mar0304_6k

Form 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Report Of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant To Rule 13a-16 Or 15d-16 Of
The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

For the month of March, 2004

Commission File Number: 001-14950

ULTRAPAR HOLDINGS INC.
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)


Avenida Brigadeiro Luis Antonio, 1343, 9º Andar
São Paulo, SP, Brazil 01317-910
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F   X     Form 40-F      

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

         Yes           No   X  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

         Yes           No   X  

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

         Yes           No   X  

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A






ULTRAPAR HOLDINGS INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM

1. Independent Auditors’ Report dated December 31, 2003





ITEM 1

(Convenience Translation into English from
the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

 

  Ultrapar Participações S.A.
and Subsidiaries
   
  Financial Statements for the Years Ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002 and
Independent Auditors’ Report
   
   
  Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes

 

 


 

(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To the Stockholders and Management of
Ultrapar Participações S.A.
São Paulo - SP

1. We have audited the accompanying balance sheets, Company and Consolidated, of Ultrapar Participações S.A. and subsidiaries (“Companies”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity (Company), and changes in financial position for the years then ended, all expressed in Brazilian reais and prepared under the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements.
   
2. Our audits were conducted in accordance with auditing standards in Brazil and comprised: (a) planning of the work, taking into consideration the significance of the balances, volume of transactions, and the accounting and internal control systems of the Companies; (b) checking, on a test basis, the evidence and records that support the amounts and accounting information disclosed; and (c) evaluating the significant accounting practices and estimates adopted by Company’s management, as well as the presentation of the financial statements taken as a whole.
       
3. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positions, Company and Consolidated, of Ultrapar Participações S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations, the changes in stockholders’ equity (Company) and the changes in their financial positions for the years then ended in conformity with Brazilian accounting practices.
   
4. The accompanying financial statements have been translated into English for the convenience of readers outside Brazil.
   
São Paulo, January 30, 2004  
   
   
DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU Altair Tadeu Rossato
Auditores Independentes Engagement Partner

 


(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

ULTRAPAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES

BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)


Company
Consolidated
ASSETS
2003
2002
2003
2002
CURRENT ASSETS              
Cash and banks 248   60   46.743   53.569
Temporary cash investments 23.38   78.98   507.347   584.370
Trade accounts receivable --   --   322.323   278.012
Inventories --   --   137.708   106.250
Recoverable taxes 13.30   13.74   115.512   115.060
Dividends receivable 43.09   55.60   621   105
Other 3.62   9   31.641   46.332
Prepaid expenses --   --   2.835   3.197
 
 
 
 
  83.654   148.402   1.164.730   1.186.895
 
 
 
 
               
NONCURRENT ASSETS              
Related companies 51.611   46.694   2.759   2.603
Deferred income and social contribution taxes 2.576   2.033   61.367   33.257
Escrow deposits --   --   9.904   6.992
Other --   --   9.172   4.530
 
 
 
 
  54.187   48.727   83.202   47.382
 
 
 
 
               
PERMANENT ASSETS              
Investments:              
Subsidiary and affiliated companies 1.690.492   1.503.418   5.721   7.128
Other 347   337   27.396   25.908
Property, plant and equipment --   --   968.555   779.467
Deferred charges --   --   102.663   81.133
 
 
 
 
  1.690.839   1.503.755   1.104.335   893.636
               
 
 
 
 
  1.828.680   1.700.884   2.352.267   2.127.913
TOTAL
 
 
 

Company
Consolidated
LIABILITIES
2003
2002
2003
2002
CURRENT LIABILITIES              
Financing --   --   325.877   219.827
               
Suppliers 51   58   90.281   104.436
               
Payroll and related charges 412   280   74.741   64.379
               
Taxes 34   29   12.770   9.952
Dividends payable 39.028   45.012   41.736   48.953
Income and social contribution 60   --   6.581   1.920
Other --   121   25.119   18.763
               
 
 
 
 
  39.585   45.500   577.105   468.230
 
 
 
 
               
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES              
Financing --   --   306.269   363.639
               
Related companies 421.633   458.597   8.989   10.217
               
Deferred income and social --   --   28.696   34.791
contribution taxes
Other taxes 7.173   5.703   39.985   27.036
               
Other --   --   2.319   1.966
 
 
 
 
  428.806   464.300   386.258   437.649
 
 
 
 
               
MINORITY INTEREST --   --   32.211   30.950
 
 
 
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY              
Capital 663.952   663.952   663.952   663.952
Capital reserve 1.152   --   9   --
Revaluation reserve 17.787   26.036   17.787   26.036
Profit reserves 677.495   501.494   677.495   501.494
Treasury shares (97)   (398)   (2.550)   (398)
 
 
 
 
  1.360.289   1.191.084   1.356.693   1.191.084
 
 
 
 
TOTAL MINORITY INTEREST AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY D
--   --   1.388.904   1.222.034
               
 
 
 
 
TOTAL 1.828.680   1.700.884   2.352.267   2.127.913
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.              

2






(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

ULTRAPAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES                

               
                 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME                
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002                
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)                

 
                 
  Company   Consolidated  
 
 
 
  2003   2002   2003   2002  
                 
GROSS SALES AND SERVICES -   -   4.603.778   3.795.322  
Taxes on sales and services -   -   (248.143 ) (219.924 )
Rebates, discounts and returns -   -   (355.326 ) (580.892 )
                 
NET SALES AND SERVICES -   -   4.000.309   2.994.506  
Cost of sales and services -   -   (3.196.445 ) (2.247.128 )
                 
GROSS PROFIT -   -   803.864   747.378  
 
 
 
 
 
EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARY AND AFFILIATED                
COMPANIES 236.811   214.405   51.894   41.760  
 
 
 
 
 
                 
OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME                
Selling -   -   (163.665 ) (130.190 )
General and administrative (112 ) (240 ) (188.610 ) (165.550 )
Management compensation (518 ) (295 ) (5.183 ) (4.704 )
Depreciation and amortization -   -   (101.390 ) (81.824 )
Other operating income, net 440   361   6.567   428  
                 
OPERATING INCOME BEFORE FINANCIAL 236.621   214.231   403.477   407.298  
ITEMS                
Financial income (expenses), net 15.225   16.916   (22.167 ) 61.395  
CPMF/IOF/PIS/COFINS taxes on financial activities (588 ) (1.887 ) (35.081 ) (32.886 )
                 
OPERATING INCOME 251.258   229.260   346.229   435.807  
Nonoperating (expenses) income, net (3 ) (143 ) 1.007   (44.067 )
                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME AND SOCIAL                
   CONTRIBUTION TAXES 251.255   229.117   347.236   391.740  
                 
INCOME AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION TAXES                
Current (5.419 ) (7.260 ) (112.953 ) (110.067 )
Deferred 543   443   15.730   (4.843 )
 
 
 
 
 
  (4.876 ) (6.817 ) (97.223 ) (114.910 )
                 
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST 246.379   222.300   250.013   276.830  
Minority interest -   -   (3.634 ) (54.530 )
                 
NET INCOME 246.379   222.300   246.379   222.300  
 
 
 
 
 
                 
NET EARNINGS PER THOUSAND SHARES                
(BASED ON ANNUAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE) -R$ 3,54   3,62          
 
 
         
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.                

3


(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

ULTRAPAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)

  Capital   Capital
reserve
  Revaluation
reserve of
subsidiary
and
affiliated
companies
        
Profit reserves
Legal   Retention
of profits
  Realizable profits   Retained
earnings
  Treasury
shares
  Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 2001 433.857   --   25.862   17.43   322.743   --   --   --   799.893
Capital increase due to merger 230.095   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   230.095
Acquisition of treasury shares --   --   --   --   --   --   --   (398)   (398)
Revaluation due to merger --   --   5.139   --   --   --   --   --   5.139
Realization of revaluation reserve --   --   (5.084)   --   --   --   4.384   --   (700)
Income and social contribution
   taxes on realization of
   revaluation
--   --   119   --   --   --   (364)   --   (245)
Net income --   --   --   --   --   --   222.300   --   222.300
Appropriation of net income:                                  
Legal reserve --   --   --   11.115   --   --   (11.115)   --   --
Interim dividends (R$ 0.367112 and R$ 0.403823
  per thousand common and preferred
  shares, respectively)
--   --   --   --   --   --   (20.000)   --   (20.000)
Proposed dividends payable (R$ 0.629268 and
  R$ 0.692195 per thousand common and
  preferred shares, respectively)
--   --   --   --   --   --   45.000)   --   (45.000)
Realizable profits reserve --   --   --   --   --   40.593   (40.593)   --   --
Reserve for retention of profits --   --   --   --   109.612   --   (109.612)   --   --
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 2002 663.952   --   26.036   28.546   432.35   40.593   --   (398)   1.191.084
Acquisition of treasury shares --   --   --   --   --   --   --   (2.173   (2.173)
Sale of treasury shares --   1.152   --   --   --   --   --   2.474   3.626
Realization of revaluation reserve --   --   (8.249)   --   --   --   1.733   --   (6.516)
Income and social contribution taxes
  on realization of revaluation
   reserves of subsidiaries
--   --   --   --   --   --   (111)   --   (111)
Realization of profit reserve --   --   --   --   --   (40.593   40.593   --   --
Net income --   --   --   --   --   --   246.379   --   246.379
Appropriation of net income:                                  
Legal reserve --   --   --   12.319   --   --   (12.319)   --   --
Interim dividends (R$ 0.461996 and
  R$ 0.508195 per thousand common and
  preferred shares, respectively)
--   --   --   --   --   --   (33.000)   --   (33.000)
Proposed dividends payable (R$ 0.545231
  and R$ 0.599754 per thousand   common and preferred shares,respectively)
--   --   --   --   --   --   (39.000)   --   (39.000)
Realizable profits reserve --   --   --   --   --   85.622   (85.622)   --   --
Reserve for retention of profits --   --   --   --   118.653   --   (118.653)   --   --
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 2003 663.95   1.152   17.787   40.865   551.00   85.622   --   (97)   1.360.289
                                   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

4



(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

ULTRAPAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES                
                 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION                
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002                
(In thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)
 
                 
  Company   Consolidated  
 
 
 
  2003   2002   2003   2002  
 
 
 
 
 
SOURCES OF FUNDS                
Operations:                
Net income 246.379   222.300   246.379   222.300  
Items not affecting working capital:                
Equity in subsidiary and affiliated companies (236.811 ) (214.405 ) (51.894 ) (41.760 )
Depreciation and amortization -   -   145.437   121.809  
Tax incentives -   -   52.409   43.467  
Long-term interest and monetary variations 975   686   (30.264 ) 98.285  
Deferred income and social contribution taxes (543 ) (443 ) (15.730 ) 4.843  
Minority interest -   -   3.634   54.530  
Net book value of permanent assets written off 3   -   22.208   29.931  
Other long-term taxes 512   651   3.924   8.568  
Gain on change in ownership percentage -   -   -   (3.660 )
Amortization of goodwill and negative goodwill on investments -   (4 ) 2.754   (352 )
Provision (reversal of provision) for losses on permanent assets 3   -   (440 ) 40.551  
 
 
 
 
 
  10.518   8.785   378.417   578.512  
 
 
 
 
 
From stockholders:                
Disposal of treasury shares 3.626   -   30   -  
 
 
 
 
 
Third parties:                
Increase in long-term liabilities -   383.757   2.837   -  
Decrease in noncurrent assets -   50.504   -   631  
Proposed dividends and interest on capital (gross) 43.094   56.430   -   430  
Working capital from merger -   50   -   50  
Long-term financing -   -   258.645   68.748  
 
 
 
 
 
  43.094   490.741   261.482   69.859  
 
 
 
 
 
Total sources of funds 57.238   499.526   639.929   648.371  
 
 
 
 
 
                 
USES OF FUNDS                
Permanent assets:                
Investments -   387.160   1.695   -  
Property, plant and equipment -   -   299.533   171.543  
Deferred charges -   -   87.158   51.265  
 
 
 
 
 
  -   387.160   388.386   222.808  
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends and interest on capital 72.000   65.000   72.865   76.252  
Transfer from long-term to current liabilities -   -   280.432   85.965  
Decrease in long-term liabilities 36.981   -   -   51.233  
Increase in noncurrent assets 4.917   -   26.004   -  
Acquisition of treasury shares 2.173   398   2.173   398  
Acquisition of shares from minority stockholders -   -   -   212.594  
Taxes on realization of revaluation reserve -   -   254   758  
Decrease in minority interest -   -   855   966  
 
 
 
 
 
  44.071   398   309.718   351.914  
 
 
 
 
 
Total uses of funds 116.071   452.558   770.969   650.974  
                 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN WORKING CAPITAL (58.833 ) 46.968   (131.040 ) (2.603 )
 
 
 
 
 
                 
REPRESENTED BY                
Current assets:                
At end of year 83.654   148.402   1.164.730   1.186.895  
At beginning of year 148.402   78.204   1.186.895   1.045.186  
 
 
 
 
 
  (64.748 ) 70.198   (22.165 ) 141.709  
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:                
At end of year 39.585   45.500   577.105   468.230  
At beginning of year 45.500   22.270   468.230   323.918  
 
 
 
 
 
  (5.915 ) 23.230   108.875   144.312  
                 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN WORKING CAPITAL (58.833 ) 46.968   (131.040 ) (2.603 )
 
 
 
 
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5




(Convenience Translation into English from the Original Previously Issued in Portuguese)

ULTRAPAR PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
(Amounts in thousands of Brazilian reais - R$)


1. OPERATIONS
       
  The Company invests in commercial and industrial activities, including subscription or purchase of shares of other companies with similar activities.
   
  Through its subsidiaries, the Company is engaged in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas - LPG (Ultragaz), production and sale of chemical and petrochemical products (Oxiteno), and logistics services for chemical products and fuel (Ultracargo).
       
2. PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
   
  The accounting practices adopted to record transactions and prepare the financial statements are those established by accounting practices adopted in Brazil and by the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM).
       
  a) Determination of net income
       
     Determined on the accrual basis of accounting.
       
  b) Current and noncurrent assets
     
    Temporary cash investments are stated at cost, plus accrued income (on a “pro rata temporis” basis), which approximate market value.
     
    The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on estimated losses and is considered by management to be sufficient to cover potential losses on the realization of accounts receivable.
     
    Inventories are stated at the average cost of acquisition or production, or at market or net realizable value, whichever is lower.
     
    Other assets are stated at the lower of cost or probable realizable values, including, when applicable, accrued income and monetary variations or net of allowances for potential losses.
     
       
  

6


Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  c) Permanent assets
       
    Stated at cost monetarily restated through December 31, 1995, and in nominal amounts from that date, combined with the following aspects:
       
    Significant investments in subsidiary and affiliated companies are recorded under the equity method, as shown in Note 10.
       
    Property, plant and equipment include revaluation write-ups based on appraisal reports issued by independent appraisers.
       
    Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis at the annual rates described in Note 11, based on the economic useful lives of the assets.
       
    Deferred charges mainly comprise costs incurred in the implementation of projects to install equipment at customers’ facilities, projects to modernize systems, and goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries, as mentioned in Note 12.
       
  d) Current and long-term liabilities
       
    Stated at known or estimated amounts including, when applicable, accrued charges and monetary variations. The provision for income tax includes tax incentives, when applicable. Deferred income and social contribution taxes on temporary differences are recorded as set forth by CVM Resolution No. 273/98.
       
  e)     Basis for translation of the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries
     
    The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into Brazilian reais at the prevailing exchange rate. The criteria for preparation of the financial statements have been changed to conform to accounting practices adopted in Brazil.
       
  f)  Certain balances have been reclassified for better comparison of the financial statements.
       
3. CONSOLIDATION PRINCIPLES
       
 

The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the basic consolidation principles established by accounting practices adopted in Brazil and by the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM) and include the following direct and indirect subsidiaries:

       

7


Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  Ownership - %  
 
 
  2003   2002  
 
 
 
  Direct Indirect  
Direct
Indirect  
             
Ultragaz Participações Ltda. 100 -   100 -  
   Companhia Ultragaz S.A. - 86   - 86  
      SPGás Distribuidora de Gás S.A. - 86   - -  
   Bahiana Distribuidora de Gás Ltda. - 100   - 100  
   Utingás Armazenadora S.A. - 56   - 56  
   LPG International Inc. - 100   - 100  
Ultracargo - Operações Logísticas e Participações Ltda. 100 -   100 -  
   Melamina Ultra S.A. Indústria Química - 93   - 93  
   Transultra - Armazenamento e Transporte            
      Especializado Ltda. - 100   - 100  
   Terminal Químico de Aratu S.A. - Tequimar - 99   - 99  
Oxiteno S.A. - Indústria e Comércio 100 -   100 -  
   Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indústria e Comércio - 99   - 99  
   Barrington S.L. - 100   - -  
      Canamex Químicos S.A. de C.V. - 100   - -  
   Oxiteno International Co. - 100   - 100  
      Oxiteno Overseas Co. - 100   - 100  
Imaven Imóveis e Agropecuária Ltda. 100 -   100 -  

Intercompany investments, asset and liability balances, income and expenses, as well as the effects arising from significant intercompany transactions, were eliminated. Minority interest in subsidiary companies is presented separately in the financial statements.

In 2002, the Company undertook a corporate reorganization, disclosed in a relevant fact published on October 15, 2002, and approved at the Extraordinary Stockholders’ Meeting of October 30, 2002. This reorganization was primarily aimed at: (i) streamlining the corporate structure of subsidiaries and affiliated companies, (ii) cost rationalization, and (iii) concentration of capital market liquidity in one company.

The corporate reorganization was based on the balance sheets of June 30, 2002. As a consequence, the Company had full participation in the results of Ultragaz Participações Ltda. and Oxiteno S.A. - Indústria e Comércio from July 1, 2002.

On August 8, 2003, the Company acquired, through the subsidiary Companhia Ultragaz S.A., the LPG distribution business of Shell in Brazil (SPGás Distribuidora de Gás S.A.). The disbursement for this acquisition was R$ 170,566, involving 100% of the company’s shares, without assumption of any debt. The financial statements for 2003 contain the balances and values of this operation since its acquisition in August 2003. The goodwill of R$ 24,427 on this operation is based on the expected future profitability, and shall be amortized over a period of five years beginning August 2003.

On December 4, 2003, the Company acquired, through the subsidiary Barrington S.L., the chemicals business of the Berci Group in Mexico (Canamex Químicos S.A. de C.V.). The disbursement for this acquisition was US$ 10,250, without assumption of any debt. The financial statements for 2003 contain the balances and values of this operation since its acquisition in December 2003.

8






Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  On December 31, 2003, the Company merged the subsidiaries Ultratecno Participações Ltda. into Ultragaz Participações Ltda., Ultracargo Participações Ltda. into Oleoquímica do Nordeste Ltda., and Oleoquímica do Nordeste Ltda. into Ultracargo - Operações Logísticas e Participações Ltda. (new name of Ultraquímica Participações Ltda.), in order to reduce costs.
     
4. TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
     
  These investments, contracted with leading banks, are substantially comprised of fixed-income securities and funds linked to the interbank deposit certificates (CDI) rate and of currency swaps, which are stated at cost plus accrued income (on a “pro rata temporis” basis).

    Company   Consolidated  
   
 
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002  
   
 
 
 
 
                   
  Fixed-income securities and funds 23,383   78,984   489,490   417,879  
  Foreign investments (a) -   -   73,631   127,019  
  Net expenses (income) from swap operations (b) -   -   (55,774 ) 39,472  
           
 
 
    23,383   78,984   507,347   584,370  
   
 
 
 
 
     
  (a) Investments made by the indirect subsidiary Oxiteno Overseas Co., mainly in fixed-income securities, money market funds, investment grade U.S. corporate securities, and Brazilian corporate securities.
     
  (b) Accumulated gain or loss on swap positions (see Note 18).
     
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (CONSOLIDATED)
    2003   2002  
   
 
 
           
  Local customers 299,805   251,246  
  Foreign customers 71,371   81,373  
  (-) Advances on foreign exchange contracts (31,546 ) (43,400 )
  (-) Allowance for doubtful accounts (17,307 ) (11,207 )
   
 
 
    322,323   278,012  
   
 
 
           
6. INVENTORIES (CONSOLIDATED)        

    2003   2002  
   
 
 
           
  Finished products 78,403   67,565  
  Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 22,736   7,908  
  Raw material 25,438   20,070  
  Consumption materials and cylinders for resale 11,131   10,707  
   
 
 
    137,708   106,250  
   
 
 

9






Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  RECOVERABLE TAXES
     
  Represented, substantially, by credit balances of ICMS (State VAT), IPI (Federal VAT), and prepaid income and social contribution taxes, for offset against future taxes payable.
     
    Company   Consolidated  
   
 
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002  
   
 
 
 
 
                   
  Income and social contribution taxes 13,260   13,744   64,244   68, 288  
  ICMS -   -   40,736   42,561  
  IPI -   -   2,845   1,876  
  Other 41   -   7,687   2,335  
   
 
 
 
 
    13,301   13,744   115,512   115,060  
   
 
 
 
 

10






Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

8. RELATED COMPANIES
     
                                   
  Company
  Consolidated
    Loans 
    Loans
  Trade accounts
  Transactions
Financial income
(expense)

Assets
  Liabilities
Assets
  Liabilities
Receivable
  Payable
Sales
  Purchases
Ultracargo - Operações Logísticas e Participações Ltda. -   364,709   -   -   -   -   -   -  
Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indùstria e Comércio -   33,000   -   -   -   -   -   -  
Serma Associaçõo dos Usuários de Equipamentos de Processamentos de Dados e Serviços Correlatos 66   613   1,171   613   -   774   -   -  
Petroquímica União S.A. -   -   -   -   -   3,536   -   93,741  
Oxicap Indústria de Gases Ltda. -   -   206   -   -   608   2   6,547  
Agip do Brasil S.A. -   -   -   -   29   -   2,648   -  
Companhia Ultragaz S.A. 51,545   10   -   -   -   -   -   -  
Química da Bahia Indústria e Comércio S.A. -   -   -   7,248   -   -   -   -   (757)
Imaven Imóveis e Agropecuária Ltda. -   22,658   -   -   -   -   -   -  
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras -   -   -   -   -   1,302   42   1,818,654  
Copagaz Distribuidora de Gás S.A. -   -   -   -   13   -   330   -  
Braskem S.A. -   -   -   -   -   4,124   53,306   403,423  
Supergasbras Distribuidora de Gás S.A. -   -   -   -   3   -   914   -  
Cia. Termelétrica do Planalto Paulista - TPP -   -   1,257   -   -   -   -   -   173 
Plenogás - Distribuidora de Gás S.A. -   -   -   871   -   -   -   -  
Other related companies -   643   125   257   15   427   584   1,455  
Total as of December 31, 2003 51,611   421,633   2,759   8,989   60   10,771   57,826   2,323,820   (584)
                                   
Total as of December 31, 2002 46,694   458,597   2,603   10,217   457   31,896   46,931   1,678,700   (374)

11






Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  The loan balances with Química da Bahia Indústria e Comércio S.A. and Cia. Termelétrica do Planalto Paulista - TPP are indexed based on the Brazilian long-term interest rate (TJLP). The other loans do not have financial charges. Transactions refer principally to purchases of raw material, other materials and storage services, carried out at usual market prices and conditions.
   
  The loan agreement with Ultracargo - Operações Logísticas e Participações Ltda. (new name of Ultraquímica Participações Ltda.) results from the sale of shares issued by Oxiteno S.A. - Indústria e Comércio to the Company, intended to avoid the reciprocal shareholdings related to the corporate reorganization mentioned in Note 3.
     
9. INCOME AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION TAXES
     
  a) Deferred income and social contribution taxes
     
    The Company and its subsidiaries recognize tax assets and liabilities which do not expire, arising from tax loss carryforwards, temporary add-backs, revaluation of property, plant and equipment, and others. The tax credits are substantiated by continued operating profitability. Management expects to realize these tax credits over a maximum period of three years. Deferred income and social contribution taxes are presented in the following principal categories:

    Company   Consolidated  
   
 
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002  
   
 
 
 
 
  Noncurrent assets:                
     Deferred income and social contribution taxes on:                
        Accruals tax-deductible only when expenses are                
           incurred 2,576   2,033   48,574   27,605  
        Income and social contribution tax loss                
           carryforwards -   -   12,793   5,652  
   
 
 
 
 
    2,576   2,033   61,367   33,257  
   
 
 
 
 
                   
  Long-term liabilities:                
     Deferred income and social contribution taxes on:                
        Revaluation of property, plant and equipment -   -   2,072   2,113  
        Income earned abroad -   -   26,624   32,678  
   
 
 
 
 
    -   -   28,696   34,791  
   
 
 
 
 

12






Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  b) Reconciliation of income and social contribution taxes in the statement of income
     
    Income and social contribution taxes are reconciled to official tax rates as follows:

    Company   Consolidated  
   
 
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002  
   
 
 
 
 
  Income before taxes, equity in subsidiaries and                
     associates and minority interest 14,444   14,712   295,342   349,980  
  Official tax rates - % 34.00   34.00   34.00   34.00  
   
 
 
 
 
  Income and social contribution taxes at official                
     rates (4,911 ) (5,002 ) (100,416 ) (118,993 )
  Adjustments to the effective tax rate:                
     Operating provisions and nondeductible                
        expenses/nontaxable revenues 35   31   2,363   (1,217 )
     Adjustments to estimated income -   -   1,137   3,094  
     Interest on capital (received) paid -   (1,870 ) -   157  
     Other -   24   (637 ) 1,328  
   
 
 
 
 
  Income and social contribution taxes before tax                
     benefits (4,876 ) (6,817 ) (97,553 ) (115,631 )
  Tax benefits:                
     Workers’ meal program (PAT) -   -   330   721  
   
 
 
 
 
  Income and social contribution taxes in the                
     statement of income (4,876 ) (6,817 ) (97,223 ) (114,910 )
   
 
 
 

                   
     Current (5,419 ) (7,260 ) (112,953 ) (110,067 )
     Deferred 543   443   15,730   (4,843 )

  c) Tax exemption
     
    The following indirect subsidiaries have partial or total exemption from income tax in connection with a government program for the development of the Northeast Region of Brazil, as follows:
     
  Subsidiary Bases   Exemption
- %
Expiration
date
 
 

 

 
               
  Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indústria e Comércio Camaçari plant   100   2006  
               
  Bahiana Distribuidora de Gás Ltda. Mataripe base (*)   100   2003  
    Juazeiro base   100   2004  
    Suape base   100   2007  
    Ilhéus base   25   2008  
    Aracaju base   25   2008  
               
  Terminal Químico de Aratu S.A. - Tequimar Aratu Terminal (*)   100   2003  
    Suape Terminal (storage of acetic          
    acid and butadiene byproducts)   100   2005  
  (*) In December 2003, requests were filed with Agência de Desenvolvimento do Nordeste (ADENE), the agency in charge of managing this incentive program, seeking a 75% reduction in income tax until 2013 for these bases. Such requests are still pending approval by ADENE. In case they are not approved, the income tax reduction of these bases will be 25% until 2008 and 12.5% from 2009 until 2013.

13






Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Subsidiaries

  Tax benefits from income tax reduction for activities eligible for tax incentives were recorded in a specific capital reserve account in stockholders’ equity by the subsidiaries benefited from tax incentives. These benefits were recognized in income by the Company through the equity pick-up, as shown in Note 10.b).
   
  The subsidiary Bahiana Distribuidora de Gás Ltda. has requests under analysis by the Federal Revenue Authorities relating to Caucaia base, which, once approved, would represent a reduction of 75% of income tax until 2012 for this base.
   
8. INVESTMENTS
     
  a) Subsidiaries of the Company
     
    Ultragaz
Participações
Ltda. (*)
  Ultracargo -
Operações
Logísticas e
Participações
Ltda. (*)
  Imaven
Imóveis e
Agropecuária
Ltda. (*)
  Oxiteno S.A.
- Indústria e
Comércio (*)
 
   
 
 
 
 
                   
  Number of shares or                
     quotas held 4,336,062   2,461,346   27,733,974   35,102,127  
  Net equity - R$ 231,898   637,055   46,834   774,799  
  Net income for the year - R$ 27,683   6,770   4,848   181,447  

14






    2003
  2002
 
    Ultracargo
Participações
Ltda. (*)

  Operacoes
Ultragaz
Logisticas e
Participações
Ltda. (*)

  Ultracargo
Participações
Ltda. (*)

  Ultratecno
Participações
Ltda. (*)

  Imaven
Imoveis e
Agropecuária
Ltda. (*)

  Oxiteno S.A.
–Indústria e
Comercio (*)
 
Subtotal

  Other
  Total
  Total
 
Changes in investments:                                          
  Balance at beginning of year   202,068   512,404   101,949   8,619   41,986   636,392   1,503,418   337   1,503,755   724,377  
  Provision for losses   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   (3 ) (3 ) --  
  Write-off   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   (3 ) (3 ) --  
  Income taxes on revaluation                                          
    reserves in subsidiaries   (45 ) --   (66 ) --   --   --   (111 ) --   (111 ) (252 )
  Write-off of revaluation reserve   (6,516 ) --   --   --   --   --   (6,516 ) --   (6,516 ) (700 )
  Dividends and interest (net) on
    capital receivable
  --   --   --   --   --   (43,094 ) (43,094 ) --   (43,094 ) (55,605 )
   Withholding tax on interest on capital   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   (825 )
  Purchase of shares   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   --   387,160  
  Merger of shares   (230,576 ) --   --   230,576   --   --   --   --   --   191,568  
  Merger of companies   239,284   117,881   (117,369 ) (239,283 ) --   --   513   (513 ) --   43,627  
  Equity pick-up   27,683   6,770   15,486   88   4,848   181,407   236,282   529   236,811   214,405  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Balance at end of year   231,898   637,055   --   --   46,834   774,705   1,690,492   347   1,690,839   1,503,755  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                           

15






b) Affiliated companies (Consolidated)

    2003  
   
 
    Química da
Bahia Indústria e
Comércio S.A. (**)
  Oxicap Indústria
de Gases Ltda. (**)
 
   
 
 
               
  Number of shares or quotas held 3,174,501     125    
  Adjusted net equity - R$ 10,118     3,797    
  Net income for the year - R$ -     1,384    
  Ownership percentage - % 45.56     25.00    
               
    2003   2002  
   
 
 
    Química da
Bahia Indústria e
Comércio S.A. (**)
  Oxicap Indústria
de Gases Ltda. (**)
  Other   Total   Total  
   
 
 
 
 
 
     Changes in investments:                        
        Balance at beginning of year 4,610     618     1,900   7,128   63,033  
        Write-off of revaluation reserve -     -     -   -   (2,664 )
        Dividends received -     -     -   -   (430 )
        Equity pick-up -     332     17   349   (1,097 )
        Write-offs -     -     (1,756 ) (1,756 ) (11,298 )
        Merger of companies -     -     -   -   (135 )
        Allowance for loss -     -     -   -   (40,551 )
   
   
   
 
 
 
        Balance at end of year 4,610     950     161   5,721   7,128  
   
   
   
 
 
 
  (*) Financial statements audited or reviewed by our independent auditors.
     
  (**) Financial statements audited by other independent auditors.

 

The consolidated amount of equity pick-up in subsidiary and affiliated companies presented in the statement of income includes R$ 52,409 (2002 - R$ 43,467) of income tax incentives arising substantially from operations in regions eligible for such incentives.

In the consolidated financial statements, the investments of subsidiary Oxiteno S.A - Indústria e Comércio in affiliated companies Oxicap Indústria de Gases Ltda. and Química da Bahia Indústria e Comércio S.A are carried under the equity method based on their financial statements as of November 30, 2003.

   

11. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONSOLIDATED)

            2003       2002  
       
 
 
    Annual
depreciation
rates - %
  Revalued
cost
  Accumulated
Revalued
depreciation
  Net book
value
  Net book
value
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
                       
  Land -   46,853   -   46,853   47,151  
  Buildings 4 to 5   356,787   (123,066 ) 233,721   211,239  
  Machinery and equipment 5 to 10   990,265   (478,515 ) 511,750   391,405  
  Vehicles 20 to 30   127,447   (86,118 ) 41,329   35,146  
  Furniture and fixtures 10   15,544   (5,431 ) 10,113   7,733  

16







  Construction in progress -   46,025   -   46,025   39,141  
  Imports in transit -   302   -   302   835  
  Other 10 to 30   117,603   (39,141 ) 78,462   46,817  
       
 
 
 
 
        1,700,826   (732,271 ) 968,555   779,467  
       
 
 
 
 

17





  Construction in progress refers mainly to construction of Terminal Líquido de Santos - TLS and Terminal Intermodal de Montes Claros, both owned by Tequimar, and renovations of the industrial complexes of the other subsidiaries.

Other refers to computer equipment in the amount of R$ 19,596 (2002 - R$ 13,200), software in the amount of R$ 29,901 (R$ 2002 - R$ 5,255), and commercial property rights, mainly those described below:
     
  On July 11, 2002, the subsidiary Terminal Químico de Aratu S.A. - Tequimar won the auction and signed the contract for use of the site on which it operates the Aratu Terminal for another 20 years, renewable for the same period. The goodwill paid by Tequimar amounted to R$ 12,000, and will be amortized over 40 years, equivalent to annual amortization of R$ 300.
     
  Further, the subsidiary Terminal Químico de Aratu S.A. - Tequimar has a lease contract of the adjacent area to Santos harbor for 20 years beginning December 2002, renewable for the same period w,hich allows it to build, operate and explore the terminal, destined to the reception, storage, movement and distribution of liquid bulk. The price paid by Tequimar was R$ 3,803 and shall be amortized over a period of five years, starting from the beginning of its operation, expected for November 2004.
     
12. DEFERRED CHARGES (CONSOLIDATED)
     
  Represented substantially by costs incurred in the implementation of systems modernization projects R$ 3,203 (2002 - R$ 19,866), amortizable over five to ten years, and expenditures for the installation of Ultrasystem equipment at customers’ locations R$ 56,836 (2002 - R$ 58,044), to be amortized over the periods of the LPG supply contracts with these customers. Deferred charges also include the goodwill from acquisition of SPGás Distribuidora de Gás S.A., as stated in Note 3.

18




13. FINANCING (CONSOLIDATED)

Description 2003   2002   Index/
Currency
  Annual
interest
rate - %
  Maturity and amortization


 
 
 
 
Foreign currency:                  
   International Finance                  
      Corporation - IFC -   17,736   US$   9.38    
   Working capital loan 518   -   Mex$   1.40   28 days
   Syndicated loan (*) 173,598   212,503   US$   4.25   Semiannually until 2004
   Financing for inventories and 11,414   3,786   US$   From 7.30 to   Semiannually and annually until
      property additions             8.00   2004
   Advances on foreign exchange 24,896   73,883   US$   From 1.30 to   Maximum of 58 days
      contracts             5.31    
   National Bank for Economic and 23,177   28,863   UMBNDES (**)   From 9.01 to   Monthly until 2008
      Social Development (BNDES)             10.91    
   National Bank for Economic and                  
      Social Development (BNDES)                  
      - Exim -   17,849   US$   5.25    
   Export prepayments, net of             From 4.10 to   Monthly, semiannually and annually
      linked operations 205,082   23,165   US$   6.85   until 2008
 
 
           
Subtotal 438,685   377,785            
 
 
           
Local currency:                  
   National Bank for Economic and         TJLP or   From 1.50 to   Monthly and semiannually until
      Social Development (BNDES) 159,341   181,995   IGP-M   6.50   2008
   FINAME 28,864   23,665   TJLP   From 1.80 to   Monthly until 2008
              4.00    
   Onlending operations 5,256   -   TJLP   (2.00)   Monthly until 2009
   Other -   21       Various    
 
 
           
Subtotal 193,461   205,681            
 
 
           
Total financing 632,146   583,466            
 
 
           
Current liabilities (325,877 ) (219,827 )          
 
 
           
Long-term liabilities 306,269   363,639            
 
 
           
(*) On December 11, 2003, the subsidiary LPG International Inc. renegotiated the interest of 7.15% per year to 4.25% per year.
(**) UMBNDES = BNDES monetary unit. This is a “basket” of currencies representing the composition of BNDES’ debt. 76% of this “basket” is linked to the U.S. dollar.

The long-term portion matures as follows:

      2003   2002  
     
 
 
             
  2004   -   273,270  
  2005   160,770   43,145  
  2006   94,656   32,535  
  2007   34,599   12,920  
  2008 and thereafter   16,244   1,769  
     
 
 
      306,269   363,639  
     
 
 
             
  In June 1997, the subsidiary Companhia Ultragaz S.A. issued Eurobonds in the total amount of US$ 60 million, maturing in 2005, with put/call options in 2002, and guaranteed by Ultrapar Participações S.A. and Ultragaz Participações Ltda. In June 2002, the subsidiary LPG International Inc. exercised the call option for these securities using funds from a loan in the same amount, maturing in August 2004 and prepaid in January 2004 as stated in Note 22.

19





  The financing is collateralized by liens on property, plant and equipment, shareholdings, and promissory notes and guarantees provided by the Company and its subsidiaries, as shown below:
   
    2003   2002  
   
 
 
  Amount of borrowings secured by:        
     Property, plant and equipment 34,256   26,842  
     Shares of affiliated companies 17,128   18,164  
     Minority stockholders’ guarantees 17,642   42,249  
   
 
 
    69,026   87,255  
   
 
 
   
  Other loans are guaranteed either by the Company or by the future flow of export.

The Company is responsible for sureties and guarantees offered on behalf of its subsidiaries, amounting to R$ 571,406.

The subsidiaries issued guarantees to financial institutions related to amounts owed to those institutions by certain of their customers (vendor financing). In the event of payment of such guarantees to those financial institutions, the subsidiaries may recover the amount of such payment directly from their customers through trade collection. Maximum future payments related to these guarantees amount to R$ 19,792 (R$ 7,100 in 2002), with maturities from 30 to 210 days. As of December 31, 2003, the Company has not recorded any liability related to these guarantees.
   
14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
     
  a) Capital
     
    The Company is a public corporation with shares traded on the São Paulo and New York Stock Exchanges. Subscribed and paid-up capital is represented by 69,691,268,828 shares without par value, comprised of 51,264,621,778 common and 18,426,647,050 preferred shares.
     
    On December 31, 2003, 4,823,058 thousand preferred shares were outstanding in the U.S. market, in the form of American Depositary Receipts - ADRs.
     
    Preferred shares are nonconvertible into common shares and nonvoting, and entitle their holders to minimum dividends at least 10% higher than those attributable to common shares, and priority in capital redemption, without premium, in the event of liquidation of the Company.
     
b) Treasury shares
     
  The Company was authorized to acquire its own shares at market price, without

 

20




  capital reduction, to be held in treasury and subsequent disposal, in accordance with the provisions set forth by Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM) Instructions No. 10, of February 14, 1980, and No. 268, of November 13, 1997.

 

21




 

In 2003, 87,900 thousand preferred shares were acquired at the average cost of R$ 24.73, with a minimum cost of R$ 22.50 and a maximum cost of R$ 31.30 per thousand shares.

As of December 31, 2003, the consolidated financial statements recorded 108,100 thousand preferred shares in treasury, which were acquired at the average cost of R$ 23.79 per thousand shares.

The market price of shares issued by the Company on December 31, 2003 on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BOVESPA) was R$ 37.29 per thousand shares.

   
c) Capital reserve
   
  The capital reserve in the amount of R$ 1,152 reflects the goodwill on disposal of shares issued by the Company to be held in treasury in some of the Company’s subsidiaries, at the price of R$ 34.87 per thousand shares. Executives of these subsidiaries were given the usufruct of such shares, as described in Note 20.
   
d) Revaluation reserve
   
 

This reserve reflects the revaluation write-up of assets of subsidiaries and affiliated companies and is realized based upon depreciation, write-off or sale of revalued assets, including the related tax effects.

In some cases, taxes on the revaluation reserve of certain subsidiaries and affiliated companies are recognized only on realization of this reserve since the revaluations occurred prior to the publication of CVM Resolution No. 183/95. Deferred tax charges on these reserves total R$ 7,641 (2002 - R$ 8,553).

   
e) Reserve for retention of profits
   
  This reserve is supported by the investment program, in conformity with article 196 of Brazilian corporate law and includes both a portion of net income and realization of revaluation reserves.
   
f) Realizable profits reserve
   
  This reserve is established in conformity with article 197 of Brazilian corporate law, based on the equity in subsidiaries and affiliated companies. The reserve realization normally occurs on receipt of dividends, sale and write-off of investments.
   
g) Dividends and appropriation of net income
   
  According to the Company’s bylaws, the stockholders are entitled to a minimum annual dividend of 50% of adjusted net income, calculated under the terms of accounting practices adopted in Brazil.

22





  Proposed dividends as stated in the Company’s financial statements, subject to approval at the Stockholders’ Annual Meeting, are as follows:
   
      2003  
     
 
    Net income 246,379  
    Legal reserve (12,319 )
    Retention of profits (117,031 )
    Realization of realizable profits reserve 40,593  
     
 
    Compulsory dividends 157,622  
    Recognition of realizable profits reserve (85,622 )
    Interim dividends (R$ 0.461996 and R$ 0.508195 per thousand    
        common and preferred shares, respectively) (33,000 )
    Proposed complementary dividends payable (R$ 0.545231 and R$0.599754    
        per thousand common and preferred shares, respectively) (39,000 )
         
    Management proposes to retain the balance of net income in the “Reserve for    
    retention of profits” account, in order to support the business expansion project    
    established in its investment plan. --  
     
 
  h) Reconciliation of stockholders’ equity - Company and Consolidated    
         
    Stockholders’ equity - Company 1,360,289  
    Treasury shares held by subsidiaries, net of realization (2,453 )
    Capital reserve arising from sale of treasury shares to subsidiaries,    
        net of realization (1,143 )
     
 
    Stockholders’ equity - Consolidated 1,356,693  
     
 
15. NONOPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME, NET (CONSOLIDATED)
   
  Refers principally to the result on sales of permanent assets, especially cylinders (2002 - refers principally to the recognition of provision for loss, in the amount R$ 40,551, of the investment of Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indústria e Comércio in Nordeste Química S.A. - Norquisa).
   
16. RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA (CONSOLIDATED)
   
  The EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is calculated by the Company, as shown in the table below:

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            2003           2002  
   
 
 
    Ultragaz   Oxiteno   Ultracargo   Other   Consolidated   Consolidated  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Operating income 46,071   246,975   29,085   24,098   346,229   435,807  
     (-) Equity in subsidiaries                        
        and (3,313 ) (48,279 ) (3,635 ) 3,333   (51,894 ) (41,760 )
        affiliated companies                        
  (+/-) Financial income 70,420   8,238   (744 ) (20,666 ) 57,248   (28,509 )
     (+) Depreciation and                        
           amortization 95,059   36,238   15,317   256   146,870   121,803  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
           EBITDA 208,237   243,172   40,023   7,021   498,453   487,341  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

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17. SEGMENT INFORMATION
   
  The Company has three reportable segments: gas, chemical and logistics. The gas segment distributes LPG to retail, commercial and industrial consumers mainly in the South, Southeast and Northeast areas of Brazil. The chemical segment produces primarily ethylene oxide, ethylene glycols, ethanolamines and glycol ethers. The logistics segment operates storage and transportation, mainly in the Southeast and Northeast areas of the country. Reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. Intersegment sales are transacted at prices approximating those that the selling entity is able to obtain on external sales.
   
  The principal financial information about each of the Company’s reportable segments is as follows:
   
            2003           2002  
   
 
 
    Ultragaz   Oxiteno   Ultracargo   Other   Consolidated   Consolidated  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Net sales, net of related-party
    transactions
2,622,253   1,237,793   140,177   86   4,000,309   2,994,506  
  Operating income before
   financial income (expenses)
  and equity in subsidiaries and
  affiliated companies
113,179   206,935   24,707   6,762   351,583   365,538  
  EBITDA 208,237   243,172   40,023   7,021   498,453   487,341  
  Total assets, net of related parties 984,577   1,067,487   272,316   27,887   2,352,267   2,127,913  

18. RISKS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONSOLIDATED)
   
  The main risk factors to which the Company and its subsidiaries are exposed reflect strategic-operating and economic-financial aspects. Strategic-operating risks (such as demand behavior, competition, technological innovation, and significant structural changes in industry, among others) are addressed by the Company’s management model. Economic-financial risks mainly reflect customer default, macroeconomic variables such as exchange and interest rates, as well as the characteristics of the financial instruments used by the Company. These risks are managed through control policies, specific strategies and the determination of limits, as follows:

  Customer default - These risks are managed by specific policies for accepting customers and credit analysis and are mitigated by diversification of sales. Oxiteno S.A. - Indústria e Comércio and Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indústria e Comércio held R$ 3,522 (2002 - R$ 6,833) and Ultragaz Participações S.A. held R$ 17,367 (2002 - R$ 8,251) of allowances for potential losses on receivables as of December 31, 2003. The increase in the accrual of Companhia Ultragaz S.A. is composed substantially of accruals already existing in Shell’s LPG business, acquired on August 8, 2003.
     
  Interest rates - The Company and its subsidiaries adopt conservative


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    policies to obtain and invest funds and to minimize the cost of capital. The temporary cash investments of the Company and its subsidiaries are comprised substantially of transactions linked to interbank deposit (CDI) rates, as described in Note 4. A portion of the financial assets is destined for foreign currency hedges, as mentioned below. Funds obtained originate from BNDES financing and from abroad, as mentioned in Note 13.

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  Exchange rate - The subsidiaries of the Company use foreign currency swap (mainly US$ to CDI) instruments available in the financial market to cover assets and liabilities in foreign currency, with the objective of reducing the effects of exchange rates variation in their results. Such swaps have amounts, periods and indexes equivalent to the assets and liabilities in foreign currency, to which they are linked. The following summary shows the assets and liabilities in foreign currency, translated into Brazilian reais at December 31, 2003:
     
    Book value  
   
 
  Assets:    
     Investments in foreign currency and swaps 395,361  
     Foreign cash and cash equivalents 77,589  
     Receivables from foreign customers, net of advances    
        on export contracts 27,979  
   
 
  Total 500,929  
   
 
  Liabilities:    
     Foreign currency financing 438,685  
     Import payables 9,988  
   
 
     Total 448,673  
   
 
  Net asset position 52,256  
   
 

  Given the characteristics of the financial instruments described, the management of the Company and its subsidiaries believe that market values approximate book values of these financial instruments. The exchange rate variation related to cash and banks, temporary cash investments and investments of foreign subsidiaries abroad was recorded as financial expense in the statement of income for the year 2003, in the amount of R$ 24,251 (2002 - financial income of R$ 44,087). Other financial instruments recorded in the financial statements as of December 31, 2003 were determined in conformity with the accounting criteria and practices described in the respective notes.
     
19. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (CONSOLIDATED)
     
  a) Civil, tax and labor lawsuits
     
    The Petrochemical Industry Labor Union, of which the employees of Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indústria e Comércio are members, filed a class action against the subsidiary in 1990, demanding compliance with the adjustments established in collective labor agreements, in lieu of the salary policies effectively followed. At the same time, the employers’ association proposed a collective labor dispute for the interpretation and clarification of the fourth clause of the agreement. Based on the opinion of its legal counsel, who analyzed the decision of the

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  Federal Supreme Court (STF) in the collective dispute as well as the status of the individual lawsuit of the subsidiary, management believes that a reserve for a potential loss is not necessary as of December 31, 2003.


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The subsidiary Companhia Ultragaz S.A. is a defendant in lawsuits relating to damages caused by an explosion in 1996 in a shopping mall in the city of Osasco, state of São Paulo. Such lawsuits involve (i) individual suits filed by victims of the explosion claiming damages from Ultragaz for the loss of economic benefit and for pain and suffering; (ii) reimbursement of expenses of the management of the shopping mall and its insurance company; (iii) class action seeking indemnification for material damages and pain and suffering for all the victims injured and deceased. The subsidiary believes that it has presented evidence that defective gas pipes in the shopping mall caused the accident and that Ultragaz’s on-site LPG storage facilities did not contribute to the explosion. It has obtained a favorable judgment in all lawsuits which have been judged to date. Further, Ultragaz also believes that its insurance coverage is sufficient to cover the aggregate amount of all claims filed.

The Company and its subsidiaries obtained injunctions to pay PIS and COFINS (taxes on revenues) without changes introduced by Law No. 9,718/98 in its original version. The questioning refers to the levy of these taxes on gains other than revenues. The unpaid amounts were recorded in the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, totaling R$ 30,498 (2002 - R$ 24,119).

The main fiscal discussions of the Company and subsidiaries refer to the taxation of PIS and COFINS (as detailed in the preceding paragraph) and the taxation of income earned abroad (as stated in Note 9.a)). The potential losses on these discussions are accrued in noncurrent assets as other taxes and deferred income and social contribution taxes, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries have other ongoing administrative and judicial proceedings; legal counsel consider the risks to be low or remote and, therefore, no reserves for potential losses on these proceedings have been recorded.

Although there is no assurance that the Company will prevail in all cases, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of tax, civil and labor contingencies not provided for will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Escrow deposits and provisions are summarized below:

   
    2003   2002  
   
 
 
    Escrow
deposits
  Provision   Escrow
deposits
  Provision  
   
 
 
 
 
  Social contribution tax on net income 31   2,917   -   2,917  
        Labor claims 7,433   914   4,493   1,536  
     PIS and COFINS on other gains 58   30,498   105   24,119  
           Other 2,382   6,570   2,394   -  
   
 
 
 
 
    9,904   40,899   6,992   28,572  
   
 
 
 
 

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  b) Contracts
     
   

The subsidiary Terminal Químico de Aratu S.A - Tequimar has contracts with CODEBA - Companhia Docas do Estado da Bahia and Complexo Industrial Portuário Governador Eraldo Gueiros, in connection with its harbor facilities in Aratu and Suape, respectively. Such contracts establish minimum cargo movement of 1,000,000 tons per year for Aratu, effective through 2022, and 250,000 tons per year for Suape, effective through 2027. If annual movement is less than the minimum required, the subsidiary is required to pay the difference between the actual movement and the minimum contractual movement using the harbor rates in effect at the date established for payment. As of December 31, 2003, such rates were R$ 3.67 and R$ 3.44 per ton for Aratu and Suape, respectively. The Company has been in compliance with the minimum cargo movement since the inception of the contracts.

Oxiteno Nordeste S.A. - Indústria e Comércio has a supply contract with Braskem S.A., effective through 2012, which establishes a minimum annual ethylene consumption level. The minimum purchase commitment and the actual demand for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, expressed in tons of ethylene, are summarized below. If the minimum purchase commitment is not met, the subsidiary is liable for a fine of 40% of the current ethylene price for the quantity not purchased.

     
        Actual demand  
    Minimum purchase  
 
    commitment   2003   2002  
   
 
 
 
               
  In tons 137,900   188,850   164,534  
   
 
 
 
               
  c) Insurance coverage for subsidiaries
     
    Subsidiaries maintain insurance policies in amounts considered sufficient to cover potential losses from damage to assets, as well as for civil responsibility for involuntary, material and/or physical damages caused to third parties arising from their industrial and commercial operations, considering the nature of their activities and the advice of their insurance consultants.
   
20. STOCK PLAN (CONSOLIDATED)
   
  At the Extraordinary Stockholders’ Meeting held on November 26, 2003, a benefit plan was approved for the management of the Company and its subsidiaries, which provides for: (i) the initial grant of usufruct of shares issued by the Company and held in treasury by subsidiaries in which the beneficiaries are recorded; (ii) the transfer of the beneficial ownership of the shares after ten years from the initial concession provided that the professional relationship between the beneficiary and the Company and subsidiaries is not interrupted. The total value granted to executives in 2003, including taxes, was R$ 4,960. This value will be amortized over

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  a period of ten years. The amortized amount in 2003 was R$ 42, which was recorded as operating expense.
   
21. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND PRIVATE PENSION PLAN (CONSOLIDATED)
   
 

The Company and its subsidiaries offer benefits to their employees, such as life insurance, health care and pension plan. In addition, loans for the acquisition of vehicles and personal computers are available to employees of certain subsidiaries. These benefits are recorded on the accrual basis and terminate at the end of the employment relationship.

In August 2001, the Company and its subsidiaries began to provide a defined contribution pension plan to their employees. Adoption of this plan, managed by Ultraprev - Associação de Previdência Complementar, was approved at the Board of Directors’ Meeting on February 15, 2001. Under the terms of the plan, the basic contribution of each participating employee is defined annually by the participant between 0% and 11% of his/her salary. The sponsoring companies provide a matching contribution in an identical amount as the basic contribution. As participants retire, they may opt to receive monthly: (i) a percentage varying between 0.5% and 1.0% of the fund accumulated in their name at Ultraprev, or (ii) a fixed monthly amount which will extinguish the fund accumulated in the participant’s name during a period of between 5 and 25 years. As such, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries assume responsibility for guaranteeing the levels of amounts or periods of receipt for the participants that retire under this plan. In 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries contributed R$ 3,355 to Ultraprev, which was charged to income for the year. The total number of employee participants as of December 31, 2003 was 5,115, with no participants retired to date.

Additionally, Ultraprev has 2 active participants and 34 former employees receiving defined benefits according to the policies of a previous plan. Considering that the fair market value for the plan’s assets significantly exceeds the present actuarial value of the accumulated benefit obligations, the sponsoring entities have not been contributing to the plan for these 36 participants. On the other hand, the sponsoring entities do not believe that it would be possible to recover any amounts from the plan, based on legislation applicable to closed private pension entities. As a result, no asset or liability relating to these participants has been recorded in the financial statements of the sponsoring companies.

   
22. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
   
  In January 2004, the subsidiary LPG International Inc. issued Eurobonds in the amount of US$ 60 million, maturing in June 2005 and having an interest rate of 3.5% per year. Funds from issuance were used to repay loans, as stated in Note 13.

 

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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.

ULTRAPAR HOLDINGS INC.
     
By:  /s/ Fabio Schvartsman
 
  Name: Fabio Schvartsman
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: March, 2004

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