Olin Announces Third Quarter 2014 Earnings

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Oct 23, 2014, 05:37 ET

CLAYTON, Mo., Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced today that its third quarter 2014 net income was $26.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, which compares to $69.7 million, or $0.86 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2013. Sales in the third quarter of 2014 were $593.6 million compared to $670.7 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Third quarter 2014 results included $1.2 million of pretax restructuring charges and $9.5 million of pretax expense for the call premium and unamortized deferred debt issuance costs related to the $150 million 8.875% Senior Notes that were redeemed in the third quarter, which would have matured in 2019. Third quarter 2013 earnings included $1.6 million of pretax restructuring charges, the net recovery of $11.4 million of pretax legacy legal costs, a pretax gain of $11.0 million for a favorable Chlor Alkali Products contract settlement and $8.8 million of favorable tax adjustments.

Joseph D. Rupp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "The high level of commercial demand that was experienced by Winchester in 2013 continued in the third quarter of 2014, and Winchester generated the second highest level of quarterly sales and segment earnings in its history. We continue to see strong commercial demand, especially for pistol and rimfire ammunition. During the third quarter of 2014, the Chlor Alkali business experienced lower chlorine and caustic soda shipments and prices compared to the third quarter of 2013. Third quarter 2014 ECU netbacks declined compared to the third quarter of 2013 reflecting both lower chlorine and caustic soda prices. Third quarter 2014 Chemical Distribution shipments and segment earnings declined compared to the third quarter of 2013. Third quarter 2014 adjusted EBITDA was $92.7 million.

"Fourth quarter 2014 net income is forecast to be in the $0.20 to $0.25 per diluted share range. Chlor Alkali fourth quarter 2014 earnings are expected to improve compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 due to higher volumes and lower operating costs, partially offset by lower ECU netbacks. Fourth quarter 2014 Chemical Distribution earnings are expected to improve from the fourth quarter of 2013. Earnings in the Winchester segment are expected to decline from the record fourth quarter 2013 levels, but are expected to be similar to fourth quarter 2012 levels. Fourth quarter 2014 earnings are also expected to include pretax restructuring charges of approximately $1 million. As a result of the continued weaker than expected chlorine and caustic soda demand and pricing, we have revised our full year adjusted EBITDA forecast to the $345 million to $365 million range."

SEGMENT REPORTING

We define segment earnings as income (loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, interest income, other operating (expense) income, other income (expense) and income taxes and include the earnings of non-consolidated affiliates in segment results consistent with management's monitoring of the operating segments.

CHLOR ALKALI PRODUCTS

Chlor Alkali Products sales for the third quarter of 2014 were $329.2 million compared to $374.2 million in the third quarter of 2013. Third quarter 2014 chlorine and caustic soda volumes decreased 9% compared to the third quarter 2013 levels, and ECU netbacks declined approximately 11% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Third quarter 2014 bleach volumes were similar to the third quarter of 2013. Hydrochloric acid volumes increased 3% and potassium hydroxide volumes increased 7% during the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Third quarter 2014 Chlor Alkali segment earnings of $26.2 million decreased compared to the $64.4 million earned in the third quarter of 2013, which included an $11.0 million favorable contract settlement. The decrease in segment earnings reflects the impact of lower chlorine and caustic soda volumes, lower ECU netbacks, and lower hydrochloric acid prices, partially offset by the higher volumes of hydrochloric acid and potassium hydroxide and lower costs.

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

Chemical Distribution sales in the third quarter of 2014 were $76.6 million compared to $101.9 million in the third quarter of 2013. The year-over-year decline in Chemical Distribution sales reflects the combination of lower caustic soda volumes and selling prices. Chemical Distribution third quarter of 2014 segment earnings were $0.8 million compared to $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. Chemical Distribution third quarter 2014 results included depreciation and amortization expense of $4.0 million compared to $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2013.

WINCHESTER

Winchester third quarter 2014 sales were $209.6 million compared to $213.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. The third quarter 2014 commercial sales declined compared to the third quarter 2013, mainly due to a lower level of demand for shotshell and rifle ammunition. Winchester's third quarter 2014 segment earnings were $38.5 million compared to $40.7 million in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease in segment earnings reflects the impact of lower shipments, partially offset by improved pricing, and lower manufacturing and other costs.

CORPORATE AND OTHER COSTS

Pension income included in the third quarter 2014 Corporate and Other segment was $8.8 million compared to $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Third quarter 2014 charges to income for environmental investigatory and remedial activities were $1.6 million compared to $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2013, which included $1.3 million of pretax recoveries of costs incurred and expensed in prior periods. Without these recoveries, charges to income for environmental investigatory and remedial activities would have been $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. These charges relate primarily to remedial and investigatory activities associated with former waste sites and past operations.

Other corporate and unallocated costs in the third quarter of 2014 increased $5.3 million compared to the third quarter of 2013, primarily due to an $11.4 million net recovery of legacy legal costs in 2013, partially offset by lower legal and legal-related settlement costs and lower stock-based compensation expense, including mark-to-market adjustments.

CASH / DEBT

The cash balance at September 30, 2014, including restricted cash, was $265.6 million. During the first nine months of 2014, working capital increased $80.3 million reflecting normal seasonal working capital growth in the Winchester and Chlor Alkali businesses and a replenishment of Winchester's inventory. During the first nine months of 2013, working capital increased $17.3 million.

On August 15, 2014, the $150 million 8.875% Senior Notes were redeemed, which would have matured on August 15, 2019. During the second quarter of 2014, Olin entered into a $150 million delayed-draw term loan facility that was used to refinance these notes. As a result, it is anticipated that interest expense will decline by approximately $10 million during the first year after the redemption. The premium payment associated with this call was $6.7 million.

SHARE REPURCHASE

During the third quarter of 2014, approximately 0.55 million shares of common stock were repurchased at a cost of $15.0 million. As of September 30, 2014, there were approximately 6.9 million shares available to be repurchased under the 8 million share, three-year repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2014.

DIVIDEND

Today, Olin's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.20 on each share of Olin common stock. The dividend is payable on December 10, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2014. This is the 352^nd consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid by the Company.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company's third quarter earnings conference call with securities analysts is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time, Friday, October 24th. The call will feature remarks by Joseph D. Rupp, Olin's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; John E. Fischer, Olin's President and Chief Operating Officer; John L. McIntosh, Olin's Senior Vice President, Chemicals; Todd A. Slater, Olin's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Larry P. Kromidas, Olin's Assistant Treasurer and Director, Investor Relations. Anyone wishing to listen to the call may do so via the Internet by following the instructions posted under the Conference Call icon on Olin's website, www.olin.com. Listeners should log on to the website 15 minutes prior to the call. The call will also be audio archived on the Olin website for future replay beginning at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time. A final transcript of the conference call will be available on the website in the Investor section the following day.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Olin Corporation is a manufacturer concentrated in three business segments: Chlor Alkali Products, Chemical Distribution and Winchester. Chlor Alkali Products, with nine U. S. manufacturing facilities and one Canadian manufacturing facility, produces chlorine and caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products and potassium hydroxide. Chemical Distribution manufactures bleach products and distributes caustic soda, bleach products, potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. Winchester, with its principal manufacturing facilities in East Alton, IL and Oxford, MS, produces and distributes sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, and industrial cartridges.

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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," "project," "estimate," "forecast," "optimistic," and variations of such words and similar expressions in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements. 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. Relative to the dividend, 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, 2013, include, but are not limited to, the following:

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, such as ammunition, vinyls, urethanes, and pulp and paper, and the migration by United States customers to low-cost foreign locations;
the cyclical nature of our operating results, particularly declines in average selling prices in the chlor alkali industry 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;
economic and industry downturns that result in diminished product demand and excess manufacturing capacity in any of our segments and that, in many cases, result in lower selling prices and profits;
new regulations or public policy changes regarding the transportation of hazardous chemicals and the security of chemical manufacturing facilities;
changes in legislation or government regulations or policies;
higher-than-expected raw material and energy, transportation, and/or logistics costs;
costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings;
unexpected litigation outcomes;
the failure or an interruption of our information technology systems;
the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions and production hazards;
adverse conditions in the credit and capital markets, limiting or preventing our ability to borrow or raise capital;
weak industry conditions could affect our ability to comply with the financial maintenance covenants in our senior revolving credit facility and certain tax-exempt bonds;
the effects of any declines in global equity markets on asset values and any declines in interest rates used to value the liabilities in our pension plan; and
an increase in our indebtedness or higher-than-expected interest rates, affecting our ability to generate sufficient cash flow for debt service.

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.

2014-15

Olin Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income(a)
		Three Months		Nine Months
		Ended September 30,		Ended September 30,
(In millions, except per share amounts)		2014	2013	2014	2013

Sales		$ 593.6	$ 670.7	$ 1,741.4	$ 1,952.9
Operating Expenses:
	Cost of Goods Sold	492.3	528.5	1,431.3	1,564.0
	Selling and Administration	42.8	36.5	128.5	134.3
	Restructuring Charges (b)	1.2	1.6	4.5	4.1
Other Operating (Expense) Income (c)		-	(0.4)	0.8	1.3
	Operating Income	57.3	103.7	177.9	251.8
Earnings of Non-consolidated Affiliates		0.5	1.0	1.4	2.4
Interest Expense (d)		17.7	9.9	37.0	28.7
Interest Income		0.2	0.1	0.9	0.3
Other (Expense) Income (e)		-	(1.9)	0.1	(6.3)
	Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes	40.3	93.0	143.3	219.5
Income Tax Provision		14.2	23.3	51.1	65.6
	Income from Continuing Operations	26.1	69.7	92.2	153.9
	Income from Discontinued Operations, Net (f)	-	-	0.7	-
Net Income		$ 26.1	$ 69.7	$ 92.9	$ 153.9
Net Income Per Common Share:
	Basic Income per Common Share:
	Income from Continuing Operations	$ 0.33	$ 0.87	$ 1.17	$ 1.92
	Income from Discontinued Operations, Net	-	-	0.01	-
	Net Income	$ 0.33	$ 0.87	$ 1.18	$ 1.92
	Diluted Income per Common Share:
	Income from Continuing Operations	$ 0.33	$ 0.86	$ 1.15	$ 1.90
	Income from Discontinued Operations, Net	-	-	0.01	-
	Net Income	$ 0.33	$ 0.86	$ 1.16	$ 1.90
Dividends Per Common Share		$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.60	$ 0.60
Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic		78.4	79.8	78.8	80.1
Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted		79.5	80.8	80.0	81.1

(a)	Unaudited.

(b)	Restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were associated with exiting the use of mercury cell technology in the chlor alkali manufacturing process and the ongoing relocation of our Winchester centerfire ammunition manufacturing operations from East Alton, IL to Oxford, MS.

(c)	Other operating (expense) income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included a gain of $1.0 million for the resolution of a contract matter. Other operating (expense) income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included a gain of $1.5 million on the sale of two former manufacturing sites.

(d)	Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $9.5 million for the call premium and the write-off of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs associated with the redemption of our $150 million 8.875% senior notes, which would have matured on August 15, 2019. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was reduced by capitalized interest of $1.0 million.

(e)	Other (expense) income included $1.9 million of expense for our earn out liability from the SunBelt acquisition for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

(f)	Income from discontinued operations, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included a $0.7 million after tax gain for the favorable resolution of certain indemnity obligations related to our Metals business sold in 2007.

Olin Corporation
Segment Information(a)
		Three Months		Nine Months
		Ended September 30,		Ended September 30,
(In millions)		2014	2013	2014	2013
Sales:
	Chlor Alkali Products	$ 329.2	$ 374.2	$ 996.0	$ 1,090.1
	Chemical Distribution	76.6	101.9	221.4	325.7
	Winchester	209.6	213.1	591.2	599.2
	Intersegment Sales Elimination (b)	(21.8)	(18.5)	(67.2)	(62.1)
	Total Sales	$ 593.6	$ 670.7	$ 1,741.4	$ 1,952.9
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Taxes:
	Chlor Alkali Products (c)	$ 26.2	$ 64.4	$ 101.3	$ 173.1
	Chemical Distribution	0.8	3.4	-	9.7
	Winchester	38.5	40.7	109.9	109.1
	Corporate/Other:
	Pension Income (d)	8.8	7.3	24.2	20.0
	Environmental Expense (e)	(1.6)	(0.7)	(6.3)	(4.9)
	Other Corporate and Unallocated Costs	(13.7)	(8.4)	(46.1)	(50.0)
	Restructuring Charges (f)	(1.2)	(1.6)	(4.5)	(4.1)
	Other Operating (Expense) Income (g)	-	(0.4)	0.8	1.3
	Interest Expense (h)	(17.7)	(9.9)	(37.0)	(28.7)
	Interest Income	0.2	0.1	0.9	0.3
	Other (Expense) Income (i)	-	(1.9)	0.1	(6.3)
	Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes	$ 40.3	$ 93.0	$ 143.3	$ 219.5

(a)	Unaudited.

(b)	Intersegment sales elimination represents the sale of caustic soda, bleach, potassium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid between Chemical Distribution and Chlor Alkali Products, at prices that approximate market.

(c)	Earnings of non-consolidated affiliates are included in the Chlor Alkali Products segment results consistent with management's monitoring of the operating segments. The earnings from non-consolidated affiliates were $0.5 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1.4 million and $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During October 2013, we sold our equity interest in a bleach joint venture.

(d)	The service cost and the amortization of prior service cost components of pension expense related to the employees of the operating segments are allocated to the operating segments based on their respective estimated census data. All other components of pension costs are included in Corporate/Other and include items such as the expected return on plan assets, interest cost and recognized actuarial gains and losses.

(e)	Environmental expense for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 included $1.3 million of recoveries from third parties for costs incurred and expensed in prior periods.

(f)	Restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were associated with exiting the use of mercury cell technology in the chlor alkali manufacturing process and the ongoing relocation of our Winchester centerfire ammunition manufacturing operations from East Alton, IL to Oxford, MS.

(g)	Other operating (expense) income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included a gain of $1.0 million for the resolution of a contract matter. Other operating (expense) income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included a gain of $1.5 million on the sale of two former manufacturing sites.

(h)	Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $9.5 million for the call premium and the write-off of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs associated with the redemption of our $150 million 8.875% senior notes, which would have matured on August 15, 2019. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was reduced by capitalized interest of $1.0 million.

(i)	Other (expense) income included $1.9 million of expense for our earn out liability from the SunBelt acquisition for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Olin Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets (a)

	September 30,	December 31,	September 30,
(In millions, except per share data)	2014	2013	2013

Assets:
Cash & Cash Equivalents	$ 263.6	$ 307.8	$ 283.8
Accounts Receivable, Net	333.4	280.1	343.8
Income Taxes Receivable	4.3	1.9	4.0
Inventories	198.8	186.5	183.5
Current Deferred Income Taxes	45.8	50.4	51.7
Other Current Assets	11.1	13.2	10.3
Total Current Assets	857.0	839.9	877.1
Property, Plant and Equipment
(Less Accumulated Depreciation of $1,324.6, $1,259.1 and $1,236.8)	936.4	987.8	991.7
Prepaid Pension Costs	1.6	1.7	2.1
Restricted Cash	2.0	4.2	6.6
Deferred Income Taxes	11.2	9.0	8.4
Other Assets	197.7	213.1	210.0
Goodwill	747.1	747.1	747.1
Total Assets	$ 2,753.0	$ 2,802.8	$ 2,843.0

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Current Installments of Long-Term Debt	$ 16.4	$ 12.6	$ 12.5
Accounts Payable	165.5	148.7	170.4
Income Taxes Payable	0.5	1.7	0.8
Accrued Liabilities	209.2	244.5	242.4
Total Current Liabilities	391.6	407.5	426.1
Long-Term Debt	672.7	678.4	690.5
Accrued Pension Liability	64.7	115.4	123.2
Deferred Income Taxes	139.0	117.6	134.3
Other Liabilities	363.8	382.8	371.6
Total Liabilities	1,631.8	1,701.7	1,745.7
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock, Par Value $1 Per Share, Authorized 120.0 Shares:
Issued and Outstanding 78.2 Shares (79.4 and 79.6 in 2013)	78.2	79.4	79.6
Additional Paid-In Capital	805.9	838.8	841.6
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(356.4)	(365.1)	(363.1)
Retained Earnings	593.5	548.0	539.2
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,121.2	1,101.1	1,097.3
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$ 2,753.0	$ 2,802.8	$ 2,843.0

(a) Unaudited.

Olin Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(a)

	Nine Months
	Ended September 30,
(In millions)	2014	2013
Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 92.9	$ 153.9
Earnings of Non-consolidated Affiliates	(1.4)	(2.4)
Gains on Disposition of Property, Plant and Equipment	(0.6)	(1.1)
Stock-Based Compensation	3.5	6.4
Depreciation and Amortization	104.3	101.2
Deferred Income Taxes	17.9	27.9
Qualified Pension Plan Contributions	(0.6)	(0.7)
Qualified Pension Plan Income	(21.4)	(18.1)
Changes in:
Receivables	(46.7)	(44.8)
Income Taxes Receivable/Payable	(10.2)	(2.6)
Inventories	(12.3)	11.6
Other Current Assets	0.9	2.4
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	(12.0)	16.1
Other Assets	5.1	2.5
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	(20.0)	(10.6)
Other Operating Activities	0.1	-
Net Operating Activities	99.5	241.7
Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures	(49.7)	(70.4)
Proceeds from Sale/Leaseback of Equipment	-	35.8
Proceeds from Disposition of Property, Plant and Equipment	4.0	4.3
Distributions from Affiliated Companies, Net	-	0.9
Restricted Cash Activity	2.2	5.3
Other Investing Activities	(0.5)	(1.8)
Net Investing Activities	(44.0)	(25.9)
Financing Activities:
Long-Term Debt:
Borrowings	150.0	-
Repayments	(149.2)	(11.4)
Earn Out Payment - SunBelt	(14.8)	(17.1)
Common Stock Repurchased and Retired	(44.7)	(28.8)
Stock Options Exercised	6.5	6.8
Excess Tax Benefits from Stock-Based Compensation	1.1	1.4
Dividends Paid	(47.4)	(48.1)
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs	(1.2)	-
Net Financing Activities	(99.7)	(97.2)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(44.2)	118.6
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	307.8	165.2
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$ 263.6	$ 283.8

(a) Unaudited.

Olin Corporation

Non-GAAP Financial Measures(a)

Olin's definition of Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is income from continuing operations plus an add-back for depreciation and amortization, interest expense (income) and income tax expense less a deduction for other (expense) income. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors as a supplemental financial measure to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures, taxes, or historical cost basis. The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP and Adjusted EBITDA presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Three Months

Nine Months

Ended September 30,

(In millions)

2014

2013

2014

2013

Reconciliation of Income from Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDA:

Income from Continuing Operations

$ 26.1

$ 69.7

$ 92.2

$ 153.9

Add Back:

Interest Expense

17.7

9.9

37.0

28.7

Interest Income

(0.2)

(0.1)

(0.9)

(0.3)

Income Tax Expense

14.2

23.3

51.1

65.6

Depreciation and Amortization

34.9

34.1

104.3

101.2

EBITDA

92.7

136.9

283.7

349.1

Deduct:

Other (Expense) Income (b)

(1.9)

0.1

(6.3)

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 92.7

$ 138.8

$ 283.6

$ 355.4

(a)

Unaudited.

(b)

Other (expense) income included $1.9 million of expense for our earn out liability from the SunBelt acquisition for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

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SOURCE Olin Corporation