Valhi Stockholder's Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Common Stock Outstanding

	Shares of common stock
	Issued		Treasury			Outstanding
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020		29.6		(1.1	)		28.5

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,
	2018			2019			2020
	(In millions)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net   of tax and noncontrolling interest):
Marketable securities:
Balance at beginning of year	$	1.7		$	1.7		$	1.7
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain arising during the year		-			-			.1
Balance at end of year	$	1.7		$	1.7		$	1.8
Currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(54.1	)	$	(75.6	)	$	(76.8	)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) arising during the year		(21.5	)		(1.2	)		9.4
Balance at end of year	$	(75.6	)	$	(76.8	)	$	(67.4	)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(129.0	)	$	(134.0	)	$	(146.6	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amortization of prior service cost and   net losses included in net periodic   pension cost		7.6			7.2			9.8
Net actuarial loss arising during the year		(12.6	)		(19.8	)		(17.3	)
Balance at end of year	$	(134.0	)	$	(146.6	)	$	(154.1	)
OPEB plans:
Balance at beginning of year	$	2.4		$	1.7		$	1.0
Other comprehensive loss:
Amortization of prior service credit and net   losses included in net periodic OPEB cost		(.8	)		(.8	)		(.8	)
Net actuarial gain arising during the year		.1			.1			.1
Balance at end of year	$	1.7		$	1.0		$	.3
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Balance at beginning of year	$	(179.0	)	$	(206.2	)	$	(220.7	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(27.2	)		(14.5	)		1.3
Balance at end of year	$	(206.2	)	$	(220.7	)	$	(219.4	)