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EXHIBIT 99.1
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Contact—(713) 960-9111
Investors—Steve Bender
Media—Ben Ederington

 

Westlake Chemical Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2017 Earnings

Record Vinyls quarterly income from operations of $143.3 million, increased 100% from the first quarter of 2017
Quarterly net income of $152.8 million and cash flow from operating activities of $322.3 million
Record quarterly sales and EBITDA of $1,979.2 million and $411.2 million, respectively
Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) today reported net income for the three months ended June 30, 2017 of $152.8 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, on net sales of $1,979.2 million. Earnings per diluted share for the second quarter of 2017 was negatively impacted by pre-tax integration costs of $8.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, associated with the integration of Axiall following its acquisition in August 2016. Net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Corporation increased $41.7 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2016 net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Corporation of $111.1 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, on net sales of $1,086.1 million. Net income for the second quarter of 2017 increased versus the prior year period primarily due to (1) earnings contributed by Axiall; (2) higher sales prices for our major products resulting in improved margins; (3) a lower second quarter 2017 effective tax rate primarily due to a lower estimated annual tax rate for 2017 as compared to the prior year; and (4) lower costs associated with planned turnarounds and unplanned outages. These increases were partially offset by higher interest expense due to an increased debt balance. Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 increased by $893.1 million compared to net sales for the second quarter of 2016, mainly due to sales contributed by Axiall and higher sales prices for our major products. Income from operations was $267.1 million for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $179.9 million for the second quarter of 2016. The increase in income from operations for the second quarter of 2017 was mainly a result of earnings contributed by Axiall and higher sales prices for most of our major products.
Second quarter 2017 net income of $152.8 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, increased $14.6 million from the $138.2 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, reported in the first quarter of 2017. Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 of $1,979.2 million were higher than the $1,942.6 million reported in the first quarter of 2017. Income from operations for the second quarter of 2017 of $267.1 million was $31.8 million higher than the $235.3 million reported in the first quarter of 2017. Net income and income from operations in the second quarter of 2017 increased from the first quarter mainly due to higher sales prices for all of our major Vinyls products, partially offset by lower polyethylene sales volumes as well as increased costs associated with planned turnarounds and unplanned outages.

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For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Corporation was $291.0 million, or $2.23 per diluted share, on net sales of $3,921.8 million. This represents an increase in net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Corporation of $56.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Corporation of $234.3 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, on net sales of $2,061.2 million. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased versus the prior year period primarily due to (1) higher sales prices for our major products resulting in improved margins; (2) earnings contributed by Axiall; and (3) a lower effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to certain discrete tax adjustments and a lower estimated annual tax rate for 2017 as compared to the prior year. These increases were partially offset by higher interest expense due to an increased debt balance, pre-tax transaction and integration-related costs of approximately $16.3 million associated with the integration of Axiall, or $0.09 per diluted share. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased by $1,860.6 million compared to net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016, mainly due to sales contributed by Axiall and higher sales prices for our major products. Income from operations was $502.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $382.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in income from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was mainly a result of earnings contributed by Axiall and higher sales prices for most of our major products, resulting in higher integrated product margins.
"We are pleased with our results for the second quarter of 2017 as we benefitted from strong demand for all of our major products and increasing prices in our Vinyls segment," said Albert Chao, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Thanks to the efforts of our employees, we are continuing to progress with the integration, improvement activities and synergies associated with the acquisition of Axiall. We believe the acquisition and continued investment will position us to fully leverage the improving Vinyls environment."
Net cash provided by operating activities was $322.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 and $479.7 for the first six months of 2017. Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2017 were $146.6 million and $280.9 million for the first six months of 2017. As of June 30, 2017, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $404.4 million and long-term debt was $3,489.9 million.
EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $411.2 million for the second quarter of 2017 increased $155.8 million compared to EBITDA of $255.4 million in the second quarter of 2016. EBITDA for the second quarter of 2017 increased $20.6 million compared to EBITDA of $390.6 million in the first quarter of 2017. For the first six months of 2017, EBITDA of $801.8 million was $275.8 million higher than the EBITDA for the first six months of 2016 of $526.0 million. A reconciliation of EBITDA to reported net income and to net cash provided by operating activities can be found in the financial schedules at the end of this press release.

OLEFINS SEGMENT
The Olefins segment reported income from operations of $143.3 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of $2.7 million compared to income from operations of $140.6 million in the second quarter of 2016. This increase was mainly attributable to higher olefins integrated product margins, primarily due to higher sales prices for our major products and higher production rates. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for polyethylene and styrene. The second quarter of 2016 was negatively impacted by our planned turnaround and expansion of OpCo's Lake Charles Petro 1 ethylene unit. Trading activity in the second quarter of 2017 resulted in a loss of $0.4 million as compared to a gain of $11.6 million in the second quarter of 2016.
The Olefins segment income from operations of $143.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 decreased $36.5 million from the $179.8 million reported in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to lower polyethylene sales volumes and costs associated with the planned turnarounds and unplanned outages that occurred in the second quarter of 2017. Trading activity in the second quarter of 2017 resulted in a loss of $0.4 million as compared to a loss of $9.2 million in the first quarter of 2017.
The Olefins segment income from operations of $323.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased by $33.3 million from $289.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. This increase was mainly attributable to higher olefins integrated product margins, primarily due to higher sales prices for our major products and higher sales volume of ethylene co-products, higher production rates and lower costs associated with the turnaround and outages as compared to the prior-year period. These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes for polyethylene and styrene. The six months ended June 30, 2016 was negatively impacted by the planned turnaround and expansion of OpCo's Lake Charles Petro 1 ethylene unit along with other unplanned outages. Trading activity in the six months ended June 30, 2017 resulted in a loss of $9.6 million as compared to a gain of $15.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016.

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VINYLS SEGMENT
The Vinyls segment income from operations of $143.3 million in the second quarter of 2017 increased by $91.1 million from $52.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. This increase was mainly attributable to earnings contributed by Axiall and higher sales prices for PVC resin and caustic soda. These increases were partially offset by higher feedstock and energy prices during the quarter ended June 30, 2017, as compared to the prior-year period.
The Vinyls segment income from operations of $143.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 increased $71.9 million from the $71.4 million reported in the first quarter of 2017. This increase in income from operations was due to increased margins on our major products driven by higher North American and European sales prices and lower feedstock and energy costs.

The Vinyls segment income from operations of $214.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased by $100.5 million from $114.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016. This increase was mainly attributable to the earnings contributed by Axiall and higher sales prices of PVC resin and caustic soda. These increases were partially offset by unabsorbed fixed manufacturing costs and other costs associated with the planned turnaround and expansion at the Calvert City facility and other planned turnarounds and unplanned outages during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts, such as statements regarding future benefits of our investments, improving Vinyls business environments and potential synergies are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially, based on factors including, but not limited to: general economic and business conditions; the cyclical nature of the chemical industry; availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and utilities, including natural gas and natural gas liquids from shale production; the price of crude oil; uncertainties associated with the United States and worldwide economies, including those due to global economic and financial conditions; governmental regulatory actions, including environmental regulation; political unrest; industry production capacity and operating rates; the supply/demand balance for Westlake's products; competitive products and pricing pressures; access to capital markets; technological developments; the effect and results of litigation and settlements of litigation; operating interruptions; Westlake's ability to realize anticipated benefits of the Axiall acquisition and to integrate Axiall's business; and other risk factors. For more detailed information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to Westlake's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC in February 2017.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release makes reference to certain "non-GAAP" financial measures, such as EBITDA, as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"), but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA, provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the company's ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA to reported net income and to net cash provided by operating activities can be found in the financial schedules at the end of this press release.

Westlake Chemical Corporation
Westlake Chemical Corporation is an international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and building products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, chlor-alkali and derivative products, PVC suspension and specialty resins, PVC Compounds, and PVC building products including siding, pipe, fittings and specialty components, windows, fence, deck and film. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.westlake.com.


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Westlake Chemical Corporation Conference Call Information:    
A conference call to discuss Westlake Chemical Corporation's first quarter 2017 results will be held Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time). To access the conference call, dial (855) 760-8160, or (704) 288-0624 for international callers, approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and reference passcode 57772493.
A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after its conclusion until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 10, 2017. To hear a replay, dial (855) 859-2056, or (404) 537-3406 for international callers. The replay passcode is 57772493.
The conference call will also be available via webcast at: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/wnj37dhe and the earnings release can be obtained via the company's web page at: http://www.westlake.com/investor-relations.


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Net sales
 
$
1,979,161

 
$
1,086,061

 
$
3,921,777

 
$
2,061,248

Cost of sales
 
1,573,327

 
844,695

 
3,148,800

 
1,564,297

Gross profit
 
405,834

 
241,366

 
772,977

 
496,951

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
130,626

 
53,719

 
254,277

 
107,028

Transaction and integration-related costs
 
8,092

 
7,709

 
16,286

 
7,709

Income from operations
 
267,116

 
179,938

 
502,414

 
382,214

Interest expense
 
(38,972
)
 
(5,915
)
 
(78,748
)
 
(12,600
)
Other income (expense), net
 
(538
)
 
8,181

 
4,533

 
10,826

Income before income taxes
 
227,606

 
182,204

 
428,199

 
380,440

Provision for income taxes
 
68,188

 
66,584

 
124,071

 
135,884

Net income
 
159,418

 
115,620

 
304,128

 
244,556

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
6,591

 
4,496

 
13,111

 
10,304

Net income attributable to Westlake Chemical
   Corporation
 
$
152,827

 
$
111,124

 
$
291,017

 
$
234,252

Earnings per common share attributable to Westlake
   Chemical Corporation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.18

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.24

 
$
1.80

Diluted
 
$
1.17

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.23

 
$
1.79


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
395,776

 
$
459,453

Accounts receivable, net
 
1,095,808

 
938,743

Inventories
 
831,700

 
801,100

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
45,744

 
48,493

Restricted cash
 
8,607

 
160,527

Total current assets
 
2,377,635

 
2,408,316

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
6,316,731

 
6,420,062

Other assets, net
 
2,191,341

 
2,061,875

Total assets
 
$
10,885,707

 
$
10,890,253

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities (accounts payable and accrued liabilities)
 
$
1,030,921

 
$
1,033,742

Current term loan, net
 

 
149,341

Long-term debt, net
 
3,489,900

 
3,678,654

Other liabilities
 
2,155,843

 
2,136,471

Total liabilities
 
6,676,664

 
6,998,208

Total Westlake Chemical Corporation stockholders' equity
 
3,840,837

 
3,523,629

Noncontrolling interests
 
368,206

 
368,416

Total equity
 
4,209,043

 
3,892,045

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
10,885,707

 
$
10,890,253


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
304,128

 
$
244,556

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
294,899

 
132,964

Deferred income taxes
 
14,962

 
102,990

Other balance sheet changes
 
(134,275
)
 
(110,618
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
479,714

 
369,892

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
 
(280,902
)
 
(287,160
)
Additions to cost method investment
 
(31,000
)
 

Proceeds from sales and maturities of securities
 

 
302,432

Purchase of securities
 

 
(138,422
)
Other, net
 
1,429

 
(3,267
)
Net cash used for investing activities
 
(310,473
)
 
(126,417
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Debt issuance costs
 
(376
)
 
(9,700
)
Dividends paid
 
(49,315
)
 
(47,317
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 
(16,033
)
 
(8,084
)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
 
3,544

 
3,842

Proceeds from drawdown on revolver
 
175,000

 

Restricted cash associated with term loan
 
154,000

 

Repayment of term loan
 
(150,000
)
 

Repayment of notes payable
 
(4,901
)
 
(8,626
)
Repayment of revolver
 
(360,000
)
 

Repurchase of common stock for treasury
 

 
(67,404
)
Other
 
1,477

 
800

Net cash used for financing activities
 
(246,604
)
 
(136,489
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
13,686

 
1,486

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(63,677
)
 
108,472

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
 
459,453

 
662,525

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
 
$
395,776

 
$
770,997


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Net external sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Olefins
 
$
489,234

 
$
494,484

 
$
1,032,229

 
$
925,504

Vinyls
 
1,489,927

 
591,577

 
2,889,548

 
1,135,744

 
 
$
1,979,161

 
$
1,086,061

 
$
3,921,777

 
$
2,061,248

Income (loss) from operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Olefins
 
$
143,277

 
$
140,564

 
$
323,095

 
$
289,799

Vinyls
 
143,320

 
52,208

 
214,761

 
114,324

Corporate and other
 
(19,481
)
 
(12,834
)
 
(35,442
)
 
(21,909
)
 
 
$
267,116

 
$
179,938

 
$
502,414

 
$
382,214

Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Olefins
 
$
35,175

 
$
30,236

 
$
76,215

 
$
58,933

Vinyls
 
106,822

 
36,268

 
214,095

 
72,555

Corporate and other
 
2,633

 
746

 
4,589

 
1,476

 
 
$
144,630

 
$
67,250

 
$
294,899

 
$
132,964

Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Olefins
 
$
588

 
$
1,093

 
$
1,738

 
$
2,606

Vinyls
 
(1,534
)
 
4,466

 
2,058

 
2,949

Corporate and other
 
408

 
2,622

 
737

 
5,271

 
 
$
(538
)
 
$
8,181

 
$
4,533

 
$
10,826


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA TO NET INCOME AND
TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2017
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
157,394

 
$
322,320

 
$
240,957

 
$
479,714

 
$
369,892

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
   and other
 
(18,957
)
 
(141,667
)
 
(80,984
)
 
(160,624
)
 
(22,346
)
Deferred income taxes
 
6,273

 
(21,235
)
 
(44,353
)
 
(14,962
)
 
(102,990
)
Net income
 
$
144,710

 
$
159,418

 
$
115,620

 
$
304,128

 
$
244,556

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
150,269

 
144,630

 
67,250

 
294,899

 
132,964

Interest expense
 
39,776

 
38,972

 
5,915

 
78,748

 
12,600

Provision for income taxes
 
55,883

 
68,188

 
66,584

 
124,071

 
135,884

EBITDA
 
$
390,638

 
$
411,208

 
$
255,369

 
$
801,846

 
$
526,004


ix




WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Product Sales Price and Volume Variance by Operating Segments
 
 
Second Quarter 2017 vs. Second Quarter 2016
 
Second Quarter 2017 vs. First Quarter 2017
 
 
Average
Sales Price
 
Volume
 
Average
Sales Price
 
Volume
Olefins
 
+7.8
%
 
-8.8
 %
 
-3.1
 %
 
-6.8
 %
Vinyls
 
+8.9
%
 
+143.0
 %
 
+4.7
 %
 
+1.7
 %
Company
 
+8.4
%
 
+73.9
 %
 
+2.6
 %
 
-0.7
 %

Average Quarterly Industry Prices (1) 
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
June 30,
2016
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2017
 
June 30,
2017
Ethane (cents/lb)
 
6.8
 
6.3
 
8.0
 
7.8
 
8.3
Propane (cents/lb)
 
11.7
 
11.2
 
13.7
 
16.9
 
14.9
Ethylene (cents/lb) (2)
 
25.9
 
32.5
 
28.2
 
31.2
 
27.6
Polyethylene (cents/lb) (3)
 
67.0
 
68.7
 
65.3
 
67.3
 
69.0
Styrene (cents/lb) (4)
 
65.2
 
66.8
 
69.3
 
85.6
 
84.4
Caustic soda ($/short ton) (5)
 
611.7
 
660.8
 
725.0
 
733.3
 
788.3
Chlorine ($/short ton) (6)
 
296.7
 
304.2
 
305.0
 
305.0
 
325.0
PVC (cents/lb) (7)
 
55.5
 
56.5
 
57.2
 
60.2
 
62.5
________________
(1)
Industry pricing data was obtained from IHS Chemical. We have not independently verified the data.
(2)
Represents average North American spot prices of ethylene over the period as reported by IHS Chemical.
(3)
Represents average North American net transaction prices of polyethylene low density GP-Film grade over the period as reported by IHS Chemical.
(4)
Represents average North American contract prices of styrene over the period as reported by IHS Chemical.
(5)
Represents average North American undiscounted contract prices of caustic soda over the period as reported by IHS Chemical.
(6)
Represents average North American contract prices of chlorine (into chemicals) over the period as reported by IHS Chemical.
(7)
Represents average North American contract prices of PVC over the period as reported by IHS Chemical. Effective January 1, 2017, IHS Chemical made a non-market downward adjustment of 15 cents per pound to PVC prices. For comparability, we adjusted each prior-year period's PVC price downward by 15 cents per pound consistent with the IHS Chemical non-market adjustment.


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