Dallas, Texas, May 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO) today reported net income of $19.6 million, or $.17 per share, in the first quarter of 2021 compared to net income of $27.0 million, or $.23 per share, in the first quarter of 2020. Net income in the first quarter of 2021 was lower than in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower income from operations resulting from the net effects of changes in currency exchange rates, higher sales volumes, lower production costs and slightly lower average TiO₂ selling prices, as discussed below.

Net sales of $465.0 million in the first quarter of 2021 were $44.0 million, or 10% higher than in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to higher sales volumes partially offset by lower average TiO₂ selling prices. TiO₂sales volumes were 3% higher in the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to higher demand in our North American and Latin American markets, partially offset by lower demand in our European market. Average TiO₂ selling prices were 1% lower in the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the first quarter of 2020. Average TiO₂ selling prices at the end of the first quarter of 2021 were 1% higher than our average TiO₂ selling prices at the end of 2020. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) also affected net sales comparisons, increasing net sales by approximately $20 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted net sales.

Our TiO₂ segment profit (see description of non-GAAP information below) in the first quarter of 2021 was $38.1 million as compared to $47.2 million in the first quarter of 2020. Segment profit decreased in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower income from operations resulting from the net effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which decreased segment profit by approximately $16 million in the first quarter 2021 as compared to the first quarter of 2020, lower average TiO₂ selling prices, higher sales volumes and lower production costs. Due to the phase-out of sulfate production at one of our facilities in the fourth quarter of 2020, Kronos' TiO₂ production volumes were 1% lower in the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the first quarter of 2020. We operated our production facilities at overall average capacity utilization rates of 97% and 95% in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Our net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense (EBITDA) (see description of non-GAAP information below) in the first quarter of 2021 was $43.3 million compared to EBITDA of $54.9 million in the first quarter of 2020.

Other income (expense) in the first quarter of 2020 includes a pre-tax insurance settlement gain of $1.5 million ($1.2 million, or $.01 per share, net of income tax expense) related to a property damage claim.

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent management's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:

Future supply and demand for our products
The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors
The cyclicality of our business
Customer and producer inventory levels
Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion
Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as energy and ore costs)
Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore)
General global economic and political conditions that harm the worldwide economy, disrupt our supply chain, increase material costs or reduce demand or perceived demand for our TiO₂ products or impair our ability to operate our facilities (including changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world, natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflicts and public health crises such as COVID-19)
Competitive products and substitute products
Customer and competitor strategies
Potential consolidation of our competitors
Potential consolidation of our customers
The impact of pricing and production decisions
Competitive technology positions
Potential difficulties in upgrading or implementing accounting and manufacturing software systems
The introduction of trade barriers or trade disputes
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and between the euro and the Norwegian krone), or possible disruptions to our business resulting from uncertainties associated with the euro or other currencies
Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, cyber-attacks and public health crises such as COVID-19)
Our ability to renew or refinance credit facilities
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity
The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, including future tax reform
Our ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefits of which may or may not have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria
Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities)
Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein including new environmental health and safety regulations (such as those seeking to limit or classify TiO₂ or its use)
Possible future litigation.

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company's results of operations as determined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the Company has disclosed certain non-GAAP information which the Company believes provides useful information to investors:

The Company discloses segment profit, which is used by the Company's management to assess the performance of the Company's TiO₂operations. The Company believes disclosure of segment profit provides useful information to investors because it allows investors to analyze the performance of the Company's TiO₂operations in the same way that the Company's management assesses performance. The Company defines segment profit as net income before income tax expense and certain general corporate items. These general corporate items include corporate expense and the components of other income (expense) except for trade interest income; and
The Company discloses EBITDA, which is also used by the Company's management to assess the performance of the Company's TiO₂operations. The Company believes disclosure of EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it allows investors to analyze the performance of the Company's TiO₂operations in the same way that the Company's management assesses performance. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense.

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is a major international producer of titanium dioxide products.

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except per share and metric ton data)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2020			2021
	(unaudited)
Net sales	$	421.0		$	465.0
Cost of sales		332.9			369.3

Gross margin		88.1			95.7

Selling, general and administrative expense		53.5			58.0
Other operating income (expense):
Currency transactions, net		12.2			(.5	)
Other income, net		.2			.8
Corporate expense		(3.5	)		(4.0	)

Income from operations		43.5			34.0

Other income (expense):
Trade interest income		.2			.1
Other interest and dividend income		1.0			-
Insurance settlement gain		1.5			-
Marketable equity securities		(1.5	)		.8
Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost		(4.7	)		(4.3	)
Interest expense		(4.6	)		(5.0	)

Income before income taxes		35.4			25.6

Income tax expense		8.4			6.0

Net income	$	27.0		$	19.6

Net income per basic and diluted share	$	.23		$	.17

Weighted average shares used in the
calculation of net income per share		115.6		115.5

TiO₂ data - metric tons in thousands:
Sales volumes		136		141
Production volumes		132		130

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF INCOME FROM

OPERATIONS TO SEGMENT PROFIT

(In millions)

(unaudited)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2020		2021

Income from operations	$	43.5	$	34.0

Adjustments:
Trade interest income		.2		.1
Corporate expense		3.5		4.0

Segment profit	$	47.2	$	38.1

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA

(In millions)

(unaudited)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2020		2021

Net income	$	27.0	$	19.6

Adjustments:
Depreciation expense		14.9		12.7
Interest expense		4.6		5.0
Income tax expense		8.4		6.0

EBITDA	$	54.9	$	43.3

IMPACT OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN NET SALES

(unaudited)

	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2021 vs. 2020

Percentage change in net sales:
TiO₂ sales volumes		3	%
TiO₂ product pricing		(1	)
TiO₂ product mix/other		3
Changes in currency exchange rates		5

Total		10	%

Source: Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

Contact: Janet Keckeisen, Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, (972) 233-1700