UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
or
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 001-00043
Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 45-6194071 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) | |
c/o Wilmington Trust Company, as trust administrator and trustee Attn: David A. Vanaskey, Jr., Vice President Rodney Square North 1100 North Market Street Wilmington, Delaware |
19890-1615 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(302) 636-6019
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ¨ No x *
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller Reporting Company | ¨ |
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ¨ No x *
* | The registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but has filed all reports required pursuant to the no-action letter of the Securities and Exchange Commission to the registrant dated May 23, 2012. |
MOTORS LIQUIDATION COMPANY GUC TRUST
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PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||
Item 1. | Financial Statements | |||||
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Item 2. | 17 | |||||
Item 3. | 40 | |||||
Item 4. | 40 | |||||
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION | ||||||
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 41 | ||||
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 42 | ||||
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 43 | ||||
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 43 | ||||
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 43 | ||||
Item 5. | Other Information | 43 | ||||
Item 6. | Exhibits | 43 |
Item 1. | Financial Statements. |
Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS IN LIQUIDATION (LIQUIDATION BASIS)
(Dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2014 |
March 31, 2014 |
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Unaudited | ||||||||
ASSETS |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ | 28,331 | $ | 14,932 | ||||
Marketable Securities |
35,163 | 44,382 | ||||||
Accrued Dividends on Holdings of New GM Common Stock |
3,465 | | ||||||
Holdings of New GM Securities (Note 5) |
997,640 | 1,114,078 | ||||||
Other Assets and Deposits |
603 | 1,502 | ||||||
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TOTAL ASSETS |
1,065,202 | 1,174,894 | ||||||
LIABILITIES |
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Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities |
5,635 | 3,105 | ||||||
Liquidating Distributions Payable (Note 4) |
248,763 | 42,111 | ||||||
Reserves for Residual Wind-Down Claims (Note 7) |
27,419 | 28,698 | ||||||
Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation (Note 7) |
33,347 | 36,486 | ||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES |
315,164 | 110,400 | ||||||
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NET ASSETS IN LIQUIDATION (Note 3) |
$ | 750,038 | $ | 1,064,494 | ||||
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See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
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Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS IN LIQUIDATION (LIQUIDATION BASIS) (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
Net Assets in Liquidation, beginning of period |
$ | 1,130,736 | $ | 1,624,717 | $ | 1,064,494 | $ | 1,390,181 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in net assets in liquidation: |
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Net (additions to) reductions in reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation (Note 7) |
(2,291 | ) | 6,531 | (4,135 | ) | 8,209 | ||||||||||
Liquidating distributions (Note 4) |
(199,922 | ) | (81,885 | ) | (210,200 | ) | (100,808 | ) | ||||||||
Net change in fair value of holdings of New GM Securities |
(181,941 | ) | 197,067 | (112,911 | ) | 614,991 | ||||||||||
Dividends and interest income |
3,456 | 13 | 12,790 | 40 | ||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (Note 8) |
| 331,015 | | 164,845 | ||||||||||||
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Net (decrease) increase in net assets in liquidation |
(380,698 | ) | 452,741 | (314,456 | ) | 687,277 | ||||||||||
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Net Assets in Liquidation, end of period |
$ | 750,038 | $ | 2,077,458 | $ | 750,038 | $ | 2,077,458 | ||||||||
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See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
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Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (LIQUIDATION BASIS) (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Six Months Ended September 30, |
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2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities |
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Cash receipts from dividends and interest |
$ | 9,197 | $ | 41 | ||||
Cash paid for professional fees, governance costs and other administrative costs |
(4,729 | ) | (11,491 | ) | ||||
Cash paid for Residual Wind-Down Claims |
(646 | ) | (1,168 | ) | ||||
Cash receipts for refund due others |
379 | | ||||||
Cash paid for distributions |
(127 | ) | (580 | ) | ||||
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Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities |
4,074 | (13,198 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities |
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Cash used to purchase marketable securities |
(45,873 | ) | (57,035 | ) | ||||
Cash from maturities and sales of marketable securities |
55,093 | 103,396 | ||||||
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Net cash flows from investing activities |
9,220 | 46,361 | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
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Cash from sale of New GM Securities for distribution |
105 | 28 | ||||||
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Net cash flows from financing activities |
105 | 28 | ||||||
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Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
13,399 | 33,191 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
14,932 | 1,010 | ||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 28,331 | $ | 34,201 | ||||
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The GUC Trust has not presented a reconciliation of net income to cash flow from operations. As an entity in liquidation, the GUC Trust does not have continuing operations that result in the measurement of net income as that term is used by generally accepted accounting principles to measure results of operations.
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
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Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
September 30, 2014
1. | Description of Trust and Reporting Policies |
The Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust (GUC Trust) is a successor to Motors Liquidation Company (formerly known as General Motors Corp.) (MLC) for the purposes of Section 1145 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code). The GUC Trust holds, administers and directs the distribution of certain assets pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust Agreement (the GUC Trust Agreement), dated as of June 11, 2012 and as amended from time to time, and pursuant to the Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan (the Plan), dated March 18, 2011, of MLC and its debtor affiliates (collectively, along with MLC, the Debtors), for the benefit of holders of allowed general unsecured claims against the Debtors (Allowed General Unsecured Claims).
The GUC Trust was formed on March 30, 2011, as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, for the purposes of implementing the Plan and distributing the GUC Trusts distributable assets. Wilmington Trust Company serves as trustee and trust administrator of the GUC Trust (in such capacity, and not in its individual capacity, the GUC Trust Administrator), and FTI Consulting, Inc. serves as trust monitor of the GUC Trust (in such capacity, and not in its individual capacity, the GUC Trust Monitor). The Plan generally provides for the distribution of certain shares of common stock (New GM Common Stock) of the new General Motors Company, formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. (New GM) and any associated Dividend Cash (as defined below), and certain warrants for the purchase of shares of such stock (the New GM Warrants, and, together with the New GM Common Stock, the New GM Securities) to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims pro rata by the amount of such claims. In addition, the Plan provides that each holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim will obtain, in the form of GUC Trust Units (as defined below), a contingent right to receive, on a pro rata basis, additional shares of New GM Common Stock (and associated Dividend Cash) and New GM Warrants (if and to the extent such New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants are not required for the satisfaction of previously Disputed General Unsecured Claims (as defined in Note 2) or liquidation for the payment of the expenses and liabilities of the GUC Trust) and certain cash, if any, remaining at the dissolution of the GUC Trust.
The GUC Trust exists solely for the purpose of resolving claims, distributing New GM Securities (and associated Dividend Cash) and winding down the affairs of MLC, all in accordance with a plan of liquidation of MLC approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Accordingly, the GUC Trust has prepared the accompanying financial statements on the liquidation basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Under the liquidation basis of accounting as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, assets are stated at their estimated net realizable value, which is the non-discounted amount of cash into which an asset is expected to be converted during the liquidation period, while liabilities continue to be recognized at the amount required by other U.S. GAAP, and are not remeasured to reflect any anticipation that an entity will be legally released from an obligation. Additionally, under the liquidation basis of accounting, a reserve is established for estimated costs expected to be incurred during the liquidation period. Such costs are accrued when there is a reasonable basis for estimation. As described below, beginning in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, an accrual is made for estimated income or cash expected to be received over the liquidation period to the extent that a reasonable basis for estimation exists. These estimates are periodically reviewed and adjusted as appropriate. The valuation of assets at net realizable value, the accrual for dividends on the GUC Trusts holdings of New GM Common Stock expected to be received over the liquidation period, reserves for residual wind-down claims and reserves for expected liquidation costs represent estimates, are based on present facts and circumstances known to the GUC Trust Administrator, and are subject to change.
As described above, the beneficiaries of the GUC Trust are future holders and, to the extent their liquidating distributions have not yet been paid to them, current holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and future and current holders of GUC Trust Units (Trust Beneficiaries). As Disputed General Unsecured Claims are resolved and allowed and thereby become Allowed General Unsecured Claims, the holders thereof become entitled to receive liquidating distributions of New GM Securities (and the related Dividend Cash) and GUC Trust Units pro rata by the amount of such Claims and, upon such occurrence, the GUC Trust incurs an obligation to distribute such securities and cash. Accordingly, liquidating distributions payable are recorded (at the fair value of such New GM Securities and the related Dividend Cash) as of the end of the period in which the Disputed General Unsecured Claims are resolved as Allowed General Unsecured Claims. Similarly, to the extent potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims (as defined in Note 2) were to arise (and would become allowed) in the manner described in Note 2, liquidating distributions payable would be recorded for the New GM Securities and the related Dividend Cash (at fair value) that would become distributable to holders of Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims upon such occurrence. Prior to the resolution and allowance of Disputed General Unsecured Claims (or potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims), liabilities are not recorded for the conditional obligations associated with Disputed General Unsecured Claims. Rather, the beneficial interests of Trust Beneficiaries in the residual assets of the GUC Trust are reflected in Net Assets in Liquidation of the GUC Trust in the accompanying financial statements.
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The accompanying (a) condensed statement of net assets in liquidation at March 31, 2014, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) the unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The GUC Trust believes all adjustments, normal and recurring in nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The changes in net assets in liquidation for the six months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the changes in net assets that may be expected for the full year. The GUC Trust believes that, although the disclosures contained herein are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading, the accompanying interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the GUC Trusts financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2014 included in Form 10-K filed by the GUC Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2014.
The preparation of condensed financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the GUC Trust Administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and are subject to change.
Changes to U.S. GAAP are made by the FASB in the form of accounting standards updates (ASUs) to the FASBs Accounting Standards Codification. The GUC Trust considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not noted herein were assessed and determined to be not applicable. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the GUC Trust adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-07, Liquidation Basis of Accounting. Such standard requires that income or cash expected to be received over the liquidation period be estimated and accrued to the extent that a reasonable basis for estimation exists. The effect of adoption of such standard was not material to the GUC Trusts financial statements. As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust has accrued approximately $3.6 million for (a) dividends of approximately $3.5 million expected to be received by the GUC Trust on its holdings of New GM Common Stock and (b) approximately $130,000 expected to be earned on marketable securities over the estimated remaining liquidation period of the GUC Trust. Such accrued dividends consist of dividends of $0.30 per share declared by New GM in October 2014 payable to common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2014. No accrual has been made with respect to any additional dividends that may be declared by New GM in the future, because the GUC Trust believes that a reasonable basis for estimation of such potential dividends does not exist at this time.
2. | Plan of Liquidation |
On March 31, 2011, the date the Plan became effective (the Effective Date), there were approximately $29,771 million in Allowed General Unsecured Claims. In addition, as of the Effective Date, there were approximately $8,154 million in disputed general unsecured claims (Disputed General Unsecured Claims), which reflects liquidated disputed claims and a Bankruptcy Court ordered distribution reserve for unliquidated disputed claims, but does not reflect potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims. The total aggregate amount of general unsecured claims, both allowed and disputed, asserted against the Debtors, inclusive of the potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims, was approximately $39,425 million as of the Effective Date.
Pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement, holders of Disputed General Unsecured Claims become entitled to receive a distribution of New GM Securities from the GUC Trust if, and to the extent that, such Disputed General Unsecured Claims become Allowed General Unsecured Claims. Under the GUC Trust Agreement, the GUC Trust Administrator has the authority to file objections to such Disputed General Unsecured Claims and such claims may be prosecuted through alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including mediation and arbitration (ADR Proceedings), if appropriate. As of September 30, 2014, there were approximately $79.5 million in Disputed General Unsecured Claims, all of which were subject to pending objections filed by the GUC Trust, which amount has been significantly reduced from approximately $8,154 million as of the Effective Date. See Allowed and Disputed Claims below.
To the extent that all or a portion of a Disputed General Unsecured Claim is deemed invalidor disallowedby order of the Bankruptcy Court, by order of the tribunal presiding over the ADR Proceeding (if applicable), or by settlement with the GUC Trust, such portion of the Disputed General Unsecured Claim that is disallowed is not entitled to a distribution from the GUC Trust (subject to any appeal rights of the claimant). However, to the extent that a Disputed General Unsecured Claim is fully resolved, and such resolution results in all or a portion of the original Disputed General Unsecured Claim being deemed validor allowedby order of the Bankruptcy Court, by order of the tribunal presiding over the ADR Proceeding (if applicable), or by settlement with the GUC Trust, such portion of the Disputed General Unsecured Claim that is allowed will be considered an Allowed General Unsecured Claim on the Effective Date (such claims, Resolved Disputed Claims).
Only one avoidance action, captioned Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Motors Liquidation Co. v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. et al., Adv. Pro. No. 09-00504 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. July 31, 2009) (the Term Loan Avoidance Action), was commenced prior to the statutory deadline for commencing such actions. The Term Loan Avoidance Action was commenced by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Motors Liquidation Company (the Committee), and seeks the return of approximately $1.5 billion that had been transferred by the Debtors (with funds advanced after the commencement of the Debtors chapter 11 cases by the United States Treasury and Export Development Canada (together, the DIP Lenders)) to a consortium of prepetition lenders pursuant to the terms of the order of the Bankruptcy Court. On December 15, 2011, in accordance with the Plan, upon the dissolution
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of MLC, the Term Loan Avoidance Action was transferred to the Avoidance Action Trust (as defined below). To the extent that Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as the trustee and trust administrator of the Avoidance Action Trust (the Avoidance Action Trust Administrator), is successful in obtaining a judgment against the defendant(s) to the Term Loan Avoidance Action, Allowed General Unsecured Claims will arise in the amount of any transfers actually avoided (that is, disgorged) pursuant thereto (such general unsecured claims Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims, and together with Resolved Disputed Claims, the Resolved Allowed Claims).
It is still unclear whether any amounts actually avoided pursuant to the Term Loan Avoidance Action would be for the benefit of holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims. The Committee has taken the position that (a) the DIP Lenders are not entitled to any proceeds of the Term Loan Avoidance Action and have no interests in the trust established for the action under the Plan (the Avoidance Action Trust) and (b) the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims have the exclusive right to receive any and all proceeds of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, and are the exclusive beneficiaries of the Avoidance Action Trust with respect thereto.
Litigation with respect to these issues is ongoing (with the Term Loan Avoidance Action currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit), and the rights to any recoveries on the Term Loan Avoidance Action are still disputed. Pursuant to the Plan, however, no funds reclaimed from the pre-petition lenders will be transferred to or otherwise benefit the GUC Trust or be distributed to holders of GUC Trust Units.
GUC Trust Distributable Assets
Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Bankruptcy Court authorized the distribution of 150 million shares of New GM Common Stock issued by New GM, warrants to acquire 136,363,635 newly issued shares of New GM Stock with an exercise price set at $10.00 per share (New GM Series A Warrants), and warrants to acquire 136,363,635 newly issued shares of New GM Stock with an exercise price set at $18.33 per share (New GM Series B Warrants). Record ownership of the New GM Securities was held by MLC for the benefit of the GUC Trust until the dissolution of MLC on December 15, 2011, at which time record ownership was transferred to the GUC Trust.
As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust has received dividends on the New GM Common Stock it holds aggregating $13.8 million. New GM has also declared a dividend of $0.30 per share to holders of New GM Common Stock of record as of December 10, 2014. Such dividends and any future declared dividends on New GM Common Stock are required to be applied to the same purpose as the New GM Common Stock to which such dividends relate. If shares of New GM Common Stock are distributed to holders of subsequently Resolved Allowed Claims and GUC Trust Units, then the dividends relating to those shares will also be distributed to such holders. If, however, shares of New GM Common Stock are sold by the GUC Trust in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement to fund the costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, then, in that case, the dividends relating to those shares will be applied to such costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust and (just like the cash proceeds from the sale of the shares of New GM Common Stock) will be maintained as Other Administrative Cash (as defined below). Because such dividends are applied to the same purposes as the associated New GM Common Stock, references in this Form 10-Q to New GM Common Stock and New GM Securities that have been set aside from distribution, reserved or sold should be understood to include the dividends (if any) relating to such New GM Common Stock, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the GUC Trust that relates to dividends received by the GUC Trust on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust is referred to as Dividend Cash.
Funding for GUC Trust Costs of Liquidation
The GUC Trust has incurred and will continue to incur certain costs to liquidate the trust assets and implement the Plan. On or about the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan, MLC contributed approximately $52.7 million to the GUC Trust to be held and maintained by the GUC Trust Administrator (the Administrative Fund) for the purpose of paying certain fees and expenses (including certain tax obligations) incurred by the GUC Trust (including fees of the GUC Trust Administrator and the GUC Trust Monitor and the fees and expenses for professionals retained by the GUC Trust), other than the Reporting Costs, as defined below (Wind-Down Costs). As of September 30, 2014, the remaining Administrative Fund aggregated $9.4 million (consisting of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities). Of that amount, approximately $8.2 million has been separately designated for the satisfaction of certain identified costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, and such amounts may not be used for the payment of other Wind-Down Costs. The remaining $1.2 million of the Administrative Fund is available for other Wind-Down Costs (principally the payment of GUC Trust professionals), which funds must be exhausted prior to the use of any Other Administrative Cash for such purposes. Cash or investments from the Administrative Fund, if any, which remain at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust must be returned to the DIP Lenders.
The GUC Trust Agreement authorized the GUC Trust to liquidate approximately $5.7 million of New GM Securities (the Initial Reporting Cash) shortly after the Effective Date for the purposes of funding certain fees and expenses of the GUC Trust (the Reporting Costs), including those directly or indirectly relating to (i) reports to be prepared and filed by the GUC Trust pursuant to applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the transfer, registration for transfer and certification of GUC Trust Units, and (iii) the application by the Committee to the Internal Revenue Service for a private letter ruling regarding the tax treatment of the GUC Trust and the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims in respect to the distribution of New GM Securities. The GUC Trust Agreement provides that the Administrative Fund may not be utilized to satisfy any Reporting Costs.
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The GUC Trust Agreement provides that, if the GUC Trust Administrator determines that the Administrative Fund is not sufficient to satisfy the current or projected Wind-Down Costs or the Initial Reporting Cash is not sufficient to satisfy the current or projected Reporting Costs, the GUC Trust Administrator, with the approval of the GUC Trust Monitor, is authorized to set aside New GM Securities from distribution for these purposes. The GUC Trust Administrator may then liquidate such set aside New GM Securities to fund the Wind-Down Costs and/or Reporting Costs with the required approval of the Bankruptcy Court. New GM Securities that are set aside and/or sold in this manner will not be available for distribution to the beneficiaries of GUC Trust Units, and the cash proceeds of any such sale (including related Dividend Cash) will be classified as Other Administrative Cash under the GUC Trust Agreement. Although any such liquidation of set aside New GM Securities will be reflected in the financial statements of the GUC Trust at the time of liquidation, the setting aside of New GM Securities, including Dividend Cash, itself is not reflected in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation or any of the other financial statements of the GUC Trust. Separate from this process of setting aside New GM Securities to satisfy unfunded projected costs and expenses of the GUC Trust, as a matter of financial reporting, the GUC Trust records a reserve in its Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation (the source of funding of which is not addressed therein) for all expected costs of liquidation for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation. For this reason, among others, there is not a direct relationship between the amount of such reserve reflected in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation and the value of New GM Securities that are set aside for current or projected costs and expenses of the GUC Trust. Adjustments to the Reserve for Expected Costs of Liquidation as reported in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation are recorded only when there is a reasonable basis for estimation of the expected incurrence of additional costs or a reduction in expected costs. For more information regarding the Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation reflected in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation, see Note 7.
The Bankruptcy Court previously approved in March 2012, and December 2012, the sale of New GM Securities to fund the then current and projected costs and expenses of the GUC Trust. In March 2012, the Bankruptcy Court order also authorized the sale of further New GM Securities aggregating $13.7 million for the purpose of funding certain fees, costs and expenses of the Avoidance Action Trust and the transfer of the sales proceeds to the Avoidance Action Trust (such sales proceeds were so transferred in May 2012). Sales of New GM Securities to fund projected Reporting Costs and Wind-Down Costs aggregated approximately $50.2 million, including the Initial Reporting Cash (which amounts comprised part of the GUC Trusts Other Administrative Cash) during the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. Such securities sold aggregated 902,228 shares of New GM Common Stock, 820,205 New GM Series A Warrants and 820,205 New GM Series B Warrants. There have been no subsequent sales of securities to fund Wind-Down Costs and Reporting Costs.
As of September 30, 2014, Other Administrative Cash aggregated $9.7 million. To the extent that any of the Other Administrative Cash is not ultimately used to fund costs and expenses of the GUC Trust and is held by the GUC Trust at the time of its dissolution, such remaining Other Administrative Cash will be distributed by the GUC Trust to holders of the GUC Trust Units.
As of September 30, 2014, New GM Securities with an aggregate fair market value as of that date of $59.0 million and related Dividend Cash of $0.8 million have been set aside for projected GUC Trust fees, costs and expenses to be incurred beyond 2014, including $5.8 million set aside for projected income taxes on dividends received on holdings of New GM common Stock as described below in Funding for Potential Tax Liabilities on Dispositions of New GM Securities and Dividends on New GM Common Stock. Accordingly, such New GM Securities are currently not available for distribution to the beneficiaries of the GUC Trust Units.
Funding for Potential Tax Liabilities on Dispositions of New GM Securities and Dividends on New GM Common Stock
The GUC Trust is subject to U.S. federal income tax on realized net gains from the distribution and sale of shares of New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants (such taxes, Taxes on Distribution). The GUC Trust is also subject to U.S. federal income tax on dividends received on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust (such taxes, Dividend Taxes). The GUC Trust Agreement provides that the Administrative Fund may not be utilized to satisfy any Taxes on Distribution or Dividend Taxes. As such, the GUC Trust Administrator is authorized, with the approval of the GUC Trust Monitor, to set aside from distribution New GM Securities, the liquidated proceeds of which, along with the related Dividend Cash, would be sufficient to satisfy any potential Taxes on Distribution or Dividend Taxes. The New GM Securities that are set aside for Dividend Taxes are included in the set-aside for Wind-Down Costs described above in Funding for GUC Trust Costs of Liquidation. The GUC Trust Administrator may then liquidate such set aside New GM Securities to fund the Taxes on Distribution or Dividend Taxes with the approval of the GUC Trust Monitor, but, with respect to Taxes on Distributions only, without the necessity of obtaining approval of the Bankruptcy Court. New GM Securities that are set aside and subsequently sold in this manner will not be available for distribution to the beneficiaries of GUC Trust Units, and the cash proceeds of any such sale, along with the related Dividend Cash, will be classified as Other Administrative Cash under the GUC Trust Agreement. New GM Securities that have been so set aside are included in Holdings of New GM Securities in the accompanying Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation. In the event such set-aside New GM Securities were sold to fund Taxes on Distribution or Dividend Taxes, the proceeds of such sale would be reflected in Cash and Cash Equivalents
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and/or Marketable Securities until expended to pay Taxes on Distribution or Dividend Taxes. While the set-aside New GM Securities and the related Dividend Cash are not available for distribution, there is no corresponding liability or reserve related to such set-aside assets reflected in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation or any of the other financial statements of the GUC Trust.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust Administrator reviewed the current and potential Taxes on Distribution. As a result of such review, the GUC Trust Administrator determined that New GM Securities with an aggregate fair market value (as of September 30, 2014) of $247.8 million and related Dividend Cash of $3.4 million should be set aside for potential Taxes on Distribution based on (1) the GUC Trusts method for calculating potential gains on distributions or sales of New GM Securities (reduced by future deductible expenses at September 30, 2014) and (2) the GUC Trusts method for converting the potential tax liability to the number of securities to be set aside. Such New GM Securities are not currently available for distribution to the beneficiaries of GUC Trust Units. The GUC Trust Administrator intends to continue to reevaluate the numbers of New GM Securities set aside on a quarterly basis.
As previously disclosed, during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the GUC Trust made a determination to file its U.S. federal income tax returns taking the position that beneficial ownership for a substantial majority of New GM Securities was transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust on March 31, 2011, and that the tax basis of such New GM Securities should be determined with reference to the value of such securities on such date, instead of December 15, 2011, when record ownership of the remaining New GM Securities still held by MLC was transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust. For the remaining substantial minority of New GM Securities transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust, the GUC Trust determined that the transfer of beneficial ownership occurred on other dates for which the tax basis should be determined by reference to the value of such securities on such dates. This new tax position resulted in an increased tax basis of the New GM Securities from the prior tax position and, therefore, reduced taxable gains and increased taxable losses on distributions and sales of New GM Securities since March 31, 2011. The new tax position has not been sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service as of the date hereof. However, the GUC Trust believes, based on the available evidence and consultation with GUC Trust professionals, that it is more likely than not that the new tax position will be sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service based on the technical merits of the position. Accordingly, this new tax position has been recognized in the current and deferred income tax liabilities and the income tax provision in the GUC Trusts financial statements since the quarter ended September 30, 2013.
Following the GUC Trusts determination to utilize the new tax position set forth above, the GUC Trust filed its U.S. federal income tax returns for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 with the Internal Revenue Service using such new tax position. Such tax returns were accompanied by requests for prompt determination of tax liability pursuant to Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, and on August 11, 2014, the statutory notification period set forth in Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the GUC Trusts U.S. federal income tax return for the year ended March 31, 2014 expired. Accordingly, the tax liabilities set forth in the GUC Trusts U.S. federal income tax returns for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are no longer subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. However, remaining capital loss carryovers of $185.4 million as of March 31, 2014 that were generated in those years, from the new tax position, along with net operating loss carryovers of $84.5 million as of March 31, 2014, could be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service in subsequent years when those losses are utilized.
In contrast to the GUC Trusts financial statements, as a conservative measure, the calculation of the set aside of New GM Securities for potential Taxes on Distribution utilizes the prior tax position rather than the new tax position to the extent that the GUC Trusts liability for Taxes on Distribution has not been finally determined in accordance with Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or the new tax position has not been sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Accordingly, the potential tax liability for the GUC Trusts U.S. federal income tax returns for the year ended March 31, 2015 and subsequent years is calculated, for purposes of the set aside of New GM Securities for potential Taxes on Distribution, using the prior tax position rather than the new tax position. In addition, the set aside calculation does not recognize any reductions related to remaining net operating loss carryovers or capital loss carryovers for losses on distributions or sales of New GM Securities that are attributable to the March 31, 2014 tax year or prior tax years, until such carryovers are utilized and such utilization is finally determined in accordance with Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or the new tax position has been sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Residual Wind-Down Claims and Costs
Upon the dissolution of the Debtors, which occurred on December 15, 2011, the GUC Trust became responsible for resolving and satisfying (to the extent allowed) all remaining disputed administrative expenses, priority tax claims, priority non-tax claims and secured claims (the Residual Wind-Down Claims). On December 15, 2011, under the Plan, the Debtors transferred to the GUC Trust an amount of cash necessary (the Residual Wind-Down Assets) to satisfy the ultimate allowed amount of such Residual Wind-Down Claims (including certain litigation defense costs related to the Term Loan Avoidance Action (the Avoidance Action Defense Costs)), as estimated by the Debtors, and the costs, fees and expenses relating to satisfying and resolving the Residual Wind-Down Claims (the Residual Wind-Down Costs). The Residual Wind-Down Assets initially aggregated approximately $42.8 million (which amount consisted of approximately $40.0 million in cash, including approximately $1.4 million designated for the payment of Avoidance Action Defense Costs, and the transferred benefit of approximately $2.8 million in prepaid expenses). Should the Residual Wind-Down Costs and the Residual Wind-Down Claims be less than the Residual Wind-Down Assets, any excess funds will be returned to the DIP Lenders. If, at any time, the GUC Trust Administrator determines that the Residual Wind-Down Assets are not adequate to satisfy the Residual Wind-Down Claims (including the actual amount of Avoidance Action Defense Costs) and Residual
8
Wind-Down Costs, such costs will be satisfied by Other Administrative Cash. If there is no remaining Other Administrative Cash, the GUC Trust Administrator is authorized to, with GUC Trust Monitor approval, set aside and, with Bankruptcy Court approval, sell New GM Securities to cover the shortfall. To the extent that New GM Securities are set aside and sold to obtain funding to complete the wind-down of the Debtors, such securities will not be available for distribution to the beneficiaries of the GUC Trust. Therefore, the amount of Residual Wind-Down Claims and Residual Wind-Down Costs could reduce the assets of the GUC Trust available for distribution. Although any such sale of set-aside New GM Securities would be reflected in the financial statements of the GUC Trust in the period of sale, the setting aside of New GM Securities and related Dividend Cash itself would not be reflected in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation or any of the other financial statements of the GUC Trust. After the GUC Trust has concluded its affairs, any funds remaining that were obtained from the sale of New GM Securities to fund the wind-down process or the resolution and satisfaction of the Residual Wind-Down Claims will be distributed to the holders of the GUC Trust Units.
The amount of Avoidance Action Defense Costs incurred to date exceeds the corresponding cash of $1.4 million received by the GUC Trust from MLC on the Dissolution Date by approximately $2.0 million. As a result, new Residual Wind-Down Claims have arisen in the amount of such excess. It is expected that additional Avoidance Action Defense Costs will be incurred for which additional Residual Wind-Down Claims will arise to be paid from the other remaining Residual Wind-Down Assets and, following the depletion of such assets, the Administrative Fund (to the extent of any excess amounts remaining in the Administrative Fund from the funds separately designated for the satisfaction of certain costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust), Other Administrative Cash or the sale of New GM Securities. As of September 30, 2014, $30.3 million in Residual Wind-Down Assets were held by the GUC Trust, which are recorded in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities (aggregating approximately $30.1 million) and other assets and deposits (approximately $0.2 million) in the accompanying Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation. By comparison, there were approximately $1.7 million in Residual Wind-Down Claims against such assets as of September 30, 2014, subject to increase for new Residual Wind-Down Claims that are expected to arise for Avoidance Action Defense Costs.
In addition to the Residual Wind-Down Assets, the GUC Trust also received on the Dissolution Date approximately $3.4 million in cash from MLC for the purposes of funding (1) $1.4 million in respect of certain costs, fees and expenses payable under the Plan to the indenture trustees and fiscal and paying agents for the previously outstanding debt of MLC, or the Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs, and (2) $2.0 million in respect of Reporting Costs. The funds received were credited to the reserve for expected costs of liquidation. Any unused portion of the funds designated for the Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs must be returned to the DIP Lenders and will not be available for distribution to the holders of GUC Trust Units at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust. As of September 30, 2014, funds designated for the Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agents Costs held by the GUC Trust approximated $0.4 million and are recorded in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation.
3. | Net Assets in Liquidation |
Description
Under the GUC Trust Agreement and the Plan, as described more fully in Note 1, the beneficiaries of the GUC Trust are future and, to the extent their liquidating distributions have not yet been paid to them, current holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and future and current holders of GUC Trust Units. Certain assets of the GUC Trust are reserved for funding the expected costs of liquidation and potential tax liabilities and are currently not available to the Trust Beneficiaries. Other assets of the GUC Trust, primarily Holdings of New GM Securities, as described in Notes 1 and 5, are available to be distributed to the Trust Beneficiaries (GUC Trust Distributable Assets) in accordance with the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement. The amounts of net assets in liquidation presented in the accompanying Condensed Statements of Net Assets in Liquidation at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, correspond to the amounts of GUC Trust Distributable Assets as of September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014.
Trust Units
As described in Note 1, each holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim will retain a contingent right to receive, on a pro rata basis, additional shares of New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants (if and to the extent such shares of New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants are not required for the satisfaction of previously Disputed General Unsecured Claims or liquidation for the payment of the expenses or tax liabilities of the GUC Trust) and certain cash, if any, remaining at the dissolution of the GUC Trust. The GUC Trust issues units representing such contingent rights (GUC Trust Units) at the rate of one GUC Trust Unit per $1,000 of Allowed General Unsecured Claims to each holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim, subject to rounding pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement, in connection with the initial recognition of each Allowed General Unsecured Claim.
The GUC Trust makes quarterly liquidating distributions to holders of GUC Trust Units to the extent that (i)(a) certain previously Disputed General Unsecured Claims asserted against the Debtors estates are either disallowed or are otherwise resolved favorably to the GUC Trust (thereby reducing the amount of GUC Trust assets reserved for distribution in respect of such asserted claims) or (b) certain Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets (as defined in the GUC Trust Agreement) that were previously set aside from
9
distribution are released in the manner permitted under the GUC Trust Agreement, and (ii) as a result of the foregoing, the amount of Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets (as defined in the GUC Trust Agreement) as of the end of the relevant quarter exceeds thresholds set forth in the GUC Trust Agreement.
The following presents the changes during the three months ended September 30, 2014 in the number of GUC Trust Units outstanding or for which the GUC Trust was obligated to issue:
Trust Units | ||||
Outstanding or issuable at June 30, 2014 |
31,853,702 | |||
Issued during the period |
| |||
Less: Issuable at beginning of period (1) |
| |||
Add: Issuable at end of period (1) |
| |||
|
|
|||
Outstanding or issuable at September 30, 2014 (2) |
31,853,702 | |||
|
|
(1) | The number of GUC Trust Units issuable at any time represents GUC Trust Units issuable in respect of Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were newly allowed during the fiscal quarter. |
(2) | The number of GUC Trust Units outstanding at any time represents GUC Trust Units issued in respect of Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were allowed in prior periods, including GUC Trust Units held by the GUC Trust for the benefit of (a) holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims who had not yet supplied information required by the GUC Trust in order to effect the initial distribution to which they are entitled and (b) governmental entities that are precluded by applicable law from receiving distributions of GUC Trust Units and New GM Securities. |
Allowed and Disputed Claims
The total cumulative pro rata liquidating distributions ultimately received by Trust Beneficiaries is dependent upon the current amount of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and final resolution of outstanding Disputed General Unsecured Claims and potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims (as described in Note 2). Disputed General Unsecured Claims at September 30, 2014 reflect claim amounts at their originally filed amounts, a court ordered distribution set aside for certain claims filed without a claim amount and other adjustments as ordered by the court or permitted by the Plan. The Disputed General Unsecured Claims may settle at amounts that differ significantly from these amounts and at amounts that differ significantly from the historical pattern at which claims have been settled and allowed in proportion to claims resolved and disallowed. As described in Note 1, prior to the resolution and allowance of Disputed General Unsecured Claims (or potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims), liabilities are not recorded for the conditional obligations associated with Disputed General Unsecured Claims. Liquidating distributions payable are recorded (at the fair value of New GM Securities to be distributed) as of the end of the period in which the Disputed General Unsecured Claims are resolved as Allowed General Unsecured Claims. Similarly, to the extent potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims were to arise (and would become allowed) in the manner described in Note 2, liquidating distributions payable would be recorded for the New GM Securities (at fair value) that would become distributable to holders of Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims upon such occurrence.
The following table presents a summary of the Allowed and Disputed General Unsecured Claims and potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims for the three months ended September 30, 2014:
(in thousands) | Allowed General Unsecured Claims |
Disputed General Unsecured Claims |
Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims |
Maximum Amount of Unresolved Claims (1) |
Total Claim Amount (2) |
|||||||||||||||
Total, June 30, 2014 |
$ | 31,853,630 | $ | 79,500 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,579,500 | $ | 33,433,130 | ||||||||||
New Allowed General Unsecured Claims, net |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Disputed General Unsecured Claims resolved or disallowed |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total, September 30, 2014 |
$ | 31,853,630 | $ | 79,500 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,579,500 | $ | 33,433,130 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Maximum Amount of Unresolved Claims represents the sum of Disputed General Unsecured Claims and Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims. |
(2) | Total Claim Amount represents the sum of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and Maximum Amount of Unresolved Claims. |
10
4. | Liquidating Distributions |
Liquidating distributions in the three months ended September 30, 2014 consisted of the following:
(in thousands) | Fair Value | |||
Distributions during the three months ended September 30, 2014 |
$ | 137 | ||
Less: Liquidating distributions payable at June 30, 2014 |
(48,978 | ) | ||
Add: Liquidating distributions payable at September 30, 2014 |
248,763 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 199,922 | ||
|
|
Liquidating distributions during the six months ended September 30, 2014, consisted of the following:
(in thousands) | Fair Value | |||
Distributions during the six months ended September 30, 2014 |
$ | 3,548 | ||
Less: Liquidating distributions payable at March 31, 2014 |
(42,111 | ) | ||
Add: Liquidating distributions payable at September 30, 2014 |
248,763 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 210,200 | ||
|
|
The distributions during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 consisted solely of distributions to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims who previously failed to fulfill informational requirements for distribution established in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement, but subsequently successfully fulfilled such information requirements.
The GUC Trust was obligated at September 30, 2014 to distribute 3,749,598 shares of New GM Stock, 3,408,618 of New GM Series A Warrants, and 3,408,618 of New GM Series B Warrants in the aggregate to the following: (1) holders of GUC Trust Units for excess distributions payable and (2) certain holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims who had not yet satisfied certain informational requirements necessary to receive these securities. In addition, as of September 30, 2014, cash of $3.4 million was then distributable as follows: (a) for Dividend Cash associated with the New GM Common Stock that the GUC Trust was obligated to distribute at September 30, 2014, (b) to governmental entities which are precluded by applicable law from receiving distributions of New GM Securities, and (c) for distributions in lieu of fractional shares and warrants.
5. | Holdings of New GM Securities |
At September 30, 2014, the Holdings of New GM Securities, at fair value, consisted of the following:
Number | Fair Value (in thousands) |
|||||||
New GM Common Stock |
15,247,286 | $ | 486,998 | |||||
New GM Series A Warrants |
13,860,926 | 310,207 | ||||||
New GM Series B Warrants |
13,860,926 | 200,435 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 997,640 | ||||||
|
|
As described in Note 4, as of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust had accrued liquidating distributions payable aggregating $248.8 million, consisting of $245.4 million in respect of New GM Securities and cash of $3.4 million then distributable. As a result, the numbers of New GM Securities reflected above include shares and warrants for which liquidating distributions were then pending. As of September 30, 2014, these securities for which distributions were then pending aggregated 3,749,598 shares of New GM Common Stock, 3,408,618 Series A Warrants and 3,408,618 Series B Warrants.
As of September 30, 2014, the number of common stock shares and warrants in the table above also includes New GM Securities aggregating $59.0 million (excluding related Dividend Cash) reserved, or set aside, for projected GUC Trust fees, costs and expenses to be incurred beyond 2014 (including $5.7 million for projected Dividend Taxes) and $247.8 million (excluding related Dividend Cash) of New GM Securities reserved, or set aside, for potential Taxes on Distribution. As a result, as of September 30, 2014, the numbers of New GM Securities in the table above include an aggregate of 4,687,818 shares of New GM Common Stock, 4,261,628 New GM Series A Warrants, and 4,261,628 New GM Series B Warrants which have been so set aside.
Set forth below are the aggregate number and fair value of all such shares and warrants which are pending distribution, or are set aside and are not available for distribution at September 30, 2014.
11
Number | Fair Value (in thousands) |
|||||||
New GM Common Stock |
8,437,416 | $ | 269,491 | |||||
New GM Series A Warrants |
7,670,246 | 171,660 | ||||||
New GM Series B Warrants |
7,670,246 | 110,915 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 552,066 | ||||||
|
|
6. | Fair Value Measurements |
Accounting standards require certain assets and liabilities be reported at fair value in the financial statements and provide a framework for establishing that fair value. The framework for determining fair value is based on a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The GUC Trusts Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities, Holdings of New GM Securities and Liquidating Distributions Payable are presented as provided by this hierarchy.
Level 1In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the GUC Trust has the ability to access.
Level 2Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability. These Level 3 fair value measurements are based primarily on managements own estimates using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques taking into account the characteristics of the asset or liability. The GUC Trust had no assets or liabilities that are measured with Level 3 inputs at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014.
In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. The GUC Trusts assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset or liability.
The GUC Trust also holds other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities. The fair value of these liabilities approximates the carrying amounts in the accompanying financial statements due to the short maturity of such instruments.
The following table presents information about the GUC Trusts assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, and the valuation techniques used by the GUC Trust to determine those fair values.
September 30, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash Equivalents: |
||||||||||||||||
Money market funds |
$ | 13,073 | $ | | $ | | $ | 13,073 | ||||||||
Marketable Securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Municipal commercial paper and demand notes |
| 12,886 | | 12,886 | ||||||||||||
Corporate commercial paper |
| 22,277 | | 22,277 | ||||||||||||
Holdings of New GM Securities: |
||||||||||||||||
New GM Common Stock |
486,998 | | | 486,998 | ||||||||||||
New GM Warrants |
510,642 | | | 510,642 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 1,010,713 | $ | 35,163 | $ | | $ | 1,045,876 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Liquidating distributions payable |
$ | 248,763 | $ | | $ | | $ | 248,763 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
March 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash Equivalents: |
||||||||||||||||
Money market funds |
$ | 8,953 | $ | | $ | | $ | 8,953 | ||||||||
Marketable Securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Municipal commercial paper and demand notes |
| 18,005 | | 18,005 | ||||||||||||
Corporate commercial paper |
| 26,377 | | 26,377 | ||||||||||||
Holdings of New GM Securities: |
||||||||||||||||
New GM Common Stock |
526,533 | | | 526,533 | ||||||||||||
New GM Warrants |
587,545 | | | 587,545 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 1,123,031 | $ | 44,382 | $ | | $ | 1,167,413 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Liquidating distributions payable |
$ | 42,111 | $ | | $ | | $ | 42,111 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
| Due to its short-term, liquid nature, the fair value of cash equivalents approximates its carrying value. |
| Holdings of New GM Securities are valued at closing prices reported on the active market on which the securities are traded. |
| Marketable securities include municipal commercial paper and variable demand notes and corporate commercial paper. Municipal variable demand notes trade daily at par value and, therefore, their fair value is equal to par value. Due to their short term maturities, the fair value of municipal and corporate commercial paper approximates their carrying value. |
| Liquidating distributions payable are valued at closing prices of New GM Securities reported on the active market on which the securities are traded. |
The GUC Trusts policy is to recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the actual date of the event of change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no such transfers during the three or six months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended March 31, 2014.
7. | Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation and Residual Wind-Down Claims |
The following is a summary of the activity in the reserves for expected costs of liquidation for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
Three months ended September 30, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs |
Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs |
Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs |
Reserve for Avoidance Action Defense Costs |
Reserve for Residual Wind-Down Costs |
Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation |
||||||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2014 |
$ | 22,513 | $ | 10,483 | $ | 446 | $ | | $ | 1,238 | $ | 34,680 | ||||||||||||
Plus additions to reserves |
2,240 | 51 | | | | 2,291 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less liquidation costs incurred (net of reversals): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trust Professionals |
(1,801 | ) | (390 | ) | | | (4 | ) | (2,195 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Trust Governance |
(912 | ) | (450 | ) | (38 | ) | | | (1,400 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Administrative Expenses |
2 | (31 | ) | | | | (29 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2014 |
$ | 22,042 | $ | 9,663 | $ | 408 | $ | | $ | 1,234 | $ | 33,347 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
Six months ended September 30, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs |
Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs |
Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs |
Reserve for Avoidance Action Defense Costs |
Reserve for Residual Wind-Down Costs |
Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation |
||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2014 |
$ | 22,529 | $ | 12,235 | $ | 464 | $ | | $ | 1,258 | $ | 36,486 | ||||||||||||
Plus additions to (reductions in) reserves |
4,677 | (542 | ) | | | | 4,135 | |||||||||||||||||
Less liquidation costs incurred: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trust Professionals |
(3,327 | ) | (975 | ) | | | (24 | ) | (4,326 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Trust Governance |
(1,829 | ) | (903 | ) | (56 | ) | | | (2,788 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Administrative Expenses |
(8 | ) | (152 | ) | | | | (160 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2014 |
$ | 22,042 | $ | 9,663 | $ | 408 | $ | | $ | 1,234 | $ | 33,347 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs |
Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs |
Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs |
Reserve for Avoidance Action Defense Costs |
Reserve for Residual Wind-Down Costs |
Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation |
||||||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2013 |
$ | 33,594 | $ | 17,362 | $ | 491 | $ | 760 | $ | 1,394 | $ | 53,601 | ||||||||||||
Less reductions in reserves |
(4,204 | ) | (2,327 | ) | | | | (6,531 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Less liquidation costs incurred (net of reversals): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trust Professionals |
(1,878 | ) | (268 | ) | | (172 | ) | (109 | ) | (2,427 | ) | |||||||||||||
Trust Governance |
(1,031 | ) | (452 | ) | 3 | | | (1,480 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Other Administrative Expenses |
(13 | ) | (43 | ) | | | | (56 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2013 |
$ | 26,468 | $ | 14,272 | $ | 494 | $ | 588 | $ | 1,285 | $ | 43,107 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Six months ended September 30, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs |
Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs |
Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs |
Reserve for Avoidance Action Defense Costs |
Reserve for Residual Wind-Down Costs |
Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation |
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Balance, March 31, 2013 |
$ | 38,043 | $ | 20,442 | $ | 499 | $ | 898 | $ | 1,631 | $ | 61,513 | ||||||||||||
Less reductions in reserves |
(4,063 | ) | (4,146 | ) | | | | (8,209 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Less liquidation costs incurred: |
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Trust Professionals |
(5,482 | ) | (953 | ) | | (310 | ) | (346 | ) | (7,091 | ) | |||||||||||||
Trust Governance |
(2,004 | ) | (901 | ) | (5 | ) | | | (2,910 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Administrative Expenses |
(26 | ) | (170 | ) | | | | (196 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Balance, September 30, 2013 |
$ | 26,468 | $ | 14,272 | $ | 494 | $ | 588 | $ | 1,285 | $ | 43,107 | ||||||||||||
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During the three months ended September 30, 2014, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) increased by $2.2 million and $51,000, respectively. During the six months ended September 30, 2014, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) increased by $4.7 million and decreased by $0.5 million, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs (for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation) decreased by $4.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively. During the six months ended September 30, 2013, estimates of expected Wind-Down Costs and estimates of expected Reporting Costs each decreased by $4.1 million. Such revisions in the estimates were recorded as additions to (reductions in) the reserves for expected costs of liquidation in such periods. The GUC Trust has recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation that represent amounts expected to be incurred over the estimated remaining liquidation period of the GUC Trust for which there was a reasonable basis for estimation as of September 30, 2014.
The amount of liquidation costs that will ultimately be incurred depends both on that time period and on the extent of activities required for the GUC Trust to complete its functions and responsibilities under the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement. Significant
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uncertainty remains both as to that time period and as to the extent of those activities. As of September 30, 2014, the recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation reflect estimated costs for a remaining liquidation period extending through October 31, 2016, which has been estimated predominantly on a probability-weighted basis as permitted under U.S. GAAP and which the GUC Trust believes is the most appropriate measurement basis in the circumstances. Where an outcome is estimated to be likely, the likely outcome has been used as the best estimate and no weight has been given to the unlikely outcome. The remaining liquidation period is dependent predominantly on the estimate of the remaining period of time for resolution of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, as well as certain additional estimated time as necessary to wind down the GUC Trust. In addition, certain liquidation costs that are expected to be prepaid by the GUC Trust upon its dissolution have also been estimated and accrued. It is reasonably possible that the GUC Trusts estimates regarding the costs and remaining liquidation period could change in the near term.
The following is a summary of the activity in the reserves for Residual Wind-Down Claims for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
(in thousands) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
$ | 28,335 | $ | 29,692 | ||||
Less claims allowed during the period |
(916 | ) | (255 | ) | ||||
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Balance, end of period |
$ | 27,419 | $ | 29,437 | ||||
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The following is a summary of the activity in the reserves for Residual Wind-Down Claims for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
(in thousands) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
$ | 28,698 | $ | 30,855 | ||||
Less claims allowed during the period |
(1,279 | ) | (1,418 | ) | ||||
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Balance, end of period |
$ | 27,419 | $ | 29,437 | ||||
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8. | Income Tax Benefit |
The income tax benefit in the Condensed Statements of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was determined by computing the current and deferred tax provision or benefit for the interim periods using the GUC Trusts statutory tax rate of 39.6% that became effective on April 1, 2013. There was no current tax provision or benefit in any of such periods due to cumulative net operating and capital losses, and no income taxes have been paid by the GUC Trust.
The components of the income tax benefit in the Condensed Statements of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation for three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||
Current |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Deferred |
| 331,015 | | 164,845 | ||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | | $ | 331,015 | $ | | $ | 164,845 | ||||||||
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Deferred taxes in the accompanying condensed statement of net assets in liquidation at September 30, 2014 are comprised of the following components:
Deferred tax assets: |
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Reserves for expected costs of liquidation |
$ | 11,686 | ||
Net operating and capital loss carryovers |
106,473 | |||
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Gross deferred tax assets |
118,159 | |||
Less: Valuation allowance |
(112,469 | ) | ||
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Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance |
5,690 | |||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
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Fair value in excess of tax basis of holdings of New GM Securities |
(4,256 | ) | ||
Other |
(1,434 | ) | ||
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Gross deferred tax liabilities |
(5,690 | ) | ||
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Net deferred tax liability |
$ | | ||
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For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the GUC Trust filed its U.S. federal income tax returns taking the position that beneficial ownership for a substantial majority of New GM Securities transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust on March 31, 2011, and that the tax basis of such New GM Securities should be determined with reference to the value of such securities on such date instead of December 15, 2011, when record ownership of the remaining New GM Securities still held by MLC was transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust. For the remaining substantial minority of New GM Securities transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust, the GUC Trust determined that transfer of beneficial ownership occurred on other dates for which the tax basis should be determined by reference to the value of such securities on such dates. This new tax position resulted in an increased tax basis of the New GM Securities from the prior tax position and, therefore, reduced taxable gains and increased taxable losses on distributions and sales of New GM Securities since March 31, 2011. The GUC Trust believes, based on the available evidence and consultation with GUC Trust professionals, that it is more likely than not that the new tax position in the amounts reflected in the GUC Trusts income tax returns, will be sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service, based on the technical merits of the position. Although the GUC Trusts tax liability with respect to its federal income tax returns for the year ended March 31, 2014 and prior years are no longer subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of the application of Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, this new tax position, as of the date hereof, has not been sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Accordingly, remaining capital loss carryovers of $185.4 million as of March 31, 2014, from the new tax position, along with net operating loss carryovers of $84.5 million as of March 31, 2014, could be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service in subsequent years when those losses are utilized.
A full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets aggregating $112.5 million was established as of September 30, 2014 due to uncertainty as to whether the deferred tax assets are realizable. Such valuation allowance was increased by $71.6 million and $41.3 million from the full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets established as of June 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, respectively. A full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets of $103.9 million was also established during the three and six months ended September 30, 2013. Realization of the net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable gains upon the distribution or sale of New GM Securities in the future, which is not determinable prior to occurrence, or the receipt of future dividends on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust for which a reasonable basis for estimation does not exist at this time.
As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust has net operating loss carryforwards of $83.8 million and capital loss carryforwards of $185.1 million (resulting in a deferred tax asset of $106.5 million) after giving effect to the new tax position with respect to the tax basis of New GM Securities described above.
9. | Related Party Transactions |
In addition to serving as GUC Trust Administrator, Wilmington Trust Company continues to serve as trustee pursuant to the indentures for certain series of previously outstanding debt of MLC. Wilmington Trust Company has received and will continue to receive certain customary fees in amounts consistent with Wilmington Trust Companys standard rates for such service. The Bankruptcy Court previously approved the creation of a segregated fund for the purposes of funding such fees for Wilmington Trust Company, as well as the other indenture trustees and fiscal and paying agents for previously outstanding debt of MLC. There were no such fees for Wilmington Trust Company in the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
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In addition, Wilmington Trust Company has also entered into certain arrangements with the GUC Trust pursuant to which it or its affiliates have previously received, and may in the future receive, reasonable and customary fees and commissions for services other than services in the capacity of GUC Trust Administrator. Such arrangements include the provision of custodial, investment advisory and brokerage services to the GUC Trust. The fees and commissions charged by Wilmington Trust Company and its affiliates pursuant to these arrangements are consistent with the standard fees and commissions charged by Wilmington Trust Company to unrelated third-parties in negotiated transactions. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2014, the total amount of such fees and commissions was approximately $6,000 and $12,000, respectively. During the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2013, the total amount of such fees and commissions was approximately $19,000 and $37,000, respectively.
Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis |
The following addresses material changes in the net assets in liquidation of the Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust, or the GUC Trust, for its second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014. It is intended to be read in conjunction with the condensed financial statements of the GUC Trust included in Item 1 above, which we refer to as the financial statements. For additional information about the purpose and administrative operations of the GUC Trust, see the disclosure in the notes to the financial statements filed with this Form 10-Q and in the Form 10-K filed by the GUC Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2014. A glossary of defined terms used in this Form 10-Q is provided under the heading Glossary below.
Overview
The GUC Trust is a successor to Motors Liquidation Company (which dissolved on December 15, 2011), or MLC, for the purposes of Section 1145 of title 11 of the United States Code, or the Bankruptcy Code. The GUC Trust was initially formed on March 30, 2011, for the purposes of implementing the Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan, or the Plan, of MLC and its affiliated debtors-in-possession, or the Debtors, which was filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, or the Bankruptcy Court, on March 18, 2011. The Plan subsequently became effective on March 31, 2011, or the Effective Date, and, on April 18, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order granting the GUC Trusts request for entry of a final decree administratively closing each of the Debtors chapter 11 cases other than the chapter 11 case of MLC.
Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC Trust
The functions and responsibilities of the GUC Trust are governed by the Plan and the Amended and Restated Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2012, as subsequently amended, or the GUC Trust Agreement. The GUC Trust is administered by Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as trust administrator and trustee, or the GUC Trust Administrator. As set forth in the GUC Trust Agreement, the activities of the GUC Trust Administrator are overseen by FTI Consulting, Inc., solely in its capacity as trust monitor of the GUC Trust, or the GUC Trust Monitor. Although the GUC Trust has no officers, directors or employees, the GUC Trust Administrator is authorized by the GUC Trust Agreement to engage professionals and other service providers to assist the GUC Trust Administrator in the administration of the GUC Trust. Accordingly, the GUC Trust and GUC Trust Administrator rely on receiving accurate information, reports and other representations from such professionals and service providers and from the GUC Trust Monitor.
Among its other duties and obligations, the GUC Trust is obligated pursuant to the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement (i) to distribute the assets comprising the corpus of the GUC Trust to satisfy the general unsecured claims against the Debtors that are allowed pursuant to the Plan, or the Allowed General Unsecured Claims, (ii) to prosecute and resolve objections to the general unsecured claims against the Debtors that are disputed at a given time, or Disputed General Unsecured Claims, (iii) to take all necessary actions to administer the wind-down of the affairs of the Debtors, and (iv) to resolve and satisfy (to the extent allowed) the Residual Wind-Down Claims (as defined below) assumed by the GUC Trust.
Distributions and Distributable Assets of the GUC Trust
The principal assets comprising the corpus of the GUC Trust are (i) shares of common stock of General Motors Company, or the New GM Common Stock, and any associated Dividend Cash (as defined below) (ii) warrants to acquire shares of New GM Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, expiring July 10, 2016, or the New GM Series A Warrants, and (iii) warrants to acquire shares of New GM Common Stock at an exercise price of $18.33 per share, expiring July 10, 2019, or the New GM Series B Warrants. The New GM Series A Warrants and the New GM Series B Warrants are referred to collectively as the New GM Warrants, and the New GM Common Stock and the New GM Warrants are referred to collectively as the New GM Securities.
The Plan generally provides for the distribution of New GM Securities (and any associated Dividend Cash) to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims pro rata by the amount of such claims. In that regard, the Plan provides that each holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim will obtain, in addition to an initial distribution of New GM Securities (and any associated
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Dividend Cash) in such numbers as described below, a contingent right to receive, on a pro rata basis, additional shares of New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants (only if and to the extent such New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants are not required to satisfy new Allowed General Unsecured Claims or to fund the liquidation and administrative costs or income tax liabilities of the GUC Trust) and cash, if any, available for distribution to the holders of such rights. Such rights are represented by units of beneficial interests in the GUC Trust, or GUC Trust Units, distributed to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims in proportion to the amount of their claims, subject to certain rounding rules set forth in the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement.
As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust has received dividends on the New GM Common Stock it held as of the respective record dates of $0.30 per share (each quarter) aggregating approximately $13.7 million. New GM has also declared a dividend of $0.30 per share to holders of New GM Common Stock of record as of December 10, 2014. Such dividends and any future declared dividends on New GM Common Stock are required to be applied to the same purpose as the New GM Common Stock to which such dividends relate. If shares of New GM Common Stock are distributed to holders of subsequently allowed Disputed General Unsecured Claims (including Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims) and GUC Trust Units, then the dividends relating to those shares will also be distributed to such holders. If, however, shares of New GM Common Stock are sold by the GUC Trust in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement to fund the costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, then, in that case, the dividends relating to those shares will be applied to such costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust and (just like the cash proceeds from the sale of the shares of New GM Common Stock) will be maintained in Other Administrative Cash (as defined below under the heading Funding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs). Because such dividends are applied to the same purpose as the New GM Common Stock, references in this Form 10-Q to New GM Common Stock and New GM Securities that have been set aside from distribution, reserved or sold should be understood to include the dividends (if any) relating to such New GM Common Stock, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the GUC Trust that relates to dividends received by the GUC Trust on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust is referred to as Dividend Cash.
Pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement, the GUC Trust is required to make quarterly distributions to the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were allowed during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. Under the terms of the Plan, and subject to rounding under the Plan, the GUC Trust Agreement and the rules of applicable clearing system, each $1,000 in amount of such new Allowed General Unsecured Claims is currently entitled to receive (upon delivery of any information required by the GUC Trust) an initial distribution of 4.19 shares of New GM Common Stock, 3.81 New GM Series A Warrants and 3.81 New GM Series B Warrants, as well as one GUC Trust Unit. Such initial distribution includes a pro rata share of New GM Securities that have been distributed as Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets (as defined below) in respect of GUC Trust Units since the Effective Date of the Plan. Quarterly distributions are made to holders of newly Allowed General Unsecured Claims as promptly as practicable after the first day of the fiscal quarter following the periods ending each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, during the life of the GUC Trust.
In addition to the foregoing, the GUC Trust is required to make quarterly distributions in respect of GUC Trust Units if Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets at the end of the preceding fiscal quarter exceed certain thresholds set forth in the Trust Agreement. Such distributions in respect of GUC Trust Units, if any, are made as promptly as practicable after the periods ending each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets means (i) New GM Securities (only if and to the extent such New GM Securities (a) are not required for the satisfaction of new Allowed General Unsecured Claims and (b) have not been set aside from distribution to fund potential liquidation and administrative costs or income tax liabilities of the GUC Trust (as described below under Net Assets in LiquidationNew GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution), (ii) Dividend Cash associated with such New GM Securities, and (iii) Other Administrative Cash available, if any, for distribution to the holders of GUC Trust Units.
Funding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs
As of the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan, MLC funded approximately $52.7 million in cash to the GUC Trust, or the Administrative Fund, to be held and maintained by the GUC Trust Administrator for the purpose of paying certain fees and expenses incurred by the GUC Trust (including the fees of the GUC Trust Administrator and the GUC Trust Monitor, the fees and expenses of other professionals retained by the GUC Trust, and certain tax obligations), which are referred to as the Wind-Down Costs. The United States Department of the Treasury and the Governments of Canada and Ontario (through Export Development Canada), which are referred to collectively as the DIP Lenders, maintain a lien on the Administrative Fund which relates to certain funds advanced at the commencement of the Debtors insolvency proceedings. Consequently, pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement, any cash or investments from the Administrative Fund which remain at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust must be returned to the DIP Lenders. As of September 30, 2014, approximately $9.4 million remained in the Administrative Fund and is recorded in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Of that amount, approximately $8.2 million has been separately designated for the satisfaction of certain identified costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, and such amounts may not be used for the payment of other Wind-Down Costs. The remaining $1.2 million of the Administrative Fund is available for other Wind-Down Costs (principally the payment of GUC Trust professionals), which funds must be exhausted prior to the use of any Other Administrative Cash for such purposes. As described above, any cash or investments in the Administrative Fund that remain at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust must be returned to the DIP Lenders.
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The GUC Trust Agreement provides that the Administrative Fund may not be utilized to fund certain specified costs, fees and expenses, which are referred to as Reporting Costs, including those directly or indirectly relating to (i) reports to be prepared and filed by the GUC Trust pursuant to applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, (ii) the transfer, registration for transfer and certification of GUC Trust Units, (iii) the application by the Committee to the Internal Revenue Service for a private letter ruling regarding the tax treatment of the GUC Trust and the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims in respect to the distribution of New GM Securities, which is discussed in more detail below under the heading Income Tax Liabilities for Certain Capital Gains and Dividends on New GM Common Stock, and (iv) certain legal proceedings relating to the Term Loan Avoidance Action. In addition, the Administrative Fund cannot be used to fund any current or projected tax liabilities of the GUC Trust, other than those included in the Administrative Fund budget. However, the GUC Trust Agreement does provide the GUC Trust Administrator with the authority to set aside from distribution and sell New GM Securities to fund such Reporting Costs and projected tax liabilities (other than those included in the budget), with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and/or the GUC Trust Monitor, in each case as described below.
The GUC Trust Agreement affords the GUC Trust Administrator, with the approval of the GUC Trust Monitor, the authority to set aside from distribution New GM Securities in numbers sufficient to satisfy (i) any current or projected Wind-Down Costs of the GUC Trust that exceed the amounts budgeted or were not budgeted in the Administrative Fund, including federal income taxes incurred in respect of dividends received by the GUC Trust on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust, which are referred to as Dividend Taxes, (ii) any current or projected Reporting Costs that exceed the then currently available funds, or (iii) any current or projected Taxes on Distribution (as defined below). This process is not related to, and is separate from, the process of recognizing current and deferred income tax liabilities, as well as reserves for expected costs of liquidation in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation as a matter of financial reporting, which is only required for expected costs of liquidation for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation under applicable accounting standards. See Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesReserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation and Income Taxes below.
The GUC Trust Administrator may liquidate New GM Securities that have been set aside from distribution to fund (with the required approval of the Bankruptcy Court) the current or projected Wind-Down Costs (including Dividend Taxes) or Reporting Costs of the GUC Trust and (with the required approval of only the GUC Trust Monitor) current and projected Taxes on Distribution of the GUC Trust. The cash proceeds of such sales, and the marketable securities in which such cash proceeds are invested, are referred to as Other Administrative Cash. Pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement, any cash or marketable securities constituting Other Administrative Cash that remain at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust will be distributed to the holders of GUC Trust Units. The Bankruptcy Court has previously, in March 2012, and again in December 2012, approved the sale of New GM Securities to fund certain accrued and projected Wind-Down Costs which were in excess of the amounts budgeted in the Administrative Fund for such costs, and certain projected Reporting Costs. During the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, sales of New GM Securities to fund such Wind-Down Costs and Reporting Costs aggregated approximately $50.2 million, including approximately $5.7 million expressly authorized by the GUC Trust Agreement to be liquidated shortly after the Effective Date for the purposes of funding certain Reporting Costs, which is referred to as the Initial Reporting Cash, and no such sales have subsequently occurred. As of September 30, 2014, approximately $9.7 million remained in Other Administrative Cash and was recorded in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities in the Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation as of September 30, 2014.
Residual Wind-Down Claims
In addition to resolving Disputed General Unsecured Claims, the GUC Trust Administrator is required to resolve and satisfy (to the extent allowed) certain disputed administrative expenses, priority tax claims, priority non-tax claims, and secured claims against the Debtors, or the Residual Wind-Down Claims. Upon the dissolution and winding up of MLC on December 15, 2011, or the Dissolution Date, the GUC Trust assumed responsibility for the resolution and satisfaction (to the extent allowed) of such Residual Wind-Down Claims. At that time, MLC transferred to the GUC Trust assets, or the Residual Wind-Down Assets, in an amount sufficient, based upon the Debtors reasonable estimates, to satisfy the residual Wind-Down Claims and the costs, fees and expenses related to satisfying and resolving the Residual Wind-Down Claims, or the Residual Wind-Down Costs. The Residual Wind-Down Assets so transferred approximated $42.8 million consisting of approximately $40.0 million in cash (including approximately $1.4 million for the payment of certain defense costs related to the Term Loan Avoidance Action, or Avoidance Action Defense Costs) and the transferred benefit of approximately $2.8 million in prepaid expenses. As of September 30, 2014, the amount of Avoidance Action Defense Costs incurred to date exceeds the corresponding cash received by the GUC Trust from MLC on the Dissolution Date by approximately $2.0 million. As a result, new Residual Wind-Down Claims have arisen in the amount of such excess. The Term Loan Avoidance Action is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and it is expected that additional Avoidance Action Defense Costs will be incurred for which additional Residual Wind-Down Claims will arise, to be paid from the remaining Residual Wind-Down Assets and, following the depletion of such assets, the Administrative Fund (to the extent of any excess amounts remaining in the Administrative Fund from the funds separately designated for the satisfaction of certain costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust), Other Administrative Cash or the sale of New GM Securities.
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Pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement and the Plan, the Residual Wind-Down Assets are to be administered in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement and Plan and are to be used to satisfy and resolve the Residual Wind-Down Claims and to fund the Residual Wind-Down Costs and certain Avoidance Action Defense Costs. Any unused portions of the Residual Wind-Down Assets must be returned to the DIP Lenders and will not be available for distribution to the holders of GUC Trust Units at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust. If, collectively, the actual amounts of Residual Wind-Down Claims allowed (including Avoidance Action Defense Costs in excess of the corresponding cash of $1.4 million received by the GUC Trust from MLC on the Dissolution Date) and the Residual Wind-Down Costs exceed the Residual Wind-Down Assets, the GUC Trust Administrator may be required to set aside from distribution and sell additional New GM Securities to fund the shortfall. Any such sale of securities would reduce the numbers of New GM Securities available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units.
As of September 30, 2014, Residual Wind-Down Assets aggregating $30.3 million were held by the GUC Trust and were recorded in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities (aggregating approximately $30.1 million) and other assets and deposits (approximately $0.2 million) in the Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation as of September 30, 2014. A corresponding amount in the aggregate is recorded in the reserve for Residual Wind-Down Claims, reserves for expected costs of liquidation and accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation as of September 30, 2014. By comparison, there were approximately $1.7 million in Residual Wind-Down Claims against such assets as of September 30, 2014, subject to increase for new Residual Wind-Down Claims that are expected to arise with respect to Avoidance Action Defense Costs.
Other Assets Received from MLC on the Dissolution Date
In addition to the Residual Wind-Down Assets, the GUC Trust also received on the Dissolution Date approximately $3.4 million in cash from MLC, which amount included: (i) approximately $2.0 million designated for Reporting Costs and (ii) approximately $1.4 million designated for reimbursements to indenture trustees and fiscal and paying agents under the Debtors prepetition debt issuances for costs associated with, among other things, administering distributions to registered holders of the debtors prepetition debt issuances, or Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agents Costs. Any unused portion of such funds designated for Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agents Costs must be returned to the DIP Lenders and will not be available for distribution to the holders of GUC Trust Units at the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust. As of September 30, 2014, funds designated for the Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agents Costs of $0.4 million were held by the GUC Trust and are recorded in cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation as of September 30, 2014. A corresponding amount was recorded in the reserves for expected costs of liquidation in the Condensed Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation as of September 30, 2014. None of the approximately $2.0 million in funds designated for Reporting Costs remained as of September 30, 2014.
Income Tax Liabilities for Certain Capital Gains and Dividends on New GM Common Stock
Upon the dissolution and winding up of MLC on the Dissolution Date, record ownership of all undistributed New GM Securities was transferred to the GUC Trust. Using the value of the New GM Securities as of that date, the tax basis per share or warrant of the New GM Securities on the Dissolution Date was $19.87 for the New GM Common Stock, $11.38 for the New GM Series A Warrants and $7.88 for the New GM Series B Warrants. Prior to the year ended March 31, 2013, such tax basis was used in the Companys U.S. federal income tax return to determine the taxable gain or loss on the disposition of New GM Securities since their transfer. For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the GUC Trust has filed its U.S. federal income tax returns taking the position that beneficial ownership for a substantial majority of New GM Securities transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust on March 31, 2011, and that the tax basis of such New GM Securities should be determined with reference to the value of such securities on such date instead of December 15, 2011, when record ownership of the remaining New GM Securities still held by MLC was transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust. For the remaining substantial minority of New GM Securities transferred from MLC to the GUC Trust, the GUC Trust determined that transfer of beneficial ownership occurred on other dates for which the tax basis should be determined by reference to the value of such securities on such dates. This new tax position resulted in an increased tax basis of the New GM Securities from the prior tax position and, therefore, reduced taxable gains and increased taxable losses on distributions and sales of New GM Securities since March 31, 2011. The GUC Trust believes, based on the available evidence and consultation with GUC Trust professionals, that it is more likely than not that the new tax position in the amounts reflected in the GUC Trusts income tax returns, will be sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service, based on the technical merits of the position. Although the GUC Trusts tax liability in respect of its federal income tax returns for the year ended March 31, 2014 and prior years are no longer subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of the application of Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, this new tax position, as of the date hereof, has not been sustained on examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Accordingly, remaining capital loss carryovers of $185.4 million as of March 31, 2014, from the new tax position, along with net operating loss carryovers of $84.5 million as of March 31, 2014, could be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service in subsequent years when those losses are utilized.
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The GUC Trust incurs income tax liabilities on any net capital gains realized upon the disposition of New GM Securities to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims or GUC Trust Units or by the sale of New GM Securities (unless such net capital gains are offset by deductible operating losses), which are referred to as Taxes on Distribution. The GUC Trust also incurs income tax liabilities on interest income and dividends received on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust (such income tax liabilities on dividends received on New GM Common Stock are referred to as Dividend Taxes). The GUC Trust records any current taxes payable from such realized gains (net of accumulated capital and net operating losses) and interest income and dividends (net of deductible expenses and accumulated net operating losses) and a deferred tax liability at the end of each quarter for all of the New GM Securities that it then holds, where the market prices of such New GM Securities exceed their tax basis. Where the market prices of the New GM Securities held at quarter end are less than their tax basis, a deferred tax asset with a corresponding valuation allowance is recorded, resulting in no net deferred tax asset at such quarter end. A full valuation allowance is recorded under such circumstances, because realization of the deferred tax asset is uncertain (in that it is dependent upon the generation of taxable gains upon the sale or distribution of New GM Securities in the future, which is not determinable prior to occurrence, or upon the receipt of future dividends on the GUC Trusts holdings of New GM Common Stock, for which a reasonable basis for estimation does not exist at this time). Because the amount of any deferred tax liability recorded at any quarter end is largely dependent upon the market prices of the New GM Securities held at such quarter end, fluctuations in such market prices will result in fluctuations in the deferred tax liability recorded in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation and in the income tax provision or benefit recorded in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation for such quarter. See Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesIncome Taxes below.
Term Loan Avoidance Action
On July 31, 2009, the Committee commenced a legal action against certain prepetition lenders of the Debtors, styled as Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Motors Liquidation Co. v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. et al. (Adv. Pro. No. 09-00504 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. July 31, 2009)), which is referred to as the Term Loan Avoidance Action. The Term Loan Avoidance Action seeks the return of approximately $1.5 billion that had been transferred to a consortium of prepetition lenders of the Debtors, pursuant to the court order approving the debtor-in-possession loans made by the DIP Lenders to MLC. On the Dissolution Date, the Term Loan Avoidance Action was transferred to a trust established for the purpose of holding and prosecuting the Term Loan Avoidance Action, or the Avoidance Action Trust. The rights to substantially all of the recoveries on the Term Loan Avoidance Action through the Avoidance Action Trust, if any, are currently under dispute, with both the DIP Lenders and the Committee, on behalf of the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims, claiming to be the proper beneficiaries of such proceeds. If the DIP Lenders are deemed to be proper beneficiaries of the proceeds of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, then the bulk of any amounts reclaimed from prepetition lenders will be distributed to the DIP Lenders; and if the Committee, on behalf of the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims, are deemed to be proper beneficiaries of the proceeds of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, then the bulk of any amounts reclaimed from prepetition lenders will be distributed directly to the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of such proceedings, pursuant to the Plan no amounts reclaimed from the prepetition lenders will be transferred to the GUC Trust, and no such amounts will be distributed to holders of GUC Trust Units in respect of such GUC Trust Units.
If Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as the trustee and trust administrator of the Avoidance Action Trust, which is referred to as the Avoidance Action Trust Administrator, is successful in its prosecution of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, any amounts recovered by the Avoidance Action Trust will, pursuant to the Plan, give rise to Allowed General Unsecured Claims on behalf of the prepetition lenders from which such amounts were recovered (as beneficiaries of the GUC Trust), which we also refer to as Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims. (As used in this Form 10-Q, the amounts of Disputed General Unsecured Claims do not include any potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims.) Unless and until Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims arise, the potential holders of such claims will not be entitled to receive a distribution from the GUC Trust. However, if and to the extent that such Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims do arise, the holders of such claims will be entitled to receive a distribution from the GUC Trust. As noted above, pursuant to the Plan no funds reclaimed from the prepetition lenders will be transferred to the GUC Trust or be distributed to holders of GUC Trust Units in respect of such GUC Trust Units. Accordingly, in the event of the successful prosecution of the Term Loan Avoidance Action by the Avoidance Action Trust, a holder of a GUC Trust Unit that does not hold a corresponding Allowed General Unsecured Claim (because such holder received the GUC Trust Unit as a subsequent transferee and not in a direct distribution from the GUC Trust in satisfaction of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim) will potentially have its recovery diluted through the incurrence of Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims by the GUC Trust, without receiving the benefit of any cash recovered pursuant to the Term Loan Avoidance Action. Moreover, because the ownership of the beneficial interests in the Avoidance Action Trust is currently under dispute, even a holder of a GUC Trust Unit that also holds a corresponding Allowed General Unsecured Claim may not benefit from any funds recovered under the Term Loan Avoidance Action.
Pursuant to the Plan, the GUC Trust is obligated to satisfy Avoidance Action Defense Costs, subject to the right of the GUC Trust to seek disgorgement in accordance with the terms of the Plan. As described under the heading Residual Wind-Down Claims above, the amount of Avoidance Action Defense Costs incurred to date exceeds the amount of Residual Wind-Down Assets received from MLC which was designated for this purpose by approximately $2.0 million. As a result, new Residual Wind-Down Claims have arisen in the amount of such excess. The Term Loan Avoidance Action is currently pending before the U.S. Court of
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Appeals for the Second Circuit, and it is expected that additional Avoidance Action Defense Costs will be incurred for which additional Residual Wind-Down Claims will arise, to be paid from the other remaining Residual Wind-Down Assets and, following the depletion of such assets, the Administrative Fund (to the extent of any excess amounts remaining in the Administrative Fund from the funds separately designated for the satisfaction of certain costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust), Other Administrative Cash or the sale of New GM Securities.
Recent Trading Prices of New GM Securities
As described above, the principal assets comprising the corpus of the GUC Trust are shares of the New GM Common Stock and the New GM Series A Warrants and New GM Series B Warrants to purchase such common stock. As a result, fluctuations in the market value of the New GM Common Stock (and related fluctuation in market value of the New GM Warrants) will increase or reduce the GUC Trusts net assets in liquidation accordingly. In addition, fluctuations in the market value of the New GM Securities in relation to the tax basis of such securities will affect the amount of net deferred tax liabilities, if any, that are recorded in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation. See Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustIncome Tax Liabilities for Certain Capital Gains and Dividends on New GM Common Stock above.
The New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As of September 30, 2014, the closing trading price of shares of New GM Common Stock was $31.94 (as compared to $36.30 as of June 30, 2014 and $34.42 as of March 31, 2014); the closing trading price of New GM Series A Warrants was $22.38 (as compared to $26.61 as of June 30, 2014 and $24.84 as of March 31, 2014); and the closing trading price of New GM Series B Warrants was $14.4604 (as compared to $18.56 as of June 30, 2014 and $17.41 as of March 31, 2014), in each case as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P. The GUC Trust Units are not listed on any securities exchange.
The following table shows the intraday high and low trading prices of the New GM Common Stock for each of the previous four fiscal quarters, as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.:
Fiscal Quarter |
High | Low | ||
Ended December 31, 2013 |
$41.85 | $33.92 | ||
Ended March 31, 2014 |
$41.0599 | $33.573 | ||
Ended June 30, 2014 |
$37.18 | $31.70 | ||
Ended September 30, 2014 |
$38.15 | $31.67 |
The following table shows the intraday high and low trading prices of the New GM Series A Warrants for each of the previous four fiscal quarters, as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.:
Fiscal Quarter |
High | Low | ||
Ended December 31, 2013 |
$32.0999 | $24.64 | ||
Ended March 31, 2014 |
$31.31 | $24.30 | ||
Ended June 30, 2014 |
$27.33 | $22.33 | ||
Ended September 30, 2014 |
$28.48 | $22.09 |
The following table shows the intraday high and low trading prices of the New GM Series B Warrants for each of the previous four fiscal quarters, as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.:
Fiscal Quarter |
High | Low | ||
Ended December 31, 2013 |
$24.09 | $17.00 | ||
Ended March 31, 2014 |
$23.2916 | $16.59 | ||
Ended June 30, 2014 |
$19.25 | $14.80 | ||
Ended September 30, 2014 |
$20.19 | $14.25 |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Liquidation Basis of Accounting
The GUC Trust was created for the purposes described in Note 1 (Description of Trust and Reporting Policies) to the financial statements and has a finite life. As a result, the GUC Trust has prepared its financial statements on the liquidation basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Under the liquidation basis
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of accounting as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, assets are stated at their estimated net realizable value, which is the non-discounted amount of cash into which an asset is expected to be converted during liquidation, while liabilities continue to be recognized at the amount required by other U.S. GAAP, and are not remeasured to reflect any anticipation that an entity will be legally released from an obligation. Additionally, under the liquidation basis of accounting, a reserve is established for estimated costs expected to be incurred during liquidation. Such costs are accrued when there is a reasonable basis for estimation. As described below under the heading New Accounting Standard, beginning in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, an accrual is made for estimated income or cash expected to be received over the liquidation period to the extent that a reasonable basis for estimation exists. These estimates are periodically reviewed and adjusted as appropriate. As described below under the headings Holdings of New GM Securities and Dividends Received on New GM Common Stock and Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation, it is reasonably possible that estimates for such accrued dividends and expected costs of liquidation could change in the near term.
The valuation of assets at net realizable value, reserves for Residual Wind-Down Claims, reserves for expected liquidation costs and accrual for dividends expected to be received on the GUC Trusts holdings of New GM Common Stock represent estimates, based on present facts and circumstances known to the GUC Trust Administrator, and are subject to change.
As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the GUC Trust beneficiaries are future holders and, to the extent their liquidating distributions have not yet been paid to them, current holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and future and current holders of GUC Trust Units. As Disputed General Unsecured Claims are resolved and allowed and thereby become Allowed General Unsecured Claims, the holders thereof become entitled to receive liquidating distributions of New GM Securities (including the related Dividend Cash) and GUC Trust Units pro rata by the amount of such Claims and, upon such occurrence, the GUC Trust incurs an obligation to distribute such securities. Accordingly, liquidating distributions payable are recorded (at the fair value of such New GM Securities) as of the end of the period in which the Disputed General Unsecured Claims are resolved as Allowed General Unsecured Claims. Similarly, to the extent potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims were to arise (and would become allowed) in the manner described in Note 2 to the financial statements, liquidating distributions payable would be recorded for the New GM Securities (at fair value), along with the related Dividend Cash, that would become distributable to holders of Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims upon such occurrence. Prior to the resolution and allowance of Disputed General Unsecured Claims (or potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims), liabilities are not recorded for the conditional obligations associated with Disputed General Unsecured Claims (or potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims). Rather, the beneficial interests of GUC Trust beneficiaries in the residual assets of the GUC Trust are reflected in Net Assets in Liquidation of the GUC Trust in the financial statements.
Under the liquidation basis of accounting, the GUC Trust presents two principal financial statements: a Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation and a Statement of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation. In addition, although not required under the liquidation basis of accounting, the GUC Trust also presents a Statement of Cash Flows, in accordance with the requirements of the GUC Trust Agreement.
Holdings of New GM Securities and Dividends Received on New GM Common Stock
Holdings of New GM Securities represent the GUC Trusts holdings of New GM Securities held for future distribution in respect of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and the GUC Trust Units, and include amounts set aside from distribution to fund potential administrative costs and income tax liabilities (including both Dividend Taxes and Taxes on Distribution) as described below under Net Assets in LiquidationNew GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution. The securities held consist of shares of New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants. The GUC Trust has valued its holdings in the securities at their fair value based on quoted closing market prices as of the last trading day of the fiscal period.
Beginning in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, estimated dividends expected to be received on holdings of New GM Common Stock are accrued under the liquidation basis of accounting to the extent that a reasonable basis for estimation exists. As of September 30, 2014, dividends of approximately $3.5 million have been accrued relating to dividends of $0.30 per share declared by New GM in October 2014 payable to common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2014. No accrual has been made with respect to any additional dividends that may be declared by New GM in the future, because the GUC Trust believes that a reasonable basis for estimation of such potential dividends does not exist at this time. It is reasonably possible that the GUC Trusts estimates regarding potential dividends for which there is a reasonable basis of estimation could change in the near term. Prior to the quarter ended June 30, 2014, dividends were recorded as received (or accrued as of the record date for any declared but unpaid dividend).
Such dividends and any additional declared dividends on New GM Common Stock are required to be applied to the same purpose as the New GM Common Stock to which such dividends relate. If shares of New GM Common Stock are distributed to holders of newly Allowed General Unsecured Claims (including Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims) and GUC Trust Units, then the dividends relating to those shares will also be distributed to such holders. If, however, shares of New GM Common Stock are sold by the GUC Trust in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement to fund the costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, then, in that case, the dividends relating to those shares would be applied to such costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust and (just like the cash proceeds from the sale of the shares of New GM Common Stock) would be maintained in Other Administrative Cash. Because such dividends are applied to the same purpose as the New GM Common Stock, references to New GM Common Stock and New GM Securities that
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have been set aside from distribution, reserved or sold should be understood to include the dividends (if any) relating to such New GM Common Stock, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the GUC Trust that relates to dividends received by the GUC Trust on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust is referred to as Dividend Cash.
Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of short term investments in corporate commercial paper and municipal government commercial paper and variable demand notes. The GUC Trust has valued these securities at fair value based on carrying value for municipal and corporate commercial paper where carrying value approximates fair value and par value for variable demand notes where par value equals fair value.
Reserves for Residual Wind-Down Claims and Residual Wind-Down Costs
Upon the dissolution of MLC, which occurred on December 15, 2011, the GUC Trust became responsible for resolving and satisfying (to the extent allowed) all remaining Residual Wind-Down Claims. On the date of dissolution of the Debtors, the Debtors transferred to the GUC Trust Residual Wind-Down Assets in an amount necessary to satisfy the ultimate allowed amount of such Residual Wind-Down Claims, the Residual Wind-Down Costs and certain Avoidance Action Defense Costs, as estimated by the Debtors. Should the Residual Wind-Down Costs and the Residual Wind-Down Claims be less than the Residual Wind-Down Assets, any excess funds will be returned to the DIP Lenders. If, collectively, the actual amounts of Residual Wind-Down Claims allowed, the Residual Wind-Down Costs and the Avoidance Action Defense Costs exceed the Residual Wind-Down Assets, the GUC Trust Administrator may be required to set aside from distribution and sell additional New GM Securities to fund the shortfall. Any such sale of securities would reduce the numbers of New GM Securities (and related Dividend Cash) available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units.
Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation
Under the liquidation basis of accounting, the GUC Trust is required to estimate and accrue the costs associated with implementing the Plan and distributing the GUC Trusts distributable assets. These costs, described as Wind-Down Costs and Reporting Costs in Note 2 (Plan of Liquidation) to the financial statements, consist principally of professional fees, costs of governance, and other administrative expenses. These amounts may vary significantly due to, among other things, the time and effort required to complete all distributions under the Plan. The GUC Trust has recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation that represent estimated costs to be incurred over the remaining liquidation period of the GUC Trust for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation. The amount of liquidation costs that will ultimately be incurred depends both on the period of time and on the extent of activities required for the GUC Trust to complete its functions and responsibilities under the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement. Significant uncertainty remains both as to that time period and as to the extent of those activities. As of September 30, 2014, such remaining liquidation period has been estimated predominantly on a probability-weighted basis, which the GUC Trust believes is the most appropriate measurement basis under the circumstances. Where an outcome is estimated to be likely, the likely outcome has been used as the best estimate and no weight has been given to the unlikely outcome. The remaining liquidation period is dependent predominantly on the estimate of the remaining period of time for resolution of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, as well as certain additional estimated time as necessary to wind down the GUC Trust. It is reasonably possible that the GUC Trusts estimates regarding the costs and remaining liquidation period could change in the near term.
As the GUC Trust incurs such costs, the reserves are released to offset the costs incurred and a liability to the service provider is recognized as an accounts payable or accrued expense until paid. In addition, because the GUC Trust only records reserves for expected costs for which there is a reasonable basis for estimation under applicable generally accepted accounting principles, additional costs may be identified from time to time for which additional reserves must be recorded. As such costs are identified, the GUC Trust records an increase to its reserves and charges such increase as an addition to such reserves in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation.
The process of recording reserves for expected costs of liquidation as a matter of financial reporting is separate and distinct from the process by which New GM Securities are set aside from distribution for the purposes of funding projected costs of liquidation. Such projected costs are generally estimated on a more conservative (i.e., more inclusive) basis and include contingencies that are not permitted to be accrued in reserves for expected costs of liquidation under applicable accounting standards. For a more complete description of the process of setting aside New GM Securities to fund projected costs and potential liabilities of the GUC Trust, see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustFunding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs above and Net Assets in LiquidationNew GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution below.
Income Taxes
The GUC Trust is considered to be a Disputed Ownership Fund pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.468B-9. Because all of the assets that have been transferred to the GUC Trust are passive investments, the GUC Trust will be taxed as a Qualified
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Settlement Fund (or QSF) pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.468B-9(c)(1)(ii). The QSF tax status of the GUC Trust has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service in a private letter ruling issued on March 2, 2011. In general, a QSF is considered to be a C Corporation but pays Federal income tax using trust income tax rates on its modified gross income. Modified gross income includes gross income pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 61 less administrative expenses, certain losses from the sale, exchange or worthlessness of property, and net operating losses. In general, a Disputed Ownership Fund taxed as a QSF does not recognize gross income on assets transferred to it; therefore, the GUC Trust has not recognized gross income on the transfer of assets from MLC.
The GUC Trust is currently expected to generate gross income in the form of interest and dividend income (including dividends received on its holdings of New GM Common Stock) and recognize gains and/or losses upon its disposition of shares of New GM Common Stock and New GM Warrants which it now holds, which will be reduced by administrative expenses and any accumulated net operating and capital losses, to compute modified gross income. As the GUC Trust is taxable for Federal income tax purposes, a current income tax liability or asset, if any, is recognized for estimated taxes payable or receivable for the year. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between financial reporting and tax accounting. Deferred tax assets are reviewed for recoverability and valuation allowances are provided as necessary.
The GUC Trust is not subject to state income taxes under current law. Accordingly, no current or deferred state income tax liabilities and assets are recorded.
The GUC Trust recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position, review of available evidence and consultation with GUC Trust professionals. The GUC Trusts tax liability with respect to its federal income tax returns for the year ended March 31, 2014 and all prior years are no longer subject to examination as a result of the application of Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. However, remaining net operating loss carryovers of $84.5 million and capital loss carryovers of $185.4 million as of March 31, 2014, could be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service in subsequent years when those losses are utilized. As of September 30, 2014, there are no known items which would result in a significant accrual for uncertain tax positions.
The process of recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities and any current income taxes payable as a matter of financial reporting is separate and distinct from the process by which New GM Securities are set aside from distribution for the purposes of funding potential income tax liabilities. Such potential income tax liabilities are generally estimated on a more conservative (i.e., more inclusive) basis and include amounts of potential income tax liabilities beyond the amounts that are permitted to be recorded under applicable accounting standards. For a more complete description of the process of setting aside New GM Securities to fund projected costs and potential income tax liabilities of the GUC Trust, see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustFunding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs above and Net Assets in LiquidationNew GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution below.
The income tax provision or benefit for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was determined by computing the deferred tax provision using the enacted statutory rate of 39.6% that went into effect for the GUC Trusts fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013. There was no current tax provision in any periods. An annual effective tax rate is not determinable because the GUC Trusts only significant sources of income are gains on dispositions of New GM Securities, which are not determinable until realized, and potential future dividends to be received on holdings of New GM Common Stock for which a reasonable basis for estimation does not exist at this time.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements on a liquidation basis in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities. These estimates are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could materially impact the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related footnotes. Significant estimates include the anticipated amounts and timing of future cash flows for expected dividends to be received on holdings of New GM Common Stock, expected liquidation costs, Residual Wind-Down Claims and Costs, and fair value of marketable securities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Standard
During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the GUC Trust adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-07, Liquidation Basis of Accounting. Such standard requires that income or cash expected to be received over the liquidation period be estimated and accrued to the extent that a reasonable basis for estimation exists. The effect of adoption of such standard was not material to the GUC Trusts financial statements. As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust has accrued approximately $3.6 million for (a) dividends of $3.5 million expected to be received by the GUC Trust on its holdings of New GM Common Stock and (b) $130,000 expected to be earned on marketable securities over the estimated remaining liquidation period of the GUC Trust. Such accrued dividends consist of
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dividends of $0.30 per share declared by New GM in October 2014 payable to common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2014. No accrual has been made with respect to any additional dividends that may be declared by New GM in the future, because the GUC Trust believes that a reasonable basis for estimation of such potential dividends does not exist at this time.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation
During the three months ended September 30, 2014, net assets in liquidation decreased by approximately $380.7 million, from approximately $1,130.7 million to approximately $750.0 million, principally as a result of liquidating distributions of $199.9 million and a decrease in the fair value of holdings of New GM Securities since June 30, 2014. During the six months ended September 30, 2014, net assets in liquidation decreased by approximately $314.5 million, from approximately $1,064.5 million to approximately $750.0 million, principally as a result of liquidating distributions of $210.2 million and a decrease in the fair value of holdings of New GM Securities since March 31, 2014. As noted above in Recent Trading Prices of New GM Securities, the closing trading price of New GM Common Stock, as well as the New GM Series A and New GM Series B Warrants decreased between June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 and decreased between March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.
The changes in net assets in liquidation for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 also reflected the impact of net additions of approximately $2.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, to the reserves for expected costs of liquidation during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014. As described below in more detail in Liquidation and Administrative Costs, such additions to the reserves for expected costs of liquidation resulted primarily from increases in expected Wind-Down Costs.
The changes in net assets in liquidation for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 also reflect approximately $3.5 million and $12.8 million, respectively, of interest and dividend income, consisting almost entirely of dividends received or accrued on the New GM Common Stock. Such dividends on New GM Common Stock will be distributed to holders of newly Allowed General Unsecured Claims (including Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims) and GUC Trust Units in respect of the shares of New GM Common Stock that they receive, unless such dividends are in respect of shares of New GM Common Stock that are sold by the GUC Trust in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement to fund the GUC Trusts costs of liquidation, tax liabilities or shortfalls in the Residual Wind-Down Assets. In such case, such dividends in respect of shares of New GM Common Stock that are sold will be maintained in Other Administrative Cash.
There was no income tax provision or benefit during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 as a result of the establishment of a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets at each of September 30, June 30 and March 31, 2014, due to uncertainty as to whether the deferred tax assets are realizable. See Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustIncome Tax Liabilities for Certain Capital Gains and Dividends on New GM Common Stock above and Note 8 (Income Tax Provision), to the financial statements.
Liquidation and Administrative Costs
As discussed above under Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, under the liquidation basis of accounting, the GUC Trust was required upon its establishment to record reserves in respect of its expected costs associated with implementing the Plan and distributing the GUC Trusts distributable assets. These costs consist principally of professional fees, governance costs and other liquidation and administrative costs.
Under U.S. GAAP, these reserves may be established only to the extent there is a reasonable basis for their estimation. From time to time, as additional costs are identified and for which there is reasonable basis for estimation, the GUC Trust records an increase to its reserves for expected costs of liquidation and charges such increase as an addition to reserves for expected costs of liquidation in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation. As costs are actually incurred by the GUC Trust, such costs reduce the previously recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation by the amount of such incurred costs, with no further effect on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation.
The GUC Trusts reserves for liquidation and administrative costs (recorded in conformity with U.S. GAAP) are allocable into the following categories:
| reserve for expected Wind-Down Costs, corresponding to expenditures to be made out of the Administrative Fund and, following the depletion of the Administrative Fund, Other Administrative Cash (see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustFunding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs); |
| reserve for expected Reporting Costs, corresponding to expenditures to be made out of Other Administrative Cash (see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustFunding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs); |
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| reserve for Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs, corresponding to expenditures to be made out of the cash received by the GUC Trust from MLC on the Dissolution Date (see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustOther Assets Received from MLC on the Dissolution Date); |
| reserve for Avoidance Action Defense Costs, corresponding to expenditures to be made out of Residual Wind-Down Assets and, following the depletion of such assets, the Administrative Fund with respect to any excess amounts remaining from the funds separately designated for the satisfaction of certain costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, or Other Administrative Cash (see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustResidual Wind-Down Claims and Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustTerm Loan Avoidance Action); and |
| reserve for Residual Wind-Down Costs, corresponding (in addition to expenditures to satisfy and resolve Residual Wind-Down Claims) to expenditures to be made out of Residual Wind-Down Assets and, following the depletion of the Residual Wind-Down Assets, Other Administrative Cash (see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustResidual Wind-Down Claims). |
As described in greater detail under Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC Trust above and Liquidity and Capital Resources below, unused portions of certain of the assets associated with the foregoing reserves are required to be returned to the DIP Lenders upon the winding up and dissolution of the GUC Trust. Therefore, such assets are not available to fund costs of liquidation and administration or income tax liabilities of the GUC Trust, and are also not available for distribution to the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims or GUC Trust Units. See Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustFunding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs, Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustResidual Wind-Down Claims and Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustOther Assets Received from MLC on the Dissolution Date.
As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust had approximately $33.3 million in reserves for liquidation and administrative costs that are estimated to be incurred through the winding up and conclusion of the GUC Trust, compared to approximately $34.7 million in reserves as of June 30, 2014. The following table summarizes in greater detail the changes in such reserves during the three months ended September 30, 2014:
Three months ended September 30, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) |
Reserve for Expected Wind-Down Costs |
Reserve for Expected Reporting Costs |
Reserve for Indenture Trustee/Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs |
Reserve for Avoidance Action Defense Costs |
Reserve for Residual Wind-Down Costs |
Total Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation |
||||||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2014 |
$ | 22,513 | $ | 10,483 | $ | 446 | $ | | $ | 1,238 | $ | 34,680 | ||||||||||||
Plus additions to reserves |
2,240 | 51 | | | | 2,291 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less liquidation costs incurred (net of reversals): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trust Professionals |
(1,801 | ) | (390 | ) | | | (4 | ) | (2,195 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Trust Governance |
(912 | ) | (450 | ) | (38 | ) | | | (1,400 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Administrative Expenses |
2 | (31 | ) | | | | (29 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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Balance, September 30, 2014 |
$ | 22,042 | $ | 9,663 | $ | 408 | $ | | $ | 1,234 | $ | 33,347 | ||||||||||||
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Reserves were increased approximately $2.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, in order to reflect a $2.2 million increase in expected Wind-Down Costs and a $51,000 increase in expected Reporting Costs. The increase in expected Wind-Down Costs during the three months ended September 30, 2014, is primarily associated with increased expected legal costs resulting from the GUC Trusts participation as an interested party in legal proceedings related to New GM vehicle recalls, as well as increases in revised estimates of ongoing costs necessary to conduct the wind-down activities of the GUC Trust. In comparison, reserves were reduced by approximately $6.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013, in order to reflect a decrease in expected Wind-Down Costs of approximately $4.2 million and a decrease in expected Reporting Costs of approximately $2.3 million. The decrease in expected Wind-Down Costs during the three months ended September 30, 2013, was primarily associated with the settlement of the Nova Scotia Matter resulting in reduced expected litigation costs, as well as a reduction in revised estimates of ongoing costs necessary to conduct the wind-down activities of the GUC Trust. The decrease in expected Reporting Costs during the three months ended September 30, 2013, was primarily associated with a reduction in revised estimates of ongoing costs of services provided by GUC Trust professionals.
Reserves were increased approximately $4.1 million during the six months ended September 30, 2014, in order to reflect a $4.7 million increase in expected Wind-Down Costs and a $0.6 million decrease in expected Reporting Costs. The increase in expected Wind-Down Costs during the six months ended September 30, 2014, is primarily associated with increased expected legal costs
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resulting from the GUC Trusts participation as an interested party in legal proceedings related to New GM vehicle recalls, as well as increases in revised estimates of ongoing costs necessary to conduct the wind-down activities of the GUC Trust, partially offset by a reduction in expected costs associated with a reduction in the estimated remaining life of the GUC Trust during the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in expected Reporting Costs during the six months ended September 30, 2014, is primarily associated with a reduction in the estimated remaining life of the GUC Trust during the quarter ended June 30, 2014. In comparison, reserves were reduced by approximately $8.2 million during the six months ended September 30, 2013, in order to reflect a $4.1 million decrease in both expected Wind-Down Costs and expected Reporting Costs. The decrease in expected Wind-Down Costs during the six months ended September 30, 2013, was primarily associated with the settlement of the Nova Scotia Matter resulting in reduced expected litigation costs, as well as a reduction in revised estimates of ongoing costs necessary to conduct the wind-down activities of the GUC Trust. The decrease in expected Reporting Costs during the six months ended September 30, 2013, was primarily associated with a reduction in revised estimates of ongoing costs of services provided by GUC Trust professionals, as well as increased visibility into expected Reporting Costs primarily as a result of completing the first full year of SEC reporting requirements for the year ended March 31, 2013.
Total reserves were reduced by the amount of liquidation and administrative costs incurred during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014. Trust professional costs incurred during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 were approximately $2.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively, as compared to approximately $2.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease of $0.2 million from three-month period to period was due primarily to decreases in Avoidance Action Defense Costs charged to the reserve, Residual Wind-Down Costs and Wind-Down Costs, partially offset by increases in Reporting Costs. The decrease of $2.8 million from six-month period to period was due primarily to decreases in Wind-Down Costs, Residual Wind-Down Costs and Avoidance Action Defense Costs charged to the reserve. Trust Governance Costs incurred during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 were approximately $1.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, as compared to $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended September 30 2013. The decrease of approximately $0.1 million from both the comparable three-month and six-month periods was primarily due to decreased fees and reimbursable expenses for the GUC Trust Administrator and GUC Trust Monitor. Other administrative costs during the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 were approximately $29,000 and $160,000, respectively, compared to approximately $56,000 and $196,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013. Such costs represented miscellaneous fees and costs of the GUC Trust. For additional information regarding the components of each category of costs, see Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustFunding for the GUC Trusts Liquidation and Administrative Costs, Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustResidual Wind-Down Claims and Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustOther Assets Received from MLC Trust on the Dissolution Date.
The foregoing reserves represent future costs of the GUC Trust for which there was a reasonable basis for estimation as of September 30, 2014 and, therefore, are recorded under the liquidation basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. It is reasonably possible, however, that additional costs will be incurred, for which there was not a reasonable basis for estimation as of September 30, 2014. In particular, as of September 30, 2014, the recorded reserves for expected costs of liquidation reflect estimated costs for a remaining liquidation period extending through October 2016, which date is predominantly the result of the estimate of the period of time required for resolution of the Term Loan Avoidance Action, as well as certain additional estimated time as necessary to wind down the GUC Trust, and assumes an extension of the current scheduled dissolution date of the GUC Trust. This end date of the remaining liquidation period has been estimated predominantly on a probability-weighted basis as permitted under U.S. GAAP and which the GUC Trust believes is the most appropriate measurement basis in the circumstances. Where an outcome is estimated to be likely, the likely outcome has been used as the best estimate and no weight has been given to the unlikely outcome. In addition, certain liquidation costs that are expected to be prepaid by the GUC Trust upon its dissolution have also been estimated and accrued.
The amount of liquidation costs that will ultimately be incurred depends both on the length of the remaining liquidation period and on the extent of activities required for the GUC Trust to complete its functions and responsibilities under the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement. Significant uncertainty remains both as to that time period and as to the extent of those activities. It is reasonably possible that the GUC Trusts estimates regarding the remaining liquidation period and the expected costs of liquidation will change in the near term.
If the funds available for each of the foregoing categories of costs are not sufficient to satisfy any of the costs in that category, the GUC Trust will be required to sell a portion of its holdings of New GM Securities in order to meet its additional obligations for those costs. Any such sales of New GM Securities will result in a lesser number of New GM Securities available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units.
The process of recognizing reserves for expected costs of liquidation as a matter of financial reporting is separate and distinct from the process by which New GM Securities are set aside from distribution for the purposes of funding projected costs of liquidation, which are generally made on a more conservative (i.e., more inclusive) basis and include contingencies that are not permitted to be recognized under applicable accounting standards. As described in further detail below, certain New GM Securities (and related Dividend Cash) have already been set aside from distribution for the purposes of meeting such additional obligations. However, the amounts set aside from distribution are neither reflected in nor a part of the financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q because the process of
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setting aside such assets is not related to the process of recording, as a matter of financial reporting in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation, reserves for expected costs of liquidation or current and deferred income tax liabilities. See Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesIncome Taxes and Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesReserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation above and Net Assets in LiquidationNew GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution below.
For additional information regarding the reserves described above, see Note 2 (Plan of Liquidation) and Note 7 (Reserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation and Residual Wind-Down Claims) to the financial statements.
Net Assets in Liquidation
Disputed Claims
During the three months ended September 30, 2014, no Disputed General Unsecured Claims were resolved by the GUC Trust Administrator.
The following table provides additional detail regarding claims resolution status at September 30, 2014:
(in thousands) | Allowed General Unsecured Claims |
Disputed General Unsecured Claims |
Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims |
Maximum Amount of Unresolved Claims (1) |
Total Claims Amount (2) |
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As of September 30, 2014 |
$ | 31,853,630 | $ | 79,500 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,579,500 | $ | 33,433,130 | ||||||||||
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(1) | Maximum Amount of Unresolved Claims represents the sum of Disputed General Unsecured Claims and Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims. |
(2) | Total Claim Amount represents the sum of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and Maximum Amount of Unresolved Claims. |
Distributable Assets
The table below summarizes the activity in the New GM Securities and Dividend Cash that comprise the GUC Trusts distributable assets, including the amounts of New GM Securities distributed through or distributable as of September 30, 2014, as well as the numbers of New GM Securities and amount of Dividend Cash available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units as of September 30, 2014:
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New GM Common Stock |
New GM Series A Warrants |
New GM Series B Warrants |
Dividend Cash | |||||||||||||
Distributable Assets as of Effective Date (March 31, 2011) |
150,000,000 | 136,363,635 | 136,363,635 | $ | | |||||||||||
Dividends Received on New GM Common Stock |
| | | 13,753,102 | ||||||||||||
Prior Distributions (1) |
(133,581,064 | ) | (121,437,575 | ) | (121,437,575 | ) | (15,944 | ) | ||||||||
Prior Sales to Fund GUC Trust Costs and Avoidance Action Trust Funding Obligation |
(1,171,650 | ) | (1,065,134 | ) | (1,065,134 | ) | | |||||||||
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Holdings of New GM Securities as of September 30, 2014 (2) |
15,247,286 | 13,860,926 | 13,860,926 | 13,737,158 | ||||||||||||
Less: Distributions Payable at September 30, 2014 (1), (3) |
(3,749,598 | ) | (3,408,618 | ) | (3,408,618 | ) | (3,389,239 | ) | ||||||||
Add: Distributions Payable to Holders of GUC Trust Units as of September 30, 2014 |
3,712,897 | 3,375,361 | 3,375,361 | 3,341,607 | ||||||||||||
Less: Amounts Set Aside from Distribution to Fund Projected GUC Trust Costs |
(813,636 | ) | (739,643 | ) | (739,643 | ) | (732,272 | ) | ||||||||
Less: Amounts Set Aside from Distribution to Fund Projected Dividend Taxes |
(87,653 | ) | (79,686 | ) | (79,686 | ) | (78,888 | ) | ||||||||
Less: Amounts Set Aside from Distribution to Fund Potential Taxes on Distribution |
(3,786,529 | ) | (3,442,299 | ) | (3,442,299 | ) | (3,407,876 | ) | ||||||||
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Distributable Assets as of September 30, 2014 (4) |
10,522,767 | 9,566,041 | 9,566,041 | $ | 9,470,490 | |||||||||||
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(1) | The numbers of New GM Securities shown as distributed or distributable include sales for (a) cash distributions to governmental entities to the extent such governmental entities have requested such sales and demonstrated to the satisfaction of the GUC Trust Administrator that such governmental entities are precluded by applicable law from receiving distributions of New GM Securities and (b) fractional amounts of New GM Securities, in lieu of which the GUC Trust is required pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement to distribute cash, subject to certain minimum thresholds. |
(2) | Holdings of New GM Securities reflect the numbers of New GM Securities used to determine Holdings of New GM Securities in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation. See Note 5 (Holdings of New GM Securities) to the financial statements. |
(3) | Distributions Payable are in respect of (a) Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were allowed in prior fiscal periods, but for which the holders of such claims had not yet supplied information required by the GUG Trust in order to effect the distribution to which they are entitled and (b) excess distributions payable to holders of GUC Trust Units. |
(4) | Distributable Assets reflects the numbers of New GM Securities and Dividend Cash shown as GUC Trust Distributable Assets on the report included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the GUC Trust with the SEC on October 24, 2014. Such New GM Securities and associated Dividend Cash have been set aside for potential distribution in respect of current Disputed General Unsecured Claims and Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims as of September 30, 2014. To the extent such claims are resolved in favor of the GUC Trust, those amounts of New GM Securities and associated Dividend Cash set aside may become available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units in future periods. The numbers of New GM Securities set out above as Distributable Assets do not, however, directly relate to Net Assets in Liquidation or any other number appearing in our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. |
As described above under the heading Disputed Claims, as of September 30, 2014, there were approximately $31.9 billion in Allowed General Unsecured Claims. In respect of such claims, the GUC Trust had previously distributed, or was obligated to distribute as of September 30, 2014, in the aggregate, 137,330,662 shares of New GM Common Stock, 124,846,193 New GM Series A Warrants and 124,846,193 New GM Series B Warrants. These numbers include 3,712,897 shares of New GM Common Stock, 3,375,361 New GM Series A Warrants and 3,375,361 New GM Series B Warrants that were distributable to holders of GUC Trust Units in respect of Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets as of September 30, 2014.
During the three months ended September 30, 2014, no New GM Securities were sold to fund liquidation and administrative costs of the GUC Trust.
30
New GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution
Overview of New GM Securities Set Aside from Distribution
In addition to distributions and liquidations of New GM Securities, which are reflected as reductions to the GUC Trust net assets in its financial statements, the GUC Trust also, from time to time, sets aside New GM Securities for potential future liquidation to fund projected liquidation and administrative costs, as well as potential income tax liabilities, including both Dividend Taxes and Taxes on Distribution. The New GM Securities that are set aside from distribution by the GUC Trust are not deducted from the net assets in liquidation of the GUC Trust in its financial statements unless and until such New GM Securities are liquidated. The New GM Securities set aside from distribution are segregated by the GUC Trust for such specific purposes and are not available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units or other claimants unless and to the extent that the GUC Trust later determines that the New GM Securities are no longer needed to fund those specific purposes.
This process is not related to, and is separate from, the process of recording current and deferred income tax liabilities and reserves for expected costs of liquidation in the Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation, as a matter of financial reporting. As a matter of financial reporting, income tax liabilities and reserves for expected costs of liquidation must be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to the GUC Trust. By contrast, the estimates of projected costs and potential liabilities for which the GUC Trust may set aside New GM Securities are generally made on a more conservative (i.e., more inclusive) basis and include contingencies and amounts of potential income tax liabilities that are not permitted to be recognized under applicable accounting standards. See Critical Accounting PoliciesIncome Taxes and Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesReserves for Expected Costs of Liquidation above.
As of September 30, 2014, the distributable assets of the GUC Trust included 10,522,767 shares of New GM Common Stock, 9,566,041 New GM Series A Warrants and 9,566,041 New GM Series B Warrants, with an aggregate fair value of approximately $688.5 million, as well as Dividend Cash of $9.5 million, after deducting the numbers of New GM Securities and amount of Dividend Cash (i) set aside from distribution to fund additional projected liquidation and administrative costs and potential income tax liabilities of the GUC Trust (as described below under the headings Set Aside Calculations Relating to Projected Liquidation and Administrative Costs, Including Dividend Taxes and Set Aside Calculations Relating to Potential Taxes on Distribution) and (ii) set aside for distributions payable in respect of Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were allowed in prior fiscal periods, but for which the holders of such claims had not yet supplied information required by the GUC Trust in order to effect the distributions to which they are entitled. Such New GM Securities and Dividend Cash have been set aside for potential distribution in respect of current Disputed General Unsecured Claims and Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims. To the extent such claims are resolved in favor of the GUC Trust, those amounts of New GM Securities and Dividend Cash set aside may become available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units in future periods.
Set Aside Calculations Relating to Projected Liquidation and Administrative Costs, Including Dividend Taxes
The GUC Trust Administrator reevaluates, on a quarterly basis, the numbers of New GM Securities needed to be set aside from distribution for purposes of funding projected liquidation and administrative costs, including Dividend Taxes. This determination is made on a basis different than that used to calculate reserves for financial statement purposes. The current methodology for calculating such set asides converts estimates of projected liquidation and administrative costs into the numbers of New GM Securities to be set aside from distribution by dividing such estimates by the trailing twelve month average closing prices for the New GM Securities. In addition, the numbers of New GM Securities to be set aside from distribution are reduced for dividends on New GM Common Stock received by the GUC Trust that are associated with the set-aside New GM Common Stock by dividing such dividends by the trailing twelve month average closing prices for the New GM Securities and subtracting such calculated numbers of New GM Securities from the numbers of set-aside New GM Securities. A corresponding amount of Dividend Cash associated with the set-aside New GM Securities are also set aside from distribution.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, as a result of the standard quarterly reevaluations described above, the numbers of New GM Securities set aside from distribution to fund projected liquidation and administrative costs of the GUC Trust were increased by 70,515 shares of New GM Common Stock, 64,105 New GM Series A Warrants and 64,105 New GM Series B Warrants from those previously set aside as of June 30, 2014. These overall increases were primarily related to increases in estimated Wind-Down costs and Dividend Taxes, relating to dividends on New GM Common Stock, which are required under the GUC Trust Agreement to be paid from the proceeds of sale of New GM Securities included in Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust had set aside from distribution, in the aggregate 901,289 shares of New GM Common Stock, 819,329 New GM Series A Warrants, 819,329 New GM Series B Warrants and Dividend Cash of $0.8 million, with an aggregate fair value of $59.8 million, for the purposes of funding future projected liquidation and administrative costs of the GUC Trust, including Dividend Taxes of $5.8 million. Such amounts were sufficient to fully fund projected liquidation and administrative costs of the GUC Trust, as estimated by the GUC Trust Administrator at September 30, 2014.
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With respect to projected Dividend Taxes, no additional set aside of New GM Securities has been made as of September 30, 2014, due to uncertainty associated with a number of variables, including but not limited to (a) the likelihood of the payment of, and timing of, any potential future dividends, (b) the amount per share of any potential future dividend, and (c) the number of shares of New GM Common Stock that will be held by the GUC Trust as of the record date of any potential future dividends. To the extent that the GUC Trust Administrator determines that the level of uncertainty associated with any of the aforementioned variables has sufficiently decreased, the GUC Trust Administrator reserves the right, at its discretion and without advance notice, to increase or decrease the set aside for Wind-Down Costs in an amount sufficient to cover all estimated Dividend Taxes associated with all then anticipated potential future dividends. In such event, and assuming that, for the remainder of the estimated life of the GUC Trust (as estimated for other set aside purposes), New GM continues to pay quarterly dividends at the current rate per share and the number of shares of New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust as at September 30, 2014 (after reduction for the excess distributions payable to holders of GUC Trust Units at September 30, 2014) does not decrease, and based upon the GUC Trusts current applicable income tax rate and the market value of New GM Securities at September 30, 2014, there could be, as a conservative measure, up to a further $31.9 million of New GM Securities required to be set aside. The dollar value of New GM Securities comprising such additional set aside would vary if, for example, no dividend is paid by New GM for one or more future quarters, the rate per share of any dividend that is actually paid by New GM in future periods increases or decreases, the applicable income tax rate changes, the life of the GUC Trust is longer or shorter than that assumed, or if (as is likely) the number of shares of New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust declines over its remaining life and the market value of the New GM Securities increases or decreases.
Set Aside Calculations Relating to Potential Taxes on Distribution
In addition to reevaluating the numbers of New GM Securities to be set aside from distribution to fund projected liquidation and administrative costs, including Dividend Taxes, the GUC Trust Administrator also reevaluates, on a quarterly basis, the numbers of New GM Securities needed to be set aside from distribution to fund potential income tax liabilities on realized gains and future gains from the disposition of New GM Securities, which are referred to as Taxes on Distribution. The current methodology for calculating such set asides estimates potential Taxes on Distribution by applying the applicable U.S. federal income tax rate to estimates of potential capital gains, which are arrived at by comparing the highest closing price for the New GM Securities since December 15, 2011, against the tax basis of the New GM Securities on December 15, 2011 (based on the date of transfer of record ownership of the New GM Securities to the GUC Trust from MLC). Solely with respect to the New GM Securities associated with the excess distributions payable to holders of GUC Trust Units at September 30, 2014, the current methodology for calculating such set asides was adjusted such that the potential gain on the distribution of such New GM Securities was arrived at by comparing the trailing twelve month average closing prices of the New GM Securities against their tax basis on December 15, 2011 (based on the date of transfer of record ownership of the New GM Securities to the GUC Trust from MLC). The set aside calculation methodology then converts the estimate of potential Taxes on Distribution into the numbers of New GM Securities to be set aside from distribution by dividing such estimate by the trailing twelve month average closing prices of the New GM Securities. In addition, the numbers of New GM Securities to be set aside from distribution are reduced for dividends on New GM Common Stock received by the GUC Trust that are associated with the set-aside New GM Common Stock by dividing such dividends by the trailing twelve month average closing prices for the New GM Securities and subtracting such calculated numbers of New GM Securities from the numbers of set-aside New GM Securities. A corresponding amount of Dividend Cash associated with the set-aside New GM Securities is also set aside from distribution.
The GUC Trusts calculations of the numbers of New GM Securities needed to be set aside from distribution to fund such potential Taxes on Distribution are made using a different methodology than that used to calculate deferred tax liabilities for financial statement purposes. In estimating potential Taxes on Distribution, the set aside calculation estimates potential capital gains as the difference between (a) the tax basis of the New GM Securities on December 15, 2011 and (b) the highest closing price of such New GM Securities since December 15, 2011 (other than as set forth above with respect to the New GM Securities associated with the excess distributions payable to holders of GUC Trust Units at September 30, 2014). By contrast, in calculating deferred tax liabilities for purposes of financial reporting, under applicable generally accepted accounting principles, the GUC Trust calculates estimated capital gains as the difference between (a) the tax basis of the New GM Securities for financial reporting (based on the date of transfer of beneficial ownership of the New GM Securities to the GUC Trust from MLC) and (b) the closing price of such New GM Securities as of the last trading date of the most recent fiscal quarter.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, as a result of the standard quarterly reevaluations described above, the numbers of New GM Securities set aside from distribution to fund projected Taxes on Distribution of the GUC Trust were reduced by 3,349,174 shares of New GM Common Stock, 3,044,703 New GM Series A Warrants and 3,044,703 New GM Series B Warrants from those previously set aside at June 30, 2014. These overall reductions primarily resulted from (a) the expiration of the statutory notification period set forth in Section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the March 31, 2014 tax return (see Note 8 (Income Tax Benefit) to the financial statements) and (b) the adjustment to the calculation methodology described above solely with respect to the New GM Securities associated with the excess distributions payable to holders of GUC Trust Units at September 30, 2014. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust had set aside from distribution, in the aggregate, 3,786,529 shares of New GM
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Common Stock, 3,442,299 New GM Series A Warrants, 3,442,299 New GM Series B Warrants and Dividend Cash of $3.4 million, with an aggregate fair value of $251.2 million, for the purposes of funding potential Taxes on Distribution of the GUC Trust. Such amounts were sufficient to fully fund potential Taxes on Distribution of the GUC Trust, as estimated by the GUC Trust Administrator at September 30, 2014.
The set aside calculation for potential Taxes on Distribution as of September 30, 2014 is set forth below:
New GM Common Stock |
New GM Series A Warrants |
New GM Series B Warrants |
Total | Calculation Reference | ||||||||||||||
Holdings of New GM Securities as of September 30, 2014 |
15,247,286 | 13,860,926 | 13,860,926 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Holdings of New GM Securities projected to be distributed in November 2014 |
3,712,897 | 3,375,361 | 3,375,361 | |||||||||||||||
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Projected balance of New GM Securities |
11,534,389 | 10,485,565 | 10,485,565 | |||||||||||||||
Tax basis of New GM Securities (1) |
$ | 19.87 | $ | 11.38 | $ | 7.88 | ||||||||||||
Highest closing price since December 15, 2011 (2) |
$ | 41.53 | $ | 31.97 | $ | 23.858 | ||||||||||||
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Estimated potential taxable gain per New GM Security |
$ | 21.66 | $ | 20.59 | $ | 15.978 | ||||||||||||
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Estimated potential taxable gain on projected balance of New GM Securities after the projected November 2014 distributions (in thousands) |
$ | 249,835 | $ | 215,898 | $ | 167,538 | $ | 633,271 | ||||||||||
Holdings of New GM Securities projected to be distributed in November 2014 |
3,712,897 | 3,375,361 | 3,375,361 | |||||||||||||||
Tax basis of New GM Securities projected to be distributed in November 2014 (1) |
$ | 19.87 | $ | 11.38 | $ | 7.88 | ||||||||||||
Average closing prices for trailing twelve months (4) |
$ | 36.05 | $ | 26.41 | $ | 18.50 | ||||||||||||
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Estimated potential taxable gain per New GM Security projected to be distributed in November 2014 |
$ | 16.18 | $ | 15.03 | $ | 10.62 | ||||||||||||
Estimated potential taxable gain on New GM Securities projected to be distributed in November 2014 (in thousands) |
$ | 60,083 | $ | 50,748 | $ | 35,860 | $ | 146,691 | ||||||||||
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Aggregate estimated potential taxable gain (in thousands) |
$ | 309,918 | $ | 266,646 | $ | 203,398 | $ | 779,962 | ||||||||||
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Capital gains and net operating losses since March 31, 2014 (in thousands) (3) |
(6,651 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Additional expected tax deductible costs of liquidation (in thousands) |
(29,509 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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|
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Estimated potential taxable income (in thousands) |
$ | 743,802 | ||||||||||||||||
Tax rate |
39.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Estimated potential tax liabilities (in thousands) |
$ | 294,546 | A | |||||||||||||||
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33
New GM Common Stock |
New GM Series A Warrants |
New GM Series B Warrants |
Total | Calculation Reference | ||||||||||||||
Average closing price for trailing twelve months (4) |
$ | 36.05 | $ | 26.41 | $ | 18.50 | B | |||||||||||
Ratio to set aside (5) |
100 | % | 91 | % | 91 | % | ||||||||||||
Value per New GM Security, based on ratio to set aside |
$ | 36.05 | $ | 24.01 | $ | 16.82 | C | |||||||||||
Percentage allocable to each class of New GM Security |
47 | % | 31 | % | 22 | % | 100 | % | D = C/ (sum of C) | |||||||||
Amount to be set aside, as allocated to each class of New GM Security (in thousands) |
$ | 138,111 | $ | 91,992 | $ | 64,442 | $ | 294,546 | E = D*A | |||||||||
Number of New GM Securities to be set aside |
3,830,851 | 3,482,592 | 3,482,592 | F = E/B | ||||||||||||||
Reduction for Dividend Cash attributable to set aside New GM Securities |
(44,322 | ) | (40,293 | ) | (40,293 | ) | G = H*D/B | |||||||||||
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3,786,529 | 3,442,299 | 3,442,299 | ||||||||||||||||
Closing price at September 30, 2014 |
$ | 31.94 | $ | 22.38 | $ | 14.4604 | ||||||||||||
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Fair value of New GM Securities set aside at September 30, 2014, exclusive of Dividend Cash (in thousands) |
$ | 120,942 | $ | 77,039 | $ | 49,777 | $ | 247,758 | ||||||||||
Add: Dividend Cash set aside at September 30, 2014 (in thousands) (6) |
$ | 3,408 | $ | | $ | | $ | 3,408 | H | |||||||||
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|
|
|
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|
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Fair value of New GM Securities and Dividend Cash set aside at September 30, 2014 (in thousands) (7) |
$ | 124,350 | $ | 77,039 | $ | 49,777 | $ | 251,166 | ||||||||||
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(1) | Uses the date of transfer of record ownership of the New GM Securities to the GUC Trust from MLC on December 15, 2011, for purposes of determining the tax basis thereof. |
(2) | The highest closing prices for the New GM Common Stock, the New GM Series A Warrants and the New GM Series B Warrants occurred on December 17, 2013. |
(3) | The capital gains and net operating losses since March 31, 2014 reflect taxable capital gains on distributions of New GM Securities using the tax basis of the New GM Securities described in (1) above. Operating losses exclude dividends received on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust for which potential Dividend Taxes are reflected in the set aside for purposes of funding projected liquidation and administrative costs. Remaining capital and net operating loss carryovers through March 31, 2014 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and, therefore, are excluded. |
(4) | The average closing prices for the New GM Common Stock, the New GM Series A Warrants and the New GM Series B Warrants for the period October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. |
(5) | The ratio to set aside is calculated by dividing the number of New GM Securities of each class authorized for distribution under the Plan (i.e., 150,000,000 shares of New GM Common Stock and 136,363,635 of each series of New GM Warrants) by the number of shares of New GM Common Stock authorized for distribution under the Plan. |
(6) | Represents dividends received on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust associated with the number of set-aside shares of New GM Common Stock. |
(7) | As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of New GM Securities set aside to fund Taxes on Distribution was lower than estimates of potential Taxes on Distribution. This is because the fair value of such New GM Securities was based on current closing prices that were lower than the trailing twelve month average closing prices used in converting the estimate of potential Taxes on Distribution into the number of New GM Securities to be set aside. Nevertheless, the GUC Trust Administrator believes that the New GM Securities currently set aside for such purposes will still be sufficient, upon liquidation, to satisfy such obligations, in large part because, as a conservative measure, the set aside calculation estimates potential taxable gains using the highest closing prices of the New GM Securities since December 15, 2011 (except for the New GM Securities expected to be distributed in November 2014 for which the trailing twelve month average closing prices were used) (whereas actual taxable gains will be determined using the prices of New GM Securities upon disposition by the GUC Trust) and a tax basis established as of December 15, 2011 (the date of transfer of record ownership of the New GM Securities to the GUC Trust, as opposed to the date of transfer of beneficial ownership). |
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It is the view of the GUC Trust Administrator, after consultation with the GUC Trust Monitor and other professionals retained by the GUC Trust, that the calculation methodologies described above, on the basis of which New GM Securities are set aside from distribution, generally estimate the projected liquidation and administrative costs and potential tax liabilities of the GUC on a conservative basis. Accordingly, it is the view of the GUC Trust Administrator and the GUC Trust Monitor that the New GM Securities currently set aside from distribution to fund such costs and liabilities would be sufficient, upon liquidation, to satisfy such obligations of the GUC Trust as of the date of this Form 10-Q. However, there can be no assurance that the numbers of New GM Securities set aside will be sufficient to fund such costs and liabilities as they are actually incurred, in particular if the market price of the New GM Securities remains below the trailing twelve month average closing prices used to convert the GUC Trusts estimates of such projected costs and potential liabilities into numbers of GUC Trust Securities to be set aside, as described above. In addition, there can be no assurance that, as a result of future evaluations, additional numbers of New GM Securities will not need to be set aside or sold to fund additional costs and liabilities, beyond those that are currently included in the GUC Trusts estimates, in particular as a result of fluctuations in the market price of the New GM Securities and changes in the GUC Trusts estimates of projected costs and potential liabilities, including the possible increase in estimates of projected Dividend Taxes described under Set Aside Calculations Relating to Projected Liquidation and Administrative Costs, Including Dividend Taxes above. See Liquidity and Capital Resources below.
GUC Trust Units
The table below details the changes in the number of GUC Trust Units outstanding or issuable during the three months ended September 30, 2014:
GUC Trust Units | ||||
Outstanding or Issuable as of June 30, 2014 (1), (2) |
31,853,702 | |||
Issued during three months ended September 30, 2014 |
| |||
Less: Issuable as of June 30, 2014 (1) |
( | ) | ||
Add: Issuable as of September 30, 2014 (1) |
| |||
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|
|||
Outstanding or Issuable as of September 30, 2014(1), (2) |
31,853,702 | |||
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(1) | The number of GUC Trust Units issuable at any time represents GUC Trust Units issuable in respect of Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were newly allowed during the fiscal quarter |
(2) | The number of GUC Trust Units outstanding at any time represents GUC Trust Units issued in respect of Allowed General Unsecured Claims that were allowed in prior periods, including GUC Trust Units held by the GUC Trust for the benefit of (a) holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims who had not yet supplied information required by the GUC Trust in order to effect the initial distribution to which they are entitled and (b) governmental entities that are precluded by applicable law from receiving distributions of GUC Trust Units and New GM Securities. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The GUC Trusts sources of liquidity are principally the funds it holds for the payment of liquidation and administrative costs, and to a significantly lesser degree, the earnings on such funds invested by it. The GUC Trust holds such funds as cash and cash equivalents and also invests such funds in marketable securities, primarily corporate commercial paper and municipal commercial paper and demand notes, as permitted by the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement.
During the six months ended September 30, 2014, the GUC Trusts holdings of cash and cash equivalents increased approximately $13.4 million from approximately $14.9 million to approximately $28.3 million. The increase was due primarily to proceeds from the maturity and sale of marketable securities in excess of reinvestments of $9.2 million and dividends received on holdings of New GM Common Stock of $9.2 million, offset in part by cash paid for liquidation and administrative costs of $4.7 million and cash paid for Residual Wind-Down Claims of $0.6 million.
During the six months ended September 30, 2014, the funds invested by the GUC Trust in marketable securities decreased approximately $9.2 million, from approximately $44.4 million to approximately $35.2 million. The decrease was due primarily to reduced re-investments of cash in marketable securities in order to fund cash needs during the period. The GUC Trust earned approximately $35,000 in interest income on such investments during the period.
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As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust held approximately $63.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Of that amount, approximately $39.9 million (comprising approximately $30.1 million of the remaining Residual Wind-Down Assets, approximately $9.4 million of the remaining Administrative Fund and approximately $0.4 million in remaining funds designated for the Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs), is required by the GUC Trust Agreement to be returned, upon the winding-up of the GUC Trust, to the DIP Lenders to the extent such funds are not utilized to satisfy designated Wind-Down Costs, Residual Wind-Down Claims, Residual Wind-Down Costs, Avoidance Action Defense Costs and Indenture Trustee/Fiscal Paying Agent Costs. (Of the $9.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities remaining in the Administrative Fund, approximately $8.2 million has been separately designated for the satisfaction of certain identified costs and liabilities of the GUC Trust, and such amounts may not be used for the payment of other Wind-Down Costs, and $1.2 million is available for other Wind-Down Costs (principally the payment of GUC Trust professionals), which funds must be exhausted prior to the use of any Other Administrative Cash for such purposes.) Such amounts will not at any time be available for distribution to the holders of the GUC Trust Units. In addition, of the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the GUC Trust at September 30, 2014, approximately $13.7 million relates to Dividend Cash. As described above, Dividend Cash will be distributed to holders of newly Allowed General Unsecured Claims (including Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims) and GUC Trust Units in respect of New GM Common Stock that they receive, unless such dividends are in respect of shares of New GM Common Stock that are sold by the GUC Trust in accordance with the GUC Trust Agreement to fund the GUC Trusts liquidation and administrative costs, income tax liabilities or shortfalls in Residual Wind-Down Assets. The balance of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $9.9 million is available for the payment of certain reporting and administrative costs of the GUC Trust, and would be available in the future for distribution to the holders of the GUC Trust Units, if not otherwise used to satisfy those GUC Trust obligations. See Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC Trust above.
In addition to funds held for payment of costs of liquidation and administration and Dividend Cash, the GUC Trust also holds New GM Securities, a portion of which the GUC Trust Administrator is permitted to set aside from distribution and to sell with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court or Trust Monitor, as applicable, in order to fund additional costs and income tax liabilities (including both Dividend Taxes and Taxes on Distribution) as they become due. As of September 30, 2014, the aggregate fair value of the New GM Securities held by the GUC Trust, excluding securities set aside for liquidating distributions payable as of that date, was approximately $752.3 million. As of September 30, 2014, the GUC Trust Administrator had further set aside from distribution New GM Securities with an aggregate fair market value of approximately $59.0 million and related Dividend Cash of $0.8 million to fund projected liquidation and administrative costs, including Dividend Taxes, and New GM Securities with an aggregate fair market value of approximately $247.8 million and related Dividend Cash of $3.4 million to fund potential Taxes on Distribution. See Net Assets in LiquidationDistributable Assets above.
There is no assurance that additional numbers of New GM Securities will not be required to be set aside from distribution and sold to fund additional costs and income tax liabilities, beyond what the GUC Trust Administrator has already set aside. Any sales of New GM Securities that occur to fund such obligations will result in a lesser amount of New GM Securities available for distribution to holders of GUC Trust Units. In addition, as described above under the headings Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustResidual Wind-Down Claims and Functions and Responsibilities of the GUC TrustOther Assets Received from MLC on the Dissolution Date, a portion of the GUC Trusts assets are currently segregated pursuant to the GUC Trust Agreement for the satisfaction of Residual Wind-Down Claims and certain other specified costs. If such assets are insufficient to satisfy the Residual Wind-Down Claims or fund such other specified costs for any reason, the GUC Trust Administrator will similarly be required to set aside from distribution and sell additional New GM Securities in order to fund such shortfall.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about the assets, financial condition and prospects of the GUC Trust. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the resolution of the Disputed General Unsecured Claims, the outcome of and the ultimate recovery on the Term Loan Avoidance Action, any related incurrence of Allowed General Unsecured Claims, the GUC Trusts incurrence of professional fees, tax liabilities and other expenses in connection with administration of the GUC Trust, economic conditions, changes in tax and other governmental rules and regulations applicable to the GUC Trust, fluctuations in the market price of the New GM Securities and other risks, as well as various risks and uncertainties associated with New GM, as described in New GMs periodic and current reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the GUC Trust to control, and in many cases, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements cannot be predicted. When used in this Form 10-Q, the words believes, estimates, plans, expects, intends, and anticipates and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
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Glossary
The capitalized terms used in this Form 10-Q but not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth below. For additional information on any of the matters relating to such terms, see the disclosure in the notes to the financial statements filed with this Form 10-Q and in the Form 8-K filed by the GUC Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2012.
Administrative Fund means the cash contributed to the GUC Trust to be held and maintained by the GUC Trust Administrator for the purpose of paying the Wind-Down Costs.
ADR Proceedings means alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including mediation and arbitration.
Allowed General Unsecured Claims means the general unsecured claims against the Debtors that are allowed at any given time.
Avoidance Action Defense Costs means certain costs, fees and expenses which the GUC Trust is obligated to satisfy relating to defending the Term Loan Avoidance Action, subject to the right of the GUC Trust to seek disgorgement in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Avoidance Action Trust means the trust established under the Plan for the purpose of holding and prosecuting the Term Loan Avoidance Action.
Avoidance Action Trust Administrator means Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as the trustee and trust administrator of the Avoidance Action Trust.
Bankruptcy Code means title 11 of the United States Code.
Bankruptcy Court means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
Certified Question means the threshold question certified by the Second Circuit to the Delaware Court with respect to the Term Loan Avoidance Action.
Closing Date means July 10, 2009, the date on which the sale of substantially all of the assets of Old GM pursuant to the MSPA was completed.
Committee means the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of the Debtors appointed by the Office of the United States Trustee in the chapter 11 cases of the Debtors.
Debtors means MLC and its affiliated debtors and debtors-in-possession.
Delaware Court means Delaware Supreme Court.
DIP Lenders means the United States Department of Treasury and the Governments of Canada and Ontario, through Export Development Canada.
Disputed General Unsecured Claims means the general unsecured claims against the Debtors that are disputed at a given time and does not include any potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims.
Dissolution Date means December 15, 2011, the date that MLC filed a Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State of Delaware and was dissolved.
Dividend Cash means the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the GUC Trust that relates to dividends received by the GUC Trust on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust.
Dividend Taxes means federal income taxes incurred in respect of dividends received by the GUC Trust on New GM Common Stock held by the GUC Trust.
Effective Date means March 31, 2011, the date that the Plan became effective.
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Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets means (i) New GM Securities and Dividend Cash associated with such New GM Securities (only if and to the extent such New GM Securities (a) are not required for the satisfaction of new Allowed General Unsecured Claims and (b) have not been set aside from distribution to fund projected liquidation and administrative costs, Dividend Taxes or Taxes on Distribution of the GUC Trust) and (ii) Other Administrative Cash available, if any, for distribution to the holders of GUC Trust Units.
GUC Trust means the Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust.
GUC Trust Administrator means Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as trust administrator and trustee of the GUC Trust.
GUC Trust Agreement means the Amended and Restated Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2012, as subsequently amended.
GUC Trust Monitor means FTI Consulting, Inc., solely in its capacity as trust monitor of the GUC Trust.
GUC Trust Units means the units of beneficial interests in the GUC Trust distributed to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims in proportion to the amount of their claims subject to certain rounding rules set forth in the Plan and the GUC Trust Agreement. Each GUC Trust Unit represents the contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Excess GUC Trust Distributable Assets.
Ignition Switch Actions means the various actions (including putative class actions) filed by various plaintiffs against New GM seeking compensatory damages for economic losses allegedly resulting from the Ignition Switch Recall.
Ignition Switch Recall means the ignition-switch-related recalls initiated by New GM.
Ignition Switch Scheduling Order means the scheduling order entered by the Bankruptcy Court on May 16, 2014 (as subsequently amended and supplemented).
Indenture Trustee / Fiscal and Paying Agent Costs means certain costs, fees and expenses payable under the Plan to the indenture trustees and fiscal and paying agents for the previously outstanding debt of MLC.
Initial Reporting Cash means the proceeds of approximately $5.7 million from the sale by the GUC Trust of New GM Securities shortly after the Effective Date, expressly authorized by the GUC Trust Agreement for the purposes of funding Reporting Costs.
MDL Court means, with respect to case number 14-MD-2543 (JMF), the Southern District of New York.
MLC means Motors Liquidation Company, which dissolved on December 15, 2011.
MSPA means the Master Sale and Purchase Agreement dated as of July 10, 2009, by and among Old GM, certain of its debtor subsidiaries and NGMCO, Inc., as amended.
New GM means General Motors Company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
New GM Common Stock means the common stock of General Motors Company, including with respect to New GM Common Stock that has been set aside from distribution, reserved or sold, any Dividend Cash related to such New GM Common Stock.
New GM Securities means the New GM Common Stock, including with respect to New GM Common Stock that has been set aside from distribution, reserved or sold, any Dividend Cash related to such New GM Common Stock) and the New GM Warrants.
New GM Series A Warrants means the warrants to acquire shares of New GM Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, expiring July 10, 2016.
New GM Series B Warrants means the warrants to acquire shares of New GM Common Stock at an exercise price of $18.33 per share, expiring July 10, 2019.
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New GM Warrants means the New GM Series A Warrants and the New GM Series B Warrants.
Old GM means MLC, formerly known as General Motors Corporation.
Other Administrative Cash means the cash proceeds from the sale of any New GM Securities that have been set aside from distribution to fund the current or projected liquidation and other administrative costs or income tax liabilities of the GUC Trust, plus any Dividend Cash related to any New GM Common Stock so sold.
Other Economic Loss Actions means the various actions (including putative class actions) filed by various plaintiffs against New GM seeking compensatory damages for economic losses allegedly resulting from recalls of vehicles manufactured or sold prior to July 10, 2009 (or the underlying condition of those vehicles) other than the Ignition Switch Recall.
Personal Injury Actions means the various actions (including putative class actions) filed by various plaintiffs against New GM seeking compensatory and other damages for personal injury and other claims allegedly arising from accidents that occurred prior to the Closing Date.
Plan means the Debtors Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan, filed with the Bankruptcy Court on March 18, 2011.
QSF means Qualified Settlement Fund under applicable regulations of the United States Department of Treasury.
Reporting Costs means fees, costs and expenses of the GUC Trust directly or indirectly relating to (i) reports to be prepared and filed by the GUC Trust pursuant to applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the SEC, (ii) the transfer, registration for transfer and certification of GUC Trust Units, (iii) the application by the Committee to the Internal Revenue Service for a private letter ruling regarding the tax treatment of the GUC Trust and the holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims in respect of the distribution of New GM Securities and (iv) certain legal proceedings relating to the Term Loan Avoidance Action.
Residual Wind-Down Assets means the funds remaining of the approximately $42.8 million in cash and prepaid expenses transferred by MLC to the GUC Trust on the Dissolution Date to satisfy the Residual Wind-Down Claims and Residual Wind-Down Costs (which amount consisted of approximately $40.0 million in cash, including approximately $1.4 million for Avoidance Action Defense Costs, and the transferred benefit of approximately $2.8 million in prepaid expenses).
Residual Wind-Down Claims means all disputed administrative expenses, priority tax claims, priority non-tax claims, and secured claims against the Debtors that were remaining as of the Dissolution Date.
Residual Wind-Down Costs means certain costs, fees and expenses relating to satisfying and resolving the Residual Wind-Down Claims.
Sale Order means the Sale Order and Injunction entered by the Bankruptcy Court on July 5, 2009, approving the sale of substantially all of the assets of Old GM to New GM pursuant to Section 363(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Second Circuit means the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Taxes on Distribution means income tax liabilities on any net capital gains realized upon the distribution of New GM Securities to holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims or GUC Trust Units or by the sale of New GM Securities (unless such net capital gains are offset by deductible operating losses).
Term Loan Avoidance Action means the legal action styled as Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Motors Liquidation Co. v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., et al., Adv. Pro. No. 09-00504 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. July 31, 2009).
Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims means the Allowed General Unsecured Claims that arise in the amount of any recovery of proceeds if the Avoidance Action Trust Administrator is successful in its prosecution of the Term Loan Avoidance Action. For the avoidance of doubt, as used in this Form 10-Q, the amounts of Disputed General Unsecured Claims do not include any potential Term Loan Avoidance Action Claims.
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Wind-Down Costs means certain fees and expenses incurred by the GUC Trust, including fees of the GUC Trust Administrator and the GUC Trust Monitor and the fees and expenses for other professionals retained by the GUC Trust, other than Reporting Costs.
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. |
Disclosure under this item is not required, pursuant to the no-action letter of the Securities and Exchange Commission to the GUC Trust dated May 23, 2012.
Item 4. | Disclosure Controls and Procedures. |
During the fiscal period covered by this report, the management of the GUC Trust, with the participation of the Vice President of the GUC Trust Administrator, completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the GUC Trusts disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this evaluation, the GUC Trusts management, including that Vice President of the GUC Trust Administrator, has concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report, the GUC Trusts disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There were no material changes in the GUC Trusts internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal period covered by this report.
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Item 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
Term Loan Avoidance Action
As disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K filed on May 22, 2014, on July 31, 2009, the Committee, on behalf of the Debtors, commenced the Term Loan Avoidance Action, which seeks the return of approximately $1.5 billion that had been transferred by the Debtors to a consortium of prepetition lenders to Old GM (and which consortium asserted that they had a perfected $1.5 billion security interest in certain assets of Old GM, which was principally reflected in the Delaware UCC-1 financing statement filed in respect of their claim against certain assets of Old GM). The Committee has asserted that the UCC-1 was effectively terminated when an amendment on Delaware form UCC-3, although filed in connection with an unrelated debt financing, was filed in respect of the security interest, and the collateral agent has disputed that assertion on a number of grounds, including asserting that the termination was unintended and that the UCC-3 was unauthorized.
On June 17, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, or the Second Circuit, certified a threshold question, or the Certified Question, to the Delaware Supreme Court, or the Delaware Court, in the Term Loan Avoidance Action, as follows: Under UCC Article 9, as adopted into Delaware law by Del. Code Ann. tit. 6, art. 9, for a UCC-3 termination statement to effectively extinguish the perfected nature of a UCC-1 financing statement, is it enough that the secured lender review and knowingly approve for filing a UCC-3 purporting to extinguish the perfected security interest, or must the secured lender intend to terminate the particular security interest that is listed on the UCC-3. After accepting the question and following briefing to and oral argument before the Delaware Court, on October 17, 2014, the Delaware Court answered the Certified Question as follows: It is enough that the secured lender review and knowingly approve for filing a UCC-3 purporting to extinguish the perfected security interest. Following the Delaware Courts answer of the Certified Question, the appeal of the Bankruptcy Courts Order on Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment (Docket No. 72) and Judgment (Docket No. 73) remains pending before the Second Circuit.
General Motors Product Recalls
In its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed October 23, 2014, New GM disclosed that, since the beginning of 2014, New GM had recalled approximately 2.6 million vehicles to repair ignition switches or to fix ignition lock cylinders, or the Ignition Switch Recall, and had recalled an additional 29.4 million vehicles to address certain electrical and other safety concerns, including approximately 12.1 million vehicles to rework or replace ignition keys. New GM does not consider any of these 12.1 million vehicles to be a part of the Ignition Switch Recall.
Many of the vehicles affected by the foregoing recalls were manufactured or sold prior to July 10, 2009, or the Closing Date, the date on which the sale of substantially all of the assets of Old GM pursuant to the MSPA was completed.
In its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed October 23, 2014, New GM also disclosed that, as of September 30, 2014, 107 putative class actions have been filed in various federal and state courts seeking compensatory damages for economic losses allegedly resulting from one or more of the recalls announced this year and/or the underlying condition of vehicles covered by those recalls. Most of those 107 cases concern the Ignition Switch Recall, or the Ignition Switch Actions. In addition, since the announcement of the Ignition Switch Recall, various plaintiffs have filed actions (including putative class actions) against New GM asserting (i) economic losses allegedly resulting from recalls of vehicles manufactured or sold prior to July 10, 2009 (or the underlying condition of those vehicles) other than the Ignition Switch Recall, or the Other Economic Loss Actions, and/or (ii) certain personal injury and other claims allegedly arising from accidents that occurred prior to the Closing Date, or the Personal Injury Actions.
In June 2014, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that 15 of the then pending Ignition Switch Actions be transferred to and consolidated before a single court in the Southern District of New York, or the MDL Court, case number 14-MD-2543 (JMF). To date, more than 100 Ignition Switch Actions, Other Economic Loss Actions and Personal Injury Actions have been transferred and consolidated before the MDL Court. On August 11, 2014, the MDL Court ordered the plaintiffs in the pending Ignition Switch Actions concerning vehicles purchased prior to July 10, 2009 to file an amended and consolidated complaint with respect to the Ignition Switch Recall, which amended and consolidated complaint was filed on October 14, 2014.
Concurrently with the proceedings before the MDL Court, New GM has taken steps in the Bankruptcy Court to enjoin the Ignition Switch Actions, the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions. In that respect, on April 21, 2014, New GM filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to enjoin the Ignition Switch Actions and to enforce the Sale Order and Injunction entered on July 5, 2009, or the Sale Order (under which all product liability and property damage claims arising from accidents or incidents prior to the Closing Date were to remain with Old GM as general unsecured claims). If New GM is successful in enjoining the Ignition Switch Actions, plaintiffs in the Ignition Switch Actions could assert claims against the GUC Trust. On May 16, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered a scheduling order, which order was supplemented on July 11, 2014 and again on August 22, 2014, or (as
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supplemented) the Ignition Switch Scheduling Order, identifying a number of threshold issues for its resolution, including whether plaintiffs procedural due process rights were violated in connection with the Sale Order, whether any or all of the claims asserted in the Ignition Switch Actions are claims against Old GM and/or the GUC Trust, and whether any such claims against Old GM and/or the GUC Trust should be dismissed as equitably moot.
On August 1, 2014, New GM filed two additional motions with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to enforce the Sale Order and to enjoin the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions. If New GM is successful in enjoining the Other Economic Loss Actions and/or the Personal Injury Actions, plaintiffs in such actions could assert claims against the GUC Trust. On September 15, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered scheduling orders with respect to the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions, each of which provided that, with certain exceptions, the Ignition Switch Scheduling Order (including related briefing schedules) would apply to New GMs motions to enforce the Sale Order with respect to the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions. Briefing with respect to the New GM motions to enforce the Sale Order commenced on November 5, 2014.
The GUC Trust has appeared as a party in interest with respect to New GMs motions to enforce the Sale Order and filed a brief in opposition thereto on November 5, 2014. The GUC Trust intends to vigorously defend its position that none of the claims of the plaintiffs in the Ignition Switch Actions, the Other Economic Loss Actions or the Personal Injury Actions may be properly asserted against Old GM or the GUC Trust.
Other matters
In addition, the GUC Trust has recently been named a defendant in two actions by individual plaintiffs with separate personal claims against Old GM (including one claimant seeking, in light of the New GM recalls, to overturn the terms of a previous settlement with Old GM for personal injuries incurred prior to the Closing Date). Neither plaintiff has asserted a claim for specified monetary damages, but the GUC Trust intends to vigorously defend its position against such claimants.
Other than the foregoing, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, no material changes occurred with respect to any legal proceedings relating to the GUC Trust, as compared to the disclosures included in the GUC Trusts prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors. |
No assurance may be given that claims relating to accidents or other incidents involving General Motors vehicles manufactured or sold prior to July 10, 2009, and/or settlements previously reached with plaintiffs asserting such claims, will not adversely affect the GUC Trust, its assets or the Plan.
In its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed October 23, 2014, New GM disclosed that, since the beginning of 2014, New GM had recalled approximately 2.6 million vehicles to repair ignition switches or to fix ignition lock cylinders, and had recalled an additional 29.4 million vehicles to address certain electrical and other safety concerns, including approximately 12.1 million vehicles to rework or replace ignition keys. New GM does not consider any of these 12.1 million vehicles to be a part of the Ignition Switch Recall.
Many of the vehicles affected by the foregoing recalls were manufactured or sold prior to the Closing Date, the date on which the sale of substantially all of the assets of Old GM pursuant to the MSPA was completed.
In its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed October 23, 2014, New GM also disclosed that, as of September 30, 2014, 107 putative class actions have been filed in various federal and state courts seeking compensatory damages for economic losses allegedly resulting from one or more of the recalls announced this year and/or the underlying condition of vehicles covered by those recalls. Most of those 107 cases concern the Ignition Switch Recall. In addition, since the announcement of the Ignition Switch Recall, various plaintiffs have filed actions (including putative class actions) against New GM asserting (i) economic losses allegedly resulting from recalls of vehicles manufactured or sold prior to the Closing Date (or the underlying condition of those vehicles) other than the Ignition Switch Recall and/or (ii) certain personal injury and other claims allegedly arising from accidents that occurred prior to the Closing Date.
In June 2014, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that 15 of the then pending Ignition Switch Actions be transferred to and consolidated before a single court in the Southern District of New York, case number 14-MD-2543 (JMF). To date, more than 100 Ignition Switch Actions, Other Economic Loss Actions and Personal Injury Actions have been transferred and consolidated before the MDL Court. On August 11, 2014, the MDL Court ordered the plaintiffs in the pending Ignition Switch Actions concerning vehicles purchased prior to July 10, 2009 to file an amended and consolidated complaint with respect to the Ignition Switch Recall, which amended and consolidated complaint was filed on October 14, 2014.
Concurrently with the proceedings before the MDL Court, New GM has taken steps in the Bankruptcy Court to enjoin the Ignition Switch Actions, the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions. In that respect, on April 21, 2014, New
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GM filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to enjoin the Ignition Switch Actions and to enforce the Sale Order and Injunction entered on July 5, 2009 (under which all product liability and property damage claims arising from accidents or incidents prior to the Closing Date were to remain with Old GM as general unsecured claims). If New GM is successful in enjoining the Ignition Switch Actions, plaintiffs in such actions could assert claims against the GUC Trust. On May 16, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered a scheduling order, which order was supplemented on July 11, 2014 and again on August 22, 2014, identifying a number of threshold issues for its resolution, including whether plaintiffs procedural due process rights were violated in connection with the Sale Order, whether any or all of the claims asserted in the Ignition Switch Actions are claims against Old GM and/or the GUC Trust, and whether any such claims against Old GM and/or the GUC Trust should be dismissed as equitably moot.
On August 1, 2014, New GM filed two additional motions with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to enforce the Sale Order and to enjoin the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions. If New GM is successful in enjoining the Other Economic Loss Actions and/or the Personal Injury Actions, plaintiffs in such actions could assert claims against the GUC Trust. On September 15, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court entered scheduling orders with respect to the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions, each of which provided that, with certain exceptions, the Ignition Switch Scheduling Order (including related briefing schedules) would apply to New GMs motions to enforce the Sale Order with respect to the Other Economic Loss Actions and the Personal Injury Actions. Briefing with respect to the New GM motions to enforce the Sale Order commenced on November 5, 2014.
The GUC Trust has appeared as a party in interest with respect to New GMs motions to enforce the Sale Order and filed a brief in opposition thereto on November 5, 2014. The GUC Trust intends to vigorously defend its position that none of the claims of the plaintiffs in the Ignition Switch Actions, the Other Economic Loss Actions or the Personal Injury Actions may be properly asserted against Old GM or the GUC Trust.
No assurance may be given that personal injury, property damage and other claims relating to New GMs recalls involving General Motors vehicles manufactured or sold prior to the Closing Date and /or settlements previously reached with certain plaintiffs who asserted personal injury, property damage or other claims due to incidents or accidents that occurred prior to the Closing Date, will not adversely affect the GUC Trust, its assets or the Plan.
Other than the foregoing, there have been no material changes regarding risk factors from what was previously included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2014.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. |
Disclosure under this item is not required, pursuant to the no-action letter of the Securities and Exchange Commission to the GUC Trust dated May 23, 2012.
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
Disclosure under this item is not required, pursuant to the no-action letter of the Securities and Exchange Commission to the GUC Trust dated May 23, 2012.
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures. |
Not applicable.
Item 5. | Other Information. |
None.
Item 6. | Exhibits. |
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Exhibit No. |
Description | |
31 | Section 302 Certification. | |
32 | Section 906 Certification. | |
101 | The following financial statements and notes thereto from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Statements of Net Assets in Liquidation (Liquidation Basis) as of September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Statements of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation (Liquidation Basis) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Liquidation Basis) for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and (iv) Notes to Condensed Financial Statements. |
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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 thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 12, 2014
MOTORS LIQUIDATION COMPANY GUC TRUST | ||
By: | Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely in its capacity as trust administrator and trustee of the Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust | |
By: | /s/ David A. Vanaskey | |
Name: | David A. Vanaskey | |
Title: | Vice President of Wilmington Trust Company |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
31 | Section 302 Certification. | |
32 | Section 906 Certification. | |
101 | The following financial statements and notes thereto from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Motors Liquidation Company GUC Trust, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Statements of Net Assets in Liquidation (Liquidation Basis) as of September 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Statements of Changes in Net Assets in Liquidation (Liquidation Basis) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Liquidation Basis) for the six months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and (iv) Notes to Condensed Financial Statements. |