Tronox Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

STAMFORD, Conn., May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tronox Limited (NYSE:TROX) today reported first quarter 2016 revenue of $475 million compared to $385 million in the first quarter 2015 and $535 million in the fourth quarter 2015.  Adjusted EBITDA was $40 million compared to $64 million in the year-ago quarter and $60 million in the prior quarter.  Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited in the quarter was $93 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, versus an adjusted net loss of $51 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter and an adjusted net loss of $76 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the prior quarter.

Tom Casey, chairman and CEO of Tronox, said: "We believe the first quarter marked the turning point of the long decline in TiO₂ pigment selling prices.  Though first quarter TiO₂ pigment selling prices modestly declined sequentially as we forecasted, March average selling prices were higher than those in February.  We are seeing TiO₂ pigment selling prices rise globally in the second quarter and expect to also see sequential selling price improvements in the third quarter as the increases roll across our global customer base.  For the second consecutive quarter we saw TiO₂ pigment sales volumes increase by more than 7 percent year-on-year.  This high volume of purchases has further reduced inventories."

Casey continued: "Our Alkali business continues to operate in a sold-out mode benefiting from its sustaining structural cost advantage.  As a result, Alkali can sell every ton it produces.  In the first 12 months of having Alkali in our portfolio, the business has delivered free cash flow of $156 million, which has exceeded our expectations." 

Casey concluded: "We continued to make good progress on cash generation sourced from cost and working capital reductions and our disciplined approach to capital expenditures. Our TiO₂ and Alkali businesses delivered free cash flow of $73 million to the company in the first quarter and our Operational Excellence program is on track to meet its cash generation target in 2016.  We repurchased approximately $20 million face value of our bonds in the quarter for a price of $15 million, which resulted in a $4 million net gain, and closed the quarter with $152 million of cash and liquidity of $444 million."

First Quarter 2016

Tronox TiO₂

TiO₂ segment revenue of $285 million was 26 percent lower than $385 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily the result of lower pigment selling prices, one-time titanium slag sales of more than 50,000 metric tons sold to third parties in the year-ago quarter and the timing of a large zircon shipment scheduled for March that shipped in April.  We continue to expect zircon sales volumes in 2016 to exceed those of 2015.  Zircon selling prices have been level for the last two quarters and we expect them to remain so.  Sales of pigment products declined 12 percent compared to the prior-year quarter, as sales volumes increased 8 percent and average selling prices declined 19 percent (18 percent on a local currency basis).  Pigment products sales volume gains were realized in EMEA and Asia-Pacific, while sales volumes in North America were essentially level to the year-ago quarter.  Sales of titanium feedstocks and co-products were 50 percent lower than the year-ago quarter as a result of the substantial one-time prior-year external titanium slag sales and the timing of the zircon shipment as mentioned above.  No external sales of titanium slag occurred in the current quarter as we consumed 100 percent of our slag production for TiO₂ pigment manufacturing.  However, we expect third-party titanium slag sales in each of the next three quarters.  Sales of rutile prime were level to the year-ago quarter, as higher sales volumes offset lower selling prices. Higher ilmenite sales partially offset lower sales of co-products zircon and pig iron. Selling prices for zircon were 12 percent lower than the year-ago quarter.  Lower pig iron sales can be attributed to lower production as production was curtailed at two furnaces starting in the second quarter of last year.  Pig iron is a by-product of making titanium slag in our furnaces in South Africa.  Pig iron selling prices were down substantially as pricing in the market is correlated to market pricing for iron ore.

Compared sequentially to the prior quarter, TiO₂ segment revenue of $285 million was 15 percent lower than $336 million, primarily driven by lower feedstock and co-product sales.  Pigment products revenue declined 2 percent, as sales volumes increased 2 percent and average selling prices declined 4 percent (4 percent on a local currency basis).  Sales volumes were higher in EMEA, level in Asia and lower in North America relative to the prior quarter.  Finished pigment products inventory ended the quarter below normal seasonal levels as planned.  Sales of titanium feedstocks and co-products were 39 percent lower than the prior quarter as sales volumes declined 32 percent and average selling prices were 9 percent lower.  The primary driver of lower sales volumes was the absence of titanium slag sales in the current quarter. Higher ilmenite sales volumes were more than offset by lower zircon, rutile prime and pig iron volumes. The selling price decline is primarily due to product mix, specifically higher ilmenite sales.  Selling prices for zircon, rutile prime and pig iron remained level to the prior quarter.

TiO₂ segment adjusted EBITDA of $22 million in the quarter compared to $85 million in the year-ago quarter and $36 million in the prior quarter.  Primary drivers of the year-on-year difference are the fixed cost absorption impact of more than $30 million in the first quarter resulting from production curtailments that began in the second quarter of last year, coupled with lower pigment selling prices and the timing of zircon sales that moved from the first quarter to the second quarter. Compared sequentially, lower pigment selling prices and the timing of the zircon sales resulted in the lower segment adjusted EBITDA in the quarter.  TiO₂ segment operating loss was $36 million compared to operating income of $9 million in the year-ago quarter and an operating loss of $65 million in the prior quarter.  With cash provided by operating activities of $61 million, less capital expenditures of $17 million, TiO₂ delivered free cash flow of $44 million in the first quarter, which was $37 million more in free cash flow than in the year-ago first quarter. 

Capital expenditures in TiO₂ of $17 million in the first quarter included $8 million related to the Fairbreeze mine project.  Fairbreeze, which began operations ahead of schedule in the fourth quarter of last year, is producing feedstock to supply the slag furnaces at our KZN Sands operations and providing zircon and rutile co-products.  At project commencement, total capital expenditures for the Fairbreeze mine were estimated to be approximately $225 million.  Approximately $172 million has been spent from commencement through the first quarter 2016 with approximately $40 million budgeted to be spent in the balance of 2016 for project completion.  We expect to complete Fairbreeze under budget and be a net positive contributor to 2016 EBITDA from the sale of zircon and rutile co-products coupled with efficiency gains expected to be realized in downstream smelting and pigment operations from the mine's high quality ilmenite feedstock.

Tronox Alkali

Alkali segment revenue of $190 million was 3 percent lower than pro forma revenue of $195 million in the year-ago quarter.  Sales volumes were 2 percent lower and selling prices were level to the year-ago quarter.  Alkali remains in a sold-out mode.  With sold-out conditions in both periods, the sales volume decline was primarily the result of lower production in the quarter.  In the domestic market, sales volumes increased, driven by continued market growth, particularly in flat glass markets, while higher selling prices reflected implementation of price increases in annual contracts.  Lower production volumes were reflected in lower export sales volumes compared to the year-ago quarter.  Selling prices in the export market declined primarily due to lower prices in Asia.  Chinese soda ash producers lowered domestic and export prices in the quarter as raw material and energy deflation and currency devaluation lowered their costs. However, substantial capacity was shut down in China in the quarter, some permanently, and this has led to price increases in both China and across Asia for those customers whose contracts permitted.

Compared sequentially to the prior quarter, Alkali revenue declined 5 percent, as 7 percent lower sales volumes were partially offset by 3 percent higher selling prices.  Domestic sales volumes were slightly lower due to timing of shipments while lower export sales volumes resulted from lower production. Higher domestic selling prices and favorable mix were partially offset by lower export prices.

Alkali adjusted EBITDA of $35 million in the first quarter equaled pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $35 million in the prior-year quarter, as lower sales and higher royalty costs were offset by lower operating costs.  Compared sequentially, adjusted EBITDA declined from $38 million in the fourth quarter, as lower sales were partially offset by favorable distribution and overhead costs, as we realized the synergies as anticipated at closing of the transaction in April 2015.  Alkali segment operating income of $20 million compares to pro forma operating income of $22 million in the year-ago quarter and $23 million in the prior quarter.  Capital expenditures in the first quarter were $16 million.  With cash provided by operating activities of $45 million, less capital expenditures of $16 million, Alkali delivered free cash flow cash of $29 million in the first quarter.

Corporate

Corporate adjusted EBITDA was ($17) million in the first quarter versus adjusted EBITDA of ($21) million in the year-ago quarter and adjusted EBITDA of ($14) million in the prior quarter.  Corporate cash used in operations was $105 million in the quarter primarily due to a $68 million semi-annual interest payment and cash for restructuring that will provide future benefit.  Corporate loss from operations was $13 million in the quarter compared to a loss from operations of $18 million in the year-ago quarter and income from operations of $4 million in the prior quarter resulting from a change in segment allocation that was booked in the quarter.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter were $47 million, compared to $44 million in the year-ago quarter and $46 million in the prior quarter.  The current quarter and prior quarter include approximately $6 million of costs related to the Alkali business that were not in the year-ago quarter.  Interest and debt expense of $46 million increased from $34 million in the year-ago quarter primarily due to a higher debt level related to the Alkali acquisition that closed in the second quarter of 2015.  Gain on extinguishment of debt was $4 million, representing our bond repurchase activities in the quarter. On March 31, 2016, gross consolidated debt was $3,057 million, and debt, net of cash, was $2,905 million.  Liquidity was $444 million including cash on the balance sheet of $152 million as of March 31, 2016.  Capital expenditures were $33 million and depreciation, depletion and amortization was $55 million.

First Quarter 2016 Webcast Conference Call

Thursday, May 5, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. ET (New York).  The live call is open to the public via Internet broadcast and telephone.

Internet Broadcast:  http://www.tronox.com/  
Dial-in telephone numbers:
U.S. / Canada: +1.877.831.3840
International: +1.253.237.1184
Conference ID: 89581152

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

Conference Call Replay: Available via the Internet and telephone beginning on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. ET (New York), until midnight, May 9, 2016.
Internet Replay: www.tronox.com
Replay dial-in telephone numbers: 
U.S. / Canada: +1.855.859.2056
International: +1.404.537.3406
Conference ID: : 89581152

Upcoming Conferences

During the second quarter 2016 a member of management is scheduled to present at the following conferences:

• Oppenheimer Industrial Growth Conference, New York, May 11, 2016
• Goldman Sachs Basic Materials Conference, New York, May 18, 2016
• B. Riley & Co. Annual Investor Conference, Hollywood, CA, May 26, 2016

Accompanying conference materials will be available at http://investor.tronox.com

About Tronox

Tronox Limited operates two vertically integrated mining and inorganic chemical businesses. Tronox TiO₂ mines and processes titanium ore, zircon and other minerals, and manufactures titanium dioxide pigments that add brightness and durability to paints, plastics, paper, and other everyday products. Tronox Alkali mines trona ore and manufactures natural soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, caustic soda, and other compounds which are used in the production of glass, detergents, baked goods, animal nutrition supplements, pharmaceuticals, and other essential products.  For more information, visit www.tronox.com

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, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These and other risk factors are 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, 2015.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can management assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Unless otherwise required by applicable laws, we undertake 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 and adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox.  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 accounting and stock-based compensation charges attempt to exclude items that are either non-cash or unusual in nature;
• Assist investors to assess the company's compliance with financial covenants under its debt instruments;
• 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, and
• We believe that the non-U.S. GAAP financial measure "Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited" and its presentation on a per share basis provide useful information about our operating results to investors and securities analysts. We also believe that excluding the effects of these items from operating results allows management and investors to compare more easily the financial performance of our underlying businesses from period to period.

Media Contact: Bud Grebey
Direct: +1.203.705.3721

Investor Contact: Brennen Arndt
Direct: +1.203.705.3722

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SOURCE Tronox Limited

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