LyondellBasell Reports First-Quarter 2013 Results

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 

First-Quarter 2013 Highlights

• Record diluted earnings per share of $1.56; $906 million income from continuing operations
• First quarter EBITDA of $1,585 million; record Olefins & Polyolefins - Americas results
• Began construction of La Porte ethylene expansion and methanol plant restart projects
• Completed significant scheduled maintenance at the Houston refinery; increased the refinery feedstock flexibility to accommodate both Canadian and lighter crudes
• Achieved investment grade credit rating

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) today announced earnings for the first quarter 2013 of $906 million, or $1.56 diluted earnings per share. First quarter 2013 EBITDA was $1,585 million, a 25 percent increase from the fourth quarter 2012 and a 29 percent increase from the first quarter 2012. Net income in the first quarter 2013 increased by 44 percent from the fourth quarter 2012. The increase was primarily a result of improved operating results across all segments, other than Refining, which had a planned maintenance turnaround.

Comparisons with the prior quarter and first quarter 2012 are shown below:

Results also reflect the following charges and benefits:

"The theme for our 2012 annual report was – "Seize the Moment – Securing the Future". We are converting these words to action. Our first quarter results demonstrate our success.  For example, in our Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas segment, we took advantage of strong industry margins, and for the third consecutive quarter, operated our ethylene plant system at or above nameplate capacity - achieving record profitability in this segment," said Jim Gallogly, LyondellBasell Chief Executive Officer. 

"In addition to our strong financial and operating results during the quarter, we passed several key milestones which we believe will help in securing our future performance. We received environmental permits and began construction on two key growth projects – the Channelview methanol plant restart and the La Porte olefins expansion. We are targeting to complete the methanol restart this year and the La Porte expansion during 2014.  In addition, we completed a major turnaround at the Houston refinery, implementing modifications that position us to benefit from rapidly developing North American crude oil production. When completed, and assuming 2012 margins, these three projects would represent approximately $775 million of potential annual EBITDA," Gallogly added.

"While the U.S. olefins business set new records during the quarter, the situation in European olefins and polyolefins continued to be difficult. Although our results improved from recent quarters, underlying economic and industry conditions have not. Our Intermediates and Derivatives segment continued to post steady results. At the Houston refinery, major turnaround activities required us to reduce first quarter throughput which negatively impacted the quarter," Gallogly indicated.

OUTLOOK

"Overall, the trends of the previous quarters continued into early April. Our Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas and Intermediates and Derivatives segments continued to benefit from the shale gas developments," Gallogly said.

"However, as broadly reported, the global macro-economic outlook continues to be uncertain. Within this environment, our "back-to-basics" strategy will serve us well. Our focus is further sharpened as we proceed into the next chapter of our story - execution of our growth projects and the continued return of value to our shareholders," Gallogly added.

LYONDELLBASELL BUSINESS RESULTS DISCUSSION BY REPORTING SEGMENT

LyondellBasell operates in five business segments: 1) Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas; 2) Olefins and Polyolefins – EAI; 3) Intermediates and Derivatives; 4) Refining; and 5) Technology.

Olefins and Polyolefins - Americas (O&P-Americas) – The primary products of this segment include ethylene and its co-products (propylene, butadiene and benzene), polyethylene, polypropylene and Catalloy process resins. 

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $121 million in the first quarter 2013 versus the fourth quarter 2012. Compared to the prior period, olefins results increased approximately $140 million primarily due to an increase in margins.  Our cost of ethylene production metric declined and the average ethylene price increased 4 cents per pound. Improved ethylene co-product pricing drove the decline in the cost of ethylene production. Combined polyolefin results decreased by approximately $25 million from the fourth quarter 2012 primarily due to lower polypropylene sales volumes and margins. Joint venture equity income declined slightly.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended March 31, 2012 –   EBITDA increased $303 million in the first quarter 2013 versus the first quarter 2012.  Olefins results increased approximately $290 million compared to the prior year period as a result of higher olefins margins and volumes. The higher olefins margins were primarily driven by lower natural gas liquid prices in the first quarter 2013, in particular ethane and propane. Olefins production volumes were higher compared to the first quarter 2012, which was impacted by a planned maintenance turnaround.  Polyethylene results were relatively unchanged. Polypropylene results declined by approximately $25 million due to a 12 percent decline in polypropylene sales volumes in the first quarter 2013 as price volatility negatively impacted customer buying patterns. Joint venture equity income was relatively unchanged.

Olefins and Polyolefins - Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI) – The primary products of this segment include ethylene and its co-products (propylene and butadiene), polyethylene, polypropylene, global polypropylene compounds, Catalloy process resins and polybutene-1 resins.
 

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $198 million in the first quarter 2013 versus the fourth quarter 2012. Excluding the net negative impact of various fourth quarter items such as restructuring and compensation accruals, a feedstock contract renegotiation, and a Wesseling plant turnaround, underlying EBITDA increased approximately $115 million. Exclusive of the Wesseling turnaround impact, olefins results improved approximately $40 million primarily due to olefin margins expansion related to naphtha price volatility. Exclusive of the feedstock contract renegotiation, underlying commodity polyolefin results increased by approximately $30 million, driven by higher margins. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results increased approximately $20 million from seasonally low fourth quarter results. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $25 million from the fourth quarter 2012.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended March 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $110 million versus the first quarter 2012. Olefins results increased by approximately $70 million, primarily  as a result of improved margins. Combined commodity polyolefin results increased by approximately $30 million primarily as a result of higher polypropylene margins and volumes in the first quarter 2013 and the absence of charges related to the first quarter 2012 Wesseling polyethylene reactor damage. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results were relatively unchanged from the prior year period. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $14 million from the first quarter 2012.

Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D) – The primary products of this segment include propylene oxide (PO) and its co-products (styrene monomer, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), isobutylene and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide), and derivatives (propylene glycol, propylene glycol ethers and butanediol), acetyls, ethylene oxide and its derivatives, and oxyfuels.  

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $76 million versus the fourth quarter 2012. Results for PO and PO derivatives improved by $20 million primarily due to seasonal recovery of volumes. Intermediate chemicals results increased by approximately $25 million due to higher C4 chemical and styrene margins. Oxyfuels results improved due to stronger first quarter 2013 margins. Equity income from joint ventures was relatively unchanged.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended March 31, 2012 – EBITDA decreased $44 million compared to the first quarter 2012. Results for PO and PO derivatives declined primarily due to lower solvents and butanediol sales volumes and margins as new Asian capacity came online in 2013. PO volumes and margins were relatively unchanged. Intermediate chemicals results improved by approximately $30 million mainly due to higher C4 chemicals and styrene margins. Oxyfuels results declined approximately $25 million primarily as a result of lower margins in the 2013 period versus stronger than typical first quarter 2012 margins. Equity income from joint ventures was relatively unchanged. 

Refining – The primary products of this segment include gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, and petrochemical raw materials.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA decreased $103 million versus the fourth quarter 2012. The Houston refinery operated at 173,000 barrels per day, down 82,000 barrels per day from the prior quarter primarily due to a planned turnaround. The throughput decline negatively impacted the first quarter 2013 by approximately $80 million versus fourth quarter 2012. In addition, the Maya 2-1-1 benchmark crack spread decreased $3.39 per barrel to $20.97 per barrel in the first quarter 2013. The decline in our refinery spread was somewhat smaller relative to the benchmark spread. Results continue to be negatively impacted from depressed values of by-products such as petroleum coke and various natural gas based products.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended March 31, 2012 – EBITDA decreased $28 million versus the first quarter 2012 mainly due to the impact of the first quarter 2013 turnaround. Compared to the first quarter in 2012, a throughput decline of 86,000 barrels per day negatively impacted the current quarter by approximately $85 million, which more than offset an increased crack spread. The Maya 2-1-1 benchmark crack spread increased $0.82 per barrel to $20.97 per barrel from the first quarter 2012.

Technology – The principal products of the Technology segment include polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses and related services.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased by $24 million. The fourth quarter 2012 included $18 million in restructuring charges.

Three months ended March 31, 2013 versus three months ended March 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased by $10 million driven by higher licensing revenues.

Capital spending and cash balances

Capital expenditures, including growth projects, maintenance turnarounds, catalyst and information technology related expenditures, were $391 million in the first quarter 2013. Our cash balance was $2.9 billion at March 31, 2013.

CONFERENCE CALL

LyondellBasell will host a conference call April 26 at 11 a.m. ET.  Participants on the call will include Chief Executive Officer Jim Gallogly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Karyn Ovelmen, Senior Vice President - Strategic Planning and Transactions Sergey Vasnetsov, and Vice President of Investor Relations Doug Pike. 

The toll-free dial-in number in the U.S. is 800-369-1609.  For international numbers, please go to the company website, www.lyondellbasell.com/teleconference, for a complete listing of toll-free numbers by country.  The pass code for all numbers is 4807902.

A replay of the call will be available from 2 p.m. ET April 26 until May 26 at 11 p.m. ET.  The replay dial-in numbers are 800-469-5439 (U.S.) and +1 203-369-3805 (international). The pass code for each is 3102.

The slides that accompany the call will be available at http://www.lyondellbasell.com/earnings.  

ABOUT LYONDELLBASELL

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500. LyondellBasell (www.lyondellbasell.com) manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels. 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, the business cyclicality of the chemical, polymers and refining industries; the availability, cost and price volatility of raw materials and utilities, particularly the cost of oil, natural gas, and associated natural gas liquids; competitive product and pricing pressures; labor conditions; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, supplier disruptions, labor shortages, strikes, work stoppages or other labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks); the supply/demand balances for our and our joint ventures' products, and the related effects of industry production capacities and operating rates; our ability to achieve expected cost savings and other synergies; legal and environmental proceedings; tax rulings, consequences or proceedings; technological developments, and our ability to develop new products and process technologies; potential governmental regulatory actions; political unrest and terrorist acts; risks and uncertainties posed by international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; and our ability to comply with debt covenants and service our debt.  Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which can be found at www.lyondellbasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

This release makes reference to certain "non-GAAP" financial measures as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company's ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Before the first quarter of 2013, we reported EBITDA  including certain adjustments. The EBITDA previously reported was calculated as net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, reorganization items, income from equity investments, income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, net income (loss) from discontinued operations, plus joint venture dividends, as adjusted for other items management does not believe are indicative of our underlying results of operations such as impairment charges, asset retirement obligations and the effect of mark-to-market accounting on our warrants. The specific items for which EBITDA was adjusted in each prior reporting period were disclosed in the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures table included in each reporting period. Beginning March 31, 2013, we calculate EBITDA as income from continuing operations plus interest expense (net), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation & amortization.  Reconciliations of our current calculation of EBITDA for periods prior to March 31, 2013 to the previously presented measures are included under "EBITDA Reconciliations" on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.lyondellbasell.com. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to profit or operating profit for any period as an indicator of our performance, or as alternatives to operating cash flows as a measure of our liquidity.

Quantitative reconciliations of EBITDA to net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, are provided in Table 9 at the end of this release.

OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURE PRESENTATION NOTES

This release contains time sensitive information that is accurate only as of the time hereof. Information contained in this release is unaudited and subject to change. LyondellBasell undertakes no obligation to update the information presented herein except to the extent required by law.

SOURCE LyondellBasell Industries