LyondellBasell Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2011 Results

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Full Year 2011

• $2,140 million net income or $3.74 diluted earnings per share.  Full-year 2011 net income negatively impacted by $567 million, or $0.97 diluted earnings per share, of charges relating primarily to refinancing and the Berre refinery
• EBITDA of $5,279 million, includes $155 million of charges relating primarily to the Berre refinery
• Strong performance led by advantaged positions in U.S. olefins and refining
• Paid $2.9 billion in dividends

Fourth Quarter 2011

• $218 million net loss or $0.38 diluted loss per share.  Fourth quarter net loss negatively impacted by $448 million, or $0.79 diluted loss per share, of charges relating primarily to refinancing and the Berre refinery
• Fourth-quarter EBITDA of $536 million negatively impacted by significantly weaker refining margins, with Maya 2-1-1 spreads declining ~$11 per barrel from third quarter 2011, and $139 million of charges relating primarily to the Berre refinery
• Year-end economic slowdown which led to reduced ethylene industry margins further negatively impacted results
• Positive momentum seen in early 2012 in U.S. olefins and refining industries

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) today announced a net loss for the fourth quarter 2011 of $218 million, or $0.38 per share.  Fourth-quarter 2011 EBITDA was $536 million.  For the full year 2011, net income was $2,140 million, or $3.74 per share.  The fourth-quarter and full-year results include the impacts of $431 million included in interest expense related to the company's refinancings and $136 million of charges associated with the suspension of operations at the Berre refinery.

Comparisons with the prior quarter, fourth quarter 2010 and full year 2010 are available in the following table.

For 2011, LyondellBasell reported improved results across the majority of its portfolio, most notably in North American olefins and at the Houston refinery, both of which benefit from advantaged feedstocks.

The fourth quarter was negatively impacted by lower industry margins, particularly in refining, a year-end slowdown, charges primarily related to the suspension of operations at the Berre refinery and costs related to refinancing activities.

Results reflect the following charges and benefits:

"The fourth quarter was a period of global economic slowdown and our results were impacted by broader trends," said Jim Gallogly, LyondellBasell Chief Executive Officer.  "Customers responded to this slowdown by destocking inventory and delaying orders, which negatively impacted volumes in Europe and Asia and margins globally.  Refining margins were particularly weak.  Although overall results for the fourth quarter declined, we expect our strategy of focusing on the basics and running our assets safely and efficiently will continue to deliver value to our shareholders," Gallogly said.

"Despite a weak fourth quarter, 2011 was a strong year for LyondellBasell.  Exclusive of a number of costs incurred to improve the company, including costs related to restructuring and refinancing our capital structure, full-year adjusted EBITDA was slightly over $5.4 billion and adjusted net income was over $2.7 billion, or $4.71 per adjusted diluted share.  We returned $2.9 billion to shareholders through dividends.  We also defined our plans for future growth, which we communicated at our December Investor Day.  I am also extremely proud of all who work at our facilities as we achieved a record year in health, safety and environmental performance," Gallogly said.

OUTLOOK

Commenting on the near-term outlook, Gallogly said, "We expect overall first-quarter economic activity to remain slow in Europe and Asia for certain of our businesses.  In recent weeks, we have seen indications that our market environment is improving in the U.S.  Ethylene chain margins have increased from fourth-quarter lows as ethane prices have declined and co-products and polyolefin prices have increased.  In refining, the benchmark Maya 2-1-1 crack spread has improved, benefiting our Houston refinery.  

Importantly, certain underlying fundamentals that have supported our business remain intact.  A low ratio of U.S. natural gas to crude oil prices creates a favorable condition for our U.S. operations.  Our differentiated businesses such as our propylene oxide, polypropylene compounding, and our Saudi and certain Asian joint ventures remain on a solid path," added Gallogly.

LYONDELLBASELL BUSINESS RESULTS DISCUSSION BY REPORTING SEGMENT

LyondellBasell operates in five business segments: 1) Olefins & Polyolefins – Americas; 2) Olefins & Polyolefins – Europe, Asia, International (EAI); 3) Intermediates & Derivatives; 4) Refining & Oxyfuels; and 5) Technology.

Olefins & 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 December 31, 2011 versus three months ended September 30, 2011 – O&P-Americas segment EBITDA decreased $266 million versus the third quarter 2011.  Olefins profitability declined approximately $250 million from the prior period primarily due to reduced margins.  Compared to the third quarter, average ethylene sales price declined 2 cents per pound while the company's average cost-of-ethylene-production metric increased approximately 11 cents per pound.  The increase in the cost-of-ethylene-production was driven by lower co-product pricing.  Ethylene production volume was unchanged compared to the previous quarter.  Polyethylene (PE) results declined approximately $30 million primarily as a result of lower sales prices.  Polypropylene (PP) profits declined approximately $20 million from the third quarter 2011 primarily due to lower margins.  Overall, polyolefin sales volumes were relatively unchanged in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter.

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended December 31, 2010 – Excluding a $163 million non-cash Lower of Cost or Market (LCM) gain in the fourth quarter 2010, O&P-Americas results increased $65 million versus the fourth quarter 2010.  Olefins results increased approximately $95 million compared to the prior year period largely as a result of significantly improved margins.  This increase was partially offset by PE results which declined approximately $75 million compared to the fourth quarter 2010 as a result of lower margins caused by higher ethylene prices.  PP results declined approximately $10 million compared to the fourth quarter 2010 due to lower margins.

Year ended December 31, 2011 versus year ended December 31, 2010 – Excluding a non-cash 2010 LCM inventory charge of $34 million, O&P – Americas results improved $423 million versus 2010.  Ethylene margins improved as the Company's average ethylene sales price increased approximately 8 cents per pound which more than offset an approximate 2 cents per pound increase in the Company's cost-of-ethylene-production metric.  Olefins results increased approximately $380 million compared to the prior year.  Polyolefin results were approximately $125 million lower in 2011 than in 2010 as polyolefin price increases lagged ethylene and propylene prices, compressing margins.

Olefins & 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 December 31, 2011 versus three months ended September 30, 2011 – O&P-EAI segment EBITDA decreased $199 million versus the third quarter 2011.  Olefins results declined approximately $135 million from the third quarter 2011 due to lower cracker margins and volumes.  Polyolefin results declined approximately $50 million from the prior period primarily due to lower polyethylene margins.    Polypropylene compounds results declined approximately $10 million from the third quarter 2011.  Dividends from joint ventures totaled $44 million during the fourth quarter 2011.    

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended December 31, 2010 – Excluding a $10 million fourth-quarter 2010 LCM gain, EBITDA declined $53 million versus the fourth quarter 2010.  Olefins results were relatively unchanged while polyethylene results declined approximately $55 million compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of lower margins.  Polypropylene EBITDA fell approximately $60 million compared to the prior year period due to lower sales volumes and compressed margins.  Polypropylene compounding results improved slightly compared to the prior year.  Dividends from joint ventures increased approximately $40 million.

Year ended December 31, 2011 versus year ended December 31, 2010 – EBITDA increased $113 million versus 2010. Improved olefins volumes and margins, along with higher co-product prices, contributed to the improved performance while combined polyethylene and polypropylene sales declined 3%.  Additionally, 2011 results benefited from improved polypropylene compounding results and increased joint venture dividends when compared to 2010.

Intermediates & 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, and ethylene oxide and its derivatives.  

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended September 30, 2011 – I&D segment EBITDA decreased $124 million versus the third quarter 2011.  PO and PO derivatives results declined versus the prior period due to the effects of planned maintenance turnarounds and seasonal decreases in demand.  Intermediates profitability declined versus the third quarter primarily due to planned maintenance turnarounds that negatively impacted acetyls and TBA sales.

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended December 31, 2010 –Excluding a $17 million non-cash LCM gain in the fourth quarter 2010, I&D EBITDA decreased $38 million compared to the fourth quarter 2010.  Underlying PO and PO derivatives EBITDA decreased slightly versus the prior year period due to the effects of a planned maintenance outage and lower deicer sales from warmer seasonal weather.  A decline in PO and PO derivatives was offset by increased ethylene oxide / ethylene glycol volumes and margins compared to fourth quarter 2010.

Year ended December 31, 2011 versus year ended December 31, 2010 – Excluding an $8 million non-cash LCM charge in 2010, segment EBITDA increased by $195 million versus 2010.  PO and PO derivative margins improved primarily driven by strong derivative results.  Acetyls and ethylene glycol volume and margin increases were the primary drivers for improved Intermediates results.  Full-year 2010 results include the flavors and fragrance business, which was sold in the fourth quarter 2010.  The gain from the sale of the flavors and fragrance business was not included in 2010 segment results.

Refining & Oxyfuels (R&O) – The primary products of this segment include gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, petrochemical raw materials, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE).  

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended September 30, 2011 – Refining & Oxyfuels segment EBITDA decreased $629 million versus the third quarter 2011.  The Houston refinery financial performance declined approximately $410 million as the average industry benchmark margin declined nearly $11 per barrel compared to the previous quarter.  Opportunities for purchasing crude oil below the Maya crude oil benchmark that were available in the third quarter were limited in the fourth quarter.  Crude oil throughput at the Houston refinery decreased to 262,000 barrels per day primarily due to planned maintenance outages.  The Berre refinery continued to record a loss, and results were impacted by a labor strike and weaker refining margins. Results also include $136 million of charges related to the suspension of operations at the refinery on Jan. 4, 2012.  Oxyfuels results experienced a decline of approximately $65 million primarily related to lower seasonal margins and volume.

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended December 31, 2010 – Excluding a $133 million non-cash LCM gain in the fourth quarter 2010, segment EBITDA decreased $189 million versus the fourth quarter 2010.  At the Houston refinery, EBITDA decreased approximately $90 million versus the prior year period.  Results were driven by a lower industry average benchmark margin offset by higher throughput volumes.  Compared to the prior year period, Berre refinery results were negatively impacted by a labor strike, weaker refining margins and $136 million of charges for the suspension of operations.  Oxyfuels results improved approximately $40 million between the periods mainly as a result of a stronger than typical seasonal margins.

Year ended December 31, 2011 versus year ended December 31, 2010 – Segment EBITDA increased $520 million versus 2010.  An increase in the industry benchmark margin of approximately $4 per barrel, increased crude throughput and benefits related to crude purchasing were the primary contributors to an approximately $530 million improvement in performance at the Houston refinery. Berre refinery results were weaker for the year as a result of weaker refining margins, lower throughput and charges related to the suspension of operations at the refinery. Oxyfuels results improved approximately $110 million in 2011, principally as a result of higher margins.

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

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended September 30, 2011 – Results declined primarily due to seasonally lower catalyst sales.

Three months ended December 31, 2011 versus three months ended December 31, 2010 – Licensing and technology services results declined compared to fourth quarter 2010 while catalyst results improved compared to the prior year period.

Year ended December 31, 2011 versus year ended December 31, 2010 – Segment results were comparable to 2010.  Lower licensing and services revenue and higher research and development (R&D) costs related to the closure of the Newtown Square R&D center were offset by higher catalyst income.

Liquidity

Company liquidity, defined as cash and cash equivalents plus funds available through established lines of credit, was approximately $3.2 billion on Dec. 31, 2011.  The company's cash balance was approximately $1.1 billion including $53 million of restricted cash on Dec. 31, 2011.

Capital Spending

Capital expenditures, including maintenance turnaround, catalyst and information technology related expenditures, were $291 million during the fourth quarter 2011 and $1.06 billion for the full year 2011.

CONFERENCE CALL

LyondellBasell will host a conference call today, Feb. 10, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. ET.  Participating on the call will be: Jim Gallogly, Chief Executive Officer; Karyn Ovelmen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Sergey Vasnetsov, Senior Vice President - Strategic Planning and Transactions; and Doug Pike, Vice President of Investor Relations.  The toll-free dial-in number in the U.S. is 888-982-4611.  For international numbers, please go to our website, www.lyondellbasell.com/teleconference, for a complete listing of toll-free numbers by country.  The pass code for all numbers is 3987211.

A replay of the call will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET February 10 to 11:00 p.m. ET on March 10.  The replay dial-in numbers are 888-568-0611 (U.S.) and +1 203-369-3197 (international). The pass code for each is 6565.

A copy of the slides that accompany the call will be available on the LyondellBasell website at http://www.lyondellbasell.com/earnings.

ABOUT LYONDELLBASELL

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies. The company 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 components, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels. More information about LyondellBasell can be found at www.lyondellbasell.com.

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 and natural gas; 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, 2010, 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.

We have included EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share in this press release.  EBITDA, as presented herein, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure reported by other companies due to differences in the way the measure is calculated. For purposes of this release, EBITDA for predecessor periods means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring costs, as adjusted for other items management does not believe are indicative of the Company's underlying results of operations such as impairment charges, reorganization items, the effect of mark-to-market accounting on our warrants and current cost inventory adjustments.  EBITDA for successor periods means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for the same items, to the extent applicable in the successor periods.  EBITDA also includes dividends from joint ventures.  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 non-GAAP financial measures to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures are provided Tables 8 and 9 at the end of this release.

OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURE PRESENTATION NOTES

As a result of the Company's reorganization proceedings and its emergence from Chapter 11, financial results are prepared and disclosed for a predecessor company for the time period before May 1, 2010, and the successor company for time periods after April 30, 2010, the date of emergence.  For financial accounting purposes, the predecessor and successor companies are considered to be two separate entities.  Further, the reorganization under Chapter 11 and the application of fresh-start accounting make comparisons of the predecessor and successor periods difficult.  The primary impacts affecting the comparisons include (i) significant changes to our inventory valuations; (ii) lower depreciation and amortization expense; and (iii) lower interest expense.  In connection with the application of fresh-start accounting, we were required to write our inventory up to fair market value, which was significant given the high crude oil prices at April 30, 2010.  However, in the fourth quarter 2010, prices rose to levels close to those at April 30, 2010, and it became necessary to reverse significant portions of the LCM charges taken in the second and third quarters.  The lower depreciation and amortization expenses in the successor period are the result of the revaluation of assets in connection with fresh-start accounting.  Lower interest expense is the result of the substantial changes to the balance sheet as a result of the reorganization.

Prior to emergence from Chapter 11, we utilized a combination of First-In, First-Out and Last-In, First-Out inventory methods for financial reporting. For purposes of evaluating segment results, management reviewed operating results using current cost, which approximates LIFO. As supplementary information, and for our segment reporting, we provide EBITDA information on a current cost basis for periods prior to our emergence from Chapter 11. Since emergence from Chapter 11, we have utilized the LIFO inventory methodology and EBITDA information for periods after our emergence is on a LIFO basis.  The combined financial results and measures that are disclosed in this press release, including EBITDA, therefore use both current cost and LIFO methodologies.

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.