Total segment sales for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 were $66.5 million compared to $69.5 million for the prior year period. Ready-mix concrete sales for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 decreased $1.9 million from the prior year period on 12% lower average prices and 9% higher shipments. 

Cost of products sold for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 increased $1.5 million from the prior year period primarily due to higher shipments. Overall ready-mix concrete unit costs decreased 5% from the prior year period primarily due to the effect of higher shipments and lower raw material costs.

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 decreased $0.5 million from the prior year period primarily due to lower provisions for bad debts.

Other income for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 increased $0.1 million from the prior year period primarily due to higher gains from routine sales of surplus operating assets.

Corporate

Other income for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 increased $0.2 million from the prior year period primarily due to higher oil and gas royalties offset in part by lower interest income.

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 decreased $4.1 million from the prior year period. The decrease was primarily the result of $3.0 million lower stock-based compensation. Our stock-based compensation includes awards expected to be settled in cash, the expense for which is based on their fair value at the end of each period until the awards are paid. The impact of changes in our stock price on their fair value decreased stock-based compensation $1.3 million in the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 and increased stock-based compensation $1.6 million in the three-month period ended August 31, 2009. We hold life insurance policies in connection with certain of our benefit plans. Proceeds received from the policies in the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 decreased expense $0.4 million from the prior year period. Our focus on reducing controllable costs lowered overall other expenses $0.7 million in the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 from the prior year period.

Interest

Interest expense incurred was $14.4 million and $13.2 million in the three-month periods ended August 31, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively, of which none was capitalized. Interest expense incurred for the three-month period ended August 31, 2010 increased $1.2 million from the prior year period primarily as a result of higher average outstanding debt at higher interest rates due to the refinancing of our 7.25% senior notes.

Loss on Debt Retirements

On July 27, 2010, we commenced a cash tender offer for all of the outstanding $550 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.25% senior notes due 2013 and a solicitation of consents to amend the indenture governing the 7.25% notes. Pursuant to the tender offer and consent solicitation, we purchased $536.6 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% notes, and paid an aggregate of $547.7 million in purchase price and consent fees. On September 9, 2010, we redeemed the remaining $13.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% notes at a price of 101.813% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the 7.25% notes to the redemption date. We used the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of $650 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.25% senior notes to pay the purchase or redemption price of the 7.25% notes and the consent fees. As of August 31, 2010, we recognized a loss on debt retirement of $29.0 million representing $11.1 million in consent fees and transaction costs and a write-off of $17.9 million of unamortized debt discount and original issuance costs associated with the 7.25% notes.