Tronox Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tronox Limited (NYSE:TROX) reported revenue of $548 million for the fourth quarter 2016, more than both the $535 million reported in the fourth quarter 2015 and $533 million reported in the third quarter 2016.  Income from operations of $32 million improved from an operating loss of $38 million in the year-ago quarter and income from operations of $25 million in the prior quarter.  Net income attributable to Tronox Limited of $122 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, which included a corporate reorganization tax benefit and restructuring benefit of $138 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, improved from a net loss attributable to Tronox Limited of $90 million, or ($0.78) per diluted share in the year-ago quarter and a net loss attributable to Tronox Limited of $40 million, or ($0.35) per diluted share in the prior quarter.  Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited (Non-GAAP) was $16 million, or ($0.14) per diluted share.  Adjusted EBITDA of $105 million improved by $45 million from $60 million in the year-ago quarter by $7 million from $98 million in the prior quarter.

Tom Casey, chairman and CEO of Tronox, said: "Our fourth quarter performance provided a strong finish to 2016.  Our revenue increased both year-on-year and compared to the seasonally stronger third quarter.  Our adjusted EBITDA increased 75 percent from the fourth quarter 2015 and exceeded our third quarter performance by 7 percent.  Our TiO₂ and Alkali businesses combined to deliver $126 million of adjusted EBITDA and $100 million of free cash flow.  Driving the performance in TiO₂ were our highest fourth quarter and month of December pigment sales volumes on record, higher selling prices, which increased 1 percent sequentially and 7 percent above prior year and continued substantial cost reductions resulting from its Operational Excellence program.  Alkali's performance was driven by higher production volumes, lower operating costs and increased production efficiencies.  Our cash generation performance further strengthened our balance sheet, as we closed the quarter with $248 million of cash on hand and liquidity of $533 million."

Casey continued, "We have said that 2016 marked the recovery in global TiO₂ markets.  Our strong performance in the fourth quarter continued to provide strong evidence of that.  We expect the momentum generated last year to continue in 2017 based on our belief that pigment inventories, in the aggregate, are at or below normal levels at both customer and producer locations across the globe resulting in a continued tight supply-demand balance." 

The Tronox Board of Directors declared quarterly dividend of $0.045 per share payable on March 17, 2017 to shareholders of record of company's Class A and Class B ordinary shares at close of business on March 6, 2017

Fourth Quarter 2016

Tronox TiO₂

TiO₂ segment revenue of $352 million was 5 percent higher than $336 million in the year-ago quarter, driven primarily by higher pigment selling prices and sales volumes.  Pigment sales of $246 million increased 11 percent compared to $221 million in the year-ago quarter, as record fourth quarter sales volumes increased 4 percent and average selling prices increased 7 percent (8 percent on a local currency basis).  Pigment sales volumes and selling prices increased in all regions.  Titanium feedstock and co-products sales of $92 million compare to $93 million in the year-ago quarter.  CP titanium slag sales volumes increased 50 percent above the year-ago quarter while selling prices were 1 percent lower.  Zircon sales volumes increased 17 percent and selling prices were 11 percent lower than year-ago levels.  Sales volumes for natural rutile were 29 percent lower while selling prices increased 6 percent.  Pig iron sales volumes were 24 percent lower and selling prices increased 3 percent.

Compared sequentially, TiO₂ segment revenue of $352 million increased 4 percent versus $339 million in the third quarter, driven by higher pigment selling prices and higher sales volumes for CP titanium slag, zircon and pig iron.  Pigment sales of $246 in the seasonally lighter fourth quarter were 5 percent lower than sales of $260 million in the third quarter.  Sales volumes were 6 percent lower while selling prices improved 1 percent sequentially (2 percent on a local currency basis).  Selling prices were sequentially higher in Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America and level in North America.  Titanium feedstock and co-products sales of $92 million increased 44 percent compared to $64 million in the third quarter led by higher sales volumes for CP titanium slag, zircon and pig iron.  There were CP titanium slag sales to third parties in the fourth quarter whereas there were no sales in the prior quarter.  Zircon sales volumes increased 26 percent and selling prices were level to the prior quarter. Natural rutile sales volumes were 3 percent lower while selling prices increased 5 percent.  Pig iron sales volumes increased 57 percent and selling prices were 6 percent lower.

TiO₂ segment adjusted EBITDA of $80 million more than doubled from $36 million in the year-ago quarter driven by higher pigment sales volumes and selling prices, significant cost reductions resulting from its Operational Excellence program and the benefit of higher pigment production efficiency and plant utilization.  Compared sequentially, adjusted EBITDA of $80 million improved by 7 percent from $75 million in the third quarter, driven by higher feedstock and co-products sales volumes coupled with higher pigment selling prices.

TiO₂ segment income from operations of $18 million improved from a loss of $65 million in the year-ago quarter and compares to income from operations of $18 million in the prior quarter.  With cash provided by operating activities of $98 million and capital expenditures of $26 million, TiO₂ delivered free cash flow of $72 million in the fourth quarter.

Tronox Alkali

Alkali segment revenue of $196 million compared to $199 million in the year-ago quarter as sales volumes were level to the year-ago quarter and selling prices were 2 percent lower.  In the domestic market, sales volumes declined 2 percent due to the timing of sales while selling prices remained level.  In export markets, sales volumes increased 3 percent driven by strong demand in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.  Selling prices in export markets were 3 percent lower, primarily due to lower Asia-Pacific selling prices.  However, Chinese soda ash producers' input costs, such as for coal, increased in the fourth quarter resulting in significant increases in Chinese domestic selling prices in the quarter.  Chinese export selling price increases typically lag price increases in its domestic market.

Compared sequentially, Alkali revenue of $196 million increased 1 percent from $194 million in the third quarter, as sales volumes increased 3 percent driven by higher production while selling prices were 2 percent lower.  Domestic sales volumes declined 1 percent due to the timing of sales while selling prices declined 2 percent due to customer mix.  Export sales volumes increased 7 percent driven by strong demand in Asia-Pacific while selling prices were 1 percent lower than the third quarter. 

Alkali segment adjusted EBITDA of $46 million increased from $38 million in the year-ago quarter driven by higher production volumes, lower operating costs and higher plant efficiencies.  Compared sequentially, Alkali segment adjusted EBITDA of $46 million improved from $40 million in the third quarter, benefiting from higher production volumes and lower operating costs.

Alkali segment income from operations of $30 million improved from $23 million in the year-ago quarter and $23 million in the prior quarter.  With cash provided by operating activities of $33 million and capital expenditures of $5 million, Alkali delivered free cash flow of $28 million in the fourth quarter. 

Corporate

Corporate loss from operations was $16 million in the fourth quarter compared to income from operations of $4 million in the year-ago quarter and a loss from operations of $16 million in the third quarter.  The $4 million income from operations in the year-ago quarter resulted from a change in segment allocation booked in that quarter.  Corporate adjusted EBITDA was ($21) million compared to adjusted EBITDA of ($14) million in the year-ago quarter and adjusted EBITDA of ($17) million in the prior quarter.  Corporate cash used in operations was $43 million and capital expenditures were $1 million in the quarter.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $59 million in the fourth quarter compared to $46 million in the year-ago quarter and $54 million in the prior quarter.  Interest and debt expense was $46 million in the fourth quarter compared to $45 million in the year-ago quarter and $46 million in the prior quarter.  On December 31, 2016, gross consolidated debt was $3,054 million, and debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, was $2,806 million.  Liquidity was $533 million and cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet were $248 million.  Capital expenditures were $32 million and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $61 million.

Full Year 2016

For the full-year 2016, revenue was $2,093 million compared to revenue of $2,112 million in 2015. Income from operations of $36 million improved significantly from a loss from operations of $118 million in the prior year.  Net loss attributable to Tronox Limited of $59 million, or ($0.50) per diluted share, which included a corporate reorganization tax benefit, restructuring expense and a gain on the extinguishment of debt of $110 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, improved from a net loss attributable to Tronox Limited of $318 million, or ($2.75) per diluted share, which included acquisition related expense and restructuring expense of $57 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited of $169 million, or ($1.44) per diluted share improved from an adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox Limited of $261 million, or ($2.26) per diluted share.  Adjusted EBITDA was $314 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $272 million in prior year.    

Tronox TiO₂

TiO₂ segment revenue of $1,309 million was 13 percent lower than $1,510 million in the prior year, primarily the result of lower sales volumes and selling prices for titanium feedstock and co-products and lower pigment selling prices, partially offset by higher pigment sales volumes.  Income from operations of $6 million improved from a loss from operations of $123 million in the prior year driven primarily by $73 million of cost reductions from its Operational Excellence program, higher pigment sales volumes and increased pigment plant efficiencies.  Adjusted EBITDA of $236 million improved from $215 million in the prior year.  Cash provided by operating activities of $343 million benefited from $156 million of aggregate cost reductions and $142 million of aggregate working capital reductions.  With cash provided by operating activities of $343 million and capital expenditures of $84 million, TiO₂ delivered free cash flow of $259 million.

Tronox Alkali

Alkali segment revenue of $784 million increased from $602 million in the prior year due to a full year of revenue in 2016, as compared to nine months in 2015, coupled with higher domestic selling prices, partially offset by lower export selling prices.  Income from operations of $84 million increased from $69 million in the prior year also primarily due to an additional quarter of operating results in the current year.  Alkali segment adjusted EBITDA of $149 million improved from $129 million in prior year due to an additional quarter of EBITDA and lower overhead spending, partially offset by lower export selling prices and one-time costs, including a second quarter shared services agreement transition.  With cash provided by operating activities of $144 million and capital expenditures of $33 million, Alkali delivered free cash flow of $111 million. 

Corporate

Corporate loss from operations was $54 million, down from a loss from operations of $64 million in the prior year.  Corporate adjusted EBITDA was ($71) million compared to adjusted EBITDA of ($72) million in the prior year.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year were $210 million compared to $217 million in the prior year.  Interest and debt expense of $184 million compared to $176 million last year.  On December 31, 2016, gross consolidated debt was $3,054 million, and debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, was $2,806 million.  Liquidity was $533 million including cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet of $248 million.  Capital expenditures for the year were $119 million compared to $191 million in the prior year.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $236 million compared to $294 million in the prior year.

Webcast Conference Call

Tronox will conduct a conference call on Tuesday, February 21, at 8:30 a.m. ET (New York) to discuss the announced agreement for the acquisition of Cristal's TiO₂ business and review its fourth quarter 2016 financial performance.  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: 60414852

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

Webcast Conference Call Replay: Available via the Internet and telephone beginning on Tuesday, February 21, at 11:30 a.m. ET (New York), until 10:30 p.m. ET (New York), on Sunday, February 26, 2017

Internet Replay: www.tronox.com
Replay dial-in telephone numbers:
U.S. / Canada: +1.855.859.2056
International: +1.404.537.3406
Conference ID: 60414852

Upcoming Conferences

During the first quarter 2017 a member of management is scheduled to present at the following conferences:

• Alembic Global Chemicals Conference, Deer Valley, UT, March 2-3, 2017
• Goldman Sachs Chemicals Intensity Day, Houston, March 21, 2017
• Barclays Materials ROC Stars Conference, New York, March 29, 2017

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 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

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 EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow 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

SOURCE Tronox Limited

Related Links

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