LyondellBasell Reports Record 2013 Earnings

HOUSTON and LONDON, Jan. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Full Year 2013 Highlights

• Record earnings of $3.9 billion income from continuing operations or $6.76 diluted earnings per share; EBITDA of $6.3 billion
• Strong performance led by advantaged positions in both Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas, and Intermediates and Derivatives
• Growth projects on schedule; completed butadiene expansion and methanol restart
• Initiated a share repurchase program of up to 10 percent in second quarter 2013; share repurchases and dividends totaled $3.1 billion

Fourth Quarter 2013 Highlights

• $1.2 billion income from continuing operations or $2.11 diluted earnings per share
• Record fourth quarter EBITDA of $1.5 billion
• Methanol plant restarted on schedule
• Increased ethane cracking to 77 percent of U.S. ethylene production
• Increased interim dividend by 20 percent to $0.60 per share
• Repurchased 8.5 million shares during the quarter

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE: LYB) today announced earnings from continuing operations for the fourth quarter 2013 of $1,177 million, or $2.11 per share. Fourth-quarter 2013 EBITDA was $1,543 million. Full year 2013 income from continuing operations was $3,860 million, or $6.76 per share.

Comparisons with the prior quarter, fourth quarter 2012 and full year 2012 are available in the following table.

In 2013, LyondellBasell reported record results, led by improvements in global olefins and polyolefins. Fourth quarter 2013 EBITDA was relatively unchanged compared to the third quarter of 2013 despite the impact of normal seasonal slowdowns. Income from continuing operations increased relative to the third quarter due to a lower effective tax rate related to the release of reserves against certain European net operating losses (NOLs).

Results reflect the following charges and benefits:

"We achieved record earnings in 2013, capped by the best fourth-quarter results in our history," said CEO Jim Gallogly.  "Our performance for the quarter and the year continued a pattern of solid financial results  built on our back-to-basics strategy and supplemented with high return growth projects. During the quarter, we completed the methanol restart project at Channelview, Texas. This project and other announced projects focus on capturing additional advantages from U.S. shale gas ahead of our competition," he said.

"We advanced our cash deployment strategy in 2013; we increased the quarterly interim dividend over the year by 50 percent to $0.60 per share and initiated a share repurchase program. Shareholders realized a total stock return of 45 percent in 2013 versus the S&P 500 return of 32 percent," Gallogly said.

OUTLOOK
"The fundamentals supporting our businesses have remained strong. The U.S. natural gas liquids advantage continues to evolve in a very positive way, and we are executing our growth projects rapidly to take advantage of these market opportunities. We believe olefins in North America will continue to benefit from strong margins created by cost-advantaged NGLs.  We will commence an olefins turnaround at La Porte late in the first quarter which will extend into the second quarter. European olefins and polyolefins demand should improve from a seasonally-low fourth quarter," Gallogly said.

"Intermediates and Derivatives continues to realize solid, steady performance and will additionally benefit from the methanol restart. The global refining market has been volatile, but improving of late. We expect that our refining position should strengthen in 2014 as North American crude production grows and the delivery infrastructure expands," Gallogly said. 

LYONDELLBASELL BUSINESS RESULTS DISCUSSION BY REPORTING SEGMENT
LyondellBasell manages operations through five operating segments: 1) Olefins and Polyolefins – Americas; 2) Olefins and Polyolefins – Europe, Asia and International (EAI); 3) Intermediates and Derivatives; 4) Refining; and 5) Technology.

Olefins and Polyolefins - Americas  (O&P-Americas) – The primary products of this segment include ethylene and its co-products (propylene, butadiene and benzene), polyethylene, polypropylene and Catalloy process resins. 

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended September 30, 2013 – EBITDA increased $42 million versus the third quarter 2013. Our average ethylene price was relatively unchanged. The cost of ethylene production metric improved due to cracking more ethane, which represented approximately 77 percent of the ethylene production. During the fourth quarter, we purchased ethylene to build inventory in preparation for the 2014 La Porte turnaround and expansion. Polyethylene benefitted from a 2 cent per pound higher average price and 2 percent higher sales volumes. Polypropylene sales volumes declined by approximately 4 percent. Joint venture equity income decreased by $1 million from the third quarter 2013.

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $105 million versus the fourth quarter 2012. Olefin results were impacted by a 3 cent per pound lower average ethylene price and reduced volumes.  Our cost of ethylene production improved as a result of a higher percentage of ethane cracking, lower domestic condensate prices, and higher propylene co-product values. Polyethylene benefitted from a 10 cent per pound higher price which more than offset a 2 percent volume decline. Polypropylene sales volumes increased by 11 percent partially offsetting a decline in margins. Joint venture equity income decreased by $2 million versus the prior year period.

Full year ended December 31, 2013 versus full year ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $605 million versus 2012 to record results of $3,573 million in 2013. Olefin results increased compared to the prior year. Ethylene margins benefitted from a 5 cent per pound lower average cost-of-ethylene-production which more than offset a 1 cent per pound lower ethylene price. The lower cost of ethylene production was primarily due to lower Gulf Coast NGL prices and higher propylene and benzene co-product values. Polyethylene price increased by 5 cents per pound which more than offset modestly lower polypropylene margins. The segment benefitted in 2012 from a $29 million hurricane insurance settlement. Joint venture equity income was unchanged.

Olefins and Polyolefins - Europe, Asia, International (O&P-EAI) – The primary products of this segment include ethylene and its co-products (propylene and butadiene), polyethylene, polypropylene, global polypropylene compounds, Catalloy process resins and Polybutene-1 resins. 

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended September 30, 2013 – EBITDA decreased $89 million versus the third quarter 2013. The fourth quarter results included a positive impact of $25 million related to an insurance settlement. Seasonal impacts dominated the EBITDA decline. Olefin results decreased reflecting lower olefin margins driven by higher feedstock costs. Combined polyolefin results were impacted by lower margins and seasonally lower volumes. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results decreased by approximately $25 million primarily due to seasonally lower sales volumes. Equity income from joint ventures decreased by $7 million from the third quarter 2013.

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 –  EBITDA increased $89 million versus the fourth quarter 2012. Excluding an insurance settlement, a reversal of a contract reserve and applicable restructuring costs as indicated on Table 2, EBITDA increased by $57 million. Olefin results improved as a result of higher volumes versus the prior year period which was impacted by a turnaround at Wesseling, Germany. Combined polyolefin results increased as improved margins more than offset a 6 percent decline in sales volumes. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results increased slightly. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $12 million from the fourth quarter 2012.

Full year ended December 31, 2013 versus full year ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $291 million versus 2012. Excluding the impact from an insurance settlement, a reversal of a contract reserve, an asset impairment and applicable restructuring costs as indicated on Table 2, EBITDA increased by $237 million. Olefin results benefitted from improved olefin margins and higher volumes compared to the prior year period. Cracking advantaged feedstocks and lower naphtha prices in 2013 were major drivers of higher olefin margins. The production volumes in 2012 were impacted by a turnaround at Wesseling, Germany. Combined polyolefin results increased compared to the prior year driven by higher polyethylene margins and a 2 percent higher polyolefin sales volume. Polypropylene compounds and polybutene-1 results increased by approximately $15 million as a result of higher margins and volumes. Equity income from joint ventures increased by $53 million in 2013 versus 2012.

Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D) – The primary products of this segment include propylene oxide (PO) and its co-products (styrene monomer, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), isobutylene and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide), and derivatives (propylene glycol, propylene glycol ethers and butanediol); acetyls (including methanol), ethylene oxide and its derivatives, and oxyfuels. 

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended September 30, 2013 – EBITDA decreased $73 million versus the third quarter 2013. Results for PO and PO derivatives increased slightly. Compared to the prior quarter, intermediate chemicals results were relatively unchanged as higher methanol and ethylene glycol volumes and margins offset a decline in styrene margins. Oxyfuels results decreased due to seasonally lower margins and volumes. The lower oxyfuels margins were a result of lower spreads between butane, MTBE and gasoline. The fourth quarter results include $26 million of charges related to our exit from the Nihon Oxirane Co. (NOC) joint venture in Japan.

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $57 million compared to the fourth quarter 2012. Results for PO and PO derivatives were relatively unchanged as higher PO volumes offset the impact of weaker butanediol and solvents market conditions. Intermediate chemicals results increased driven by higher margins and sales volumes for styrene, acetyls and ethylene glycol. Oxyfuels  experienced lower margins, which offset higher sales volumes. Fourth quarter 2013 results include $26 million of charges related to our exit from the NOC joint venture.

Full year ended December 31, 2013 versus full year ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA decreased by $129 million versus 2012. Underlying results for PO were relatively unchanged. Lower PO derivatives results primarily due to weaker butanediol and solvents market conditions were offset by improved intermediate chemicals results driven by higher ethylene glycol, acetyls and styrene margins. Oxyfuels results declined compared to the prior year due to lower margins which more than offset higher sales volumes. Lower oxyfuels margins resulted from a lower MTBE spread to gasoline and a weaker gasoline market in 2013 versus stronger than typical 2012 spreads and market conditions. Results in 2013 include $26 million of charges related to our exit from the NOC joint venture. Exclusive of the $10 million impairment charge, equity income from joint ventures increased by $17 million. The segment benefitted in 2012 from $18 million related to an insurance settlement.

Refining – The primary products of this segment include gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, and petrochemical raw materials. 

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended September 30, 2013 – EBITDA increased $126 million versus the third quarter 2013. The Houston refinery operated at 239,000 barrels per day, down 11,000 barrels per day from the prior quarter due to operational issues during December. The Maya 2-1-1 industry benchmark crack spread increased by $1.10 per barrel, averaging $24.32 per barrel. The refinery spread increased by more than the benchmark, and by-products values improved relative to the third quarter. The cost of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to meet U.S. renewable fuel standards decreased by $24 million versus the third quarter 2013.

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $11 million versus the fourth quarter 2012. The Houston refinery operated at 239,000 barrels per day, down 16,000 barrels per day from the prior year period. The Maya 2-1-1 industry benchmark crack spread decreased by $1.12 per barrel, averaging $24.32 per barrel. Compared to the 2012 period, the refinery margins improved due to higher by-products spreads which more than offset the lower crack spread. The cost of RINs increased by $4 million versus the fourth quarter 2012.

Full year ended December 31, 2013 versus full year ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA decreased $299 million versus 2012 due to lower margins, higher RINs cost and a throughput decline of 23,000 barrels per day. The throughput decline, which impacted results by approximately $80 million, was primarily the result of a planned turnaround at the refinery. The Maya 2-1-1 industry benchmark crack spread decreased by $1.97 per barrel, averaging $22.94 per barrel. The cost of RINs increased by $87 million in 2013 relative to 2012. The segment benefitted from proceeds of $19 million in 2013 and $77 million in 2012 from insurance claims, recoveries and settlements.

Technology Segment – The principal products of the Technology segment include polyolefin catalysts and production process technology licenses and related services.

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended September 30, 2013 – EBITDA increased by $3 million primarily as a result of higher licensing revenues.

Three months ended December 31, 2013 versus three months ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased by $13 million primarily due to the absence of charges related to research and development restructuring activities.

Full year ended December 31, 2013 versus full year ended December 31, 2012 – EBITDA increased $35 million versus 2012 to record results of $232 million in 2013 due in part to higher licensing revenues and lower research and development costs. Segment results in 2012 include $18 million in charges related to research and development restructuring activities.

Capital Spending, Cash Balances and Tax Rate

Capital expenditures, including growth projects, maintenance turnarounds, catalyst and information technology-related expenditures, were $360 million during the fourth quarter 2013 and $1.6 billion for the full year 2013.  The cash balance was $4.4 billion at Dec. 31, 2013. We repurchased 8.5 million ordinary shares during the fourth quarter 2013 and 27.4 million shares in 2013. The company paid dividends of $1.1 billion in 2013. During the year, the company issued $1.5 billion in bonds. The 2013 effective tax rate was 23 percent, inclusive of the release of reserves against certain European net operating losses (NOLs).

CONFERENCE CALL
LyondellBasell will host a conference call Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. ET.  Participants on the call will include Chief Executive Officer Jim Gallogly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Karyn Ovelmen, Senior Vice President - Strategic Planning and Transactions Sergey Vasnetsov, and Vice President of Investor Relations Doug Pike. 

The toll-free dial-in number in the U.S. is 877-950-3594. A complete listing of toll-free numbers by country is available at www.lyondell.com/teleconference for international callers. The pass code for all numbers is 1231245.

A replay of the call will be available from 2 p.m. ET Jan. 31 until March 2 at 11 p.m. ET.  The replay dial-in numbers are 888-662-6658 (U.S.) and +1 402-220-6418 (international). The pass code for each is 3674.

The slides that accompany the call will be available at http://www.lyondellbasell.com/earnings.

ABOUT LYONDELLBASELL
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500. LyondellBasell (www.lyondellbasell.com) manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels. 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, the business cyclicality of the chemical, polymers and refining industries; the availability, cost and price volatility of raw materials and utilities, particularly the cost of oil, natural gas, and associated natural gas liquids; competitive product and pricing pressures; labor conditions; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, supplier disruptions, labor shortages, strikes, work stoppages or other labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks); the supply/demand balances for our and our joint ventures' products, and the related effects of industry production capacities and operating rates; our ability to achieve expected cost savings and other synergies; legal and environmental proceedings; tax rulings, consequences or proceedings; technological developments, and our ability to develop new products and process technologies; potential governmental regulatory actions; political unrest and terrorist acts; risks and uncertainties posed by international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; and our ability to comply with debt covenants and service our debt.  Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which can be found at www.lyondellbasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

This release makes reference to EBITDA, which is "non-GAAP" financial measures as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA, provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company's ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA, as presented herein, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure reported by other companies due to differences in the way the measure is calculated. We calculate EBITDA as income from continuing operations plus interest expense (net), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation & amortization.  EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to profit or operating profit for any period as an indicator of our performance, or as alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of our liquidity.

Quantitative reconciliations of EBITDA to net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, are provided in Table 9 at the end of this release.

OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURE PRESENTATION NOTES

This release contains time sensitive information that is accurate only as of the time hereof. Information contained in this release is unaudited and subject to change. LyondellBasell undertakes no obligation to update the information presented herein except to the extent required by law.

Media Contact:          David A. Harpole +1 713-309-4125
Investor Contact:       Douglas J. Pike +1 713-309-7141

SOURCE LyondellBasell Industries