Tronox Reports Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Results

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tronox Limited (NYSE:TROX) today reported fourth quarter 2015 revenue of $535 million compared to $400 million in the fourth quarter 2014 and $575 million in the third quarter 2015.  Adjusted EBITDA was $60 million compared to $81 million in the year-ago quarter and $81 million in the third quarter.  Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited in the quarter was $76 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, versus an adjusted net loss of $23 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter and an adjusted net loss of $53 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the prior quarter.

Tom Casey, chairman and CEO of Tronox, said: "We continued to work aggressively on our previously announced cash generation initiatives and were successful in exceeding our targets.  TiO₂ and Alkali delivered free cash flow of $147 million to the company in the fourth quarter, with $114 million coming from TiO2 and $33 million from Alkali.  For the full-year 2015, we delivered $90 million from cost reductions (after costs to achieve), exceeding our target of $60 million by 50 percent, plus an additional $98 million of cash from working capital reductions, exceeding our target of $85 million.  We remain confident in our ability to deliver more than $600 million of aggregate cash over the period 2015-2017.

"This performance is particularly noteworthy, in our view, because it was accomplished despite the headwind of continued selling price declines in pigment products.  TiO₂ market conditions remained challenging in the fourth quarter.  Compared to the year-ago quarter, pigment sales volumes were up 7 percent but average selling prices were 22 percent lower (and 5 percent lower than the third quarter).  Feedstock volumes were mixed and selling prices declined.  We continue to believe pigment selling prices are at unsustainably low levels.  In December, we announced a price increase that we continue to push in all markets and regions."

Casey continued: "Our Alkali business is a strong complement to our TiO₂ business.  In the fourth quarter, Alkali generated $38 million of adjusted EBITDA and delivered free cash flow of $33 million.  In the three quarters of 2015 after consolidation, Alkali generated adjusted EBITDA of $129 million and delivered free cash flow of $127 million to the company.  Given Alkali's sustaining structural cost advantage, it continues to operate in a sold-out mode."

Casey concluded: "Our cash generation performance in the quarter further strengthened our balance sheet.  We closed the quarter with $229 million of cash on hand, an increase of $84 million from the third quarter.  As we begin 2016, our Board has decided to alter our dividend policy.  Specifically, given our strong cash position, we will pay $0.25 per share for the fourth quarter 2015.  Thereafter, our Board announced its intent to pay a quarterly dividend of $0.045 per share, or $0.18 per share annually.  This will provide investors with a higher-than-market yield and free up approximately $100 million per year in cash."

Fourth Quarter 2015

Tronox TiO₂

TiO₂ segment revenue of $336 million was 16 percent lower than $400 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily the result of lower pigment selling prices.  Sales of pigment products declined 16 percent compared to the year-ago quarter, as a 7 percent sales volume increase and favorable geographic mix was more than offset by 22 percent lower average selling prices (20 percent on a local currency basis).  Pigment products sales volume gains were realized in North America and EMEA while Asia-Pacific sales volumes were modestly lower.  Sales of titanium feedstocks and co-products declined 13 percent versus the year-ago quarter.  Lower sales of co-products pig iron, rutile prime and zircon were partially offset by higher CP slag and ilmenite sales (no sales were made of either product in the year-ago quarter).  Selling prices for CP titanium slag, zircon and rutile prime were lower than the year-ago quarter.

Compared sequentially to the third quarter, fourth quarter TiO₂ segment revenue of $336 million was 12 percent lower than $380 million, reflecting normal seasonally lighter sales volumes and lower selling prices for pigment products.  Pigment products revenue declined 10 percent, as sales volumes declined 5 percent and average selling prices declined 5 percent (5 percent on a local currency basis).  Sales volumes in the Americas, EMEA and Latin America were modestly lower while sales volumes in Asia-Pacific were level to the prior quarter.  Selling prices were 4-6 percent lower in North America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.  Finished pigment products inventory continued on its downward trend and ended the year slightly below normal seasonal levels.  Sales of titanium feedstocks and co-products, including zircon and rutile products, were 10 percent lower than the third quarter as sales volumes were level and average selling prices declined 10 percent.  Zircon, rutile prime and ilmenite sales volumes increased modestly while CP titanium slag sales were lower.  Selling prices for CP titanium slag, zircon and rutile prime were lower than the prior quarter.

TiO₂ segment adjusted EBITDA of $36 million in the quarter compared to $107 million in the year-ago quarter and $58 million in the prior quarter.  TiO₂ segment operating loss was $65 million compared to operating income of $17 million in the year-ago quarter and an operating loss of $26 million in the prior quarter.  With cash provided by operating activities of $151 million, less capital expenditures of $37 million, TiO₂ delivered free cash flow of $114 million in the fourth quarter.

Capital expenditures in TiO₂ of $37 million in the fourth quarter included $15 million related to the Fairbreeze mine project.  Fairbreeze began operations ahead of schedule in the fourth quarter and will produce feedstock to supply the slag furnaces at our KZN Sands operations and provide zircon and rutile co-products.  At project commencement, total capital expenditures for the Fairbreeze mine were estimated to be approximately $225 million.  Approximately $164 million has been spent from commencement through the end of 2015 with approximately $50 million planned to be spent in 2016 for project completion.  We expect to complete Fairbreeze under budget and ahead of schedule.  Fairbreeze is expected to 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 $199 million was 3 percent lower than pro forma revenue of $206 million in the year-ago quarter, as selling prices increased 1 percent and sales volumes declined 4 percent.  Given its sustaining structural cost advantage, Alkali remains in a sold-out mode.  With sold-out conditions in both periods, the sales volume decline was the result of lower production in the quarter compared to record production in the year-ago quarter.  Compared sequentially to the third quarter, Alkali revenue increased 2 percent, as sales volumes increased 6 percent, led by higher export sales volumes, partially offset by 4 percent lower selling prices.

Alkali adjusted EBITDA of $38 million in the fourth quarter compares to pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $45 million in the prior-year quarter due to higher plant spending, higher royalty payments and higher distribution costs.  Compared sequentially, adjusted EBITDA declined from $41 million in the third quarter, as higher sales volumes were more than offset by lower export selling prices and higher royalty costs.  Alkali segment operating income of $23 million compares to pro forma operating income of $31 million in the year-ago quarter and $21 million in the prior quarter.  Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter were $13 million.  With cash provided by operating activities of $46 million, less capital expenditures of $13 million, Alkali delivered cash of $33 million in the fourth quarter.

Corporate

Corporate adjusted EBITDA was ($14) million in the fourth quarter versus pro forma adjusted EBITDA of ($26) million in the year-ago quarter and adjusted EBITDA of ($18) million in the prior quarter.  Corporate income from operations was $4 million in the quarter, resulting from a change in segment allocation that was booked in the fourth quarter, compared to a pro forma loss from operations of $22 million in the prior-year quarter and a loss from operations of $16 million in the third quarter.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter were $46 million, compared to $54 million in the prior-year quarter and $55 million in the third quarter.  Interest and debt expense of $45 million increased from $32 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.  On December 31, 2015, gross consolidated debt was $3,121 million, and debt, net of cash, was $2,892 million.  Liquidity was $530 million including cash on the balance sheet of $229 million as of December 31, 2015.  Capital expenditures were $50 million and depreciation, depletion and amortization was $72 million.

Full Year 2015

For the full-year 2015, revenue was $2,112 million compared to revenue of $1,737 million in 2014.  Adjusted EBITDA was $272 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $353 million in prior year.  The adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited was $261 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $75 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the prior year.

Tronox TiO₂

TiO₂ segment revenue of $1,510 million was 13 percent lower than $1,737 million in the prior year, primarily the result of lower selling prices for pigment products.  Sales of pigment products declined 17 percent compared to the prior-year, as sales volumes increased 1 percent and average selling prices declined 18 percent (14 percent on a local currency basis).  Sales of titanium feedstocks and co-products, including zircon and rutile products, declined 4 percent versus prior year.  Higher CP titanium slag sales were more than offset by lower sales of co-product pig iron and modestly lower zircon sales.

TiO₂ segment adjusted EBITDA in 2015 was $269 million, excluding a net increase of $54 million of non-cash lower of cost or market (LCM) charges, compared to $440 million in the prior year.  TiO₂ segment operating loss of $123 million compares to operating income of $78 million in the prior year, also primarily driven by lower pigment products selling prices.  Capital expenditures in TiO₂ for the year were $164 million including $82 million related to the Fairbreeze mine project.

Tronox Alkali

Alkali segment pro forma revenue of $797 million increased 2 percent compared to pro forma revenue of $783 million in 2014.  Selling prices increased 4 percent while sales volumes were 2 percent lower.  Selling prices increased in both domestic and export markets which more than offset lower sales volumes due to lower production.  Alkali segment pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $164 million increased from pro forma adjusted EBITDA of $158 million in 2014.  Alkali pro forma operating income of $91 million increased from pro forma operating income of $67 million in the prior year.  Capital expenditures were $33 million compared to $46 million in the prior year.

Corporate

Corporate adjusted EBITDA was ($72) million compared to adjusted EBITDA of ($84) million in the prior year.  Corporate loss from operations was $64 million, down from a loss from operations of $78 million in the prior year.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year were $217 million, compared to $192 million in the prior year, primarily the result of consolidating the Alkali acquisition.  Interest and debt expense of $176 million increased from $133 million in the prior year primarily due to a higher debt level related to the Alkali acquisition that closed in the second quarter of 2015.  On December 31, 2015, gross consolidated debt was $3,121 million, and debt, net of cash, was $2,892 million.  As of December 31, 2015, liquidity was $530 million including cash on the balance sheet of $229 million.  Capital expenditures for the year were $191 million compared to $187 million in the prior year.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $294 million compared to $295 million in the prior year.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Webcast Conference Call

Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. EST (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: 32827062

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 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. EST (New York), until Monday, February 29, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. EST (New York)

Internet Replay: www.tronox.com 
Dial-in telephone numbers:
U.S. / Canada: +1.855.859.2056
International: +1.404.537.3406
Conference ID: 32827062

Upcoming Conferences

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

• Alembic Global Advisors Chemical Conference, Deer Valley, UT, February 25-26, 2016
• B. Riley & Co. Annual Investor Conference, Hollywood, CA, May 25, 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, 2014 and Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 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