Tronox Reports Third Quarter 2013 Financial Results

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Tronox Limited (NYSE:TROX) today reported third quarter 2013 revenue of $491 million, up 1 percent versus $487 million in the third quarter 2012 and down 6 percent versus $525 million in the second quarter 2013.  Adjusted EBITDA was $92 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $134 million in the year-ago quarter and $101 million in the prior quarter.  Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited in the third quarter was $55 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, versus adjusted net income of $24 million, or $0.20 per
diluted share, in the third quarter 2012 and an adjusted net loss of $15 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2013.

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Third Quarter 2013 Highlights:

• Revenue of $491 million; adjusted EBITDA of $92 million; adjusted diluted EPS attributable to Tronox Limited of ($0.48)
• Mineral Sands segment revenue of $245 million; adjusted EBITDA of $95 million
• Pigment segment revenue of $300 million; adjusted EBITDA of ($3) million
• Board declared quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share payable on December 3, 2013 to shareholders of record of company’s Class A and Class B ordinary shares at close of business on November 18, 2013

Tom Casey, chairman and CEO of Tronox, said: “Our third quarter financial results reflect market conditions that are stabilizing.  Pigment sales volumes remained strong for the third consecutive quarter.  Sales volumes equaled those of the seasonally strong second quarter and were 33 percent higher than the year-ago quarter.  Sequentially, pigment selling prices have been essentially level for two quarters, down 1 percent for the second consecutive quarter.  Mineral Sands revenue was 10 percent lower than the prior-year quarter due to lower selling prices.  However, our Pigment segment captured the benefit of these declines in the form of lower feedstock costs.  Current industry fundamentals, in our view, indicate that the pigment market is bottoming and will remain stable for several quarters before turning upward. 
U.S. housing, Asian infrastructure spending and more stability in European markets should continue to keep demand firm.”

Casey continued: “We are pursuing a disciplined approach to growth and see ourselves as an advantaged consolidator in the global pigment industry.  We bring synergies as would any other strategic buyer.  In addition, we bring what we estimate could be more than $5 billion in future tax deductions which would result in substantially more free cash generation from the same EBITDA as any other potential buyer.  These deductions apply only to U.S. taxable income.  We are in the desirable position of having strategic flexibility coupled with a strong financial position.  Our field of view is wide as we evaluate growth options and our focus is on growth vehicles that will deliver the highest return for our shareholders over the medium to long term.  As a result of this disciplined approach and the strength of our operating cash flow, we have the ability to pay a quarterly
dividend yielding an attractive return, while at the same time evaluate ways to expand our scale relative to the market.  We remain very confident in the long-term value creation potential of our business and are committed to deliver that value to our shareholders.”

Third Quarter 2013 Results

Mineral Sands

Mineral Sands segment revenue of $245 million was 10 percent lower than $272 million in the third quarter 2012.  Sales volumes increased 32 percent, driven primarily by robust volume gains in zircon and higher intercompany rutile shipments, while selling prices declined across product lines.  Revenue from intercompany sales was $89 million in the quarter.  Sales to third parties were $156 million, including $76 million of revenue from zircon and pig iron.  In the third quarter, 64 percent of titanium feedstock revenue was derived from intercompany sales.  Compared to the second quarter 2013, sales volumes for titanium feedstock (CP titanium slag, synthetic rutile and rutile prime) increased 2 percent and selling prices declined 14 percent.  Zircon sales volumes in the third quarter were at more normal levels
and in line with production volumes, 54 percent lower than record shipments in the second quarter, while selling prices were 1 percent lower.

Mineral Sands segment operating income of $41 million increased 28 percent versus $32 million in the year-ago quarter.  Adjusted EBITDA was $95 million and the adjusted EBITDA margin was 39 percent.  Mineral Sands segment adjusted EBITDA is calculated before the elimination of gross profit on sales to the Pigment segment that occurs in consolidation at the company level.  In the third quarter, $34 million of Mineral Sands gross profit was eliminated in consolidation and $51 million of previously eliminated gross profit was reversed, for a net adjusted EBITDA contribution in consolidation of $17 million.

Pigment

Pigment segment revenue of $300 million increased 7 percent versus $280 million in the year-ago quarter driven by a 33 percent sales volumes increase, partially offset by 20 percent lower selling prices and lesser impacts of mix and foreign exchange.  Strong volume gains were realized in all three major regions, led by gains in Asia-Pacific.  Relative to the second quarter 2013, sales volumes were level and selling prices declined 1 percent.

Pigment segment operating income was ($29) million and adjusted EBITDA was ($3) million versus operating income of ($4) million and adjusted EBITDA of $17 million in the third quarter 2012.  Third quarter operating income and adjusted EBITDA improved from second quarter operating income of ($56) million and adjusted EBITDA of ($26) million.  Average feedstock cost reflected in the Pigment segment income statement in the third quarter was $1,188 per metric ton, down from $1,333 per metric ton in the second quarter 2013.  During the third quarter, 100 percent of Pigment segment feedstock purchases were from the Mineral Sands segment at an average cost of $1,038 per metric ton.  Relative to the second quarter, finished pigment inventory remained level and
the average plant utilization rate increased.

Corporate and Other

Revenue in Corporate and Other, which includes our electrolytic manufacturing business, was $35 million compared to $38 million in the third quarter 2012, primarily the result of lower sales volumes of electrolytic manganese dioxide and sodium chlorate.  The electrolytic business generated adjusted EBITDA of $1 million, which was offset by adjusted EBITDA of ($18) million related to corporate operations for a net adjusted EBITDA in Corporate and Other of ($17) million in the third quarter.  The Corporate and Other loss from operations of $20 million improved from $26 million in the third quarter 2012.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the company in the third quarter were $45 million, or 9 percent of revenue, versus $60 million, or 12 percent of revenue, in the third quarter 2012.  Interest and debt expense was $32 million versus $18 million in the year-ago quarter.  On September 30, 2013, gross consolidated debt was $2,404 million, and debt, net of cash, was $947 million.  For the quarter, capital expenditures were $25 million and depreciation, depletion and amortization was $92 million.

Third Quarter 2013 Conference Call and Webcast

Tronox will conduct its third quarter 2013 conference call and webcast on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 8:30am EST (New York).  The live call is open to the public via Internet broadcast and telephone:

Internet Broadcast:  https://www.tronox.com/
Dial-in telephone numbers:
U.S. / Canada: +1.877.831.3840
International: +1.253.237.1184
Conference ID: 83214226

Conference Call Presentation Slides: will be used during the conference call and are available on our website at https://www.tronox.com/

Webcast Conference Call Replay: available via the Internet and telephone beginning on November 7, 2013, at 11:30am EST (New York), until November 12, 2013

Internet Replay: www.tronox.com
Dial-in telephone numbers:
U.S. / Canada: +1.855.859.2056
International: +1.404.537.3406
Conference ID: 83214226

About Tronox

Tronox is a global leader in the production and marketing of mineral sands, titanium dioxide pigment and electrolytic products.  Through the integration of its pigment and mineral sands businesses, the company provides its customers a dependable supply of brightening solutions for a variety of end uses.  For more information, visit https://www.tronox.com.

Explore how Tronox’s fully integrated strategy is reshaping the industry.  Learn more about Tronox’s bold vision.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and contain words such as “believe,” “intended,” “expect,” and “anticipate” and include statements about expectations for future results including revenues. The forward-looking statements involve risks that may affect the company’s operations, markets, products, services, prices and other risk factors discussed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those under the heading entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Significant risks and
uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, our ability to integrate the recently acquired mineral sands business including achieving the expected cost savings; financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal regulatory and technological factors including, our access to unrestricted cash, compliance with our bank facility covenants, the price of our shares, general market conditions, our customers potentially reducing their demand for our products due to, among other things, the economic downturn, more competitive pricing from our competitors, increased supply from our competitors; operating efficiencies and other benefits expected. Unless otherwise required by applicable laws, the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future developments.

Use of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Information

To provide investors and others with additional information regarding Tronox Limited’s operating results, we have disclosed in this press release certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA. These non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are a supplement to, and not a substitute for or superior to, the company’s results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures presented by the company may be different than non-U.S. GAAP financial measures presented by other companies.  The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of the company’s operating performance. Specifically, the company believes the non-U.S. GAAP information provides useful measures to investors regarding the company’s financial performance by excluding certain costs and expenses
that the company believes are not indicative of its core operating results.  The presentation of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results or guidance prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  A reconciliation of the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to U.S. GAAP results is included herein.

Management believes these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures:

• Reflect Tronox Limited’s ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparison and analysis of trends in its business, as they exclude income and expense that are not reflective of ongoing operating results;
• Provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating Tronox Limited’s operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods;
• Provide additional view of the operating performance of the company by adding interest expenses, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization to the net income. Further adjustments due to purchase price accounting and stock-based compensation charges attempt to exclude items that are either non-cash or non-recurring in nature;
• Enable investors to assess the company’s compliance with financial covenants under its debt instruments. Certain debt instruments have financial covenants that use Adjusted EBITDA as part of their compliance measures, e.g., consolidated leverage ratio, which is a ratio of indebtedness to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA; and consolidated interest coverage ratio which is a ratio of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to interest expenses; and
• In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is one of the primary measures management uses for planning and budgeting processes and to monitor and evaluate financial and operating results. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to measures of our financial performance as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, such as net income (loss). Because other companies may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than Tronox, EBITDA may not be, and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this release is not, comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies

Segment Information

The company has two reportable operating segments, Mineral Sands and Pigment. The Mineral Sands segment includes the exploration, mining and beneficiation of mineral sands deposits, as well as heavy mineral production. These operations produce titanium feedstock, including ilmenite, chloride slag, slag fines, synthetic rutile and natural rutile, as well as co-products pig iron and zircon.  The Pigment segment primarily produces and markets TiO_2, and has production facilities in the United States, Australia and the Netherlands. The company’s Corporate and Other operations are comprised of corporate activities, electrolytic manufacturing and marketing operations and businesses that are no longer in operation; all are
located in the United States.

Segment performance is evaluated based on segment income/(loss) from operations, which represents the results of segment operations before unallocated costs, such as general corporate expenses not identified to a specific segment, environmental provisions, net of reimbursements, related to sites no longer in operation, interest expense, other income (expense) and  income tax expense or benefit.

Media Contact: Bud GrebeyDirect: +1.203.705.3721

Investor Contact: Brennen ArndtDirect: +1.203.705.3722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Tronox Limited