Olin Announces Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

Highlights

• Fourth quarter 2023 net income of $52.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share
• Quarterly adjusted EBITDA of $210.1 million
• Share repurchases of $711.3 million in 2023
• Expect 2024 adjusted EBITDA to improve from 2023

CLAYTON, Mo., Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023. Fourth quarter 2023 reported net income was $52.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, which compares to fourth quarter 2022 reported net income of $196.6 million, or $1.43 per diluted share. Fourth quarter 2023 adjusted EBITDA of $210.1 million excludes depreciation and amortization expense of $128.5 million, insurance recoveries of $22.0 million, and restructuring income of $2.4 million. Fourth quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA was $441.8 million. Sales in the fourth quarter 2023 were $1,614.6 million, compared to $1,977.0 million in the fourth quarter 2022. Full year 2023 reported net income was $460.2 million, or $3.57 per diluted share, which compares to full year 2022 reported net income of $1,326.9 million, or $8.94 per diluted share.

Scott Sutton, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Through the challenging economic environment of 2023, Olin successfully demonstrated our unique winning model by delivering $1.3 billion of adjusted EBITDA and corresponding cash flows enabling the 2023 repurchase of approximately 10% of our outstanding shares. As we are confident in our Company's future and the strength of our earnings and cash flow, we plan to continue our capital allocation strategy, while committing to maintain an investment-grade balance sheet and achieving additional investment-grade credit ratings.

"In fourth quarter 2023, we executed a 'value accelerator initiative' designed to halt the decline in our electrochemical unit ("ECU") values and accelerate a favorable inflection point for our Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls business. We are seeing success with our 'value accelerator initiative' but expect to continue to limit our market participation through February 2024, as we remain disciplined in our approach to ECU values. We anticipate our initiative supports an improved 2024 adjusted EBITDA as compared to 2023. Considering the ongoing difficult global economic environment and our 'value accelerator initiative,' we expect first quarter 2024 results from our Chemical businesses to be slightly higher than fourth quarter 2023 levels. We also expect our Winchester business first quarter 2024 results to increase sequentially from fourth quarter 2023. Overall, we expect Olin's first quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA to improve by approximately 10% from fourth quarter 2023 levels."

SEGMENT REPORTING

Olin defines segment earnings as income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, other operating income (expense), non-operating pension income, other income, and income taxes.

CHLOR ALKALI PRODUCTS AND VINYLS

In first quarter 2023, the Blue Water Alliance joint venture began operations and is consolidated in our Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls segment. Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls sales for the fourth quarter 2023 were $906.1 million, compared to $1,172.8 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The decrease in Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls sales was primarily due to lower pricing and a less favorable product mix. Fourth quarter 2023 segment earnings were $65.9 million, compared to $252.3 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The $186.4 million decrease in segment earnings was primarily due to lower volumes and lower pricing, primarily caustic soda, partially offset by lower raw material and operating costs. The Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls fourth quarter 2023 segment results were negatively impacted by approximately $100 million from the 'value accelerator initiative.' Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls fourth quarter 2023 results included depreciation and amortization expense of $105.4 million compared to $117.6 million in the fourth quarter 2022.

EPOXY

Epoxy sales for the fourth quarter 2023 were $313.1 million, compared to $484.2 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The decrease in Epoxy sales was primarily due to lower product pricing and $94.0 million of lower cumene and bisphenol A sales. As part of the Epoxy business restructuring actions to right-size our global asset footprint to the most cost-effective asset base to support our strategic operating model, the Epoxy business ceased operations at our cumene facility in Terneuzen, Netherlands in first quarter 2023 and one of our bisphenol A production lines at our Stade, Germany facility in fourth quarter 2022. Fourth quarter 2023 segment loss was ($23.1) million, compared to segment earnings of $30.5 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The $53.6 million decrease in Epoxy segment earnings was primarily due to lower pricing and incremental costs associated with inventory reduction, partially offset by lower raw material and operating costs, mainly decreased natural gas and electrical power costs, and an improved product mix. Epoxy fourth quarter 2023 results included depreciation and amortization expense of $13.0 million compared to $22.4 million in the fourth quarter 2022.

WINCHESTER

In fourth quarter 2023, we completed the acquisition of the White Flyer business, which was included in our Winchester segment. White Flyer designs, manufactures and sells recreational trap, skeet, international and sporting clay targets. Winchester sales for the fourth quarter 2023 were $395.4 million, compared to $320.0 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The increase in Winchester sales was primarily due to higher commercial ammunition shipments, higher domestic and international military sales, and White Flyer sales. Fourth quarter 2023 segment earnings were $65.4 million, compared to $45.7 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The $19.7 million increase in segment earnings was primarily due to higher commercial ammunition shipments, higher military sales, and lower operating costs, partially offset by lower commercial ammunition pricing. Winchester fourth quarter 2023 results included depreciation and amortization expense of $8.1 million compared to $6.4 million in the fourth quarter 2022.

CORPORATE AND OTHER COSTS

Other corporate and unallocated costs in fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $12.0 million compared to fourth quarter 2022 primarily due to lower stock-based compensation, including mark-to-market adjustments, a favorable foreign currency impact, and lower legal-related costs.

LIQUIDITY AND SHARE REPURCHASES

The cash balance on December 31, 2023, was $170.3 million and Olin ended the year with net debt of approximately $2.5 billion and a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.9 times. On December 31, 2023, Olin had approximately $1.3 billion of available liquidity.

During fourth quarter 2023, approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock were repurchased at a cost of $116.2 million. During 2023, approximately 13.3 million shares of common stock were repurchased at a cost of $711.3 million. On December 31, 2023, Olin had approximately $1.0 billion available under its current share repurchase authorization.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Olin senior management will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2023 financial results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, January 26, 2024. Remarks will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Associated slides, which will be available the evening before the call, and the conference call webcast will be accessible via Olin's website, www.olin.com, under the fourth quarter conference call icon. An archived replay of the webcast will also be available in the Investor Relations section of Olin's website beginning at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time. A final transcript of the call will be posted the next business day.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Olin Corporation is a leading vertically-integrated global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and a leading U.S. manufacturer of ammunition. The chemical products produced include chlorine and caustic soda, vinyls, epoxies, chlorinated organics, bleach, hydrogen, and hydrochloric acid. Winchester's principal manufacturing facilities produce and distribute sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, industrial cartridges, and clay targets.

Visit www.olin.com for more information on Olin.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on management's beliefs, certain assumptions made by management, forecasts of future results, and current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets and economy in which we and our various segments operate. The statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

We have used the words "anticipate," "intend," "may," "expect," "believe," "should," "plan," "outlook," "project," "estimate," "forecast," "optimistic," "target," and variations of such words and similar expressions in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intent to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's common stock. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. The payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be determined in light of then-current conditions, including our earnings, our operations, our financial conditions, our capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In the future, our board of directors may change our dividend policy, including the frequency or amount of any dividend, in light of then-existing conditions.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involved in our forward-looking statements, many of which are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports furnished or filed with the SEC, include, but are not limited to, the following:

Business, Industry and Operational Risks

• sensitivity to economic, business and market conditions in the United States and overseas, including economic instability or a downturn in the sectors served by us;
• declines in average selling prices for our products and the supply/demand balance for our products, including the impact of excess industry capacity or an imbalance in demand for our chlor alkali products;
• unsuccessful execution of our strategic operating model, which prioritizes Electrochemical Unit (ECU) margins over sales volumes;
• failure to control costs and inflation impacts or failure to achieve targeted cost reductions;
• our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for specified feedstock and services and our reliance on third-party transportation;
• the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions, production hazards and weather-related events;
• availability of and/or higher-than-expected costs of raw material, energy, transportation, and/or logistics;
• the failure or an interruption of our information technology systems;
• failure to identify, attract, develop, retain and motivate qualified employees throughout the organization and ability to manage executive officer and other key senior management transitions;
• our inability to complete future acquisitions or joint venture transactions or successfully integrate them into our business;
• risks associated with our international sales and operations, including economic, political or regulatory changes;
• the negative impact from a public health crisis, such as a pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to the pandemic, including without limitation adverse impacts in complying with governmental mandates;
• our indebtedness and debt service obligations;
• weak industry conditions affecting our ability to comply with the financial maintenance covenants in our senior credit facility;
• adverse conditions in the credit and capital markets, limiting or preventing our ability to borrow or raise capital;
• the effects of any declines in global equity markets on asset values and any declines in interest rates or other significant assumptions used to value the liabilities in, and funding of, our pension plans;
• our long-range plan assumptions not being realized causing a non-cash impairment charge of long-lived assets;

Legal, Environmental and Regulatory Risks

• changes in, or failure to comply with, legislation or government regulations or policies, including changes regarding our ability to manufacture or use certain products and changes within the international markets in which we operate;
• new regulations or public policy changes regarding the transportation of hazardous chemicals and the security of chemical manufacturing facilities;
• unexpected outcomes from legal or regulatory claims and proceedings;
• costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings;
• various risks associated with our Lake City U.S. Army Ammunition Plant contract and performance under other governmental contracts; and
• failure to effectively manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and related regulations, including climate change and sustainability.

All of our forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements.

2024 - 01

SOURCE Olin Corporation