SEC Filing | Minerals Technologies Inc.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant To Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 26 2006

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-3295	25-1190717

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY		10174-0002

(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(212) 878-1800

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions.

[ ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 2.02	Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
	On July 27, 2006 Minerals Technologies Inc. issued a press release regarding its financial performance for the second quarter of 2006. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein. The information in this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 8.01	Other Events.
	On July 26, 2006 Minerals Technologies Inc. issued a press release regarding the declaration of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable on September 15, 2006 to stockholders of record on September 1, 2006. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01	Financial Statements and Exhibits.
	(c)	Exhibits
		99.1	Press Release dated July 27, 2006
		99.2	Press Release dated July 26, 2006

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
	(Registrant)


	By:	/s/ Kirk G. Forrest

	Name:	Kirk G. Forrest
	Title:	Secretary

Date: July 27, 2006

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Subject Matter
99.1		Press Release dated July 27, 2006
99.2		Press Release dated July 26, 2006

	EXHIBIT 99.1
	News
For Immediate Release July 27, 2006	Contact:
		Rick B. Honey (212) 878-1831

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. REPORTS SECOND QUARTER
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $0.63

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NEW YORK, July 27--Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MTX) today reported second quarter net income of $12.6 million, a 4-percent decrease from the $13.1 million reported in the second quarter of 2005. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.63, the same as reported in the second quarter of last year.

"As we announced in June, the company did not achieve the increase in operating income expected during the quarter," said Paul R. Saueracker, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Worldwide sales in the quarter increased 9 percent to $266.5 million from $244.7 million in the previous year. Foreign exchange had a minimal unfavorable impact on sales. Income from operations was $20.9 million in the second quarter, slightly above the prior year.

Worldwide sales for the first six months of 2006 increased 7 percent to $532.5 million from $495.5 million reported last year. Foreign exchange had an unfavorable impact on sales of approximately $6.1 million or 1 percentage point of growth. Operating income for the first six months of 2006 was $39.8 million, an 11-percent decrease from the $44.9 million reported in the first half of 2005.

For the first six months of 2006, net income decreased 11 percent to $25.4 million from $28.4 million last year. Diluted earnings per common share decreased 7 percent to $1.27 from $1.36 for the same period in 2005.

"In a comparison of the second quarter of 2006 with the same period last year, our operating income improved only slightly as a result of a number of factors," said Mr. Saueracker. "These included unrecovered raw material and energy cost increases; reduced contributions from the metallurgical product line; paper mill and paper machine shutdowns affecting several satellite PCC facilities; and, increased market development and ramp-up costs for our Synsil^®Products.

"Partially mitigating these factors were improved paper industry operations in Finland, which had faced labor disputes in the second quarter of last year; improved operations of our two large satellite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) plants in China; and the ramp up of our European coating program," said Mr. Saueracker.

Sales in the Specialty Minerals segment, which includes the PCC and Processed Minerals product lines, increased 12 percent to $179.6 million from $160.7 million in the comparable quarter of 2005. Income from operations for the second quarter of 2006 was $13.3 million, a 9-percent increase over the $12.2 million reported the previous year. For the first six months of 2006, Specialty Minerals sales increased 10 percent to $362.1 million from $330.5 million in the same period in 2005. Income from operations for the six months decreased 11 percent to $25.5 million from $28.6 million in the first half of last year.

Worldwide net sales of PCC, which is used primarily in paper manufacturing, increased 12 percent in the second quarter to $137.8 million from $122.9 million in the same period in 2005. Total PCC sales for the first six months of 2006 were $281.1 million, a 9-percent increase from $256.9 million in the prior year.

For the second quarter, Paper PCC sales grew 14 percent to $123.7 million from $108.8 million in the prior year. For the first half of 2006, Paper PCC sales grew 10 percent to $251.9 million.

"Paper PCC achieved sales growth in all regions during the second quarter as total worldwide unit volumes grew 11 percent," said Mr. Saueracker. "Four percentage points of this growth were attributable to the ramp-up of volumes from new facilities in China and Germany and 3 percentage points of growth were due to the resumption of operations in Finland that had been affected by the labor actions in 2005. Strong demand and satellite PCC expansions more than offset the volume losses associated with the paper mill shutdowns."

Sales of Specialty PCC in the quarter were essentially flat compared to prior year at $14.1 million. For the first six months of 2006, Specialty PCC sales increased 3 percent to $29.2 million from $28.4 million.

Sales of Processed Minerals products for the second quarter were $41.8 million, an 11-percent increase over the $37.8 million reported for the same period in 2005. Talc sales increased 18 percent to $16.1 million from $13.7 million in the prior year due to strong global demand for plastics and consumer-related markets. For the six months, sales of Processed Minerals products increased 10 percent to $81.0 million from $73.6 million in the first half of 2005. Processed Minerals products are used in the building materials, polymers, ceramics, paints and coatings, glass and other manufacturing industries.

Second quarter net sales in the Refractories segment, which primarily serves the steel industry, increased 3 percent to $86.9 million from $84.0 million in the same period of 2005. Sales in the metallurgical product line decreased 15 percent to $20.8 million from $24.5 million in the second quarter of 2005. Sales of refractory products and systems to steel and other industrial applications increased 11 percent to $66.1 million from $59.5 million in the prior year. Income from operations for the Refractories segment in the second quarter of 2006 decreased 12 percent to $7.6 million from $8.6 million in the same period last year.

"The Refractories segment experienced strong demand for its refractory products and systems during the quarter," said Mr. Saueracker. "The decline in sales in the metallurgical product line, however, was attributable primarily to lower prices as a result of a reduction in raw material costs passed through to customers."

For the six months, sales in the Refractories segment increased 3 percent to $170.4 million from $165.0 million in the same period in 2005. However, income from operations for the six months decreased 12 percent--from $16.3 million for the first six months of 2005 to $14.3 million. The decline in operating income for the six months was due to lower margins in the metallurgical product line, and additional costs related to new business development activities.

Mr. Saueracker concluded: "We are disappointed with the company's operating income performance for the second quarter, but looking forward, we believe that our results will improve through the remainder of the year,"

The company has scheduled an analyst conference call for Friday, July 28, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. to discuss operating results for the second quarter. The conference call will be broadcast over the company's website, www.mineralstech.com.

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This press release contains some forward-looking statements; in particular statements of anticipated changes in the business environment in which the company operates and in the company's future operating rate. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect our businesses, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements in our 2005 Annual Report Form 10-K and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES (thousands of dollars, except per share data) (unaudited)


	Second Quarter				%	Six months				%
		2006		2005	Change		2006		2005	Change

Net sales	$	266,486	$	244,734	9	$	532,526	$	495,550	7
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold		210,527		193,339	9		422,711		386,324	9
Marketing and administrative expenses		27,241		23,263	17		54,914		49,881	10
Research and development expenses		7,861		7,322	7		15,080		14,476	4

Income from operations		20,857		20,810	0		39,821		44,869	(11)
Non-operating deductions - net		1,572		1,259	25		861		2,477	(65)

Income before provision for taxes on income and minority interests		19,285		19,551	(1)		38,960		42,392	(8)

Provision for taxes on income		5,842		6,101	(4)		11,804		13,227	(11)

Minority interests		873		316	176		1,774		793	124


Net income	$	12,570	$	13,134	(4)	$	25,382	$	28,372	(11)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		19,836		20,573			19,892		20,551

Diluted		19,994		20,836			20,039		20,814

Earnings per share:

Basic earnings per share	$	0.63	$	0.64	(2)	$	1.28	$	1.38	(7)

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.63	$	0.63	0	$	1.27	$	1.36	(7)

Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.05	$	0.05		$	0.10	$	0.10

1) For the periods ended July 2, 2006 and July 3, 2005.
2) Sales increased 8% in the United States in both the second quarter and for the first six months of 2006. International sales increased approximately 11% in the second quarter and 6% for the first six months of 2006.
3) Provisions for bad debt, included in marketing and administrative expenses, increased $1.1 million in the second quarter and $1.6 million for the first six months of 2006. The provisions for bad debt were $0.3 million and $1.3 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2006, respectively. In the second quarter of 2005, recoveries of bad debt were in excess of provisions.
4) On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment," using the modified-prospective transition method. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation was recognized in the financial statements for granted, modified or settled stock options. Compensation expense recognized included the estimated expense for stock options granted in the first half, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R, and the estimated expense for the portion vesting in the first half for options granted prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123. Stock-based compensation expense relating to these options recognized in marketing and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income in the second quarter and first six months was $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The related tax benefit on the non-qualified stock options was $0.1 million and $0.2 million in the second quarter and first six months, respectively.
5) On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 04-06, "Accounting for Stripping Costs Incurred During Production in the Mining Industry." This consensus states that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. The Company had previously deferred stripping costs in excess of the average life of mine stripping ratio and amortized such costs on a unit of production method. As a result of this consensus, the Company recorded an after-tax charge to opening retained earnings of $7.1 million and increased its opening inventory by $0.8 million. The change in accounting did not have a significant impact on the second quarter or the first six months earnings.
6) During the first quarter of 2006, the Company recognized an insurance settlement gain of approximately $1.8 million for property damage sustained at the Easton, Pennsylvania facility in 2004 related to Hurricane Ivan. Such amount is included in non-operating deductions (income) for the six month period ended July 2, 2006.
7) The results of operations for the interim period ended July 2, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that ultimately might be achieved for the current year.
8) The analyst conference call to discuss operating results for the second quarter is scheduled for Friday, July 28, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. and will be broadcast over the Company's website (www.mineralstech.com). The broadcast will remain on the Company's website for no less than one year.

SUPPLEMENTARY SALES DATA MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES (millions of dollars) (unaudited)

	Second Quarter				%	Six Months				%
	2006		2005		Change	2006		2005		Change

United States	$	160.1	$	148.9	8	$	321.9	$	297.6	8
International	$	106.4	$	95.8	11	$	210.6	$	197.9	6

Paper PCC	$	123.7	$	108.8	14	$	251.9	$	228.5	10
Specialty PCC		14.1		14.1	0		29.2		28.4	3
PCC Products	$	137.8	$	122.9	12	$	281.1	$	256.9	9

Talc	$	16.1	$	13.7	18	$	30.9	$	27.7	12
Other Processed Minerals Products		25.7		24.1	7		50.1		45.9	9
Processed Minerals Products	$	41.8	$	37.8	11	$	81.0	$	73.6	10

Specialty Minerals Segment	$	179.6	$	160.7	12	$	362.1	$	330.5	10

Refractory products	$	66.1	$	59.5	11	$	127.1	$	123.9	3
Metallurgical Products		20.8		24.5	(15)		43.3		41.1	5
Refractories Segment	$	86.9	$	84.0	3	$	170.4	$	165.0	3


Net Sales	$	266.5	$	244.7	9	$	532.5	$	495.5	7

	MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		ASSETS

	(In Thousands of Dollars)

			July 2, 2006*	December 31, 2005**

	Current assets:
	Cash & cash equivalents		50,770	51,100
	Short-term investments		8,135	2,350
	Accounts receivable, net		196,150	184,272
	Inventories		121,531	118,895
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		17,882	20,583
	Total current assets		394,468	377,200

	Property, plant and equipment		1,431,931	1,380,298
	Less accumulated depreciation		794,923	751,553
	Net property, plant & equipment		637,008	628,745

	Goodwill		54,280	53,612
	Prepaid benefit costs		67,344	67,795
	Other assets and deferred charges		28,760	28,951

	Total assets		1,181,860	1,156,303


	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

	Current liabilities:
	Short-term debt		62,342	62,847
	Current maturities of long-term debt		53,160	53,698
	Accounts payable		62,905	61,323
	Other current liabilities		59,044	53,384
	Total current liabilities		237,451	231,252

	Long-term debt		38,639	40,306
	Other non-current liabilities		116,143	113,583
	Total liabilities		392,233	385,141

	Total shareholders' equity		789,627	771,162

	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		1,181,860	1,156,303


*	Unaudited.
**	Condensed from audited financial statements.

	EXHIBIT 99.2
	News
For Immediate Release July 26, 2006	Contact:
		Rick B. Honey (212) 878-1831

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

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NEW YORK, July 26--Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MTX) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2006 to stockholders of record on September 1, 2006.

Minerals Technologies Inc. is a global resource- and technology-based growth company that develops produces and markets the highest quality performance-enhancing minerals and related products, systems and services. Minerals Technologies serves the paper, steel, polymer and other manufacturing industries. The company reported sales of $995.8 million in 2005.

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For further information about Minerals Technologies Inc. look on the Internet at
http://www.mineralstech.com