Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 1-8864
USG CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   36-3329400
     
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
550 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois   60661-3676
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (312) 436-4000
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes o No o Not applicable. Although the registrant was involved in bankruptcy proceedings during the preceding five years, it did not distribute securities under its confirmed plan of reorganization.
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2008 was 99,076,277.
 
 

 

 


 

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 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
USG CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months     Six Months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
(millions, except per-share and share data)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 1,251     $ 1,408     $ 2,416     $ 2,667  
Cost of products sold
    1,180       1,206       2,304       2,253  
 
                       
 
                               
Gross profit
    71       202       112       414  
Selling and administrative expenses
    94       99       196       216  
Restructuring and impairment charges
    21       15       25       15  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating profit (loss)
    (44 )     88       (109 )     183  
Interest expense
    21       19       38       63  
Interest income
    (1 )     (5 )     (3 )     (13 )
Other income, net
          (2 )     (1 )     (2 )
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
    (64 )     76       (143 )     135  
 
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (24 )     20       (58 )     38  
 
                       
 
                               
Net earnings (loss)
    (40 )     56       (85 )     97  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.40 )   $ 0.56     $ (0.85 )   $ 1.01  
Diluted
  $ (0.40 )   $ 0.56     $ (0.85 )   $ 1.01  
 
                       
 
                               
Average common shares
    99,071,435       98,933,442       99,064,529       95,154,810  
Average diluted common shares
    99,071,435       99,285,127       99,064,529       95,475,012  
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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USG CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    As of     As of  
    June 30,     December 31,  
(millions)   2008     2007  
Assets
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 181     $ 297  
Receivables (net of reserves – $16 and $17)
    553       430  
Inventories
    416       377  
Income taxes receivable
    15       37  
Deferred income taxes
    27       53  
Other current assets
    123       57  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,315       1,251  
 
           
 
               
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and depletion – $1,328 and $1,249)
    2,665       2,596  
Deferred income taxes
    285       228  
Goodwill
    229       226  
Other assets
    346       320  
 
           
Total Assets
  $ 4,840     $ 4,621  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 386     $ 328  
Accrued expenses
    243       234  
Income taxes payable
    7       5  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    636       567  
 
           
 
               
Long-term debt
    1,385       1,238  
Deferred income taxes
    11       10  
Other liabilities
    626       613  
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock
           
Common stock
    10       10  
Treasury stock
    (203 )     (204 )
Capital received in excess of par value
    2,624       2,607  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    65       9  
Retained earnings (deficit)
    (314 )     (229 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    2,182       2,193  
 
           
 
               
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 4,840     $ 4,621  
 
           
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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USG CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
(millions)   2008     2007  
Operating Activities
               
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (85 )   $ 97  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash:
               
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    89       87  
Share-based compensation expense
    18       15  
Deferred income taxes
    (66 )     18  
(Increase) decrease in working capital (net of acquisitions):
               
Receivables
    (122 )     (88 )
Income taxes receivable
    22       1,068  
Inventories
    (39 )     15  
Payables
    80       15  
Accrued expenses
    9       (43 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    (13 )     (35 )
Increase in other liabilities
    17       30  
Reorganization distribution – other
          (40 )
Other, net
    (1 )     12  
 
           
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
    (91 )     1,151  
 
           
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (172 )     (224 )
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (1 )     (279 )
Return of restricted cash
          6  
Net proceeds from asset disposition
          1  
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (173 )     (496 )
 
           
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Issuance of debt
    522        
Repayment of debt
    (375 )     (1,265 )
Payment of debt issuance fees
    (1 )      
Proceeds from equity offering, net of fees
          422  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    146       (843 )
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    2       3  
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (116 )     (185 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    297       565  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 181     $ 380  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
               
Interest paid
    36       55  
Income taxes refunded, net
    (19 )     (1,046 )
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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USG CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
In the following Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, “USG,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to USG Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries included in the condensed consolidated financial statements, except as otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires.
1. PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of USG Corporation in accordance with applicable United States Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines pertaining to interim financial information. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of our management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results for the interim periods. These financial statements and notes are to be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in USG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2008.
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This statement defines fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements that are required or permitted under other accounting pronouncements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Our adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008 had an immaterial impact on our financial statements and we have complied with the disclosure provisions of this statement. We also adopted the deferral provisions of FSP SFAS No. 157-2, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. (see Note 11).

 

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In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Upon our adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008, we elected not to fair value financial instruments and certain other items under SFAS No. 159. Therefore, this statement had no impact on our financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” The objective of this statement is to improve the relevance and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. SFAS No. 141(R) presents several significant changes from current accounting practices for business combinations, most notably the following: revised definition of a business; a shift from the purchase method to the acquisition method; expensing of acquisition-related transaction costs; recognition of contingent consideration and contingent assets and liabilities at fair value; and capitalization of acquired in-process research and development. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We will adopt this statement for acquisitions consummated after its effective date and for deferred tax adjustments for acquisitions completed before its effective date.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” The objective of this statement is to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements. Under the new standard, noncontrolling interests are to be treated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, not as a liability or other item outside of stockholders’ equity. The practice of classifying minority interests within the mezzanine section of the balance sheet will be eliminated and the current practice of reporting minority interest expense also will change. The new standard also requires that increases and decreases in the noncontrolling ownership amount be accounted for as equity transactions. This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We are currently reviewing this pronouncement to determine the impact, if any, that it may have on our financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 161 requires companies with derivative instruments to disclose information that should enable financial statement users to understand how and why a company uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The required disclosures include the fair value of derivative instruments and their gains or losses in tabular format, information about credit risk related contingent features in derivative agreements, counterparty credit risk, and a company’s strategies and objectives for using derivative instruments. The Statement expands the current disclosure framework in SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is effective prospectively for periods beginning on or after November 15, 2008. We will comply with the disclosure provisions of this statement after its effective date.

 

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3. RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
In response to adverse market conditions, we implemented several restructuring activities in 2008 and 2007.
2008 Restructuring Charges
During the first six months of 2008, we recorded restructuring charges totaling $25 million pretax. Of this amount, $21 million was recorded in the second quarter and $4 million was recorded in the first quarter.
The second quarter restructuring charges of $21 million included $15 million for salaried workforce reductions. The number of employees terminated and open positions eliminated during the second quarter as a result of these reductions was approximately 450. Charges of $5 million related to the closure of distribution locations and additional expenses associated with manufacturing facilities that were shut down in the first quarter of 2008. The remaining $1 million primarily related to expenses associated with the closing of facilities in 2007.
The first quarter restructuring charges of $4 million included $3 million primarily for severance related to the closure of our gypsum wallboard line in Boston, Mass., as well as the temporary shutdowns of our gypsum wallboard line in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and our paper mill in Gypsum, Ohio and for salaried workforce reductions in the first quarter. The remaining $1 million primarily related to expenses associated with the closing of facilities in 2007.
Our estimate of total restructuring charges for 2008 is $26 million. This estimate includes the first and second quarter charges totaling $25 million and approximately $1 million of additional expenses that we expect to record during the second half of 2008 for approximately 15 employees who are part of our workforce reductions, but are continuing to provide services after June 30. Of the $26 million estimated amount for 2008, $14 million relates to North American Gypsum, $5 million to Building Products Distribution, $2 million to Worldwide Ceilings and $5 million to Corporate.
2007 Restructuring and Impairment Charges
In 2007, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges that totaled $26 million pretax. This amount included $18 million for salaried workforce reductions, $2 million for facility shutdowns and $6 million for asset impairments.

 

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Restructuring Reserve
A restructuring reserve of $13 million was included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2008. We expect all of the accrued expenses to be paid by early 2009. This reserve is summarized as follows:
                                         
    Balance     First Six Months of 2008     Balance  
    as of             Cash     Other     as of  
(millions)   1/1/08     Charges     Payments     Non-Cash     6/30/08  
2008 Restructuring Activities:
                                       
Salaried workforce reductions
  $     $ 16     $ (11 )   $ (1 )   $ 4  
Facility shutdowns
          7       (4 )           3  
 
                             
Subtotal
          23       (15 )     (1 )     7  
 
                             
2007 Restructuring Activities:
                                       
Salaried workforce reductions
  $ 6     $     $ (1 )   $     $ 5  
Facility shutdowns
    1       2       (2 )           1  
 
                             
Subtotal
    7       2       (3 )           6  
 
                             
Total
  $ 7     $ 25     $ (18 )   $ (1 )   $ 13  
 
                             
4. SEGMENTS
Our operations are organized into three reportable segments: North American Gypsum, Building Products Distribution and Worldwide Ceilings. Segment results were as follows:
                                 
    Three Months     Six Months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
(millions)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
Net Sales:
                               
North American Gypsum
  $ 625     $ 754     $ 1,243     $ 1,511  
Building Products Distribution
    542       654       1,032       1,158  
Worldwide Ceilings
    237       210       448       407  
Eliminations
    (153 )     (210 )     (307 )     (409 )
 
                       
Total USG Corporation
  $ 1,251     $ 1,408     $ 2,416     $ 2,667  
 
                       
Operating Profit (Loss):
                               
North American Gypsum
  $ (56 )   $ 42     $ (113 )   $ 135  
Building Products Distribution
    7       45       6       71  
Worldwide Ceilings
    28       17       50       31  
Corporate
    (24 )     (22 )     (54 )     (61 )
Eliminations
    1       6       2       7  
 
                       
Total USG Corporation
  $ (44 )   $ 88     $ (109 )   $ 183  
 
                       
The total operating loss for the second quarter of 2008 includes restructuring charges totaling $21 million. On an operating segment basis, $9 million of the charges relates to North American Gypsum, $5 million to Building Products Distribution, $2 million to Worldwide Ceilings and $5 million to Corporate.
The total operating loss for the first six months of 2008 includes restructuring charges totaling $25 million. On an operating segment basis, $13 million of the charges relates to North American Gypsum, $5 million to Building Products Distribution, $2 million to Worldwide Ceilings and $5 million to Corporate.

 

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The total operating profit for the second quarter and first six months of 2007 includes restructuring and impairment charges totaling $15 million. On an operating segment basis, $12 million of the charges relate to North American Gypsum and $1 million relates to each of Building Products Distribution, Worldwide Ceilings and Corporate.
See Note 3 for information related to restructuring and impairment charges and the restructuring reserve as of June 30, 2008.
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the dilutive effect of restricted stock units, or RSUs, performance shares and outstanding stock options. The reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share is shown in the following table:
                         
                    Weighted  
    Net             Average  
    Earnings     Shares     Per-Share  
(millions, except per-share and share data)   (Loss)     (000)     Amount  
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008:
                       
Basic loss
  $ (40 )     99,071     $ (0.40 )
 
                 
Diluted loss
  $ (40 )     99,071     $ (0.40 )
 
                 
 
                       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007:
                       
Basic earnings
  $ 56       98,933     $ 0.56  
Dilutive effect of stock options
            352          
 
                 
Diluted earnings
  $ 56       99,285     $ 0.56  
 
                 
 
                       
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008:
                       
Basic loss
  $ (85 )     99,065     $ (0.85 )
 
                 
Diluted loss
  $ (85 )     99,065     $ (0.85 )
 
                 
 
                       
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007:
                       
Basic earnings
  $ 97       95,155     $ 1.01  
Dilutive effect of stock options
            320          
 
                 
Diluted earnings
  $ 97       95,475     $ 1.01  
 
                 
The diluted losses per share for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 were computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during those periods. Options, RSUs and performance shares with respect to 3.4 million common shares for the second quarter of 2008 and 3.4 million common shares for the first six months of 2008 were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share for those periods because they were anti-dilutive.
Options, RSUs and performance shares with respect to 1.6 million common shares for the second quarter of 2007 and 1.7 million common shares for the first six months of 2007 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for those periods because they were anti-dilutive.

 

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6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Total comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:
                                 
    Three Months     Six Months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
(millions)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (40 )   $ 56     $ (85 )   $ 97  
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax
    24       (7 )     48       14  
Gain (loss) on unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax *
    5       (4 )     5       (3 )
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
    5       25       3       27  
 
                       
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (6 )   $ 70     $ (29 )   $ 135  
 
                       
     
*   Includes the impact of the actual results of the 2007 actuarial valuations for the pension and postretirement benefit plans.
Total AOCI consisted of the following:
                 
    As of     As of  
    June 30,     December 31,  
(millions)   2008     2007  
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax
  $ 43     $ (5 )
Loss on unrecognized on pension and postretirement benefit plans, net of tax
    (57 )     (62 )
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
    80       77  
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax
    (1 )     (1 )
 
           
Total AOCI
  $ 65     $ 9  
 
           
After-tax gains on derivatives reclassified from AOCI to earnings were $7 million during the second quarter of 2008. We estimate that we will reclassify a net $32 million after-tax gain on derivatives from AOCI to earnings within the next 12 months.
7. INVENTORIES
Total inventories consisted of the following:
                 
    As of     As of  
    June 30,     December 31,  
(millions)   2008     2007  
Finished goods and work in progress
  $ 339     $ 290  
Raw materials
    77       87  
 
           
Total
  $ 416     $ 377  
 
           

 

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8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment was as follows:
                                 
    North     Building              
    American     Products     Worldwide        
(millions)   Gypsum     Distribution     Ceilings     Total  
Balance as of January 1, 2008
  $ 1     $ 213     $ 12     $ 226  
Purchase accounting adjustment
          3             3  
 
                       
Balance as of June 30, 2008
  $ 1     $ 216     $ 12     $ 229  
 
                       
Other intangible assets, which are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are summarized as follows:
                                                 
    As of June 30, 2008     As of December 31, 2007  
    Gross                     Gross              
    Carrying     Accumulated             Carrying     Accumulated        
(millions)   Amount     Amortization     Net     Amount     Amortization     Net  
Amortized Intangible Assets:
                                               
Customer relationships
  $ 70     $ 9     $ 61     $ 70     $ 6     $ 64  
Other
    10       3       7       10       2       8  
 
                                   
Total Amortized Intangible Assets
    80       12       68       80       8       72  
 
                                   
Unamortized Intangible Assets:
                                               
Trade names
    66             66       66             66  
Other
    9             9       8             8  
 
                                   
Total Unamortized Intangible Assets
    75             75       74             74  
 
                                   
Total Other Intangible Assets
  $ 155     $ 12     $ 143     $ 154     $ 8     $ 146  
 
                                   
Total amortization expense for other intangible assets was $4 million for the first six months of 2008. Total amortization expense was immaterial for the first six months of 2007. Estimated annual amortization expense for other intangible assets is $8 million for each of the years 2008 through 2011 and $7 million for each of the years 2012 and 2013.
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we perform impairment tests for goodwill annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it might be impaired. Historically, we have performed our annual impairment test as of May 31 of each year. In the first quarter of 2008, we decided to change our annual goodwill impairment testing date from May 31 to October 31 of each year to coincide with the timing of our annual forecasting process and thus allow for the use of more current information in the goodwill impairment test. The impact (if any) of this change will be disclosed in the fourth quarter of 2008, which is the quarter in which the new testing date will take effect. We believe this change in the method of applying an accounting principle is preferable under the circumstances. We have determined that the change will not result in any adjustment to our prior period consolidated financial statements when applied retrospectively. For 2008, in order that no more than 12 months elapse between testing dates, we performed the impairment tests as of May 31 and plan to update it as of October 31. The impairment tests performed on May 31, 2008 indicated that no impairment existed. We do not anticipate that this change will result in the delay, acceleration or avoidance of recording a potential future impairment.

 

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9. ACQUISITIONS
We record acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting and include the results of operations of the businesses acquired in our consolidated results as of the date of acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities and intangible assets acquired based on fair values. The excess purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. The fair value assigned to assets acquired is based on valuations using management’s estimates and assumptions.
L&W Supply Corporation acquired California Wholesale Material Supply, Inc., or CALPLY, on March 30, 2007, and USG Mexico, S.A. de C.V. acquired the assets of Grupo Supremo on March 28, 2007. During the first quarter of 2008, we finalized the allocation of the purchase prices for these acquisitions with no significant change from the preliminary allocation.
The final allocation of the purchase price for CALPLY is summarized below:
         
(millions)        
Cash
  $ 4  
Accounts receivable
    73  
Inventories
    37  
Property, plant and equipment
    6  
Goodwill
    84  
Other intangible assets
    115  
Other assets acquired
    6  
 
     
Total assets acquired
    325  
Total liabilities assumed
    53  
 
     
Total net assets acquired
  $ 272  
 
     

 

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10. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
We use derivative instruments to manage selected commodity price and foreign currency exposures. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. All derivative instruments must be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the changes in the fair values of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recognized in earnings in the current period. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income, or AOCI, and is reclassified to earnings when the underlying transaction has an impact on earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is reported in cost of products sold. For derivatives designated as net investment hedges, we record changes in value to AOCI. For derivatives not classified as fair value, cash flow or net investment hedges, all changes in market value are recorded to earnings.
Commodity Derivative Instruments
As of June 30, 2008, we had swap contracts to exchange monthly payments on notional amounts of natural gas amounting to $173 million. As of June 30, 2008, the fair value of these swap contracts, which remained in AOCI, was a $75 million pretax unrealized gain.
Foreign Exchange Derivative Instruments
We have cross-currency swaps and foreign exchange forward agreements in place to hedge changes in the value of intercompany loans to certain foreign subsidiaries due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional amount of these hedges is $104 million, and all contracts mature by December 29, 2009. As of June 30, 2008, the fair value of these hedges was a $5 million pretax loss that was recorded to earnings. We also have foreign currency forward agreements to hedge a portion of our net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. The notional amount of these hedges is $48 million, and all contracts mature by June 8, 2012. As of June 30, 2008, the fair value of these hedges, which remained in AOCI, was a $1 million unrealized loss.
Counterparty Risk
We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties on our financial instruments. All counterparties have investment grade credit ratings; accordingly, we anticipate that these counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations under the contracts. We may receive collateral from our counterparties based on the provisions in certain credit support agreements. Similarly, we may be required to post collateral under certain conditions. As of June 30, 2008, we had posted $1 million of collateral. We enter into master agreements which contain netting arrangements that minimize counterparty credit exposure.

 

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11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which provides a framework for measuring fair value under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The adoption of this statement had an immaterial impact on our financial statements. We also adopted the deferral provisions of FSP SFAS No. 157-2, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also expands disclosures about instruments measured at fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
  Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets;
 
  Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and
 
  Level 3 — Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
When valuing our derivative portfolio, we use readily observable market data in conjunction with internally developed valuation models. Consequently, we designate our derivatives as Level 2. As of June 30, 2008, our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
                                 
            Quoted Prices              
            in Active     Significant        
            Markets for     Other     Significant  
    As of     Identical     Observable     Unobservable  
    June 30,     Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
(millions)   2008     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Derivative assets
  $ 85     $     $ 85     $  
Derivative liabilities
    (12 )           (12 )      
Marketable securities
    3       3              

 

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12. DEBT
Credit Facility
We have a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as administrative agent under the agreement. The credit agreement consists of a $650 million unsecured revolving credit facility with a $250 million sublimit for letters of credit. This facility is available to fund working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.
Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either an alternative base rate or at LIBOR plus a margin, to be determined based on the credit facility’s credit rating. Based on our current credit ratings, the margin for LIBOR borrowings is 1.275%. We are also required to pay facility fees on the entire facility, whether drawn or undrawn, and fees on outstanding letters of credit. These fees are also dependent on the credit facility’s credit rating. We have the ability to repay amounts outstanding under the credit facility at any time without prepayment premium or penalty. The credit facility matures on August 2, 2012. As of June 30, 2008, the outstanding loan balance under the revolving credit facility was $147 million and we had approximately $78 million of outstanding letters of credit. We classified the $147 million borrowing under the revolving credit facility as long-term debt on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The credit agreement requires that we meet and maintain certain financial ratios and tests and comply with certain restrictions and conditions, including:
  through 2010, we are required to maintain aggregate liquidity of at least $300 million, including at least $100 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities;
 
  through 2010, we are prohibited from paying a dividend on, or repurchasing, our stock if our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash adjustments, or EBITDA, are below $75 million;
 
  through 2010, we are required to maintain specified minimum levels of EBITDA;
 
  our ratio of debt to total capitalization is limited to 45% in 2008, 47.5% in 2009 and 50% in 2010;
 
  beginning in 2010, we will be required to have a minimum interest coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) starting at not less than 1.00-to-1.00 and increasing to not less than 2.00-to-1.00 in 2011; and
 
  beginning in 2011, we will be required to have a maximum leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of no more than 4.25-to-1.00.

 

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Also, our material U.S. subsidiaries will be required to guarantee our obligations under the credit facility if our senior unsecured notes are rated below their current level. The credit agreement contains other covenants and events of default that are customary for similar agreements and may limit our ability to take various actions. We were in compliance with all financial ratios, tests and covenants as of June 30, 2008.
Senior Notes
The interest rate payable on our $500 million of 7.75% senior unsecured notes maturing in January 2018 is subject to adjustment from time to time by up to 2% in the aggregate if the debt ratings assigned to the notes decrease or thereafter increase. At our current credit ratings, the interest rate on these notes is 8.0%.
13. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Changes in the liability for asset retirement obligations consisted of the following:
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
(millions)   2008     2007  
Balance as of January 1
  $ 85     $ 78  
Accretion expense
    2       2  
Foreign currency translation
          1  
 
           
Balance as of June 30
  $ 87     $ 81  
 
           
14. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
The components of net pension and postretirement benefits costs are summarized in the following table:
                                 
    Three Months     Six Months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
(millions)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
Pension:
                               
Service cost of benefits earned
  $ 8     $ 10     $ 17     $ 20  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    17       17       35       33  
Expected return on plan assets
    (19 )     (18 )     (39 )     (36 )
Net amortization
    2       2       3       5  
 
                       
Net pension cost
  $ 8     $ 11     $ 16     $ 22  
 
                       
 
                               
Postretirement:
                               
Service cost of benefits earned
  $ 3     $ 4     $ 7     $ 8  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
    7       6       13       12  
Net amortization
    (2 )     (1 )     (3 )     (2 )
 
                       
Net postretirement cost
  $ 8     $ 9     $ 17     $ 18  
 
                       
In accordance with our funding policy, we currently plan to contribute approximately $54 million to our pension plans in 2008.

 

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15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
During the first quarter of 2008, we granted share-based compensation to eligible participants under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, or LTIP. We recognize expense on all share-based grants over the service period, which is the shorter of the period until the employees’ retirement eligibility dates or the service period of the award for awards expected to vest. Expense is generally reduced for estimated forfeitures.
Stock Options
We granted options to purchase 926,760 shares of common stock under our LTIP during the first quarter of 2008 with an exercise price of $34.67 per share, which was the closing price of a share of USG common stock on the date of grant. The options generally become exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of death, disability, retirement or a change in control. The options generally expire 10 years from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of death, disability or retirement.
We estimated the fair value of each stock option granted under the LTIP to be $14.78 on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted below. We based expected volatility on a 50% weighting of peer volatilities and 50% weighting of implied volatility of our common stock. We did not consider historical volatility of our common stock price to be an appropriate measure of future volatility because of the impact of our Chapter 11 proceedings that concluded in 2006 on our historical stock price. The risk-free rate was based on zero coupon U.S. government issues at the time of grant. The expected term was developed using the simplified method, as permitted by the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110.
The assumptions used in the valuation were as follows: expected volatility 37.59%, risk-free rate 3.2%, expected term (in years) 6.25 and expected dividends 0.
Restricted Stock Units
We granted RSUs under the LTIP with respect to 130,495 shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2008. The RSUs generally vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, except that 4,000 of the RSUs were granted as a special retention award that generally will vest 100% after five years. Generally, all RSUs may vest earlier in the case of death, disability, retirement or a change in control. Each RSU is settled in a share of our stock after the vesting period. The fair value of each RSU granted is equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant.

 

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Performance Shares
We granted 139,820 performance shares under the LTIP during the first quarter of 2008. The performance shares generally vest after a three-year period based on our total stockholder return relative to the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Construction and Materials Index, with adjustments in certain circumstances, for the three-year period. Vesting will be pro-rated based on the number of full months employed during the performance period in the case of death, disability, retirement or a change-in-control, and pro-rated awards earned will be paid at the end of the three-year period. The number of performance shares earned will vary from 0 to 200% of the number of performance shares awarded depending on that relative performance. Each performance share earned will be settled in a share of our common stock.
We estimated the fair value of each performance share granted under the LTIP to be $44.42 on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation that uses the assumptions noted below. Expected volatility is based on implied volatility of our common stock. The risk-free rate was based on zero coupon U.S. government issues at the time of grant. The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the performance period.
The assumptions used in the valuation were as follows: expected volatility 35.16%, risk-free rate 2.20%, expected term (in years) 2.92 and expected dividends 0.
16. INCOME TAXES
We have net operating loss, or NOL, and tax credit carryforwards in varying amounts in the U.S. and numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S., $455 million of the federal NOL that we reported in 2006 and the $25 million of NOL that we expect to report for 2007 are being carried forward and can be an offset against federal taxable income arising in subsequent years. We also have federal tax credit carryforwards of $81 million, primarily alternative minimum tax and foreign tax credits, that can be offset against federal income tax in future years. The federal NOL can be carried forward for 20 years from the date of origin, the alternative minimum tax credits can be carried forward indefinitely and the foreign tax credits can be carried forward for 10 years from the date of origin. At the U.S. state level, much of the 2006 and 2007 state NOLs, which average $76 million per state, are being carried forward since many states do not allow the carryback of an NOL in any material amount. The 2006 and 2007 state NOLs, as well as other NOL and tax credit carryforwards arising in prior years in various state and foreign jurisdictions, will expire over periods ranging from five to 20 years from the date of origin.
We have established a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets relating to certain of our NOL and tax credit carryforwards because of uncertainty regarding their ultimate realization. During the first six months of 2008, we increased our valuation allowance for these deferred tax assets by a total of $1 million due to a change in our judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax asset relating to our U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards in future years. We continue to assess the realizability of our deferred tax assets by considering, among other factors, our forecast of future income. If the recent history of operating losses continues, we may reassess our view of the realizability of certain state net operating losses. Based on these assessments, it is possible that an increase to our valuation allowance for state net operating losses may be required in future periods. Of the total valuation allowance as of June 30, 2008, $63 million relates to U.S. state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and $1 million relates to federal foreign tax credit carryforwards.

 

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In June 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Tax – an Interpretation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109.” This interpretation clarifies the accounting and disclosures relating to the uncertainty about whether a tax return position will ultimately be sustained by the tax authorities. We adopted this interpretation on January 1, 2007. As part of the adoption, we recorded an increase in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $19 million, $18 million of which was accounted for as an increase in long-term deferred taxes and $1 million of which reduced our January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. There were no significant changes to the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits during the second quarter of 2008.
Our federal income tax returns for 2004 and prior years have been examined by the IRS. The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for the year 2003 and later years. The IRS commenced an examination of the federal income tax returns we filed for the years 2005 and 2006 and is expected to complete the examination by December 31, 2008. The IRS has not proposed any material adjustments for 2005 or 2006 as of June 30, 2008. We are also under examination in various U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions. It is possible that these examinations may be resolved within the next 12 months. Due to the potential for resolution of the IRS, state and foreign examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefits may change within the next 12 months by a range of zero to $10 million. Foreign and U.S. state jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from three to five years.
17. LITIGATION
We are named as defendants in litigation arising from our operations, including claims and lawsuits arising from the operation of our vehicles, product warranties, personal injury and commercial disputes. We have also been notified by state and federal environmental protection agencies of possible involvement as one of numerous “potentially responsible parties” in a number of Superfund sites in the United States. As a potentially responsible party, we may be responsible to pay for some part of the cleanup of hazardous waste at those sites. In most of these sites, our involvement is expected to be minimal. In addition, we are involved in environmental cleanups of other property that we own or owned.
We believe that appropriate reserves have been established for our potential liability in connection with these matters, taking into account the probability of liability, whether our exposure can be reasonably estimated and, if so, our estimate of our liability or the range of our liability. However, we continue to review these accruals as additional information becomes available and revise them as appropriate. We do not expect these environmental matters or any other litigation matters involving USG to have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “USG,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to USG Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries included in the condensed consolidated financial statements, except as otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires.
OVERVIEW
Segments
Through our subsidiaries, we are a leading manufacturer and distributor of building materials, producing a wide range of products for use in new residential, new nonresidential, and repair and remodel construction as well as products used in certain industrial processes. Our operations are organized into three reportable segments: North American Gypsum, Building Products Distribution and Worldwide Ceilings.
North American Gypsum: North American Gypsum, which manufactures and markets gypsum and related products in the United States, Canada and Mexico, includes United States Gypsum Company, or U.S. Gypsum, in the United States, the gypsum business of CGC Inc., or CGC, in Canada, and USG Mexico, S.A. de C.V., or USG Mexico, in Mexico. North American Gypsum’s products are used in a variety of building applications to finish the interior walls, ceilings and floors in residential, commercial and institutional construction and in certain industrial applications. Its major product lines include SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard, a line of joint compounds used for finishing wallboard joints also sold under the SHEETROCK® brand name, DUROCK® brand cement board and FIBEROCK® brand gypsum fiber panels.
Building Products Distribution: Building Products Distribution consists of L&W Supply Corporation and its subsidiaries, or L&W Supply, the leading specialty building products distribution business in the United States. It is a service-oriented business that stocks a wide range of construction materials. It delivers less-than-truckload quantities of construction materials to job sites and places them in areas where work is being done, thereby reducing the need for handling by contractors.
Worldwide Ceilings: Worldwide Ceilings, which manufactures and markets interior systems products worldwide, includes USG Interiors, Inc., or USG Interiors, the international interior systems business managed as USG International, and the ceilings business of CGC. Worldwide Ceilings is a leading supplier of interior ceilings products used primarily in commercial applications. It manufactures ceiling tile in the United States and ceiling grid in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. It markets both ceiling tile and ceiling grid in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. It also manufactures and markets joint compound in Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region and gypsum wallboard in Latin America.

 

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Geographic Information: In 2007, approximately 84% of our net sales were attributable to the United States. Canada accounted for approximately 8% of net sales and other foreign countries accounted for the remaining 8%.
Financial Information
Consolidated net sales in the second quarter of 2008 were $1.251 billion, down 11% from the second quarter of 2007. An operating loss of $44 million and a net loss of $40 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, were incurred in the second quarter of 2008. These results compared with operating profit of $88 million and net earnings of $56 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007. Results for the second quarter of 2008 included restructuring charges totaling $21 million pretax and start-up costs for new manufacturing facilities totaling $4 million pretax. Results for the second quarter of 2007 included restructuring charges of $15 million pretax. The restructuring activities in the second quarters of 2008 and 2007 primarily included salaried workforce reductions and plant shutdowns.
The steep decline in the U.S. housing market, combined with unprecedented increases in the cost of key raw materials and energy, resulted in losses in our core wallboard business. Our domestic gypsum wallboard business, which is closely tied to the new residential and home remodeling segments, has been hardest hit. Our distribution business, which serves both residential and commercial markets, has also seen sales and profitability decline due to the slowdown in its residential business. However, our ceilings business, which serves the non-residential market, reported improved sales and profits.
For the second quarter of 2008, housing starts dropped 32% compared with the second quarter of 2007. The residential repair and remodeling market softened as well. This has led to lower wallboard shipments and prices and has reduced our sales and profits compared to last year. U.S. Gypsum’s shipments of SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard totaled 1.9 billion square feet during the second quarter of 2008, a 21% decline compared with 2.4 billion square feet in the second quarter of 2007. U.S. Gypsum’s nationwide realized selling price for SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard averaged $109.81 per thousand square feet for the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of 23% compared with $141.97 in the second quarter of 2007, but an increase of 5% compared with $104.41 in the first quarter of 2008. U.S. Gypsum announced and implemented price increases on gypsum wallboard in the first and second quarters of 2008 and recently announced an increase for August. However, profitability for U.S. Gypsum continues to be adversely affected by higher manufacturing costs for gypsum wallboard largely due to higher prices for raw materials and energy and higher transportation costs due to increased freight fuel surcharges.

 

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Market Conditions And Outlook
Industry shipments of gypsum wallboard in the United States were an estimated 6.74 billion square feet in the second quarter of 2008 compared with 8.16 billion square feet in the second quarter of 2007 and 6.87 billion square feet in the first quarter of 2008. Overall, we expect industry demand for gypsum wallboard in 2008 to be down approximately 10-15% from last year. Industry capacity utilization rates were approximately 64% during the second quarter of 2008 and are expected to remain below 70% for the full year unless the industry closes manufacturing capacity. At such a low level of capacity utilization, we may not be able to increase gypsum wallboard selling prices enough to offset higher manufacturing costs.
The housing market continues to be very challenging. New residential construction is down over 50% from the peak in 2005 and is likely to remain weak throughout 2009 as the inventory of unsold homes remains at historically high levels. We also expect declines in residential repair and remodeling expenditures and non-residential construction activity.
Since the market downturn began in 2006, we have reduced manufacturing costs by scaling back our operations to respond to these market conditions. During the second quarter of 2008, we suspended operations at our gypsum wallboard line at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and our paper mill at Gypsum, Ohio. During the first quarter of 2008, we closed our 80-year-old Boston gypsum wallboard line. Over the course of the last eight quarters, we have announced closures and implemented curtailments totaling approximately 3.5 billion square feet of our highest cost wallboard manufacturing capacity.
As part of L&W Supply’s ongoing efforts to reduce its cost structure in light of market conditions, it closed 20 locations during the first six months of 2008. During that time, the company opened three new locations in other markets.
Construction of a new, low-cost gypsum wallboard plant in Washingtonville, Pa., that will serve the northeastern United States is expected to be completed in the second half of 2008. Our new wallboard plant at Norfolk, Va., and new paper mill at Otsego, Mich., will operate at a significantly lower cost than the operations they are replacing.
In the second quarter of 2008, we implemented another salaried workforce reduction with the elimination of approximately 450 salaried positions. We will continue adjusting our operations as conditions warrant.

 

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Key Objectives
In order to perform as efficiently as possible during this challenging business cycle and to support our long-term growth objectives, we are continuing to focus on the following key objectives:
  extend our customer satisfaction leadership;
 
  achieve significant cost reductions;
 
  continue to invest in new, low-cost gypsum wallboard manufacturing capacity in order to maximize profits to support our long-term growth plan;
 
  keep the enterprise financially strong to act on selective acquisition opportunities that support our long-term vision; and
 
  continue to enhance financial flexibility.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a summary of our consolidated statements of operations:
                         
                    % Increase  
(dollars in millions, except per-share data)   2008     2007     (Decrease)  
Three Months ended June 30:
                       
Net sales
  $ 1,251     $ 1,408       (11 )%
Cost of products sold
    1,180       1,206       (2 )%
Gross profit
    71       202       (65 )%
Selling and administrative expenses
    94       99       (5 )%
Restructuring charges
    21       15       40 %
Operating profit (loss)
    (44 )     88        
Interest expense
    21       19       11 %
Interest income
    (1 )     (5 )     (80 )%
Other income, net
          (2 )      
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (24 )     20        
Net earnings (loss)
    (40 )     56        
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
    (0.40 )     0.56        
 
                       
Six Months ended June 30:
                       
Net sales
  $ 2,416     $ 2,667       (9 )%
Cost of products sold
    2,304       2,253       2 %
Gross profit
    112       414       (73 )%
Selling and administrative expenses
    196       216       (9 )%
Restructuring charges
    25       15       67 %
Operating profit (loss)
    (109 )     183        
Interest expense
    38       63       (40 )%
Interest income
    (3 )     (13 )     (77 )%
Other income, net
    (1 )     (2 )     (50 )%
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (58 )     38        
Net earnings (loss)
    (85 )     97        
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
    (0.85 )     1.01        

 

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Net Sales
Consolidated net sales in the second quarter and first six months of 2008 declined 11% and 9% from the respective 2007 periods primarily due to decreased demand for building products and lower selling prices for gypsum wallboard. As explained below under Core Business Results of Operations, net sales in the second quarter and first six months of 2008 for North American Gypsum and Building Products Distribution decreased compared with the same periods in 2007. Net sales in the second quarter and first six months of 2008 for Worldwide Ceilings improved compared with the respective prior-year periods.
Cost of Products Sold
Cost of products sold in the second quarter of 2008 was down 2% from the second quarter of 2007 primarily due to lower volume for gypsum wallboard and ceiling tile, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs, particularly for energy and raw materials. For the first six months of 2008, cost of products sold increased 2% compared with the first six months of 2007 primarily due to higher manufacturing costs. In addition, cost of products sold in 2008 included charges totaling $4 million in the second quarter and $16 million in the first six months for start-up costs for our new gypsum wallboard plants in Washingtonville, Pa., and Norfolk, Va., and our new paper mill in Otsego, Mich.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 decreased 65% and 73% compared with the respective 2007 periods primarily due to lower shipments and selling prices and higher manufacturing costs for gypsum wallboard. The gross margin percentage was 5.7% in the second quarter of 2008, down from 14.3% in the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, the gross margin percentage was 4.6%, down from 15.5% for the prior-year period.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses for the second quarter and first six months of 2008 decreased 5% and 9% compared with the respective 2007 periods primarily due to a company-wide emphasis on reducing expenses, including salaried workforce reductions. As a percent of consolidated net sales, selling and administrative expenses were 7.5% for the second quarter of 2008 and 8.1% for the first six months of 2008 compared with 7.0% for the second quarter of 2007 and 8.1% for the first six months of 2007.
Restructuring and Impairment Charges
Restructuring charges in the second quarter of 2008 of $21 million included $15 million for salaried workforce reductions. The number of employees terminated and open positions eliminated during the second quarter as a result of these reductions was approximately 450. Charges of $5 million related to the closure of distribution locations and additional expenses associated with manufacturing facilities that were shut down in the first quarter of 2008. The remaining $1 million primarily related to expenses associated with the closing of facilities in 2007.

 

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Total restructuring charges during the first six months of 2008 were $25 million pretax. This amount included the $21 million of charges described above for the second quarter and $4 million of charges recorded in the first quarter of 2008 primarily related to severance and facility shutdowns.
In the second quarter of 2007, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges totaling $15 million pretax primarily related to severance and a facility shutdown.
See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to restructuring and impairment charges and the restructuring reserve as of June 30, 2008.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $21 million for the second quarter of 2008 compared with $19 million for the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, interest expense was $38 million compared with $63 million for the first six months of 2007. Interest expense was higher for the first six months of 2007 due to a higher average level of borrowings as well as a $10 million pretax charge to write off deferred financing fees related primarily to our repayment of a $1.065 billion tax bridge loan in March 2007.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
An income tax benefit of $24 million was recorded for the second quarter of 2008. Income tax expense was $20 million for the second quarter of 2007. The effective tax rates were 37.0% and 26.7% for the respective periods.
An income tax benefit of $58 million was recorded for the first six months of 2008 compared with income tax expense of $38 million for the corresponding 2007 period. The effective tax rates were 40.7% for the first six months of 2008 and 28.2% for the first six months of 2007.
The 2008 tax benefits result from our anticipated carryforward of most of the loss in the second quarter of 2008 to offset U.S. state and federal income taxes in future years. The higher effective tax rates in 2008 is a result of the relative weightings of the loss in 2008 and the income in 2007 between the U.S., with a higher total tax rate, and lower taxed foreign jurisdictions. In addition, first quarter 2007 results included a $6.6 million favorable tax adjustment resulting from a correction of the December 31, 2006 deferred tax balances and second quarter 2007 results included the favorable impact of several state tax law changes.
Net Earnings (Loss)
A net loss of $40 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, was recorded for the second quarter of 2008. The net loss for the first six months of 2008 was $85 million, or $0.85 per diluted share. These results compare with net earnings of $56 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007 and $97 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2007.

 

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CORE BUSINESS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 
    Three Months     Six Months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
(millions)   2008     2007     2008     2007  
Net Sales:
                               
North American Gypsum:
                               
United States Gypsum Company
  $ 510     $ 655     $ 1,024     $ 1,316  
CGC Inc. (gypsum)
    90       79       174       156  
USG Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
    54       47       101       90  
Other *
    22       22       38       39  
Eliminations
    (51 )     (49 )     (94 )     (90 )
 
                       
Total
    625       754       1,243       1,511  
 
                       
 
                               
Building Products Distribution:
                               
L&W Supply Corporation
    542       654       1,032       1,158  
 
                       
 
                               
Worldwide Ceilings:
                               
USG Interiors, Inc.
    141       135       276       260  
USG International
    92       71       165       140  
CGC Inc. (ceilings)
    19       15       34       30  
Eliminations
    (15 )     (11 )     (27 )     (23 )
 
                       
Total
    237       210       448       407  
 
                       
 
                               
Eliminations
    (153 )     (210 )     (307 )     (409 )
 
                       
Total USG Corporation
  $ 1,251     $ 1,408     $ 2,416     $ 2,667  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Profit (Loss)**:
                               
North American Gypsum:
                               
United States Gypsum Company
  $ (65 )   $ 30     $ (129 )   $ 111  
CGC Inc. (gypsum)
    (1 )     1       3       7  
USG Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
    7       6       11       13  
Other *
    3       5       2       4  
 
                       
Total
    (56 )     42       (113 )     135  
 
                       
 
                               
Building Products Distribution:
                               
L&W Supply Corporation
    7       45       6       71  
 
                       
 
                               
Worldwide Ceilings:
                               
USG Interiors, Inc.
    19       12       34       20  
USG International
    4       2       8       6  
CGC Inc. (ceilings)
    5       3       8       5  
 
                       
Total
    28       17       50       31  
 
                       
 
                               
Corporate
    (24 )     (22 )     (54 )     (61 )
Eliminations
    1       6       2       7  
 
                       
Total USG Corporation
  $ (44 )   $ 88     $ (109 )   $ 183  
 
                       
     
*   Includes a shipping company in Bermuda and a mining operation in Nova Scotia, Canada.
 
**   Total operating loss for the second quarter of 2008 includes restructuring charges totaling $21 million pretax. On an operating segment basis, $9 million of the charges relates to North American Gypsum, $5 million to Building Products Distribution, $2 million to Worldwide Ceilings and $5 million to Corporate.
 
    Total operating loss for the first six months of 2008 includes restructuring charges totaling $25 million pretax. On an operating segment basis, $13 million of the charges relates to North American Gypsum, $5 million to Building Products Distribution, $2 million to Worldwide Ceilings and $5 million to Corporate.
 
    Total operating profit for the second quarter and first six months of 2007 includes restructuring charges totaling $15 million pretax. On an operating segment basis, $12 million of the charges relates to North American Gypsum and $1 million relates to each of Building Products Distribution, Worldwide Ceilings and Corporate.

 

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North American Gypsum
Net sales in the second quarter of 2008 of $625 million were down 17% from the second quarter of 2007. An operating loss of $56 million was incurred in the second quarter of 2008 compared with operating profit of $42 million for the prior-year period. The operating loss in the second quarter of 2008 included restructuring charges totaling $9 million and start-up costs for new manufacturing facilities totaling $4 million. Operating profit for the second quarter of 2007 included restructuring charges totaling $12 million.
Net sales in the first six months of 2008 of $1.243 billion were down 18% compared with the first six months of 2007. An operating loss of $113 million was incurred in the first six months of 2008 compared with operating profit of $135 million for the prior-year period. The operating loss in the first six months of 2008 included start-up costs for new manufacturing facilities totaling $16 million and restructuring charges totaling $13 million. Operating profit for the first six months of 2007 included restructuring charges totaling $12 million.
United States Gypsum Company: Second quarter 2008 net sales decreased $145 million, or 22%, compared with the second quarter of 2007. An operating loss of $65 million was incurred in the second quarter of 2008 compared with operating profit of $30 million for the prior-year period. Results were adversely affected by lower average selling prices, lower shipments and higher manufacturing costs for gypsum wallboard. The operating loss for the second quarter of 2008 included restructuring charges totaling $7 million primarily related to severance and facility shutdowns. That operating loss also included the charges totaling $4 million for start-up costs for our new gypsum wallboard plants in Washingtonville, Pa., and Norfolk, Va., and our new paper mill in Otsego, Mich. Operating profit for the second quarter of 2007 included restructuring charges totaling $10 million.
U.S. Gypsum’s shipments of SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard totaled 1.9 billion square feet during the second quarter of 2008, a 21% decline compared with 2.4 billion square feet in the second quarter of 2007. Industry shipments of gypsum wallboard were down approximately 17% from the second quarter of 2007.
U.S. Gypsum’s nationwide realized selling price for SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard averaged $109.81 per thousand square feet for the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of 23% compared with $141.97 in the second quarter of 2007, but an increase of 5% compared with $104.41 in the first quarter of 2008. U.S. Gypsum announced and implemented price increases on gypsum wallboard in the first and second quarters of 2008 and recently announced an increase for August.
Unit manufacturing costs for SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard were up 11% in the second quarter of 2008 compared with last year’s second quarter primarily due to higher prices for raw materials and energy and higher transportation costs due to increased freight fuel surcharges.

 

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Second quarter 2008 profit for U.S. Gypsum’s complementary product lines was lower compared to the second quarter of 2007, largely due to lower volumes and higher manufacturing costs for SHEETROCK® brand joint compounds. Profitability improved for FIBEROCK® brand gypsum fiber panels due to higher shipments and selling prices and lower manufacturing costs compared to the second quarter of 2007.
CGC Inc.: Second quarter 2008 net sales for the gypsum business of Canada-based CGC increased $11 million, or 14%, compared with the same period a year ago. An operating loss of $1 million was recorded in the second quarter of 2008 compared with operating profit of $1 million for last year’s second quarter. Net sales improved due to the favorable effects of currency translation and increased sales of complementary products, including joint treatment and gypsum fiber panels. Operating profit was adversely affected by lower average realized selling prices of SHEETROCK® brand gypsum wallboard.
USG Mexico, S.A. de C.V.: Net sales in the second quarter of 2008 for our Mexico-based subsidiary rose $7 million, or 15%, compared with the second quarter of 2007 largely due to increased shipments of cement board and construction plasters. Operating profit rose $1 million to $7 million compared with the same period last year.
Building Products Distribution
L&W Supply’s net sales in the second quarter of 2008 were $542 million, down $112 million, or 17%, compared with the second quarter of 2007. Operating profit was $7 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared with $45 million for last year’s second quarter. These declines primarily reflected lower selling prices and a 25% decline in gypsum wallboard shipments as a result of weak residential construction demand. Reflecting the relative strength of the commercial construction market, total sales of L&W Supply’s non-wallboard products were flat, but sales of its ceiling and construction metal products rose 16% compared to the second quarter of 2007. Operating profit for the second quarter of 2008 included restructuring charges of $5 million compared with restructuring charges of $1 million for last year’s second quarter.
For the first six months of 2008, L&W Supply’s net sales totaled $1.032 billion and operating profit was $6 million. These results compare with net sales of $1.158 billion and operating profit of $71 million for the first six months of 2007. On a same-location basis, net sales in the first six months of 2008 declined 18% versus the first six months of 2007.
As part of L&W Supply’s ongoing efforts to reduce its cost structure in light of market conditions, it closed 20 locations during the first six months of 2008. During that time, the company opened three new locations in other markets. As of June 30, 2008, L&W Supply operated 230 locations in the United States and Mexico compared with 247 locations as of December 31, 2007 and 249 locations as of June 30, 2007.

 

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Worldwide Ceilings
Net sales in the second quarter of 2008 of $237 million were up $27 million, or 13%, from the second quarter of 2007, and operating profit increased to $28 million from $17 million a year ago. Net sales in the first six months of 2008 of $448 million were up $41 million, or 10%, from the first six months of 2007, and operating profit increased to $50 million from $31 million a year ago.
USG Interiors, Inc.: USG’s domestic ceilings business, USG Interiors, recorded second quarter 2008 net sales of $141 million and operating profit of $19 million. This compared with net sales of $135 million and operating profit of $12 million for the second quarter of 2007. These results reflected improved pricing for ceiling tile and grid and lower grid manufacturing costs, partially offset by lower shipments and higher manufacturing costs for ceiling tile.
USG International: Net sales in the second quarter of 2008 were $92 million, an increase of $21 million, or 30%, compared with the second quarter of 2007. Operating profit of $4 million in the second quarter of 2008, which included $1 million of restructuring charges, doubled from the operating profit in last year’s second quarter. The improved results primarily reflect increased demand for ceiling grid and joint treatment in Europe and higher ceiling grid and tile sales in the Pacific region.
CGC Inc.: The ceilings business of CGC recorded net sales of $19 million and operating profit of $5 million in the second quarter of 2008. These results compared with net sales of $15 million and operating profit of $3 million for the second quarter of 2007.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents of $181 million compared with $297 million as of December 31, 2007. We believe that cash on hand, cash available from future operations and the other sources of liquidity described below will provide sufficient liquidity to allow our businesses to carry on normal operations. Normal-course cash requirements include, among other things, capital expenditures, working capital needs and contractual obligations. Additionally, from time to time we consider selective strategic transactions that we believe will create value and improve performance, including acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, restructurings and asset dispositions. Transactions of these types may result in material cash expenditures or proceeds.

 

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We have a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks that includes a $650 million revolving credit facility with a $250 million sublimit for letters of credit. As of June 30, 2008, the outstanding loan balance under the revolving credit facility was $147 million and we had approximately $78 million of outstanding letters of credit. The credit agreement requires us to have available cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and unused committed borrowing capacity under the credit agreement or other facilities of at least $300 million, including at least $100 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the credit agreement.
We expect to fund future growth projects from cash on hand, cash available from future operations and, if determined to be appropriate and they are available, borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Also, to fund future growth projects, we are currently considering several additional debt financing alternatives. We may from time to time consider equity and other debt financing alternatives to supplement, or as an alternative to, financing under then existing arrangements.
Cash Flows
The following table presents a summary of our cash flows:
                 
(millions)            
Six Months ended June 30,   2008     2007  
Net cash provided by (used for):
               
Operating activities
  $ (91 )   $ 1,151  
Investing activities
    (173 )     (496 )
Financing activities
    146       (843 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    2       3  
 
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (116 )   $ (185 )
 
           
Operating Activities: The variation between the 2008 and 2007 periods primarily reflected our first quarter 2007 receipt of a federal tax refund of $1.057 billion.
Investing Activities: The variation between the 2008 and 2007 periods primarily reflected our first quarter 2007 expenditure of $279 million for acquisitions and a $52 million decrease in capital expenditures in the first six months of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007.
Financing Activities: The variation between the 2008 and 2007 periods primarily reflected our 2008 borrowings of $147 million under our revolving credit facility and our first quarter of 2007 repayment of $1.265 billion of borrowings under our tax bridge and term loan facilities. These repayments were partially offset by net proceeds of $422 million from our March 2007 public equity offering.

 

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Capital Expenditures
Capital spending amounted to $172 million in the first six months of 2008 compared with $224 million in the corresponding 2007 period. Capital expenditure commitments for the replacement, modernization and expansion of operations amounted to $188 million as of June 30, 2008 compared with $302 million as of December 31, 2007. We expect to fund our capital expenditures program with cash from operations and, if determined to be appropriate and they are available, borrowings under our revolving credit facility or other alternative financings. Capital projects commenced as of June 30, 2008 include the following with the estimated total costs indicated:
  approximately $243 million for a new low-cost gypsum wallboard plant in Washingtonville, Pa., that will serve the northeastern United States. Construction of this plant began in late 2006 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2008;
  approximately $75 million for a new 40,000-ton self-unloading ship expected to lower the delivered cost of gypsum rock to East Coast wallboard plants. The new ship is expected to become operational in the second half of 2008; and
 
  approximately $226 million for a new, low-cost gypsum wallboard plant in Stockton, Calif., that will serve Northern California. Construction of this plant is expected to begin in the first half of 2010.
Working Capital
As of June 30, 2008, working capital (current assets less current liabilities) amounted to $679 million, and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.07-to-1. As of December 31, 2007, working capital amounted to $684 million, and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.21-to-1.
Receivables increased to $553 million as of June 30, 2008 from $430 million as of December 31, 2007. During the same period, inventories increased to $416 million from $377 million, and accounts payable increased to $386 million from $328 million. The higher level of receivables largely reflected a 24% increase in net sales for the month of June 2008 compared with December 2007. The increases in inventories and accounts payable reflect normal seasonal trends. Accrued expenses increased to $243 million as of June 30, 2008 from $234 million as of December 31, 2007.
Debt
Total debt, consisting of senior notes, industrial revenue bonds and outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, amounted to $1.385 billion as of June 30, 2008. Total debt, consisting of senior notes and industrial revenue bonds, amounted to $1.238 billion as of December 31, 2007. See Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our debt.
Fair-Value Measurements
When valuing our derivative portfolio under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” we use readily observable market data in conjunction with internally developed valuation models. Consequently, we designate our derivatives as Level 2. We did not use Level 3 unobservable inputs in our fair-value measurement of derivatives. See Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our fair-value measurement of derivatives.

 

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REALIZATION OF DEFERRED TAX ASSET
Our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2008 includes a gross deferred tax asset of $524 million relating to U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax benefits available for use in future periods with respect to various net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards arising in the first half of 2008 and prior years. We have concluded, based on the weight of available evidence, that all but $64 million of these tax benefits are more likely than not to be realized in the future.
In arriving at this conclusion, we considered both future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and, where appropriate, projections of future taxable income. As a result of U.S. federal taxable income projected to be realized in future years, we expect to utilize all but $1 million of the $283 million of federal income tax benefits relating to our federal net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
In contrast to the results under the Internal Revenue Code, many U.S. states do not allow the carryback of a net operating loss in any significant amount. As a result, in these states our net operating loss carryforwards are significantly higher than our federal net operating loss carryforward. To the extent that we do not generate sufficient state taxable income within the statutory carryforward periods to utilize the loss carryforwards in these states, the loss carryforwards will expire unused. Based on projections of future taxable income (consistent with historical results and anticipated future trends) in the states in which we conduct business operations and the loss carryforward periods allowed by current state laws (generally five to 20 years), we have concluded that all but $63 million of the $229 million of state income tax benefits relating to our state net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards is more likely than not to be realized.
We continue to assess the realizability of our deferred tax assets by considering, among other factors, our forecast of future income. If the recent history of operating losses continues, we may reassess our view of the realizability of certain state net operating losses. Based on these assessments, it is possible that an increase to our valuation allowance for state net operating losses may be required in future periods.
We also have net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in various foreign jurisdictions that we expect to utilize in full based on taxable income projected to be realized in those jurisdictions in future years.
During the first six months of 2008, we increased our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets by a total of $1 million due to a change in our judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax asset relating to our U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards in future years.

 

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LEGAL CONTINGENCIES
We are named as defendants in litigation arising from our operations, including claims and lawsuits arising from the operation of our vehicles, product warranties, personal injury and commercial disputes. We have also been notified by state and federal environmental protection agencies of possible involvement as one of numerous “potentially responsible parties” in a number of Superfund sites in the United States. As a potentially responsible party, we may be responsible to pay for some part of the cleanup of hazardous waste at those sites. In most of these sites, our involvement is expected to be minimal. In addition, we are involved in environmental cleanups of other property that we own or owned.
We believe that appropriate reserves have been established for our potential liability in connection with these matters, taking into account the probability of liability, whether our exposure can be reasonably estimated and, if so, our estimate of our liability or the range of our liability. However, we continue to review these accruals as additional information becomes available and revise them as appropriate. We do not expect these environmental matters or any other litigation matters involving USG to have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses during the periods presented. USG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2008, includes a summary of the critical accounting policies we believe are the most important to aid in understanding our financial results. There have been no material changes to these critical accounting policies that impacted our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses during the first six months of 2008.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This statement defines fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements that are required or permitted under other accounting pronouncements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Our adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008 had an immaterial impact on our financial statements and we have complied with the disclosure provisions of this statement. We also adopted the deferral provisions of FSP SFAS No. 157-2, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonrecurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. (see Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

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In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. Upon our adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008, we elected not to fair value financial instruments and certain other items under SFAS No. 159. Therefore, this statement had no impact on our financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” The objective of this statement is to improve the relevance and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. SFAS No. 141(R) presents several significant changes from current accounting practices for business combinations, most notably the following: revised definition of a business; a shift from the purchase method to the acquisition method; expensing of acquisition-related transaction costs; recognition of contingent consideration and contingent assets and liabilities at fair value; and capitalization of acquired in-process research and development. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We will adopt this statement for acquisitions consummated after its effective date and for deferred tax adjustments for acquisitions completed before its effective date.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” The objective of this statement is to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements. Under the new standard, noncontrolling interests are to be treated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, not as a liability or other item outside of stockholders’ equity. The practice of classifying minority interests within the mezzanine section of the balance sheet will be eliminated and the current practice of reporting minority interest expense also will change. The new standard also requires that increases and decreases in the noncontrolling ownership amount be accounted for as equity transactions. This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We are currently reviewing this pronouncement to determine the impact, if any, that it may have on our financial statements.

 

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In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 161 requires companies with derivative instruments to disclose information that should enable financial statement users to understand how and why a company uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The required disclosures include the fair value of derivative instruments and their gains or losses in tabular format, information about credit risk related contingent features in derivative agreements, counterparty credit risk, and a company’s strategies and objectives for using derivative instruments. The Statement expands the current disclosure framework in SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is effective prospectively for periods beginning on or after November 15, 2008. We will comply with the disclosure provisions of this statement after its effective date.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to management’s expectations about future conditions. Actual business, market or other conditions may differ from management’s expectations and accordingly may affect our sales and profitability or other results and liquidity. Actual results may differ due to various other factors, including:
  economic conditions, such as the levels of new home and other construction activity, employment levels, the availability of mortgage, construction and other financing, mortgage and other interest rates, housing affordability and supply, currency exchange rates and consumer confidence;
 
  competitive conditions, such as price, service and product competition;
 
  shortages in raw materials;
 
  increases in raw material, energy, transportation and employee benefit costs;
 
  the timing of commencement of operation of new and upgraded manufacturing facilities;
 
  the loss of one or more major customers;
 
  capacity utilization rates;
 
  capital markets conditions and the availability of borrowings under our credit agreement or alternative financings;
 
  the results of a review by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation relating to the tax refund we received related to the payments we made to the asbestos trust;

 

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  our success in integrating acquired businesses;
 
  changes in laws or regulations, including environmental and safety regulations;
 
  the effects of acts of terrorism or war upon domestic and international economies and financial markets; and
 
  acts of God.
We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Act), have concluded that, as of the end of the quarter covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There were no changes in our “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Act) identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) promulgated under the Act that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We do not consider the acquisition of CALPLY to have materially affected our internal control over financial reporting. CALPLY has accounting processes and internal controls different from those at USG. We are in the process of converting CALPLY’s controls to our existing internal controls, and our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 attestation for 2008 will include CALPLY.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Part I, Item 1, Note 17, Litigation, for information concerning environmental and litigation matters.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a)   Pursuant to our Deferred Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors, three of our non-employee directors deferred their quarterly retainers for service as directors that were payable on June 30, 2008 into a total of approximately 2,096 deferred stock units. These units will increase or decrease in value in direct proportion to the market value of our common stock and will be paid in cash or shares of common stock, at each director’s option, following termination of service as a director. The issuance of these deferred stock units was effected through a private placement under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and was exempt from registration under Section 5 of that act.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
We held our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders on May 14, 2008. At the meeting, Robert L. Barnett, Valerie B. Jarrett, Marvin E. Lesser and James S. Metcalf were elected to serve on our Board of Directors for three-year terms expiring in 2011 and the stockholders ratified the appointment by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2008. The votes on these matters were as follows:
                 
    For     Withheld  
1. Election of Directors:
               
Robert L. Barnett
    92,320,382       436,375  
Valerie B. Jarrett
    89,325,845       3,430,912  
Marvin E. Lesser
    92,328,350       428,407  
James S. Metcalf
    92,343,188       413,569  
                         
    For     Against     Abstain  
2. Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2008
    92,397,646       264,708       94,402  

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer *
 
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer *
 
32.1   Section 1350 Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer *
 
32.2   Section 1350 Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer *
     
*   Filed or furnished herewith

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  USG CORPORATION
 
 
  By   /s/ William C. Foote    
    William C. Foote,   
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   
     
  By   /s/ Richard H. Fleming    
    Richard H. Fleming,   
    Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
     
  By   /s/ D. Rick Lowes    
    D. Rick Lowes,   
    Senior Vice President and Controller   
July 31, 2008

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
Number   Exhibit
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer *
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer *
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer *
 
   
32.2
  Section 1350 Certifications of USG Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer *
     
*   Filed or furnished herewith