Dallas, Texas, Nov. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) today reported a net loss attributable to NL stockholders of $.1 million, or nil per share, in the third quarter of 2023 compared to a net loss attributable to NL stockholders of $8.9 million, or $.18 per share, in the third quarter of 2022. NL results include an unrealized gain of $.4 million in the third quarter of 2023 related to the change in value of marketable equity securities compared to an unrealized loss of $24.2 million in the third quarter of 2022. For the first nine months of 2023, NL reported a net loss attributable to NL stockholders of $9.9 million, or $.20 per share, compared to net income attributable to NL stockholders of $39.9 million, or $.82 per share, for the first nine months of 2022. NL results include an unrealized loss of $10.5 million in the first nine months of 2023 related to the change in value of marketable equity securities compared to a $4.3 million unrealized loss in the first nine months of 2022.
Net sales were $40.3 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $42.9 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $118.1 million for the first nine months of 2023, compared to $126.6 million for the same prior year period. The decrease in sales for both periods is predominantly due to lower Marine Components sales primarily to the towboat market, partially offset by higher Security Products sales in the third quarter of 2023. Income from operations attributable to CompX was $6.6 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2022 and $18.0 million for the first nine months of 2023 compared to $20.0 million for the same prior year period. Income from operations increased in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to higher Security Products sales and improved gross margin percentages at both reporting units, partially offset by lower Marine Components sales. Income from operations decreased in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to lower Marine Component sales and, to a lesser extent, lower Security Products sales somewhat offset by an improvement in the Marine Component gross margin percentage.
NL recognized equity in losses of Kronos of $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to equity in earnings of $6.4 million in the third quarter of 2022. NL recognized equity in losses of $13.4 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to equity in earnings of $37.9 million in the same period of 2022. Kronos’ net sales of $396.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 were $62.7 million, or 14%, lower than in the third quarter of 2022. Kronos’ net sales of $1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2023 were $321.4 million, or 20%, lower than in the first nine months of 2022. Kronos’ net sales decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 compared to the same periods of 2022 due to the effects of lower sales volumes in all its major markets and lower average TiO2 selling prices. Kronos’ TiO2 sales volumes were 6% lower in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022 and 22% lower in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months of 2022. Kronos’ average TiO2 selling prices were 8% lower in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022 and 2% lower in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months of 2022. Kronos’s average TiO2 selling prices at the end of the third quarter of 2023 were 9% lower than at the end of 2022. Changes in product mix positively contributed to Kronos’ net sales, primarily due to higher average selling prices in its complementary businesses which somewhat offset declines in TiO2 sales volumes in the first nine months of 2023. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) also affected net sales comparisons, increasing net sales by approximately $12 million in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022. Changes in currency exchange rates had a nominal effect on net sales in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months of 2022. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted Kronos’ net sales.
Kronos’ loss from operations in the third quarter of 2023 was $25.3 million as compared to income from operations of $30.8 million in the third quarter of 2022. For the year-to-date period, Kronos’ loss from operations was $50.3 million as compared to income from operations of $179.3 million in the first nine months of 2022. Kronos’ income from operations decreased in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to lower sales volumes and lower average TiO2 selling prices. Kronos’ income from operations decreased in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months in 2022 as a result of the combination of lower sales volumes, higher production costs (primarily raw material costs) and lower average TiO2 selling prices. In addition, cost of sales in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 includes $20 million and $74 million, respectively, of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs associated with production curtailments at Kronos’ facilities during the first nine months of 2023 as it adjusted its TiO2 production volumes to align inventory levels with lower demand. Kronos’ TiO2 production volumes were 22% lower in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022 and 26% lower in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. As a result of reduced demand and scheduled maintenance activities, Kronos operated its production facilities at 71% of practical capacity utilization in the first nine months of 2023 (76%, 64% and 73% in the first, second and third quarters of 2023, respectively) compared to 96% in the first nine months of 2022 (100%, 95% and 93% in the first, second and third quarters of 2022, respectively). Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased Kronos’ loss from operations by approximately $10 million in the third quarter of 2023 and decreased Kronos’ loss from operations by approximately $11 million in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the same prior year periods.
Corporate expenses in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2023 were comparable to the same periods of 2022. Interest and dividend income increased in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same periods of 2022 primarily due to higher average interest rates and increased investment balances, somewhat offset by lower average balances on CompX’s revolving promissory notes receivable from Valhi. Marketable equity securities represent the change in unrealized gains (losses) on our portfolio of marketable equity securities during the periods.
The net loss per share attributable to NL stockholders for the first nine months of 2023 includes a non-cash loss of $4.9 million ($3.9 million, or $.08 per share, net of tax) due to the termination of its U.K. pension plan.
The net loss per share attributable to NL stockholders for the first nine months of 2023 includes income of $.6 million ($.5 million, or $.01 per share, net of tax), due to Kronos’ recognition of a pre-tax insurance settlement gain related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020. The net income (loss) attributable to NL stockholders for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2022 includes income of $.7 million ($.5 million, or $.01 per share, net of tax), due to Kronos’ recognition of a pre-tax insurance settlement gain related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020.
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.
Investor Relations Contact
Bryan A. HanleySenior Vice President and Treasurer(972) 233-1700
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except earnings per share)
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||
Net sales | $ | 42.9 | $ | 40.3 | $ | 126.6 | $ | 118.1 | ||||
Cost of sales | 30.9 | 27.7 | 88.9 | 82.5 | ||||||||
Gross margin | 12.0 | 12.6 | 37.7 | 35.6 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense | 6.0 | 6.0 | 17.7 | 17.6 | ||||||||
Corporate expense | 2.8 | 2.9 | 8.7 | 8.7 | ||||||||
Income from operations | 3.2 | 3.7 | 11.3 | 9.3 | ||||||||
Equity in earnings (losses) of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. | 6.4 | (6.2) | 37.9 | (13.4) | ||||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | 1.1 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 6.5 | ||||||||
Marketable equity securities | (24.2) | .4 | (4.3) | (10.5) | ||||||||
Loss on pension plan termination | — | — | — | (4.9) | ||||||||
Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost | (.2) | (.4) | (.7) | (1.1) | ||||||||
Interest expense | (.2) | (.2) | (.7) | (.6) | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (13.9) | (.3) | 45.5 | (14.7) | ||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (5.5) | (.9) | 3.6 | (6.8) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | (8.4) | .6 | 41.9 | (7.9) | ||||||||
Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiary | .5 | .7 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to NL stockholders | $ | (8.9) | $ | (.1) | $ | 39.9 | $ | (9.9) | ||||
Net income (loss) per share attributable to NL stockholders | $ | (.18) | $ | — | $ | .82 | $ | (.20) | ||||
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)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||
CompX - component products | $ | 6.0 | $ | 6.6 | $ | 20.0 | $ | 18.0 | ||||
Corporate expense | (2.8) | (2.9) | (8.7) | (8.7) | ||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 3.2 | $ | 3.7 | $ | 11.3 | $ | 9.3 |
CHANGE IN KRONOS’ NET SALES
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | ||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||
2023 vs. 2022 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||
Percentage change in net sales: | |||||
TiO2 sales volume | (6) | % | (22) | % | |
TiO2 product pricing | (8) | (2) | |||
TiO2 product mix/other | (3) | 4 | |||
Changes in currency exchange rates | 3 | — | |||
Total | (14) | % | (20) | % |