Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS
The extent to which the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic impacts the financial condition and results of Seaboard Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Seaboard”) will depend on future developments which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. All of Seaboard’s segments, which provide food, transportation and power, are considered “essential businesses” and have been able to continue to operate. Seaboard is taking a variety of measures to ensure the availability and functioning of its essential operations and to promote the safety and security of all employees.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Summary of Sources and Uses of Cash
As of March 28, 2020, Seaboard had cash and short-term investments of $1.2 billion and additional total net working capital of $654 million. Accordingly, management believes Seaboard’s combination of internally generated cash, liquidity, capital resources and borrowing capabilities will be adequate for its existing operations and any currently known potential plans for expansion of existing operations.
Cash and short-term investments as of March 28, 2020 decreased $333 million to $1.2 billion from December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily the result of capital market volatility on short-term investments. Cash from operating activities increased $1 million for the three-month period of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to higher adjusted earnings for unrealized losses on short-term investments and lower inventory purchases, offset primarily by an increase in receivables and timing of payments on liabilities.
As of March 28, 2020, $153 million of the $1.2 billion of cash and short-term investments were held by Seaboard’s foreign subsidiaries. Historically, Seaboard has considered substantially all foreign profits as being permanently invested in its foreign operations, including all cash and short-term investments held by foreign subsidiaries. Seaboard intends to continue permanently reinvesting the majority of these funds outside the U.S. as current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund Seaboard’s U.S. operations. For any planned repatriation to the U.S., Seaboard would record applicable deferred taxes for state or foreign withholding taxes.
Capital Expenditures and Other Investing Activities
During the three months ended March 28, 2020, Seaboard invested $55 million in property, plant and equipment, of which $43 million was in the Pork segment, $4 million in the Power segment and the remaining amount in other segments. The Pork segment expenditures were primarily for the expansion of the Guymon pork processing plant and the modifications to the idle ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas. The Power segment expenditures were for its power generating barge under construction. All other capital expenditures were primarily of a normal recurring nature such as replacements of machinery and equipment and general facility modernizations and upgrades.
For the remainder of 2020, management has budgeted capital expenditures totaling $241 million. The Pork segment budgeted $172 million primarily for modifications to convert the Hugoton, Kansas plant to a renewable diesel production facility, with operations expected to begin in 2022, and to complete the expansion of the pork processing plant. The CT&M segment budgeted $22 million primarily for milling assets and other improvements to existing facilities and related equipment. The Marine segment budgeted $25 million primarily for additional cargo carrying and handling equipment. The Sugar and Alcohol segment budgeted $6 million primarily for general plant improvements and production process updates. The Power segment budgeted $16 million for capital expenditures associated with the new power barge. Seaboard’s Power segment continues to explore strategic alternatives for the existing barge, including selling, relocating or operating in conjunction with the new barge at the current site. Additional costs could be incurred, depending upon the alternative selected. Management anticipates paying for these capital expenditures from a combination of available cash, the use of available short-term investments and Seaboard’s available borrowing capacity.
From time to time, Seaboard may fund capital calls and issue borrowings for its equity method investments based on the specific facts and circumstances. During the first quarter of 2020, Seaboard contributed $5 million to STF for working capital needs. Additional contributions may be necessary in the future.
Financing Activities and Debt
As of March 28, 2020, Seaboard had short-term uncommitted lines of credit totaling $587 million and a committed line of credit totaling $100 million. There was $269 million and $70 million borrowed under the uncommitted lines of credit and committed line of credit, respectively, as of March 28, 2020. Seaboard’s borrowing capacity under its uncommitted lines was further reduced by letters of credit totaling $3 million. As of March 28, 2020, Seaboard had an unsecured term loan,