IRVING, Texas, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Commercial Metals Company
(NYSE: CMC) today reported net earnings of $232.0 million or $1.97 per diluted
share on net sales of $10.4 billion for the year ended August 31, 2008. This
compares with net earnings of $355.4 million or $2.92 per diluted share on net
sales of $8.3 billion last year. The annual results included after-tax LIFO
expense of a record $209 million or $1.78 per diluted share. This compares
with after-tax LIFO expense of $33.3 million or $0.27 per diluted share last
year. At year end, our LIFO reserve totaled $562 million. LIFO is an inventory
costing method that assumes the most recent inventory purchases or goods
manufactured are sold first which in periods of rising prices results in an
expense that eliminates inflationary profits from net income. Changes in LIFO
are not write-downs, write-offs or market adjustments. They are changes in
cost components based on an assumption of inventory flows.
Fourth quarter net earnings were $63.5 million or $0.55 per diluted share
on net sales of $3.1 billion. This compares with $104.7 million or $0.86 per
diluted share on net sales of $2.3 billion for the fourth quarter last year.
The current year quarter included a record after-tax LIFO expense of $90.9
million or $0.78 per diluted share compared with after-tax LIFO income of $5.7
million or $0.05 per diluted share in last year's fourth quarter.
Management had projected an earnings range of $0.90 to $1.00 per diluted
share assuming no LIFO effect for the quarter. Actual earnings per diluted
share were $0.55 with a LIFO expense of $0.78 per diluted share.
Operationally, the Company exceeded its projection by a range of $0.33 to
$0.43 per diluted share. The LIFO expense arose from fourth quarter surges in
scrap purchase costs. These costs were still in scrap inventories and as a
component of finished goods at year end. There were also significant
inventories in transit for our domestic steel marketing business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter
included $10.6 million of costs associated with the investment in the global
deployment of SAP software compared to $9.4 million in last year's fourth
quarter. For the year ended August 31, 2008, the amount expensed was $53.7
million as compared to $33.8 million last year; project to date we have
expensed $88.7 million. Other SAP costs of $83.1 million have been capitalized
since inception of the project, of which $49.9 million has been capitalized in
the current year and $13.9 million in the current quarter.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 22.8% compared with last year's
26.6%, and for the whole year was 31.1% compared with fiscal 2007 at 31.9%.
The lower rate was due to a geographic shift in earnings (higher profits in
Poland which has a lower tax rate).
General Conditions
Murray R. McClean, Chairman, President and CEO, said, "The quarter
continued the upward volatility in ferrous scrap pricing, and steel finished
goods pricing outpaced ferrous scrap pricing resulting in metal margin
expansion. Management had anticipated a softening of ferrous scrap prices
which did occur, but not until the end of the quarter. The increased prices
plus in-transit inventories led to yet another enormous LIFO charge. The
record LIFO expense of $0.78 per diluted share was the third quarterly record
in succession. Though the LIFO charge affords the Company a significant tax
deferral, it does mask the underlying strong markets. The continued upward
trend in metal pricing propelled our Americas Recycling segment to an all-time
quarterly earnings record. For the second quarter in succession, the Americas
Mills segment had increases in tons melted, rolled, and shipped. Continually
escalating prices waylaid the Americas Fabrication and Distribution operations
with a staggering LIFO charge and further margin compression. In the
International Mills segment, our mill in Poland was the star performer while
we continued the turnaround in Croatia. Our International Fabrication and
Distribution segment set an all-time fourth quarter earnings record."
Americas Recycling
According to McClean, "Adjusted operating profit of $52.9 million
represented the second consecutive time the segment set an all-time quarterly
earnings record. It was aided by a small pre-tax LIFO income of $5.1 million
compared to LIFO income of $9.3 million in last year's fourth quarter. Ferrous
scrap prices advanced during the quarter, peaking in July and beginning to
tail by quarter end. Pricing was supported by continued strong international
demand, record iron ore prices, and reduced prime scrap availability due to a
slowdown in U.S. manufacturing. Ferrous operations accounted for almost 90% of
the segment's profitability. The average ferrous scrap sales price for the
fourth quarter compared to last year's fourth quarter increased $233 per short
ton to $450 per short ton, while shipments (including the units that formerly
were reported under the old Domestic Mills segment) increased 11% to 782
thousand tons. Nonferrous pricing advanced a more modest 7% compared to the
prior year fourth quarter, but was dropping as the quarter ended. Chinese
demand weakened during the quarter and, combined with a rebounding U.S.
dollar, drove nonferrous shipments down 14% to 79 thousand tons versus last
year's fourth quarter. We exported 33% of our nonferrous scrap material during
the quarter."
Americas Mills
McClean said, "With demand strong and scrap prices rising, our Americas
Mills segment's tons melted, rolled, and shipped all exceeded last year's
fourth quarter. Prices increased each month of the quarter (softening only in
late August) leading to a pre-tax LIFO expense of $40.2 million compared to
income of $135 thousand in the prior year fourth quarter.
"Our steel mills adjusted operating profit of $45.1 million was down 14.7%
compared to the prior year fourth quarter on the heels of a $41.5 million pre-
tax LIFO expense compared to a negligible amount last year. Metal margins were
11% higher at $390 per ton, necessary to keep pace with higher costs for
utilities, freight, and alloys. The price of ferrous scrap consumed rose a
stunning 87% compared to last year. Our average selling price was up $247 per
ton to $838 per ton while the average selling price for finished goods was up
$227 per ton to $866 per ton. Margins were affected by a 131% increase in
alloys and an 86% increase in energy. Combined, these two additional costs
accounted for another $29.8 million in costs this quarter compared to the
fourth quarter of last year. Sales volumes increased 15.1% to 631 thousand
tons. Rebar shipments rose 29%, and merchant tonnage rose 6%. Included in the
sales volumes were 120 thousand tons of billets of which 22 thousand tons were
exported. Total export tonnage was 33 thousand tons. The price premium of
merchant bar over reinforcing bar averaged $158 per ton. On a quarter-to-
quarter basis, tonnage melted for the fourth quarter was up 34% to 618
thousand tons while tonnage rolled was 546 thousand tons, an increase of 45%.
During the quarter we received the last required environmental permits that
allowed us to begin construction of our micro mill project in Arizona and to
date have invested $63 million of the expected $165 million total cost. Hot
commissioning is expected in September 2009.
"Our copper tube mill reported an adjusted operating profit of $4.1
million, substantially below last year's $11.1 million as slowing demand and
sliding prices took their toll. The mill recorded a pre-tax LIFO income of
$1.3 million compared to a pre-tax expense of $636 thousand in last year's
fourth quarter. Pounds shipped fell 8% to 12.8 million pounds. The average
copper selling price decreased 12 cents to $4.53 per pound and metal spreads
fell 69 cents per pound. The cost of copper scrap decreased 57 cents to $3.67
per pound. Copper tube production decreased 35% to 9.7 million pounds compared
to last year's fourth quarter."
Americas Fabrication & Distribution
McClean added, "The segment continued to suffer the negative consequences
of rapid upward price escalation -- titanic LIFO charges and margin
compression. Adjusted operating loss was $68 million compared to $36.1 million
income in last year's fourth quarter. Pre-tax LIFO expense was $100.9 million,
a quarterly charge for one segment larger than any consolidated year's expense
in CMC's history, sinking the profitability for the quarter. The comparable
LIFO number last year was income of $0.4 million. The composite average fab
selling price (excluding stock and buyouts) increased 7% to $1,146 a ton, not
enough to match the increase in steel finished goods prices compared to the
backlog pricing as we entered the quarter. When considering operations absent
the enormous LIFO charge, our construction services, structural fabrication,
and post plants had improved earnings over last year's fourth quarter; rebar
fabrication profitability fell slightly, but joist and deck were off
substantially. The bright spot for the segment was our domestic steel import
and distribution operations that saw a significant increase in profitability
compared to last year on the strength of strong contributions from pipe, SBQ,
and flat rolled. During the quarter, we completed the acquisitions of ABC
Coating and Reinforcing Post-Tensioning Services which added 300 thousand tons
annually to our rebar fabrication capacity."
International Mills
McClean said, "This segment was our star performer for the quarter.
Adjusted operating profit of $57.1 million was an all-time quarterly record
and dwarfed last year's fourth quarter profit of $21.7 million. CMCZ (Poland)
benefited from strong domestic and regional markets that allowed it to
maximize profits with substantial billet export sales without significant
finished goods import competition. CMCZ achieved a fourth quarter (and all-
time quarterly record) adjusted operating profit of $63.0 million. For the
fourth quarter, tons melted were 395 thousand, 20% above last year's 330
thousand; rolled tons equaled 266 thousand against 240 thousand last year; and
shipments totaled 424 thousand tons (an all-time quarterly record) including
177 thousand tons of billets versus 58 thousand tons last year. Average
selling prices increased 29% to PLN 2,091 per ton (including 42% billets) from
PLN 1,620 per ton (including 18% billets). The cost of purchased scrap
entering production increased 51%. The average metal margin increased by PLN
13 from PLN 727.
"The turnaround at CMCS (Croatia) continues with improvements in quality
and productivity. Average sales prices were higher in the fourth quarter
versus the third quarter of this year, and tonnage was up slightly. Sales of
seamless tube continue to improve and our backlog is building. We rolled 21
thousand tons and sold 20 thousand tons for the quarter. Our adjusted
operating loss was $5.9 million."
International Fabrication & Distribution
"Following its all-time quarterly record earnings in the third quarter,
the International Fabrication and Distribution segment set a fourth quarter
adjusted operating profit record of $35.7 million, a 47% increase compared to
the prior year fourth quarter," according to McClean. "With global supply of
certain raw materials tight, our ores and minerals division set a fourth
quarter record for sales and operating profit, finishing its best year ever.
Both our Australian import business and our service center and warehouse
operations had strong quarters. Other geographies started the quarter strong,
but tailed by the end; Europe began the quarter with bullish business as
prices climbed toward record levels. But during the quarter, sudden drops in
scrap prices, an extended summer end holiday period, and the beginning of
Ramadan adversely affected operations. Niche product offerings in Germany and
the UK did perform well. Asian demand weakened on the combined effects of a
strengthening U.S. dollar, declining oil prices, tight liquidity, and the
Beijing Olympics. Our fab shops in Poland and Germany were profitable led by
our newly acquired wire mesh operation, P.H.P. Nike, which added annual
capacity of 100 thousand tons."
Financial Condition
McClean said, "Our financial position remains strong. In August, we issued
$500 million of ten year notes due in 2018. The notes have a coupon rate of
7.35%; the effective interest rate is 7.29% after netting interest rate
hedges. We had a current ratio of 1.9, contractual borrowing capacity of $372
million under our revolver, and $200 million unused capacity under our
domestic accounts receivable securitization program at August 31, 2008. Our
coverage ratios remain strong, both on domestic borrowings as well as the
separate borrowings of CMCZ. Long-term debt as a percentage of total
capitalization was 41.5% without consideration of cash or cash equivalents."
Outlook
McClean continued, "The turmoil in global financial markets, the
uncertainty of the effects of government intervention, the imminent change in
the U.S. administration and a loss of confidence by both consumers and
investors clouds our outlook. In the short-term we will face headwinds until
such time as confidence and credit/liquidity issues are stabilized. Long-term
we continue to see strong demand for steel and related products as the
emerging economies urbanize/industrialize. Global infrastructure projects
should continue to be a key driver of demand.
"Fiscal 2009 will be a challenge to many businesses, including CMC; it is
a call to execution; execute our capital plan to lay the groundwork for future
growth; execute our cash flow plan; execute our contracts and demand our
counterparties do likewise. CMC is organized to withstand the downturns well
and to emerge a stronger company able to take advantage of the inevitable
opportunities such volatile times provide."
McClean added, "Four major projects already underway will comprise most of
our capital spending for fiscal 2009. Our micro mill in Arizona will be
substantially completed this fiscal year; we will continue the development of
our new flexible rolling mill in Poland scheduled for completion in January
2010; we will upgrade our melt shop and caster in Croatia; and we will
continue the rollout of SAP. These projects, combined with normal maintenance
capital expenditures, should total less than $450 million for the fiscal year.
"We anticipate first quarter LIFO diluted net earnings per share between
$0.35 to $0.45. We foresee substantial LIFO income as prices dramatically
decrease, a minimum of $50 million pre-tax income effect for the quarter. In
periods of declining prices, customers typically withhold orders waiting to
see signals that the market has bottomed. This will translate into lower
volumes in most segments. We will adjust our production to meet demand, manage
inventories, and maintain metal margins; downtime will be devoted to
maintenance and upgrades. There are bright spots -- fabrication operations
will benefit from lower finished goods prices, easing their margin
compression. Forward order books for certain Distribution operations should
result in good profitability. Overall, our dedicated employees, vertical
integration, and geographic dispersion will see us through this difficult
time."
Conference Call
CMC invites you to listen to a live broadcast of its fourth quarter/year-
end 2008 conference call on Thursday, October 30, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. ET. The
call will be hosted by Murray McClean, Chairman, President and CEO; and Bill
Larson, Senior Vice President and CFO, and can be accessed via our website at
www.cmc.com or at www.streetevents.com. In the event you are unable to listen
to the live broadcast, the call will be archived and available for replay
within two hours of the webcast. Financial and statistical information
presented in the broadcast can be found on CMC's website under "Investor
Relations."
Commercial Metals Company and subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and market
steel and metal products, related materials and services through a network
including steel minimills, steel fabrication and processing plants,
construction-related product warehouses, a copper tube mill, metal recycling
facilities and marketing and distribution offices in the United States and in
strategic international markets.
The Outlook section of this news release contains forward-looking
statements regarding the outlook for the Company's financial results including
net earnings, product pricing and demand, production rates, interest rates,
inventory levels, impact of acquisitions and general market conditions. These
forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as the
company or its management "expect," "anticipates," "believe," "ought,"
"should," "likely," "appears," "projected," "forecast," "outlook," "will" or
other words or phrases of similar impact. There is inherent risk and
uncertainty in any forward-looking statements. Variances will occur and some
could be materially different from management's current opinion. Developments
that could impact the Company's expectations include solvency of financial
institutions and their ability or willingness to lend, extent of government
intervention and its effect on capital markets, construction activity,
difficulties or delays in the execution of construction contracts resulting in
cost overruns or contract disputes, metals pricing over which the Company
exerts little influence, interest rate changes, increased capacity and product
availability from competing steel minimills and other steel suppliers
including import quantities and pricing, court decisions, industry
consolidation or changes in production capacity or utilization, the ability to
integrate acquisitions into operations; global factors including political and
military uncertainties, credit availability, currency fluctuations, energy and
supply prices and decisions by governments impacting the level of steel
imports and pace of overall economic activity, particularly China.
(Short Tons in Three months ended Fiscal year ended
Thousands) 8/31/08 8/31/07 8/31/08 8/31/07
Domestic Steel Mill Rebar
Shipments 285 220 1,135 972
Domestic Steel Mill
Structural and Other
Shipments 346 328 1,393 1,278
CMCZ Shipments 424 309 1,434 1,366
Total Mill Tons Shipped 1,055 857 3,962 3,616
Average FOB Mill Domestic
Selling Price
(Total Sales) $838 $591 $691 $566
Average Cost Domestic
Mill Ferrous Scrap
Utilized $448 $239 $350 $233
Domestic Mill Metal
Margin $390 $352 $341 $333
Average Domestic Mill
Ferrous Scrap Purchase
Price $409 $209 $329 $211
Average FOB Mill CMCZ
Selling Price
(Total Sales) $982 $580 $744 $542
Average Cost CMCZ
Ferrous Scrap Utilized $630 $321 $441 $302
CMCZ Mill Metal Margin $352 $259 $303 $240
Average CMCZ Ferrous
Scrap Purchase Price $533 $286 $396 $268
Fab Plant Rebar Shipments 295 239 1,061 1,014
Fab Plant Structural,
Post, Joist and
Deck Shipments 175 190 665 581
Total Fabrication Tons
Shipped 470 429 1,726 1,595
Average Fab Selling
Price (Excluding Stock
& Buyout Sales) $1,146 $1,073 $1,064 $982
Domestic Scrap Metal
Tons Processed
and Shipped 871 802 3,391 3,220
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
(in thousands)
Three months ended Fiscal year ended
8/31/08 8/31/07 8/31/08 8/31/07
Net Sales:
Americas Recycling $657,707 $469,911 $2,189,719 $1,800,647
Americas Mills 576,118 407,859 1,966,270 1,539,663
Americas Fabrication
& Distribution 844,535 721,606 2,874,594 2,586,776
International Mills 400,133 190,675 1,155,671 777,208
International
Fabrication &
Distribution 1,180,594 774,837 3,780,916 2,762,542
Corporate,
Discontinued
Operations and
Eliminations (512,611) (280,946) (1,539,792) (1,137,820)
Total Net Sales $3,146,476 $2,283,942 $10,427,378 $8,329,016
Adjusted Operating
Profit (Loss):
Americas Recycling $52,869 $33,758 $145,751 $113,037
Americas Mills 49,236 64,002 207,756 259,368
Americas Fabrication
& Distribution (67,978) 36,139 (67,471) 100,032
International Mills 57,108 21,716 96,838 112,379
International
Fabrication &
Distribution 35,729 24,293 124,338 73,709
Corporate and
Eliminations (24,736) (24,938) (99,348) (79,598)
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
Fourth Quarter and Year Operating Results (Unaudited)
(in thousands except share data)
Three months ended Fiscal year ended
8/31/08 8/31/07 8/31/08 8/31/07
Net Sales $3,146,476 $2,283,942 $10,427,378 $8,329,016
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of goods
sold 2,836,715 1,975,739 9,325,724 7,167,989
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses 209,494 156,386 707,786 583,810
Interest expense 15,978 10,331 58,263 36,334
3,062,187 2,142,456 10,091,773 7,788,133
Earnings from
Continuing
Operations Before
Income Taxes and
Minority Interests 84,289 141,486 335,605 540,883
Income Taxes 19,626 37,271 103,886 172,769
Earnings from Continuing
Operations Before
Minority Interests 64,663 104,215 231,719 368,114
Minority Interests
(Benefit) (2) (76) 538 9,587
Net Earnings from
Continuing Operations $64,665 $104,291 $231,181 $358,527
Earnings (Loss) from
Discontinued Operations
Before Taxes (2,016) 1,126 1,706 (4,827)
Income Tax (Benefit) (894) 698 921 (1,731)
Net Earnings (Loss)
from Discontinued
Operations (1,122) 428 785 (3,096)
Net Earnings $63,543 $104,719 $231,966 $355,431
Basic Earnings (Loss)
per Share:
Earnings from Continuing
Operations $0.57 $0.88 $2.01 $3.04
Earnings (Loss) from
Discontinued
Operations (0.01) - 0.01 (0.03)
Net Earnings $0.56 $0.88 $2.02 $3.01
Diluted Earnings
(Loss) per Share:
Earnings from Continuing
Operations $0.56 $0.86 $1.96 $2.95
Earnings (Loss) from
Discontinued
Operations (0.01) - 0.01 (0.03)
Net Earnings $0.55 $0.86 $1.97 $2.92
Cash Dividends per
Share $0.12 $0.09 $0.45 $0.33
Average Basic Shares
Outstanding 113,878,939 118,735,742 115,048,512 118,014,149
Average Diluted
Shares
Outstanding 116,251,800 121,925,891 117,685,753 121,681,730
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Fiscal year ended
2008 2007
Assets:
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $219,026 $419,275
Accounts receivable, net 1,369,453 1,082,713
Inventories 1,400,332 874,104
Other 228,632 82,760
Total Current Assets 3,217,443 2,458,852
Net Property, Plant and Equipment 1,154,322 767,353
Goodwill 84,837 37,843
Other Assets 289,769 208,615
$4,746,371 $3,472,663
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable - trade $838,777 $484,650
Accounts payable - documentary letters
of credit 192,492 153,431
Accrued expenses and other payables 563,424 425,410
Income taxes payable and deferred income taxes 156 4,372
Notes payable 31,305 -
Current maturities of long-term debt 106,327 4,726
Total Current Liabilities 1,732,481 1,072,589
Deferred Income Taxes 50,160 31,977
Other Long-Term Liabilities 124,171 109,813
Long-Term Debt 1,197,533 706,817
Minority Interests 3,643 2,900
Stockholders' Equity 1,638,383 1,548,567
$4,746,371 $3,472,663
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Fiscal year ended
2008 2007
Cash Flows From (Used By) Operating Activities:
Net earnings $231,966 $355,431
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
cash from (used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 135,069 107,305
Minority interests 538 9,587
Asset impairment charges 1,004 3,400
Provision for losses (recoveries) on
receivables 4,478 (370)
Share-based compensation 18,996 12,499
Net loss on sale of assets 749 474
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities,
Net of Effect of Acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (287,052) (39,695)
Accounts receivable sold 45,348 115,672
Inventories (414,556) (10,381)
Other assets (177,510) (89,332)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses,
other payables and income taxes 395,987 (22,179)
Deferred income taxes (4,379) (10,603)
Other long-term liabilities 5,906 29,482
Net Cash Flows From (Used By) Operating
Activities (43,456) 461,290
Cash Flows Used By Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures (355,041) (206,262)
Purchase of interests in CMC Zawiercie
and subsidiaries (169) (62,104)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant
and equipment & other 1,791 1,470
Acquisitions of other businesses, net of
cash acquired (228,422) (164,017)
Net Cash Flows Used By Investing Activities (581,841) (430,913)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Increase in documentary letters of credit 39,061 11,718
Short-term borrowings, net change (1,427) (62,088)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 596,669 400,504
Repayments on long-term debt (6,053) (72,282)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans 8,910 10,849
Tax benefits from stock plans 10,982 16,894
Treasury stock acquired (172,312) (59,169)
Cash dividends (52,061) (39,254)
Net Cash From Financing Activities 423,769 207,172
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
and Cash Equivalents 1,279 1,007
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
Equivalents (200,249) 238,556
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 419,275 180,719
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $219,026 $419,275
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
This press release uses financial statement measures not derived in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided below.
EBITDA:
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization.
EBITDA is a non-GAAP liquidity measure. It excludes Commercial Metals
Company's largest recurring non-cash charge, depreciation and amortization. As
a measure of cash flow before interest expense, it is one guideline used to
assess the Company's ability to pay its current debt obligations as they
mature and a tool to calculate possible future levels of leverage capacity.
EBITDA to interest is a covenant test in certain of the Company's note
agreements.
Three Months Year
Ended Ended
8/31/08 8/31/08
Net earnings $63,543 $231,966
Interest expense 17,210 59,488
Income taxes 18,732 104,807
Depreciation and amortization 38,475 135,069
EBITDA $137,960 $531,330
EBITDA to interest coverage
for the quarter ended for the year ended
August 31, 2008: August 31, 2008:
$137,960 / 17,210 = 8.0 $531,330 / 59,488 = 8.9
Total Capitalization:
Total capitalization is the sum of long-term debt, deferred income taxes,
and stockholders' equity. The ratio of debt to total capitalization is a
measure of current debt leverage. The following reconciles total
capitalization at August 31, 2008 to the nearest GAAP measure, stockholders'
equity:
Stockholders' equity $1,638,383
Long-term debt 1,197,533
Deferred income taxes 50,160
Total capitalization $2,886,076
Other Financial Information
Long-term debt to cap ratio as of August 31, 2008:
Debt divided by capitalization
$1,197,533 / 2,886,076 = 41.5%
Total debt to cap plus short-term debt ratio as of August 31, 2008:
($1,197,533 + 106,327) / (2,886,076 + 106,327) = 43.6%
Current ratio as of August 31, 2008:
Current assets divided by current liabilities
$3,217,443 / 1,732,481 = 1.9
