ium is involved in litigation arising from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The Company recorded a provision for those cases in which there is a probable cash outflow and the outcome can be reliably estimated. Based on management’s assessment and the advice of legal counsel, it is not anticipated that the ultimate resolution of existing litigation would be material to Ternium’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. For the contingencies related to Ternium Brasil, please refer to note 3 (a).
(i) Tax claims and other contingencies
(a) Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) – Tender offer litigation
In 2013, the Company was notified of a lawsuit filed in Brazil by Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) and various entities affiliated with CSN against Ternium Investments S.à r.l., its subsidiary Siderar, and Confab Industrial S.A., a Brazilian subsidiary of Tenaris S.A. The entities named in the CSN lawsuit had acquired a participation in Usinas Siderúrgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. – USIMINAS (Usiminas) in January 2012. The CSN lawsuit alleges that, under applicable Brazilian laws and rules, the acquirers were required to launch a tag-along tender offer to all non-controlling holders of Usiminas ordinary shares for a price per share equal to 80% of the price per share paid in such acquisition, or BRL 28.8, and seeks an order to compel the acquirers to launch an offer at that price plus interest. If so ordered, the offer would need to be made to 182,609,851 ordinary shares of Usiminas not belonging to Usiminas’ control group; Ternium Investments and Siderar’s respective shares in the offer would be 60.6% and 21.5%.
On September 23, 2013, the first instance court dismissed the CSN lawsuit, and on February 8, 2017, the court of appeals of São Paulo maintained the understanding of the first instance court. On March 6, 2017, CSN filed a motion for clarification against the decision of the court of appeals, which was rejected on July 19, 2017. On August 18, 2017, CSN filed with the court of appeals an appeal seeking the review and reversal by the Superior Court of Justice of the decision issued by the court of appeals. The Superior Court of Justice is restricted to the analysis of alleged violations to federal laws and cannot assess matters of fact. The court of appeals must decide whether CSN’s appeal meets the requirements for submission to the Superior Court of Justice. If declared admissible, the Superior Court of Justice will also review admissibility, and, if also declared admissible, will then render a decision on the merits.
Ternium continues to believe that all of CSN’s claims and allegations are groundless and without merit, as confirmed by several opinions of Brazilian legal counsel, two decisions issued by the Brazilian securities regulator (CVM) in February 2012 and December 2016, and the first and second instance court decisions referred to above. Accordingly, no provision was recorded in these Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b) Shareholder claims relating to the October 2014 acquisition of Usiminas shares
On April 14, 2015, the staff of CVM, determined that an acquisition of additional ordinary shares of Usiminas by Ternium Investments made in October 2014, triggered a requirement under applicable Brazilian laws and regulations for Usiminas’ controlling shareholders to launch a tender offer to all non-controlling holders of Usiminas ordinary shares. The CVM staff’s determination was made further to a request by Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) and its affiliates, who alleged that Ternium’s 2014 acquisition had exceeded a threshold that triggers the tender offer requirement. In the CVM staff’s view, the 2014 acquisition exceeded the applicable threshold by 5.2 million shares. On April 29, 2015, Ternium filed an appeal to be submitted to the CVM’s Board of Commissioners. On May 5, 2015, the CVM staff confirmed that the appeal would be submitted to the Board of Commissioners and that the effects of the staff’s decision would be stayed until such Board rules on the matter. On June 15, 2015, upon an appeal filed by NSSMC, the CVM staff changed its earlier decision and stated that the obligation to launch a tender offer would fall exclusively on Ternium. Ternium’s appeal has been submitted to the CVM’s Board of Commissioners and it is currently expected that such Board will rule on the appeal in early 2018. In the event the appeal is not successful, under applicable CVM rules Ternium may elect to sell to third parties the 5.2 million shares allegedly acquired in excess of the threshold, in which case no tender offer would be required.
(c) Potential Mexican income tax adjustment
In March 2015, the Mexican tax authorities, as part of a tax audit to Ternium Mexico with respect to fiscal year 2008, challenged the deduction by Ternium Mexico’s predecessor IMSA Acero of a tax loss arising from an intercompany sale of shares in December 2008. Although the tax authorities have not yet determined the amount of their claim, they have indicated in a preliminary report that they have observations that may result in an income tax adjustment currently estimated at approximately USD 58.4 million, including interest and fines.
Ternium Mexico requested an injunction from the Mexican courts against the audit observations, and also filed its defense and supporting documents with the Mexican tax authorities. The Company, based on the advice of counsel, believes that an unfavorable outcome in connection with this matter is not probable and, accordingly, no provision has been recorded in its financial statements.
(d) Tax claim on Argentine personal assets tax for 2008, 2009 and 2010
On June 28, 2016, Ternium Argentina was notified of a tax assessment by the Argentine tax authorities (AFIP) for allegedly omitted taxes in its capacity as substitute obligor for the personal assets tax for 2008, 2009 and 2010 over the investment held by its shareholder Ternium España S.L.U. In its assessment, AFIP challenged the availability of the benefits contemplated under the double taxation treaty between Argentina and Spain then in effect and required Ternium Argentina to pay taxes and related interest for approximately USD 15.9 million as of such date. On August 4, 2016, Ternium Argentina appealed AFIP’s assessment before the National Tax Court.
In March 2017, Ternium decided to include this tax assessment in an official fiscal plan, which condoned part of the related interest and the whole amount in connection with fines. The total payment, which also included the principal and interest for the fiscal periods 2011 and 2012, amounted to USD 12.8 million, extinguishing all the liabilities related to this tax claim.
(ii) Commitments
The following are Ternium’s main off-balance sheet commitments:
(a)Ternium Argentina signed agreements to cover 80% of its required iron ore, pellets and iron ore fines volumes until December 31, 2021, for an estimated total amount of USD 844.0 million. Although they do not set a minimum amount or a minimum commitment to purchase a fixed volume, under certain circumstances a penalty is established for the party that fails of:
- 7% in case the annual operated volume is between 70% and 75% of the total volume of purchases of the Company; such percentage is applied over the difference between the actual purchased volume and the 80% of the total volume of purchases.
- 15% in case the annual operated volume is lower than 70% of the total volume of purchases of the Company; such percentage is applied over the difference between the actual purchased volume and the 80% of the total volume of purchases.
(b) Ternium Argentina entered into a contract with Tenaris, a related company of Ternium, for the supply of steam generated at the power generation facility that Tenaris owns in the compound of the Ramallo facility of Ternium Argentina. Under this contract, Tenaris has to provide 250 tn/hour of steam, and Ternium Argentina has the obligation to take or pay this volume. The amount of this outsourcing agreement totals USD 11.4 million and is due to terminate in 2018.
(c) Ternium Argentina has also signed various contracts for the provision of natural gas, assuming firm commitments for a total of USD 18.6 million payable during the 2018 financial year.
(d) Ternium Argentina signed an agreement with Air Liquide Argentina S.A. for the supply of oxygen, nitrogen and argon until 2021, for an aggregate amount of USD 30.9 million, wich is due to terminate in 2032.
(e) On April 24, 2017, Ternium Mexico entered into a 25-year contract (effective as of December 1, 2016, through December 1, 2041) with Techgen, S.A. de C.V. for the supply of 699 MW (which represents 78% of Techgen’s capacity) and covers most of Ternium Mexico’s facilities electricity needs. Monthly payments are determined on the basis of capacity charges, operation costs, back-up power charges, and transmission charges. As of the seventh contract year (as long as Techgen’s existing or replacing bank facility has been repaid in full), Ternium Mexico has the right to suspend or early terminate the contract if the rate payable under the agreement is higher than the rate charged by Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) or its successors. Ternium Mexico may instruct Techgen to sell to any affiliate of Ternium Mexico, to CFE, or to any other third party all or any part of unused contracted energy under the agreement and Ternium Mexico will benefit from the proceeds of such sale.
(f) On December 20, 2000, Hylsa (Ternium Mexico’s predecessor) entered into a 25-year contract with Iberdrola Energia Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. (“Iberdrola”), a Mexican subsidiary of Iberdrola Energía, S.A., for the supply of energy to four of Ternium Mexico’s plants. On March 31, 2008, two of those plants were terminated by Iberdrola. The contracted electrical demand as of December 31, 2017, is 51.7 MW. Iberdrola currently supplies approximately 25% of Ternium Mexico’s electricity needs under this contract. Although the contract was to be effective through 2027, on April 28, 2014, Ternium Mexico and Iberdrola entered into a new supply contract and terminated the previous one. In consideration of the termination of the previous contract, Iberdrola has granted Ternium Mexico a credit of USD 750 thousand per MW of the 111.2 MW originally contracted capacity, resulting over time in a total value of USD 83.4 million. In addition, Iberdrola agreed to recognize to Ternium México USD 15.0 million through discounted rates. As a result of the above mentioned credit and discount, the company expects to incur in electricity rates comparable to those obtained in the past under the previous contract’s terms for a period that is estimated to be approximately 1 year. Following such period, Ternium Mexico’s rates under the contract will increase to market rates with a 2.5% discount; however, Ternium Mexico will be entitled to terminate the contract without penalty.
(g) Several Ternium Mexico’s subsidiaries which have facilities throughout the Mexican territory are parties to a long term energy purchase agreement for purchased capacity of electricity with Tractebel Energía de Monterrey, S. de R.L. de C.V., and is committed to pay Tractebel for the contracted capacity and for the consumed energy. The monthly payments are calculated considering the capacity charges, operation costs, back-up power charges, and transmission charges, less any steam credits. The contracted amount is of USD 8.8 million and the contract will terminate in April 2018.
(h) Following the maturity of a previously existing railroad freight services agreement during 2013, in April 2014, Ternium México and Ferrocarril Mexicano, S. A. de C. V. (“Ferromex”) entered into a new railroad freight services agreement pursuant to which Ferromex will transport Ternium Mexico’s products through railroads operated by Ferromex for a term of five years through 2019. Subject to Ternium’s board approval, both Ternium Mexico and Ferromex would be required to make (within a period of 36 months) certain investments to improve the loading and unloading of gondolas. The total investment commitment of Ternium México and Ferromex was already invested as of December 31, 2017. Under the agreement, Ternium Mexico has guaranteed to Ferromex a minimum average transport load of 200,000 metric tons per month in any six-month period. In the event that the actual per-month average transport loads in any six-month period were lower than such guaranteed minimum, Ternium Mexico would be required to compensate Ferromex for the shortfall so that Ferromex receives a rate equivalent to a total transport load of 1,200,000 metric tons for such six-month period. However, any such compensation will not be payable if the lower transport loads were due to adverse market conditions, or to adverse operating conditions at Ternium Mexico’s facilities.
(i) Ternium México issued a guarantee letter covering up to approximately USD 40.4 million of the obligations of Gas Industrial de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. (GIMSA), under the natural gas trading agreement between GIMSA and Pemex Transformación Industrial (Pemex). The credit line granted by Pemex in connection with this natural gas trading agreement amounted to approximately USD 40.4 million. As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding amount under the natural gas trading agreement was USD 12.8 million, which is below the amount included in the guarantee letter issued by Ternium México.
(j) Techgen is a party to gas transportation capacity agreements with Kinder Morgan Gas Natural de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline LLC and Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline LLC for the whole transportation capacity starting on August 1, 2016 and ending during the second half of 2036. As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding value of this commitment was approximately USD 265 million. Ternium’s exposure under the guarantee in connection with these agreements amounts to USD 127 million, corresponding to the 48% of the agreements’ outstanding value as of December 31, 2017.
(k) Ternium issued a Corporate Guarantee covering 48% of the obligations of Techgen under a syndicated loan agreement between Techgen and several banks led by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, and Natixis, New York Branch acting as joint bookrunners. The loan agreement amounted to USD 800 million and the proceeds were used by Techgen in the construction of the facility. As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding amount under the loan agreement was USD 720 million, as a result the amount guaranteed by Ternium was approximately USD 346 million. The main covenants under the Corporate Guarantee are limitations to the sale of certain assets and compliance with financial ratios (e.g. leverage ratio). As of December 31, 2017, Techgen and Ternium, as guarantor, were in compliance with all of their covenants.
(l) During 2006, CSA, the predecessor of Ternium Brasil, has entered into a 15-year contract denominated Contrato de comercialização de energia elétrica no ambiente regulado - CCEAR por disponibilidade to provide electric energy to 24 distributors starting on 2011. Under this contract, Ternium Brasil has to provide 200 MW average per year and the price is adjusted by the Brazilian inflation index. The penalty for not delivering the volume of energy of the contract is the difference between the spot price and the unit variable cost (calculated and published by the Agéncia Nacional de Energía Elétrica), calculated per hour.
(m) Ternium Brasil signed an exclusivity agreement with Vale for the purchase of iron ore (pellets, sinter feed and lump ore), which is due to terminate in 2029. The total purchased volume, in accordance with the actual production capacity, is of approximately 8.0 million tons per year. Ternium Brasil has not the obligation to take or pay the mentioned volume and only should pay logistic costs in case of not purchasing the contracted volume.
(n) Ternium Brasil, for its activity of energy generation through gas and steam turbines, signed on March 2017 a contract with GE Global Parts and Products GMBH, General Electric International Inc. and Alstom Energia Térmica e Indústria Ltda. for the maintenance services of such turbines (including the supply of spare parts) for a period of 20 years. The amount of the entire contract totals USD 190.7 million.
(o) Ternium Brasil also signed on November 2007 a contract with Primetals Technologies Brazil Ltda. for the provision of maintenance services at a central workshop for the entire steel mill complex, including caster maintenance for the steel plant. The amount of the mentioned services totals approximately USD 53.0 million per year and is due to terminate on November 2024. Ternium Brasil is currently using more hours than the minimum quantity of contracted hours.
(p) Ternium Brasil is a party to a long-term contract with the Consortium formed by Air Liquide Brasil Ltda., AirSteel Ltda., White Martins Gases Industriais Ltda., White Martins Steel Ltda. and ThyssenKrupp MinEnergy GmbH for the supply of air, oxygen, nitrogen and argon for an aggregate amount of USD 55.0 millionper year to satisfy the requirements up to January 2029. The contract has minimum daily-required volumes.
(q) Ternium Brasil signed on January 2015 a contract with Companhia Distribuidora de Gás do Rio de Janeiro for the supply of natural gas. This agreement is due to terminate on December 2019 and it totals an aggregate amount of USD 33.9 million per year or 61.3 million m3 per year. Ternium Brasil is currently purchasing more than the minimum volume required by the contract, which is 85% of the volume mentioned before.
(iii) Restrictions on the distribution of profits
Under Luxembourg law, at least 5% of net income per year calculated in accordance with Luxembourg law and regulations must be allocated to a reserve until such reserve has reached an amount equal to 10% of the share capital. At December 31, 2017, this reserve reached the above-mentioned threshold.
As of December 31, 2017, Ternium may pay dividends up to USD 3.1 billion in accordance with Luxembourg law and regulations.
Shareholders' equity under Luxembourg law and regulations comprises the following captions:
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| As of December 31, 2017 |
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Share capital | 2,004,743 |
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Legal reserve | 200,474 |
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Non distributable reserves | 1,414,122 |
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Reserve for own shares | 59,600 |
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Accumulated profit at January 1, 2017 | 3,135,868 |
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Loss for the year | (32,012 | ) |
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Total shareholders' equity under Luxembourg GAAP | 6,782,795 |
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