Tronox Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

STAMFORD, Conn., May 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tronox Limited (NYSE:TROX) reported revenue of $442 million for the first quarter 2018, up 17 percent from $378 million in the year-ago quarter and 5 percent lower than $464 million in the prior quarter.  Income from operations of $14 million improved from a loss from operations of $3 million in the year-ago quarter and compared to $60 million in the prior quarter.  Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Tronox Limited was $44 million, or ($0.36) per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations attributable to Tronox Limited of $56 million, or ($0.48) per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter and net income from continuing operations attributable to Tronox Limited of breakeven, or $0.00 per diluted share in the prior quarter.  Net income from continuing operations attributable to Tronox Limited in the first quarter of 2018 included an impairment loss related to the sale of the company's Electrolytic operations and transaction costs related to the Cristal acquisition that, combined, totaled $45 million or $0.37 per diluted share.  Excluding these items, adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Tronox Limited (Non-GAAP) was $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.  Adjusted EBITDA of $113 million increased 79 percent from $63 million in the year-ago quarter and compared to $135 million in the prior quarter. 

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.045 per share payable on June 1, 2018, to shareholders of record of the company's Class A and Class B ordinary shares at the close of business on May 21, 2018.

Jeffry Quinn, president and chief executive officer of Tronox, said: "The last several weeks have seen significant progress toward closing the Cristal acquisition.  As a result of our discussions with the European Commission through the formal hearing process and the follow-on state-of-play meeting, we've narrowed the issues and the Commission's conditional clearance is now only dependent on finalizing an agreement on a proposed remedy to address their remaining objection.  We are also negotiating with possible counterparties regarding execution of the proposed remedy.  In the United States, we filed a motion with the FTC seeking to stay the administrative proceeding scheduled to start on May 18.  If granted, the stay will allow direct discussions with the FTC Commissioners -- something not permitted while an administrative process is pending.  If settlement efforts are unsuccessful, we will ask the FTC Commissioners, in the alternative, to consider pursuing the FTC's case through the typical Federal Court process, which is much more likely to result in a timely resolution. 

"We also announced our entry into a Technical Services Agreement and an Option Agreement with AMIC, an entity equally owned by Cristal and Tasnee, regarding the titanium slag smelter facility located in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.  These agreements are another integral step to enable the combined company to further optimize the level of vertical integration between its production of TiO₂ pigment and feedstock over the long term.  By combining our slagger operations expertise with that of AMIC under the technical services agreement, we will work together to ensure the successful commissioning of this world-class smelter to become a low-cost source of feedstock for the 11 pigment plants that would comprise the combined company.  We continue to work hand in hand with our partners at Cristal and Tasnee with the shared goal of creating the premier company in the TiO₂ industry." 

Quinn continued, "Our first quarter performance clearly reflected the benefits of our vertical integration, as our TiO₂ business delivered revenue growth of 17 percent, adjusted EBITDA growth of 62 percent, an adjusted EBITDA margin of 31 percent and free cash flow of $52 million.  Both our downstream TiO₂ pigment and upstream feedstock and co-products operations continued to benefit from favorable market conditions across the value chain.  Our strong top- and bottom-line results came despite the timing impact of several large feedstock and co-product shipments.  This is not a reflection of softening market conditions.  The opposite is true.  We see continued strengthening in feedstock and co-products markets, such as zircon and pig iron.  We expect favorable market trends to continue in pigment, feedstock and co-products across the year. Our strong first quarter results were delivered in the face of significant foreign exchange headwinds primarily related to the strengthening of the South African Rand relative to the U.S. Dollar.  Despite this short-term impact, the recent political changes in South Africa, which triggered the strengthening of the Rand, bode well for the future of our South African operations."

First Quarter 2018

Tronox TiO₂

TiO₂ revenue of $442 million increased 17 percent compared to $378 million in the year-ago quarter, driven primarily by higher selling prices for pigment, zircon and pig iron.  Pigment sales of $333 million increased 22 percent compared to $272 million in the year-ago quarter driven by 25 percent higher selling prices (20 percent on a local currency basis).  Sales volumes were 2 percent lower due to inventory availability related to the timing of plant maintenance.  Selling prices were higher in all regions.  Titanium feedstock and co-products sales of $97 million increased 5 percent from $92 million in the year-ago quarter, as average selling prices increased 34 percent and sales volumes were 22 percent lower due to the timing of shipments for zircon and CP titanium slag.  Zircon sales of $61 million increased 22 percent driven by 52 percent higher selling prices which more than offset 20 percent lower sales volumes, as shipments originally scheduled for the first quarter occurred in the prior quarter.  Pig iron sales of $19 million increased 73 percent as selling prices increased 18 percent and sales volumes increased 41 percent.  Feedstock and Other products sales of $17 million were 45 percent lower driven by shipment timing.  There were no sales of CP titanium slag in the first quarter compared to $12 million of sales in the year-ago quarter.

Compared sequentially, TiO₂ revenue of $442 million was 5 percent lower than $464 million in the prior quarter.  Higher selling prices for pigment and all major product lines in feedstock and co-products were offset by lower sales volumes for zircon, pig iron and CP titanium slag due to the timing of shipments.  Pigment sales of $333 million increased 5 percent from $316 million in the prior quarter, as selling prices increased 3 percent (2 percent on a local currency basis) and sales volumes increased 2 percent.  Though feedstock and co-products markets continued to strengthen in the quarter, Titanium feedstock and co-products sales of $97 million decreased 27 percent from $133 million in the prior quarter reflecting the lower zircon, pig iron and CP titanium slag sales volumes due to shipment timing.  Zircon sales of $61 million were 9 percent lower as selling prices increased 12 percent which were more than offset by 19 percent lower sales volumes due to shipment timing.  Pig iron sales of $19 million were 5 percent lower, as 12 percent higher selling prices were more than offset by 16 percent lower sales volumes, also due to shipment timing.  There were no sales of CP titanium slag in the quarter compared to $12 million of sales in the prior quarter.  In the second quarter, we are expecting sequential growth in pigment sales and double-digit sequential sales growth in zircon and pig iron given the timing of planned shipments.

TiO₂ adjusted EBITDA of $138 million increased 62 percent from $85 million in the year-ago quarter, driven primarily by higher selling prices for pigment and across all major product lines in feedstock and co-products.  Partially offsetting the gain were foreign exchange impacts on cost, primarily the South African Rand.  Compared sequentially, segment adjusted EBITDA of $138 million decreased by 12 percent from $156 million in the prior quarter.  Higher selling prices for pigment and across all major product lines in feedstock and co-products were more than offset by lower sales volumes due to the timing of shipments and unfavorable foreign exchange, primarily the South African Rand.  TiO₂ income from operations of $52 million improved from income from operations of $32 million in the year-ago quarter and compared to $93 million in the prior quarter.  TiO₂ delivered free cash flow of $52 million in the first quarter, as cash provided by operating activities was $79 million and capital expenditures were $27 million.

Consolidated

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $76 million, which included $20 million related to the Cristal acquisition, compared to $67 million in the year-ago quarter which included $11 million related to the Cristal acquisition, and $65 million in the prior quarter which included $15 million related to the Cristal acquisition.  Interest expense of $49 million compared to $46 million in the year-ago quarter and $48 million in the prior quarter.  On March 31, 2018, gross consolidated debt, net of debt issuance costs, was $3,146 million, and debt net of cash and cash equivalents was $1,419 million, including $653 million of cash restricted for the Cristal transaction.  Liquidity was $2,032 million comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $1,727 million, including $653 million of restricted cash, and $305 million available under revolving credit agreements.  Capital expenditures were $28 million and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $48 million.

Webcast Conference Call

Tronox will conduct a conference call to review first quarter results on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. ET (New York).  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: 3380989

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

Webcast Conference Call Replay: Available via the internet and telephone beginning on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. ET (New York), until 11:30 p.m. ET (New York) on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Internet Replay: http://www.tronox.com 
Replay Dial-in Telephone Numbers:
U.S. / Canada: +1.855.859.2056
International: +1.404.537.3406
Conference ID: 3380989

Upcoming Conferences

During the second and third quarters of 2018, a member of management is scheduled to present at the following conferences:

• Vertical Research Materials Conference, Westbrook, CT, June 14, 2018
• BMO Capital Markets Chemicals Conference, New York, June 26, 2018
• UBS Chemicals Conference, New York, September 5, 2018
• Credit Suisse Basic Materials Conference, New York, September 12, 2018

Accompanying conference materials will be available at http://investor.tronox.com

About Tronox

Tronox Limited is a vertically integrated mining and inorganic chemical business. The Company 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. For more information, visit 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, 2017.

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 because 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, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Free Cash Flow and Adjusted net income (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 from 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 is 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;
• 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 gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and stock-based compensation charges are made 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 income (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: Melissa Zona
+1.636.751.4057

Investor Contact: Brennen Arndt
+1.203.705.3730

The following table reconciles income (loss) from operations, the comparable measure for segment reporting under U.S. GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA by segment for the periods presented:

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SOURCE Tronox Limited