Valhi Stockholder's Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Common Stock Outstanding

	Shares of common stock
	Issued		Treasury			Outstanding
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018		355.3		(13.2	)		342.0

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valhi stockholders comprises changes in equity as presented in the table below.  

	Years ended December 31,
	2016			2017			2018
	(In millions)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax and noncontrolling interest):
Marketable securities:
Balance at beginning of year	$	1.6		$	1.7		$	1.7
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain arising during the year		.1			—			—
Balance at end of year	$	1.7		$	1.7		$	1.7
Interest rate swap:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(1.3	)	$	(1.2	)	$	—
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized losses during the year		(1.2	)		(1.2	)		—
Less reclassification adjustments for amounts included in interest expense		1.3			2.4			—
Balance at end of year	$	(1.2	)	$	—		$	—
Currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(78.1	)	$	(88.5	)	$	(54.1	)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) arising during the year		(10.4	)		34.4			(21.5	)
Balance at end of year	$	(88.5	)	$	(54.1	)	$	(75.6	)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(123.0	)	$	(137.0	)	$	(129.0	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amortization of prior service cost and net (gains) losses included in net periodic pension cost		5.7			6.4			7.6
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year		(19.7	)		1.6			(12.6	)
Balance at end of year	$	(137.0	)	$	(129.0	)	$	(134.0	)
OPEB plans:
Balance at beginning of year	$	3.8		$	3.1		$	2.4
Other comprehensive loss:
Amortization of prior service credit and net losses included in net periodic OPEB cost		(1.0	)		(.8	)		(.8	)
Net actuarial gain arising during the year		.3			.1			.1
Balance at end of year	$	3.1		$	2.4		$	1.7
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Balance at beginning of year	$	(197.0	)	$	(221.9	)	$	(179.0	)
Other comprehensive  income (loss)		(24.9	)		42.9			(27.2	)
Balance at end of year	$	(221.9	)	$	(179.0	)	$	(206.2	)