NL Reports Second Quarter Results
04 August 2009 - 11:05PM
PR Newswire (US)
DALLAS, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NL Industries, Inc.
(NYSE:NL) today reported a net loss attributable to NL stockholders
of $2.2 million, or $.04 per share, in the second quarter of 2009
compared to net income of $4.0 million, or $.08 per share, in the
second quarter of 2008. For the first six months of 2009, NL
reported a net loss attributable to NL stockholders of $14.0
million, or $.29 per share, compared to net income of $3.7 million,
or $.08 per share, in the first six months of 2008. Net sales
decreased 33% and 31%, respectively, in the second quarter and
first six months of 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008. Net
sales decreased principally due to lower order rates from our
customers resulting from unfavorable economic conditions in North
America. Component products sales were also unfavorably impacted by
relative changes in currency exchange rates, which decreased sales
by $.3 million for the quarter and $.9 million for the year-to-date
period. Income (loss) from operations attributable to CompX
decreased in the second quarter and first six months of 2009 to a
loss of $1.0 million and a loss of $1.9 million, respectively,
compared to income of $4.4 million and $7.4 million for the same
periods of 2008. The decrease is primarily due to reduced coverage
of selling and general administrative costs as a result of lower
sales volumes and approximately $.9 million in patent litigation
expenses incurred in the second quarter of 2009. Changes in
currency exchange rates positively impacted component products
income from operations comparisons by $.6 million for the quarter
and by $1.3 million in the year-to-date period. Kronos' net sales
of $282.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 were $109.9
million, or 28%, lower than the second quarter of 2008. Kronos' net
sales of $530.1 million in the first six months of 2009 were $194.3
million, or 27%, lower than in the first six months of 2008. Net
sales decreased in both the second quarter and the first six months
of 2009 due primarily to a decrease in sales volumes, which were
19% lower in the quarter and 22% lower in the year-to-date period.
Additionally, the unfavorable effect of fluctuations in currency
exchange rates decreased Kronos' sales by approximately $26 million
for the quarter and $38 million in the year-to-date period. Kronos'
average selling prices were 1% higher in the second quarter of
2009, and 3% higher in the year-to-date period, as compared to the
respective 2008 periods. Kronos' sales volumes were lower compared
to the 2008 periods due to the impact of lower demand in Kronos'
markets resulting from the current economic conditions and customer
inventory de-stocking activities. The table at the end of this
release shows how each of these items impacted the overall decrease
in Kronos' sales. Kronos' income (loss) from operations declined by
$31.6 million from operating income of $9.7 million in the second
quarter of 2008 to a loss from operations of $21.9 million in the
second quarter of 2009. For the year-to-date period, Kronos' income
from operations declined $67.6 million from operating income of
$19.4 million in 2008 to a loss from operations of $48.2 million in
2009. Results from operations in both periods declined due to the
negative effects of production curtailments, which resulted in
significantly higher manufacturing costs per ton of pigment
production. This was partially offset by the positive effects of
higher TiO2 selling prices and the favorable effects of
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which increased income
from operations by approximately $20 million and $48 million in the
second quarter and the year-to-date period, respectively. Kronos'
TiO2 production volumes were 34% and 43% lower in the second
quarter and first six months of 2009, respectively, as compared to
the same periods in 2008. Kronos' income tax benefit in 2008
includes a $7.2 million (NL's equity interest was $1.7 million, or
$.03 per diluted share, net of tax) non-cash deferred income tax
benefit in the second quarter related to a European Court ruling
that resulted in the favorable resolution of certain income tax
issues related to its German operations and an increase in the
amount of its German corporate and trade tax net operating loss
carryforwards. Insurance recoveries relate to amounts we received
from certain of our former insurance carriers, and relate
principally to the recovery of prior lead pigment and asbestos
litigation defense costs incurred by us. These recoveries
aggregated $2.7 million in the first six months of 2009 ($1.8
million, or $.04 per diluted share, net of income taxes) and $1.7
million in the first six months of 2008 ($1.1 million, or $.02 per
diluted share, net of income taxes). Litigation settlement gain
relates to an $11.3 million pre-tax gain ($7.3 million, or $.15 per
share, net of income taxes) recognized in the second quarter of
2009 related to the second closing associated with the settlement
of condemnation proceedings on certain real property we formerly
owned that is subject to environmental remediation. Corporate
expenses were lower in the second quarter and first six months of
2009 as compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2008
primarily due to lower litigation and related costs partially
offset by higher defined benefit pension expense. Interest income
in 2008 includes $4.3 million ($.06 per diluted share) related to
interest received in the second quarter related to certain escrow
funds. The statements in this release relating to matters that are
not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent
management's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available
information. Although NL believes that the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give
any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct.
Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and
uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and
actual future results could differ materially from those described
in such forward-looking statements. While it is not possible to
identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and
uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual future
results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: --
Future supply and demand for the Company's products, -- The extent
of the dependence of the Company's businesses on certain market
sectors, -- The cyclicality of certain of the Company's businesses,
-- The impact of certain long-term contracts on certain of the
Company's businesses, -- Customer inventory levels, -- Changes in
raw material and other operating costs, -- General global economic
and political conditions, -- Competitive products and substitute
products, -- Possible disruption of business or increases in the
cost of doing business resulting from terrorist activities or
global conflicts, -- Customer and competitor strategies, --
Potential consolidation or solvency of competitors, -- The impact
of pricing and production decisions, -- Competitive technology
positions, -- Service industry employment levels, -- Demand for
high performance marine components, -- The introduction of trade
barriers, -- Fluctuations in currency exchange rates, -- Operating
interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes,
leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or
unplanned downtime and transportation interruptions), -- The timing
and amount of insurance recoveries, -- The ability of the Company
to renew, amend, refinance or comply with credit facilities, -- The
ability of the Company to maintain sufficient liquidity, -- The
extent to which the Company's subsidiaries and affiliates were to
become unable to pay dividends to the Company (such as Kronos'
suspension of its dividend in 2009), -- Uncertainties associated
with new product development, -- The ultimate outcome of income tax
audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, -- The
ultimate ability to utilize income tax attributes or changes in
income tax rates related to such attributes, the benefit of which
has been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition
criteria, -- Potential difficulties in integrating completed or
future acquisitions, -- Decisions to sell operating assets other
than in the ordinary course of business, -- Environmental matters,
-- Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein, --
The ultimate resolution of pending litigation, and -- Possible
future litigation. Should one or more of these risks materialize
(or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ
materially from those currently forecasted or expected. We disclaim
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statement whether as a result of changes in information, future
events or otherwise. NL Industries, Inc. is engaged in the
component products (security products, furniture components and
performance marine components), chemicals (TiO2) and other
businesses. NL INDUSTRIES, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS (In millions, except earnings (loss) per share)
(Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30,
-------- -------- 2008 2009 2008 2009 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales
$43.7 $29.2 $84.2 $57.7 Cost of sales 32.7 23.0 63.8 46.7 -------
-------- ------- -------- Gross margin 11.0 6.2 20.4 11.0 Selling,
general and administrative expense 6.5 6.4 12.9 12.1 Other
operating income (expense): Insurance recoveries 1.6 2.0 1.7 2.7
Litigation settlement gain - 11.3 - 11.3 Assets held for sale
write-down - (.7) - (.7) Corporate expense and other, net (7.0)
(5.0) (10.8) (9.4) ------- -------- ------- -------- Income (loss)
from operations (.9) 7.4 (1.6) 2.8 Equity in net income (loss) of
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. 2.1 (7.9) 1.9 (17.4) General corporate
items: Interest and dividends 5.1 .7 6.1 1.4 Interest expense (.5)
(.3) (1.2) (.6) ------- -------- ------- -------- Income (loss)
before income taxes 5.8 (.1) 5.2 (13.8) Provision for income taxes
1.5 2.3 1.0 .5 ------- -------- ------- -------- Net income (loss)
4.3 (2.4) 4.2 (14.3) Noncontrolling interest in net income (loss)
of subsidiary .3 (.2) .5 (.3) ------- -------- ------- -------- Net
income (loss) attributable to NL stockholders $4.0 $(2.2) $3.7
$(14.0) ======= ======== ======= ======== Basic and diluted net
income (loss) per share $.08 $(.04) $.08 $(.29) ======= ========
======= ======== Basic and diluted average shares outstanding 48.6
48.6 48.6 48.6 ======= ======== ======= ======== NL INDUSTRIES,
INC. COMPONENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (In millions)
(Unaudited) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30,
-------- -------- 2008 2009 2008 2009 ---- ---- ---- ---- CompX -
component products $4.4 $(1.0) $7.4 $(1.9) Insurance recoveries 1.6
2.0 1.7 2.7 Litigation settlement gain - 11.3 - 11.3 Corporate
expense and other, net (6.9) (4.9) (10.7) (9.3) ----- ----- ------
----- Income (loss) from operations $(.9) $7.4 $(1.6) $2.8 =====
==== ====== ===== CHANGE IN KRONOS' TiO2 SALES (Unaudited) Three
months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2009 vs. 2008 2009
vs. 2008 ------------- ------------- Percentage change in sales:
TiO2 product pricing 1 % 3 % TiO2 sales volumes (19)% (22)% TiO2
product mix (3)% (3)% Changes in currency exchange rates (7)% (5)%
---- ---- Total (28)% (27)% ===== ===== DATASOURCE: NL Industries,
Inc. CONTACT: Gregory M. Swalwell, Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer of NL Industries, Inc., +1-972-233-1700 Web
Site: http://www.nl-ind.com/
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