Dallas, Texas, May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $7.8 million, or $.27 per share, in the first quarter of 2024 compared to a net loss attributable to Valhi stockholders of $4.9 million, or $.17 per share, in the first quarter of 2023. Net income attributable to Valhi stockholders increased in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher operating income from our Chemicals Segment partially offset by lower operating income from our Component Products Segment and our Real Estate Management and Development Segment.

The Chemicals Segment's net sales of $478.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 were $52.5 million, or 12%, higher than in the first quarter of 2023. The Chemicals Segment's net sales increased in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 due to the net effects of higher sales volumes due to strengthening demand for TiO₂ in all the Chemicals Segment's major markets and lower average TiO₂ selling prices. The Chemicals Segment's TiO₂ sales volumes were 28% higher in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2023. The Chemicals Segment started 2024 with average TiO₂ selling prices 13% lower than at the beginning of 2023 and its average TiO₂ selling prices declined 2% during the first quarter of 2024. Average TiO₂ selling prices were 11% lower in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2023. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) also affected net sales comparisons, increasing the Chemicals Segment's net sales by approximately $4 million in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted the Chemicals Segment's net sales.

The Chemicals Segment's operating income in the first quarter of 2024 was $22.8 million as compared to an operating loss of $15.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. The Chemicals Segment's operating income increased in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to the net effects of higher sales and production volumes, lower production costs (primarily energy and raw material costs) and lower average TiO₂ selling prices. TiO₂ production volumes were 15% higher in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023. The Chemicals Segment operated its production facilities at 76% of practical capacity utilization in the first three months of 2023 due to decreased demand and a higher production cost environment. Due to improved overall demand and a more favorable production cost environment, the Chemicals Segment increased its production rates to 87% of practical capacity utilization in the first three months of 2024. As a result, our Chemicals Segment's unabsorbed fixed costs associated with production curtailments included in cost of sales decreased by $10 million to $12 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $22 million in the first quarter of 2023. Changes in currency exchange rates had a nominal effect on the Chemicals Segment's operating income in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

The Chemicals Segment's operating loss in the first quarter of 2023 includes an insurance settlement gain related to a 2020 business interruption insurance claim of $1.7 million ($.9 million, or $.03 per share, net of tax and noncontrolling interest).

The Component Products Segment's net sales were $38.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $41.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. The Component Products Segment's net sales decreased in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to lower marine components sales primarily to the towboat market, partially offset by higher security products sales to the government security market. Operating income attributable to the Component Products Segment was $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $7.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. The Component Products Segment's operating income decreased in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 predominantly due to lower marine components sales and gross margin.

The Real Estate Management and Development Segment had sales of $13.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $25.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. Land sales revenue is generally recognized over time based on cost inputs, and land sales revenues are dependent on spending for development activities. Land sales revenues are also impacted by the relative timing of when new land parcel sales are closed. Land sales revenues in the first quarter of 2024 decreased compared to the first quarter of 2023 due to the decreased pace of development activity for previously sold parcels within the residential/planned community. The pace of development activities is dictated by a number of factors such as city permit and design approval and labor and materials availability.

Corporate expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were comparable to the first quarter of 2023. Interest income and other increased $.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher average interest rates. Interest expense increased $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of higher interest rates on the Chemicals Segment's refinanced debt in February 2024. In addition, interest expense for the first quarter of 2024 includes a charge of $1.5 million ($.7 million, or $.03 per share, net of tax and noncontrolling interest) for the write-off of deferred financing costs at our Chemicals Segment.

The statements in this press 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 the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will 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 predicted. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause our 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 certain of our businesses (such as Kronos' TiO₂ operations);
• Customer and producer inventory levels;
• Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion (such as the TiO₂ industry);
• Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as ore, zinc, brass, aluminum, steel and energy 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 and energy costs, reduce demand or perceived demand for TiO_2, component products and land held for development 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);
• Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, certain regional and world events or economic conditions and public health crises);
• Technology related disruptions (including, but not limited to, cyber-attacks; software implementation, upgrades or improvements; technology processing failures; or other events) related to our technology infrastructure that could impact our ability to continue operations, or at key vendors which could impact our supply chain, or at key customers which could impact their operations and cause them to curtail or pause orders;
• Competitive products and substitute products;
• Customer and competitor strategies;
• Potential difficulties in integrating future acquisitions;
• Potential difficulties in upgrading or implementing accounting and manufacturing software systems;
• Potential consolidation of our competitors;
• Potential consolidation of our customers;
• The impact of pricing and production decisions;
• Competitive technology positions;
• Our ability to protect or defend intellectual property rights;
• The introduction of trade barriers or trade disputes;
• The ability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends;
• Uncertainties associated with new product development and the development of new product features;
• 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;
• Decisions to sell operating assets other than in the ordinary course of business;
• The timing and amounts of insurance recoveries;
• Our ability to renew, amend, refinance or establish credit facilities;
• Increases in interest rates;
• 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, or new developments regarding environmental remediation or decommissioning obligations at sites related to our former operations);
• Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein (such as changes in government regulations which might impose various obligations on former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint, including NL, with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products) including new environmental, health, safety, sustainability or other regulations (such as those seeking to limit or classify TiO₂ or its use);
• The ultimate resolution of pending litigation (such as NL's lead pigment and environmental matters);
• Our ability to comply with covenants contained in our revolving bank credit facilities;
• Our ability to complete and comply with the conditions of our licenses and permits;
• Changes in real estate values and construction costs in Henderson, Nevada; and
• Pending or possible future litigation or other actions.
  

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

Valhi, Inc. is engaged in the chemicals (TiO₂), component products (security products and recreational marine components) and real estate management and development industries.

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Investor Relations Contact

Bryan A. Hanley
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Tel. 972-233-1700
VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except earnings per share)

VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
IMPACT OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN CHEMICAL SEGMENT'S NET SALES
(unaudited)

Source: Valhi, Inc.