Albemarle Reports Record Quarterly Operating Results
BATON ROUGE, La., April 26, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
First quarter 2010 highlights:
- Record earnings of $67.9 million, or 74 cents per share, excluding special items.
- Quarterly net sales of $580.3 million, up 19.3% over prior year.
- Strong operating performance including record segment income for Polymer Solutions and Catalysts segments.
First Quarter | |||||
Ended March 31, | |||||
In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts | 2010 | 2009 | |||
Net Sales | $ | 580,270 | $ | 486,591 | |
Operating Profit | $ | 76,264 | $ | 28,927 | |
Net Income attributable to Albemarle Corporation | $ | 63,308 | $ | 25,399 | |
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.28 | |
Special item per share | $ | (0.05) | $ | — | |
Diluted earnings per share excluding special item | $ | 0.74 | $ | 0.28 | |
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) reported first quarter 2010 earnings of $63.3 million, or 69 cents per share, compared to $25.4 million, or 28 cents per share, for the first quarter 2009. First quarter 2010 results include a $7.0 million pre-tax charge ($4.6 million or 5 cents per share after tax) for restructuring costs related principally to planned reductions in force at our Bergheim, Germany site. Net sales in the first quarter of 2010 totaled $580.3 million compared to first quarter 2009 net sales of $486.6 million.
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Commenting on results, Mark C. Rohr, Chairman and CEO, stated, "I am extremely pleased with our performance this quarter. We achieved strong operating results and significantly improved year over year performance across our segments including record profitability for the Corporation and in our Catalysts and Polymer Solutions businesses. We benefited from improving trends in the markets served by our businesses and continued our keen focus on cost control and cash generation. Our disciplined efforts toward cost control, working capital and operating efficiency have positioned us well to post record results in 2010."
Quarterly Segment Results
Polymer Solutions delivered net sales for the first quarter of 2010 of $216.7 million, a 76 percent increase versus the first quarter of 2009 due primarily to improved volumes in both our fire safety and stabilizers and curatives businesses. Polymer Solutions segment income for the first quarter of 2010 was a record $41.8 million as compared to the first quarter 2009 segment loss of $11.7 million. The significant improvement in segment income is due primarily to increased volume demand across the portfolio, particularly in brominated flame retardants, as well as higher production utilization rates.
Catalysts generated net sales for the first quarter of 2010 of $227.7 million, a decrease of 6 percent versus first quarter of 2009 due primarily to the impact of lower metals pricing, which we pass through, partly offset by favorable product pricing and mix. Catalysts segment income for the first quarter of 2010 was a record $55.1 million versus the first quarter of 2009 of $35.7 million. This 54 percent improvement was attributable primarily to improved realization of metals costs in refinery catalysts, favorable sales mix including profit contribution from our alternative fuels business and higher equity income.
Fine Chemicals net sales in the first quarter of 2010 were $136 million, a 13 percent increase versus the first quarter of 2009, due primarily to increased volumes in our performance chemicals business offset by lower volumes in fine chemistry services. Fine Chemicals segment income for the first quarter of 2010 was $11.8 million versus $8.7 million in first quarter 2009. Improved sales and production volumes drove a 35 percent increase in segment income from first quarter 2009.
Corporate and Other
Corporate and other charges were $16.7 million for first quarter 2010. These charges were up year over year due mainly to higher personnel related costs. First quarter 2009 included $7.8 million in favorable adjustments associated with the reversal of certain long-term employee benefit accruals.
Cash Flow
In the first quarter of 2010, cash on hand funded capital expenditures for plant, machinery and equipment of $16.1 million and dividends to shareholders of $11.4 million. During the quarter, interest and financing expenses of $5.9 million were comparable to first quarter of 2009 expenses of $6.3 million. This slight decrease was due primarily to lower average debt balances year over year.
At March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $267 million in cash and cash equivalents. In addition, the Company has additional capacity to borrow in excess of $460 million under our existing lines of credit and has no significant debt maturities before 2013. Focus on inventory levels resulted in lower balances at March 31, 2010 as compared to December 31, 2009 despite the increase in business activity.
Taxes
Our reported first quarter 2010 effective income tax rate was 23.4 percent. Excluding the 2010 special item and $2.5 million in nonrecurring tax adjustments in 2009 relating to prior periods, the effective tax rate was 24.4 percent versus 14 percent for first quarter 2009. The increase is due mainly to level and mix of income in higher tax jurisdictions, principally significantly higher income in the U.S.
Outlook
The volume improvement in most of our segments again this quarter is an encouraging sign that conditions in our key markets have improved. As a result of the initiatives we undertook in 2009, we are better positioned to capitalize on opportunities in these markets if demand remains strong. We will continue to monitor key economic indicators and do our best to manage potential headwinds such as increased raw material and energy costs. We remain optimistic that 2010 will result in outstanding full year performance.
Earnings Call
The Company's performance for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 will be discussed on a conference call at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight time on April 27, 2010, which can be accessed through Albemarle's website under Investor Information at www.albemarle.com.
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing; transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the information presented in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe our expectations as reflected are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation: deterioration in economic and business conditions; future financial and operating performance of our major customers and industries served by us; the inability to pass through increases in costs and expenses for raw materials and energy; competition from other manufacturers; changes in demand for our products; the gain or loss of significant customers; fluctuations in foreign currencies; and increased government regulation of our operations or our products. Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009 and in our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are urged to review and consider carefully the disclosures we make in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (In Thousands of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited) | ||||||
First Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||
Net sales | $580,270 | $486,591 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 415,799 | 396,085 | ||||
Gross profit | 164,471 | 90,506 | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 66,530 | 45,434 | ||||
Research and development expenses | 14,719 | 16,145 | ||||
Restructuring and other charges | 6,958 | (a) | — | |||
Operating profit | 76,264 | 28,927 | ||||
Interest and financing expenses | (5,936) | (6,274) | ||||
Other income (expenses), net | 1,010 | (1,131) | ||||
Income before income tax expense and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments | 71,338 | 21,522 | ||||
Income tax expense | (16,700) | (525) | ||||
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments | 54,638 | 20,997 | ||||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax) | 10,276 | 5,949 | ||||
Net income | 64,914 | 26,946 | ||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,606) | (1,547) | ||||
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation | $63,308 | $25,399 | ||||
Basic earnings per share | $0.69 | $0.28 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share | $0.69 | $0.28 | ||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic | 91,386 | 91,380 | ||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted | 92,193 | 91,797 | ||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information. | ||||||
Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited) | |||||
March 31, 2010 | December 31, 2009 | ||||
ASSETS | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 267,317 | $ 308,791 | |||
Other current assets | 796,314 | 723,296 | |||
Total current assets | 1,063,631 | 1,032,087 | |||
Property, plant and equipment | 2,388,195 | 2,406,129 | |||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | 1,385,437 | 1,379,246 | |||
Net property, plant and equipment | 1,002,758 | 1,026,883 | |||
Other assets and intangibles | 690,499 | 712,587 | |||
Total assets | $2,756,888 | $2,771,557 | |||
LIABILITIES & EQUITY | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ 8,390 | $ 36,310 | |||
Other current liabilities | 342,552 | 316,954 | |||
Total current liabilities | 350,942 | 353,264 | |||
Long-term debt | 797,294 | 776,403 | |||
Other noncurrent liabilities | 289,699 | 307,131 | |||
Deferred income taxes | 77,800 | 81,441 | |||
Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity | 1,200,046 | 1,205,696 | |||
Noncontrolling interests | 41,107 | 47,622 | |||
Total liabilities & equity | $2,756,888 | $2,771,557 | |||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information. | |||||
Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries Selected Consolidated Cash Flows Data (In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
2010 | 2009 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | $308,791 | $253,303 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $267,317 | $183,899 | ||
Sources of cash and cash equivalents: | ||||
Net income | 64,914 | 26,946 | ||
Proceeds from borrowings | 6,654 | 22,140 | ||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 978 | 663 | ||
Uses of cash and cash equivalents: | ||||
Capital expenditures | (16,141) | (33,068) | ||
Purchases of common stock | (8,634) | — | ||
Repayments of long-term debt | (14,445) | (35,834) | ||
Dividends paid to shareholders | (11,401) | (10,961) | ||
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests | — | (2,911) | ||
Contributions to defined benefit plans | (20,000) | — | ||
Non-cash items: | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24,701 | 25,775 | ||
Restructuring and other charges (a) | 6,958 | — | ||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments | (10,276) | (5,949) | ||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information. | ||||
Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Summary of Segment Results (In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited) | ||||||
First Quarter Ended March 31, | ||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||
Net sales: | ||||||
Polymer Solutions | $216,653 | $123,200 | ||||
Catalysts | 227,653 | 242,587 | ||||
Fine Chemicals | 135,964 | 120,804 | ||||
Total net sales | $580,270 | $486,591 | ||||
Segment operating profit: | ||||||
Polymer Solutions | $40,363 | $(11,563) | ||||
Catalysts | 46,995 | 29,761 | ||||
Fine Chemicals | 12,568 | 10,283 | ||||
Subtotal | $99,926 | $28,481 | ||||
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments: | ||||||
Polymer Solutions | $2,194 | $48 | ||||
Catalysts | 8,109 | 5,928 | ||||
Fine Chemicals | — | — | ||||
Corporate & other | (27) | (27) | ||||
Total equity in net income of unconsolidated investments | $10,276 | $5,949 | ||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests: | ||||||
Polymer Solutions | $(790) | $(215) | ||||
Catalysts | — | — | ||||
Fine Chemicals | (798) | (1,553) | ||||
Corporate & other | (18) | 221 | ||||
Total net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | $(1,606) | $(1,547) | ||||
Segment income: | ||||||
Polymer Solutions | $41,767 | $(11,730) | ||||
Catalysts | 55,104 | 35,689 | ||||
Fine Chemicals | 11,770 | 8,730 | ||||
Total segment income | 108,641 | 32,689 | ||||
Corporate & other | (16,749) | 640 | ||||
Restructuring and other charges (a) | (6,958) | — | ||||
Interest and financing expenses | (5,936) | (6,274) | ||||
Other income (expenses), net | 1,010 | (1,131) | ||||
Income tax expense | (16,700) | (525) | ||||
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation | $63,308 | $25,399 | ||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information. | ||||||
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
(a) The three-month period ended March 31, 2010 included charges amounting to $7.0 million ($4.6 million after income taxes, or 5 cents per share) that related principally to planned reductions in force at our Bergheim, Germany site.
Additional Information
It should be noted that earnings or per share amounts excluding special items and tax rates excluding special items are financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. They are presented here to exclude the impact of certain items on our results. We believe these measures are more reflective of our operations, provide transparency to investors and enable period-to-period comparability of financial performance.
A description of other non-GAAP financial measures that we use to evaluate our operations and financial performance, and reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, can be found in the Investor Information section of our website at www.albemarle.com, under "Non-GAAP Reconciliations" under "Investor Relations."
SOURCE Albemarle Corporation
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