CENTRUS ENERGY CORP (LEU) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements particularly in light of the economic, social and market uncertainty created by, among other things, the war in Ukraine. See “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
Centrus Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation, is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel components for the nuclear power industry, which provides a reliable source of carbon-free energy and provides enrichment and technical services for public and private customers. References to “Centrus”, the “Company”, “our”, or “we” include Centrus Energy Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as the predecessor to Centrus, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Centrus operates two business segments: (a) LEU, which supplies various components of nuclear fuel to commercial customers from our global network of suppliers, and (b) Technical Solutions, which provides advanced uranium enrichment for the nuclear industry and the U.S. government and advanced manufacturing and other technical services to government and private sector customers and advanced uranium enrichment for the nuclear industry and the U.S. government.
Published spot price indicators for SWU reached historic highs in April 2009 at $163 per SWU. In the years following the 2011 Fukushima accident in Japan, spot prices declined more than 75%, bottoming out in August 2018 at $34 per SWU. This was followed by a period of price increases, which reached $155 per SWU by December 31, 2023. In 2024, spot prices continued to increase, reaching $195 per SWU by December 31, 2024, which surpasses the previous historic high. This represents an increase of 26% since the beginning of the year and 474% over the 2018 historic low. This surge in the SWU spot price beginning in 2022 has been driven by primarily by uncertainty created as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, coupled with growing interest in nuclear power as a source of secure and carbon-free energy.
When Russian supply is included, the uranium enrichment segment of the global nuclear fuel market is oversupplied, but without Russian supply, the global market for uranium enrichment would be undersupplied. Further, it is not clear that there are sufficient inventories of enriched uranium in the United States to compensate for a loss of Russian supply, absent new capacity that will take a number of years to deploy. A report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2023 reported that while U.S. utilities may have enough inventory to cover one reload of their reactors, “truly strategic physical stockpiles are almost non-existent.”2
Changes in the supply-demand balance and in the competitive landscape arising from the war in Ukraine may affect pricing trends, change customer spending patterns, and create uncertainty in the uranium market. At the same time, uncertainty remains about future demand for nuclear power generation. To address such changes and uncertainty, we continue to evaluate opportunities to grow our business organically or through acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
2 International Atomic Energy Agency, “Global Inventories of Secondary Uranium Supplies” (IAEA-TECDOC-2030), p. 54 (2023).
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Under the HALEU Demonstration Contract, Centrus was engaged by the DOE to construct a cascade of 16 AC100M centrifuges in Piketon, Ohio, to demonstrate HALEU production. The DOE has funded the HALEU Demonstration Contract up to $173.0 million with a period of performance that ended November 30, 2022. Closeout activities on the HALEU Demonstration Contract are ongoing. The DOE elected to change the scope of the HALEU Demonstration Contract and moved the operational portion of the demonstration to a new, competitively-awarded contract that would provide for operations beyond the term of the existing HALEU Demonstration Contract.
On November 10, 2022, the Company was awarded the HALEU Operation Contract and work began December 1, 2022. The base contract value was approximately $150.0 million in two phases through 2024. Phase 1 included an approximately $30.0 million cost-share contribution from Centrus matched by approximately $30.0 million from the DOE to complete construction of the cascade, begin operations and produce the initial 20 kilograms of HALEU UF6 by no later than December 31, 2023. On October 11, 2023, the Company announced that it began enrichment operations in Piketon, Ohio. On November 7, 2023, the Company announced that it made its first delivery of HALEU to the DOE, completing Phase 1 by successfully demonstrating its HALEU production process. During November 2023, the Company transitioned to Phase 2 of the HALEU Operation Contract.
Phase 2 of the HALEU Operation Contract includes continued operations and maintenance, and production for a full year at an annual production rate of 900 kilograms of HALEU UF6. The DOE will own the HALEU produced from the demonstration cascade and Centrus will be compensated on a cost-plus-incentive-fee basis, with an initial Phase 2 contract value of approximately $90.0 million, subject to Congressional appropriations. DOE has increased the Phase 2 contract value and related funding to $129.0 million. The HALEU Operation Contract also gives DOE the ability to exercise three optional periods to contract for up to nine additional years of production from the cascade beyond the base contract; those options are at the DOE’s sole discretion and subject to the availability of Congressional appropriations. Concurrently, pursuant to an amendment to our lease for the Piketon facility, the DOE assumed all D&D liabilities arising out of the HALEU Operation Contract.
Under the HALEU Operation Contract, DOE is contractually required to provide the 5B Cylinders necessary to collect the output of the cascade, but ongoing supply chain challenges had created difficulties for DOE in securing enough 5B Cylinders for the entire production year under Phase 2. To support the DOE in mitigating the risk of further delays in delivery of 5B Cylinders, the Company received technical direction and a contract modification from the DOE to procure compliant 5B Cylinders and components while the contractual obligation to furnish compliant 5B Cylinders under the HALEU Operation Contract continues to rest with the DOE. During the time periods when 5B Cylinders were insufficient, the Company was able to continue operations of the cascade, but did not produce HALEU as it did not have cylinders to store the enriched uranium. Due to these delays, Centrus was unable to achieve delivery of the 900 kilograms of HALEU UF6 for Phase 2 by November 2024. On November 5, 2024, the HALEU Operation Contract was modified to extend the Phase 2 period of performance to June 30, 2025. Centrus began to receive deliveries of additional 5B Cylinders in October 2024 and currently expects to have adequate cylinders to complete Phase 2. In accordance with the HALEU Operation Contract, the Company has submitted several change requests for work being performed on infrastructure, facility repairs, and 5B Cylinders. The additional work is being performed under the DOE’s technical direction. As of February 7, 2025, Centrus has delivered approximately 545 kilograms of HALEU UF6 to DOE. For further details refer to Item 1 - Business - Technical Solutions - Government Contracting.
The DOE continues to pursue the availability of HALEU for the ARDP and for the advanced reactor market and the availability of domestically enriched uranium in a quantity that would be sufficient to address a supply disruption and gaps in domestic production and enrichment and issued separate RFPs for the deconversion of HALEU, the production of HALEU and domestic production of LEU. The DOE awarded multiple IDIQ contracts to the successful bidders, after which the awardees will compete for individual task orders. The total aggregate funding to be awarded under the contracts is $3.4 billion with a minimum of $2.0 million for each contract which is partly funded through the IRA. Executive Order 14154, issued on January 20, 2025, directed executive agencies of the U.S. federal government to pause the distribution of federal funding, including funding appropriated under the IRA, pending a review of programs for issuing grants, loans, contracts, or any other financial disbursements. The timing of the pause and subsequent review, as well as the outcome of such review, remain uncertain.
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On October 4, 2024, DOE selected ACO and five other awardees under the November 28, 2023 solicitation aimed at HALEU deconversion, a subsequent step in the HALEU production process. The contract has a minimum value of $2.0 million and a maximum value of $0.8 billion for all awardees. On October 16, 2024, DOE selected ACO and three other awardees under the January 9, 2024 competitive solicitation aimed at expanding domestic commercial production of HALEU, which is needed to fuel many of the next-generation nuclear reactor designs currently under development. The contract has a minimum value of $2.0 million and a maximum value of $2.7 billion for all awardees. On December 10, 2024, DOE selected ACO and five other awardees under the June 27, 2024 solicitation aimed at expanding domestic commercial production of LEU. The award has a minimum contract value of $2.0 million and a maximum value of $3.4 billion over a ten-year period. The ultimate dollar amount under each contract and the potential scale of the expansion supported will depend upon the scope of task orders that DOE may subsequently issue under the contracts for which we will compete. Although we believe that we are well positioned, there is no assurance that we will be awarded any task orders under any of these contracts and, if awarded, the nature, timing and amount of the task orders that may be issued under an award is uncertain. The aggregate total appropriated funding for all awardees is $3.4 billion.
On November 6, 2024, DOE issued requests for task order proposals under the HALEU Deconversion Contract and the HALEU Enrichment Contracts. DOE contemplates issuing the task orders on a time-and-material basis with a two year period of performance for the purpose of describing the technical approach and price in a optimization study to support DOE in establishing the commercial production of HALEU and commercial deconversion of HALEU, respectively. On January 9, 2025, we submitted our proposals in response to these requests for task order proposals.
Meanwhile, on November 20, 2024, the Company announced the resumption of centrifuge manufacturing activities and the expansion of its manufacturing capacity at our facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Company is investing an additional $60.0 million over an 18 month period to lay the groundwork to support a potential large-scale expansion of uranium enrichment in Piketon, Ohio.
The Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (“§48C”) was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and renewed and expanded under the IRA. The §48C program aims to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness and clean energy supply chains. On October 18, 2024, the Company submitted an application for a clean energy manufacturing and recycling project associated with re-equipping our manufacturing property at our manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge. This will recreate a viable enrichment supply chain and allow ACO to manufacture centrifuge parts to be used in centrifuge machines to enrich uranium. Our application requested an allocation of $62.4 million based on a qualified investment in eligible property of $208.0 million made by Centrus. On January 10, 2025, the Company was informed that the IRS has granted our request for $62.4 million credit allocation for this facility. Centrus now has two years to provide evidence that the requirements of the credit have been met thus certifying our credit allocation. Upon certification of our credit allocation, we then have two years from that date to notify the DOE that the qualified investment in eligible property is placed in service to receive the credit allocation. It is uncertain how Executive Order 14154 will impact the IRS determination regarding our application request. For further details refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources.
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On December 20, 2024, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (“NNSA”) announced that it had released a Request for Information (“RFI”) for industry input on an AC100 Deployment Demonstration to address the need for a new domestic uranium enrichment capability. This AC100 deployment demonstration will provide a limited early production capability, demonstrate one of the available centrifuge technologies, and reduce risk to meeting the NNSA defense mission requirements. The deployment demonstration will provide NNSA with data required to determine which technology or technologies may be deployed for the full range of NNSA defense mission requirements. This effort is consistent with NNSA’s approach to meet its defense mission requirements by incrementally deploying centrifuge technologies, with candidates including the AC100 centrifuge and the Domestic Uranium Enrichment Centrifuge Experiment (“DUECE”) centrifuge being developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (“ORNL”). NNSA’s incremental approach enables the phase-in of low-enriched uranium (LEU) production capacity as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery of LEU for defense mission requirements. The Company intends to respond to the RFI.
On November 7, 2024, the Company issued, in a Rule 144A offering, 2.25% Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $402.5 million, due November 1, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The proceeds from the 2.25% Convertible Notes will be used for general working capital and corporate purposes, which may include investment in technology development or deployment, repayment or repurchase of outstanding debt, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions and other business opportunities and purposes. There are no required principal payments prior to the maturity of the 2.25% Convertible Notes. The 2.25% Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.25%, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2025. The Company incurred approximately $13.8 million in issuance costs for the issuance of the 2.25% Convertible Notes. For further details refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources.
The war in Ukraine, along with Import Ban Act and the Russian Decree, have contributed to a significant increase in market prices for enrichment and prompted calls for public and private investment in new, domestic uranium enrichment capacity not only for HALEU production but also for LEU production to support the existing fleet of reactors. As a result, coupled with the Company’s contract awards for HALEU and LEU production, Centrus is exploring the opportunity to deploy LEU enrichment alongside HALEU enrichment to meet a range of commercial and U.S. government requirements, which would bring cost synergies while increasing revenue opportunities. Our ability to deploy LEU and/or HALEU enrichment, and the timing, sequencing, and scale of those capabilities, is subject to the availability of funding and/or offtake commitments.
The Energy Act of 2020 (“Energy Act”) requires the DOE to establish a program to support the availability of HALEU for civilian domestic research, development, demonstration, and commercial use. The Energy Act also reauthorized DOE nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, including advanced fuel, research and development for advanced reactors, used fuel technologies, and integration of nuclear energy systems for both existing plants and advanced nuclear concepts. It also authorized the funding of an ARDP which was launched by the DOE in May 2020. There are a number of advanced reactors under development that would use HALEU. Nine of the ten advanced reactor designs selected by the DOE for its ARDP will require HALEU. Various agencies of the U.S. government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the DOE are building small modular reactors and microreactors, which demonstrates the focus on both the development of microreactors and the ultimate need for HALEU. We believe our investments in advanced enrichment technology and our progress in demonstrating HALEU production will position the Company to meet the needs of government and commercial customers in the future as they deploy advanced reactors and next generation fuels and also offers potential cost synergies for a return to LEU production. Further, the Company is taking steps to pursue, including through the exploration of strategic partnerships, technologies that are complementary to HALEU production and critical to the HALEU ecosystem, including deconversion and fuel fabrication.
While the monthly price indicators have increased for several years, the uranium enrichment segment of the nuclear fuel market remains oversupplied and faces uncertainty about future demand for nuclear power generation. However, without Russian supply, the global market would be undersupplied for uranium enrichment. Changes in the competitive landscape affect pricing trends, change customer spending patterns, and create uncertainty. To
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address these changes, we have taken steps to adjust our cost structure; we may seek further adjustments to our cost structure and operations and evaluate opportunities to grow our business organically or through acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
We are also actively considering, and expect to consider potential strategic transactions from time to time, which could involve, without limitation, acquisitions and/or dispositions of businesses or assets, joint ventures or investments in businesses, products or technologies, or changes to our capital structure. In connection with any such transaction, we may seek additional debt or equity financing, contribute or dispose of assets, assume additional indebtedness, or partner with other parties to consummate a transaction.
Refer to Part I, Item 1 - Business, for additional information.
Market Conditions and Outlook
The global nuclear industry outlook has begun to improve after many years of decline and stagnation. The development of advanced small and large-scale reactors, the innovation of advanced fuel types, and the commitment of nations to begin deploying nuclear power or to increase the share of nuclear power in their nations has created optimism in the market. Part of the momentum has resulted from efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change and improve health and safety.
According to the WNA, as of January 2025, there were approximately 65 reactors under construction worldwide, approximately one-half of which are in China. The United States, with over 90 operating reactors, remains the world’s largest market for nuclear fuel. The nuclear industry in the United States, Japan, and Europe faces headwinds as well as opportunities. In the United States, the industry has been under pressure from the expansion of subsidized renewable energy as well as relatively low-cost natural gas resources in recent years, although natural gas prices in the U.S. electricity sector tripled between 2020 and 2022 according to data from the EIA. Nine U.S. reactors have prematurely shut down in the past ten years and others could shut down in the next few years. At the same time, construction was completed and commercial operations began in the second quarter of 2024 on one large reactor and two formerly shutdown reactors have plans to restart. In 2023, the DOE released a report outlining a pathway to deployment of approximately 200 gigawatts of additional capacity by 2050 which would triple the nuclear energy capacity in the United States.
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The IEA projects that global nuclear energy generation will grow substantially in the next three decades. In the IEA’s 2024 World Energy Outlook, nuclear generation is forecasted to grow by 18% by 2030 and 47% by 2040 under the “Stated Policies” scenario. In the “Net Zero Emissions by 2050” scenario, nuclear generation would grow by 41% by 2030 and more than double by 2040.
As a consequence of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, over 60 reactors in Japan and Germany were taken offline, and other countries curtailed or slowed their construction of new reactors or accelerated the retirement of existing plants. In Japan, 14 reactors have restarted and an additional 11 reactors are in the process of restart approval. As a result of the war in Ukraine, the EU is encouraging its member countries to reconsider the planned early retirement of existing plants in order to reduce reliance on Russian gas imports.
In October 2020, the DOC reached an agreement with the Russian Federation on an extension of the RSA, a trade agreement which allows for Russian-origin nuclear fuel to be exported to the United States in limited quantities. The two parties agreed to extend the agreement through 2040 and to set aside a significant portion of the annual quota for Centrus’ shipments to the United States through 2028 to execute our long-term TENEX Supply Contract with TENEX. This outcome allows for sufficient quota for Centrus to continue serving its utility customers and support its investments in building new capacity. Use of this quota is subject to compliance with limitations under the RSA. These limitations include a requirement that we return natural uranium to TENEX for the LEU we receive under the TENEX Supply Contract at approximately the same time that we deliver the LEU to our customers. Our ability to meet this requirement depends on the capacity or willingness of the facilities where natural uranium is supplied to us by customers, to allow us to deliver this natural uranium to TENEX. In 2023, we were notified by one facility that it will no longer receive natural uranium for TENEX. As a result, we will need to rely to a greater extent on deliveries at other processors or explore other options in order to comply with the RSA’s natural uranium delivery requirement.
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On July 13, 2023, the Company and TerraPower, LLC (“TerraPower”) entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) to expand their collaboration aimed at establishing commercial-scale, domestic production capabilities for HALEU to fuel the NatriumTM reactor that TerraPower is building in Wyoming. Under this MOU, the Company and TerraPower will explore collaboration to ensure the Natrium demonstration reactor has access to HALEU at the milestones necessary to meet the project's 2030 operation date. Subject to a definitive agreement to be negotiated, Centrus would work toward scaling up production capacity with additional centrifuge cascades to meet TerraPower's fuel requirements.
On August 28, 2023, the Company and Oklo Inc. (“Oklo”) announced a new MOU to support the deployment of Oklo’s advanced fission powerhouses and advanced nuclear fuel production in Southern Ohio subject to a definitive agreement to be negotiated. Oklo and Centrus plan to enter into a broad range of collaboration programs supporting the development and operation of Oklo’s Aurora powerhouses, including supply of HALEU produced by Centrus at the Piketon, Ohio facility. Centrus also intends to buy clean, reliable, and affordable energy from Oklo’s planned Ohio plants to power its HALEU production facility.
The war in Ukraine has escalated tensions between Russia and the international community, and particularly the United States. As a result, the United States and other countries have imposed, including through the U.S.’s enactment of the Import Ban Act discussed below, and may continue imposing, additional sanctions and export controls against certain Russian products, services, organizations and/or individuals. Such additional restrictions could affect our ability to purchase, take delivery of, transport, or re-sell Russian uranium enrichment, engage in transactions with TENEX, or implement the TENEX Supply Contract, which would have a negative material impact on our business. Further, sanctions or restrictions by the United States, Russia or other countries may impact our ability and cost to transport, export, import, take delivery, or make payments related to the LEU we purchase and may require us to increase purchases from non-Russian sources to the extent available. For example, due to restrictions imposed by Canada on the ability of Canadian persons and entities to provide ocean transportation services to Russia, a permit is required for our shipper, a Canadian company, to transport the LEU that we procure under the TENEX Supply Contract to the United States. A Canadian permit issued to our shipper was extended to March 2027, but for so long as the sanctions remain in place, the shipper will require further extensions beyond the current validity of the permit for continued shipments of LEU imports. In addition, on June 24, 2024, members of the EU agreed to issue a 14th sanctions package, primarily targeting the export of Russian liquid natural gas and other services. The sanctions package includes restrictions on the transportation of empty containers to Russia. Since we supply empty cylinders under the TENEX Supply Contract that are filled and returned to us, this new sanctions package may impact the transportation of LEU from Russia to the extent such export activity has a nexus to an EU member state (e.g., through a ship’s flag, nationalities of crew members, etc.). This new sanctions package does not impact our near term deliveries. We are working with our shipper to determine the extent of the impact of the new sanctions on the transportation of LEU from Russia which may ultimately require our shipper to obtain special authorizations for the shipment of empty containers to Russia if a nexus with an EU member state exists. The U.S. and Canadian governments have indicated that the EU agrees that these sanctions should not apply to these containers and are working with the EU to clarify.
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In response to the war in Ukraine, on May 13, 2024, the Import Ban Act was enacted. This new law bans imports of LEU from Russia into the U.S. beginning August 11, 2024, subject to issuance of waivers by the DOE. In accordance with the instructions published by the DOE on May 24, 2024, the Company filed its first waiver request application on May 27, 2024, to permit the importation of LEU already committed for delivery to its U.S. customers in 2024 through 2027. On July 18, 2024, the DOE issued the Company a waiver allowing it to import LEU from Russia for deliveries already committed by the Company to its U.S. customers in years 2024 and 2025. For the years 2026 and 2027, the DOE deferred its decision to an unspecified date closer in time to the deliveries. On June 7, 2024, the Company filed a second waiver request application to allow for importation of LEU from Russia for processing and reexport to the Company's foreign customers. On October 31, 2024, the DOE issued its determination waiving the prohibition of the importation of such material to our foreign customers scheduled in 2025. On December 11, 2024, the Company filed a third waiver request application to allow for importation of LEU from Russia in 2026 and 2027 for use in future sales to our U.S. customers. The U.S. ban on imports of Russian LEU, without the grant of additional timely waivers, would have a negative material impact on our business and financial condition. Through 2027, well over one-half of the LEU that we expect to deliver to customers was sourced under the TENEX Supply Contract. While we have other sources of supply that may be available, they are not sufficient to replace the TENEX supply or may not be available in 2025. It is uncertain whether any waiver would be granted in response to our pending or any potential future applications and, if granted, whether any waiver would be granted in a timely manner for us to benefit from it.
On November 14, 2024 the government of the Russian Federation passed the Russian Decree, effective through December 31, 2025, that rescinded TENEX’s general license to export LEU to the United States or to entities registered in the United States. Accordingly, TENEX is required to obtain a specific export license from the Russian authorities in order for it to make shipments to Centrus through 2025. Centrus has been informed that TENEX has received three specific licenses to date which allow TENEX to export LEU to the U.S. for our pending orders. Centrus will use the majority of this LEU to satisfy pending orders to a single customer on a delayed basis in reliance on our contractual rights. TENEX has informed Centrus of its plan to seek additional export licenses to meet its delivery obligations under the TENEX Supply Contract for our other pending and future orders. Centrus has been informed that there is no certainty whether additional licenses will be issued by the Russian authorities and if issued, whether they will be issued in a timely manner and not rescinded prior to the shipment taking place. Refer to Part 1, Item 1- Business and Item 1A - Risk Factors, Operational Risks and - War in Ukraine Risks, for further discussion.
There is draft legislation in the U.S. Congress designed to impose sanctions on Rosatom which would effectively prohibit (again, subject to government-issued waivers) transactions with TENEX, a subsidiary of Rosatom. Since the enactment of the Import Ban Act and through the issuance of the Russian Decree, TENEX has continued to implement the TENEX Supply Contract while we pursue waivers from the DOE, and since the issuance of the Russian Decree TENEX has sought the necessary export licenses. However, we do not know what future actions, including in response to the Russian Decree, TENEX might take. If TENEX refuses to make future deliveries or otherwise suspends deliveries for an extended period under the TENEX Supply Contract, our delivery obligations to our customers would be negatively impacted, including a material adverse effect on the Company.
In addition to limitations targeted specifically at imports of LEU, the expanding sanctions imposed by the United States and foreign governments on the mechanisms used to make payments to Russia and to obtain services, including transportation and other services, have increased the risk that implementation of the TENEX Supply Contract may be disrupted in the future. If the U.S. government were to prohibit companies and individuals from engaging in transactions with Rosatom and its subsidiaries, including TENEX, the Company and its suppliers could not implement the TENEX Supply Contract absent a license or other authorization from the sanctioning government.
Given all the foregoing, we continue to monitor the situation closely and assess the potential impact of any new sanctions or restrictions on the Company and possible mitigation thereof.
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For further discussion of these risks and uncertainties, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - The current war in Ukraine and related international sanctions and restrictions on trade could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Operating Results
Our revenues, operating results, and cash flows can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year. Our LEU segment backlog consists primarily of long-term, fixed commitment contracts and contingent sales commitments, and we have visibility on a significant portion of our revenue for 2025-2027, although our revenue is subject to material adverse impacts from the Import Ban Act and the Russian Decree.
Our future operating results are subject to uncertainties that could affect results either positively or negatively. Among the factors that could affect our results are the following:
•Our ability to obtain additional waivers to allow us to import LEU from Russia so that we may continue supplying LEU to our customers, given the enactment of the Import Ban Act in May 2024;
•The ability of TENEX to obtain, or timely obtain, and the willingness of TENEX to continue to request, additional licenses to export LEU from Russia so that we may continue supplying LEU to our customers, given the enactment of the Russian Decree in November 2024;
•Conditions in the LEU and energy markets, including pricing, demand, operations, government restrictions on imports, exports or investments, and regulations of our business and activities and those of our customers, suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors;
•Recently enacted sanctions and the potential for additional sanctions and other measures that restrict with whom we may transact or affect the importation, sales or purchases of SWU or uranium or goods or services required for the sale, purchase, transportation or delivery of such SWU or uranium;
•Our ability to be awarded any task orders under any of the HALEU Production Contract, LEU Production Contract or HALEU Deconversion Contract;
•Insufficient or untimely U.S. government funding and government appropriations to support our IDIQ contracts with the U.S. federal government;
•Regulatory uncertainty from new or rescinded executive order or new or changes interpretations of federal regulations;
•Armed conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, government actions and other events or third-party actions that disrupt supply chains, production, transportation, payments, and importation of nuclear materials or other critical supplies or services;
•The availability and terms of additional purchases or sales of SWU and uranium;
•Timing of customer orders, related deliveries, and purchases of LEU or LEU components;
•Costs of and future funding and demand for HALEU;
•Financial market conditions and other factors that may affect pension and benefit liabilities and the value of related assets;
•The outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies;
•Potential use of cash for strategic or financial initiatives;
•Actions taken by customers and suppliers, including actions that might affect existing contracts;
•The government’s inability to satisfy its obligations, including supplying government furnished equipment under its agreements with the Company or processing security clearances resulting from a shutdown or other reasons; and
•Market, international trade, and other conditions impacting Centrus’ customers and the industry.
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For further discussion of these risks and uncertainties, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Backlog
The Company’s backlog across both segments is $3.7 billion and $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and extends to 2040. The backlog is recognized as revenue in future periods as work is performed or deliveries of SWU and uranium are made.
Our backlog in the LEU segment extends to 2040. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, our backlog is approximately $2.8 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. The backlog is the estimated aggregate dollar amount of revenue for future SWU and uranium deliveries primarily under medium and long-term contracts with fixed commitments. Of the $2.8 billion, approximately $2.0 billion represents contingent LEU sales commitments, with $0.8 billion of the total under definitive agreements and $1.2 billion of the total subject to entering into definitive agreements, in support of potential construction of LEU production capacity at the Piketon, Ohio facility. On February 4, 2025, we signed an agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (“KHNP”) definitizing $0.8 billion of the $1.2 billion of contingent commitments, that were subject to contract definitization, as of December 31, 2024. The contingent sales commitments depend on our ability to secure substantial public and private investment necessary to build new enrichment capacity. The LEU segment backlog also includes approximately $0.2 billion of deferred revenue and advances from customers as of December 31, 2024, whereby customers have made advance payments to be applied against future deliveries. No orders in our backlog are considered at risk related to customer operations. However, these medium and long-term contracts are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including existing import laws and restrictions, such as the RSA, which limits imports of Russian uranium products into the United States and applies to our sales using material procured under the TENEX Supply Contract, as well as the potential for additional sanctions and other restrictions affecting the Company or its suppliers, in response to the evolving situation regarding the war in Ukraine.
Our backlog in the Technical Solutions segment extends to 2034. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, our backlog is approximately $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. Our backlog includes both funded amounts (services for which funding has been both authorized and appropriated by the customer), unfunded amounts (services for which funding has not been appropriated), and unexercised options in our contracts. If any of our contracts were to be terminated or options not being exercised, our remaining backlog would be reduced by the expected value of the cancelled contracts or forgone options.
Revenue
We have two reportable segments: the LEU segment and the Technical Solutions segment.
Our LEU segment revenue is derived primarily from the following:
•sales of the SWU component of LEU;
•sales of natural uranium hexafluoride, uranium concentrates or uranium conversion; and
•sales of enriched uranium product that include both the natural uranium hexafluoride and SWU components of LEU.
Our Technical Solutions segment revenue is derived from the production of HALEU under the HALEU Operation Contract with DOE and technical, manufacturing, engineering, and operations services offered to public and private sector customers,
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SWU and Uranium Sales
Revenue from our LEU segment accounted for approximately 79% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. The majority of our customers are domestic and international utilities that operate nuclear power plants, with international sales constituting approximately 40% of revenue from our LEU segment since 2022. Our agreements with electric utilities are primarily medium and long-term fixed-commitment contracts under which our customers are obligated to purchase a specified quantity of the SWU component of LEU from us. Contracts where we sell both the SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride components of LEU to utilities or where we sell natural uranium hexafluoride to utilities and other nuclear fuel related companies are generally shorter-term, fixed-commitment contracts. Individual customer orders for the SWU component of LEU fulfilled in 2024 averaged approximately $9.4 million per order. As a result, a relatively small shift in the timing of customer orders for LEU may cause significant variability in our operating results year over year.
Utility customers, in general, have the option to make payment but defer receipt of SWU and uranium products purchased from Centrus beyond the contractual sale period, resulting in the deferral of revenue recognition and related costs. Refer to Note 2, Revenue and Contracts with Customers, in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report for further details.
Our financial performance over time can be affected significantly by changes in prices for SWU and natural uranium hexafluoride. Market prices for SWU and uranium hexafluoride significantly declined from 2011 until mid-2018, when they began to trend upward. More recently, market uncertainty in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven SWU and uranium hexafluoride prices sharply higher. Since our backlog includes contracts awarded to us in previous years, the average SWU price billed to customers typically lags published price indicators by several years. Revenue in our LEU business varies based upon the timing of customer contracts. The pricing of deliveries varies depending upon the market conditions at the time the contract was signed and may not reflect current market prices.
The Import Ban Act, which bans the importation of LEU from Russia, may severely limit importation through 2027 and will cut off supply of LEU from Russia after 2027. Notwithstanding our ability to obtain waivers under the Import Ban Act, the Russian Decree, which prohibits the exportation of Russian LEU without a license, may severely limit exportation of LEU from Russia through December 31, 2025. This has drawn attention to the potential for significant tightening of supplies in the market. Russian enrichment plants represent 44% of the world’s capacity, and Russian capacity significantly exceeds its domestic needs. According to data from the WNA, the annual enrichment requirements of reactors worldwide outside of Russia vastly exceeds the available supply of non-Russian enrichment, which potentially threatens the viability of some reactors, including those in the United States. While inventories and increased production at non-Russian plants may mitigate the shortfall, these options would not fully replace Russian supply. Deployment of new capacity ultimately could replace Russian enrichment but this capacity will take a number of years and significant funding from private and/or government sources to come online. Centrus is seeking public and private funding to deploy new production capacity at its Piketon, Ohio, plant to help meet the need for new, domestic supplies of enriched uranium.
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The following chart summarizes long-term and spot SWU price indicators, and a spot price indicator for UF6, as published by TradeTech, LLC in Nuclear Market Review:
SWU and Uranium Market Price Indicators*
* Source: Nuclear Market Review, a TradeTech publication, www.uranium.info
Our contracts with customers are denominated primarily in U.S. dollars, and, although revenue has not been materially affected by changes in the foreign exchange rate of the U.S. dollar, we may have a competitive price advantage or disadvantage obtaining new contracts in a competitive bidding process depending upon the weakness or strength of the U.S. dollar. Under a customer contract that commenced deliveries in 2023, prices are payable in a combination of U.S. dollars and euros. Costs of our primary competitors are denominated in other currencies. Our contracts with suppliers are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. We have a SWU supply agreement, that commenced in 2023, with prices payable in a combination of U.S. dollars and euros.
On occasion, we will accept payment for SWU in the form of natural uranium hexafluoride. Revenue from the sale of SWU under such contracts is recognized at the time LEU is delivered and is based on the fair value of the natural uranium hexafluoride at contract inception, or as the quantity of natural uranium hexafluoride is finalized, if variable.
Cost of sales for SWU and uranium is based on the amount of SWU and uranium hexafluoride sold and delivered during the period and unit inventory costs, which are determined using the average cost method. Changes in purchase costs have an effect on inventory costs and cost of sales. Cost of sales includes costs for inventory management at off-site licensed locations, as well as, certain legacy costs related to former employees of the Portsmouth GDP and Paducah GDP.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business are complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments that are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Critical accounting estimates are those that require management to make assumptions about matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate is made and for which different estimates, often based on complex judgments, probabilities and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable, could have a material impact on our operating results and financial condition. It is also possible that other professionals, applying their own judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts. We are also subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from estimated amounts, such as the healthcare environment, legislation and regulation. Additionally, changes in accounting rules or their interpretation could significantly affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The sensitivity analyses used below are not intended to provide a reader with our predictions of the variability of the estimates used. Rather, the sensitivities used are included to allow the reader to understand a general cause and effect of changes in estimates.
We have identified the following to be our critical accounting estimates:
Revenue Recognition - Technical Solutions
The Company generally recognizes revenue for performance obligations to provide services over time based on costs incurred or the right to invoice method (in cases where the value transferred matches the Company’s billing rights), as the customer receives and consumes the benefits. For performance obligations in which control does not continuously transfer to the customer, the Company recognizes revenue at the point in time in which each performance obligation is fully satisfied. This coincides with the point in time the customer obtains control of the product or service, which typically occurs upon customer acceptance or receipt of the product or service, given that the Company maintains control of the product or service until that point.
For performance obligation to deliver products with continuous transfer of control to the customer, the Company uses the cost-to-cost input method of progress because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer that occurs as the Company incurs costs. Under the cost-to-cost method, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the proportion of direct costs incurred to date to the total estimated direct costs at completion of the performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionally as costs are incurred.
The Company determines the transaction price for each contract based on the consideration it expects to receive for the products or services being provided under the contract. If transaction prices are not stated in the contract for each performance obligation, contractual prices are allocated to performance obligations based on estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised services. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation based on the estimated standalone selling price of the product or service underlying each performance obligation. The standalone selling price represents the amount the Company would sell the product or service to a customer on a standalone basis (i.e., not bundled with any other products or services). The Company's contracts with the U.S. government are subject to the FAR and the price is typically based on estimated or actual costs plus a reasonable profit margin. As a result of these regulations, the standalone selling price of products or services in the Company’s contracts with the U.S. government are typically equal to the selling price stated in the contract. The Company does not contemplate future modifications, including unexercised options until they become legally enforceable. Contracts may be subsequently modified to include changes in specifications, requirements or price, which may create new or change existing enforceable rights and obligations. Depending on the nature of the modification, the Company considers whether to account for the modification as an adjustment to the existing contract or as a separate contract.
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In cases where the Company uses the cost-to-cost input method of progress for performance obligations, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the proportion of direct costs incurred to date to the total estimated direct costs at completion of the performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionally as costs are incurred. For performance obligations to provide services to the customer, revenue is recognized over time based on direct costs incurred or the right to invoice method (in situations where the value transferred matches the Company’s billing rights) as the customer receives and consumes the benefits.
Significant estimates and assumptions are made in estimating revenue under the cost-to-cost method and total estimated costs, including the estimated contract profit/loss. At the outset of a long-term contract, the Company identifies and monitors risks to the achievement of the technical, schedule and cost aspects of the contract, and assesses the effects of those risks on its estimates of revenue and total costs to complete the contract. The estimates consider the technical requirements, schedule and costs. The initial estimated total costs for each contract considers risks surrounding the ability to achieve the technical requirements, schedule and costs in the initial estimated total costs to complete the contract. Total estimated costs may decrease during the performance of the contract if the Company successfully retires risks surrounding the technical, schedule and cost aspects of the contract. Conversely, total estimated costs may increase if the estimated total costs to complete the contract increase. As a significant change in one or more estimates could affect the profitability of the Company’s contracts, the Company reviews and updates its contract-related estimates regularly. When estimates of total costs at completion for an integrated, construction type contract exceed total estimates of revenue to be earned on a performance obligation related to complex equipment or related services, a provision for the remaining loss on the performance obligation is recognized in the period the loss is determined. Estimated costs are subject to change during the performance period of the contract and may affect the estimated contract loss.
Asset Valuations
The accounting for SWU and uranium inventories includes estimates and judgments. SWU and uranium inventory costs are determined using the average cost method. Inventories of SWU and uranium are valued at the lower of cost or NRV. NRV is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The estimated selling price for SWU and uranium under contract is based on the pricing terms of contracts in our backlog. For uranium not under contract, the estimated selling price is based primarily on published price indicators at the balance sheet date.
Intangible assets originated from our reorganization and application of fresh start accounting as of September 30, 2014. The intangible assets represented the fair value adjustment to the assets and liabilities for our LEU segment. The identifiable intangible assets relate to our LEU segment backlog and customer relationships. The backlog intangible asset is amortized as the backlog, valued at emergence, is reduced, principally as a result of deliveries to customers. The customer relationships intangible asset is amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated average useful life of 15 years, with 4 ¾ years of scheduled amortization remaining. The aggregate net balance of identifiable intangible assets was $29.6 million as of December 31, 2024.
The carrying values of the intangible assets are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible assets may not be fully recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset, or asset group exceeds its fair value.
Inherent in our fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates, including projections of future cash flows, the discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, the interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations, and strategic plans with regard to operations. A change in these underlying assumptions would cause a change in the results of the tests, which could cause the fair value of the intangible asset to be less than its respective carrying amount.
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Pension and Postretirement Health and Life Benefit Costs and Obligations
We provide retirement benefits to certain employees and retirees under defined benefit pension plans and postretirement health and life benefit plans. The valuation of benefit obligations and costs is based on provisions of the plans and actuarial assumptions that involve judgments and estimates.
Assets and obligations related to our retiree benefit plans are remeasured each year as of the balance sheet date resulting in differences between actual and projected results for the year. The Company has elected the accounting option to recognize these actuarial gains and losses in the statement of operations in the fourth quarter. The alternative would be to amortize gains and losses into operating results over time. The Company’s treatment of recognizing actuarial gains and losses immediately is intended to increase transparency into how movements in plan assets and benefit obligations impact financial results. Immediate recognition of such gains and losses in the statement of operations may cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations. In addition, an interim remeasurement and recognition of gains or losses may be required for a plan during the year if lump sum payments exceed certain levels.
Components of retirement benefit expense/income other than service cost are presented in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Income. These components consist primarily of the return on plan assets, offset by interest cost as the discounted present value of benefit obligations nears payment. Results also reflect claims experience, changes in mortality and healthcare claim assumptions and changes in market interest rates. Service cost is recognized in Cost of Sales (for the LEU segment) and Selling, General and Administrative expense.
Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Income netted to income of $14.7 million, $23.2 million, and $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, including a net actuarial gain of $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, net actuarial gain of $24.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and net actuarial loss of $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the net actuarial gain reflected an annuitization in May 2024, favorable investment returns relative to the expected return assumption and an increase in interest rates from approximately 5.2% to 5.65%, partially offset by unfavorable investment returns relative to the expected return assumption. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net actuarial gain reflected favorable investment returns relative to the expected return assumption, partially offset by a decrease in interest rates from approximately 5.5% to 5.2%. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the net actuarial loss reflected unfavorable investment returns relative to the expected return assumption, partially offset by an increase in interest rates from approximately 2.8% to 5.5%, favorable investment returns relative to the expected return assumption, and healthcare claims assumption, partially offset by changes in mortality, healthcare costs trend assumptions, and claims experience.
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Changes in actuarial assumptions could impact the measurement of benefit obligations and benefit costs, as follows:
•The expected return on benefit plan assets is approximately 6.8% for 2025. The expected return is based on historical returns and expectations of future returns for the composition of the plans’ equity and debt securities. A one-half percentage point decrease in the expected return on plan assets would increase annual pension costs by $0.2 million in 2025. However, the net impact of any changes in the expected return on benefit plan assets on the final benefit cost recognized for fiscal year 2025 would be $0 since the actual return on assets would effectively be reflected at December 31, 2025, under our mark-to-market accounting methodology.
•The present value of pension obligations is calculated by discounting long-term obligations using a market interest rate. This discount rate is the estimated rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date and is based on yields of high quality fixed income investments whose cash flows match the timing and amount of expected benefit payments of the plan. Discount rates of approximately 5.65% were used as of December 31, 2024. A one-half percentage point reduction in the discount rate would increase the valuation of pension benefit obligations by $1.7 million and postretirement health and life benefit obligations by $3.3 million, and the resulting changes in the valuations would decrease the aggregate service cost and interest cost components of annual pension costs and postretirement health and life benefit costs by $0 and $0.2 million, respectively.
•The healthcare costs trend rates are 7% projected in 2025 reducing to a final trend rate of 5% by 2033. The healthcare costs trend rate represents our estimate of the annual rate of increase in the gross cost of providing benefits. The trend rate is a reflection of health care inflation assumptions, changes in healthcare utilization and delivery patterns, technological advances, and changes in the health status of our plan participants.
Income Taxes
During the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, we recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determination is made.
Accounting standards prescribe a minimum recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before the related tax benefit may be recognized in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2024, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, included in Other Long-Term Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Part IV of this Annual Report, was $3.4 million and accrued interest and penalties totaled $0.5 million.
Accounting for income taxes involves estimates and judgments relating to the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the future recoverability of deferred tax assets. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, we determine whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income in future years when deferred tax assets are recoverable or are expected to reverse. Factors that may affect estimates of future taxable income include, but are not limited to, competition, changes in revenue, costs or profit margins, market share, and developments related to the American Centrifuge technology. In practice, positive and negative evidence is reviewed with objective evidence receiving greater weight. If, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, we record a valuation allowance. The more negative evidence that exists, the more positive evidence is necessary and the more difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all, or some portion, of the deferred tax assets.
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All available positive and negative evidence is analyzed quarterly to determine the amount of the valuation allowance. A full valuation allowance against the federal and state net deferred assets was first recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 because of significant losses and other negative evidence.
In 2022, 2023 and 2024, Centrus evaluated both positive and negative evidence that was objectively verifiable to determine the amount of the federal valuation allowance that was required on Centrus’ federal deferred tax assets. Based on an analysis of the positive and negative evidence, it was determined that no change to the federal valuation allowance was necessary in 2022. In 2023, Centrus had visibility on a significant portion of revenue in the LEU segment for 2024 through 2026, primarily from its long-term sales contracts. Centrus determined that the positive evidence of increased forecasted future income in the LEU segment based on existing sales backlog and supply contracts along with commodity market forward pricing indicators, supported the release of a portion of the federal valuation allowance. However, because of the lack of objectively verifiable information in later years, it was determined that forecasted future income was not sufficient to realize all the deferred tax assets. Therefore, Centrus recorded a partial release of its federal valuation allowance. In the third and fourth quarters of 2023, respectively, Centrus released $7.7 million and $11.7 million of the valuation allowance against its federal net deferred tax assets. In 2024, Centrus had visibility on a significant portion of revenue in the LEU segment for 2025 through 2027, primarily from its long-term sales contracts. Additionally, Centrus’ interest income forecast increased based upon increased liquidity. Centrus determined that the positive evidence of increased forecasted future income in the LEU segment based on existing sales backlog and supply contracts along with commodity market forward pricing indicators, and interest outlook supported the release of a portion of the federal valuation allowance. However, because of the lack of objectively verifiable information in later years, it was determined that forecasted future income was not sufficient to realize all the deferred tax assets. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Centrus released $16.6 million of the valuation allowance against its federal net deferred tax assets.
The Company continues to maintain a partial valuation allowance against its remaining federal and state net deferred tax assets as a result of significant federal and state net operating losses and insufficient future taxable income. As of December 31, 2024, the valuation allowance against the remaining federal and state net deferred tax assets was $365.7 million.
Going forward, Centrus will continue to evaluate both positive and negative evidence that would require changes to the remaining federal and state valuation allowances. Such evidence in our Technical Solutions segment may include events that could have a significant impact on pre-tax income, such as signing new contracts with significantly higher or lower margins than currently forecasted, follow-on work related to the HALEU program, or abandonment of the commercial deployment of the centrifuge technology. Refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors for more information. Such evidence in our LEU segment may include renewing SWU sales contracts with existing customers and/or signing new SWU sales or purchase contracts with significantly higher or lower margins than currently forecasted. Additional evidence in the LEU segment may include potential deferrals in the timing of deliveries requested by its customers, which could impact revenue recognition timing. The impact of these and other potential positive and negative events will be weighed and evaluated to determine if the valuation allowances should be increased or decreased in the future.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation in Part IV of the Consolidated Financial Statements on this Annual Report
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Results of Operations
Set forth below are our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. We have omitted discussion of 2022 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Item 7 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024.
Segment Information
The following table presents elements of the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations that are categorized by segment (dollar amounts in millions):
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2023
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| LEU segment | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||
| SWU revenue | $ | 246.8 | $ | 208.2 | $ | 38.6 | 19 | % | ||||||
| Uranium revenue | 103.1 | 60.8 | 42.3 | 70 | % | |||||||||
| Total | 349.9 | 269.0 | 80.9 | 30 | % | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 256.0 | 163.9 | 92.1 | 56 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 93.9 | $ | 105.1 | $ | (11.2) | (11) | % | ||||||
| Technical Solutions segment | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 92.1 | $ | 51.2 | $ | 40.9 | 80 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 74.5 | 44.2 | 30.3 | 69 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 17.6 | $ | 7.0 | $ | 10.6 | 151 | % | ||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 442.0 | $ | 320.2 | $ | 121.8 | 38 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 330.5 | 208.1 | 122.4 | 59 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 111.5 | $ | 112.1 | $ | (0.6) | (1) | % |
Revenue
Revenue from the LEU segment was $349.9 million and $269.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $80.9 million (or 30%). Uranium revenue increased $42.3 million (or 70%) as a result of a 50% increase in the average price of uranium sold and a 13% increase in the volume of uranium sold. SWU revenue increased $38.6 million (or 19%) as a result of a 24% increase in the average price of SWU sold, partially offset by a 4% decrease in the volume of SWU sold.
Revenue from the Technical Solutions segment was $92.1 million and $51.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $40.9 million (or 80%). Revenue generated by the HALEU Operation Contract increased by $41.3 million primarily due to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2, in late 2023, which shifted the arrangement from a cost-share to a cost-plus-incentive-fee.
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Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the LEU segment was $256.0 million and $163.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $92.1 million (or 56%). SWU costs increased as a result of a 67% increase in the average unit cost of SWU sold, partially offset by a 4% decrease in the volume of SWU sold. Of the $256.0 million cost of sales, 25% is attributable to the release of costs related to previously deferred sales. Excluding the impact of current year deferred sales deliveries, the average unit cost of SWU sold would have only increased 27%. Uranium costs increased as a result of a 33% increase in the average unit cost of uranium sold and a 13% increase in the volume of uranium sold.
Cost of sales for the Technical Solutions segment was $74.5 million and $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $30.3 million (or 69%). Costs incurred for the HALEU Operation Contract increased by $29.1 million due to the transition from Phase 1 (cost-share) to Phase 2 (cost-plus-incentive-fee) in late 2023. For details on HALEU Operation Contract accounting, refer to Technical Solutions - Government Contracting above.
Gross Profit
The Company recognized a gross profit of $111.5 million and $112.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $0.6 million (or 1%).
Gross profit for the LEU segment was $93.9 million and $105.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $11.2 million (or 11%). The decrease was due primarily to the decrease in margin on SWU sales resulting from the specific contract and pricing mix of SWU contracts. This was reflected by a decrease in the average profit margin per SWU and a decrease in the volume of SWU sold. A single customer with a loss contract was responsible for 87% of the decrease in SWU gross margin. Without this customer, our gross profit for the LEU segment would have increased $9.8 million year over year.
Gross profit for the Technical Solutions segment was $17.6 million and $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $10.6 million (or 151%). The increase was primarily attributable to the HALEU Operation Contract and the transition from Phase 1 (cost-share) to Phase 2 (cost-plus-incentive-fee) in late 2023.
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Non-Segment Information
The following table presents elements of the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations that are not categorized by segment (dollar amounts in millions):
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2023
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 111.5 | $ | 112.1 | $ | (0.6) | (1) | % | ||||||
| Advanced technology costs | 17.2 | 14.2 | 3.0 | 21 | % | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 36.2 | 35.6 | 0.6 | 2 | % | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 9.8 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 56 | % | |||||||||
| Special charges for workforce reductions | 0.3 | 3.6 | (3.3) | (92) | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 48.0 | 52.4 | (4.4) | (8) | % | |||||||||
| Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income | (14.7) | (23.2) | 8.5 | 37 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 2.7 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 108 | % | |||||||||
| Investment income | (12.9) | (8.7) | (4.2) | (48) | % | |||||||||
| Other income, net | (0.1) | (1.5) | 1.4 | 93 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 73.0 | 84.5 | (11.5) | (14) | % | |||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (0.2) | 0.1 | (0.3) | (300) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 73.2 | $ | 84.4 | $ | (11.2) | (13) | % |
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $9.8 million and $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $3.5 million (or 56%). Amortization expense for the intangible asset related to the September 2014 sales backlog is a function of SWU sales volume under that backlog, and amortization expense for the intangible asset related to customer relationships is amortized on a straight-line basis.
Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Income
Nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income was $14.7 million and $23.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $8.5 million (or 37%). For the year ended December 31, 2024, nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income consist primarily of the pension plan remeasurements of ($16.8) million, driven by an annuitization of ($16.6) million in May 2024, and other investment income and gains on plan assets of ($9.9) million, partially offset by interest costs of $12.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2023, nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income consist primarily of the partial annuitization of one pension plan in October 2023 of ($28.6) million and other investment income and gains on plan assets of ($3.1) million, partially offset by a decrease in discount rates of $8.5 million.
Investment Income
Investment income was $12.9 million and $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of $4.2 million (or 48%). The Company’s investment income represents interest earned on operating cash, which is primarily held in money market accounts. The increase was due primarily to a higher cash balance and an increase in interest rates.
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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense (benefit) was ($0.2) million and $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a change of $0.3 million (or 300%). For the year ended December 31, 2024, income tax expense consists of federal income tax benefit of ($0.6) million, permanent differences of $3.3 million, and state income tax expense of $0.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2023, income tax expense consists of federal income tax benefit of ($0.7) million, permanent differences of $4.8 million, and state income tax expense of $0.8 million. The state income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, primarily relates to an accrual for a current unrecognized tax benefit offset by the reversal of a previously accrued unrecognized tax benefit.
Net Income
Net income was $73.2 million and $84.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $11.2 million (or 13%). The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease of $11.2 million in gross profit from the LEU segment and a decrease of $8.5 million in nonoperating components of net periodic benefit income, partially offset by an increase of $10.6 million in gross profit from the Technical Solutions segment and an increase in investment income of $4.2 million.
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Net Income per Share
Refer to Note 15, Net Income per Common Share, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report.
The Company measures Net Income and Net Income per Share both on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted basis to exclude deemed dividends allocable to the warrant modification (“Adjusted Net Income” and “Adjusted Net Income per Share”). We believe Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Share, which are non-GAAP financial measures, provide investors with additional understanding of the Company’s financial performance as well as its strategic financial planning analysis and period-to-period comparability. These metrics are useful to investors because they reflect how management evaluates the Company’s ongoing operating performance from period-to-period after removing certain transactions and activities that affect comparability of the metrics and are not reflective of the Company’s core operations.
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Numerator (in millions): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 53.7 | $ | 56.3 | $ | 21.3 | $ | 73.2 | $ | 84.4 | $ | 52.2 | ||||||||||
| Less: Distributed earnings allocable to warrant modification | — | — | 1.5 | — | — | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income allocable to common stockholders | $ | 53.7 | $ | 56.3 | $ | 19.8 | $ | 73.2 | $ | 84.4 | $ | 50.7 | ||||||||||
| Plus: Distributed earnings allocable to warrant modification | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1.5 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1.5 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted net income, including distributed earnings allocable to warrant modification (Non-GAAP) | $ | 53.7 | $ | 56.3 | $ | 21.3 | $ | 73.2 | $ | 84.4 | $ | 52.2 | ||||||||||
| Denominator (in thousands) (a): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average common shares outstanding - basic | 16,716 | 15,461 | 14,648 | 16,309 | 15,212 | 14,601 | ||||||||||||||||
| Average common shares outstanding - diluted | 16,778 | 15,732 | 15,029 | 16,373 | 15,501 | 14,988 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Income per Share (in dollars): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 3.21 | $ | 3.64 | $ | 1.35 | $ | 4.49 | $ | 5.55 | $ | 3.47 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 3.20 | $ | 3.58 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 4.47 | $ | 5.44 | $ | 3.38 | ||||||||||
| Plus: Effect of distributed earnings allocable to warrant modification, per common share (in dollars): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.10 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.11 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.10 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.10 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income per Share (Non-GAAP) (in dollars): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 3.21 | $ | 3.64 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 4.49 | $ | 5.55 | $ | 3.58 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 3.20 | $ | 3.58 | $ | 1.42 | $ | 4.47 | $ | 5.44 | $ | 3.48 |
(a) For details related to average shares outstanding, refer to Note 15, Net Income Per Common Share, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had a consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance of $671.4 million. In addition, there was $29.8 million of restricted cash related to three inventory loans, which required a cash deposit into an escrow fund. See Note 3, Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Report. The Company anticipates having adequate liquidity to support our business operations for at least the next 12 months from the date of this Annual Report. Our view of liquidity is dependent on, among other things, conditions affecting our operations, including market, international trade restrictions, sanctions and other conditions, the impact of the May 2024 enactment of the Import Ban Act and our ability to obtain additional waivers thereunder, the impact of the November 2024 Russian Decree and the ability of TENEX to secure export licenses thereunder, the level of expenditures and government funding for our services contracts, and the timing of customer payments. Liquidity requirements for our existing operations are affected primarily by the timing and amount of customer sales and our inventory purchases.
The Company believes its LEU segment backlog is a source of stability for our liquidity position. Subject to market conditions, we see the potential for growing uncommitted demand for LEU during the next few years with accelerated open demand in 2025 and beyond.
Cash resources and net sales proceeds from our LEU segment fund technology costs that are outside of our customer contracts in the Technical Solutions segment and general corporate expenses, including cash interest payments on our debt. We believe our investment in advanced U.S. uranium enrichment technology will position the Company to meet the needs of our customers as they deploy advanced reactors and next generation fuels.
We were awarded the HALEU Operation Contract in November 2022 which provided for a 50/50 cost share for Phase 1 of the base contract to complete the cascade, begin operations and complete the initial, small quantity of demonstration HALEU. The Company completed Phase 1 in November 2023. Phase 2 includes continued operations and maintenance on a cost-plus-incentive-fee basis. Finally, the HALEU Operation Contract includes options for the government to unilaterally extend performance for up to an additional nine years, comprised of three options of three years each, also on a cost-plus-incentive-fee basis. The Company also is performing additional work on infrastructure and facility repairs and costs associated with 5B Cylinder refurbishment under contract modifications or DOE technical direction. On November 5, 2024, the HALEU Operation Contract Phase 2 period of performance was extended to June 30, 2025. DOE has increased the Phase 2 contract value and related funding to approximately $129.0 million. The Company’s goal is to modularly scale up the facility as demand for HALEU grows in the commercial and government sectors, subject to the availability of funding and/or contracts to purchase the output of the plant.
Although the Company believes demand for HALEU will emerge over the next several years, there are no guarantees about whether or when government or commercial demand for HALEU will materialize, and there are a number of technical, regulatory and economic hurdles that must be overcome for these fuels and the reactors that will use these fuels to come to the market. For further discussion, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.
If funding of gas centrifuge technology by the U.S. government is reduced or discontinued, or we are not awarded the option to continue to operate the cascade, such actions may have a material adverse impact on our ability to deploy the American Centrifuge technology and on our liquidity. If funding under U.S. federal government programs or contracts and subcontracts, including under the HALEU Operation Contract, HALEU Deconversion Contract, HALEU Production Contract or LEU Production Contract, is delayed, reduced or terminated, as a result of the changes in the prevailing policies and budgetary priorities of the incumbent administration or otherwise, it could have a material adverse impact on our operations, including our ability to deploy the American Centrifuge technology.
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Further, any sanctions or other restrictions, including the Import Ban Act banning LEU imports from Russia and the Russian Decree prohibiting LEU exports out of Russia in the absence of a license, represent a significant risk to our business as we currently rely on the TENEX Supply Contract as a significant supply source to meet our delivery obligations. Such bans on LEU imports or exports from Russia could have a material impact on our operations and liquidity. For further discussion, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.
The indenture governing the 8.25% Notes includes restrictions on the ability of Enrichment Corp. to transfer cash and other assets to the Company, which could constrain the Company’s ability to pay dividends on its Common Stock or to fund its commitments or the commitments of its other subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, such as the transfer of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business of Enrichment Corp. The indenture also restricts the Company’s ability to engage in certain mergers or acquisitions and requires the Company to offer to repurchase all such outstanding notes at 101% of their outstanding principal amount in the event of certain change of control events.
Capital expenditures of approximately $25.1 million are anticipated over the next 12 months.
Expansion of Manufacturing Capacity in Oak Ridge
On November 20, 2024, the Company announced the resumption of centrifuge manufacturing activities and expanding its manufacturing capacity at our facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Company is investing an additional $60.0 million over an 18 month period to lay the groundwork to support a potential large-scale expansion of uranium enrichment in Piketon, Ohio.
Clean Energy Credit
The Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (“§48C”) was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and renewed and expanded under the IRA. The Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit (“§48C”) program aims to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness and clean energy supply chains. As the nation builds a net-zero economy, the §48C tax credit program aims to play a critical role to create high-quality jobs, reduce industrial emissions, and increase domestic production of critical clean energy products and materials. The IRA provided $10 billion in new funding under §48C(e), with at least $4 billion reserved for projects in certain energy communities with closed coal mines or retired coal-fired power plants, to allocate credits to projects in three categories: (1) Clean energy manufacturing and recycling, (2) industrial decarbonization, and (3) critical materials refining, processing, and recycling.
On October 18, 2024, the Company submitted an application for a clean energy manufacturing and recycling project associated with re-equipping our manufacturing property at our manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge. This will recreate a viable enrichment supply chain and allow ACO to manufacture centrifuge parts to be used in centrifuge machines to enrich uranium. Our application requested an allocation of $62.4 million based on a qualified investment in eligible property of $208.0 million made by Centrus. On January 10, 2025, the Company was informed that the IRS has granted our request for $62.4 million credit allocation for this facility. Centrus now has two years to provide evidence that the requirements of the credit have been met thus certifying our credit allocation. Upon certification of our credit allocation, we then have two years from that date to notify the DOE that the qualified investment in eligible property is placed in service to receive the credit allocation.
Section 6418 was added to the Code as part of the IRA and allows certain eligible taxpayers to elect to transfer certain clean energy tax credits to unrelated taxpayers for cash rather than use the credits to offset their U.S. federal income tax liability. The Company expects that we will be able to monetize all credit allocations received from §48C by transferring them to unrelated taxpayers for cash. It is unclear how the January 20, 2025 Executive Order will impact the IRS determination regarding our application request.
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Defined Benefit Pension Plans
On October 12, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with an insurer (“Insurer”) for one of its defined benefit plans to purchase a group annuity contract and transferred approximately $186.5 million of its pension plan obligations to the Insurer. The purchase of the group annuity contract was funded directly by assets of the pension plan of approximately $171.4 million. The purchase resulted in a transfer of benefit administrative responsibilities for approximately 1,400 beneficiaries effective December 1, 2023. The Company recorded income related to the pension settlement in the fourth quarter of $28.6 million which was included in Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Income in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with a second insurer (“Second Insurer”) for two of its defined benefit plans to purchase a group annuity contract and transferred approximately $234.0 million of its pension plan obligations to the Second Insurer. The purchase of the group annuity contract was funded directly by the assets of the pension plan of approximately $224.0 million. The purchase resulted in a transfer of future benefit obligations and administrative responsibilities for more than 1,000 beneficiaries effective September 1, 2024.
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company transferred $15.4 million of pension plan assets and the related obligations under two participating group annuity contracts to two non-participating group additional agreements for two of its defined benefit plans. The purchase resulted in a transfer of future benefit obligations and administrative responsibilities for more than 400 beneficiaries effective October 1, 2024.
The Company recognized income in 2024 related to these events of $16.8 million, which was included in Nonoperating Components of Net Periodic Benefit Income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Potential Transactions
We are also actively considering, and expect to consider potential strategic transactions from time to time, which at any given time may be in various stages of discussions, diligence, or negotiation. These could involve, without limitation, acquisitions and/or dispositions of businesses or assets, joint ventures or investments in businesses, products or technologies, or changes to our capital structure. In connection with any such transaction, we would seek to satisfy these needs through a combination of working capital, cash generated from operations, or additional debt or equity financing.
Cash Flow
The change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are as follows on a summarized basis (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 37.0 | $ | 9.1 | ||
| Cash used in investing activities | (4.1) | (1.6) | ||||
| Cash provided by financing activities | 437.1 | 13.9 | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 0.2 | — | ||||
| Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 470.2 | $ | 21.4 |
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Operating Activities
During 2024, net cash provided by operating activities was $37.0 million. The net increase was primarily attributable to approximately $348.0 million in cash collections, the majority of which is from customers. These cash inflows were partially offset by approximately $310.0 million of disbursements for operations, of which approximately $239.0 million relates to payments for LEU inventory deliveries and cash outflows for the Technical Solutions segment, with the remaining disbursements including corporate administration, benefits claims, and advanced technology costs.
During 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $9.1 million. The net increase was primarily due to approximately $318.0 million in cash collected from customers, investment income, and reimbursements for postretirement health and life benefits paid by the Company. These cash inflows were partially offset by approximately $309.0 million of disbursements for operations, of which approximately $245.0 million relates to payments for LEU inventory deliveries and cash outflows for the Technical Solutions segment, with the remaining disbursements including corporate administration, benefit claims, and advance technology costs.
Investing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, investing activities consisted of capital expenditures of $4.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
Financing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash of $388.7 million was provided from net proceeds related to the issuance of the 2.25% Convertible Notes. Refer to Note 8, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report regarding the accounting for the 2.25% Convertible Notes.
For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, cash of $54.7 million and $23.2 million, respectively, was provided from the net proceeds related to the issuance of 933,987 and 722,568 shares, respectively, of Class A Common Stock under ATM offerings. For additional information on the ATM offerings, see Note 16. Stockholders’ Equity.
For both the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, annual payments of $6.1 million of interest classified as debt are classified as a financing activity. Refer to Note 8, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report regarding the accounting for the 8.25% Notes.
Working Capital
The following table summarizes the Company’s working capital (in millions):
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 671.4 | $ | 201.2 | ||
| Accounts receivable | 80.0 | 49.4 | ||||
| Inventories, net | 145.4 | 222.1 | ||||
| Current debt | (6.1) | (6.1) | ||||
| Deferred revenue and advances from customers, net of deferred costs | (152.5) | (165.0) | ||||
| Other current assets and liabilities, net | (69.8) | (87.3) | ||||
| Working capital | $ | 668.4 | $ | 214.3 |
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We are managing our working capital to seek to improve the long-term value of our LEU and Technical Solutions segments and are planning to continue funding the Company’s qualified pension plans because we believe these uses of working capital are in the best interest of all stakeholders. We expect that any other uses of working capital will be undertaken in light of these strategic priorities and will be based on the Company’s determination as to the relative strength of its operating performance and prospects, financial position, and expected liquidity requirements. In addition, we expect that any such other uses of working capital will be subject to compliance with contractual restrictions to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject, including the terms and conditions of our 8.25% Notes. We continually evaluate alternatives to manage our capital structure, and may opportunistically repurchase, exchange, or redeem Company securities from time to time.
2.25% Convertible Notes
On November 7, 2024, the Company issued, in a Rule 144A offering, 2.25% Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $402.5 million, due November 1, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The proceeds from the 2.25% Convertible Notes will be used for general working capital and corporate purposes, which may include investment in technology development or deployment, repayment or repurchase of outstanding debt, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions and other business opportunities and purposes. There are no required principal payments prior to the maturity of the 2.25% Convertible Notes. The 2.25% Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.25%, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on May 1, 2025. The Company incurred approximately $13.8 million in issuance costs for the issuance of the 2.25% Convertible Notes. Additional terms and conditions of the 2.25% Convertible Notes are described in Note 8, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report.
8.25% Notes
Interest on the 8.25% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears as of February 28 and August 31 based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The 8.25% Notes are guaranteed on a subordinated and limited basis by, and secured by substantially all assets of, Enrichment Corp. The 8.25% Notes mature on February 28, 2027. Additional terms and conditions of the 8.25% Notes are described in Note 8, Debt, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report.
Common Stock Issuance
Pursuant to a sales agreement with its agents, the Company sold through ATM offerings an aggregate of 933,987 shares, 722,568 shares, and 99,090 shares of its Class A Common Stock for a total of $56.7 million, $24.4 million, and $3.8 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. After expenses and commissions paid to the agents, the Company’s 2024, 2023, and 2022, proceeds totaled $55.1 million, $23.4 million, and $3.6 million, respectively. Additionally, the Company recorded direct costs of $0.3 million, $0.2 million, and $0 related to the issuance in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The shares of Class A Common Stock were issued pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272984), which became effective on July 10, 2023, and a prospectus supplement dated February 9, 2024 and the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-239242), which became effective on August 5, 2020, and two prospectus supplements dated December 31, 2020 and December 5, 2022, respectively. The Company has used and/or intends to use the net proceeds from these offerings for working capital and general corporate purposes including, but not limited to, capital expenditures, working capital, investment in technology development and deployment, repayment of indebtedness, potential acquisitions and other business opportunities.
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2023 Shelf Registration
The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-272984) with the SEC on June 28, 2023, which became effective on July 10, 2023. Pursuant to this shelf registration statement, the Company may offer and sell up to $200.0 million in securities, in aggregate. The Company retains broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered. Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered under this prospectus for working capital and general corporate purposes including, but not limited to, capital expenditures, working capital, repayment of indebtedness, potential acquisitions and other business opportunities. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of indebtedness.
Rights Agreement
On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Section 382 Rights Agreement, which amends the Rights Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2016, by and among the Company, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc., as rights agent, as amended by (i) the First Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of February 14, 2017; (ii) the Second Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of April 3, 2019; (iii) the Third Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of April 13, 2020; (iv) the Fourth Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of June 16, 2021; and (v) the Fifth Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of June 20, 2023.
On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Rights Agreement which (i) increased the purchase price for each one one-thousandth (1/1000th) of a share of the Company’s Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, from $18.00 to $160.38, and (ii) extended the Final Expiration Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2026.
The Fifth Amendment had been adopted in order to preserve for the Company’s stockholders the long-term value of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards for United States federal income tax purposes and other tax benefits.
On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Sixth Amendment approved by the Board and makes clarifying changes relating to the definition of “Beneficial Owner”, “beneficially owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” contained in the Rights Agreement. The Sixth Amendment was not adopted as a result of or in response to, any effort to acquire control of the Company.
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Contractual Commitments
As of December 31, 2024, Centrus had contractual commitments to repay debt, make interest payments under its debt, make payments under operating leases, settle obligations related to agreements to purchase goods and services and settle tax and other liabilities.
Centrus has obligations related to our 8.25% Notes that mature in February 2027 and our 2.25% Convertible Notes that mature in November 2030, as discussed above. We are also obligated to make payments under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2027. Refer to Note 9, Leases, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report for further information.
In our Technical Solutions segment, the majority of our contractual commitments were entered into as a result of contracts we have with our U.S. government customers. The U.S. government generally would be required to pay us for any costs we incur relative to these commitments if they were to terminate the related contracts “for convenience” under the FAR, subject to available funding. This also would be true in cases where we perform subcontract work for a prime contractor under a U.S. government contract. The termination for convenience language also may be included in contracts with foreign, state and local governments. We also have contracts with customers that do not include termination for convenience provisions, including contracts with commercial customers.
In our LEU segment, we have long-term inventory purchase agreements with TENEX and Orano that extend to 2028 and 2030, respectively. Refer to Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report for additional information. In addition, Centrus has entered into multiple inventory loans that we expect to repay in 2025 and 2026. Refer to Note 4, Inventories, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report for additional information.
DOE Technology License
We have a non-exclusive license in DOE inventions that pertain to enriching uranium using gas centrifuge technology. The license agreement with the DOE provides for annual royalty payments based on a varying percentage (1% up to 2%) of our annual revenues from sales of the SWU component of LEU produced by the Company using DOE centrifuge technology. There is a minimum annual royalty payment of $100,000 and the maximum cumulative royalty over the life of the license is $100.0 million. There is currently no commercial enrichment facility producing LEU using DOE centrifuge technology. We are continuing to advance our U.S. centrifuge technology that has evolved from DOE inventions at specialized facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee with a view to deploying a commercial enrichment facility over the long term.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than our SWU purchase commitments and the license agreement with the DOE relating to the American Centrifuge technology, there were no material off-balance sheet arrangements at December 31, 2024.
New Accounting Standards
Reference is made to New Accounting Standards in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this Annual Report for information on new accounting standards.
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