Dallas, Texas, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) today reported net income attributable to NL stockholders of $12.7 million, or $.26 per share, in the second quarter of 2021 compared to net income attributable to NL stockholders of $4.6 million, or $.09 per share, in the second quarter of 2020. NL results include an unrealized gain of $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2021 related to the change in value of marketable equity securities compared to a $2.2 million unrealized loss in the second quarter of 2020. For the first six months of 2021, NL reported net income attributable to NL stockholders of $26.0 million, or $.53 per share, compared to net income of $6.5 million, or $.13 per share for the first six months of 2020. NL results include an unrealized gain of $10.9 million in the first six months of 2021 related to the change in value of marketable equity securities compared to a $14.3 million unrealized loss in the first six months of 2020.
CompX net sales were $36.3 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $23.8 million in the second quarter of 2020 and $72.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $56.1 million for the same prior year period. Income from operations attributable to CompX was $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $2.4 million for the second quarter of 2020 and $11.6 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $7.4 million for the same prior year period. The second quarter of 2020 was the quarter most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. CompX second quarter and year-to-date 2021 net sales increased over the comparable 2020 periods primarily due to higher sales volumes at both of CompX’s reporting units as many of its customers were temporarily closed or reduced production during the second quarter of 2020 due to government ordered closures or reduced demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating income increased for both comparative periods due to the favorable effect of higher sales volumes, partially offset by higher production costs including increased labor and shipping costs.
NL recognized equity in earnings of Kronos of $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $5.7 million in the same period of 2020 and $13.8 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $13.9 million in the same period of 2020. Kronos’ net sales of $478.6 million in the second quarter of 2021 were $92.6 million, or 24%, higher than in the second quarter of 2020. Kronos’ net sales of $943.6 million in the first six months of 2021 were $136.6 million, or 17%, higher than in the first six months of 2020. Kronos’ net sales increased in the 2021 periods primarily due to higher sales volumes and higher average TiO2 selling prices. Kronos’ TiO2 sales volumes were 16% higher in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2020 and 9% higher in the first six months of 2021 as compared to the same prior year period due to higher demand in all major markets resulting from overall improvements in global economic activity in the 2021 periods compared to the same periods in 2020 due to the negative economic effects from the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter of 2020. Kronos’ average TiO2 selling prices were 3% higher in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2020 and 1% higher in the first six months of 2021 as compared to the first six months of 2020. Kronos’ average TiO2 selling prices at the end of the second quarter of 2021 were 4% higher than our average TiO2 selling prices at the end of 2020. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) also affected net sales comparisons, increasing net sales by approximately $22 million in the second quarter of 2021 and increasing net sales by approximately $42 million in the first six months of 2021, as compared to the same periods in 2020.
Kronos’ income from operations in the second quarter of 2021 was $43.8 million as compared to $33.0 million in the second quarter of 2020. For the year-to-date period, Kronos’ income from operations was $77.8 million as compared to $76.5 million in the first six months of 2020. Kronos’ income from operations increased in the 2021 periods primarily due to higher sales volumes and higher average TiO2 selling prices, partially offset by higher manufacturing and other production costs, including higher costs for raw materials and energy. Kronos’ TiO2 production volumes were 2% higher in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2020 and 1% higher in the year-to-date period of 2021 due to adjustments to reduce production levels in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kronos operated its production facilities at overall average capacity utilization rates of 99% in the first six months of 2021 (97% and 100% in the first and second quarters of 2021, respectively) compared to 95% in 2020 (95% and 96% in the first and second quarters of 2020, respectively). Fluctuations in currency exchange rates also affected Kronos’ year-to-date income from operations comparison, which decreased income from operations by approximately $17 million in the year-to-date 2021 period as compared to the same period of 2020. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a nominal effect on Kronos’ second quarter income from operations comparison.
Kronos’ other income (expense) in the first six months of 2020 includes a pre-tax insurance settlement gain of $1.5 million (NL’s equity interest was $.4 million net of income tax expense) related to a property damage claim.
Corporate expenses increased $.4 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 primarily due to higher environmental remediation and related costs in 2021. Corporate expenses decreased $.3 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same period of 2020 primarily due to lower litigation fees and related costs and lower administrative expenses partially offset by higher environmental remediation and related costs. Interest and dividend income was comparable in the second quarter and decreased $.7 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to the prior year periods primarily due to lower dividend income and lower interest income related to lower average interested rates on invested balances, and to a lesser extent lower average outstanding balances under CompX’s revolving promissory note receivable from Valhi. Marketable equity securities represent the change in unrealized gains (losses) on our portfolio of marketable equity securities during the periods.
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 we believe 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. Factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to:
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 component products (security products and recreational marine components) and chemicals (TiO2) businesses.
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(In millions, except earnings per share)(unaudited)
Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 23.8 | $ | 36.3 | $ | 56.1 | $ | 72.2 | |||||||
Cost of sales | 16.4 | 24.9 | 38.3 | 49.8 | |||||||||||
Gross margin | 7.4 | 11.4 | 17.8 | 22.4 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense | 5.0 | 5.6 | 10.4 | 10.8 | |||||||||||
Other operating income (expense): | |||||||||||||||
Insurance recoveries | .1 | - | .1 | - | |||||||||||
Corporate expense | (2.5 | ) | (2.9 | ) | (5.0 | ) | (4.7 | ) | |||||||
Income from operations | - | 2.9 | 2.5 | 6.9 | |||||||||||
Equity in earnings of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. | 5.7 | 7.8 | 13.9 | 13.8 | |||||||||||
General corporate items: | |||||||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | .5 | .5 | 1.6 | .9 | |||||||||||
Marketable equity securities | (2.2 | ) | 4.5 | (14.3 | ) | 10.9 | |||||||||
Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost | (.2 | ) | (.2 | ) | (.4 | ) | (.3 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense | (.4 | ) | (.3 | ) | (.7 | ) | (.6 | ) | |||||||
Income before income taxes | 3.4 | 15.2 | 2.6 | 31.6 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (1.5 | ) | 1.9 | (4.8 | ) | 4.4 | |||||||||
Net income | 4.9 | 13.3 | 7.4 | 27.2 | |||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiary | .3 | .6 | .9 | 1.2 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to NL stockholders | $ | 4.6 | $ | 12.7 | $ | 6.5 | $ | 26.0 | |||||||
Net income per share attributable to NL stockholders | $ | .09 | $ | .26 | $ | .13 | $ | .53 | |||||||
Weighted average shares used in the | |||||||||||||||
calculation of net income per share | 48.8 | 48.8 | 48.8 | 48.8 |
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.COMPONENTS OF INCOME FROM OPERATIONS(In millions)(unaudited)
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June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
CompX - component products | $ | 2.4 | $ | 5.8 | $ | 7.4 | $ | 11.6 | |||||||
Insurance recoveries | .1 | - | .1 | - | |||||||||||
Corporate expense | (2.5 | ) | (2.9 | ) | (5.0 | ) | (4.7 | ) | |||||||
Income from operations | $ | - | $ | 2.9 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 6.9 |
CHANGE IN KRONOS’ TiO2 SALES(unaudited)
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June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||
2021 vs. 2020 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||
Percentage change in net sales: | |||||||||||
TiO2 sales volume | 16 | % | 9 | % | |||||||
TiO2 product pricing | 3 | 1 | |||||||||
TiO2 product mix/other | (1 | ) | 2 | ||||||||
Changes in currency exchange rates | 6 | 5 | |||||||||
Total | 24 | % | 17 | % |