2015, we were engaged in two active consolidated construction joint venture projects with total contract values of $32.7 million and $284.7 million. Our share of revenue remaining to be recognized on these consolidated joint ventures was $0.1 million and $38.0 million. Our proportionate share of the equity in these joint ventures was 55.0% and 65.0%. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, total revenue from consolidated construction joint ventures was $15.0 million and $32.1 million, respectively. Total operating cash flows used in consolidated construction joint ventures were $7.9 million and $22.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Unconsolidated Construction Joint Ventures
We account for our share of construction joint ventures that we are not required to consolidate on a pro rata basis in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and as a single line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2015, these unconsolidated joint ventures were engaged in eleven active projects with total contract values ranging from $73.0 million to $3.1 billion. Our proportionate share of the equity in these unconsolidated joint ventures ranged from 20.0% to 50.0%. As of March 31, 2015, our share of the revenue remaining to be recognized on these unconsolidated joint ventures ranged from $4.6 million to $663.4 million.
As of March 31, 2015, one of our unconsolidated construction joint ventures was located in Canada and, therefore, the associated disclosures throughout this footnote include amounts that were translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars using the spot rate in effect as of the reporting date for balance sheet items, and the average rate in effect during the reporting period for the results of operations. The associated foreign currency translation adjustments did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements for any of the dates or periods presented.

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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Following is summary financial information related to unconsolidated construction joint ventures:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents1
 
$
240,123

 
$
264,263

 
$
240,486

Other assets
 
721,618

 
573,898

 
581,842

Less partners’ interest
 
637,512

 
546,907

 
542,114

Granite’s interest
 
324,229

 
291,254

 
280,214

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
191,312

 
146,198

 
131,441

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings1
 
171,187

 
156,604

 
189,979

Other liabilities
 
72,026

 
55,289

 
69,745

Less partners’ interest
 
304,422

 
251,412

 
278,996

Granite’s interest
 
130,103

 
106,679

 
112,169

Equity in construction joint ventures2
 
$
194,126

 
$
184,575

 
$
168,045

 1The volume and stage of completion of contracts from our unconsolidated construction joint ventures may cause fluctuations in cash and cash equivalents as well as billings in excess of costs and costs in excess of billings and estimated earnings between periods. The decision to distribute joint venture cash and cash equivalents and assets must generally be made jointly by all of the partners and, accordingly, these cash and cash equivalents and assets generally are not available for the working capital needs of Granite until distributed.
2As of March 31, 2015, this balance included $3.4 million of deficit in construction joint ventures that is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
443,407

 
$
349,167

Less partners’ interest and adjustments1
 
308,120

 
259,857

Granite’s interest
 
135,287

 
89,310

Cost of revenue:
 
 
 
 
Total
 
410,071

 
297,461

Less partners’ interest and adjustments1
 
286,047

 
210,906

Granite’s interest
 
124,024

 
86,555

Granite’s interest in gross profit
 
$
11,263

 
$
2,755

1Partners’ interest represents amounts to reconcile total revenue and total cost of revenue as reported by our partners to Granite’s interest adjusted to reflect our accounting policies.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, unconsolidated construction joint venture net income was $33.4 million and $51.0 million, respectively, of which our share was $11.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively. These net income amounts exclude our corporate overhead required to manage the joint ventures.

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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Line Item Joint Ventures
The revenue for each line item joint venture member’s discrete items of work is defined in the contract with the project owner and each venture member bears the profitability risk associated with its own work. There is not a single set of books and records for a line item joint venture. Each member accounts for its items of work individually as it would for any self-performed contract. We include only our portion of these contracts in our condensed consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2015, we had three active line item joint venture construction projects with total contract values ranging from $42.7 million to $86.6 million of which our portion ranged from $29.1 million to $64.1 million. As of March 31, 2015, our share of revenue remaining to be recognized on these line item joint ventures ranged from $2.2 million to $22.4 million.

8.
Investments in Affiliates
Our investments in affiliates balance is related to our investments in unconsolidated non-construction entities that we account for using the equity method of accounting, including investments in real estate entities and a non-real estate entity. Our share of the operating results of the equity method investments is included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and as a single line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as investments in affiliates.
Our investments in affiliates balance consists of the following (in thousands):
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Equity method investments in real estate affiliates
 
$
22,639

 
$
22,623

 
$
22,353

Equity method investment in other affiliate
 
9,392

 
9,738

 
10,983

Total investments in affiliates
 
$
32,031

 
$
32,361

 
$
33,336

The following table provides summarized balance sheet information for our affiliates accounted for under the equity method on a combined basis:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Total assets
 
$
178,723

 
$
170,174

 
$
172,763

Net assets
 
101,212

 
97,639

 
95,561

Granite’s share of net assets
 
32,031

 
32,361

 
33,336

The equity method investments in real estate included $16.8 million, $16.5 million and $15.9 million in residential real estate in Texas as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively. The remaining balances were in commercial real estate in Texas. Of the $178.7 million in total assets as of March 31, 2015, real estate entities had total assets ranging from $1.9 million to $61.8 million and the non-real estate entity had total assets of $23.9 million.


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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

9.
Property and Equipment, net
Balances of major classes of assets and allowances for depreciation and depletion are included in property and equipment, net on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Equipment and vehicles
 
$
766,066

 
$
767,313

 
$
770,266

Quarry property
 
172,046

 
172,081

 
170,442

Land and land improvements
 
110,302

 
110,235

 
120,092

Buildings and leasehold improvements
 
82,628

 
82,655

 
83,994

Office furniture and equipment
 
70,820

 
70,820

 
70,826

Property and equipment
 
1,201,862

 
1,203,104

 
1,215,620

Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion
 
801,952

 
793,451

 
783,222

Property and equipment, net
 
$
399,910

 
$
409,653

 
$
432,398


10.
Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill and use rights. Use rights of $0.4 million are included in other noncurrent assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014.
The following table presents the goodwill balance by reportable segment:
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
March 31,
2014
Construction
 
$
29,260

 
$
29,260

 
$
29,260

Large Project Construction
 
22,593

 
22,593

 
22,593

Construction Materials
 
1,946

 
1,946

 
1,946

Total goodwill
 
$
53,799

 
$
53,799

 
$
53,799


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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Amortized Intangible Assets
The following is the breakdown of our amortized intangible assets that are included in other noncurrent assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
Gross Value
 
Amortization
 
Net Book Value
Permits
 
$
29,713

 
$
(13,396
)
 
$
16,317

Acquired backlog
 
7,900

 
(7,378
)
 
522

Customer lists
 
4,398

 
(2,858
)
 
1,540

Trade name
 
4,100

 
(971
)
 
3,129

Covenants not to compete and other
 
2,459

 
(2,428
)
 
31

Total amortized intangible assets
 
$
48,570

 
$
(27,031
)
 
$
21,539

 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Gross Value
 
Amortization
 
Net Book Value
Permits
 
$
29,713

 
$
(13,115
)
 
$
16,598

Acquired backlog
 
7,900

 
(7,263
)
 
637

Customer lists
 
4,398

 
(2,785
)
 
1,613

Trade name
 
4,100

 
(863
)
 
3,237

Covenants not to compete and other
 
2,459

 
(2,428
)
 
31

Total amortized intangible assets
 
$
48,570

 
$
(26,454
)
 
$
22,116

 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
March 31, 2014
 
Gross Value
 
Amortization
 
Net Book Value
Permits
 
$
29,713

 
$
(12,273
)
 
$
17,440

Acquired backlog
 
7,900

 
(6,962
)
 
938

Customer lists
 
4,398

 
(2,564
)
 
1,834

Trade name
 
4,100

 
(539
)
 
3,561

Covenants not to compete and other
 
2,459

 
(2,424
)
 
35

Total amortized intangible assets
 
$
48,570

 
$
(24,762
)
 
$
23,808

Amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.6 million. Based on the amortized intangible assets balance at March 31, 2015, amortization expense expected to be recorded in the future is as follows: $2.4 million for the remainder of 2015; $1.7 million in 2016; $1.7 million in 2017; $1.7 million in 2018; $1.7 million in 2019; and $12.3 million thereafter.

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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

11.
Covenants and Events of Default
Our debt and credit agreements require us to comply with various affirmative, restrictive and financial covenants. Our failure to comply with any of these covenants, or to pay principal, interest or other amounts when due thereunder, would constitute an event of default under the applicable agreements. Under certain circumstances, the occurrence of an event of default under one of our debt or credit agreements (or the acceleration of the maturity of the indebtedness under one of our agreements) may constitute an event of default under one or more of our other debt or credit agreements. Default under our debt and credit agreements could result in (1) us no longer being entitled to borrow under the agreements; (2) termination of the agreements; (3) the requirement that any letters of credit under the agreements be cash collateralized; (4) acceleration of the maturity of outstanding indebtedness under the agreements; and/or (5) foreclosure on any collateral securing the obligations under the agreements.
As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in our note purchase agreement governing our senior notes payable (“2019 NPA”) and the credit agreement governing the $215.0 million committed revolving credit facility, with a sublimit for letters of credit of $100.0 million (“Credit Agreement”), as well as the debt agreements related to our consolidated real estate entities. We are not aware of any non-compliance by any of our unconsolidated real estate entities with the covenants contained in their debt agreements.

12.
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding and Earnings Per Share
We calculate earnings per share (“EPS”) under the two-class method by allocating earnings to both common shares and unvested restricted stock which are considered participating securities. However, net losses are not allocated to participating securities for purposes of computing EPS under the two-class method.
A reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted net income (loss) per share in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common stock outstanding
 
39,215

 
38,951

Total basic weighted average shares outstanding
 
39,215

 
38,951

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic
 
39,215

 
38,951

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Common stock options and restricted stock units1
 

 

Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution
 
39,215

 
38,951

1Due to the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, restricted stock units and common stock options representing approximately 598,000 and 799,000 shares, respectively, have been excluded from the number of shares used in calculating diluted net loss per share, as their inclusion would be antidilutive.




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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

13.
Equity
The following tables summarize our equity activity for the periods presented (in thousands):
 
 
Granite Construction Incorporated
 
Non-controlling Interests
 
Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
794,385

 
$
22,721

 
$
817,106

Purchase of common stock1
 
(3,191
)
 

 
(3,191
)
Other transactions with shareholders and employees3
 
2,767

 

 
2,767

Transactions with non-controlling interests, net
 

 
(260
)
 
(260
)
Net loss
 
(8,560
)
 
(50
)
 
(8,610
)
Dividends on common stock
 
(5,115
)
 

 
(5,115
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$
780,286

 
$
22,411

 
$
802,697

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
781,940

 
$
4,404

 
$
786,344

Purchase of common stock2
 
(4,278
)
 

 
(4,278
)
Other transactions with shareholders and employees3
 
4,745

 

 
4,745

Transactions with non-controlling interests, net
 

 
4,264

 
4,264

Net loss
 
(20,553
)
 
(708
)
 
(21,261
)
Dividends on common stock
 
(5,083
)
 

 
(5,083
)
Balance at March 31, 2014
 
$
756,771

 
$
7,960

 
$
764,731

1Represents 98,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units vested under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
2Represents 110,000 shares purchased in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units vested under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
3Amounts are comprised primarily of amortized restricted stock and units.


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Table of Contents
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

14.
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we and our affiliates are involved in various legal proceedings alleging, among other things, public liability issues or breach of contract or tortious conduct in connection with the performance of services and/or materials provided, the various outcomes of which cannot be predicted with certainty. We and our affiliates are also subject to government inquiries in the ordinary course of business seeking information concerning our compliance with government construction contracting requirements and various laws and regulations, the outcomes of which cannot be predicted with certainty.
Some of the matters in which we or our joint ventures and affiliates are involved may involve compensatory, punitive, or other claims or sanctions that, if granted, could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that are not probable to be incurred or cannot currently be reasonably estimated. In addition, in some circumstances our government contracts could be terminated, we could be suspended, debarred or incur other administrative penalties or sanctions, or payment of our costs could be disallowed. While any of our pending legal proceedings may be subject to early resolution as a result of our ongoing efforts to settle, whether or when any legal proceeding will be resolved through settlement is neither predictable nor guaranteed.
Accordingly, it is possible that future developments in such proceedings and inquiries could require us to (i) adjust existing accruals, or (ii) record new accruals that we did not originally believe to be probable or that could not be reasonably estimated. Such changes could be material to our financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows in any particular reporting period. In addition to matters that are considered probable for which the loss can be reasonably estimated, we also disclose certain matters where the loss is considered reasonably possible and is reasonably estimable.
Liabilities relating to legal proceedings and government inquiries, to the extent that we have concluded such liabilities are probable and the amounts of such liabilities are reasonably estimable, are recorded in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate liabilities recorded as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014 related to these matters were approximately $9.4 million, $9.7 million and $11.1 million, respectively, and were primarily included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The aggregate range of possible loss related to matters considered reasonably possible was zero to approximately $4.5 million as of March 31, 2015. Our view as to such matters could change in future periods.
Investigation Related to Grand Avenue Project Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) Issues: On March 6, 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General served upon our wholly-owned subsidiary, Granite Construction Northeast, Inc. (“Granite Northeast”), a United States District Court, Eastern District of New York Grand Jury subpoena to produce documents. The subpoena sought all documents pertaining to the use of a DBE firm (the “Subcontractor”), and the Subcontractor’s use of a non-DBE subcontractor/consultant, on the Grand Avenue Bus Depot and Central Maintenance Facility for the Borough of Queens Project (the “Grand Avenue Project”), a Granite Northeast project, that began in 2004 and was substantially complete in 2008. The subpoena also sought any documents regarding the use of the Subcontractor as a DBE on any other projects and any other documents related to the Subcontractor or to the subcontractor/consultant. Granite Northeast produced the requested documents, together with other requested information. Subsequently, Granite Northeast was informed by the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) that it is a subject of an investigation, along with others, and that the DOJ believes that Granite Northeast’s claim of DBE credit for the Subcontractor was improper. In addition to the documents produced in response to the Grand Jury subpoena, Granite Northeast has provided requested information to the DOJ, along with other federal and state agencies (collectively the “Agencies”), concerning other DBE entities for which Granite Northeast has historically claimed DBE credit. The Agencies have informed Granite Northeast that they believe that the claimed DBE credit taken for some of those other DBE entities was improper. Granite Northeast has met several times since January 2013 with the DOJ and the Agencies’ representatives to discuss the government’s criminal investigation of the Grand Avenue Project participants, including Granite Northeast, and to discuss their respective positions on, and potential resolution of, the issues raised in the investigation. In connection with this investigation, Granite Northeast is subject to potential civil, criminal, and/or administrative penalties or sanctions, as well as additional future DBE compliance activities and the costs associated therewith. Granite believes that the incurrence of some form of penalty or sanction is probable, and has therefore recorded what it believes to be the most likely amount of liability it may incur in its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. Granite believes that it is reasonably possible that it may incur liability in relation to this matter that is in excess of such accrual. The resolution of the matters under investigation could have direct or indirect consequences that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity.

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GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

15.
Business Segment Information
Our reportable segments are: Construction, Large Project Construction and Construction Materials. 
The Construction segment performs various construction projects with a large portion of the work focused on new construction and improvement of streets, roads, highways, bridges, site work, underground, power-related facilities, utilities and other infrastructure projects. These projects are typically bid-build projects completed within two years with a contract value of less than $75 million.
The Large Project Construction segment focuses on large, complex infrastructure projects which typically have a longer duration than our Construction segment work. These projects include major highways, mass transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, waterway locks and dams, pipelines, canals, power-related facilities, utilities and airport infrastructure. This segment primarily includes bid-build, design-build, construction management/general contractor contracts, together with various contract methods relating to Public Private Partnerships, generally with contract values in excess of $75 million.
The Construction Materials segment mines and processes aggregates and operates plants that produce construction materials for internal use and for sale to third parties. In addition, the Construction Materials segment includes real estate investment activity that was not material for any of the periods presented.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies contained in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as disclosed in Note 1. We evaluate segment performance based on gross profit or loss, and do not include selling, general and administrative expenses and non-operating income or expense. Segment assets include property and equipment, intangibles, goodwill, inventory and equity in construction joint ventures.

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GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Summarized segment information is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
Construction
 
Large Project Construction
 
Construction Materials
 
Total
2015
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Total revenue from reportable segments
 
$
188,520

 
$
190,305

 
$
53,700

 
$
432,525

Elimination of intersegment revenue
 

 

 
(12,276
)
 
(12,276
)
Revenue from external customers
 
188,520

 
190,305

 
41,424

 
420,249

Gross profit
 
21,675

 
17,771

 
663

 
40,109

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
4,692

 
2,644

 
5,432

 
12,768

Segment assets
 
144,878

 
253,070

 
307,140

 
705,088

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total revenue from reportable segments
 
$
157,040

 
$
187,336

 
$
42,109

 
$
386,485

Elimination of intersegment revenue
 

 

 
(6,638
)
 
(6,638
)
Revenue from external customers
 
157,040

 
187,336

 
35,471

 
379,847

Gross profit (loss)
 
9,144

 
15,793

 
(3,529
)
 
21,408

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
4,015

 
3,204

 
5,098

 
12,317

Segment assets
 
147,232

 
238,519

 
329,945

 
715,696

A reconciliation of segment gross profit to consolidated loss before benefit from income taxes is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Total gross profit from reportable segments
 
$
40,109

 
$
21,408

Selling, general and administrative expenses 
 
52,203

 
49,247

Gain on sales of property and equipment
 
(811
)
 
(894
)
Other expense
 
1,833

 
2,380

Loss before benefit from income taxes
 
$
(13,116
)
 
$
(29,325
)

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Item 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Disclosure
From time to time, Granite makes certain comments and disclosures in reports and statements, including in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or statements made by its officers or directors, that are not based on historical facts, including statements regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results, that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “future,” “outlook,” “assumes,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “appears,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” and the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology or by the context in which they are made. In addition, other written or oral statements which constitute forward-looking statements have been made and may in the future be made by or on behalf of Granite. These forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the best judgment of senior management and reflect our current expectations regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based on beliefs, assumptions or estimates that may prove to be incorrect. In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those more specifically described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Due to the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our forward-looking statements, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. The reader is also cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.


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Overview
We are one of the largest diversified heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers in the United States, engaged in the construction and improvement of streets, roads, highways, mass transit facilities, airport infrastructure, bridges, trenchless and underground utilities, power-related facilities, utilities, tunnels, dams and other infrastructure-related projects. We own aggregate reserves and plant facilities to produce construction materials for use in our construction business and for sale to third parties. We also operate a real estate investment business that we have been divesting over the past five years as part of our 2010 Enterprise Improvement Plan (“EIP”). Our permanent offices are located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Texas, Utah and Washington. We have three reportable business segments: Construction, Large Project Construction and Construction Materials (see Note 15 of “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”).
In addition to business segments, we review our business by operating groups and by public and private market sectors. Our operating groups are defined as follows: (1) California; (2) Northwest, which primarily includes offices in Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Washington; (3) Heavy Civil, which primarily includes offices in California, Florida, New York and Texas; and (4) Kenny, which primarily includes offices in Colorado and Illinois. Each of these operating groups may include financial results from our Construction and Large Project Construction segments. A project’s results are reported in the operating group that is responsible for the project, not necessarily the geographic area where the work is located. In some cases, the operations of an operating group include the results of work performed outside of that geographic region. Our California and Northwest operating groups include financial results from our Construction Materials segment.
Our construction contracts are obtained through competitive bidding in response to solicitations by both public agencies and private parties and on a negotiated basis as a result of solicitations from private parties. Project owners use a variety of methods to make contractors aware of new projects, including posting bidding opportunities on agency websites, disclosing long-term infrastructure plans, advertising and other general solicitations. Our bidding activity is affected by such factors as the nature and volume of advertising and other solicitations, contract backlog, available personnel, current utilization of equipment and other resources, our ability to obtain necessary surety bonds and competitive considerations. Our contract review process includes identifying risks and opportunities during the bidding process and managing these risks through mitigation efforts such as insurance and pricing. Contracts fitting certain criteria of size and complexity are reviewed by various levels of management and, in some cases, by the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors. Bidding activity, contract backlog and revenue resulting from the award of new contracts may vary significantly from period to period.
Our typical construction project begins with the preparation and submission of a bid to a customer. If selected as the successful bidder, we generally enter into a contract with the customer that provides for payment upon completion of specified work or units of work as identified in the contract.
The four primary economic drivers of our business are (1) the overall health of the economy; (2) federal, state and local public funding levels; (3) population growth resulting in public and private development; and (4) the need to replace or repair aging infrastructure. A stagnant or declining economy will generally result in reduced demand for construction and construction materials in the private sector. This reduced demand increases competition for private sector projects and will ultimately also increase competition in the public sector as companies migrate from bidding on scarce private sector work to projects in the public sector. Greater competition can reduce our revenues and/or have a downward impact on our gross profit margins. In addition, a stagnant or declining economy tends to produce less tax revenue for public agencies, thereby decreasing a source of funds available for spending on public infrastructure improvements. Some funding sources that have been specifically earmarked for infrastructure spending, such as diesel and gasoline taxes, are not as directly affected by a stagnant or declining economy, unless actual consumption is reduced. However, even these can be temporarily at risk as federal, state and local governments take actions to balance their budgets. Additionally, high fuel prices and more fuel efficient vehicles can have a dampening effect on consumption, resulting in overall lower tax revenue. Conversely, increased levels of public funding as well as an expanding or robust economy will generally increase demand for our services and provide opportunities for revenue growth and margin improvement.


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Current Economic Environment and Outlook
At more than $2.9 billion at March 31, 2015, total company backlog continues to provide Granite with opportunities to grow. Financing from the Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act has been a key driver for large projects across the country. However, dedicated federal funding remains a concern. The two-year federal highway bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, expired in September 2014 and the current short-term extension runs out in May 2015. Congress must act swiftly to ensure long-term funding and continued federal financing are achieved in the next highway bill. A clear commitment to federal infrastructure investment is overdue and is necessary to give state and local leaders the confidence to plan beyond the end of the next short-term patchwork funding cycle.
Despite increased tax revenues, without long-term federal funding commitments, capital budgets for many of our traditional Western markets have remained flat or gone negative over the past few years. Though generally stable, the volume of available work and the bidding environment in these traditional markets remains highly competitive. We remain encouraged by continued signs of recovery in the private sector, and we continue to expect growing revenue and profit synergies from our diversified markets, including power, tunnel and underground.
The markets for projects within our Large Project Construction segment remain strong. Granite is a highly desired partner for all types of work, including Public Private Partnerships. We continue to pursue significant bidding opportunities for our Large Project Construction segment, which include teaming arrangements with partners to bid on nearly $18 billion over the next two years.

Results of Operations
Our business is seasonal and can be affected by weather conditions in certain geographies. In addition, annual maintenance on our equipment and plants is typically performed during the first quarter, causing down time in operations. These factors can create variability in revenue and profit. Therefore, the results of operations for the three months of a given quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The following table presents a financial summary on a comparative basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Total revenue
$
420,249

 
$
379,847

Gross profit
40,109

 
21,408

Operating loss
(11,283
)
 
(26,945
)
Total other expense
1,833

 
2,380

Net loss attributable to Granite Construction Inc.
(8,560
)
 
(20,553
)


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Table of Contents

Revenue
Total Revenue by Segment
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Construction
 
$
188,520

 
44.8
%
 
$
157,040

 
41.3
%
Large Project Construction
 
190,305

 
45.3

 
187,336

 
49.4

Construction Materials
 
41,424

 
9.9

 
35,471

 
9.3

Total
 
$
420,249

 
100.0
%
 
$
379,847

 
100.0
%
Construction Revenue
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
California:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
$
64,949

 
34.4
%
 
$
66,520

 
42.5
%
Private sector
 
26,235

 
13.9

 
17,658

 
11.2

Northwest:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
37,854

 
20.1

 
22,423

 
14.3

Private sector
 
28,459

 
15.1

 
19,222

 
12.2

Heavy Civil:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
6,958

 
3.7

 
2,851

 
1.8

Kenny:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
8,432

 
4.5

 
15,569

 
9.9

Private sector
 
15,633

 
8.3

 
12,797

 
8.1

Total
 
$
188,520

 
100.0
%
 
$
157,040

 
100.0
%
Construction revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $31.5 million, or 20.0%, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to early season work in the Northwest operating group, new work in the Heavy Civil operating group and estimated cost recoveries on claims in the California and Northwest operating groups, partially offset by decreases due to timing of new awards in Kenny.

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Table of Contents

Large Project Construction Revenue
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Heavy Civil1
 
$
140,519

 
73.8
%
 
$
141,983

 
75.8
%
Northwest1
 
9,711

 
5.1

 
2,902

 
1.5

California1
 
5,125

 
2.7

 
17,239

 
9.3

Kenny
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
22,811

 
12.0

 
$
18,188

 
9.7

Private sector
 
12,139

 
6.4

 
$
7,024

 
3.7

Total
 
$
190,305

 
100.0
%
 
$
187,336

 
100.0
%
1For the periods presented, Large Project Construction revenue was primarily earned from the public sector.
Large Project Construction revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $3.0 million, or 1.6%, compared to the same period in 2014 due to progress on existing projects, entering the year with greater backlog than in 2014 in the Northwest operating group and estimated cost recoveries on claims. These increases were partially offset by ongoing projects nearing completion and delayed starts on new work in the California, Northwest and Heavy Civil operating groups.
Construction Materials Revenue
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
California
 
$
29,122

 
70.3
%
 
$
24,468

 
69.0
%
Northwest
 
12,302

 
29.7

 
11,003

 
31.0

Total
 
$
41,424

 
100.0
%
 
$
35,471

 
100.0
%
Construction Materials revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $6.0 million, or 16.8%, compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to increased volume from early season work in most Western states.

Contract Backlog
Our contract backlog consists of the unearned revenue on awarded contracts, including 100% of our consolidated joint venture contracts and our proportionate share of unconsolidated joint venture contracts. We generally include a project in our contract backlog at the time it is awarded and to the extent we believe funding is probable. Certain federal government contracts where funding is appropriated on a periodic basis are included in contract backlog at the time of the award. Existing contracts that include unexercised contract options and unissued task orders are included in contract backlog as task orders are issued or options are exercised. Substantially all of the contracts in our contract backlog may be canceled or modified at the election of the customer; however, we have not been materially adversely affected by contract cancellations or modifications in the past.

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Table of Contents

Total Contract Backlog by Segment
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
Construction
 
$
749,261

 
25.5
%
 
$
712,967

 
26.2
%
 
$
786,458

 
30.6
%
Large Project Construction
 
2,187,888

 
74.5

 
2,005,906

 
73.8

 
1,783,254

 
69.4

Total
 
$
2,937,149

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,718,873

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,569,712

 
100.0
%
Construction Contract Backlog
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
California:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
$
275,448

 
36.7
%
 
$
285,230

 
40.0
%
 
$
369,812

 
47.0
%
Private sector
 
49,368

 
6.6

 
60,490

 
8.5

 
78,703

 
10.0

Northwest:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Public sector
 
229,847

 
30.6

 
185,987

 
26.1

 
185,714

 
23.6

Private sector
 
18,672

 
2.5

 
35,444

 
5.0

 
28,053

 
3.6

Heavy Civil:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Public sector
 
36,400

 
4.9

 
27,557

 
3.8

 
44,727

 
5.7

Kenny:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public sector
 
61,833

 
8.3

 
44,927

 
6.3

 
50,388

 
6.4

Private sector
 
77,693

 
10.4

 
73,332

 
10.3

 
29,061

 
3.7

Total
 
$
749,261

 
100.0
%
 
$
712,967

 
100.0
%
 
$
786,458

 
100.0
%
Construction contract backlog of $749.3 million at March 31, 2015 was $36.3 million, or 5.1%, higher than at December 31, 2014 due to improved success rates on bidding activity and $37.2 million, or 4.7%, lower than at March 31, 2014 due to progress on existing projects and timing of new awards. Significant new awards during the three months ended March 31, 2015, included a $12.1 million highway and bridge project in Washington, an $11.6 million power-related project in New York and a $10.0 million pavement preservation project in Alaska.
Large Project Construction Contract Backlog
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
Heavy Civil1
 
$
1,908,109

 
87.2
%
 
$
1,682,047

 
83.9
%
 
$
1,422,246

 
79.8
%
Northwest1
 
29,658

 
1.4

 
38,463

 
1.8

 
4,010

 
0.2

California1
 
17,643

 
0.8

 
19,066

 
1.0

 
46,923

 
2.6

Kenny:
 
 
 


 
 
 


 
 
 


Public sector2
 
134,298

 
6.1

 
156,010

 
7.8

 
141,427

 
7.9

Private sector
 
98,180

 
4.5

 
110,320

 
5.5

 
168,648

 
9.5

Total
 
$
2,187,888

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,005,906

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,783,254

 
100.0
%
1For the periods presented, all Large Project Construction contract backlog is related to contracts with public agencies.
2As of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, $26.2 million, $35.0 million and $53.9 million, respectively, of Kenny public sector contract backlog was translated from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars at the spot rate in effect at the date of reporting.
Large Project Construction contract backlog of $2.2 billion as of March 31, 2015 was $182.0 million, or 9.1%, higher than at December 31, 2014 and $404.6 million, or 22.7%, higher than at March 31, 2014. The increases compared to the same period in 2014 were $696.6 million from our share of the I-4 Ultimate project in Florida awarded in late 2014 and $359.6 million from our share of the Rapid Bridge replacement project in Pennsylvania, partially offset by progress on existing projects. In April 2015, Granite was awarded a $152.4 million new roadway construction management/general contractor project that will be booked into contract backlog in the second quarter of 2015.
Non-controlling partners’ share of Large Project Construction contract backlog as of March 31, 2015December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2014 was $21.2 million, $26.8 million and $48.6 million, respectively.


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Gross Profit (Loss)
The following table presents gross profit (loss) by business segment for the respective periods:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Construction
 
$
21,675

 
$
9,144

Percent of  segment revenue
 
11.5
%
 
5.8
 %
Large Project Construction
 
17,771

 
15,793

Percent of segment revenue
 
9.3

 
8.4

Construction Materials
 
663

 
(3,529
)
Percent of segment revenue
 
1.6

 
(9.9
)
Total gross profit
 
$
40,109

 
$
21,408

Percent of total revenue
 
9.5
%
 
5.6
 %
Construction gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $12.5 million, or over 100%, compared to the same period in 2014. Construction gross profit as a percentage of segment revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased to 11.5% from 5.8% for the same period in 2014. The increases were primarily due to $6.8 million of estimated cost recovery on claims, the impact from increased volume and reduced project write-downs.
Large Project Construction gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $2.0 million, or 12.5%, when compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was due to project progression partially offset by a decrease from year over year third party claims recognition.
Construction Materials gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $4.2 million, or over 100%, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to increased volumes from early season work in the California operating group.
Revenue in an amount equal to cost incurred is recognized if there is not sufficient information to determine the estimated profit on the project with a reasonable level of certainty. Gross profit can vary significantly in periods where previously deferred profit is recognized on one or more projects or, conversely, if we have outstanding claims that are not probable or estimable, in periods where contract backlog is growing rapidly and/or a higher percentage of projects are in their early stages with no associated gross profit recognition.


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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
The following table presents the components of selling, general and administrative expenses for the respective periods:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Selling
 
 

 
 

Salaries and related expenses
 
$
12,049

 
$
11,189

Other selling expenses
 
1,773

 
1,148

Total selling
 
13,822

 
12,337

General and administrative
 
 

 
 

Salaries and related expenses
 
18,095

 
16,685

Restricted stock amortization
 
4,254

 
5,490

Other general and administrative expenses
 
16,032

 
14,735

Total general and administrative
 
38,381

 
36,910

Total selling, general and administrative
 
$
52,203

 
$
49,247

Percent of revenue
 
12.4
%
 
13.0
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased $3.0 million, or 6.0%, compared to the same period in 2014.
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses include the costs for estimating and bidding, business development and materials facility permits. Selling expenses can vary depending on the volume of projects in process and the number of employees assigned to estimating and bidding activities. As projects are completed or the volume of work slows down, we temporarily redeploy project employees to bid on new projects, moving their salaries and related costs from cost of revenue to selling expenses. Selling expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased $1.5 million, or 12.0%, compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to increased bidding activity during 2015.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include costs related to our operational offices that are not allocated to direct contract costs and expenses related to our corporate functions. These costs include variable cash and restricted stock performance-based incentives for select management personnel on which our compensation strategy heavily relies. The cash portion of these incentives is expensed when earned while the restricted stock portion is expensed as earned over the vesting period of the restricted stock award (generally three years). Other general and administrative expenses include travel and entertainment, outside services, information technology, depreciation, occupancy, training, office supplies, changes in the fair market value of our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan liability and other miscellaneous expenses, none of which individually exceeded 10% of total general and administrative expenses.
Total general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased $1.5 million, or 4.0%, compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to an increase in other general and administrative expenses related to the recovery of doubtful accounts which reduced expenses in 2014.

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Table of Contents

Other (Income) Expense
The following table presents the components of other (income) expense for the respective periods:
 

Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)

2015

2014
Interest income

$
(442
)

$
(479
)
Interest expense

3,496


3,599

Equity in loss (income) of affiliates

63


(791
)
Other (income) expense, net

(1,284
)

51

Total other expense

$
1,833


$
2,380

The increase in other (income) expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily due to gains recognized on the interest rate swap - see further discussion in Liquidity and Capital Resources below and in Note 5 of “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Income Taxes
The following table presents the benefit from income taxes for the respective periods:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Benefit from income taxes
 
$
(4,506
)
 
$
(8,064
)
Effective tax rate
 
34.4
%
 
27.5
%
We calculate our income tax provision at the end of each interim period by estimating our annual effective tax rate and applying that rate to our year-to-date pre-tax ordinary earnings. The effect of changes in enacted tax laws, tax rates or tax status is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.
Our effective tax rate increased to 34.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 27.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The change was primarily due to the effect of state tax laws which were enacted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Certain Legal Proceedings
As discussed in Note 14 of “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” under certain circumstances the resolution of certain legal proceedings to which we are subject could have direct or indirect consequences that could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and/or liquidity.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, available borrowing capacity and cash expected to be generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our expected working capital needs, capital expenditures, financial commitments, cash dividend payments, and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations for the next twelve months. We maintain a collateralized revolving credit facility of $215.0 million, of which $125.8 million was available at March 31, 2015, primarily to provide capital needs to fund growth opportunities, either internal or generated through acquisitions (see Credit Agreement discussion below for further information). We do not anticipate that this credit facility will be required to fund future working capital needs associated with our existing operations. However, we have the ability and intent to draw on this credit facility or obtain another source of financing during 2015 to re-pay $40.0 million of maturing 2019 Notes (defined in Senior Notes Payable section below). If we experience a prolonged change in our business operating results or make a significant acquisition, we may need to acquire additional sources of financing, which, if available, may be limited by the terms of our existing debt covenants, or may require the amendment of our existing debt agreements. There can be no assurance that sufficient capital will continue to be available in the future or that it will be available on terms acceptable to us.
We typically invoice our customers on a monthly basis. Our contracts frequently call for retention that is a specified percentage withheld from each payment until the contract is completed and the work accepted by the customer. Our revenue, gross margin and cash flows can differ significantly from period to period due to a variety of factors, including the projects’ stage of completion, the mix of early and late stage projects, our estimates of contract costs, outstanding contract change orders and claims and the payment terms of our contracts. The timing differences between our cash inflows and outflows require us to maintain adequate levels of working capital.
The following table presents our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, including amounts from our consolidated joint ventures, as of the respective dates:
(in thousands)

March 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

March 31,
2014
Cash and cash equivalents excluding consolidated joint ventures

$
186,519


$
194,685


$
178,168

Consolidated construction joint venture cash and cash equivalents1

52,884


61,276


27,612

Total consolidated cash and cash equivalents

239,403


255,961


205,780

Short-term and long-term marketable securities2

99,804


102,067


107,112

Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

$
339,207


$
358,028


$
312,892

 
1The volume and stage of completion of contracts from our consolidated construction joint ventures may cause fluctuations in joint venture cash and cash equivalents between periods. These funds generally are not available for the working capital or other liquidity needs of Granite until distributed.
2See Note 4 of “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” for the composition of our marketable securities.
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and settlement of our net working capital. We may also from time to time access our credit facility, issue and sell equity, debt or hybrid securities or engage in other capital markets transactions.
Our cash and cash equivalents consisted of deposits and money market funds held with established national financial institutions. Marketable securities consist of U.S. Government and agency obligations and commercial paper.
Consolidated joint ventures were responsible for $8.4 million, or 50.7%, of the $16.6 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Granite’s portion of consolidated joint venture cash and cash equivalents was $33.5 million, $38.6 million and $16.8 million as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively. Granite’s portion of unconsolidated joint venture cash and cash equivalents was $72.1 million, $80.2 million and $76.8 million as of March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents held by our joint ventures are primarily used to fulfill the working capital needs of each joint venture’s project, and generally cannot be distributed to any of the venture partners without the consent of the majority of the venture members.
Our principal uses of liquidity are paying the costs and expenses associated with our operations, servicing outstanding indebtedness, making capital expenditures and paying dividends on our capital stock. We may also from time to time prepay or repurchase outstanding indebtedness and acquire assets or businesses that are complementary to our operations, such as with the acquisition of Kenny in December 2012.

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In March 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $100.0 million which matures in June 2018 to convert the interest rate of our 2019 Notes (as defined in Senior Notes Payable section below) from a fixed rate of 6.11% to a floating rate of 4.15% plus six-month LIBOR. LIBOR floating rate is variable and subject to market changes over the life of the swap. The interest rate swap is reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs, with any gain or loss recorded in other (income) expense, net in our condensed consolidated statement of operations and was a gain of $1.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
In March 2014, we entered into two diesel commodity swaps covering the periods from May 2014 to October 2014 and from May 2015 to October 2015 which represented roughly 25% of our forecasted purchases of diesel during these periods. In May 2014, we entered into two natural gas commodity swaps covering the periods from June 2014 to October 2014 and from May 2015 to October 2015 representing roughly 25% of our forecasted purchases of natural gas during these periods. The commodity swaps are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs, with any gain or loss recorded in other (income) expense, net in our condensed consolidated statement of operations and was a net loss of $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Cash Flows
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Net cash (used in) provided by:
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
 
$
(6,918
)
 
$
(19,777
)
Investing activities
 
(1,123
)
 
1,024

Financing activities
 
(8,517
)
 
(4,588
)
Cash flows from operating activities result primarily from our earnings or losses, and are also impacted by changes in operating assets and liabilities. As a large construction and heavy civil contractor and construction materials producer, our operating cash flows are subject to seasonal cycles, as well as the cycles associated with winning, performing and closing projects. Additionally, operating cash flows are impacted by the timing related to funding construction joint ventures and the resolution of uncertainties inherent in the complex nature of the work that we perform, including claims settlements.
Cash used in operating activities of $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 represents a $12.9 million decrease from the amount of cash used in operating activities during the same period in 2014. The favorable change was mainly attributable to a $17.3 million increase in cash from working capital, partially offset by a $5.7 million decrease in net cash from unconsolidated joint ventures and a $1.3 million increase in net loss after adjusting for non-cash items.
Cash used in investing activities of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 represents a $2.1 million change from the $1.0 million of cash provided by investing activities during the same period in 2014. The change was primarily due to a decrease in net proceeds from marketable securities driven by the Company’s cash flow requirements and/or the maturities of investments partially offset by a decrease in capital expenditures.
Cash used in financing activities of $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 represents a $3.9 million increase from the amount of cash used in financing activities during the same period in 2014. The change was primarily driven by a $4.5 million decrease in net contributions from non-controlling partners related to consolidated construction joint ventures partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in the purchases of common stock.
Capital Expenditures
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we had capital expenditures of $7.6 million compared to $10.4 million during the same period in 2014. Major capital expenditures are typically for aggregate and asphalt production facilities, aggregate reserves, construction equipment, buildings and leasehold improvements and investments in our information technology systems. The timing and amount of such expenditures can vary based on the progress of planned capital projects, the type and size of construction projects, changes in business outlook and other factors. We currently anticipate investing between $40.0 million and $60.0 million in capital expenditures during 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we had capital expenditures of $43.4 million.

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Credit Agreement
We have a $215.0 million committed revolving credit facility, with a sublimit for letters of credit of $100.0 million (the “Credit Agreement”), which expires on October 11, 2016, of which $125.8 million was available at March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014, there was a revolving loan of $70.0 million outstanding under the Credit Agreement related to financing the Kenny acquisition, which is included in long-term debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, as of March 31, 2015, there were standby letters of credit totaling $19.3 million. The letters of credit will expire between June 2015 and December 2018.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at LIBOR or a base rate (at our option), plus an applicable margin based on certain financial ratios calculated quarterly. LIBOR varies based on the applicable loan term, market conditions and other external factors. The applicable margin was 2.25% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and 1.25% for loans bearing interest at the base rate at March 31, 2015. Accordingly, the effective interest rate was between 2.52% and 4.50% at March 31, 2015. Borrowings at the base rate have no designated term and may be repaid without penalty any time prior to the Credit Agreement’s maturity date. Borrowings at a LIBOR rate have a term no less than one month and no greater than six months. Typically, at the end of such term, such borrowings may be paid off or rolled over at our discretion into either a borrowing at the base rate or a borrowing at a LIBOR rate with similar terms, not to exceed the maturity date of the Credit Agreement. On a periodic basis, we assess the timing of payment depending on facts and circumstances that exist at the time of our assessment. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and are collateralized on an equivalent basis with the obligations under the 2019 Notes (defined below) by first priority liens (subject only to other liens permitted under the Credit Agreement) on substantially all of the assets of the Company and our subsidiaries that are guarantors or borrowers under the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement provides for the release of the liens securing the obligations, at our option and expense, so long as certain conditions as defined by the terms in the Credit Agreement are satisfied (“Collateral Release Period”). However, if subsequent to exercising the option, our Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is less than 1.25 or our Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.50, then we will be required to promptly re-pledge substantially all of the assets of the Company and our subsidiaries that are guarantors or borrowers under the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2015, the conditions for the exercise of the unsecured option were satisfied.
Senior Notes Payable
As of March 31, 2015, senior notes payable in the amount of $200.0 million were due to a group of institutional holders in five equal annual installments beginning in 2015 and bear interest at 6.11% per annum (“2019 Notes”). In March 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap to convert the interest rate from a fixed rate of 6.11% to a floating rate of 4.15% plus six-month LIBOR (see Liquidity and Capital Resources section above for further discussion). The first installment of the 2019 Notes is included in long-term debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 as we have the ability and intent to pay this installment using borrowings under the Credit Agreement (defined in Credit Agreement section above) or by obtaining another source of financing.
Our obligations under the note purchase agreement governing the 2019 Notes (the “2019 NPA”) are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and are collateralized on an equivalent basis with the Credit Agreement by liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and subsidiaries that are guarantors or borrowers under the Credit Agreement. The 2019 NPA provides for the release of liens and re-pledge of collateral on substantially the same terms and conditions as those set forth in the Credit Agreement.

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Surety Bonds and Real Estate Mortgages
We are generally required to provide various types of surety bonds that provide an additional measure of security under certain public and private sector contracts. At March 31, 2015, approximately $2.6 billion of our contract backlog was bonded. Performance bonds do not have stated expiration dates; rather, we are generally released from the bonds after the owner accepts the work performed under contract. The ability to maintain bonding capacity to support our current and future level of contracting requires that we maintain cash and working capital balances satisfactory to our sureties.
Our real estate held for development and sale is subject to mortgage indebtedness. This indebtedness is non-recourse to Granite but is recourse to the real estate entity. The terms of this indebtedness are typically renegotiated to reflect the evolving nature of the real estate project as it progresses through acquisition, entitlement and development. Modification of these terms may include changes in loan-to-value ratios requiring the real estate entity to repay portions of the debt. As of March 31, 2015, the principal amount of debt of our consolidated real estate entity secured by a mortgage was $6.4 million which was included in current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Covenants and Events of Default
Our debt and credit agreements require us to comply with various affirmative, restrictive and financial covenants, including the financial covenants described below. Our failure to comply with any of these covenants, or to pay principal, interest or other amounts when due thereunder, would constitute an event of default under the applicable agreements. Under certain circumstances, the occurrence of an event of default under one of our debt or credit agreements (or the acceleration of the maturity of the indebtedness under one of our agreements) may constitute an event of default under one or more of our other debt or credit agreements. Default under our debt and credit agreements could result in (1) us no longer being entitled to borrow under the agreements; (2) termination of the agreements; (3) the requirement that any letters of credit under the agreements be cash collateralized; (4) acceleration of the maturity of outstanding indebtedness under the agreements and/or (5) foreclosure on any collateral securing the obligations under the agreements.
The most significant financial covenants under the terms of our Credit Agreement and 2019 NPA require the maintenance of a minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio and a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The calculations and terms of such financial covenants are defined in the amendments to the Credit Agreement and 2019 NPA, which were filed as Exhibits 10.31 and 10.32, respectively, to our Form 10-K filed March 3, 2014.
As of March 31, 2015 and pursuant to the definitions in the agreements, our Consolidated Tangible Net Worth was $752.4 million, which exceeded the minimum of $624.3 million, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 2.41, which did not exceed the maximum of 3.00, and our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio was 8.14, which exceeded the minimum of 4.00.
As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in the Credit Agreement and 2019 NPA, as amended, and the debt agreements related to our consolidated real estate entities. We are not aware of any non-compliance by any of our unconsolidated real estate entities with the covenants contained in their debt agreements.
Share Purchase Program
In 2007, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to $200.0 million of our common stock at management’s discretion. As of March 31, 2015, $64.1 million remained available under this authorization. We did not purchase shares under the share purchase program in any of the periods presented. The specific timing and amount of any future purchases will vary based on market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors. Purchases under the share purchase program may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time and from time to time without prior notice.
Website Access
Our website address is www.graniteconstruction.com. On our website we make available, free of charge, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information on our website is not incorporated into, and is not part of, this report. These reports, and any amendments to them, are also available at the website of the SEC, www.sec.gov.


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Table of Contents

Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There has been no significant change in our exposure to market risks since December 31, 2014.

Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management carried out, as of March 31, 2015, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, there were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting except for the addition of legal and accounting oversight controls related to the change in our accounting principle for recognizing revenue on estimated claim recoveries as discussed in Note 1 of “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” within Item 1.


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Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The description of the matters set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Report under Note 14 of “Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
There has been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we did not sell any of our equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The following table sets forth information regarding the repurchase of shares of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
Period
 
Total number of shares purchased1
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs2
 
January 1, 2015 through January 31, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
$
64,065,401

 
February 1, 2015 through February 28, 2015
 
71

 
$
35.32

 

 
$
64,065,401

 
March 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015
 
98,087

 
$
32.51

 

 
$
64,065,401

 
 
 
98,158

 
$
32.51

 

 
 
 
1The number of shares purchased is in connection with employee tax withholding for shares/units vested under our Amended and Restated 1999 Equity Incentive Plan.
2In October 2007, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase, at management’s discretion, up to $200.0 million of our common stock. Under this purchase program, the Company may purchase shares from time to time on the open market or in private transactions. The specific timing and amount of purchases will vary based on market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors. Purchases under the share purchase program may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time and from time to time without prior notice.

Item 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.

Item 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not Applicable.


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Table of Contents

Item 6. EXHIBITS
††
101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
††
Furnished herewith

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2015
 
By:  
/s/ Laurel J. Krzeminski
 
 
 
 
Laurel J. Krzeminski
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

40