EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED 24-JUL-07 PRESS RELEASE DATED 24-JUL-07

Exhibit 99.1

 

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      Sandra Rodriguez   225.388.7654
      Sherry Knapp   804.788.6107

Albemarle Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results


 

 

Second quarter net income of $57.0 million, or 59 cents per share excluding the one-time charge for Dayton.

 

 

Stronger Catalyst performance exceeds expectations.

 

 

Further improvements in Fine Chemicals margins.

 

 

Repurchased 700,000 shares of Company stock for $29.0 million during the quarter.

RICHMOND, Va., - July 24 — Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) reported second quarter 2007 net income of $53.9 million, or 55 cents per share, up from $43.3 million, or 45 cents per share, for second quarter 2006, due to strong performance in the Company’s Fine Chemicals and Catalysts business segments. Excluding the $3.1 million after tax charge, or 3 cents per share, related to the closure of our Dayton fine chemistry facility, second quarter 2007 net income was $57.0 million, or 59 cents per share. The Company reported net sales in the second quarter of 2007 totaling $564 million compared to second quarter 2006 net sales of $569 million.

Net income for the first half of 2007 was $112.0 million, or $1.15 per share, up from $77.7 million, or 80 cents per share, for the first half of 2006. Excluding the Dayton charge, net income for the first half of 2007 was $115.1 million, or $1.18 per share. Net sales for the first half of 2007 were $1.153 billion compared to $1.176 billion for the first half of 2006.

Commenting on results, Mark C. Rohr, President and CEO, stated, “I am pleased with the results and great execution from our teams this quarter. Our Catalysts business performed better than expected with segment income up 10 percent over second quarter 2006, driven mainly through margin improvement in FCC catalyst and year over year strength in the polyolefins sector. Fine Chemicals, with 230 projects in the pharma project pipeline, delivered exceptional results again this quarter. Polymer Chemicals sales increased only slightly from first quarter on a slower than expected turnaround in the consumer electronics market. All together our diversified product portfolio delivered a 32 percent increase in net income, excluding the Dayton charge, over the second quarter of last year. Our team’s ability to execute on value-delivery combined with exceptional customer service put us in a position to have a very successful 2007.”


Quarterly Segment Results

Polymer Additives recorded net sales for second quarter 2007 of $224.0 million, a nominal decrease versus second quarter 2006. Net sales declined in our flame retardant portfolio primarily due to reduced volumes in tetrabrom, partially offset by higher year over year pricing and increased sales of our proprietary products. Net sales increased in our stabilizers and curatives portfolio due primarily to higher volumes and pricing. Polymer Additives segment income for second quarter 2007 declined 10 percent from second quarter 2006 to $35.3 million due to lower tetrabrom volumes, partially offset by improved pricing.

Catalysts recorded net sales for second quarter 2007 of $207.4 million, a 7 percent increase versus second quarter 2006, due primarily to improved pricing in FCC refinery catalysts and higher pricing and volumes in polyolefin catalysts, partially offset by lower volumes in HPC refinery catalysts. Catalysts segment income for second quarter 2007 increased 10 percent versus second quarter 2006 to $32.4 million due to higher pricing, partially offset by $4.2 million lower equity earnings from our Nippon Ketjen joint venture.

Fine Chemicals net sales for second quarter 2007 were $132.4 million, a 9 percent decrease versus second quarter 2006. This decline is due primarily to the disposition of our Thann, France facility. Excluding the impact of the Thann facility divestiture, net sales increased 5 percent. Segment income for second quarter 2007 increased 55 percent versus second quarter 2006 to $21.3 million due to improved pricing across our bromine portfolio and our pharmaceuticals product pipeline. Fine Chemicals segment income includes a $4.9 million pre-tax charge related to the closure of our Dayton, Ohio fine chemistry facility.

During the quarter, interest and financing expenses were $10.4 million versus second quarter 2006 expenses of $12.0 million. In addition, we repurchased approximately 700,000 shares of Albemarle stock for $29.0 million at an average price of $41.50 per share. Year to date, we repurchased approximately 1.15 million shares for $47.7 million at an average price of $41.55 per share.

Our second quarter 2007 effective income tax rate on a reported basis was 23.8 percent. Excluding the Dayton charge and the related tax benefit, the second quarter effective tax rate was 24.7 percent.

Earnings Call

The Company's performance for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007 will be discussed on a conference call at 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time on July 25, 2007, which can be accessed through Albemarle’s website under Investor Information at www.albemarle.com.

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing; transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural products; construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in three business segments, Polymer Additives, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals, and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information presented in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe our expectations as reflected are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, without limitation: the inability to pass through increases in costs and expenses for raw materials and energy; competition from other manufacturers; changes in demand for our products; the gain or loss of significant customers; fluctuations in foreign currencies; and increased government regulation of our operations or our products. Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006 and in our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are urged to review and consider carefully the disclosures we make in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In Thousands of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)

 

     Second Quarter Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 563,812     $ 568,797     $ 1,153,050     $ 1,176,151  

Cost of goods sold

     410,430       437,413       839,879       922,314  
                                

Gross profit

     153,382       131,384       313,171       253,837  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     59,255       62,202       121,741       120,055  

Research and development expenses

     14,924       11,198       30,635       22,643  

Dayton facility closure charge

     4,944 (a)     —         4,944 (a)     —    
                                

Operating profit

     74,259       57,984       155,851       111,139  

Interest and financing expenses

     (10,417 )     (12,037 )     (19,327 )     (22,656 )

Other income (expenses), net

     1,631       (2,303 )     2,583       (1,377 )
                                

Income before income tax (expense), minority interests and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments

     65,473       43,644       139,107       87,106  

Income tax (expense)

     (15,585 )     (11,041 )     (32,521 )     (22,378 )
                                

Income before minority interests and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments

     49,888       32,603       106,586       64,728  

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries (net of tax)

     (2,746 )     (394 )     (7,697 )     (3,619 )

Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)

     6,721       11,118       13,082       16,594  
                                

Net income

   $ 53,863     $ 43,327     $ 111,971     $ 77,703  
                                

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.57     $ 0.46     $ 1.18     $ 0.82  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.55     $ 0.45     $ 1.15     $ 0.80  

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic

     95,272       94,689       95,280       94,421  

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted

     97,256       97,159       97,380       96,864  
                                

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information.

 

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Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2007
  

December 31,

2006

ASSETS

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 200,406    $ 149,499

Other current assets

     828,401      811,355
             

Total current assets

     1,028,807      960,854
             

Property, plant and equipment

     2,210,317      2,169,433

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     1,220,437      1,188,858
             

Net property, plant and equipment

     989,880      980,575

Other assets and intangibles

     646,176      588,939
             

Total assets

   $ 2,664,863    $ 2,530,368
             

LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current liabilities

   $ 342,531    $ 482,949

Long-term debt

     787,856      681,859

Other noncurrent liabilities

     322,401      236,594

Deferred income taxes

     100,035      100,868

Shareholders’ equity

     1,112,040      1,028,098
             

Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,664,863    $ 2,530,368
             

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information.

 

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Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries

Selected Cash Flows Data

(In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
     2007     2006  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

   $ 149,499     $ 58,570  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 200,406     $ 98,995  

Sources of cash and cash equivalents:

    

Net income

     111,971       77,703  

Depreciation and amortization

     53,758       57,666  

Proceeds from borrowings

     74,869       130,709  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     15,955       12,856  

Uses of cash and cash equivalents:

    

Capital expenditures

     (49,981 )     (49,012 )

Purchases of common stock

     (47,695 )     (9,885 )

Repayments of long-term debt

     (15,234 )     (165,001 )

Dividends paid to shareholders

     (20,187 )     (15,248 )

Dividends paid to minority interests

     (7,548 )     (3,600 )

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information.

 

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Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Summary of Segment Results

(In Thousands of Dollars) (Unaudited)

 

    

Second Quarter Ended

June 30,

    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Segment net sales:

        

Polymer Additives

   $ 223,950     $ 228,559     $ 438,269     $ 450,430  

Catalysts

     207,448       194,045       443,275       429,401  

Fine Chemicals

     132,414       146,193       271,506       296,320  
                                

Total segment net sales

   $ 563,812     $ 568,797     $ 1,153,050     $ 1,176,151  
                                

Segment operating profit (loss):

        

Polymer Additives

   $ 35,311     $ 39,249     $ 71,771     $ 71,364  

Catalysts

     27,435       19,761       62,016       40,645  

Fine Chemicals

     22,309 (a)     14,706       47,556 (a)     25,607  

Corporate & Other

     (10,796 )     (15,732 )     (25,492 )     (26,477 )
                                

Total segment operating profit

     74,259       57,984       155,851       111,139  
                                

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries:

        

Polymer Additives

     (1,807 )     (1,358 )     (4,059 )     (3,373 )

Catalysts

     —         —         —         —    

Fine Chemicals

     (971 )     (939 )     (3,706 )     (2,149 )

Corporate & Other

     32       1,903       68       1,903  
                                

Total minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries

     (2,746 )     (394 )     (7,697 )     (3,619 )
                                

Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments:

        

Polymer Additives

     1,776       1,349       3,291       2,469  

Catalysts

     4,976       9,757       9,800       14,202  

Fine Chemicals

     —         —         —         —    

Corporate & Other

     (31 )     12       (9 )     (77 )
                                

Total equity in net income of unconsolidated investments

     6,721       11,118       13,082       16,594  
                                

Segment income (loss):

        

Polymer Additives

     35,280       39,240       71,003       70,460  

Catalysts

     32,411       29,518       71,816       54,847  

Fine Chemicals

     21,338       13,767       43,850       23,458  

Corporate & Other

     (10,795 )     (13,817 )     (25,433 )     (24,651 )
                                

Total segment income

     78,234       68,708       161,236       124,114  

Interest and financing expenses

     (10,417 )     (12,037 )     (19,327 )     (22,656 )

Other income (expenses), net

     1,631       (2,303 )     2,583       (1,377 )

Income tax (expense)

     (15,585 )     (11,041 )     (32,521 )     (22,378 )
                                

Net income

   $ 53,863     $ 43,327     $ 111,971     $ 77,703  
                                

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial information.

 

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Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

 

(a) The second quarter and six-months ended June 30, 2007 include a charge amounting to $4.9 million ($3.1 million after income taxes, or $0.03 per share) that relates to the closure of our Dayton, Ohio fine chemistry facility.

Additional Information

It should be noted that net income excluding the Dayton charge is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. It is presented here to exclude the impact of certain non-recurring items on our results. We believe this measure is more reflective of our operations, provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance.

A description of other non-GAAP financial measures that we use to evaluate our operations and financial performance, and reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, can be found in the Investor Information section of our website at www.albemarle.com, under “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” under “Investor Relations.”

 

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