KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

In This Article:

Kronos Worldwide
Kronos Worldwide

Dallas, Texas, Nov. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO) today reported net income of $71.8 million, or $.62 per share, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a net loss of $20.4 million, or $.18 per share, in the third quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, Kronos Worldwide reported net income of $99.4 million, or $.86 per share, compared to a net loss of $43.8 million, or $.38 per share, in the first nine months of 2023. Net income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023 due to higher income from operations as a result of the effects of higher sales and production volumes, lower production costs (primarily energy and raw materials), partially offset by lower average TiO2 selling prices. Comparability of our results was also impacted by the effects of changes in currency exchange rates. Our results of operations in the first nine months of 2023 were significantly impacted by reduced demand for certain of our products in all major markets and unabsorbed fixed production and other costs due to reduced production volumes. Demand has improved in all of our major markets in the first nine months of 2024 and production volumes have increased, contributing to our improved profitability. As previously reported, effective July 16, 2024, we acquired the 50% joint venture interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. (“LPC”) previously held by Venator Investments, Ltd. Prior to the acquisition, we held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC. Following the acquisition, LPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. We accounted for the acquisition as a business combination. The results of operations of LPC have been included in our results of operations beginning as of the acquisition date. Net income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 includes the recognition of a non-cash gain of $64.5 million ($51.0 million, or $.44 per share, net of income tax expense) associated with the remeasurement of our investment in LPC as a result of the acquisition.

Net sales of $484.7 million in the third quarter of 2024 were $87.8 million, or 22%, higher than in the third quarter of 2023. Net sales of $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2024 were $197.6 million, or 16%, higher than in the first nine months of 2023. Net sales increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023 due to the effects of higher sales volumes due to strengthening demand for TiO2 in all our major markets, partially offset by lower average TiO2 selling prices. TiO2 sales volumes were 21% higher in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and 26% higher in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023. Sales volumes resulting from the LPC acquisition did not materially impact comparisons to the prior year. We started 2024 with average TiO2 selling prices 13% lower than at the beginning of 2023 and our average TiO2 selling prices increased 4% during the first nine months of 2024. Average TiO2 selling prices were 1% lower in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and 7% lower in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023. The effect of changes in currency exchange rates in the third quarter of 2024 were comparable to the third quarter of 2023. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our net sales by approximately $5 million in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted net sales.