Olin Announces First Quarter 2013 Earnings

CLAYTON, Mo., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced today that its first quarter 2013 net income was $40.5 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, which compares to $38.7 million, or $0.48 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012.  Sales in the first quarter of 2013 were $630.0 million, compared to $507.2 million in the first quarter of 2012.

First quarter 2013 results included pretax restructuring charges of $2.3 million compared to first quarter 2012 restructuring charges of $1.9 million.  These charges are primarily associated with the Chlor Alkali mercury cell conversion and reconfiguration project and the relocation of the Winchester centerfire ammunition manufacturing operations from East Alton, Illinois to Oxford, Mississippi.

Joseph D. Rupp, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer said, "During the first quarter of 2013, Olin generated $107.9 million of adjusted EBITDA, which is the highest first quarter level in the history of the company.  The record adjusted EBITDA was driven by strong volumes and reduced costs in the Winchester business and contributions from the Chemical Distribution business acquired in the third quarter of 2012.  We now believe that during 2013, Olin can generate adjusted EBITDA in the range of $415 million to $445 million.

"In the first quarter of 2013 the Chlor Alkali business experienced lower demand and lower year-over-year prices.  Sales volumes of chlorine and caustic soda declined 1.4% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012, while ECU netbacks in the quarter declined 3% compared to the first quarter of 2012.  The pretax contribution from hydrochloric acid sales declined approximately $8 million from the record quarterly level in the first quarter of 2012.  The elevated level of commercial demand that the Winchester business began to experience in the fourth quarter of 2012 continued throughout the first quarter of 2013.  First quarter 2013 commercial sales increased in excess of 40% compared to the first quarter of 2012 and, as a result, Winchester achieved the highest level of quarterly earnings in its history.

"Second quarter 2013 net income is forecast to be in the $0.45 to $0.50 per diluted share range.  Chlor Alkali second quarter 2013 segment earnings are expected to decline compared to the second quarter of 2012 due to higher costs associated with three planned plant maintenance outages, continued lower pretax contributions from hydrochloric acid sales, and higher depreciation expense. Commercial volumes in Winchester are expected to remain at elevated levels and as a result, Winchester second quarter 2013 segment earnings are forecast to exceed second quarter 2012 and to be similar to the record level of first quarter 2013 segment earnings.  Chemical Distribution second quarter 2013 segment earnings are expected to improve compared to the first quarter of 2013 due to seasonally stronger caustic soda and bleach sales.  Year-over-year legacy environmental expenses are expected to increase in the approximately $2 million to $4 million range and second quarter 2013 results are expected to include approximately $2.5 million of restructuring charges."

SEGMENT REPORTING

We define segment earnings as income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, other operating income, other expense, and income taxes and include the earnings of non-consolidated affiliates in segment results consistent with management's monitoring of the operating segments.

CHLOR ALKALI PRODUCTS

Chlor Alkali product sales for the first quarter of 2013 were $348.9 million compared to $359.7 million in the first quarter of 2012.  First quarter 2013 chlorine and caustic soda volumes decreased 1.4% compared to the first quarter 2012 levels and hydrochloric acid volumes declined 23% during the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012.  First quarter 2013 potassium hydroxide volumes increased 23% compared to the first quarter of 2012 and bleach volumes increased 5% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012.  Freight costs included in the ECU netbacks in the first quarter of 2013 were 6% higher compared to the first quarter of 2012.  First quarter 2013 Chlor Alkali segment earnings of $58.5 million decreased compared to the $74.4 million earned in the first quarter of 2012, due to lower ECU netbacks and reduced contributions from hydrochloric acid sales.

WINCHESTER

Winchester first quarter 2013 sales were $188.0 million compared to $147.5 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The increase in first quarter 2013 sales compared to the first quarter of 2012 reflects increased shipments to commercial and law enforcement customers, partially offset by lower shipments to military customers.  Winchester's first quarter 2013 segment earnings were $31.3 million compared to $10.8 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The increase in segment earnings reflects the impact of significantly higher commercial volumes, improved pricing, and a positive contribution from the ongoing centerfire ammunition relocation project.

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

Chemical Distribution sales in the first quarter of 2013 were $110.4 million, which consists primarily of caustic soda sales.  Chemical Distribution bleach sales are seasonally weak in the first quarter.  Chemical Distribution earnings in the first quarter were $4.1 million and included $3.8 million of depreciation and amortization expense.

CORPORATE AND OTHER COSTS

Pension income included in the first quarter of 2013 Corporate and Other segment was $6.3 million compared to income of $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2012.

First quarter charges to income for environmental investigatory and remedial activities were $1.8 million in 2013 compared to $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2012.  These charges relate primarily to remedial and investigatory activities associated with former waste sites and past operations.

Other corporate and unallocated costs in the first quarter of 2013 increased $3.4 million compared to the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to higher stock-based compensation expense, including mark-to-market adjustments, and higher legal and legal-related expenses.

RESTRUCTURING CHARGE

During the first quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2012, pretax restructuring charges of $2.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, were recorded.  These charges were primarily related to costs associated with the Chlor Alkali mercury cell conversion and reconfiguration project and employee and equipment relocation expenses incurred as part of the ongoing Winchester centerfire relocation project.

CASH/WORKING CAPITAL

The cash balance at March 31, 2013, including restricted cash, was $103.7 million.  In January 2013, we repaid $11.4 million of debt, which became due.  During the first quarter of 2013, working capital increased $83.4 million reflecting both normal seasonal working capital growth and the high level of Winchester sales activity.  During the first quarter of 2012, working capital increased $71.1 million.

DIVIDEND

Today, Olin's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.20 on each share of Olin common stock.  The dividend is payable on June 10, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 2013.  This is the 346th consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid by the Company.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company's first quarter earnings conference call with securities analysts is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time, Friday, April 26th.  The call will feature remarks by Joseph D. Rupp, Olin's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; John E. Fischer, Olin's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; John L. McIntosh, Olin's Senior Vice President, Operations; and Larry P. Kromidas, Olin's Assistant Treasurer and Director, Investor Relations.  Anyone wishing to listen to the call may do so via the Internet by following the instructions posted under the Conference Call icon on Olin's website, www.olin.com.  Listeners should log on to the website 15 minutes prior to the call.  The call will also be audio archived on the Olin website for future replay beginning at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time.  A final transcript of the conference call will be available on the website in the Investor section the following day.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Olin Corporation is a manufacturer concentrated in three business segments:  Chlor Alkali Products, Chemical Distribution and Winchester.  Chlor Alkali Products, with nine U. S. manufacturing facilities and one Canadian manufacturing facility, produces chlorine and caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products and potassium hydroxide.  Chemical Distribution manufactures bleach products and distributes caustic soda, bleach products, potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.  Winchester, with its principal manufacturing facilities in East Alton, IL and Oxford, MS, produces and distributes sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, and industrial cartridges.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on management's beliefs, certain assumptions made by management, forecasts of future results, and current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets and economy in which we and our various segments operate. The statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

We have used the words "anticipate," "intend," "may," "expect," "believe," "should," "plan," "project," "estimate," "forecast," "optimistic," and variations of such words and similar expressions in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. Relative to the dividend, the payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be determined in light of then-current conditions, including our earnings, our operations, our financial conditions, our capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In the future, our board of directors may change our dividend policy, including the frequency or amount of any dividend, in light of then-existing conditions.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involved in our forward-looking statements, many of which are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• sensitivity to economic, business and market conditions in the United States and overseas, including economic instability or a downturn in the sectors served by us, such as ammunition, vinyls, urethanes, and pulp and paper, and the migration by United States customers to low-cost foreign locations;
• the cyclical nature of our operating results, particularly declines in average selling prices in the chlor alkali industry and the supply/demand balance for our products, including the impact of excess industry capacity or an imbalance in demand for our chlor alkali products;
• economic and industry downturns that result in diminished product demand and excess manufacturing capacity in any of our segments and that, in many cases, result in lower selling prices and profits;
• new regulations or public policy changes regarding the transportation of hazardous chemicals and the security of chemical manufacturing facilities;
• changes in legislation or government regulations or policies;
• higher-than-expected raw material and energy, transportation, and/or logistics costs;
• costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings;
• unexpected litigation outcomes;
• the failure or an interruption of our information technology systems;
• the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions and production hazards;
• adverse conditions in the credit and capital markets, limiting or preventing our ability to borrow or raise capital;
• weak industry conditions could affect our ability to comply with the financial maintenance covenants in our senior revolving credit facility and certain tax-exempt bonds;
• the effects of any declines in global equity markets on asset values and any declines in interest rates used to value the liabilities in our pension plan; and
• an increase in our indebtedness or higher-than-expected interest rates, affecting our ability to generate sufficient cash flow for debt service.

All of our forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Olin Corporation