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Filed On 4/12/06 7:18pm ET · SEC File 333-08322 · Accession Number 950137-6-4446
As Of Filer Filing As/For/On Docs:Pgs Issuer Agent
4/13/06 Kansas City Southern de Mexi..C/V 10-K 12/31/05 6:132 Bowne of Chicago...01/FA
Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size
1: 10-K Annual Report HTML 777K
2: EX-10.10 Amendment to the Credit Agreement HTML 31K
3: EX-12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges HTML 17K
4: EX-31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 - Michael R. HTML 10K
Haverty
5: EX-31.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 - Ronald G. HTML 9K
Russ
6: EX-32.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 906 - Michael R. HTML 6K
Haverty and Ronald G. Russ
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- Alternative Formats (RTF, XML, et al.)
- Business
- Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
- Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004
- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nine months ended December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
- Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nine months ended December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
- Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nine months ended December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
- Controls and Procedures
- Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
- Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
- Item 1
- Item 10
- Item 14
- Item 15
- Item 1A
- Item 1B
- Item 2
- Item 3
- Item 4
- Item 5
- Item 6
- Item 7
- Item 7A
- Item 8
- Item 9
- Item 9A
- Item 9B
- Legal Proceedings
- Management s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
- Market for the Company s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
- Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
- Other Information
- Part I
- Part Ii
- Part Iii
- Part Iv
- Principal Accountant Fees and Services
- Properties
- Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
- Risk Factors
- Selected Financial Data
- Signatures
- Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- Table of Contents
- Unresolved Staff Comments
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| 1 | 1st Page
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| " | Table of Contents
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| " | Part I
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| " | Item 1
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| " | Business
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| " | Item 1A
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| " | Risk Factors
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| " | Item 1B
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| " | Unresolved Staff Comments
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| " | Item 2
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| " | Properties
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| " | Item 3
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| " | Legal Proceedings
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| " | Item 4
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| " | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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| " | Part Ii
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| " | Item 5
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| " | Market for the Company s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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| " | Item 6
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| " | Selected Financial Data
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| " | Item 7
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| " | Management s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
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| " | Item 7A
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| " | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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| " | Item 8
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| " | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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| " | Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004
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| " | Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nine months ended December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
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| " | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nine months ended December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
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| " | Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2005, nine months ended December 31, 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
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| " | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
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| " | Item 9
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| " | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
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| " | Item 9A
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| " | Controls and Procedures
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| " | Item 9B
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| " | Other Information
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| " | Part Iii
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| " | Item 10
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| " | Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
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| " | Item 14
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| " | Principal Accountant Fees and Services
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| " | Part Iv
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| " | Item 15
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| " | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
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| " | Signatures
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This is an EDGAR HTML document rendered as filed. [ Alternative Formats ]
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V.
(formerly known as TFM, S.A. de C.V.)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Kansas City Southern of México
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
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Mexico
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
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4011
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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N/A
(IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
Montes
Urales, 625
Lomas de Chapultepec
11000 México, D.F.
México
+ (5255) 9178-5836
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if
the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities Act. Yes
o No
þ
Indicate by check mark if
the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes
o No
þ
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
o No
þ
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
o (Not applicable)
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer þ |
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a shell company. Yes
o No
þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by
non-affiliates: Not applicable
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of
the registrant’s classes of common stock,
as of the latest practicable date: 1,107,191,004
Kansas
City Southern de México S.A. de C.V. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and
(b) and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.
Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V.
2005 Form 10-K Annual Report
- 2 -
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this Annual
Report to
“KCSM,” “TFM,” “we,” “ours,” “us,” “the Company,” or similar terms refer to Kansas City
Southern de México, S.A. de C.V. (formerly known as TFM, S.A. de C.V.) together with its
subsidiaries, and references to
“KCS” means Kansas City Southern, a Delaware corporation that, as
of
September 12, 2005, became our sole shareholder. References to
“Grupo TFM” means Grupo
Transportación Ferroviaria Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
You should carefully review the information contained in this Annual Report and in other
reports or documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”). In this Annual Report, we state our beliefs of future events and of our future
financial performance. In some cases, you can identify those so-called “forward-looking statements”
by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of those words and other
comparable words. You should be aware that those statements are only our predictions. Actual events
or results may differ materially. In evaluating those statements, you should specifically consider
various factors, including the risks discussed in this Annual Report and other reports or documents
that we file from time to time with the SEC. Those factors may cause our actual results to differ
materially from any of our forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable
to us or a person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement.
Part I
Item 1. Business
COMPANY HISTORY
Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V.
(
“we”,
“our”,
“us”,
“KCSM”,
“TFM”, or
“the Company”)
commenced operations in June 1997 under a 50-year concession granted by the Mexican government to
provide freight transportation services over the Northeast Rail Lines, the first rail lines to be
privatized in the Mexican railroad system. Prior to the
privatization, KCS
and Grupo TMM, S.A. (
“Grupo TMM”) jointly formed and invested in our parent, Grupo Transportación
Ferroviaria Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., (
“Grupo TFM”), with KCS owning a 36.9% economic interest (49%
of the shares entitled to full voting rights) and Grupo TMM owning a 38.5% economic interest (51%
of the shares entitled to full voting rights). In 2002, we purchased the remaining 24.6% of Grupo
TFM held by the Mexican government. This transaction increased KCS’s ownership in Grupo TFM to a
46.6% economic interest and Grupo TMM’s ownership in Grupo TFM to a 48.5% economic interest.
On
April 1, 2005, KCS completed the acquisition from Grupo TMM of all of its shares of Grupo
TFM, giving KCS ownership of 100% of the shares of Grupo TFM entitled to full voting rights. As of
April 1, 2005, Grupo TFM owned 80% of our outstanding share capital (which represents all of our
shares with full voting rights), while the remaining 20% of us (with limited voting
rights) was owned by the Mexican government. Accordingly, KCS became our controlling stockholder
through its ownership of Grupo TFM on
April 1, 2005.
On
September 12, 2005, we, Grupo TFM, and KCS, along with Grupo TMM, entered into a settlement
agreement with the Mexican government resolving certain disputes and controversies between the
companies and the Mexican government concerning the payment of a refund of the value added taxes
(
“VAT”) paid when the concession title and certain other
assets were transferred to us and
Grupo TFM’s obligation to purchase of the remaining shares of us owned by the Mexican government.
As a result of this settlement, KCS and its
subsidiaries now own 100% of Grupo TFM and us, and the
Mexican government’s remaining 20% ownership interest in us has been eliminated; the potential
obligation of KCS, Grupo TFM and Grupo TMM to acquire the Mexican government’s remaining 20%
interest in us has been eliminated; and the legal obligation of the Mexican government to issue the
VAT refund to us has been satisfied.
- 3 -
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We operate the primary commercial corridor of the Mexican railroad system, which allows us to
participate significantly in the growing freight traffic between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. Our
rail lines consist of 2,639 miles of main track. In addition, we have trackage rights entitling us
to run our trains over 541 miles of track of other Mexican railroad operators. We provide freight
transportation services under our 50-year concession, during the first 30 years of which we are the
exclusive provider, subject to certain trackage rights of other freight carriers. Our concession is
renewable for additional periods of up to 50 years subject to certain conditions.
We believe our rail lines comprise the most strategically significant and most actively
traveled rail corridor in Mexico. Our rail lines connect the most populated and industrialized
regions of Mexico with the principal border gateway between Mexico and the U.S. at Nuevo Laredo
(Tamaulipas) and Laredo (Texas). In addition, we serve three of Mexico’s most important seaports at
Veracruz and Tampico on the Gulf of Mexico and Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific Ocean. As a result,
we believe our routes are integral to Mexico’s foreign trade.
We seek to establish our railroad as the primary inland freight transporter linking Mexico
with the U.S. and Canadian markets. As the operator of the primary and most direct rail corridor
from the U.S. border to Mexico City, our route structure enables us to benefit from continuing
growth resulting from the North American Free Trade Agreement
(
“NAFTA”). We are the only Mexican railroad that serves the Mexico-U.S. border crossing
at Nuevo Laredo-Laredo, which is the largest freight exchange point between Mexico and the U.S.
Through KCS’s U.S. rail
subsidiaries, as well as through interchanges with other major U.S.
railroads, we provide customers with access to an extensive network through which they may
distribute products throughout North America and overseas.
Our revenues are derived from the movement of a diversified mix of commodities and products
predominantly attributable to cross-border traffic with the U.S. We transport agro-industrial
products, industrial products and manufactured products, cement, metals and minerals, chemical and
petrochemical products, automotive products, and intermodal freight. Our customers include leading
international and Mexican corporations.
The Concession
We hold a 50-year concession, which took effect in June 1997 and is renewable under certain
conditions for up to 50 years, to provide freight transportation services over rail lines serving
the northern and central portions of Mexico, and connecting three of Mexico’s main ports with
Mexico City, Monterrey and the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo border crossing. Our concession is exclusive for
the first 30 years of our operations, subject to certain mandatory trackage rights granted to
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. (“Ferromex”),
Ferrosur, S.A. de C.V. (“Ferrosur”),
two short line railroads and Ferrocarril y Terminal del Valle de México, S.A de C.V. (Mexico Valley
Railroad and Terminal) (“FTVM”). In 1997, Grupo TFM paid a total of $1,464.5 million to acquire
80.0% of our shares (which represent all of our shares with full voting rights) and
certain railroad equipment and related assets, and a 25.0% interest in FTVM. We have the right to
use, during the full term of the concession, all track and buildings that are necessary for our
rail lines’ operation. Under the terms of the concession, we are required to pay the Mexican
government a concession duty equal to 0.5% of our gross revenues during the first 15 years of the
concession period and 1.25% of such revenues during the remainder of the period.
Under
the concession and the Mexican railroad services law and regulations, we may freely set
our rates unless the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes
(“Ministry of Communications and Transportation” or “SCT”), in consultation with the Mexican Antitrust
Commission, determines that there is no effective competition in Mexico’s rail industry, taking
into account alternative rail routes and modes of transportation. If the Mexican Antitrust
Commission determines that there is a lack of competition, the SCT will
establish the basis for our rates. Our rates must be registered and applied in accordance with the
Mexican railroad services law and regulations. In applying our rates, we must not make
cross-subsidies, engage in tied sales or engage in other discriminatory pricing tactics. We are
required to provide railroad services to all users on a fair and non-discriminatory basis and in
accordance with efficiency and safety standards approved periodically
by the SCT. In the event that we collect from customers rates higher than the registered rates,
we must reimburse those customers with interest, and risk the revocation of the concession.
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Mexican railroad services law and regulations and the concession establish several
circumstances under which the concession will terminate, including
revocation by the SCT, voluntary surrender of our rights under the concession, statutory appropriation,
and our liquidation or bankruptcy. Specifically, the Mexican government, acting through the
SCT, may revoke the concession for the following reasons: (1) unjustified
interruption of the operation of our rail lines; (2) any act or omission that restricts the ability
of other Mexican rail railway concession holders to use our rail lines; (3) failure to make
payments for damages caused during the performance of services; (4) repeatedly charging rates
higher than the registered rates; (5) a change in our nationality; (6) our assignment of, or
creation of liens on, the concession without the prior approval of
the SCT;
(7) failure to maintain a performance bond and adequate insurance coverage as required by the
Mexican railroad services law and regulations; and (8) noncompliance with any term or condition of
Mexican railroad services law and regulations or the concession. In the cases of (5) or (6) above,
the concession will be automatically revoked. In the cases (1) or (4)
the concession shall be revoked following the imposition
of a sanction by SCT on three occasions. In the cases (2), (3) or
(7) the concession shall be revoked following the imposition of a
sanction by SCT on five occasions. In the event that the concession is revoked by the
SCT, we will receive no compensation, and our rail lines and all other
fixtures covered by the concession, as well as all improvements made by us, will revert to the
Mexican government. All other property not covered by the concession, including movable railroad
property we purchased from the Mexican government, as well as all locomotives and railcars we
otherwise acquired, will remain our property. However, if we attempt to sell more than 15.0% of our
equipment to a third party within 90 days of termination or revocation of our concession, the
Mexican government will have a right of first refusal to purchase the equipment on the same terms
offered by the third party if no other concessionaire is likely to provide rail services over our
rail lines and the equipment being sold is indispensable to the continuation of our rail services.
After the Mexican government receives notice from us of our intention to sell the equipment, it
will have 30 days to exercise its right of first refusal. In addition, the Mexican government will
have the right to cause us to lease all of our service-related assets
to the SCT for a term of at least one year, automatically renewable for additional one-year
terms up to five years. The Mexican government must exercise this right within four months after
revocation of the concession.
The concession requires us to make investments and undertake capital projects, including
capital projects described in a business plan filed every five years with the Mexican government.
We filed our second business plan with the Mexican government in 2003. Under the terms of the plan,
we have committed to certain minimum investment and capital improvement goals, which may be waived
by the SCT upon our application for relief for good cause. We are also
responsible for compliance with efficiency and safety standards set forth in the concession, which
are based on standards of the Association of American Railroads (“AAR”).
Under the concession, we are responsible for all ecological and environmental damage that we
may cause from and after the date of commencement of operations. The Mexican government has agreed
to indemnify us for any environmental liability relating to soil, subsoil or groundwater
contamination attributable to the Mexican government’s operations occurring prior to the
commencement of operations in accordance with the concession title in 1997. We assumed full
responsibility for the operation of supply depots and shops and the supervision of infrastructure
projects, as well as compliance with present and future environmental protection laws and
regulations.
We are required by the concession to obtain and maintain insurance policies in accordance with
the terms of the Mexican railroad services law and regulations. Except under specific
circumstances, we are responsible for damage caused to cargo transported by us over our lines, as
well as for damage caused to third parties and such parties’ property as a result of our
activities.
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The concession prohibits us from refusing to transport water to communities in need of such
service because of geographical or demographical characteristics, provided that we are paid at the
prescribed tariff rate. We are also required to transport mail, emergency supplies necessary for
rescue and salvage operations, and members of the Mexican government’s armed forces. We must also
grant a right of passage for all railroad equipment of the Mexican government’s armed forces. The
concession also requires us under certain circumstances to establish reserves to cover contingent
labor liabilities that arise during the term of the concession.
If the Mexican government legally terminates the concession, public domain assets used in the
operation of our rail lines would be owned, controlled and managed by the Mexican government. The
Mexican government may also temporarily seize our rail lines and our assets used in operating our
rail lines in the event of a natural disaster, war, significant public disturbances, or imminent
danger to the domestic peace or economy. In such events, the SCT may
restrict our ability to exploit the concession fully for such time and in such manner as the
SCT deems necessary under the circumstances but only for the duration of any
of the foregoing events.
Mexican law requires that the Mexican government pay us compensation if it effects a statutory
appropriation for reasons of the public interest. With respect to a temporary seizure due to any
cause other than international war, the Mexican railroad services law and regulations provides that
the Mexican government will indemnify an affected concessionaire for an amount equal to damages
caused and losses suffered. These payments may not be sufficient to compensate us for our losses
and may not be timely made.
Under the concession, the Mexican government has specifically reserved the right to grant
exclusive rights to provide passenger service over our rail lines to a concessionaire other than
us. Since we commenced operations, the Mexican government has provided a minimal level of
passenger train service to certain areas within our service territory under an arrangement in which
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México, en Liquidación (“FNM”) is responsible for the management of all
passenger cars and related personnel necessary for the provision of such service. Our obligation
with respect to the provision of passenger service by FNM is limited to providing FNM with
locomotive power, engineers and dispatching services for which we are reimbursed.
Network
Our rail lines extend from Mexico City, Toluca and Aguascalientes to the U.S. border crossings
at Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros and to seaports on the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Our main
track consists of core and feeder routes. Our core routes serve the principal industrial and
population centers of Mexico while our feeder lines connect with the ports of Veracruz, Lázaro
Cárdenas and Tampico, three of Mexico’s four most important seaports.
We currently have intermodal terminals located in Monterrey, Toluca, San Luís Potosí, and also
access to intermodal terminals at Querétaro, Guadalajara, Ramos Arizpe and Encantada. In addition,
we have direct access to intermodal terminals at the ports of Tampico, Veracruz and Lázaro Cárdenas
and to intermodal terminals at Altamira and Manzanillo through interline service with Ferromex, and
in Mexico City through the FTVM. We also have access to intermodal terminals at Laredo operated by
the Texas Mexican Railway Company (“Tex-Mex”, another wholly owned subsidiary of KCS) and the Union
Pacific Railroad Company, which we are using to develop international intermodal business.
Core Routes and Traffic
Our rail lines comprise five core routes. We believe these core routes are integral to
Mexico’s foreign trade, as they connect Mexico’s most industrialized and populated regions with its
principal border and seaport gateways.
Mexico City — Nuevo Laredo. Our rail lines provide exclusive rail access to the U.S.-Mexico
border crossing at Nuevo Laredo, the most important interchange for freight between the U.S. and
Mexico, through our 797-mile route from Mexico City to Nuevo Laredo. We operate the southern half
of the international rail bridge, which spans the Rio Grande to connect Nuevo Laredo with Laredo.
Our affiliate Tex-Mex operates the northern half of the international rail bridge. In 2004 and
2005, 62.7% and 63.7%, respectively, of Mexico’s total imports and exports carried by rail passed
through Nuevo Laredo. The Mexico City — Nuevo Laredo route is the shortest rail route between
Mexico City and the U.S. border. This route has the lowest grades of any rail route between the
U.S. border and Mexico City, which
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translates into savings of both fuel and locomotive power. Movements over the Mexico City —
Nuevo Laredo route accounted for, 63.2%, 64.2% and 63.7% of our total revenues in 2003, 2004 and
2005, respectively.
Products transported through Nuevo Laredo include finished vehicles and auto parts, grain,
appliances, beer, chemicals, scrap paper and plastics. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, rail traffic
representing $405.2 million, $426.5 million and $455.6 million in revenues, respectively, was
transported through Nuevo Laredo on our rail lines, of which approximately 65.2%, 67.5% and 63.7%,
respectively, consisted of import traffic.
Mexico City — Lazaro Cardenas. We provide exclusive access to the port of Lazaro Cardenas on
the Pacific Ocean over our 491-mile route from Mexico City. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, we transported
rail traffic representing $44.1 million, $61.1 million and $62.0 million in revenues, respectively,
through Lazaro Cardenas. Traffic at Lázaro Cárdenas is both domestic and import traffic, consisting
of minerals, iron, steel slabs, wire rods, fertilizers and intermodal containers. The tunnels along
this route are cleared for double-stack intermodal containers. The port of Lázaro Cárdenas also
handles traffic for export to Pacific Rim nations. The Mexican government is developing the port at
Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific Ocean as an alternate to the congested U.S. West Coast ports of Los Angeles/Long
Beach. Through our rail service to this port, we plan to provide an
alternate route for Asian traffic bound for destinations in Mexico and in the eastern, southern and midwestern United States.
Mexico City — Veracruz. Both KCSM and Ferrosur serve the port of Veracruz in the Gulf of
Mexico. We serve Veracruz through a 288-mile route from Mexico City. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, we
transported rail traffic representing $36.6 million, $32.9 million and $29.4 million in revenues,
respectively, through Veracruz, of which approximately 68.2%, 66.1% and 74.0%, respectively, was
derived from import traffic. The rail freight we transport to and from the port of Veracruz
includes autos, grains, steel and mineral products, chemicals and containers.
Monterrey — Matamoros. Our rail lines include a 203-mile line from Monterrey to Matamoros. We
are the exclusive provider of rail service to Matamoros, which is an alternative to the Nuevo
Laredo border crossing to the U.S. We interchange rail freight at the Matamoros border crossing at
Brownsville, Texas with both the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the BNSF Railway Company. At
Matamoros, we have access to the port of Brownsville, the nearest seaport to Monterrey, through our
interchange with the Union Pacific Railroad Company. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, we transported rail
traffic representing $46.1 million, $43.3 million and $46.2 million in revenues, respectively,
through Matamoros, of which 73.2%, 77.5% and 80.4%, respectively, consisted of import traffic.
Freight traffic through Matamoros includes grains, steel coils, metal scrap, chemicals and iron
slabs.
Tampico
— Altamira. These ports situated in the Gulf of Mexico
generated 5.2%, 5.6% and 6.0% of our total
revenues in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, we transported rail traffic representing $38.5 million,
$37.2 million and $37.4 million in revenues, respectively, through these ports.
Kansas City Southern
KCS is our controlling stockholder. KCS’s principal U.S. subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern
Railway Company (“KCSR”), is one of seven Class I railroads in the U.S. The rail network of KCSR,
Tex-Mex and KCSM together comprises approximately 6,000 miles of main and branch lines extending
from the midwest portions of the United States south into Mexico. In addition, through a strategic
alliance with Canadian National Railway Company (“CN”) and Illinois Central Corporation (“IC”), our
rail network covers approximately 25,000 miles of main and branch lines connecting Canada, the
United States and Mexico. The CN and IC alliance connects Canadian markets with major midwestern
and southern markets in the United States, as well as with major markets in Mexico through KCSR’s
connections with Tex-Mex and us. We and KCS believe that we are poised to continue to benefit from
the growing north/south trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada promoted by NAFTA.
KCS’s rail network, of which we are a part, is further expanded through marketing agreements
between KCSR and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (“Norfolk Southern”), the BNSF Railway Company,
and the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corporation (“IC&E”). This rail network interconnects with
all other Class I railroads and provides shippers with an effective alternative to other railroad
routes, giving direct access to Mexico and the southeastern and midwestern United States through
less congested traffic hubs. As a result of KCS’s acquisition of control over us, we
- 7 -
expect to become more fully integrated into KCS’s NAFTA growth strategy, which includes KCSR’s
established strategic alliances and marketing agreements with other railroads.
Product Categories
We believe that we have succeeded in converting customers from trucking transport to rail
because we offer reliable rail service at competitive prices. We believe that our service is safer,
more punctual and more efficient than that provided prior to the privatization of the Mexican
railroad system and that, as a result, we are able to better serve certain shippers in the
agro-industrial, chemical, automotive and intermodal sectors that have time-sensitive
transportation needs because their products may be valuable, perishable or hazardous, or, in the
case of intermodal freight, because they must connect with other transportation facilities at a
predetermined date. Having substantially reduced cargo theft and vandalism, improved transit times
and on-time performance and focused on customer service, we believe that we are well positioned to
continue to capture traffic from the trucking sector.
The following table sets forth, by product category, our revenues and traffic volumes by
carloads for 2005 and 2004.
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|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
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2005 |
|
|
2004(1) |
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|
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% of |
|
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|
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|
|
% of |
|
| Product Category |
|
Carloads |
|
|
Revenues |
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|
Revenues |
|
|
Carloads |
|
|
Revenues |
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|
Revenues |
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|
(In millions) |
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Agro-industrial products |
|
|
120,956 |
|
|
$ |
163.0 |
|
|
|
22.7 |
|
|
|
125,688 |
|
|
$ |
143.4 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
Cement, metals and minerals |
|
|
171,671 |
|
|
|
142.1 |
|
|
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19.8 |
|
|
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173,198 |
|
|
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138.2 |
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
Chemical and petrochemical
products |
|
|
97,058 |
|
|
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126.6 |
|
|
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17.6 |
|
|
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101,291 |
|
|
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125.7 |
|
|
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18.9 |
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Automotive products |
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114,558 |
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|
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115.7 |
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16.1 |
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|
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119,104 |
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|
|
119.8 |
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18.0 |
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Manufactured products,
industrial products |
|
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104,720 |
|
|
|
100.2 |
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|
|
14.0 |
|
|
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97,741 |
|
|
|
79.3 |
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|
|
11.9 |
|
Intermodal freight |
|
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212,276 |
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|
|
57.3 |
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|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
208,452 |
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|
|
50.5 |
|
|
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7.6 |
|
Other(2) |
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|
— |
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
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|
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|
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|
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KCSM |
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|
821,239 |
|
|
$ |
717.6 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
825,474 |
|
|
$ |
664.2 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Tex-Mex |
|
|
— |
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|
|
— |
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|
|
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|
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60,176 |
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|
|
35.0 |
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Total |
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|
821,239 |
|
|
$ |
717.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
885,650 |
|
|
$ |
699.2 |
|
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| (1) |
|
Tex-Mex 2004 revenues include seven months as a consequence of the sale of 51% of Mexrail
(Tex-Mex’s parent company) to KCS in August 2004. |
| |
| (2) |
|
Other revenues include complementary railroad services such as haulage, demurrage, and fuel
surcharges. |
Agro-industrial Products
For the year 2005, $163.0 million, or 22.7% of our total transportation revenues, was derived
from the movement of agro-industrial products. Our revenues generated from our agro-industrial
sector increased by 13.7% from 2004.
Movement of corn experienced a major increase as a result of higher import volumes during this
period. Movement of sugar maintained a more regular rate of volume increase during this period.
Price improvements also favorably impacted this period. This increase was partially offset by a
reduction in import shipments of soybeans, sorghum and wheat products during the year 2005.
The U.S. and Canada are the dominant suppliers of agricultural products to Mexico and a
significant amount of the agro-industrial products carried over our rail lines are imports,
consisting primarily of grains, grain products (principally corn, soybeans and wheat), as well as seeds
and feed grains, imported to Mexico from the U.S. and Canada. In Mexico these grains are used
principally for human consumption and for feed. These products enter Mexico by rail at the U.S.
border crossings at Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros and by ship at the ports of Tampico, Altamira,
Veracruz and
- 8 -
Lázaro Cárdenas from where they are transported by rail to storage and processing facilities
in Mexico City, Monterrey, Puebla, Torreon, Veracruz and other cities. Our key customers are
Pilgrims Pride de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., CP Ingredients, Ragasa Industrias, S.A. de C. V.,
Comercializadora Internacional Vali, S.A. de C. V. and Grupo Altex, S.A. de C.V.
Cement, Metals and Minerals
In 2005, $142.1 million, or 19.8% of our total transportation revenues, was derived from the
movement of cement, metals and minerals. Our revenues generated in this product category increased
by 2.8% from 2004. Domestic revenues increased during the year 2005 as a result of an increase in
the production volumes of construction materials such as billets, bar and wire, cement and minerals
as a result of the continuing strong performance in the construction and mining industries. Steel slab and steel coils revenue
increased as a result of higher international traffic flows for both imports and exports due to higher consumption of manufacturing
industries, as well as targeted rate increases during the year 2005.
This product category includes metals, minerals and ores such as iron, steel, zinc and copper,
as well as cement. The majority of metals, minerals and ores mined, and steel produced, in Mexico
is used for domestic consumption. The volume of Mexican steel exports fluctuates based on global
market conditions and prices.
Most of Mexico’s major steel plants and mills are located along our rail lines, and a large
amount of finished products from these mills are exported to manufacturers in the U.S., while the
remainder is used domestically. We also seek to convert the traffic flowing from the mines,
quarries and smelters within Mexico to our rail lines. We currently transport iron, steel and other
metals, minerals and ore products from mills at Lázaro Cárdenas to steel plants and mills in
northern Mexico. Finished products such as steel coil used in the production of higher-end finished products such as automobiles, household appliances
and other consumer goods, are imported through Nuevo Laredo and
through seaports served by our rail lines, as well as the port of
Brownsville.
Our customers
include IMSA-MEX, S.A. de C. V., Hylsa, S.A. de C. V., Siderúrgica Lázaro Cárdenas Las Truchas,
S.A. de C. V. and Cementos Apasco, S.A. de C. V.
Cement is one of the most widely used commodities in construction in Mexico and is produced
throughout the country for both domestic use and export to the U.S. Two major companies in Mexico
which move their products with us are CEMEX and Cementos Apasco, S.A. de C. V. Due to its bulk and
density, cement is ill-suited for road transport and, as a result, is hauled almost exclusively by
rail.
Chemical and Petrochemical Products
In 2005, $126.6 million, or 17.6 % of our total transportation revenues, was derived from the
movement of chemical and petrochemical products. For the year 2005, our revenues increased by 0.7%
from 2004. Domestic revenues increased as a result of a higher consumption of diesel and gasoline
during 2005.
The chemical and petrochemical products we transport consist of petrochemical products
imported from the U.S. into Mexico and domestic traffic consisting of fuel transported from PEMEX
Refinanción (“PEMEX”) refineries to regional distribution centers and power plants owned by the
Comisión Federal de Electricidad (the Mexican Federal Electricity Commission (“CFE”), the Mexican
government-owned electric utility. CFE is a major user of fuel oil, much of which is transported
from PEMEX refineries to CFE power generating plants near our rail lines. We operate a unit train
dedicated to transporting these fuels for CFE. We transport fuel oil
from PEMEX refineries located in Salamanca and Tula to
Lázaro Cárdenas.
Transportation
of plastics for M&G Polimeros S.A. de México, Exxon
Mobil S.A., Dow Chemicals
and Bulkmatic S.A., and transportation of soda ash for Vitro, Quimir, Modelo contributed to our
revenue growth in 2005.
- 9 -
Automotive Products
Our automotive revenues during 2005 were $115.7 million, or 16.1% of our total transportation
revenues.
During 2005, the automotive revenues decreased by 3.4% from 2004. This revenue reduction is a
consequence of the decline in production due to the continued
recession in the North American automotive
industry and the closure of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Lago Alberto, and the subsequent
relocation of its production facilities to Encantada in Coahuila.
The automotive products we transport consist primarily of automotive parts imported into
Mexico for assembly in Mexican auto plants, and finished vehicles exported to the U.S. and Canada,
and to some extent imported finished vehicles. We have started to convert the potential for growth
in the domestic automobile distribution market through automotive ramps at Aguascalientes,
Monterrey, Toluca and Veracruz. We believe that we will enhance our ability to move finished
automobiles cost-effectively in the international and domestic markets and to convert this traffic
from truck to rail transport by providing service superior to that provided by our predecessor and
that provided by the trucking industry.
Manufactured Products and Industrial Products
For the year 2005, $100.2 million, or 14.0%, of our total transportation
revenues were derived from the movement of manufactured products and industrial products. Our revenues generated in this
product category increased by 7.1% from 2004. Growth in this segment was a consequence of the
strong transportation of beer, paper and pulpwood and recovery of
traffic from barge movements, as
well as new traffic. Additionally, beer showed an increase of 47.0% in export traffics due to
higher production to cover demand in the U.S. market. Home appliances
revenue increased, driven mainly by higher exports to the U.S.
market. Revenue related to scrap paper also increased due to a
recovery of traffic that was lost in 2004 to barge traffic and obtaining new traffic.
The manufactured and consumer products that we transport include home appliances, textiles,
ceramic tile, scrap paper, glass, paper, beer and pulp. We also transport a variety of industrial
products such as machinery, including boilers, generators, turbines, tanks and transformers,
processed foods and nonperishable products. Processed food products produced in Mexico are both
exported for consumption abroad and consumed domestically. Currently, trucks transport a
significant percentage of processed foods and nonperishable products. We believe there are
opportunities for revenue growth in the industrial products segment, including manufactured
products and paper products, mainly through the conversion of cargo
from Mexican and U.S. companies from truck
to rail transport.
We have a long-term
contract with
Mabe S.A. de C. V. (
“Mabe”) to transport all the
appliances it exports to the U.S. and most of the products it distributes domestically. Mabe is the
largest Mexican home appliance manufacturer, 49.0% of which is owned by the General Electric
Company (GE). Mabe produces most of the gas and electric ranges sold in the U.S. under the
“GE”
brand and refrigerators exported to the U.S.
We believe that bulk products such as paper, including tissue paper, corrugated paper, brown
paper, newsprint and others packaging paper, and pulp can be shipped at cost-effective rates by
rail from manufacturing plants located near our rail lines to regional distribution centers and
directly to the retailer. The majority of the paper and forest products presently carried on our
rail lines consist of scrap paper, printing paper, brown paper and wood pulp imported from the
southeastern U.S., Canada and Texas to paper mills, newspaper publishers, and printers in major
population centers in Mexico.
Large volumes of paper products are manufactured in Mexico at plants near our rail lines by
companies such as Kimberly-Clark de Mexico, S.A. de C. V.,
Smurfit, S.A., Grupo Pipsamex, S.A. de C.
V., Copamex and SCA for domestic
- 10 -
and international consumption, or are imported into Mexico by U.S. paper companies such as
MeadWestvaco, International Paper, Rayonier, Weyerhaeuser, Bowater,
and Koch Cellulose.
Intermodal Freight
For the year 2005, $57.3 million, or 8.0%, of our total transportation revenues were derived
from intermodal freight, which entails hauling products in freight containers in combination with
transport by water, rail and/or motor carriers, with rail carriers serving as the link between the
other modes of transportation. During the year 2005, our revenues in this product category
increased by 13.5% from 2004. This increase was mainly attributable to the consolidation of
steamship service at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas.
Sales and Marketing
Our
marketing and sales efforts are designed to grow and expand our
current business base by focusing on truck conversion up the supply chain and securing existing traffic with
current customers through long-term
contracts. Emphasis is placed on attracting new business
in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. We believe these efforts will continue to benefit from NAFTA as well as the development
of the port of Lázaro Cárdenas.
With
respect to intermodal customers, we will be working in conjunction with the rest of the KCS rail lines
in offering single line services between Lázaro Cárdenas and the U.S., Mexico City proper and the U.S., and
Monterrey proper and the U.S. We will also develop services for Lázaro Cárdenas into Mexico City proper and Monterrey proper.
To
meet the needs of customers shipping commodities in carload units, such as agricultural products,
chemicals and
automotive products, we will work with our affiliates, Tex-Mex and KCSR in
capitalizing upon our strategic advantage resulting from our direct
access to key ports and interchange points through our rail lines, which connect with the extensive
route structures of Tex-Mex, KCSR, the Union Pacific Railroad and other major U.S. and
Canadian rail carriers.
A
significant portion of our
contracts are both quoted and settled in
U.S. dollars, and the vast
majority of additional freight services are quoted in U.S. dollars
and settled at a U.S. dollar-Mexican peso exchange
rate which approximates a U.S. dollar-denominated
contract. We are continuing to move forward with
executing dollar-denominated
contracts, and we believe that a majority of our
contracts are
currently denominated in U.S. dollars.
SICOTRA
We have a license to use SICOTRA, a Union Pacific Technologies system, for among other
purposes, the reporting of car movements in train and yard operations and the processing of bill of
lading information.
Management Control System (“MCS”)
In 2005, we proceeded with plans to upgrade our communication infrastructure and systems in
anticipation of installing KCS’s computerized MCS management control system in 2006. This
state-of-the-art system will replace SICOTRA and is designed to provide better analytical tools for
management to use in its decision-making processes. MCS, among other things, delivers work orders
to yard and train crews to ensure that the service being provided reflects what was sold to the
customer. The system also tracks individual shipments as they move across the rail system, compares
that movement to the service sold to the customer and automatically reports the shipment’s status
to the
- 11 -
customer and to operations management. If a shipment falls behind schedule, MCS automatically
generates alerts and action recommendations so that corrective action
can be promptly initiated.
We expect MCS to provide better analytical tools for management to use in its decision-making
process. We anticipate that MCS will provide more accurate and timely information on, among other
things, terminal dwell time, car velocity through terminals and priority of switching to meet
schedules. A data warehouse is expected to provide an improved decision support infrastructure. By
making decisions based upon that information, we expect to improve service quality and utilization
of locomotives, rolling stock, crews, yards, and line of road and thereby reduce cycle times and
costs. With the implementation of service scheduling, we also expect MCS to provide improved
customer service through improved advanced planning and real-time decision support. By designing
all new business processes around workflow technology, we expect to more effectively follow key
operating statistics to measure productivity and improve our operating performance.
We expect MCS to improve clerical and information technology group efficiencies. We believe
that information technology and other support groups will be able to reduce maintenance costs,
increase their flexibility to respond to new requests and improve productivity. By using a layered
design approach, MCS is expected to have the ability to extend to new technology as it becomes
available. MCS can be further modified to connect customers with additional applications via the
Internet and is intended to be constructed to support multiple railroads, permit modifications to
accommodate the local language requirements of the area and operate across multiple time zones. A
later enhancement of MCS is expected to also include revenue and car accounting systems.
Train Dispatching System
We are presently utilizing two
types of train dispatching systems:
| |
• |
|
A radio-based track warrant control system is in place over approximately 1,747 miles of
track, representing approximately 66% of our rail lines. It utilizes direct radio communication
between dispatchers and engineers combined with specific track assignments to coordinate
train movements and dispatching. |
| |
| |
• |
|
A centralized traffic control system, or CTC system, which allows a central dispatcher in
Monterrey to manage track operations between Mexico City and Nuevo Laredo, is in place over
an aggregate distance of 892 track miles, representing approximately 34% of our
rail lines. |
To improve operating efficiencies, the dispatchers covering all portions of our rail lines,
under both the radio-based track warrant control and CTC systems, are now using the same computer
system. This computer system is scheduled for replacement as part of
a KCS company-wide initiative to have all KCS rail lines on the same computerized dispatching system in 2006.
Documentation and Billing System
We have developed, tested and fully implemented a state-of-the-art documentation and billing
system that allows our customers to use the Internet to track and trace their railcars, access online
documentation and use predetermined templates to expedite the
process and ensure consistency and quality of information.
Online Customer Service
In the customer service area, we have converted our Internet home page into a comprehensive
tool permitting customers to track the delivery of their shipments and obtain a wide range of
information regarding our services. Besides providing information about our business areas and
services, our
website provides customers with access to multiple services including:
- 12 -
| |
• |
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“Track and Trace”; |
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• |
|
AEI (Automatic Equipment Identification) readouts; |
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• |
|
our graphical rail network; |
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• |
|
equipment order monitoring; |
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• |
|
rate inquiries; |
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• |
|
equipment historical information; |
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• |
|
an automatic delivery reporting feature which can be customized by the user based on the
day of the week and delivery time and can handle up to 10 delivery recipients; |
| |
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• |
|
invoice inquiries; and |
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• |
|
train schedule and other information. |
Arrendadora TFM
Arrendadora TFM, our 98%-owned subsidiary, was incorporated on
September 27, 2002 as a
sociedad anónima de capital variable (variable capital corporation), under the laws of Mexico, and
its only operation is the leasing to us of the locomotives and cars acquired by us through the
privatization and subsequently transferred by us to Arrendadora TFM.
Mexico Valley Railroad and Terminal (FTVM)
FTVM was incorporated as a
sociedad anónima de capital variable (variable capital
corporation), under the laws of Mexico. The corporate purpose of
the company is to provide railroad
services as well as ancillary services, including those related to interconnection, switching and
haulage services. We hold 25.0% of the share capital of this company. The other shareholders of
FTVM, each holding 25.0%, are Ferromex, Ferrosur and the Mexican
government. Ferromex and Ferrosur are currently under the common
control of Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (
“Grupo Mexico”).
Mexrail
Mexrail,
which is also a wholly owned subsidiary of KCS, owns 100% of Tex Mex, which in turn operates a 157-mile rail line extending from
Laredo to the port city of Corpus Christi, Texas. Tex-Mex connects with our rail lines at the
U.S./Mexico border at Laredo and connects to KCSR through trackage rights at Beaumont, Texas.
Mexrail owns the northern half of the rail-bridge at Laredo, Texas, while we operate the southern,
or Mexican, portion of the international rail bridge at Nuevo Laredo, which spans the Rio Grande
River between the U.S. and Mexico. Laredo is a principal international gateway through
which more than 50% of all rail and truck traffic between the U.S. and Mexico crosses the border.
On
March 27, 2002, we acquired from Grupo TMM and KCS all of the outstanding stock of Mexrail.
On
August 16, 2004, we entered into an agreement
with KCS to sell to KCS Mexrail shares representing 51% ownership of Mexrail for approximately
$32.7 million. The Mexrail shares were placed in a voting trust pending regulatory approval by the
United States SurfaceTransportation Board (
“STB”) of KCS’s common control of Tex-Mex, KCSR and the
Gateway Eastern Railway Company (
“Gateway Eastern”). On
November 29, 2004, the STB approved KCS’s
application for authority to control Tex-Mex and the U.S. portion of the international rail bridge
at Laredo, Texas. On
January 1, 2005, the shares
representing 51% of Mexrail were released from the voting trust to KCS, and KCS took control of
Tex-Mex. We continue to own 49% of the stock of Mexrail.
- 13 -
Competition
We face significant competition from trucks and other railroads and expect such competition to
continue to be significant. In general, most freight in Mexico is
transported by truck or rail. Freight terminating or originating in our service territory is primarily transported by truck.
Competition with other modes of transportation is generally based on rates charged, as well as the
quality and reliability of the service provided. We believe that other competitive factors for
freight transport are lead time for orders, protection of goods, transit time, adequacy of the
equipment and the provision of other value added services such as traceability of shipments and
availability of rates through the Internet.
Some segments of our freight traffic, notably intermodal freight, experience price competition
from trucks, although the operating efficiencies we are achieving may lessen the impact of price
competition. Although truck transport has generally been more expensive than rail transport, in
some circumstances, the trucking industry can provide effective rate and service competition,
because trucking requires smaller capital investments and maintenance expenditures and allows for
more frequent and flexible scheduling.
We believe that we may be able to capture freight traffic currently being carried by truck in
part as a result of the following factors:
| |
• |
|
Rail transport prices are generally lower than truck prices. This is due in part to the
fact that less labor is required to haul cargo by rail. |
| |
| |
• |
|
With our customer service structure and substantial capital improvements, we believe that
we have created a customer oriented business which, together with our other competitive
advantages, is making our freight services more attractive than those presently offered by
trucking concerns. |
We also face competition from the other privatized railroads in Mexico, particularly from
Ferromex. Ferromex and Ferrosur, which are currently under the common
control of Grupo Mexico, together provide rail coverage nationwide
(except for Laredo and Lázaro Cárdenas), and together own
50% of the share capital of FTVM and the Mexico City terminal. We have experienced, and continue to experience, competition from Ferromex. Ferromex’s rail lines link Mexico City with U.S. border crossings at Piedras
Negras, Ciudad Juárez, Nogales and Mexicali and also serve the city of Guadalajara and the ports of
Tampico on the Gulf of Mexico and Manzanillo on the Pacific Ocean. The Union Pacific Railroad owns
a minority interest in Ferromex. Ferromex directly competes with us in some areas of our service
territory, including Tampico and Mexico City. We experience aggressive price competition with
Ferromex in freight rates. This rate competition
has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect our financial results. In addition, we
encounter direct competition from Ferrosur on the Mexico City to Veracruz route.
Under our concession, we are required to grant trackage rights to Ferromex, Ferrosur, two
short line railroads and FTVM. These rights will give Ferromex more direct access to the Querétaro
and Mexico City markets. In turn, the other railroads are required to grant rights to KCSM which
will allow us to directly access the Guadalajara market, Mexico’s third largest industrial and
commercial center, via Ferromex routes.
The Mexican railroad services law and regulations and the concession contain various other
provisions designed to introduce competition in the provision of railroad services. While the
Mexican railroad services law and regulations allow us to establish our operating policies and
freight service rates, we are subject to limited rate regulation in certain circumstances. With
respect to freight services over our rail lines, the SCT may grant
concessions to third parties or rights to other rail carriers additional to those set forth in the
concession beginning in June 2027.
- 14 -
Although we believe that services provided within our service territory by maritime
transportation are generally complementary to our operations, we do face limited competition from
the shipping industry with respect to certain products, including chemicals transported by barges.
In February 2001, a NAFTA tribunal ruled in an arbitration between the U.S. and Mexico that
the U.S. must allow Mexican trucks to cross the border and operate on U.S. highways. Under NAFTA,
Mexican trucks were to have unrestricted access to highways in the U.S. border states by 1995 and
full access to all U.S. highways by January 2000. However, the U.S. did not follow the timetable
because of concerns over Mexico’s trucking safety standards. On
March 14, 2002, as part of its
agreement under NAFTA, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued safety rules that allow Mexican
truckers to apply for operating authority to transport goods beyond the 20-mile commercial zones
along the U.S.-Mexico border. These safety rules require Mexican carriers seeking to operate in the
U.S. to pass, among other things, safety inspections, obtain valid insurance with a U.S. registered
insurance company, conduct alcohol and drug testing for drivers and obtain a U.S. Department of
Transportation identification number. Under the rules issued by the U.S. Department of
Transportation, it was expected that the border would have been opened to Mexican carriers in 2002.
However, in January 2003, in response to a lawsuit filed in May 2002 by a coalition of
environmental, consumer and labor groups, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San
Francisco issued a ruling which held that the rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation
violated federal environmental laws because it had failed to adequately review the impact on air
quality in the U.S. of rules allowing Mexican carriers to transport beyond the 20-mile commercial
zones along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Court of Appeals ruling required the U.S. Department of
Transportation to perform an Environmental Impact Statement of the Mexican truck plan and to
certify compliance with the U.S. Clean Air Act requirements. The U.S. Department of Transportation
subsequently requested the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals ruling and, on
December 15, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the U.S. Department of Transportation’s request.
On
June 7, 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturned the Court of Appeals ruling.
Although the U.S. Department of Transportation is no longer required to perform an Environmental
Impact Statement under the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, the U.S. and Mexico must still complete
negotiations regarding safety inspections before the border is opened. We cannot predict when these
negotiations will be completed.
Government Regulation
Railroad Regulation
The Mexican railroad services law and regulations provide the overall general legal framework
for the regulation of railroad services in Mexico. Under the Mexican railroad services law and
regulations, a provider of railroad services, such as us, must operate under a concession granted
by the SCT. Such a concession may only be granted to a Mexican corporation
and may not be transferred or assigned without the approval of the SCT. The
law permits foreign investors to hold up to 49.0% of the capital stock of such a corporation,
unless a greater percentage of foreign investment is authorized by the Mexican Foreign Investment Commission. On
October 5, 2004, KCS
was notified by the Mexican Foreign Investment Commission of its
approval of KCS’s acquisition of our indirect controlling owner.
We are also subject to the
Ley General de Bienes Nacionales (the General Law on National Assets),
which regulates all assets that fall within the public domain and by various other laws and
regulations.
The
SCT is principally responsible for regulating railroad services in
Mexico. The SCT has broad powers to monitor our compliance with the
concession and it can require us to supply it with any technical, administrative and financial
information it requests. We must comply with the investment commitments established in our business
plan, which forms an integral part of the concession, and must update the plan every five years.
The SCT treats our business plans confidentially. The SCT monitors our compliance with efficiency and safety standards as set forth in the
concession. The SCT reviews, and may amend, these standards every five
years.
The Mexican railroad services law and regulations provides the Mexican government certain
rights in its relations with us under the concession, including the right to take over the
management of KCSM and our railroad in certain extraordinary cases, such as imminent danger to
national security. In the past, the Mexican government has used such a
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power with respect to other privatized industries, including the telecommunications industry,
to ensure continued service during labor disputes.
In addition, under the concession and the Mexican railroad services law and regulations, the
SCT, in consultation with the Mexican Antitrust Commission, under certain
circumstances may determine that there is a lack of competition in the railroad industry, in which
case the SCT would have the authority to set our rates for rail freight
services.
Environmental Regulation
Our operations are subject to Mexican federal laws and regulations relating to the protection
of the environment. The primary environmental law in Mexico is the General Law of Ecological
Balance and Environmental Protection. The Mexican federal agency in charge of overseeing compliance
with, and enforcing the federal environmental laws, is the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos
Naturales (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources). The Procuraduría Federal de
Protección al Ambiente (Attorney General for Environmental Protection) has the power to bring
administrative proceedings and impose corrective actions and economic sanctions against companies
that violate environmental laws, and temporarily or permanently close non-complying facilities. The
Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and other authorized ministries have promulgated
standards for, among other things, water discharge, water supply, emissions, noise pollution,
hazardous substances, and transportation and handling of hazardous and solid waste. In addition, we
are subject to the environmental laws and regulations issued by the governments of each of
the states of Mexico where our facilities are located. The terms of the concession also impose on
us certain environmental law compliance obligations.
Noncompliance with applicable legal provisions may result in the imposition of fines,
temporary or permanent shutdown of operations or other injunctive relief, criminal prosecution or
the termination of our concession. We believe that all facilities that we operate are in
substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations and agency agreements. There
are currently no material legal or administrative proceedings pending against us with respect to
any environmental matters, and management does not believe that continued compliance with
environmental laws will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of
operations. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that the adoption of additional or more stringent
environmental laws and regulations would have on our results of operations, cash flows or financial
condition.
Improvements, Maintenance and Repair
We have entered into locomotive maintenance agreements with
Alstom Transporte, S.A. de C.V.
(
“Alstom”),
GE Transportation Systems México, S.A.
de C.V.(
“GE”)
, GETS Locomotive Services, S.A. de
C.V., and
MPI Noreste, S.A. de C.V. (
“MPI”) (which was acquired by GE), under which these
contractors provide both routine maintenance and major overhauls. Routine maintenance includes
periodic inspections, oils and lubricants, filters, maintenance of wheel profiles, compression and
other engine checks and all repairs. Our locomotives are inspected in full compliance with those
regulations as required by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (
“FRA”), which enables our
locomotives to operate in the U.S. pursuant to interchanges with major U.S. railroads. Major
overhauls are performed every 600,000 to 1,000,000 miles for rebuilt locomotives, and every 756,000
to 1,000,000 miles or 26,000 to 28,000 Megawatts-Hour for new locomotives. Our maintenance
contracts require
that our locomotives be available for freight service 93.0% to 95% of the time.
We believe that the outsourcing of our locomotive maintenance provides us with significant
advantages by relieving us of locomotive maintenance requirements while allowing us to focus on
implementing our operating initiatives in order to provide efficient and reliable rail service. By
outsourcing we also avoid the need to incur the significant expenditures associated with locomotive
maintenance facilities. Our locomotive maintenance
contract with MPI expires in 2014, our
maintenance
contract with Alstom expires in 2009 and our
contracts with GE expire in 2018.
Our maintenance-of-way personnel coordinate the maintenance of our track, hiring third parties
primarily to perform roadway repairs and track laying and surfacing. We may also purchase other
maintenance-of-way services
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from time to time, including when we lack in-house expertise to perform services or when the
nature or location of the required maintenance work makes the hiring of third parties a
cost-effective alternative to utilizing our personnel to perform such maintenance.
Refurbishing of Our Route
In May 2000, we entered into a track maintenance and rehabilitation agreement with Alstom
pursuant to which it is providing both routine and major rehabilitation of our Celaya-Lázaro
Cárdenas line, which comprises approximately 350 miles of track. In each of 2005 and 2004, our
maintenance and rehabilitation expenses under this
contract amounted to $3.4 million. Under this
agreement, we are committed to paying a total of approximately $101.9 million for maintenance and
rehabilitation of this route over a period of 12 years. As of
December 31, 2005, we have paid $76.7
million under this agreement.
Our capital improvements program is described in more detail under the caption “Failure to
make capital expenditures could result in the revocation of our concession and adversely affect our
financial condition” under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and in the discussion of “Capital Expenditures
and Divestitures” under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and
Results of Operations,” of this Annual Report.
Insurance
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including: (i) mechanical failure, (ii)
collision, (iii) property loss, (iv) cargo loss or damage, and (v) business interruption due to
natural disasters, political circumstances, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, the
operation of any railroad is subject to the inherent possibility of catastrophic disaster,
including chemical spills and other environmental mishaps.
Our present insurance coverage insures against the accident-related risks involved in the
conduct of our business, and is consistent with industry practice and the requirements of the
concession and the Mexican railroad services law and regulations. Our insurance policy also
provides for “per-incident” maximum amounts which vary depending upon the nature of the risk
insured against. Our policy is renewable on an annual basis and expires in June, 2006. The Mexican
railroad services law and regulations provide that, if we receive insurance proceeds in respect of
any damage to our rail lines, those proceeds shall be applied to the repair or remediation of such
damage or, in the event that we elect not to undertake such repairs, these proceeds must be paid to
the Mexican government.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Debt
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial position and our ability to meet
our obligations under our debt instruments.
We have a substantial amount of debt and significant debt service obligations. As of
December
31, 2005, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $908.2 million, consisting of (i) $102.1 million
under a new credit facility dated
October 24, 2005, or the New Credit Agreement, (ii) $788.4
million of senior unsecured indebtedness, (iii) $1.3 million of secured indebtedness, and (iv)
$16.4 million fair value adjustment resulting from the push down
accounting. Our stockholders’ equity was $1,155.7
million as of
December 31, 2005, resulting in a debt to total
capitalization ratio of 44.0%. On
October 28, 2005,
we refinanced our existing term loan indebtedness outstanding under a credit agreement dated
June 24,
2004, or the 2004 Credit Agreement, by replacing the 2004 Credit Agreement with the New Credit
Agreement. This transaction is
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described in more detail in the discussion of “Recent Developments” under Item 7 of this
Annual Report, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
Operations.”
Our substantial indebtedness could interfere with our ability to pay interest and principal on
our debt, and may have important consequences for our operations and
capital expenditure requirements, including the following:
| |
• |
|
we will have to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the
payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on our debt, which will reduce funds
available for other purposes; |
| |
| |
• |
|
we may not be able to fund capital expenditures, working capital and other corporate requirements; |
| |
| |
• |
|
we may not be able to obtain additional financing, or to obtain it at acceptable rates; |
| |
| |
• |
|
our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and to withstand competitive
pressures could be limited, and we may be vulnerable to additional risk if there is a
downturn in general economic conditions or in our business; |
| |
| |
• |
|
we may be exposed to risks in exchange rate fluctuations because any fluctuation of the
Mexican peso relative to the dollar could impact our ability to service debt; and |
| |
| |
• |
|
we may be at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less
leverage and greater operating and financing flexibility than we do. |
Failure to comply with restrictive covenants in our existing contractual arrangements could
accelerate our repayment obligations under our debt.
The
indentures relating to our outstanding debt securities and our New Credit Agreement
contain a number of restrictive covenants, and any additional financing arrangements we enter into
may contain additional restrictive covenants. Our New Credit Agreement contains covenants that are
more restrictive than those contained in the
indentures relating to our securities, including, but
not limited to, certain financial covenants which require us to maintain specified financial
ratios. These covenants restrict or prohibit many actions, including, but not limited to, our
ability to incur debt, create or suffer to exist liens, make prepayments of particular debt, pay
dividends, make investments, engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates, issue capital
stock, sell certain assets, and engage in mergers and consolidations or in sale-leaseback
transactions.
As a result of the covenants and restrictions contained in the
indentures and in our New
Credit Agreement, we are limited in how we conduct our business and we may be unable to compete
effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. Any breach of these covenants could
result in a default under the
indentures and our New Credit Agreement.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to remain in compliance with these covenants in the
future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the appropriate
parties and/or amend the covenants. At the same time, there are exceptions to many of these restrictive
covenants, and we cannot give assurances that the limitations referred to above will apply in all
circumstances.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Business
We may not be successful at reducing our operating costs and increasing our operating
efficiencies.
We must continue to reduce our operating costs and increase our operating efficiencies to
achieve further cost savings in future periods. We cannot assure you that we will be able to
achieve all of the cost savings that we expect to realize from current initiatives. In particular,
we may be unable to implement one or more of our initiatives successfully or we may experience
unexpected cost increases that offset the savings that we achieve. Our failure to realize cost
savings may adversely affect our results of operations.
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The Mexican government may revoke or limit our concession under a number of circumstances.
We operate under a 50-year concession granted by the Mexican government. The Mexican government may terminate the concession
if, among other things, there is an unjustified interruption of the operation of our rail lines, we
charge tariffs higher than the tariffs we have registered, we restrict the ability of other Mexican
rail operators to use our rail lines, we fail to make payments for damages caused during the
performance of services, we fail to comply with any term or condition of the Ley Reglamentaria del
Servicio Ferroviaria (Law Regulating Railroad Services, or Mexican railroad services laws and
regulations), we fail to make the capital investments required under
our five-year plan filed with the Mexican Secretaria de
Comunicaciones y Transportes (Ministry of Communications and Transportation), or the SCT, or we fail to maintain an obligations compliance bond and the insurance coverage
specified in the Mexican railroad services laws and regulations. In addition, the concession
revokes automatically in the event we change our nationality or we assign, or create any lien on,
the concession without the SCT’s approval.
On
April 6, 2006 and
April 7, 2006, the
SCT initiated sanction proceedings against us, claiming that
we have failed in the years 2004 and 2005 to make the minimum capital investment projected under our
five-year business plan filed with the SCT. We must answer the
SCT’s letter of April 6 before May 2, and the
letter of April 7 by
May 4, 2006. In each case,
we anticipate providing the SCT with arguments explaining our capital investment program
and arguing that sanctions are not appropriate. If these proceedings are determined adversely to us and
sanctions imposed, we would be subject to fines or possible revocation of
the concession if the SCT imposes sanctions on three additional
occasions over the remaining term of the concession.
Under the concession, we have the right to operate our rail lines, but we do not own the land,
roadway or associated structures. If the Mexican government legally terminates the concession, it
would own, control and manage such public domain assets used in the operation of our rail lines.
The Mexican government may also temporarily seize control of our rail lines and our assets in the
event of a natural disaster, war, significant public disturbances, or imminent danger to the
domestic peace or economy. In such a case, the SCT may restrict our ability
to exploit the concession fully for such time and in such manner as
the SCT deems necessary under the circumstances, but only for the duration of any of the foregoing events.
Mexican law requires that the Mexican government pay us compensation if it effects a statutory
appropriation for reasons of the public interest. With respect to a temporary seizure due to any
cause other than international war, the Mexican railroad services law and regulations provide that
the Mexican government will indemnify an affected concessionaire for an amount equal to damages
caused and losses suffered. However, these payments may not be sufficient to compensate us for our
losses and may not be timely made.
Failure to make capital expenditures could result in the revocation of our concession and
adversely affect our financial condition.
Our business is capital intensive and requires substantial ongoing expenditures for, among
other things, improvements to roadway, structures, technology, acquisitions, leases and repair of
equipment and maintenance of our rail system. Our failure to make necessary capital expenditures
could impair our ability to service our existing customers or accommodate increases in traffic
volumes. In addition, our railroad concession from the Mexican government requires us to make
ongoing investments and undertake capital projects in accordance with successive five-year business
plans approved by the Mexican government.
We have funded, and expect to continue to fund, capital expenditures with funds from operating
cash flows, leases and, to a lesser extent, vendor financing. We may not be able to generate
sufficient cash flows from our operations or obtain sufficient funds from external sources to fund
our capital expenditure requirements. If financing is available, it may not be obtainable on terms
acceptable to us and within the limitations contained in the
indentures and other agreements
relating to our debt. If we are unable to complete our planned capital improvement projects, our
ability to service our existing customers or accommodate increases in our traffic volumes may be
limited or impaired and our business plan commitments with the Mexican government may be at risk,
requiring us to seek waivers to the business plan. We may defer capital expenditures with respect
to such business plan with the permission of the SCT. However, the
SCT might not grant this permission, and our failure to comply with our
commitments in our business plan could result in the Mexican government revoking the concession. We
cannot assure you that the Mexican government would grant us such waivers. If such waivers are not
obtained and our concession is revoked, this would adversely affect our financial condition.
Significant competition from other railroads could adversely affect our financial condition.
We face significant competition in some industry segments from other railroads, in particular
Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V., or Ferromex, the operator
of the largest railway system in Mexico, which are in close proximity to our rail lines. In particular, we have experienced and continue to
experience competition from Ferromex with respect to the transport of a variety of products. The rail lines operated by Ferromex run from Guadalajara and Mexico City to four
- 19 -
U.S. border crossings west of the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo crossing, providing an alternative to
our routes for the transport of freight from those cities to the U.S. border. In addition, Ferromex
directly competes with us in some areas of our service territory, including Tampico, Saltillo,
Monterrey and Mexico City. Ferrosur S.A. de C.V., or Ferrosur, which operates the
Southeast Rail Lines, competes directly with us for traffic to and from southeastern Mexico.
Ferrosur, like us, also serves Mexico City, Puebla and Veracruz.
In November 2005, Grupo Mexico, the controlling shareholder of
Ferromex, acquired all of the shares of Ferrosur. Grupo Mexico’s
control of Ferromex and Ferrosur remains subject to approval of the
Mexican Competition Commission. The common control of Ferromex and
Ferrosur would give Grupo Mexico control over a nationwide railway
system and ownership of 50% of the shares of the Mexico Valley
Terminal and Railway Company.
Ferromex and Ferrosur may have greater financial resources than we have, which among other
things, may give them greater ability to reduce freight prices. Price reductions by competitors
would make our freight services less competitive, and we cannot give
assurances that we would be able to
match these rate reductions. In recent years, we have experienced aggressive price competition from
Ferromex in freight rates for agricultural products, which has adversely affected our results of
operations. Our ability to respond to competitive measures by decreasing our prices without
adversely affecting our gross margins and operating results will depend on, among other things, our
ability to reduce our operating costs. Our failure to respond to competitive pressures, and
particularly price competition, in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition.
In recent years, there has also been significant consolidation among major North American rail
carriers. The resulting merged railroads may attempt to use their size and pricing power to affect
our access to efficient gateways and routing options that are currently and have been historically
available. We cannot guarantee that further consolidation will not have an adverse effect on our
financial condition.
Significant competition from trucks could adversely affect our financial condition.
We also face significant competition from trucks. In the past, the trucking industry has
significantly eroded the railroad’s market share of Mexico’s total overland freight transportation
by providing effective rate and service competition. Trucking requires substantially smaller
capital investments and maintenance expenditures than railroads and allows for more frequent and
flexible scheduling. In addition, Mexican truckers are able to deliver to points in the U.S. under
relaxed NAFTA rules. We cannot give assurances that we will not lose business in the future due to our
inability to respond to competitive pressures by decreasing our prices without adversely affecting
our gross margins and operational results.
A material part of our projected revenue growth during the next few years is expected to
result from increased truck-to-rail traffic conversion. There can be no assurance that we will have
the ability to continue to convert traffic from truck to rail transport or that we will retain the
customers that we have already converted. If the railroad industry, in general, and we, in
particular, are unable to preserve competitive advantages vis-à-vis the trucking industry, our
business plan may not be achieved and our financial condition could be adversely affected.
A significant percentage of our transportation revenues has historically been derived from the
automotive industry, which has had difficulties in recent years.
Our transportation revenues derived from the transport of automotive products declined to
$115.7 million in 2005 from $119.8 million in 2004. General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and Ford Motor
Co. were among our most significant customers, together representing approximately 14.4% of our
total revenues in 2005. Our automotive revenues in 2005 decreased due to the continued recession in
the North American automotive industry and the lack of demand for those automobile models manufactured in
Mexico.
The
rates for trackage rights set by the SCT may not adequately compensate
us.
Pursuant to our concession, we are required to grant rights to use portions of our tracks to
Ferromex, Ferrosur and FTVM. The concession stipulates that Ferromex, Ferrosur and FTVM are
required to grant to us rights to use portions of their tracks.
Our concession classifies trackage rights as short trackage rights and long-distance trackage
rights. Although all of these trackage rights have been granted under our concession, no railroad
has actually operated under the long-distance trackage rights because the means of setting rates
for usage and other related terms of usage have not been agreed upon.
- 20 -
Under the Mexican railroad services law and regulations, the rates that we may charge for
rights to use our tracks must be agreed upon in writing between us and the party to which those
rights are granted. However, if we cannot reach an agreement on rates with rail carriers entitled
to trackage rights on our rail lines, the Mexican government is
entitled to set the rates in accordance with Mexican law and
regulations, which
rates may not adequately compensate us.
We have not been able to reach an agreement with Ferromex regarding rates each of us is
required to pay the other for trackage rights, interline services and haulage rights. We and
Ferromex are involved in civil, judicial and administrative proceedings in connection with the
amounts payable to each other for interline services, haulage and trackage rights. Some of those
procedures continue under litigation and therefore are pending final resolution. Any resolution of
such procedures adverse to us could have a negative impact on our
business and operations. See Item 3,
“Legal Proceedings — Other Litigation — Disputes
with Ferromex.” In addition, under the Mexican railroad
services laws and regulations, acts or omissions that impede the activities of other
concessionaires, including the use of trackage rights, may result in the revocation of our
concession.
Downturns in the U.S. economy, Mexican economy, U.S.-Mexico trade, certain cyclical industries in
which our customers operate, the global economy or fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rate
could have adverse effects on our financial condition.
Downturns in the U.S. or Mexican economy or in trade between the U.S. and Mexico will likely
have adverse effects on our business and results of operations. Mexican exports to the U.S. of
manufactured goods, beer, metals and minerals, automobiles, chemical and petrochemical products and
other products, many of which we transport, are an important element of U.S.-Mexico trade. In
addition, a significant portion of our business consists of imports into Mexico from the U.S. The
level of our business activity depends heavily on the U.S. and Mexican economies and markets, the
relative competitiveness of Mexican and U.S. products at any given time and on existing and new
tariffs or other barriers to trade. For example, the recent downturn in the U.S. economy has had an
adverse effect on our revenues in all product categories,
particularly in the automotive segment. Future economic downturns may have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and our ability to meet our debt service obligations.
Some of our customers operate in industries that experience cyclicality, including the
agricultural, automotive, manufacturing and construction sectors. Any downturn in these sectors due
to the effects of cyclicality or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our operating
results. Also, some of the products we transport have had a historical pattern of price cyclicality
which has typically been influenced by the general economic environment and by supply and demand
factors in the relevant markets. For example, global steel and petrochemical prices have decreased
in the past. We cannot give assurances you that prices and demand for these products will not decline in the
future, adversely affecting those industries and, in turn, our financial condition.
Our business may also be adversely affected by downturns in the global economy or in
particular regions of the global economy. In addition, fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange
rate could lead to shifts in the types and volumes of Mexican imports and exports as manufacturers
and raw material suppliers seek to minimize the effect of exchange rate movements by seeking other
markets for their business.
Although a decrease in the level of exports of some of the commodities that we transport to
the U.S. may be offset by a subsequent increase in imports of other commodities we haul into Mexico
and vice versa, any offsetting increase might not occur on a timely basis, if at all. The level of
U.S.-Mexico trade and the development of U.S.-Mexican trade negotiations or agreements in the
future are beyond our control, and may result in a reduction of freight volumes or in an
unfavorable shift in the mix of products and commodities we transport.
The Mexican government may restrict our ability to operate our concession on a profitable basis by
setting tariffs for rail freight services.
Under the concession and Mexican law, we may freely set our tariffs for rail freight services,
but we must register our tariffs with the SCT before they become effective.
Under the Mexican railroad services law and regulations, the SCT reserves
the right to set tariffs if, in consultation with the Comisión Federal de Competencia (the Mexican
Antitrust Commission), it determines that effective competition does not exist. The Mexican
Antitrust Commission, however, has not published guidelines regarding the factors that constitute a
lack
- 21 -
of competition. It is therefore unclear under what particular circumstances the Mexican
Antitrust Commission would deem a lack of competition to exist. If
the SCT intervenes and sets tariffs, the rates it sets may be too low to allow us to operate profitably.
Traffic congestion or similar problems experienced in the U.S. or Mexican railroad system may
adversely affect our operations.
Traffic congestion experienced in the U.S. railroad system may result in overall traffic
congestion which would impact the ability to move traffic to and from Mexico and adversely affect
our operations. This system congestion may also result in certain equipment shortages. Any similar
congestion experienced by railroads in Mexico could have an adverse effect on our business and
results of operations. In addition, the growth of cross-border traffic in recent years has
contributed to congestion on the international bridge at the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo border gateway,
which is expected to continue in the near future. This may adversely affect our business and
results of operations.
Our business strategy, operations and growth rely significantly on third parties.
Our operations are dependent on interchange agreements that we have negotiated with major U.S.
railroads in the north, Ferromex in the west of Mexico and Ferrosur in the south of Mexico. We also
have a terminal operations agreement with FTVM. In addition, we and each of the concessionaires of
Ferromex and Ferrosur have a 25.0% interest in FTVM, and Ferromex and
Ferrosur are currently under the common control of Grupo Mexico. These agreements enable us to exchange traffic
and utilize trackage which is not part of our rail system, extending our network and providing us
with strategically important rail links to the U.S. and to areas of Mexico that we do not directly
serve. Our ability to provide comprehensive service to our customers depends in part on our ability
to maintain these agreements with other railroads and third parties and our ability to take legal
action in the Mexican Federal Courts to enforce such agreements on the grounds that the railroads
are a public service governed by public interest laws. Our failure to maintain these agreements,
the termination of these agreements, or failure to obtain the corresponding legal relief in due
course, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The
other parties to these agreements may not faithfully fulfill their obligations under their
agreements or arrangements with us, and many of these other parties are or may become our
competitors. Further, the failure of any of these parties to fulfill its obligations to us could
adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may not be able
to coordinate our interchange and switching activities with these other concessionaires and
railroads in an efficient manner. Inefficient coordination of our interchange and switching
activities would negatively impact our operating results.
If our primary fuel supply contract is terminated, or if fuel prices substantially increase, our
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
The locomotives we operate are diesel-powered, and our fuel expenses are a significant portion
of our operating expenses. We meet, and expect to continue to meet, our fuel requirements almost
exclusively through purchases at market prices from PEMEX. The
contract with PEMEX may be
terminated at any time by either party upon thirty days’ written notice to the other. If the
contract is terminated and we are unable to acquire diesel fuel from alternative sources on
acceptable terms, our financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition,
since our fuel expense represents a significant portion of our operating expenses, significant
increases in the price of diesel fuel could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition. In 2005, our average price of fuel per gallon increased by 43.9% from 2004, which in
turn had increased 30.1% from 2003.
We face possible catastrophic loss and liability, and our insurance may not be sufficient to cover
our damages or damages to others.
The operation of any railroad carries with it an inherent risk of catastrophe, mechanical
failure, collision and property loss. In the course of our operations, spills or other
environmental mishaps, cargo loss or damage, business interruption due to political developments,
as well as labor disputes, strikes and adverse weather conditions, could result in a loss of
revenues or increased liabilities and costs. Collisions, environmental mishaps or other accidents
can cause serious bodily injury, death and extensive property damage, particularly when such
accidents occur in heavily populated areas. Additionally, our operations may be affected from time
to time by natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes or other storms. The
occurrence of a major natural disaster, especially in the Mexico City area,
- 22 -
which is the site of FTVM and significant portions of our customer base, could have a material
adverse effect on our operations and our financial condition. We have acquired insurance that is
consistent with industry practice and consistent with the requirements of our concession against
the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and business interruption due to
natural disaster. However, this insurance is subject to a number of limitations on coverage,
depending on the nature of the risk insured against. This insurance may not be sufficient to cover
our damages or damages to others, and this insurance may not continue to be available at
commercially reasonable rates. Even with insurance, if any catastrophic interruption of service
occurs, we may not be able to restore service without a significant interruption to operations and
an adverse effect on our financial condition.
We face potential environmental liabilities.
Our operations are subject to general Mexican federal and state laws and regulations relating
to the protection of the environment. The Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Mexican
Attorney General for Environmental Protection) is empowered to bring administrative proceedings and
impose corrective actions and economic sanctions against companies that violate environmental laws,
and temporarily or permanently close non-complying facilities. The Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y
Recursos Naturales (Mexican Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources) and other
ministries have promulgated compliance standards for, among other things, water discharge, water
supply, air emissions, noise pollution, hazardous substances transportation and handling, and
hazardous and solid waste generation.
We are responsible for the costs of environmental compliance, associated with our ongoing
operations. Pursuant to our concession, FNM
is responsible for any environmental damage caused before the commencement of our operations, and
both the Mexican government and FNM are required to indemnify us for any environmental liability
relating to soil, subsoil or groundwater contamination arising from acts or omissions attributable
to FNM that occurred before KCSM initiated operations in accordance with the concession title.
However, the Mexican government is not obligated to compensate us for any expenses that we incur in
complying with any amended environmental laws or regulations relating to our ongoing operations or
activities that impose higher regulatory standards than those in effect on the date the concession
was granted. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that the adoption of additional or more
stringent environmental laws and regulations would have on our financial condition. Failure to
comply with environmental obligations may result in the termination of our concession.
Terrorist activities and geopolitical events and their consequences could adversely affect our
financial condition.
Terrorist attacks may negatively affect our operations. The continued threat of terrorism
within Mexico, the U.S. and elsewhere and the potential for military action and heightened security
measures in response to such threat may cause significant disruption to commerce throughout the
world, including restrictions on cross-border transport and trade. In addition, related political
events may cause a lengthy period of uncertainty that may adversely affect our business. Political
and economic instability in other regions of the world, including the U.S. and Canada, could
negatively impact our operations. The consequences of terrorism and the responses are unpredictable
and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.
Renegotiation of terms of the labor agreement and any potential labor disruptions could adversely
affect our financial condition.
Approximately 71.0% of our employees are covered by a labor agreement, which was recently
renewed and is effective for a two-year term ending in July 2007. The compensation terms of the
labor agreement are subject to renegotiation on an annual basis and all other terms are
renegotiated every two years. We may not be able to favorably negotiate the provisions of our labor
agreement in the future and strikes, boycotts or other disruptions could occur.
- 23 -
These renegotiated terms and any potential disruptions could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations.
Risk Factors Relating to Mexico
Governmental policies and economic developments in Mexico and elsewhere may adversely affect our
financial condition.
All of our operations and assets are located in Mexico. As a result, our business is affected
by the general condition of the economy, inflation, interest rates, political and other
developments and events in Mexico. Mexico has experienced a period of slow economic growth in
recent years, primarily as a result of the downturn in the U.S. economy. In 2001, Mexico’s gross
domestic product, or GDP, decreased 0.2% while it increased in 2002, 2003 and 2004 by 0.8%, 1.4%
and 4.4%, respectively. Mexico’s economy grew 3.3% in 2005 compared to 2004. We believe that
economic slowdowns could negatively affect our financial condition.
Currency fluctuations may adversely affect our financial condition.
Approximately 99% of our total consolidated indebtedness as of
December 31, 2005, was U.S.
dollar-denominated, whereas approximately 46% of our consolidated revenues were peso-denominated.
Accordingly, we are affected by fluctuations in the value of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar and
any depreciation or devaluation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar results in net foreign exchange
losses. In 2005, the Mexican peso appreciated against the U.S. dollar by approximately 4.5%. In 2004, the
Mexican peso appreciated against the U.S. dollar by approximately 0.8%. In 2003, the Mexican peso depreciated by
approximately 7.4% against the U.S. dollar, compared to depreciation of approximately 13.9% in
2002.
Severe devaluation or depreciation of the Mexican peso may result in disruption of the international
foreign exchange markets and may limit our ability to transfer or to convert Mexican pesos into U.S.
dollars for the purpose of making timely payments of interest and principal on our
non-peso-denominated indebtedness. Although the Mexican government
currently does not restrict, and for many years has not restricted, the right or ability of Mexican
or foreign persons or entities to convert Mexican pesos into U.S. dollars or transfer foreign currencies
out of Mexico, the Mexican government could, as in the past, institute restrictive exchange rate
policies that could limit our ability to transfer or convert Mexican pesos into U.S. dollars or other
currencies for the purpose of making timely payments of our U.S. dollar-denominated debt and
contractual commitments. Devaluation or depreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar may also
adversely affect U.S. dollar prices for our securities. Currency fluctuations are likely to
continue to have an effect on our financial condition in future periods.
Inflation and interest rates may adversely affect our financial condition.
Mexico’s annual rate of inflation was 4.4%, 5.7%, 4.0%, 5.2% and 3.3% for 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004 and 2005, respectively. Mexico has experienced much higher rates
of inflation in certain prior year
periods before 2001. High inflation rates can adversely affect our business and results of operations in the
following ways:
| |
• |
|
inflation can adversely affect consumer purchasing power, thereby adversely affecting
demand for the products we transport; |
| |
| |
• |
|
to the extent inflation exceeds our price increases, our prices and revenues will be
adversely affected in “real” terms; and |
| |
| |
• |
|
if the rate of Mexican inflation exceeds the rate of the depreciation of the Mexican peso against
the dollar, our dollar-denominated sales will decrease in relative terms when stated in
constant Mexican pesos. |
Interest rates on 28-day Certificados de la Tesorería de la Federación (Mexican treasury
bills), or Cetes, averaged 11.3%, 7.1%, 6.2%, 6.8% and 9.2% for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. High interest rates in Mexico may significantly increase our financing costs and
thereby impair our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
- 24 -
We performed an analysis under the guidance of FAS 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” to
determine whether the U.S. dollar or the Mexican peso should be used
by us as our functional
currency. Based on the results of this analysis, we concluded that the U.S. dollar is the
appropriate functional currency for U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting purposes. We update the results of
this analysis on an ongoing basis. If we were required to change our functional currency to Mexican pesos,
our results of operations for U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting purposes may be substantially different.
There can be no assurance that Mexico will not be classified as highly inflationary in the future,
or that we will not be required to change our functional currency to Mexican pesos.
Political developments may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Presidential and federal congressional elections in Mexico will be held in July 2006. The
electoral process could lead to further friction among political parties and the executive branch
officers, which could potentially cause political and economic instability. Additionally, once the
President and representatives are elected, there could be significant changes in laws, public
policies and government programs, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operation.
National politicians are currently focused on the 2006 elections and crucial reforms regarding
fiscal and labor policies, gas, electricity, social security and oil have not been and may not be
approved. The effects on the social and political situation in Mexico could adversely affect the
Mexican economy, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties
Our headquarters, which we lease, are located at Montes Urales 625 Piso, Col. Lomas de
Chapultepec, 11000 México, D.F., México. We also have offices located at Av. Manuel L. Barragán
4850 Norte, Colonia Hidalgo, C.P. 64420, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. We also own several freight
yards located along our rail lines. Under the concession, we have the right to operate our rail
lines, but we do not own the land, roadway or associated structures.
Track
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Under |
|
|
Track Usage |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Concession |
|
|
Rights |
|
|
Total |
|
| |
|
(In miles) |
|
Main track (includes 134 miles of line with double track) |
|
|
2,639 |
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
|
3,180 |
|
Sidings under centralized traffic control |
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
117 |
|
Spurs, yard tracks and other sidings |
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
3,266 |
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
|
3,807 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All of our track is standard gauge (56.5 inches) and is generally in good condition. Of our
2,639 miles of main track, 100.0% has 100 to 136-lbs./yard rail and approximately 78.0% is continuously
welded rail. Continuously welded rail reduces track maintenance costs and, in general, permits
trains to travel at higher speeds. The maximum allowable speed of trains along our core routes
varies between approximately 30 mph and 50 mph. Since we commenced operations, we have extended
sidings on our tracks up to 10,000 feet, enabling longer trains to pass or meet each other.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our track as of
December
31, 2005:
- 25 -
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Main Line — |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Mexico City to |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Nuevo Laredo |
|
|
All Lines |
|
| |
|
(In miles) |
|
Continuously welded rail |
|
|
934 |
|
|
|
2,050 |
|
Jointed rail |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
589 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
934 |
|
|
|
2,639 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concrete ties installed |
|
|
828 |
|
|
|
1,559 |
|
Wood ties installed |
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
1,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
934 |
|
|
|
2,639 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The portion of the Mexico City — Nuevo Laredo core route between Mexico City and Querétaro
(approximately 143 miles) has double track, which accommodates greater traffic volume and maximum
allowable speeds of approximately 50 mph. Our rail lines support a weight of 130 tons per railcar.
We run freight trains at average speeds of approximately 25 to 50 mph along our core routes
between Mexico City and the U.S. border. Approximately 85.0% of our main line track handles speeds
of up to 37 mph.
Installations along our rail lines include supply centers, locomotive inspection centers, car
inspection areas, repair shops, warehouses, freight yards and intermodal terminals.
Bridges, Tunnels and Culverts
Our core routes and feeder lines include 1,226 bridges having a total length of 15.7 miles of
which 1,111 are permanent and 115 are temporary; 301 are steel structures, 810 are concrete
structures and 115 have inverted floor systems made of timber or mixed components.
There are 98 tunnels on our rail lines, having a total length of 16.7 miles, which are on our
main lines and allow for the passage of double-stack trains. In addition, there are 7,273 culverts
along the railway.
Equipment
We own an estimated 23.0% of the railcars running over our rail lines and the remaining 77.0%
are privately-owned, belonging to Mexican and foreign, mainly U.S., companies or railroads.
Our fleet consists of 398 locomotives, of which 392 are diesel. Electro Motive Diesel built 168 and GE built 224 of these diesel
locomotives. We are party to long-term lease for 75 AC-traction locomotives. Through our long-term
leasing program, we are improving locomotive efficiency and utilization by adding to our fleet
state-of-the-art locomotives that provide 40% to 47.0% more horsepower per unit, compared to our
3,000 horsepower road engines, and 38.5% more horsepower compared to our previous total horsepower
base, allowing us to haul longer trains with fewer locomotives. We have continued a decrease in
fuel consumption due primarily to the fuel efficiency of these new locomotives and the fact that
fewer locomotives are needed to haul the same freight.
Our
long-term locomotive lease is for a term of 20 years. The average age of the locomotives in
our fleet is approximately 19 years, which we believe is one of the youngest locomotive fleets
operated by a Class I railroad. The average remaining useful life of the locomotives in our fleet
is about 9 years.
Of the 398 locomotives in our fleet, approximately 263 are assigned to the hauling of freight,
58 are used for yard work, 27 are used for industry switching and maintenance of way trains, 32 are
running under a horsepower-per-hour interchange agreement, 6 are electric (and out of service), 8
are leased to some industries and 4 of our yard and road engines are currently in storage.
The
following table describes our locomotive fleet and maintenance contractors as of
December 31, 2005.
- 26 -
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Make |
|
Type |
|
of Units |
|
|
Axles |
|
|
Horsepower |
|
|
Year Built |
|
|
Maintained By |
|
Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMD |
|
SW1504 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1973 |
|
|
MPI/GETS |
EMD |
|
MP15AC |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1983 |
|
|
MPI/GETS |
EMD |
|
GP38-2 |
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
1975-83 |
|
|
MPI/GETS |
EMD |
|
SD45 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3,600 |
|
|
|
1978 |
|
|
MPI/GETS |
EMD |
|
SD40 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
1968-72 |
|
|
MPI/GETS |
EMD |
|
SD40-2 |
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
1973-88 |
|
|
MPI/GETS |
GE |
|
B23-7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
1981 |
|
|
Alstom |
GE |
|
C30-7 |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
1982-89 |
|
|
Alstom |
GE |
|
SUPER 7 |
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
1990-94 |
|
|
Alstom |
GE |
|
E-60(Elect.) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1984 |
|
|
Alstom |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total owned |
|
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Lease(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GE |
|
AC4400CW |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
4,400 |
|
|
|
1998-2000 |
|
|
GETS |
Total |
|
|
|
|
398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
Consists of AC-traction locomotives. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Owned |
|
|
Leased |
|
Box cars |
|
|
1,187 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
Gondolas |
|
|
1,824 |
|
|
|
2,922 |
|
Covered hoppers |
|
|
570 |
|
|
|
2,518 |
|
Flat cars |
|
|
557 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
Bi-level carriers |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,556 |
|
Spine cars |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Tank cars |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
611 |
|
Cabooses |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Open top hoppers. |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Office cars |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
4,274 |
|
|
|
9,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To supplement our fleet of owned railcars, we have implemented an operating lease program that
allows us to effectively manage our railcar capacity to meet the varying demands of our traffic
volumes. Our leased railcars consist of covered hoppers used to transport grain, new and rebuilt
gondolas, box cars, open top hoppers, flat cars and tri-level and bi-level carriers. We also lease
automobiles, large and small trucks and other equipment for a variety of functions.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Disputes with the Mexican Government
Settlement Relating to Value Added Tax Lawsuit, Commercial Lawsuit on Put Right
On
September 12, 2005, we, Grupo TFM, and KCS, along with Grupo
TMM, entered into a settlement agreement with the Mexican government resolving and terminating the
controversies and disputes between the companies and the Mexican government concerning the payment
of a refund of the value added taxes (
“VAT”) paid when
the concession title and
- 27 -
certain other assets were transferred to
the Company and Grupo
TFM’s obligation to purchase of the remaining shares of
us owned by the Mexican government (the
“Put Litigation”). As a result of this settlement, KCS
and its
subsidiaries now own 100% of Grupo TFM and us,
and the Mexican government’s remaining 20% ownership interest in us has been eliminated; the
potential obligation of KCS, Grupo TFM and Grupo TMM to acquire the Mexican government’s remaining
20% interest in us has been eliminated; and the legal obligation of the Mexican government to issue
the VAT refund to us has been satisfied. Part of the value of the VAT refund was used to purchase
our shares owned by the Mexican government and to cover taxes related to the settlement. There
was no cash payment made by any party under the settlement agreement. In addition, the parties have
entered into mutual releases of all existing and potential claims relating to the VAT refund and
the Put litigation, and have dismissed all of the existing litigation between the parties.
Our published financial statements include legal disclosures with respect to the VAT refund
claim, the Put Litigation and the 1997 Tax Audit. As a result of the
September 12, 2005
settlement agreement, all pending litigation related to the VAT
refund claim and the Put Litigation was dismissed. The 1997 Tax
Audit was rendered null, void and of no legal effect when the Mexican government failed to assess
any taxes or penalties as a result of the audit within the time allowed by Mexican law.
As a result of the final resolution of our VAT claim, KCS made a contingency
payment of up to $110.0 million to Grupo TMM in accordance with the terms of the
December 15, 2004
Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement in a combination of stock,
notes and cash. The note in the amount of $40 million has been
deposited into an escrow and remains subject to certain contingencies
that may not expire until
April 1, 2010.
The following discussions provide additional background information related to the VAT claim,
the Put Litigation and the 1997 Tax Audit.
Value Added Tax Lawsuit
The VAT lawsuit, or the VAT claim, arose out of the Mexican Federal Treasury’s delivery of a
VAT credit certificate to a Mexican governmental agency rather than to us in 1997. The face value
of the VAT credit at issue is 2,111 million Mexican pesos, or approximately $196.0 million in US dollars,
based on current exchange rates. The amount of the VAT refund would, in accordance with Mexican
law, reflect the face value of the VAT credit adjusted for inflation and interest from 1997.
On
January 19, 2004, we received a Special Certificate from the Mexican Federal Treasury (the
“Special Certificate”) in the amount of 2,111 million Mexican pesos. The Special Certificate delivered to
us on
January 19, 2004 had the same face amount as the original VAT refund claimed by us in 1997.
We also filed a complaint against the Mexican government, seeking to have the amount of the Special
Certificate adjusted to reflect interest and inflation in accordance with Mexican law. The Mexican
Fiscal Court initially denied our claim. In a decision dated
November 24, 2004, the Mexican Federal
Appellate Court upheld our claim that we are entitled to inflation and interest from 1997 on the
VAT refund. The Federal Appellate Court remanded the case to the Mexican Fiscal Court with
instructions to enter a new order consistent with this decision. On
January 26, 2005, the Mexican
Fiscal Court issued from the bench an oral order implementing the Appellate Court decision. On
February 18, 2005, we were served with the confirming written order from the Mexican Fiscal Court.
On
June 21, 2005, the Mexican Government filed an additional appeal seeking the Mexican
Federal Appellate Court’s review of the written order issued by the Mexican Fiscal Court on
February 18, 2005 in order to determine whether the Mexican Fiscal Court had properly carried out
the
November 24, 2004 decision of the Mexican Federal Appellate court. In a decision dated
August
24, 2005, the Mexican Federal Appellate Court found that the Mexican Government’s appeal was not
well founded.
Under the terms of the
January 31, 1997 share purchase agreement (as amended by the parties of
June 9, 1997) through which Grupo TFM agreed to purchase the shares of us from the Mexican
government (the
“Share Purchase Agreement”), the Mexican government had the right to compel the
purchase of its 20% interest in us (the
“Put”) by Grupo TFM following its compliance with the terms
and conditions of the Share Purchase Agreement. Upon exercise of
- 28 -
the Put in accordance with the
terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, Grupo TFM would be obligated
to purchase our capital
stock at the initial share price paid by Grupo TFM, adjusted for interest and inflation. In October
2003, Grupo TFM filed suit in the Federal District Court of Mexico City seeking, among other
things, a declaratory judgment interpreting whether Grupo TFM was obligated to honor its obligation
under the Share Purchase Agreement, as the Mexican government had not
made any effort to sell our shares subject to the Put prior to
October 31, 2003. In its suit, Grupo TFM named Grupo TMM and KCS as additional interested parties. The Mexican
court admitted Grupo TFM’s complaint. Grupo TFM also filed a suit seeking constitutional protection
against the Mexican government exercising the Put, and that court issued an injunction that blocked
the Mexican government from exercising the Put. The Mexican government provided Grupo TFM with
notice of its intention to sell its interest in us on
October 30, 2003. Grupo TFM responded to the
Mexican government’s notice reaffirming its right and interest in purchasing the Mexican
government’s remaining interest in KCSM, but also advising the Mexican government that it would not
take any action until its lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment was resolved. As a result of the
settlement entered into with the Mexican government on
September 12, 2005, all controversies
relating to the Put have been resolved, all lawsuits related to the Put have been dismissed, and
all obligations with respect to the Put have been satisfied.
Commercial Lawsuit on Put Right
On
December 3, 2004, the Mexican government filed a commercial lawsuit against us, Grupo
TFM, Grupo TMM and KCS in a Mexican federal civil court. In the lawsuit, the Mexican government
requested a finding from the court as to whether the defendants had complied with all of their
legal obligations arising out of the process of privatization of FNM
, including those related to
the Put. As a result of the settlement entered into with the Mexican government on
September 12,
2005, all controversies relating to the Put right have been resolved and the commercial lawsuit has
been dismissed with prejudice.
1997 Tax Audit
We were served on
January 20, 2004 with an official letter (
“Tax Audit Summary”) notifying
us of the Mexican government’s preliminary findings and conclusions arising from its tax audit of
our 1997 tax returns (the
“1997 Tax Audit”). In the Tax Audit Summary, the Mexican government
notified us of its preliminary conclusion that the documentation provided by us in support of the
VAT refund claim and depreciation of our concession title, and the assets reported on our 1997 tax
return did not comply with the formalities required by the applicable tax legislation. In addition,
the Mexican government attached the Special Certificate received from the Mexican Federal Treasury
in connection with our VAT refund claim pending resolution of the 1997 Tax Audit. We contested the
conclusions of the Mexican tax authorities within the time allowed by the Tax Audit Summary. On
March 16, 2005, we were notified by the Mexican Fiscal Administration Service (
Servicio de
Administracion Tributaria (
“SAT”)) that it had finished
its audit of our 1997 tax returns. The SAT failed to assess taxes or
penalties within the time allowed by law, rendering the tax audit
null, void and without any legal effect.
Other Litigation
Disputes with Ferromex
Disputes Relating to Payments for the use of Trackage and Haulage Rights and Interline
Services. We and Ferromex both initiated administrative
proceedings seeking a determination by the
Secretaria de Communicaciones y Transportes
(
“Ministry of Communications and Transportation” or
“SCT”) of the rates that we should pay each
other in connection with the use of trackage and haulage rights and interline and terminal
services. The SCT, on
March 13, 2002, issued a ruling setting the rates for trackage and haulage
rights. On
August 5, 2002, the SCT issued a ruling setting the rates for interline and terminal
services. We and Ferromex appealed both rulings and, following trial and appellate court
decisions, the Mexican Supreme Court on
February 24, 2006, in a ruling from the bench, sustained
our appeal of the SCT’s trackage and haulage rights ruling, vacating the ruling and ordering the
SCT to issue a new ruling consistent with the Court’s opinion.
We have not yet received the
written opinion of the Mexican Supreme Court relating to the decision announced on
February 24,
2006, nor has the Mexican Supreme Court decided the interline and terminal services appeal. We
believe that even if the rates set in 2002 become effective, there will be no material adverse
effect on our results of operation.
- 29 -
Disputes Relating to the Exercise of Trackage Rights. We and Ferromex are also parties
to various civil cases involving disputes over the application and proper interpretation of the
mandatory trackage rights, none of which we believe to be material individually or in the
aggregate.
Disputes Relating to the Scope of the Mandatory Trackage Rights. In August 2002, the SCT
issued rulings determining Ferromex’s trackage rights in Monterrey and KCSM’s trackage rights in
Altamira. We and Ferromex both appealed the SCT’s rulings. At the administrative federal court
level, we obtained favorable rulings in both cases. Ferromex appealed these rulings. In
connection with the Altamira proceedings, on
August 10, 2005, an appellate court granted Ferromex’s
appeal and ordered the Administrative Federal Court determined to vacate its prior resolution and
issue a new resolution declaring as null and void the SCT’s
determination that our trackage
rights should include access to the Port of Altamira. In connection with the Monterrey
proceedings, the case was remanded to the Administrative Federal Court with instructions to
consider additional arguments before issuing its ruling. We are still
awaiting that ruling but do not expect that ruling would have a
material adverse effect on our results of operation.
Miscellaneous legal proceedings
Arrendadora Internacional, S.A.’s claim. In January 2004, Arrendadora Internacional, S.A.
(“Arrendadora Internacional”), a company in the process of liquidation, filed a commercial lawsuit
against FNM. FNM requested that we, Ferromex, Ferrosur and the SCT appear in the trial. Arrendadora
Internacional claims that a certain lease agreement between Arrendadora Internacional and FNM
executed in 1996, for the lease of 113 locomotives, was terminated in 2001 and therefore required
(i) the return of the leased locomotives, (ii) the payment of rent from January 2001 to the date
the locomotives were returned, and (iii) the payment of any damages caused to the locomotives. In
the process of the privatization, and as explicitly authorized by Arrendadora Internacional, FNM
subleased 70 of those 113 locomotives to us, giving us all rights and obligations under the lease
with Arrendadora Internacional with respect to such locomotives. FNM subleased the remaining
locomotives to Ferromex and Ferrosur. We answered the lawsuit in April 2004. The lawsuit’s first
stage (primera instancia) is currently suspended pending an appeal by FNM in April 2005 challenging
the court’s jurisdiction over the matter.
On
November 8, 2005, we entered into a purchase agreement with
Arrendadora Internacional, pursuant to which we purchased the
locomotives that were the subject of the dispute, effectively terminating
the commercial lawsuit. The agreement was approved by the SCT as
required by Mexican law relating to companies in liquidation.
SCT Sanction Proceedings
On
April 6, 2006 and
April 7, 2006, the SCT initiated sanction
proceedings against us, arguing that we failed in the years 2004 and
2005 to make the capital investments projected under the five year
plan filed with the SCT. We must answer the SCT’s letter of
April 6 before
May 2, 2006, and the letter of
April 7 by
May 4, 2006. In each case we anticipate providing the SCT
with arguments explaining
the Company’s capital investment
program and arguing that it is not appropriate for the SCT to
sanction
the Company. We believe that even if the threatened SCT
sanctions become effective, there will be no material adverse effect
on
the Company.
Other.
We are a party to various other legal proceedings and administrative actions arising in the
ordinary course of business. Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of any legal
proceeding or administrative action, in management’s opinion, such proceedings and actions should
not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
- 30 -
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the three-month period ended
December 31, 2005.
PART II
Item 5.
Market for the Company’s Common Equity, Related
Stockholders’ Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
There is no public trading market for our equity securities. Except for one share owned by
our subsidiary, Arrendadora TFM, all of our equity securities are owned by KCS.
We have not made any cash payment of dividends on our common stock during the last five fiscal
years and we do not anticipate making any cash dividend payments to common stockholders in the
foreseeable future. Pursuant to our outstanding long term credit agreement we can pay dividends
permitted by applicable law subject to certain limitations.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The
following tables present our summary historical consolidated financial data for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, and
for the nine months ended
December 31, 2005 and for the years ended
December 31, 2004,
2003,
2002 and
2001. We derived the
summary consolidated financial data below as of
December 31,
2004, and for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and
2003 from our consolidated financial statements on which
PricewaterhouseCoopers, S.C., our previous independent accountants, have reported, which have been
re-cast in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are included under Item 8 of this Annual Report. We
derived the summary consolidated financial data below for the three
months ended
March 31, 2005, and for the nine months ended
December 31, 2005 from our consolidated financial
statements on which KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C.(
“KPMG”), our
independent accountants, have reported. You should read the summary
financial data in conjunction with
“Presentation of Financial and Other Information,” “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” and our consolidated financial
statements and notes to those consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Due to the acquisition of Grupo TFM by KCS on
April 1, 2005, as mentioned in Note 4 to our
audited consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this annual report, and the effects of the
push down accounting, the consolidated financial statements included herein are not
comparable to the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to
April 1, 2005. Our consolidated
financial statements are separated between
“Successor” and
“Predecessor” to reflect our results and consolidated financial position before and after the change in control. For the nine months ended
December 31, 2005, the consolidated financial statements include the
effects of the push down of the purchase accounting allocation by KCS, as more fully
described in Note 5 to our audited consolidated financial statements, included under Item 8 of this annual
report.
Our
consolidated financial statements have historically been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(
“IFRS”). Our
consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2004,
2003,
2002 and
2001, which
were originally prepared in accordance with IFRS, have been re-cast in accordance with U.S. GAAP
due to our change from a foreign private issuer to a domestic filer.
- 31 -
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
Predecessor |
| |
|
|
|
|
Three |
|
|
| |
|
Nine Months |
|
|
Months |
|
|
| |
|
ended |
|
|
Ended |
|
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
2002 |
|
2001 |
| |
|
(In thousands of dollars) |
|
Results of Operations Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
547,547 |
|
|
|
$ |
170,088 |
|
|
$ |
699,224 |
|
|
$ |
698,528 |
|
|
$ |
712,140 |
|
|
$ |
720,627 |
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
529,701 |
|
|
|
|
143,790 |
|
|
|
592,020 |
|
|
|
590,304 |
|
|
|
553,169 |
|
|
|
538,394 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
17,846 |
|
|
|
|
26,298 |
|
|
|
107,204 |
|
|
|
108,224 |
|
|
|
158,971 |
|
|
|
182,233 |
|
VAT / PUT settlement gain net |
|
|
141,035 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Equity in net earnings of
unconsolidated affiliates |
|
|
(1,466 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
282 |
|
|
|
1,269 |
|
|
|
(915 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
1,112 |
|
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
514 |
|
|
|
1,509 |
|
|
|
4,974 |
|
|
|
4,510 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
76,039 |
|
|
|
|
27,325 |
|
|
|
112,295 |
|
|
|
112,641 |
|
|
|
100,789 |
|
|
|
87,942 |
|
Exchange gain (loss) — net |
|
|
3,543 |
|
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
(13,744 |
) |
|
|
(17,508 |
) |
|
|
2,819 |
|
Income (loss) before income
taxes and minority interest |
|
|
86,031 |
|
|
|
|
(504 |
) |
|
|
(4,101 |
) |
|
|
(16,370 |
) |
|
|
46,917 |
|
|
|
100,705 |
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
87,707 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,019 |
|
|
$ |
(8,102 |
) |
|
$ |
34,161 |
|
|
$ |
136,655 |
|
|
$ |
91,919 |
|
Other Financial Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization. |
|
$ |
67,069 |
|
|
|
$ |
21,806 |
|
|
$ |
87,582 |
|
|
$ |
86,015 |
|
|
$ |
81,860 |
|
|
$ |
78,345 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
71,982 |
|
|
|
|
9,212 |
|
|
|
41,143 |
|
|
|
73,121 |
|
|
|
89,355 |
|
|
|
85,245 |
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities |
|
|
80,488 |
|
|
|
|
35,788 |
|
|
|
87,478 |
|
|
|
99,664 |
|
|
|
154,968 |
|
|
|
120,052 |
|
Investing activities |
|
|
(71,343 |
) |
|
|
|
(8,974 |
) |
|
|
(13,576 |
) |
|
|
(70,731 |
) |
|
|
(132,713 |
) |
|
|
(83,233 |
) |
Financing activities |
|
$ |
(7,493 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(35,538 |
) |
|
$ |
(63,253 |
) |
|
$ |
(55,585 |
) |
|
$ |
(32,612 |
) |
|
$ |
(29,383 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2001 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands of dollars) |
|
Balance Sheet Data
(at end of year): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,369,494 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,183,226 |
|
|
$ |
2,278,787 |
|
|
$ |
2,271,732 |
|
|
$ |
2,218,403 |
|
Total debt and capital
lease obligations |
|
|
908,226 |
|
|
|
|
906,944 |
|
|
|
968,016 |
|
|
|
1,023,105 |
|
|
|
838,011 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
1,214,969 |
|
|
|
|
1,078,576 |
|
|
|
1,165,494 |
|
|
|
1,192,579 |
|
|
|
976,079 |
|
Common stock,
1,107,191,004 shares,
without par value,
authorized, issued and
outstanding |
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders’ equity |
|
$ |
1,155,778 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,105,651 |
|
|
$ |
1,113,759 |
|
|
$ |
1,079,237 |
|
|
$ |
1,242,324 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges on a historical basis
for each of the five years in the period ended
December 31, 2005 and for the three months period
ended
March 31, 2005 and for the nine months ended
December 31, 2005.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
Predecessor |
| |
|
For the nine |
|
|
For the three |
|
|
| |
|
months ended |
|
|
months ended |
|
For the Years Ended |
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
2002 |
|
2001 |
Historical |
|
|
N/A |
* |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
* |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
| * |
|
For 2003 and for the nine months ended December 31, 2005, our earnings were
insufficient to cover fixed charges by $16.6 million and $54.5 million,
respectively. |
For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings include pre-tax
income before minority interest and equity earnings in associates, fixed charges, net of the
minority interest in pre-tax income of
subsidiaries
- 32 -
that have not incurred fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest costs, amortization of
debt expense and discount and the portion of rent that represents a reasonable approximation of the
interest factor.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
The
following discussion and analysis relates to our consolidated financial condition and results of
operations for the relevant periods and is based on, and should be read in conjunction with, our
consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this
Annual Report, “Consolidated Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data.” The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in
these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth
under Item 1A of this Annual Report, “Risk Factors.” See “Forward-Looking Statements” for
cautionary statements concerning forward-looking statements.
Overview
We operate the primary commercial corridor of the Mexican railroad system, which allows us to
participate significantly in the growing freight traffic between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. Our
rail lines consist of 2,639 miles of main track. In addition, we have trackage rights entitling us
to run our trains over 541 miles of track of other Mexican railroad operators. We provide freight
transportation services under our 50-year concession, during the first 30 years of which we are the
exclusive provider, subject to certain trackage rights of other freight carriers. Our concession is
renewable for an additional periods of up to 50 years subject to certain conditions.
We believe our rail lines comprise the most strategically significant and most actively
traveled rail corridor in Mexico. Our rail lines connect the most populated and industrialized
regions of Mexico with the principal border gateway between Mexico at Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and
the U.S. at Laredo, Texas. In addition, we serve three of Mexico’s most important seaports at
Veracruz and Tampico on the Gulf of Mexico and Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific Ocean. As a result,
we believe our routes are integral to Mexico’s foreign trade.
We seek to establish our railroad as the primary inland freight transporter linking Mexico
with the U.S. and Canadian markets. As the operator of the primary and most direct rail corridor
from Mexico City to the U.S. border, our route structure enables us to benefit from continuing
growth in NAFTA trade. We are the only Mexican railroad that serves the Mexico-U.S. border crossing
at Nuevo Laredo-Laredo, which is the largest freight exchange point between Mexico and the U.S.
Through KCS, as well as through interchanges with other major U.S. railroads, we provide customers
with access to an extensive network through which they may distribute products throughout North
America and overseas.
Our revenues are derived from the movement of a diversified mix of commodities and products
predominantly attributable to cross-border traffic with the U.S. We transport goods in the product
categories of agro-industrial products, industrial products and manufactured products, cement,
metals and minerals, chemical and petrochemical products, automotive products, and intermodal
freight. Our customers include leading international and Mexican corporations.
Our business is subject to a number of macroeconomic factors that affect our operating
results, including the circumstances described under Item 1A of this Annual Report, “Risk Factors.”
These include factors outside our control, such as (i) the impact of inflation, political
developments, exchange rates and other factors tied to Mexico, (ii) seasonality in our business and
that of our customers as described below, (iii) our dependence on global fuel prices for our
operations, and (iv) our continuing obligations to the Mexican government arising out of the
privatization of our rail lines in 1997 and our concession, including our obligations in respect of
required capital expenditures.
Our results for 2004 were affected by our sale to KCS in August 2004 of a 51% interest in
Mexrail, as a result of which, we consolidated only seven months of Mexrail’s results during 2004.
Mexrail is the sole owner of Tex-Mex, which operates a rail line from Laredo to Corpus Christi,
Texas. See Item 1,
“Business — Subsidiaries and
Principal Affiliates — Mexrail.”
- 33 -
Recent Developments
We
failed to comply with certain reporting requirements and other terms
of our new $106.0 million credit facility entered into
October 24,
2005 with Bank of America N.A., BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Instituciòn de
Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, and the other lenders
named therein (the
“New Credit Agreement”). These failures constituted defaults
under the terms of the New Credit Agreement and limited our ability
to access the revolving credit facility in the New Credit Agreement.
On
April 7, 2006 we entered into the 2005 Waiver and Amendment
with the
lenders under the New Credit Agreement. The 2005 Waiver and Amendment, as more fully discussed below, waived the defaults and
extended the timeframe for reporting requirements for 2005 fiscal year
results from
March 31, 2006 until
April 30, 2006.
During
2005, subsequent to the VAT/Put Settlement, both
Standard & Poor’s Rating Service
(
“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service
(
“Moody’s”) removed their negative outlook on our debt
rating and moved our outlook to stable. On
April 10, 2006,
S&P lowered its corporate credit rating on KCS and us to B from
BB–. The senior secured debt rating of KCS and us was lowered to
BB– from BB+, and the senior unsecured debt rating lowered to
B– from B+. The CCC rating on KCS’s preferred stock, as
well as all credit ratings, remain on CreditWatch with negative
implications, where they were placed on
April 4, 2006. These
rating actions are based on concerns about KCS’s and our
liquidity following recent negative developments, including
settlement of obligations owed to Grupo TMM in March 2006 and the
increased risk of KCS failing to make the next cash dividend on its
preferred stock.
On
April 5, 2006, Moody’s placed all of KCS’s, KCSR’s and our debt
ratings under review for a possible downgrade. Moody’s review
was prompted by KCS’s inability to file its 2005 Form 10-K
after requesting an extension and indicating that the filing would be
made by
March 31, 2006.
Change in Control and Loss of Foreign Private Issuer Status
On
April 1, 2005, KCS and Grupo TMM completed a transaction under which KCS acquired control
of Grupo TFM. As a result of the acquisition, KCS acquired a controlling interest in Grupo TFM, consisting
of 75.4% of the outstanding shares (100% of the shares of Grupo TFM entitled to full voting
rights). The remaining shares are owned by us. By virtue of Grupo TFM’s ownership interest in
us, KCS has a controlling interest in us.
As
a consequence of the change in control of Grupo TFM and us, we have ceased to qualify as
a foreign private issuer for purposes of our reporting obligations to the SEC. Accordingly,
although we filed our annual report for fiscal year 2004 on Form
20-F, in which our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with IFRS, we have begun filing current reports on Form 8-K
and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (beginning with respect to our second fiscal quarter of 2005,
filed on
August 22, 2005), and have begun filing annual reports on Form 10-K (beginning with
respect to fiscal year 2005), in which our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with
U.S. GAAP.
Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation
On
April 1, 2005, pursuant to an offer to purchase dated as of such date, we commenced a cash
tender offer and consent solicitation for any and all outstanding $443.5 million aggregate
principal amount of our 11.75% Senior Discount Debentures due 2009 (the
“2009 Debentures”). We
received consents in connection with the tender offer and consent solicitation to amend the
indenture (
“the 2009 Indenture”) under which the 2009 Debentures were issued, to (i) eliminate
substantially all of the restrictive covenants included in the 2009
Indenture and (ii) reduce the
minimum prior notice period with respect to a redemption date for outstanding 2009 Debentures from
30 to 3 days. The supplemental
indenture relating to the 2009 Debentures containing the proposed
changes (the
“2009 Supplemental Indenture”) became effective on
April 20, 2005. On
April 20, 2005,
we accepted for purchase tenders equal to approximately $386.0 million principal amount of the 2009
Debentures. The tender offer expired on
April 28, 2005.
Issuance
of 9 3/8% Senior Notes due 2012 (the 9 3/8% Notes”)
We issued $460.0 million principal amount of 9 3/8% Notes in April
2005. The 9 3/8% Notes are denominated in US dollars, bear interest
semiannually at a fixed rate of 9 3/8% and mature on
May 1, 2012. The
9 3/8% Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or
in part from time to time, on and after
May 1, 2009, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days notice. Subject to certain conditions,
up to 35% of the principal amount of the 9 3/8% Notes is redeemable
prior to
May 1, 2008. In addition, the 9 3/8% Notes are redeemable,
in whole but not in part, at our option at 100% of their principal
amount, together with accrued interest, in the event of certain
changes in the Mexican withholding tax rate. After registering the 9
3/8% Notes with the SEC, we completed an exchange offer to exchange
these initial notes for notes that will not be subject to transfer restrictions on
January 13, 2006. The 9 3/8% Notes were listed
on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange as of
March 9, 2006.
Redemption of Remaining 2009 Debentures
Pursuant to the terms of the 2009
Indenture, as amended by the 2009 Supplemental
Indenture, we
called for redemption our remaining outstanding 2009 Debentures that were not tendered in the
tender offer discussed above. On
April 29, 2005, we paid an aggregate of US$60.0 million,
including principal and interest, to the holders of the 2009 Debentures to complete the redemption
of all such remaining outstanding 2009 Debentures.
- 34 -
The
net proceeds of the offering of our 9 3/8% Notes were
used in connection with the repurchase and redemption of the 2009 Debentures.
Waiver and Amendment to the 2004 Credit Agreement
As of
April 18, 2005, we entered into a Waiver and Amendment Agreement (
“Waiver and
Amendment”) to our first amended and restated credit agreement dated as of
June 24, 2004 (the
“2004
Credit Agreement”). The Waiver and Amendment allowed us to (i) issue our new 9 3/8% Notes in a
principal amount in excess of the principal amount of 2009 Debentures outstanding, (ii) use the
amount of proceeds from the issuance of the 9 3/8% Notes in excess of the principal amount of the
2009 Debentures to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the 2009 Debentures repurchased or redeemed,
(iii) pay the fees of the underwriter associated with the issuance of the 9 3/8% Notes and the
tender offer for the 2009 Debentures, (iv) pay the premium related to the tender offer and (v) pay certain
other expenses relating to the tender offer and the issuance of the 9 3/8% Notes. The Waiver and
Amendment also amended the 2004 Credit Agreement to allow us to borrow up to $25.0 million from
KCS, on a fully subordinated basis. On
October 28, 2005, we refinanced our existing term loan
facility by replacing the 2004 Credit Agreement with a new, three year, $106.0 million credit
facility dated
October 24, 2005 (the
“New Credit Agreement”).
New Credit Agreement
On
October 24, 2005, we entered into the New Credit Agreement, in an aggregate amount of up to
$106.0 million with Bank of America, N.A., BBVA Bancomer, S.A.,
Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo
Financiero BBVA Bancomer, and the other lenders named in the New Credit Agreement. We used the
proceeds from the New Credit Agreement to pay all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Loan
Agreement, dated
September 15, 2005 (the
“Bridge Loan Agreement”), and all remaining amounts
outstanding under the 2004 Credit Agreement and for other general corporate purposes. The maturity
date for the New Credit Agreement is
October 28, 2008. The New Credit Agreement contains covenants
that restrict or prohibit certain actions, including, but not limited to, our ability to incur
debt, create or suffer to exist liens, make prepayments of particular debt, pay dividends, make
investments, engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates, issue capital stock, sell
certain assets, and engage in mergers and consolidations or in sale-leaseback transactions. Except
for certain circumstances, our capital expenditures may not exceed certain amounts for any period
of four consecutive fiscal quarters. In addition, we must meet certain consolidated interest
coverage ratios, consolidated leverage ratios, and fixed charge coverage ratios. Failure to
maintain compliance with covenants would constitute a default. Other events of default include, but
are not limited to, certain payment defaults, certain bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings, a
change of control, and certain adverse judgments or government actions. Any event of default would
trigger acceleration of the time for payment of any amounts outstanding under the New Credit
Agreement.
On
April 7, 2006, we entered into a waiver and amendment (the
“2005 Waiver and Amendment”) to the
New Credit Agreement. The New Credit Agreement was amended to (i) exclude certain payment
obligations accrued under two locomotive maintenance agreements and under a track maintenance
rehabilitation agreement from the definition of Indebtedness, (ii) eliminate certain minimum and
multiple borrowing thresholds for Mexican peso borrowings under the revolving credit facility and
(iii) eliminate the reporting requirement to provide unaudited consolidated financial statements
for the fourth fiscal quarter. The 2005 Waiver and Amendment also waived
(iv) certain reporting
requirements, including the requirement to provide audited consolidated financial statement 90 days
after the end of the 2005 fiscal year, provided such reports are delivered by
April 30, 2006, and
(v) compliance with the Consolidated Leverage Ratio obligations of Section 7.1(c) of the New Credit
Agreement for the four quarters ending
December 31, 2005 if compliance therewith was calculated
without giving effect to the amendment to the definition of
“Indebtedness” in the 2005 Waiver and Amendment, provided
that we are in compliance therewith after giving effect to the 2005
Waiver and Amendment.
Settlement Relating to Value Added Tax and Put Lawsuits
On
September 12, 2005, we, Grupo TFM, and KCS, along with Grupo
TMM, entered into a settlement agreement with the Mexican government resolving and terminating the
disputes between the parties concerning KCSM’s VAT refund claim
and Grupo TFM’s obligation under the Put. As a result of this settlement, KCS and its
subsidiaries now own 100% of Grupo
TFM and us, and the Mexican government’s remaining 20% ownership interest in us has been
eliminated; the potential obligation of KCS, Grupo TFM and Grupo TMM with respect to the Put has
been eliminated; and the legal obligation of the Mexican government to issue the VAT refund to us
has been satisfied. Part of the value of the VAT refund was used to purchase the KCSM shares owned
by the Mexican government and to cover taxes related to the settlement. There was no cash payment
made by any party under the settlement agreement. In addition, the parties have entered into mutual
releases of all existing and potential claims relating to the VAT
refund and the Put, and have dismissed all of the existing litigation between the parties.
- 35 -
Calculation
of Employees’ Statutory Profit Sharing
From 1997 until 2001, KCSM calculated the net taxable income that should be considered for
employees’ statutory profit sharing under a judicial ruling that allowed it to deduct net operating
losses (“NOLs”) that had been carried forward from prior years. In 2002, the relevant legal
provision was modified and KCSM sought another judicial ruling confirming its right to deduct NOLs
from previous years. Due to a series of decisions by the Mexican Supreme Court declaring that NOLs from previous years may not be deducted, we changed
the method of calculating our employees’ statutory profit sharing liability. We no longer deduct NOLs from
prior years when calculating employee statutory profit sharing. This change in methodology and the
write off of our deferred tax assets related to employees’
statutory profit sharing resulted in a charge to the 2005 operating
expenses $35.6 million, after purchase accounting adjustments.
Resignation of Chief Financial Officer and Appointment of New Chief Financial Officer
In connection with Mr. Cuevas’ tender of his resignation and our acceptance of the resignation
on
November 18, 2005, on behalf of ourselves and our affiliates, Mr. Cuevas executed a
confidentiality undertaking, an acknowledgement of receipt of payments made in accordance with
Mexican labor law, and a release of any and all claims arising out of his employment with us and
the termination of his employment with us.
Ronald
G. Russ, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KCS, has been
appointed our Chief Financial Officer.
Name Change of TFM, S.A. de C.V.
On
December 2, 2005, we formally changed our corporate name to Kansas City Southern de México,
S.A. de C.V.
Resignation of Chief Executive Officer
On
December 5, 2005, we entered into a termination agreement with Francisco Javier Rión,
pursuant to which he departed voluntarily as Chief Executive Officer of us and Grupo TFM on
February 14, 2006, which also terminated his employment agreement, previously effective as of
June
23, 2005. In connection with Mr. Rión’s resignation and KCSM’s acceptance of the resignation on
December 5, 2005, on behalf of itself and its affiliates, Mr. Rión executed a confidentiality
undertaking, an acknowledgement of receipt of payments made in accordance with Mexican labor law,
and a release of any and all claims arising out of his employment with KCSM and the termination of
his employment with KCSM.
Termination
of the El-Mo-Mex, Inc. Locomotive Operating Lease Agreement
In September 1999, we entered into locomotive operating lease agreement covering 75
locomotives, that was to expire in 20 years. The lease agreement contained standard provisions for
this type of transaction, including the option to either purchase the assets or return the assets
to the lessor at the end of the lease term. Because the lease agreement contained above-market
rates, in connection with the valuation of
the Company’s assets as part of the principles of
acquisition and push-down accounting, we recorded a valuation reserve that was being amortized over
the remaining life of the lease
On
November 2, 2005, KCSR entered into an agreement with El-Mo-Mex, Inc. (
“El-Mo”) to acquire
El-Mo’s equity interest in the 75 locomotives and El-Mo’s interest in the lease agreement between
El-Mo and KCSM. On
December 20, 2005, KCSR entered into a leverage lease arrangement with an unaffiliated third
party, pursuant to the terms of which KCSR sold the locomotives to a trust, which then leased the
locomotives to KCSR for a period of 18 years. At
December 31, 2005, none of the locomotives were
under lease to KCSM.
- 36 -
SCT
Sanction Proceedings
On
April 6, 2006 and
April 7, 2006, the SCT initiated sanction
proceedings against us, arguing that we failed in the years 2004 and
2005 to make the capital investments projected under the five year
plan filed with the SCT. We must answer the SCT’s letter of
April 6 before
May 2, 2006, and the letter of
April 7 by
May 1, 2006. In each case we anticipate providing the SCT
with arguments explaining
the Company’s capital investment
program and arguing that it is not appropriate for the SCT to
sanction
the Company. We believe that even if the threatened SCT
sanctions become effective, there will be no material adverse effect
on
the Company.
Financial Presentation and Accounting Policies
Accounting Considerations
Our
consolidated financial statements have historically been prepared in accordance with IFRS, which differ
in certain material respects from U.S. GAAP. Each of these differences affects both net income and
stockholders’ equity. Because we have ceased to qualify as a foreign private issuer for purposes of
our SEC reporting obligations, we have begun filing quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (beginning with
respect to our second fiscal quarter of 2005) and will begin filing annual reports on Form 10-K
(beginning with respect to our fiscal year 2005) containing financial statements prepared in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our consolidated financial statements as of and for each of the years ending
December
31, 2002,
2003 and
2004, included under Item 8 of this Annual Report, have been re-cast in
accordance with U.S. GAAP.
We performed an analysis under the guidance of FAS 52 to determine whether the U.S. dollar or
the Mexican peso should be used by us as our functional currency for U.S. GAAP purposes. Based on
the results of this analysis, we concluded that the U.S. dollar is the appropriate functional
currency for U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting purposes. We update the results of this analysis on an
ongoing basis. If we were required to change our functional currency to Mexican pesos, our results of
operations for U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting purposes may be substantially different.
Critical Accounting Policies
Set
forth below is a description of certain key accounting policies on which our consolidated financial
condition and results of operations are based. These key accounting policies most often involve
complex matters or are based on subjective judgments or decisions. In the opinion of our
management, our most critical accounting policies are those related to revenue recognition,
financial statement translations into U.S. dollars, consolidated deferred income taxes and employees’ statutory
profit sharing. For a full description of all of our accounting policies, see Note 2 to our audited
financial statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Deferred Income taxes. We apply the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes,
which is the liability method. Since commencement of our operations, although we have generated
book profits, we have incurred tax losses due primarily to the accelerated tax amortization of our
concession rights. We have recognized a deferred income tax asset for the resulting net operating
loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and may continue to recognize additional amounts in the next few years. Our
management anticipates that such NOL carryforwards will be realized given the long
carryforward period (through the year 2046) for amortization of the concession, as well as the fact
that we expect to generate taxable income in the future. Our tax projections take into
consideration certain assumptions, some of which are not under our control.
Key assumptions include inflation rates, currency fluctuations and future revenue growth. If our
assumptions are not correct, we may have to recognize a valuation allowance on our deferred tax
asset.
Employees’
statutory profit sharing. We are subject to employees’ statutory profit sharing
requirements under Mexican law and we calculate such profit sharing liability as 10% of our net
taxable income. Under U.S. GAAP, employees’ statutory profit sharing is
an operating expense. In calculating our net taxable income for statutory profit sharing purposes, we
previously deducted NOL carryforwards. The application of NOL carryforwards can result in a
deferred profit sharing asset for a given period instead of a profit sharing liability. The Mexican
tax authorities had challenged our calculation of statutory profit sharing liabilities in the late
1990s, but we prevailed with a Mexican Fiscal Court ruling in 1999 followed by a Tax Authority
Release acknowledging our ability to continue to calculate statutory profit sharing the way we had
been, including the deduction of NOL carryforwards in the calculation of net taxable income for
statutory profit sharing purposes. However, since a technical amendment to the Mexican tax law in
2002, the Mexican tax authorities have objected to our deduction of NOL carryforwards in the
calculation of net taxable income for statutory profit sharing purposes following such amendment,
which objection we challenged in court.
- 37 -
On
July 12, 2005, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that NOL carryforwards could not be deducted
when calculating net taxable income for employees’ statutory profit sharing liability purposes. As a result of
the recent Mexican Supreme Court decision, we changed the method of
calculating our employees’ statutory
profit sharing liability and no longer deduct NOL. This change in methodology and the write off of
our deferred tax assets related to profit sharing associated with these NOLs, resulted in a charge
against our income of $35.6 million, after purchase accounting adjustments.
KCSM
Depreciation Analysis. Since
April 1,
2005, we adopted the group depreciation
method for consistency with KCSR. Accordingly, changes were made to certain historical
depreciation rates. Unlike KCSR, our depreciation rates are not subject to the approval of the
STB, accordingly, the changes to the depreciation rates were applied in 2005. During the year
ended
December 31, 2005,
the registrant engaged a civil engineering firm with expertise in railway
property usage to conduct an analysis to evaluate depreciation rates for properties and equipment. The
analysis centered on evaluating actual historical replacement patterns to assess future lives and
indicated that we were depreciating its property over shorter periods than we actually utilize the
assets. As a result, depreciation expense recorded in the fourth
quarter of 2005 reflected an adjustment totaling $5.5 million,
to reduce depreciation expense as recorded in the second
and third quarters of 2005. Concession rights and related assets are
amortized over the shorter of their remaining useful life as
determined by our depreciation review.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (
“FASB”) revised SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock Based Compensation (
“SFAS 123R”). The revision established standards for the
accounting of transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or
services, particularly transactions in which an entity obtains employees’ services in share-based
payment transactions. SFAS 123R requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services
received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the
award. That cost is to be recognized over the period during which the employee is required to
provide service in exchange for the award. Changes in fair value during the requisite service
period are to be recognized as compensation cost over that period. In addition, the revised
statement amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows, to require that excess tax benefits be
reported as a financing cash flow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. Effective
April 21,
2005, SFAS 123R was amended to change the effective date to the first interim or annual reporting
period of
the registrants first fiscal year beginning after
June 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS
123R is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2005, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. Statement 154 establishes, unless
impracticable, retrospective application as the required method for
reporting a change in accounting principle in the absence of explicit
transition requirements specific to a newly adopted accounting
principle. This statement will be effective for
the Company for all accounting changes and error corrections occurring after
January 1, 2006.
Results of Operations
The following discussion of our results of operations is based on the financial information
derived from our financial statements restated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
In the following discussion, references to increases or decreases in any period are made by
comparison with the corresponding prior year period except as the
context otherwise indicates. The results of the three months ended
March 31, 2005 (Predecessor) and the nine months ended
December 31, 2005 (Successor) have been combined to form a full
year for purposes of the discussion herein. As a results of the
application of purchase accounting the consolidated financial statements of the
successor are not comparable in all results with the consolidated
financial statements of the predecessor.
The following comparison includes the consolidation in 2004 of only seven months of financial
results of Mexrail as a result of our sale of a 51% interest in Mexrail to KCS in August, 2004.
- 38 -
Revenues
Revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2005 totaled $717.6 million compared to $699.2
million for the year ended
December 31, 2004, which represented an increase of $18.4 million or
2.6%. These results in 2004 include the consolidation of seven months of financial results of
Mexrail as a consequence of the sale of 51% of Mexrail to KCS in August 2004. Without taking into
account any consolidation of Mexrail, our revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2005 totaled
$717.6 million compared to $664.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004, which represents an
increase of $53.4 million or 8.0% over 2004. This increase in 2005 was mainly attributable to the
general recovery of the U.S. and Mexican economies. Carloads are a standard measure used by us to
determine the volume of traffic transported over our rail lines. Excluding carloads from Mexrail’s
wholly-owned subsidiary, Tex-Mex, our carloads in 2005 decreased by 0.5% compared to 2004, while
the Mexican economy grew by 3.3%. Additionally, the appreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar
positively impacted our revenues by $12.4 million. Imports into Mexico from the U.S., Canada and
overseas represented approximately 54.5%, 54.8%, and 56.2% of our total revenues in 2003, 2004, and
2005, respectively. Approximately 80.4% of our total revenues in 2005 were attributable to
international freight.
- 39 -
The following table sets forth, by product category, our revenues and traffic volumes by
carloads for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, respectively.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
2004(1) |
|
| Business Segment |
|
Carloads |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Carloads |
|
|
Revenues |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Agro-industrial products |
|
|
120,956 |
|
|
$ |
163.0 |
|
|
|
125,688 |
|
|
$ |
143.4 |
|
Cement, metals and minerals |
|
|
171,671 |
|
|
|
142.1 |
|
|
|
173,198 |
|
|
|
138.2 |
|
Chemical and petrochemical products |
|
|
97,058 |
|
|
|
126.6 |
|
|
|
101,291 |
|
|
|
125.7 |
|
Automotive products |
|
|
114,558 |
|
|
|
115.7 |
|
|
|
119,104 |
|
|
|
119.8 |
|
Manufactured products, industrial products |
|
|
104,720 |
|
|
|
100.2 |
|
|
|
97,741 |
|
|
|
79.3 |
|
Intermodal freight |
|
|
212,276 |
|
|
|
57.3 |
|
|
|
208,452 |
|
|
|
50.5 |
|
Other(2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KCSM |
|
|
821,239 |
|
|
$ |
717.6 |
|
|
|
825,474 |
|
|
$ |
664.2 |
|
Tex-Mex |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
60,176 |
|
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
821,239 |
|
|
$ |
717.6 |
|
|
|
885,650 |
|
|
$ |
699.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
Includes only seven months of Tex-Mex’s 2004 revenues as a consequence of the sale of its
parent, Mexrail, to KCS in August, 2004. |
| |
| (2) |
|
Other revenues include railroad services including haulage, demurrage and switching. |
Agro-industrial products. Revenues increased by $19.6 million or 13.7% in 2005 compared to
2004. This increase was driven by higher import targeted price improvements and fuel surcharges.
These increases were partially offset by a reduction in import shipments of soybeans, sorghum and
wheat products during the year 2005.
Cement,
metals and minerals. Revenues increased by $3.9 million or 2.8% in 2005 compared to
2004. Domestic revenues increased during the year 2005, as a result of an increase in the
production volumes of construction materials such as billets, bar and wire, cement and minerals, as
a result of strong performance in the construction industry. Steel slab and steel coils revenue
increased as a result of higher international traffic, such as imports and exports, due to higher
consumption of manufacturing industries as well as certain targeted rate increases during the year
2005.
Chemical and petrochemical products. Revenues increased by $0.9 million or 0.7% in 2005
compared to 2004. The increase was the result of increases in transportation of diesel and gasoline
for PEMEX and imported plastics.
Automotive products. Revenues decreased by $4.1 million or 3.4% in 2005 compared to 2004.
This revenue reduction is a consequence of the decline in production due to the continued recession
in the North American automotive industry and the closure of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Lago Alberto, and
the subsequent relocation of its production facilities to Encantada in Coahuila.
Manufactured products, industrial products. Revenues increased by $20.9 million or 26.4% in
2005 compared to 2004. Revenue increases for this year was mainly driven by the increase in rates
of pulpwood and a recovery of traffic from barge movements as well as new traffic. Additionally,
beer showed an increase of 47.0% in export traffics due to higher production in order to cover the
demand in the US market. Home appliances revenue increased mainly driven by higher exports to the
US market. Scrap paper also increased revenue due to a recovery of traffic that was lost in 2004 to
barge traffic and obtaining new traffic.
Intermodal freight. Revenues increased by $6.8 million or 13.5% in 2005 compared to 2004.
This increase was mainly attributable to the consolidation of steamship service at the port of
Lázaro Cárdenas.
- 40 -
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses amounted to $673.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005 compared
to $592.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004,
which represents an increase of 13.8%. The
following table illustrates our operating expenses for the periods indicated as a percentage of
revenues generated during the corresponding periods.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Successor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
For the nine months ended |
|
|
For the three months ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
| |
|
Amount |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Revenue |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and employee
benefits |
|
$ |
95,593 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
% |
|
$ |
28,782 |
|
|
|
16.9 |
% |
|
$ |
124,375 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
% |
|
$ |
107,526 |
|
|
|
15.4 |
% |
Purchased services |
|
|
108,703 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
|
|
36,809 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
|
145,512 |
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
|
154,097 |
|
|
|
22.0 |
|
Fuel |
|
|
83,109 |
|
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
23,224 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
106,333 |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
79,287 |
|
|
|
11.3 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
5,779 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
1,692 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
7,471 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
5,967 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Car hire — net |
|
|
38,022 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
8,584 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
46,606 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
37,913 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
Rents other than car hire |
|
|
44,912 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
13,776 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
|
58,688 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
49,601 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
Casualties and insurance |
|
|
14,736 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
2,240 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
16,976 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
10,594 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
Employees’ statutory profit sharing |
|
|
41,081 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
41,628 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
(6,556 |
) |
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
Other costs |
|
|
30,697 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
6,330 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
37,027 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
|
29,525 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
67,069 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
21,806 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
88,875 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
86,057 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KCSM |
|
$ |
529,701 |
|
|
|
96.7 |
% |
|
$ |
143,790 |
|
|
|
84.4 |
% |
|
$ |
673,491 |
|
|
|
93.9 |
% |
|
$ |
554,011 |
|
|
|
79.2 |
% |
Tex-Mex |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
38,009 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
529,701 |
|
|
|
96.7 |
% |
|
$ |
143,790 |
|
|
|
84.4 |
% |
|
$ |
673,491 |
|
|
|
93.9 |
% |
|
$ |
592,020 |
|
|
|
84.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and employees’ benefits. Salary expenses increased 15.7% to $124.4 million in
2005 compared to 2004. These increases were largely attributable to the net effects of annual
salary increases (4% in June 2005), the
increase in wages and fringe benefits as a result of our labor agreement revision in July 2005(4.5%
in wages and 2% in fringe benefits). Additionally, we experienced the effects of an appreciation of
the Mexican peso against the US dollar of 4.5% in 2005 compared with 2004.
Purchased services. Costs of purchased services decreased by $8.6 million or 5.6% in 2005
compared to 2004. Costs of purchased services consisted primarily of expenses related to equipment
maintenance, haulage, terminal services, security expenses and legal expenses. The decrease
includes the effect of establishing a fair market value for locomotive
maintenance agreements under purchase accounting by $4.9 million.
As a consequence of the acquisition of Grupo TMM’s interest in
the Company by KCS, the
management fee agreements between us and Grupo TMM and KCS were cancelled, resulting in a reduction
in expenses of $1.9 million at
December 31, 2005. Additionally, our legal
expenses related with the VAT refund claim during 2005 were $5.0 million lower than in the prior year. As a result of our
personnel restructuring program, we had a reduction in our cost of expatriates of $1.9 million at
December 31, 2005 compared with the same period in 2004.
Fuel. Our
fuel expenses increased 34.1% in 2005 compared to 2004 primarily due to the
volatility of fuel prices during 2005 and higher fuel consumption compared to 2004.
Materials and supplies. Costs of materials and supplies consumed during 2005 increased $1.5
million, compared to 2004. The increase was primarily due to the revaluation of the parts inventory
associated with the maintenance of the catenary line, resulting in a charge of $1.6 million, after
purchase accounting.
Car
hire — net. Our car hire — net expenses include costs
incurred by us for the use of
other railroads railcars, net of car hire income we receive from other railroads for the use of
our cars. Our car hire — net expenses are affected by the volume of our business, the number of
cars we own or lease and traffic flows. Car hire — net expenses
- 41 -
increased by 22.9% in 2005 compared to 2004. These variances are attributable principally to an
increase in the number of hours and number of movement miles in 2005 compared to 2004 for current
traffic. Fifty percent (50%) of the variance is due to increases in cycle time, particularly on box cars, intermodal cars and multilevels. System velocity
has decreased 15%, resulting in increased transit time, as a result of longer loading and unloading
times in 2005 over the same period in 2004.
Rents other than car hire. Rents other than car hire include locomotive leases and railcar and
equipment rental expenses. These expenses increased by $9.1 million or 18.3% in 2005 compared to
2004. The increase includes the effect of purchase accounting under which we established a fair
market value for all of our operating leases for locomotives and freight cars. This resulted in an
additional rental charge of $5.5 million. A similar charge will occur in subsequent quarters until
the expiration of all of the related leases. Additionally, we had a higher number of freight cars
leased in 2005 compared to 2004, increasing expenses by $4.0 million.
Casualties and insurance. These expenses increased 60.2% in the year ended
December 31, 2005
from the year ended
December 31, 2004. These increases were primarily the result of costs
associated with six derailments that occurred during the year 2005 totaling $5.1 million. In
addition, KCSM costs in 2005 were increased reserves by $1.9 million primarily for cars destroyed and $0.7 million
resulting from minor derailments, theft and vandalism. The increase during to 2005 was partially
offset by a reduction in our insurance premiums of $2.1 million compared to 2004.
Employees’
statutory profit sharing. The increase in our employees’ statutory profit sharing in 2005 compared to
2004 was a result of our recent Supreme Court decisions in May denying the deductibility of NOL’s
in calculating
the Company’s employees’ profit sharing liability. As part of purchase accounting, KCS valued
our profit sharing NOL asset at zero as a result of the court rulings and we wrote off our deferred
profit sharing asset associated with these NOL’s. This resulted in a charge to income of $35.6
million.
Other
costs. Other costs consists primarily of employees’ expenses such as the cost of meals,
lodging and travel, the loss on the sale of the Mexrail shares, as well as the concession duty
payable to the Mexican government, loss on the sales of property, machinery and equipment, and the
allowance for doubtful accounts. At
December 31, 2005, these expenses increased $7.5 million
compared to
December 31, 2004. This increase was attributable mainly by the reduction in value of
certain assets in the amount of $2.3 million, after purchase accounting, as well as management’s
decision to increase the allowance for doubtful customer accounts by $9.3 million based upon
current prospects for collection of certain customer accounts, and the recognition of $2.0 million
of transition costs. This increase was partially offset by the loss of $12.2 million resulting
from the sale of the Mexrail shares to KCS in 2004.
Additionally, in connection with continuing litigation against the Mexican government, KCSM
had a $4.9 million receivable for recoverable withholding tax associated with car hire payments
made prior to 2003. Management has determined that it is unlikely that it will be successful in
collecting this amount and therefore the decision was made to increase the allowance for doubtful
other accounts receivable by this $4.9 million in 2005.
Depreciation
and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses in 2005
increased by $2.8
million compared to 2004. This increase includes the effect of changes in our estimated useful
lives over our properties, machinery and equipment this change resulting in a lower charge to the
expenses of depreciation in 2005 by $8.4 million, which includes
$5.5 million of the reduction of depreciation expenses recorded
in the second and third quarters of 2005. This decrease were offset by the result of
purchase accounting, whereby the book values of our assets were adjusted upward based on a market
value appraisal resulting in a $8.3 million charge for
additional depreciation and amortization, and as a result of capital improvements to our lines and ongoing investments.
Interest expense — net. Interest expense — net for 2005 was $101.9 million compared to $111.8
million for 2004. These decreases were attributable mainly to our debt refinancing of $443.5
million of 11.75% Senior discount debentures in April 2005 reducing our interest rate to 9 3/8%.
Exchange gain (loss) — net. Exchange gain at
December 31, 2005 increased $3.3 million,
compared to the same period in 2004. During the period the U.S.
dollar depreciated 4.5% relative to the
Mexican peso compared the same period in 2004.
- 42 -
Income tax expense. Our net income tax benefit was $2.9 million for 2005 compared to a net
income tax expense of $4.5 million for 2004. The decrease of $7.4 million in income tax was mainly the effect of the change in the
income tax rate from 33% to 30%, other effects related to inflationary components and non-deductible expenses. This decrease in income tax expense was partially offset by the effects of inflation
on tax loss carryforward and the effect of inflation on depreciation and
amortization.
The following comparison includes the consolidation in 2004 of only seven months of financial
results of Mexrail as a result of our sale of a 51% interest in Mexrail to KCS in August, 2004.
Revenues
Revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2004 totaled $699.2 million compared to $698.5
million for the year ended
December 31, 2003, which represented an increase of $0.7 million or
0.1%. These results include the consolidation of only seven months of financial results of Mexrail
as a consequence of the sale of 51% of Mexrail to KCS in August 2004. Without taking into account
any consolidation of Mexrail, our revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2004 totaled $664.2
million compared to $641.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2003, which represents an
increase of $22.8 million or 3.6% over 2003. This minor increase in 2004 was mainly attributable to
the general recovery of the U.S. and Mexican economies. Carloads are a standard measure used by us
to determine the volume of traffic transported over our rail lines. Excluding carloads from
Mexrail’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tex-Mex, our carloads in 2004 increased by 7.4% compared to
2003, while the Mexican economy grew by 4.4%. Additionally, the depreciation of the Mexican peso against
the U.S. dollar negatively impacted our revenues by $15.9 million. Imports into Mexico from the U.S.,
Canada and overseas represented approximately 54.1%, 54.5%, and 54.8% of our total revenues in
2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. Approximately 79% of our total revenues in 2004 were
attributable to international freight.
- 43 -
The following table sets forth, by product category, our revenues and traffic volumes by
carloads for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003, respectively.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004(1) |
|
|
2003 |
|
| Business Segment |
|
Carloads |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Carloads |
|
|
Revenues |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Agro-industrial products |
|
|
125,688 |
|
|
$ |
143.4 |
|
|
|
122,114 |
|
|
$ |
142.9 |
|
Cement, metals and minerals |
|
|
173,198 |
|
|
|
138.2 |
|
|
|
159,502 |
|
|
|
125.4 |
|
Chemical and petrochemical products |
|
|
101,291 |
|
|
|
125.7 |
|
|
|
88,522 |
|
|
|
113.2 |
|
Automotive products |
|
|
119,104 |
|
|
|
119.8 |
|
|
|
120,883 |
|
|
|
124.7 |
|
Manufactured products, industrial
products |
|
|
97,741 |
|
|
|
79.3 |
|
|
|
87,117 |
|
|
|
74.3 |
|
Intermodal freight |
|
|
208,452 |
|
|
|
50.5 |
|
|
|
190,488 |
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
Other(2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KCSM |
|
|
825,474 |
|
|
$ |
664.2 |
|
|
|
768,626 |
|
|
$ |
641.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tex-Mex |
|
|
60,176 |
|
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
100,814 |
|
|
|
57.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
885,650 |
|
|
$ |
699.2 |
|
|
|
869,440 |
|
|
$ |
698.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
Includes only seven months of Tex-Mex’s 2004 revenues as a consequence of the sale of its
parent, Mexrail, to KCS in August, 2004. |
| |
| (2) |
|
Other revenues include railroad services including haulage, demurrage and switching. |
Agro-industrial products. Revenues increased by $0.5 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The
U.S. and Canada are the dominant suppliers of agricultural products to Mexico, and a significant
amount of the agro-industrial products carried over our rail lines are imports, consisting
primarily of grains and grain products (principally corn and wheat). In 2004, we maintained our
share of almost half of the total grains imported from the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, we were
able to convert additional amounts of truck transport to rail from the port of Lázaro Cárdenas to
the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo crossing.
Cement, metals and minerals. Revenues increased by $12.8 million or 10.2% in 2004 compared
to 2003. We capitalized on the recovery of the steel industry with increasing long haul traffic of
slabs, billets, bars and wire rod from the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas to Monterrey. Additionally, this
business unit benefited from the performance of the construction industry.
Chemical and petrochemical products. Revenues increased by $12.5 million or 11.0% in 2004
compared to 2003. The increase was the result of increases in transportation of fuel oil, diesel
and gasoline for PEMEX and imported plastics. Additionally, we continued to convert truck transport
to rail through the use of our transload facilities, at which trucks and trains can exchange cargo.
Automotive products. Revenues decreased by $4.9 million or 3.9% in 2004 compared to 2003.
During 2004, vehicle production in Mexico decreased 2.2% due to reduced demand. This decrease was a
result of the continued economic recession in the automotive industry in North America.
Through efforts to convert truck transport to rail, we have mitigated this reduction in our
revenues, but overall our hauls have decreased because of volume lost from the closure of and
reduction at certain automotive plants.
Manufactured products, industrial products. Revenues increased by $5.0 million or 6.7% in
2004 compared to 2003 due to a gain in market share in exports of paper and home appliance
products. Also, our revenues were favorably impacted by the conversion of truck transport to rail
and the recapture of lost customers.
Intermodal freight. Revenues decreased by $1.9 million or 3.6% in 2004 compared to 2003, due
to the decline in the transport of automotive products and as a consequence of the recession in the
automotive industry. However, through our efforts to convert truck transport to rail, we were
able to reduce the impact of the slowdown in the automotive industry.
- 44 -
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses amounted to $592.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004
compared to $590.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2003, which represents an increase of
0.3%. The following table illustrates our operating expenses for the periods indicated as a
percentage of revenues generated during the corresponding periods.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
| |
|
Amount |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Revenue |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and employee benefits |
|
$ |
107,526 |
|
|
|
15.4 |
% |
|
$ |
105,569 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
% |
Purchased services |
|
|
154,097 |
|
|
|
22.0 |
|
|
|
171,713 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
Fuel |
|
|
79,287 |
|
|
|
11.3 |
|
|
|
58,706 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
5,967 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
7,391 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
Car hire — net |
|
|
37,913 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
35,420 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
Rents other than car hire |
|
|
49,601 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
51,330 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
Casualties and insurance |
|
|
10,594 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
9,703 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
Employees’ Statutory profit sharing |
|
|
(6,556 |
) |
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
|
|
(11,528 |
) |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
Other costs |
|
|
29,525 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
18,158 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
86,057 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
83,779 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KCSM |
|
$ |
554,011 |
|
|
|
79.2 |
% |
|
$ |
530,241 |
|
|
|
75.9 |
% |
Tex-Mex |
|
|
38,009 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
60,063 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
592,020 |
|
|
|
84.7 |
% |
|
$ |
590,304 |
|
|
|
84.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and employee benefits. Salary expenses increased 1.9% to $107.5 million in
2004 compared to 2003. The increase was largely attributable to the annual wage increase payable to
our employees and increases in other employee benefits effective
July 1, 2004. Because our wages
are payable in Mexican pesos, this increase was partially offset by the depreciation in 2004 of the Mexican peso
against the U.S. dollar. As of
December 31, 2004, we had 3,399 full-time employees.
Purchased services. Costs of purchased services decreased by $17.6 million or 10.2% in 2004
over 2003. Costs of purchased services consisted primarily of expenses related to equipment
maintenance, haulage, terminal services, security expenses and legal expenses. The decrease in
purchased services was primarily attributable to a one-time charge incurred in 2003 in connection
with our VAT refund claim. This decrease in purchased services was partially offset by an increase
in terminal services and maintenance to locomotives and rolling stock as a result of additional
carload volume.
Fuel. Our fuel expenses increased 35.1% in 2004 compared to 2003 primarily due to the
volatility of fuel prices during 2004. The average fuel price per gallon increased 30.1% in 2004
over 2003. Additionally, in 2004, our fuel consumption increased 5.2% compared to 2003.
Materials and supplies. Costs of materials and supplies consumed in 2004 were $1.4 million
lower than 2003, primarily because of a decrease in track maintenance activities.
Car hire — net. Car hire — net expenses increased
by 7.0% in 2004 compared to 2003. This increase is due to an increase of the car hire payable in
the use of cars, time and mileage by $3.8 million, which was partially offset by the increase of
car hire revenue received from other railroads by $1.2 million.
Rents other than car hire. Rents other than car hire include locomotive and railcar
leases and equipment rental expenses. These expenses decreased by $1.7 million or 3.4% in 2004 compared to
2003. The decrease was attributable to lower rates resulting from the negotiation of better rates
with our lessors and to an increase in our recovery of leasing costs through the sublease of
locomotives to other railroad companies.
- 45 -
Casualties and insurance. These expenses increased 9.2% in the year ended
December 31, 2004
from the year ended
December 31, 2003 due to the decrease in our insurance recoverability in 2004
as a result of higher deductible amounts during 2004.
Employees’ Statutory profit sharing. The decrease in our statutory profit sharing of $5.0
million in 2004 compared to 2003 was primarily due to the decrease of pre-tax income and the
strengthening of the Mexican peso, which raised the exchange rate gains included in the profit
sharing calculation.
Other costs. Other costs consist primarily of employee expenses such as the cost of meals,
lodging and travel, the loss of the sale of the Mexrail’s shares, and sales of property, machinery
and equipment, as well as the concession duty payable to the Mexican government and the allowance
for doubtful accounts. These expenses increased in 2004 mainly due to the loss resulting from the
sale of the Mexrail’s shares to KCS of $12.2 million.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses in 2004 increased by
$2.3 million compared to 2003 primarily as a result of capital improvements to our
lines, new operating capacity, intermodal terminals and ongoing investments.
Operating Income and Operating Ratio. Our operating income decreased by $1.0
million to $107.2 million in 2004 compared to $108.2 million in 2003, representing a decrease of
approximately 0.9%, due to the factors described above. Operating ratio is an industry efficiency measure which represents a railroad’s operating
expenses as a percentage of its transportation revenues. Our operating ratio increased to 84.7% for
2004 from 84.5% for 2003.
Interest expense — net. Interest expense — net for 2004 was $111.8 million compared to $111.1
million for 2003.
Exchange gain (loss) — net. We recorded net foreign exchange income of $0.4 million for 2004
compared to a net foreign exchange loss of $13.7 million for 2003. We have exposure to fluctuations
in the value of the Mexican peso relative to the U.S. dollar because our Mexican peso accounts receivable are greater
than our Mexican peso accounts payable. In 2004, the U.S. dollar depreciated 0.8% and in 2003 the U.S. dollar
appreciated 7.4%, relative to the Mexican peso.
Income tax expense (benefit). Our net income tax expense was $4.5 million for 2004 compared
to a net income tax benefit of $50.1 million for 2003. The $54.7 million increase in income tax was
mainly due to the effect of inflation on depreciation and amortization of $72.0 million, as well as
the effect of the change in the income tax rate from 34% to 33% and other effects amounting to
$44.1 million. This increase in income tax was partially offset by the effects of inflation on tax
loss carryforward of $63.1 million and the increase in the permanent differences related to
inflationary components and non-deductible expenses amounting to $2.6 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our business is capital intensive and requires ongoing substantial expenditures for, among
other things, improvements to roadway, structures and technology, capital expenditures, leases and
repair of equipment, and maintenance of our rail system. We have funded, and expect to continue to
fund, capital expenditures with funds from operating cash flows, leases and, to a lesser extent,
vendor financing. The discussion below of our cash flow includes the contribution from Mexrail
through August 2004, when we sold a 51% interest in Mexrail and a related call option to KCS. Our
principal sources of liquidity consist of cash flows from operations, existing cash balances,
leases, vendor financing and debt financing.
For the twelve month period ended
December 31, 2005, we did not meet the leverage ratio
covenant (debt/EBITDA) of 4.50:1 as defined and measured under the terms of the New Credit
Agreement. In addition, on
March 31, 2006, we failed to meet certain reporting requirements under
the New Credit Agreement. These failures resulted in defaults under the New Credit Agreement and
limited our access to the revolving credit facility. On
April 7,
2006, we entered into the 2005 Waiver
and Amendment, which amended the New Credit Agreement to (i) exclude certain payment obligations
accrued under two locomotive maintenance agreements and under a track maintenance rehabilitation
agreement from the definition of Indebtedness, (ii) eliminate certain minimum and multiple
borrowing thresholds for Mexican peso borrowings under the revolving credit facility and (iii)
eliminate the reporting requirement to provide unaudited consolidated financial statements for the
fourth fiscal quarter. The Waiver and Amendment also waived (iv) certain reporting requirements,
including the requirement to provide audited consolidated financial statement 90 days after the end
of the 2005 fiscal year, provided such reports are delivered by
April 30, 2006, and (v) compliance
with the Consolidated Leverage Ratio obligations of Section 7.1(c) of the New Credit Agreement for
the four quarters ending
December 31, 2005 if compliance therewith was calculated without giving
effect to the amendment to the definition of
“Indebtedness”
in the 2005 Waiver and Amendment, provided
that we are in compliance therewith after giving effect to the
2005 Waiver and Amendment. We are not currently in default under the New
Credit Agreement and currently have access to the revolving credit
facility.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
We
generated positive cash flows from operating activities of $116.3 million in 2005, $87.5
million in 2004 and $99.7 million in 2003. The increase in cash flows in 2005 from 2004 resulted
primarily from decreases in working capital.
- 46 -
The decrease in cash flows in 2004 from 2003
resulted primarily from changes in current assets and liabilities.
The following table summarizes cash flows from operating activities for the periods indicated.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
Three months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
ended |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
Net income (loss) for the period |
|
$ |
87,707 |
|
|
|
$ |
1,019 |
|
|
$ |
(8,102 |
) |
|
$ |
34,161 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
67,069 |
|
|
|
|
21,806 |
|
|
|
87,582 |
|
|
|
86,015 |
|
Amortization of discount on 2009 Debentures(1) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
VAT / PUT settlement gain |
|
|
(141,035 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Deferred income tax |
|
|
(1,464 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,420 |
) |
|
|
4,535 |
|
|
|
(50,148 |
) |
Employees’ statutory profit sharing |
|
|
41,081 |
|
|
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
(6,556 |
) |
|
|
(11,528 |
) |
Minority interest |
|
|
(212 |
) |
|
|
|
(103 |
) |
|
|
(534 |
) |
|
|
(383 |
) |
Loss on sale of property, machinery and equipment —
net |
|
|
3,662 |
|
|
|
|
723 |
|
|
|
3,704 |
|
|
|
2,909 |
|
Loss on sale of 51% of Mexrail and related call option |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,221 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Changes in current assets and liabilities |
|
|
23,680 |
|
|
|
|
13,216 |
|
|
|
(5,419 |
) |
|
|
38,268 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating cash flows |
|
$ |
80,488 |
|
|
|
$ |
35,788 |
|
|
$ |
87,478 |
|
|
$ |
99,664 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
Includes amortization of discount on senior discount debentures and commercial paper. |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash flows
used in investing activities was $80.3 million in 2005, which consisted
principally of capital expenditures. In 2005 we made capital
expenditures aggregating $81.2 million, representing 11.3% of our revenues for the year.
Net
cash used in investing activities was $13.6 million in 2004. On
August 16, 2004, we sold
shares representing 51.0% of Mexrail to KCS for approximately $32.7 million. This amount was
reduced by the income tax and legal expenses.
Net cash used in investing activities was $70.7 million in 2003, which consisted principally
of capital expenditures. We made capital expenditures in an aggregate amount of $73.1 million in 2003,
consisting mainly of improvements to our rail line. In addition, $18.4 million of our capital
expenditures in 2003 consisted of upgrades of our locomotives and freight cars.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net
cash flows used in financing activities was $43.0 million in 2005. This resulted from the
repayment of all outstanding $443.5 million principal amount of our 11.75% Senior Discount
Debentures due 2009 (the “2009 Debentures”), and principal payments of $134.1 million under our
2004 Credit Agreement and $31.0 million payments to the Bridge Loan Agreement. These repayments
were partially offset by the issuance of $460.0 million of 9 3/8% Notes and proceeds of $111.6
million from the New Credit Agreement.
For the year ended
December 31, 2004, cash used in financing activities amounted to $63.3
million mainly as a result of the repayment of $10.0 million in outstanding principal amount under
our commercial paper program and principal payments of $71.1 million on the previous term loan
facility.
For the year ended
December 31, 2003, cash used in financing activities amounted to $55.6
million mainly as a result of the repayment of $37.0 million in outstanding principal amount under
our commercial paper program and principal payments of $18.3 million on the previous term loan
facility.
- 47 -
Amendment to our Credit Agreement and Refinancing of our Commercial Paper Program
On
June 24, 2004, we entered into the 2004 Credit Agreement, and refinanced our commercial
paper program. Our commercial paper program consisted of a two-year facility in the amount of
$122.0 million. Under the 2004 Credit Agreement, both facilities were consolidated under a single
term loan facility maturing on
September 17, 2006. Amounts outstanding under the term loan facility
were secured by a first priority conditional pledge on the locomotives and other rolling stock
owned by our subsidiary, Arrendadora TFM.
As of
December 31, 2004, there was $133.7 million outstanding under our term loan facility. On
October 24, 2005, we refinanced the term loan facility by replacing the 2004 Credit Agreement with
a new, three year, $106.0 million Credit Agreement. See
“— New Credit Agreement.”
Waiver
and Amendment to the 2004 Credit Agreement
As of
April 18, 2005, we entered into the Waiver and Amendment to the 2004 Credit Agreement.
The Waiver and Amendment allowed us to (i) issue the 9 3/8% Notes , (ii) use the amount of proceeds
from the issuance of the 9 3/8% Notes in excess of the principal amount of the 2009 Debentures to
pay accrued and unpaid interest on the 2009 Debentures repurchased or redeemed, (iii) pay the fees
of the underwriter associated with the issuance of the 9 3/8% Notes and the tender offer for the
2009 Debentures, (iv) pay the premium related to the tender offer and (v) pay certain other
expenses relating to the tender offer and the issuance of the 9 3/8% Notes . The Waiver and
Amendment also amended the 2004 Credit Agreement to allow us to borrow up to $25.0 million from
KCS, on a fully subordinated basis. On
October 28, 2005, we refinanced our existing term loan
facility by replacing the 2004 Credit Agreement with the New Credit Agreement.
New Credit Agreement
On
October 24, 2005, we entered into the New Credit Agreement. We used the proceeds from the
New Credit Agreement to pay all amounts outstanding under a Bridge Loan Agreement, all remaining
amounts outstanding under the 2004 Credit Agreement and for other general corporate purposes. The
maturity date for the New Credit Agreement is
October 28, 2008. The New Credit Agreement contains
covenants that restrict or prohibit certain actions, including, but not limited to, our ability to
incur debt, create or suffer to exist liens, make prepayments of particular debt, pay dividends,
make investments, engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates, issue capital stock,
sell certain assets, and engage in mergers and consolidations or in sale-leaseback transactions.
Except for certain circumstances, our capital expenditures may not exceed certain amounts for any
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. In addition, we must meet certain consolidated interest
coverage ratios, consolidated leverage ratios, and fixed charge coverage ratios. Failure to
maintain compliance with covenants would constitute a default. Other events of default include, but
are not limited to, certain payment defaults, certain bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings, a
change of control, and certain adverse judgments or government actions. Any event of default would
trigger acceleration of the time for payment of any amounts outstanding under the New Credit
Agreement.
For
the twelve month period ended
December 31, 2005, we did not
meet the leverage ratio covenant (debt/EBITDA) of 4.50:1 as defined
and measured under the terms of our New Credit Agreement.
In addition, on
March 31, 2006, we failed to meet certain
reporting requirements under our New Credit Agreement. These
failures resulted in defaults under the New Credit Agreement
and limited our access to the revolving credit facility. On
April 7, 2006 we entered into the 2005 Waiver and Amendment, which
amended the New Credit Agreement to (i) exclude
certain payment obligations accrued under two locomotive maintenance
agreements and under a track maintenance rehabilitation agreement
from the definition of Indebtedness, (ii) eliminate certain
minimum and multiple borrowing thresholds for peso borrowings under
the revolving credit facility and (iii) eliminate the reporting
requirement to provide unaudited consolidated financial statements
for the fourth fiscal quarter. The 2005 Waiver and Amendment also waived
(iv) certain reporting requirements, including the requirement to
provide audited consolidated financial statements 90 days
after the end of the 2005 fiscal year, provided such reports are
delivered by
April 30, 2006 and (v) compliance with the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio obligations of Section 7.1(c) of the
New Credit Agreement for the four quarters ending
December 31, 2005 if compliance therewith was calculated without
giving effect to the amendment to the definition of
“Indebtedness” in the 2005 Waiver and Amendment,
provided
that we are in compliance therewith after giving effect to the
2005 Waiver and Amendment. We are not currently in default of the New
Credit Agreement and currently have access to the revolving credit
facility.
During
2005, subsequent to the VAT/Put Settlement, both S&P and
Moody’s removed their negative outlook on our debt rating and
moved our outlook to stable. On
April 10, 2006, S&P lowered
its corporate credit rating on KCS and us to B from BB–. The
senior secured debt rating of KCS and us was lowered to BB– from
BB+, and the senior unsecured debt rating lowered to B– from B+.
The CCC rating on KCS’s preferred stock, as well as all credit
ratings, remain on CreditWatch with negative implications, where they
were placed on
April 4, 2006. These rating actions are based on
concerns about KCS’s and our liquidity following recent negative
developments, including settlement of obligations owed to Grupo TMM
in March 2006 and the increased risk of KCS failing to make the next
cash dividend payment on its preferred stock.
On
April 5, 2006, Moody’s place all of KCS’s, KCSR’s and our debt
ratings under review for a possible downgrade. Moody’s review
was prompted by KCS’s inability to file its 2005 Form 10-K
after requesting an extension and indicating that the filing would be
made by
March 31, 2006.
Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
A significant portion of our capital expenditures is tied to volume of traffic, and is
therefore variable to the extent such volumes change. Capital expenditures do not include
locomotives or railcars leased under operating leases.
We made capital expenditures in aggregate amount of $81.2 million, representing 11.3% of our
revenues, in 2005, including $31.5 million for locomotive upgrades. We made capital expenditures of $41.1 million, representing 5.9% of our
revenues, in 2004, including $24.3 million for track improvements, siding extensions and track
equipment acquisition, and $7.9 million for upgrades of our locomotives and freight cars. In 2003,
we made capital expenditures in the amount of $73.1 million, including $48.7 million for
improvements to our rail line and $18.4 million for locomotive and freight car upgrades.
We plan to continue to make capital expenditures to improve our infrastructure. According to
our New Credit Agreement, we have restrictions on capital expenditures of $100.0 million unless our
leverage ratio declines to 3.50 times or less. Under the concession, we are required to make
certain capital expenditures as outlined in five-year business plans
submitted to the Ministry of Transportation. We have funded, and expect to continue to fund, capital expenditures with funds
primarily from operating cash flows and vendor financing.
- 48 -
The following tables set forth our principal capital expenditures and divestitures during last
three years.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Predecessor |
| |
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
Three months |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
ended |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| (In millions of dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locomotives
and freight cars(1) |
|
$ |
17.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.7 |
|
|
$ |
7.9 |
|
|
$ |
18.4 |
|
Rail track |
|
|
44.1 |
|
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
24.3 |
|
|
|
48.7 |
|
Telecommunication |
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
Other |
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
72.0 |
|
|
|
$ |
9.2 |
|
|
$ |
41.1 |
|
|
$ |
73.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
Three months |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
ended |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
| (In millions of dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
Divestitures(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Freight cars |
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
0.1 |
|
|
$ |
3.4 |
|
Concession equipment |
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
5.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.8 |
|
|
$ |
4.1 |
|
|
$ |
5.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
Locomotives and freight cars capital expenditures do not
include costs incurred relating to certain locomotives expenses
where payment has been deferred in accordance with agreements with
its vendors and suppliers. |
| (2) |
|
Capital divestitures are shown in our cash flow statement included elsewhere in this Annual
Report in the line items “Loss on sale of properties and write-off of cost of properties, net”
included in our operating activities. |
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
All of the locomotives we operate are diesel-powered, and our fuel expenses are a significant
portion of our operating expenses. We meet, and expect to continue to meet, our fuel requirements
almost exclusively through purchases at market prices from PEMEX, a government-owned entity
exclusively responsible for the distribution and sale of diesel fuel in Mexico. We are party to a
fuel supply
contract with PEMEX, which may be terminated at any time by either party upon 30 days
written notice to the other. We experienced increases in our average price of
fuel per gallon of 24.2% in 2003, 30.01% in 2004 and 43.9% in 2005.
Seasonality
The majority of our customers are industrial in nature, including automobile manufacturers,
grain distribution companies and industrial plants. Our freight revenue typically increases during
the third quarter of our fiscal year due to a number of factors, including increased production and
overstocking of inventory by our customers in anticipation of the end of the year holiday season
and also as a result of changes in our customers’ order patterns in response to the annual
announcement of price increases for the next year. Such factors demand an increase in the level of
our operations which typically results in an increase in our freight revenue for the third quarter
of our fiscal year. We typically experience a decrease in freight revenue at the end of our fourth
quarter and beginning of our first quarter due to a decrease in our customers’ productivity during
the Christmas holidays.
- 49 -
Contractual Obligations
The following table outlines our obligations for payments under our indebtedness (including
capital leases), purchase obligations, operating leases and other obligations and for the periods
indicated using balances as of
December 31, 2005 (in thousands of U.S. dollars).
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year ended December 31 |
|
Less than 1 |
|
|
1-3 |
|
|
3-5 |
|
|
More than |
|
|
|
|
| Indebtedness(1) |
|
Year |
|
|
Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Total |
|
2012 Senior Notes 12.50% |
|
$ |
23,659 |
|
|
$ |
47,319 |
|
|
$ |
47,319 |
|
|
$ |
215,489 |
|
|
$ |
333,786 |
|
2007 Senior Notes 10.25% |
|
|
16,167 |
|
|
|
158,084 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
174,251 |
|
2012 Senior Notes 9 3/8% |
|
|
45,346 |
|
|
|
90,692 |
|
|
|
90,692 |
|
|
|
528,019 |
|
|
|
754,749 |
|
Term loan facility(2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
71,572 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
71,572 |
|
Capital leases |
|
|
314 |
|
|
|
596 |
|
|
|
362 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total indebtedness |
|
$ |
85,486 |
|
|
$ |
368,263 |
|
|
$ |
138,373 |
|
|
$ |
743,508 |
|
|
$ |
1,335,630 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Less than 1 |
|
|
1-3 |
|
|
3-5 |
|
|
More than |
|
|
|
|
| Operating Leases(3) |
|
Year |
|
|
Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Total |
|
Locomotive operating leases |
|
$ |
14,419 |
|
|
$ |
28,839 |
|
|
$ |
28,839 |
|
|
$ |
120,045 |
|
|
$ |
192,142 |
|
Railcar operating leases |
|
|
38,578 |
|
|
|
62,206 |
|
|
|
40,644 |
|
|
|
37,080 |
|
|
|
178,508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating leases |
|
$ |
52,997 |
|
|
$ |
91,045 |
|
|
$ |
69,483 |
|
|
$ |
157,125 |
|
|
$ |
370,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Less than 1 |
|
|
1-3 |
|
|
3-5 |
|
|
More than |
|
|
|
|
| Purchase Obligations |
|
Year |
|
|
Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Total |
|
Locomotive maintenance agreement |
|
$ |
50,090 |
|
|
$ |
100,131 |
|
|
$ |
50,381 |
|
|
$ |
104,342 |
|
|
$ |
304,944 |
|
Track maintenance and rehabilitation
agreement |
|
|
5,891 |
|
|
|
11,322 |
|
|
|
10,699 |
|
|
|
9,142 |
|
|
|
37,054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase obligations |
|
$ |
55,981 |
|
|
$ |
111,453 |
|
|
$ |
61,080 |
|
|
$ |
113,484 |
|
|
$ |
341,998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
These amounts include principal and interest payments and withholding tax where applicable. |
| |
| (2) |
|
On October 28, 2005, we refinanced our existing term loan facility by replacing the 2004
Credit Agreement with the New Credit Agreement. |
| |
| (3) |
|
These amounts include the minimum lease payments. |
The amounts of our obligations under the fuel purchase agreement are not included in the
table, as such amounts are based on the market price of fuel. The market price of fuel as of
December 31, 2005 was $413.9 per cubic meter.
In addition to the contractual obligations set forth above, under the terms of our concession,
we are required to pay the Mexican government a concession duty equal to 0.5% of our gross revenues
during the first fifteen years of the concession period, and 1.25% of such revenues during the
remainder of the period. For the years ended
December 31, 2003,
2004,
2005, the concession duty
expense amounted to $3.6 million, $3.4 million, and $3.9 million, respectively, which was recorded
as an operating expense.
Following is a discussion of the terms of the contractual obligations outlined above.
12.50% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “2012 Senior Notes”)
We issued the 2012 Senior Notes in June 2002. The 2012 Senior Notes are denominated in
dollars, bear interest semiannually at a fixed rate of 12.50% and mature on
June 15, 2012.
- 50 -
The 2012 Senior Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated, rank
pari passu in right of payment with
all existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of KCSM, and are senior in right of
payment to all future subordinated indebtedness of KCSM. The 2012 Senior Notes are redeemable at
any time in the event of certain changes in Mexican tax law and at our option, in whole or in part,
on or after
June 15, 2007, subject to certain limitations, at the following redemption prices
(expressed in percentages of principal amount at maturity), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any:
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Redemption |
|
| Year |
|
Price |
|
2007 |
|
|
106.250 |
% |
2008 |
|
|
104.167 |
% |
2009 |
|
|
102.083 |
% |
2010 and thereafter |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
10.25% Senior Notes due 2007 (the “2007 Senior Notes”)
We issued the 2007 Senior Notes in June 1997. The 2007 Senior Notes are denominated in
dollars, bear interest semiannually at a fixed rate of 10.25% and mature on
June 15, 2007. The 2007
Senior Notes are not redeemable at our option except, subject to certain limitations, in the event
of certain changes in Mexican tax law.
The 2007 Senior Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of KCSM, rank pari passu in
right of payment with all existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of KCSM and are
senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness of KCSM. The 2007 Senior Notes
are unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by Grupo TFM.
9 3/8% Senior Notes due 2012 (the 9 3/8% Notes”)
We issued $460.0 million principal amount of the 9 3/8% in April 2005. The 9 3/8% Notes are
denominated in US dollars, bear interest semiannually at a fixed rate of 9 3/8% and mature on
May
1, 2012. The 9 3/8% Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time
to time, on and after
May 1, 2009, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice. Subject to
certain conditions, up to 35% of the principal amount of the 9 3/8% Notes is redeemable prior to
May 1, 2008. In addition, the 9 3/8% Notes are redeemable, in whole but not in part, at our option
at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued interest, in the event of certain changes
in the Mexican withholding tax rate.
Bridge Loan Agreement
The Bridge Loan Agreement was entered into as of
September 15, 2005 with BBVA Securities Inc.,
and Bank of America Securities LLC setting forth the general terms and conditions of a certain
facility, subject to the conditions of a certain Commitment Letter, for the purpose of making funds
available to the KCSM loans to be used by us to pay the September, 2005 amortization payment under
the 2004 Credit Agreement, between
the Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as a administrative
agent and certain banks. On
October 24, 2005, we paid the amount outstanding under the Bridge Loan
Agreement.
New Credit Agreement
On
October 24, 2005, we entered into the New Credit Agreement. We used the proceeds from the
New Credit Agreement to pay all amounts outstanding under the Bridge Loan Agreement, all remaining
amounts outstanding under the 2004 Credit Agreement and for other general corporate purposes. The
maturity date for the New Credit Agreement is
October 28, 2008. The New Credit Agreement contains
covenants that restrict or prohibit certain actions, including, but not limited to, our ability to
incur debt, create or suffer to exist liens, make prepayments of particular debt, pay dividends,
make investments, engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates, issue capital stock,
sell certain assets, and engage in mergers and consolidations or in sale-leaseback transactions.
Except for certain circumstances, our capital expenditures may not exceed certain amounts for any
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. In addition, we must meet certain consolidated interest
coverage ratios, consolidated leverage ratios, and fixed charge coverage ratios. Failure to
maintain compliance with covenants would constitute a default. Other events of default include, but
are not limited to, certain payment defaults, certain bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings, a
change of control, and certain
- 51 -
adverse judgments or government actions. Any event of default would trigger acceleration of
the time for payment of any amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement.
On
April 7, 2006,
we entered into the 2005 Waiver and Amendment to the
New Credit Agreement. The New Credit Agreement was amended to (i) exclude certain payment
obligations accrued under two locomotive maintenance agreements and under a track maintenance
rehabilitation agreement from the definition of Indebtedness, (ii) eliminate certain minimum and
multiple borrowing thresholds for Mexican peso borrowings under the revolving credit facility and
(iii) eliminate the reporting requirement to provide unaudited consolidated financial statements
for the fourth fiscal quarter. The 2005 Waiver and Amendment also
waived (iv) certain reporting
requirements, including the requirement to provide audited consolidated financial statement 90 days
after the end of the 2005 fiscal year, provided such reports are delivered by
April 30, 2006, and
(v) compliance with the Consolidated Leverage Ratio obligations of Section 7.1(c) of the New Credit
Agreement for the four quarters ending
December 31, 2005 if compliance therewith was calculated
without giving effect to the amendment to the definition of
“Indebtedness” in the 2005 Waiver and Amendment, provided
that we are in compliance therewith after giving effect to the 2005
Waiver and Amendment.
Capital leases
We have payment obligations under capital lease agreements for two real estate properties for
a period of 10 years. Our capital lease agreements contain standard provisions for this type of
transaction including an option to purchase the assets at the end of the term of the respective
lease agreements at a specified price.
Operating leases
Locomotive operating leases. In September 1999, we entered into a locomotive operating lease
agreement covering 75 locomotives that was to expire in 20 years. The lease agreement contained
standard provisions for this type of transaction, including the option to either purchase the
assets or return the assets to the lessor at the end of the lease term. Because the lease
agreement contained above-market rates, in connection with the valuation of
the Company’s assets as
part of the principles of acquisition and push-down accounting, we recorded a valuation reserve
that was being amortized over the remaining life of the lease.
On
November 2, 2005, KCSR entered into an agreement with El-Mo-Mex, Inc. (
“El-Mo”) to acquire
El-Mo’s equity interest in the 75 locomotives and El-Mo’s interest in the lease agreement between
El-Mo and KCSM. On
December 20, 2005, KCSR entered into a leverage lease arrangement with an
unaffiliated third party, pursuant to the terms of which KCSR sold the locomotives to a trust,
which then leased the locomotives to KCSR for a period of 18 years. At
December 31, 2005, none of
the locomotives were under lease to KCSM.
Railcar operating leases. We lease certain railcars under standard rail industry agreements which are
classified as operating leases. The length of the term of these agreements ranges on average from 3
to 15 years.
Fuel purchase agreement
On
December 19, 1997, we entered into a fuel purchase agreement with PEMEX, under which we
have the obligation to purchase at market price a minimum of 15,000 cubic meters and a maximum of
20,000 cubic meters per month of PEMEX diesel fuel. The term of the agreement is indefinite but can
be terminated for justified cause by either party upon thirty days’ written notice.
Locomotive maintenance agreements
We entered into locomotive maintenance agreements with various contractors, under which these
contractors provide both routine maintenance and major overhauls of our locomotive fleet in
accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (allowing our
locomotives to operate in the United States through interchanges with U.S. railroads). Our
locomotive maintenance
contracts mature at various times between 2009
and 2020. Certain agreements contain deferred payments for
maintenance and contain standard
provisions for these types of arrangements.
Track maintenance and rehabilitation agreement
In May 2000, We entered into a track
maintenance and rehabilitation agreement with a Mexican subsidiary of Alstom. The agreement
expires in 2012. Under this agreement, the contractor performed a major rehabilitation of the line
and provides routine maintenance between Celaya and Lázaro Cárdenas, approximately 350 miles.
Maintenance and rehabilitation expense amounted to $0.8 for the three
months ended
March 31, 2005, $2.6 for the nine months ended
December 31, 2005, $3.4 in 2004 and $3.4 in 2003. Under this
agreement, we estimate receiving futures services totaling
$37 million in the following 6 years.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks
We periodically review our exposure to risks arising from fluctuations in interest rates,
foreign exchange and fuel prices and determine at the senior management level how to manage these
risks. We do not have a derivatives trading portfolio. We do not enter into market-risk sensitive
instruments for speculative purposes. See Note 13 to our annual
consolidated financial statements included under
Item 8 of this Annual Report, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
- 52 -
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk principally with respect to our debt that bears interest
at floating rates. The following table sets forth our principal and interest cash flows and related
weighted average interest rates by expected maturity date of our long-term debt as of
December 31,
2005.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Maturity |
|
Fixed Rate Debt(1) |
|
|
Variable Rate Debt(2) |
|
| |
|
(In thousands of dollars) |
|
2006 |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
2008 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
102,142 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
640,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
790,000 |
|
|
$ |
102,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value. |
|
$ |
858,150 |
|
|
$ |
102,140 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
Includes $150.0 million principal amount of the 2007 Senior Notes, $460.0 million principal
amount of the 9 3/8% Notes and $180.0 million principal amount of the 2012 Senior Notes. |
| |
| (2) |
|
On October 28, 2005, we refinanced our term loan facility by replacing the 2004 Credit
Agreement with the New Credit Agreement. |
Interest Rate Agreements
In the past, we have entered into certain types of interest rate
contracts to manage our
interest rate risk. In the future, we may use interest rate forward
contracts to offset changes in
the rates received on short term floating rate assets to manage our risk with respect to interest
rates in Mexico and the U.S. We currently have no such
contracts in effect.
Foreign Exchange Risks
The purpose of our foreign currency hedging activities is to limit the risks arising from
peso-denominated monetary assets and liabilities. Our management determines the nature and quantity
of any hedging transactions, based upon net assets exposure and market conditions.
At
December 31, 2005, we had monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in Mexican pesos of
Ps.1,088.0 million and Ps.549.0 million, respectively. At
December 31, 2004, we had monetary assets
and liabilities denominated in Mexican pesos of Ps.1,057.0 million and Ps.290.0 million, respectively. At
December 31, 2003, we had monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in Mexican pesos of Ps.1,325.0
million and Ps.261.0 million, respectively. At
December 31, 2005,
2004 and
2003, the Reuters
interbank market Mexican peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate was Ps. 10.73,
Ps.11.14, Ps.11.23 per U.S. dollar,
respectively.
Fuel Price Risks
We may seek to increase the predictability of our operating expenses by purchasing U.S. fuel
futures
contracts, which are accounted for as hedging transactions used to offset fuel price risk.
We may also work with KCSR to hedge our fuel cost through their
purchasing activity. We did not acquire any fuel future
contracts during 2005. As of
December 31, 2005, we had no fuel
futures
contracts outstanding.
- 53 -
Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Page |
|
Consolidated Financial Statements: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55 |
|
Report of
KPMG Cárdenas Dosal, S.C., Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm, regarding the three months ended
March 31, 2005 ( “Predecessor”) and the nine months
ended December 31, 2005 ( “Successor”). |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
- 54 -
AUDITOR REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
TFM, S. A. de C. V.
We have audited
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TFM, S. A. de C. V.
and
subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated
statements of income, of cash flows and of changes in
stockholders’ equity for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2004,
all expressed in US dollars. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company’s Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements
based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by Management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion,
the aforementioned combined and consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of TFM, S. A. de C. V.
and
subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2004, and the consolidated results
of their operations, their cash flows and the changes in their
stockholders’ equity for each of the
two years in the period ended
December 31, 2004, in conformity accounting principals
generally accepted in the United States of America.
- 55 -
Report of KPMG Cárdenas Dosal, S. C.,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Kansas City Southern de México, S. A. de C. V.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Kansas City Southern de México, S.
A. de C. V. and subsidiary (
“the Company”) as of
December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and
cash flows for the three months ended
March 31, 2005
(
“Predecessor”) and the nine months ended
December 31,
2005 (
“Successor”). These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements
based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (U.S.). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.
An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our
opinion, based on our audits, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Kansas City Southern de
México, S. A. de C. V. and subsidiary as of
December 31, 2005, and the consolidated results of
their operations, and
their cash flows for the three months ended
March 31,
2005 (
“Predecessor”) and nine months
December 31, 2005
(
“Successor”),
in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Due to the
acquisition of control of
the Company by Kansas City Southern on
April 1, 2005, the accompanying
consolidated financial statements after
March 31, 2005
(
“Successor”) are presented on a different cost basis than
for periods before the change in control and therefore are not comparable to the consolidated financial statements for
the years ended
December 31, 2004 and
2003
(
“Predecessor”).
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are
separated between
“Successor” and
“Predecessor” to reflect
the Company’s results and financial
position before and after the change in control.
KPMG Cárdenas Dosal, S. C.
Mario Fernández
56
KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly known as TFM, S.A. de C.V.)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(amounts in thousands of US dollars, except share data)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| Assets |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
7,146 |
|
|
|
|
14,218 |
|
Accounts receivable, net (note 6) |
|
|
92,970 |
|
|
|
|
106,014 |
|
Related company receivable (note 14) |
|
|
35,843 |
|
|
|
|
31,569 |
|
Other
accounts receivable, net (note 7) |
|
|
44,640 |
|
|
|
|
72,057 |
|
Inventories, net (note 8) |
|
|
18,746 |
|
|
|
|
21,738 |
|
Other current assets
(note 9) |
|
|
17,613 |
|
|
|
|
7,036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
216,958 |
|
|
|
|
252,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Concession value, net (note 10) |
|
|
1,319,848 |
|
|
|
|
1,082,034 |
|
Property, machinery and equipment,
net (note 11) |
|
|
593,364 |
|
|
|
|
558,669 |
|
Investments held in associate
company (note 2(a)) |
|
|
37,992 |
|
|
|
|
8,060 |
|
Deferred charges |
|
|
16,895 |
|
|
|
|
24,573 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
37,319 |
|
|
|
|
6,907 |
|
Deferred
income tax (note 18) |
|
|
147,118 |
|
|
|
|
250,351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,369,494 |
|
|
|
|
2,183,226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt and capital lease due within one
year (note 12) |
|
$ |
4,482 |
|
|
|
|
66,749 |
|
Interest payable |
|
|
9,887 |
|
|
|
|
4,073 |
|
Accounts payable (note 15) |
|
|
145,168 |
|
|
|
|
131,833 |
|
Related company payable (note 14) |
|
|
13,299 |
|
|
|
|
3,907 |
|
Other current liabilities |
|
|
22,318 |
|
|
|
|
6,615 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
195,154 |
|
|
|
|
213,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
debt and capital lease (note 12) |
|
|
903,744 |
|
|
|
|
840,195 |
|
Deferred
statutory profit sharing (note 18) |
|
|
28,881 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
Other
long-term liabilities and deferred credits (note 16) |
|
|
87,191 |
|
|
|
|
25,204 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term liabilities |
|
|
1,019,816 |
|
|
|
|
865,399 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
1,214,970 |
|
|
|
|
1,078,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority Interest (note 2(p)) |
|
|
(1,254 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,001 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’ equity (note 17): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, 1,107,191,004 shares
authorized, issued without par value |
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
Receivable
under agreements with parent company (note 14(c)(d)) |
|
|
(661,153 |
) |
|
|
|
(661,122 |
) |
Treasury/parent shares |
|
|
(561,462 |
) |
|
|
|
(256,130 |
) |
Additional paid in capital |
|
|
245,369 |
|
|
|
|
(21,395 |
) |
Retained earnings |
|
|
374,142 |
|
|
|
|
285,416 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders’ equity |
|
|
1,155,778 |
|
|
|
|
1,105,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
(note 19) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity |
|
$ |
2,369,494 |
|
|
|
|
2,183,226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 57 -
KANSAS
CITY SOUTHERN DE MEXICO, S. A. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly known as TFM, S. A. de C. V.)
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
Three months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
ended |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
Year ended |
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Transportation Revenues |
|
$ |
547,547 |
|
|
|
|
170,088 |
|
|
|
699,224 |
|
|
|
698,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries, wages and employee benefits |
|
|
95,593 |
|
|
|
|
28,782 |
|
|
|
117,386 |
|
|
|
121,762 |
|
Purchased services |
|
|
108,703 |
|
|
|
|
36,809 |
|
|
|
165,396 |
|
|
|
190,344 |
|
Fuel, material and supplies |
|
|
88,888 |
|
|
|
|
24,916 |
|
|
|
89,382 |
|
|
|
71,843 |
|
Employees’ statutory profit sharing |
|
|
41,081 |
|
|
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
(6,556 |
) |
|
|
(11,528 |
) |
Other costs |
|
|
128,367 |
|
|
|
|
30,930 |
|
|
|
138,830 |
|
|
|
131,868 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
67,069 |
|
|
|
|
21,806 |
|
|
|
87,582 |
|
|
|
86,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
529,701 |
|
|
|
|
143,790 |
|
|
|
592,020 |
|
|
|
590,304 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
17,846 |
|
|
|
|
26,298 |
|
|
|
107,204 |
|
|
|
108,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(76,039 |
) |
|
|
|
(27,325 |
) |
|
|
(112,295 |
) |
|
|
(112,641 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
1,112 |
|
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
514 |
|
|
|
1,509 |
|
Exchange (loss) gain, net |
|
|
3,543 |
|
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
(13,744 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net financing cost |
|
|
(71,384 |
) |
|
|
|
(26,802 |
) |
|
|
(111,346 |
) |
|
|
(124,876 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VAT/Put
settlement gain, net (note 5) |
|
|
141,035 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (note
2a) |
|
|
(1,466 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
282 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss)
before income taxes and
minority interest |
|
|
86,031 |
|
|
|
|
(504 |
) |
|
|
(4,101 |
) |
|
|
(16,370 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (benefit)
expense (note 18) |
|
|
(1,464 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,420 |
) |
|
|
4,535 |
|
|
|
(50,148 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before minority interest |
|
|
87,495 |
|
|
|
|
916 |
|
|
|
(8,636 |
) |
|
|
33,778 |
|
Minority interest |
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
534 |
|
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
87,707 |
|
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
(8,102 |
) |
|
|
34,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) per share |
|
$ |
0.0685 |
|
|
|
|
0.0007 |
|
|
|
(0.0059 |
) |
|
|
0.0247 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 58 -
KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN DE MEXICO, S. A. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly know as TFM, S. A. de C. V.)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Successor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
Three Months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
| |
|
|
December
31, |
|
|
March
31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) for the year |
|
|
$ |
87,707 |
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
(8,102 |
) |
|
|
34,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
67,069 |
|
|
|
21,806 |
|
|
|
87,582 |
|
|
|
86,015 |
|
VAT/Put settlement gain, net |
|
|
|
(141,035 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Amortization
of discount on senior unsecured debentures and commercial paper |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
Deferred income tax |
|
|
|
(1,464 |
) |
|
|
(1,420 |
) |
|
|
4,535 |
|
|
|
(50,148 |
) |
Employees’ statutory profit sharing |
|
|
|
41,081 |
|
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
(6,556 |
) |
|
|
(11,528 |
) |
Minority interest |
|
|
|
(212 |
) |
|
|
(103 |
) |
|
|
(534 |
) |
|
|
(383 |
) |
Loss on sale of properties and write-off of cost of
properties, net |
|
|
|
3,662 |
|
|
|
723 |
|
|
|
3,704 |
|
|
|
2,909 |
|
Loss on sale of Mexrail’s shares |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,221 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
|
24,390 |
|
|
|
(10,582 |
) |
|
|
(12,399 |
) |
|
|
(10,999 |
) |
Accounts
receivable from related parties |
|
|
|
(13,350 |
) |
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
(14,217 |
) |
|
|
741 |
|
Other accounts receivable |
|
|
|
23,698 |
|
|
|
2,954 |
|
|
|
7,680 |
|
|
|
21,338 |
|
Long-term
receivable from Grupo TFM |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
361 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
6,550 |
|
|
|
(3,559 |
) |
|
|
(5,696 |
) |
|
|
3,568 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
3,177 |
|
|
|
(3,051 |
) |
|
|
(5,793 |
) |
|
|
(957 |
) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
|
(11,353 |
) |
|
|
28,137 |
|
|
|
(3,911 |
) |
|
|
27,146 |
|
Other non-current assets and long-term
liabilities |
|
|
|
(9,401 |
) |
|
|
(789 |
) |
|
|
28,923 |
|
|
|
(2,930 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total adjustments |
|
|
|
(7,219 |
) |
|
|
34,769 |
|
|
|
95,580 |
|
|
|
65,503 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
80,488 |
|
|
|
35,788 |
|
|
|
87,478 |
|
|
|
99,664 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of Mexrail’s shares net of cash |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27,147 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Acquisition of property and equipment |
|
|
|
(71,982 |
) |
|
|
(9,212 |
) |
|
|
(41,143 |
) |
|
|
(73,121 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of equipment |
|
|
|
639 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
2,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in
investing
activities |
|
|
|
(71,343 |
) |
|
|
(8,974 |
) |
|
|
(13,576 |
) |
|
|
(70,731 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 59 -
KANSAS
CITY SOUTHERN DE MEXICO, S. A. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly known as TFM, S. A. de C. V.)
Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Successor |
|
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
| |
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
Three months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
| |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from commercial paper |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from senior notes |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Payments
under senior discount debentures |
|
|
|
(443,500 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Payments
under commercial paper |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(10,000 |
) |
|
|
(37,001 |
) |
Payments of term loan facility |
|
|
|
(98,550 |
) |
|
|
(35,520 |
) |
|
|
(71,129 |
) |
|
|
(18,286 |
) |
Payments under capital lease obligations |
|
|
|
(293 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(339 |
) |
|
|
(298 |
) |
Proceeds of bridge loan |
|
|
|
30,993 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Payments of bridge loan |
|
|
|
(30,993 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from new credit agreement |
|
|
|
111,640 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Payment of new credit agreement |
|
|
|
(9,714 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Debt issuance cost |
|
|
|
(14,040 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,785 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Loan to
related party |
|
|
|
(13,036 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided
by (used in)
financing
activities |
|
|
|
(7,493 |
) |
|
|
(35,538 |
) |
|
|
(63,253 |
) |
|
|
(55,585 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Decrease) increase
in cash and cash
equivalents |
|
|
|
1,652 |
|
|
|
(8,724 |
) |
|
|
10,649 |
|
|
|
(26,652 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning
of the year/period |
|
|
$ |
5,494 |
|
|
|
14,218 |
|
|
|
3,569 |
|
|
|
30,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At end of
the year/period |
|
|
|
7,146 |
|
|
|
5,494 |
|
|
|
14,218 |
|
|
|
3,569 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for interest |
|
|
$ |
83,561 |
|
|
|
2,012 |
|
|
|
97,604 |
|
|
|
98,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets acquired through capital lease obligation |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 60 -
KANSAS
CITY SOUTHERN DE MEXICO, S. A. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly known as TFM, S. A. de C. V.)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Receivable under |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Common |
|
|
agreements |
|
|
Treasury/parent |
|
|
paid in |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
|
|
| Predecessor: |
|
stock |
|
|
with
parent company |
|
|
shares |
|
|
capital |
|
|
earnings |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
(661,477 |
) |
|
|
(256,130 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
237,962 |
|
|
|
1,079,237 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Translation effect |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for the year |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,161 |
|
|
|
34,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
(661,116 |
) |
|
|
(256,130 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
272,123 |
|
|
|
1,113,759 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Translation effect |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of parent shares |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(21,395 |
) |
|
|
21,395 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the year |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8,102 |
) |
|
|
(8,102 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
(661,122 |
) |
|
|
(256,130 |
) |
|
|
(21,395 |
) |
|
|
285,416 |
|
|
|
1,105,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the period |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
(661,122 |
) |
|
|
(256,130 |
) |
|
|
(21,395 |
) |
|
|
286,435 |
|
|
|
1,106,670 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Successor: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Translation effect |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of
shares received from the Government related to the VAT/PUT settlement |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(305,332 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(305,332 |
) |
Push down of
additional basis from acquisition by shareholders |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
254,338 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
254,338 |
|
Contribution
of capital from parent resulting from cancellation of locomotive
contract |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,426 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12,426 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
for the period |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
87,707 |
|
|
|
87,707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,758,882 |
|
|
|
(661,153 |
) |
|
|
(561,462 |
) |
|
|
245,369 |
|
|
|
374,142 |
|
|
|
1,155,778 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to
consolidated financial statements.
- 61 -
KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN DE MEXICO, S. A. DE C. V. AND SUBSIDIARY
(Formerly known as TFM, S. A. de C. V.)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in thousands of US dollars ($) or thousands
of Mexican pesos (Ps), except per share amounts)
| (1) |
|
Description of the Company and its subsidiary- |
| |
| |
|
Kansas City Southern de México, S. A. de C. V. (Formerly known as TFM, S. A. de C. V.) (“KCSM”
or the “Company”) was established by the Mexican Government (the “Government”) in November
1996 in connection with the privatization of the Mexican rail system, which had been operated
by Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (“FNM”). In December 1996, Grupo Transportación
Ferroviaria Mexicana, S. A. de C. V. (“Grupo TFM”) was awarded the right to acquire (the
“Acquisition”) an 80% interest in KCSM, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement. |
| |
| |
|
KCSM lines form a strategi |