Cabot Corp Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

May 3, 2021

Strong Diluted EPS of $1.30 and Record Adjusted EPS of $1.38

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2021-- Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) today announced results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2021.

Key Highlights

  • GAAP EPS of $1.30, compared to a loss of $0.01 in the prior fiscal year second quarter. Record Adjusted EPS of $1.38, compared to $0.77 in the prior fiscal year second quarter
  • Second quarter EBIT in Reinforcement Materials increased 46% year over year to a record high of $89 million 
  • Performance Chemicals EBIT increased by $27 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2020 to $58 million, driven by 11% higher volumes
  • Liquidity remains strong at approximately $1.3 billion; Debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.3 times as of March 31, 2021

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

3/31/21

3/31/20

3/31/21

3/31/20

 

       

Net sales

$

842

 

$

710

 

$

1,588

 

$

1,437

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

$

75

 

$

(1

)

$

135

 

$

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation

$

1.30

 

$

(0.01

)

$

2.36

 

$

0.70

 

Less: Certain items after tax per share

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.78

)

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.77

)

Adjusted EPS

$

1.38

 

$

0.77

 

$

2.56

 

$

1.47

 

Commenting on the results for the second fiscal quarter of 2021, Cabot President and CEO Sean Keohane, said, “Building on the momentum we created in the prior quarter, the Cabot team delivered our second consecutive quarter of record adjusted EPS. Our global footprint and operational agility, combined with continued strong demand in our key end markets, resulted in year-over-year and sequential growth in our core businesses. Reinforcement Materials delivered a second consecutive quarter of record EBIT, driven by higher volumes and strong Asia pricing. Performance Chemicals results improved on a year-over-year basis due to stronger volumes in our key end markets and a favorable product mix driven by demand from automotive applications and our target growth initiatives.”

Keohane continued, “In addition, I am very pleased with the Cabot team’s efforts to support our customers through effective sourcing strategies and supply chain management, while facing a tightening of availability in global transportation. Operating cash flow was a source of $65 million despite higher raw material prices and a step up in growth-related working capital. Our balance sheet remains strong with approximately $1.3 billion of liquidity and a total debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.3x as of March 31, 2021.”

 

Financial Detail

For the second quarter of fiscal 2021, net income attributable to Cabot Corporation was $75 million ($1.30 per diluted common share). Net income reflects an after-tax per share charge from certain items of $0.08. Adjusted EPS for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $1.38 per share.

Segment Results

Reinforcement Materials – Second quarter fiscal 2021 EBIT in Reinforcement Materials increased by $28 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase in EBIT was driven by significantly higher volumes across all regions and improved pricing in Asia. Higher volumes were driven by demand increases across all regions compared to the same quarter last year, which was impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns.

Global and regional volume changes for Reinforcement Materials for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to the same quarter of the prior year are set forth in the table below:

 

 

Second Quarter
Year-over-Year Change

Changes in Global Reinforcement Materials Volumes

 

18%

Asia

 

30%

Europe, Middle East, Africa

 

10%

Americas

 

10%

Performance Chemicals – Second quarter fiscal 2021 EBIT in Performance Chemicals increased by $27 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to higher volumes and improved product mix driven by higher sales into automotive applications and our target growth initiatives. Year-over-year, volumes increased by 10% in the Performance Additives business and 14% in the Formulated Solutions business driven by increases across all key product lines from higher demand levels and some level of customer inventory replenishment during the quarter.

Purification Solutions – Second quarter fiscal 2021 EBIT in Purification Solutions decreased by $1 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease in EBIT was largely due to reduced demand in mercury removal applications, partially offset by lower fixed costs resulting from the sale of our mine in Marshall, TX and the related long-term activated carbon supply agreement.

Cash Performance The Company ended the second quarter of fiscal 2021 with a cash balance of $146 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, cash flows from operating activities were a source of $65 million. Capital expenditures for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $40 million. Additional uses of cash during the second quarter included $20 million for the payment of dividends.

Taxes – During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recorded a tax provision of $34 million for an effective tax rate of 29%. The provision reflected a $3 million net charge from tax-related certain items. The operating tax rate was 28% for the second quarter of fiscal 2021, which decreased from 30% in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 due to changes in our projected geographic mix of earnings for fiscal 2021. We expect our operating tax rate for fiscal 2021 to be in the range of 27% to 29%.

 

Outlook
In summarizing the quarter and looking forward to the remainder of the year, Keohane said, “Our ability to deliver a second consecutive quarter of record adjusted EPS reflects the strength of our portfolio, the agility of our supply chain network and the value customers place on Cabot’s product offerings. We continue to execute on our strategy and target growth initiatives, and believe we are well positioned to deliver record adjusted earnings per share for the 2021 fiscal year. I am proud of the way the Cabot team is responding to the needs of our customers and the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and I believe that Cabot is emerging from the COVID crisis a stronger company.”

“Looking ahead to the second half of the fiscal year, we anticipate continued demand strength across our segments. We also expect some impact from the flow-through of higher raw material costs in Asia, moderating volumes into automotive applications due to the semi-conductor chip shortage and increased fixed costs due to the timing of scheduled maintenance activities. With these factors in mind, we expect adjusted earnings per share for the full fiscal year of 2021 to be in the range of $4.70 to $4.95.”

“Cabot has established tremendous momentum through the first half of fiscal 2021, which we intend to build on throughout the remainder of the fiscal year and in the years ahead. We are taking decisive actions to optimize our performance amid the current environment while we continue to invest in our ability to deliver growth in shareholder value over the longer-term,” concluded Keohane.

Earnings Call
The Company will host a conference call with industry analysts at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The call can be accessed through Cabot’s investor relations website at http://investor.cabot-corp.com

About Cabot Corporation
Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is a leading provider of rubber and specialty carbons, activated carbon, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds, fumed silica, and aerogel. For more information on Cabot, please visit the company’s website at: http://www.cabotcorp.com. The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Cabot website regularly.

 

Forward-Looking Statements – This earnings release contains forward-looking statements. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including with respect to our expectations for our performance in fiscal year 2021, including our expectations for adjusted earnings per share and the strength of demand in the second half of fiscal 2021, the factors that we expect will impact our results of operations, our expected operating tax rate for fiscal 2021, and our positioning as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict. If known or unknown risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, our actual results could differ materially from past results and from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, competition from other specialty chemical companies; volatility in the price of energy and raw materials; a significant adverse change in a customer relationship; safety, health and environmental requirements; unanticipated delays in site development projects; negative or uncertain worldwide or regional economic conditions and market opportunities, including from trade relations or global health matters; and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates. These factors are discussed more fully in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), particularly under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov. We assume no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement Cabot’s consolidated financial statements presented on a generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) basis, the preceding discussion of our results and the accompanying financial tables report Adjusted EPS, Total Segment EBIT, Total Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, our operating tax rate, Free Cash Flow and Discretionary Free Cash Flow, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not computed in accordance with, or as an alternative to, GAAP. Reconciliations of Adjusted EPS to net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, Total Segment EBIT, Total Segment EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure of each such non-GAAP measure, operating tax rate to effective tax rate, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and Free Cash Flow and Discretionary Free Cash Flow to Cash flow from operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, are provided in the tables titled “Cabot Corporation Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate” and “Cabot Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide investors with greater transparency to the information used by Cabot management in its financial and operational decision-making, allow investors to see Cabot’s results through the eyes of management, and better enable Cabot’s investors to understand Cabot’s operating performance and financial condition.

Adjusted EPS. In calculating Adjusted EPS, we exclude from our net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation items of expense and income that management does not consider representative of the Company’s business operations. Accordingly, reporting earnings on an adjusted basis supplements the GAAP measure of performance and provides additional information related to the underlying performance of the business. For example, certain of the items we exclude are items that we are required by GAAP to recognize in one period that relate to activities extending over several periods or relate to single events that management considers to be unusual and infrequent, although not necessarily non-recurring. We refer to these items as “certain items.” Management believes excluding these items facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period by eliminating differences caused by the existence and timing of certain expense and income items that would not otherwise be apparent on a GAAP basis and evaluates the Company’s operating performance without the impact of these costs or benefits. Management also uses Adjusted EPS as a key measure in evaluating management performance for incentive compensation purposes.

The items of income and expense that we exclude from our calculations of Adjusted EPS but that are included in our GAAP net income (loss) per share, as applicable in a particular reporting period, include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Global restructuring activities, which include costs or benefits associated with cost reduction initiatives or plant closures and are primarily related to (i) employee termination costs, (ii) asset impairment charges associated with restructuring actions, (iii) costs to close facilities, including environmental costs and contract termination penalties, and (iv) gains realized on the sale of land or equipment associated with restructured plants or locations.
  • Non-recurring gains (losses) on foreign currency, which are primarily related to the impact of continued currency devaluations on our net monetary assets denominated in that currency.
  • Legal and environmental reserves and matters, which consist of costs or benefits for matters typically related to former businesses or that are otherwise incurred outside of the ordinary course of business.
  • Executive transition costs, which include incremental charges, including stock compensation charges, associated with the retirement or termination of employment of senior executives of the Company.
  • Asset impairment charges, which primarily include charges associated with an impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets.
  • Acquisition and integration-related charges, which include transaction costs, redundant costs incurred during the period of integration, and costs associated with transitioning certain management and business processes to Cabot’s processes.
  • Gains (losses) on sale of investments, which primarily relate to the sale of investments accounted for under the cost-method.
  • Inventory reserve adjustment, which generally result from an evaluation performed as part of an impairment analysis.
  • Indirect tax settlement credits, which includes favorable settlements resulting in the recoveries of indirect taxes.
  • Gains (losses) on sale of business.
  • Employee benefit plan settlements, which consist of either charges or benefits associated with the termination of a pension plan or the transfer of a pension plan to a multi-employer plan.

Cabot does not provide an expected GAAP EPS range or reconciliation of the Adjusted EPS range with an expected GAAP EPS range because, without unreasonable effort, we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the matters we would allocate to “certain items,” including unusual gains and losses, costs associated with future restructurings, acquisition-related expenses and litigation outcomes. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP EPS in future periods.

 

Total Segment EBIT. Total segment EBIT reflects the sum of EBIT from our three reportable segments. In calculating Total segment EBIT we exclude from our income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, certain items and items that, because they are not controlled by the business segments and primarily benefit corporate objectives, are not allocated to our business segments, such as interest expense and other corporate costs, which include unallocated corporate overhead expenses such as certain corporate salaries and headquarter expenses, plus costs related to corporate projects and initiatives.

Total Segment EBITDA. Total Segment EBITDA is equal to Total Segment EBIT (as defined above), but further adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA reflects Total Segment EBITDA and is further adjusted for unallocated corporate costs, which include unallocated corporate overhead expenses such as certain corporate salaries and headquarter expenses, plus costs related to corporate projects and initiatives.

Free Cash Flow. To calculate “Free Cash Flow” we deduct Additions to property, plant and equipment from cash flow from operating activities.

Discretionary Free Cash Flow. To calculate “Discretionary Free Cash Flow” we deduct sustaining and compliance capital expenditures and changes in Net Working Capital from cash flow from operating activities.

Operating Tax Rate. Our “operating tax rate” represents the tax rate on our recurring operating results. This rate excludes discrete tax items, which are included in the effective tax rate. Discrete tax items are comprised of (i) unusual or infrequent items, (ii) items related to uncertain tax positions, and (iii) other tax items, such as the impact from the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions and cumulative tax rate adjustments. The operating tax rate also excludes the impact of the items of expense and income we identify as certain items on both our operating income and the tax provision. Management believes that the operating tax rate is useful supplemental information because it helps our investors compare our tax rate year to year on a consistent basis and to understand what our tax rate on current operations would be without the impact of these items.

Cabot does not provide a forward-looking reconciliation of the operating tax rate range with an effective tax rate range because, without unreasonable effort, we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the matters we would allocate to “certain items,” including unusual gains and losses, costs associated with future restructurings, acquisition-related expenses and litigation outcomes. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the effective tax rate in future periods.

 

Explanation of Terms Used

Product Mix. The term “product mix” refers to the mix of types and grade of products sold or the mix of geographic regions where products are sold, and the positive or negative impact this has on the revenue or profitability of the business or segment.

Net Working Capital. The term “net working capital” includes accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021              
               
               
CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               
               
Periods ended March 31

Three Months

 

Six Months

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

               
Net sales and other operating revenues

$

842

 

 

$

710

 

 

$

1,588

 

 

$

1,437

 

Cost of sales

 

628

 

 

 

557

 

 

 

1,181

 

 

 

1,143

 

Gross profit

 

214

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

407

 

 

 

294

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 

71

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

178

 

Research and technical expenses

 

15

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

28

 

Specialty Fluids loss on sale and asset impairment charge

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

128

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

246

 

 

 

87

 

Other income (expense)              
Interest and dividend income

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

6

 

Interest expense

 

(13

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(28

)

Other income (expense)

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(3

)

Total other income (expense)

 

(10

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(25

)

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in              
earnings of affiliated companies

 

118

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

62

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

(34

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(14

)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Net income (loss)

 

85

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

49

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

10

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

9

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation 

$

75

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

135

 

 

$

40

 

               
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock              
attributable to Cabot Corporation 

$

1.30

 

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

2.36

 

 

$

0.70

 

                               
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

56.7

 

 

 

56.6

 

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

56.8

 

               
 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021              
               
               
CABOT CORPORATION SUMMARY RESULTS BY SEGMENT
               
               
Periods ended March 31

Three Months

 

Six Months

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

               
Sales              
               
Reinforcement Materials

$

434

 

 

$

355

 

 

$

809

 

 

$

734

 

Performance Chemicals

 

294

 

 

 

245

 

 

 

561

 

 

 

487

 

Performance Additives

 

203

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

387

 

 

 

338

 

Formulated Solutions

 

91

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

174

 

 

 

149

 

Purification Solutions

 

63

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

122

 

 

 

123

 

Segment sales

 

791

 

 

 

664

 

 

 

1,492

 

 

 

1,344

 

Unallocated and other (A)

 

51

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

93

 

Net sales and other operating revenues

$

842

 

 

$

710

 

 

$

1,588

 

 

$

1,437

 

               
Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (B)              
Reinforcement Materials

$

89

 

 

$

61

 

 

$

177

 

 

$

108

 

Performance Chemicals

 

58

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

72

 

Purification Solutions

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes

 

149

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

181

 

               
Unallocated and Other              
Interest expense

 

(13

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(28

)

Certain items (C)

 

(1

)

 

 

(56

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(67

)

Unallocated corporate costs

 

(16

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(22

)

General unallocated income (expense) (D)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(1

)

Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in              
earnings of affiliated companies

 

118

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

62

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes (including tax certain items)

 

(34

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(14

)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Net income (loss)

 

85

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

49

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

10

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

9

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation 

$

75

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

135

 

 

$

40

 

               
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock              
attributable to Cabot Corporation 

$

1.30

 

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

2.36

 

 

$

0.70

 

               
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (E) 

$

1.38

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

$

2.56

 

 

$

1.47

 

               
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

56.7

 

 

 

56.6

 

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

56.8

 

 

(A)

Unallocated and other reflects royalties, other operating revenues, external shipping and handling fees, the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue, the removal of 100% of the sales of an equity method affiliate, and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable.

 

(B)

Segment EBIT is a measure used by Cabot's Chief Operating Decision-Maker to measure consolidated operating results, assess segment performance and allocate resources. Segment EBIT includes equity in earnings of affiliated companies, royalty income, and allocated corporate costs.

 

(C)

Details of Certain items are presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.

 

(D)

General unallocated income (expense) consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, Interest and dividend income, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue, the impact of including the full operating results of a contractual joint venture in Purification Solutions Segment EBIT and unrealized holding gains (losses) for equity securities.

 

(E)

Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS is presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.

 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021      
       
       
CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
       
       
Dollars in millions (unaudited) March 31,
2021
  September 30,
2020
       
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents

$

146

 

$

151

Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $4 and $2

 

578

 

 

418

Inventories:      
Raw materials

 

123

 

 

82

Finished goods

 

264

 

 

225

Other

 

49

 

 

52

Total inventories

 

436

 

 

359

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

64

 

 

50

Total current assets

 

1,224

 

 

978

       
Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,334

 

 

1,314

       
Goodwill

 

139

 

 

134

Equity affiliates

 

40

 

 

39

Intangible assets, net

 

103

 

 

103

Deferred income taxes

 

50

 

 

53

Other assets

 

157

 

 

160

Total assets

$

3,047

 

$

2,781

       
 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021      
       
       
CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
       
       
Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts (unaudited) March 31,
2021
  September 30,
2020
       
Current liabilities:      
Short-term borrowings

$

44

 

 

$

14

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

562

 

 

 

488

 

Income taxes payable

 

33

 

 

 

20

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

8

 

 

 

7

 

Total current liabilities

 

647

 

 

 

529

 

       
Long-term debt

 

1,087

 

 

 

1,094

 

Deferred income taxes

 

58

 

 

 

58

 

Other liabilities

 

308

 

 

 

286

 

       
Stockholders' equity:      
Preferred stock:      
Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value      
Issued and Outstanding: None and none

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock:      
Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value, Issued: 56,767,240 and 56,616,030 shares
Outstanding: 56,622,455 and 56,466,638 shares
 

57

     

57

 
Less cost of 144,785 and 149,392 shares of common treasury stock

 

(4

)

 

 

(4

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

1,094

 

 

 

989

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(336

)

 

 

(351

)

Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity

 

811

 

 

 

691

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

136

 

 

 

123

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

947

 

 

 

814

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

3,047

 

 

$

2,781

 

       
 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021
 
                       
CABOT CORPORATION QUARTERLY RESULTS BY SEGMENT
                       
 
 

Fiscal 2020

 

Fiscal 2021

Dollars in millions,                      
except per share amounts (unaudited)

Dec. Q

Mar. Q

June Q

Sept. Q

FY

 

Dec. Q

Mar. Q

June Q

Sept. Q

FY

                       
Sales                      
Reinforcement Materials

$

379

 

$

355

 

$

197

 

$

325

 

$

1,256

 

 

$

375

 

$

434

 

$ $

$

809

 

Performance Chemicals

 

242

 

 

245

 

 

220

 

 

226

 

 

933

 

 

 

267

 

 

294

 

 

 

 

561

 

Performance Additives

 

170

 

 

168

 

 

151

 

 

156

 

 

645

 

 

 

184

 

 

203

 

 

 

 

387

 

Formulated Solutions

 

72

 

 

77

 

 

69

 

 

70

 

 

288

 

 

 

83

 

 

91

 

 

 

 

174

 

Purification Solutions

 

59

 

 

64

 

 

63

 

 

67

 

 

253

 

 

 

59

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

122

 

Segment sales

 

680

 

 

664

 

 

480

 

 

618

 

 

2,442

 

 

 

701

 

 

791

 

 

 

 

1,492

 

Unallocated and other (A)

 

47

 

 

46

 

 

38

 

 

41

 

 

172

 

 

 

45

 

 

51

 

 

 

 

96

 

                       
Net sales and other operating revenues

$

727

 

$

710

 

$

518

 

$

659

 

$

2,614

 

 

$

746

 

$

842

 

$

$

$

1,588

 

                       
Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (B)
Reinforcement Materials

$

47

 

$

61

 

$

(5

)

$

59

 

$

162

 

 

$

88

 

$

89

 

$ $

$

177

 

Performance Chemicals

 

41

 

 

31

 

 

21

 

 

25

 

 

118

 

 

 

54

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

112

 

Purification Solutions

 

(2

)

 

3

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Total Segment Earnings Before
Interest and Taxes

 

86

 

 

95

 

 

18

 

 

84

 

 

283

 

 

 

140

 

 

149

 

 

 

 

289

 

Unallocated and Other                      
Interest expense

 

(14

)

 

(14

)

 

(13

)

 

(12

)

 

(53

)

 

 

(12

)

 

(13

)

 

 

 

(25

)

Certain items (C)

 

(11

)

 

(56

)

 

(7

)

 

(144

)

 

(218

)

 

 

(11

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

(12

)

Unallocated corporate costs

 

(10

)

 

(12

)

 

(10

)

 

(9

)

 

(41

)

 

 

(13

)

 

(16

)

 

 

 

(29

)

General unallocated income (expense) (D)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

2

 

 

(2

)

 

(1

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

                       
Income (loss) before income taxes and                      
equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

50

 

 

12

 

 

(11

)

 

(84

)

 

(33

)

 

 

99

 

 

118

 

 

 

 

217

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes
(including tax certain items)

 

(4

)

 

(10

)

 

5

 

 

(182

)

 

(191

)

 

 

(29

)

 

(34

)

 

 

 

(63

)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Net income (loss)

 

46

 

 

3

 

 

(5

)

 

(265

)

 

(221

)

 

 

70

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

155

 

Net income (loss) attributable to
noncontrolling interests

 

5

 

 

4

 

 

1

 

 

7

 

 

17

 

 

 

10

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

20

 

Net income (loss) attributable to
Cabot Corporation 

$

41

 

$

(1

)

$

(6

)

$

(272

)

$

(238

)

 

$

60

 

$

75

 

$ $

$

135

 

                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock                      
attributable to Cabot Corporation 

$

0.70

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.12

)

$

(4.81

)

$

(4.21

)

 

$

1.06

 

$

1.30

 

$

$

$

2.36

 

                       
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (E) 

$

0.69

 

$

0.77

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.68

 

$

2.08

 

 

$

1.18

 

$

1.38

 

$

$

$

2.56

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

57.0

 

 

56.6

 

 

56.5

 

 

56.5

 

 

56.6

 

 

 

56.6

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

 

56.7

 

                     

 

 

(A)

Unallocated and other reflects royalties, other operating revenues, external shipping and handling fees, the impact of the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue, the removal of 100% of the sales of an equity method affiliate and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable.

 

(B)

Segment EBIT is a measure used by Cabot's Chief Operating Decision-Maker to measure consolidated operating results, assess segment performance and allocate resources. Segment EBIT includes equity in earnings of affiliated companies, royalty income, and allocated corporate costs.

 

(C)

Details of certain items are presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.

 

(D)

General unallocated income (expense) consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, Interest and dividend income, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue, the impact of including the full operating results of a contractual joint venture in Purification Solutions Segment EBIT and unrealized holding gains (losses) for equity securities.

 

(E)

Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS is presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.

 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021
         
         
CABOT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         
         
Periods ended March 31

Three Months

Six Months

Dollars in millions (unaudited)

2021

2020

2021

2020

         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net income (loss)

$

85

 

$

3

 

$

155

 

$

49

 

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

 

38

 

 

39

 

 

77

 

 

78

 

Other non-cash charges, net

 

22

 

 

(12

)

 

35

 

 

(17

)

Cash dividends received from equity affiliates

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Changes in certain working capital items (A)

 

(80

)

 

2

 

 

(179

)

 

52

 

Changes in other assets and liabilities, net

 

(1

)

 

(8

)

 

(3

)

 

(34

)

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

65

 

 

24

 

 

86

 

 

129

 

         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(40

)

 

(51

)

 

(69

)

 

(119

)

Cash paid for acquisition of business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Other investing activities, net

 

3

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

 

1

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(37

)

 

(49

)

 

(66

)

 

(126

)

         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:        
Change in debt, net

 

30

 

 

94

 

 

14

 

 

114

 

Cash dividends paid to common stockholders .

 

(20

)

 

(20

)

 

(40

)

 

(40

)

Other financing activities, net

 

1

 

 

(20

)

 

(1

)

 

(64

)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

11

 

 

54

 

 

(27

)

 

10

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

(36

)

 

(25

)

 

6

 

 

(5

)

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

3

 

 

4

 

 

(1

)

 

8

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

147

 

 

173

 

 

151

 

 

169

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period (B)

$

150

 

$

177

 

$

150

 

$

177

 

         
  (A) Includes Accounts and notes receivable, Inventories, and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
  (B) Includes $4 million and $35 million of restricted cash at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021  
           
           
CABOT CORPORATION CERTAIN ITEMS AND RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EPS AND OPERATING TAX RATE
           
           
TABLE 1: DETAIL OF CERTAIN ITEMS
Periods ended March 31 Three Months Six Months  
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)

2021

2020

2021

2020

 
           
Certain items before and after income taxes
           
Employee benefit plan settlement and other charges

$

1

 

$

(1

)

$

(5

)

$

(3

)

 
Global restructuring activities

 

(1

)

 

(5

)

 

(4

)

 

(13

)

 
Acquisition and integration-related charges

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

 
Legal and environmental matters and reserves

 

 

 

(51

)

 

 

 

(50

)

 
Specialty Fluids loss on sale and asset impairment charges

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

(1

)

 
Indirect tax settlement credits

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

3

 

 
Other certain items

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 
Total certain items, pre-tax

 

(1

)

 

(56

)

 

(12

)

 

(67

)

 
           
Tax impact of certain items (A)

 

(4

)

 

8

 

 

(2

)

 

10

 

 
Certain items after tax (excluding discrete tax items)

 

(5

)

 

(48

)

 

(14

)

 

(57

)

 
Certain items after tax per share impact
(excluding discrete tax items)

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.85

)

$

(0.25

)

$

(1.01

)

 
           
Discrete tax items

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

13

 

 
Discrete tax items per share impact

 

0.01

 

 

0.07

 

 

0.05

 

 

0.24

 

 
Total certain items after tax

$

(4

)

$

(45

)

$

(11

)

$

(44

)

 
Total certain items after tax per share impact

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.78

)

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.77

)

 
           
TABLE 2: CERTAIN ITEMS STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS LINE ITEM
Periods ended March 31 Three Months Six Months  
Dollars in millions, Pre-Tax (unaudited)

2021

2020

2021

2020

 
           
Statement of Operations Line Item (B)
           
Cost of sales

$

(1

)

$ ―

$

(5

)

$

(3

)

 
Selling and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(53

)

 

(1

)

 

(59

)

 
Research and technical expenses

 

(1

)

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 
Other income (expense)

 

1

 

 

(2

)

 

(5

)

 

(4

)

 
Specialty Fluids loss on sale and asset impairment charges

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

(1

)

 
Total certain items, pre-tax

$

(1

)

$

(56

)

$

(12

)

$

(67

)

 
           
TABLE 3: RECONCILIATION OF TAX CERTAIN ITEMS
Periods ended March 31 Three Months Six Months  
Dollars in millions (unaudited)

2021

2020

2021

2020

 
           
Reconciliation of Provision for income taxes, excluding certain items, to Provision for income taxes
           
(Provision) benefit for income taxes

$

(34

)

$

(10

)

$

(63

)

$

(14

)

 
Less: Tax impact of certain items

 

(4

)

 

8

 

 

(2

)

 

10

 

 
Less: Discrete tax items (C)

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

13

 

 
(Provision) benefit for income taxes,
excluding certain items

$

(31

)

$

(21

)

$

(64

)

$

(37

)

 
           
TABLE 4: RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING TAX RATE
Periods ended March 31 Three Months Six Months  
Dollars in millions (unaudited)

2021

2020

2021

2020

 
 
Reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the operating tax rate (D)
           
(Provision) benefit for income taxes

$

(34

)

$

(10

)

$

(63

)

$

(14

)

 
           
Effective tax rate

 

29

%

 

81

%

 

29

%

 

22

%

 
Impact of discrete tax items (C)

 

%

 

15

%

 

1

%

 

22

%

 
Impact of certain items

 

(1

)%

 

(67

)%

 

(2

)%

 

(15

)%

 
Operating tax rate

 

28

%

 

29

%

 

28

%

 

29

%

 
           
TABLE 5: RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EPS BY QUARTER FOR FISCAL 2021 and FISCAL 2020
  Fiscal 2021 (E)
Periods ended (unaudited)

Dec. Q

Mar. Q

June Q

Sept. Q

FY 2021

Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS          
Net income (loss) per share attributable
to Cabot Corporation

$

1.06

 

$

1.30

 

$

 

$

 

$

2.36

 

Less: Certain items after tax per share

 

(0.12

)

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.20

)

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share

$

1.18

 

$

1.38

 

$

 

$

 

$

2.56

 

           
  Fiscal 2020 (E)
Periods ended (unaudited)

Dec. Q

Mar. Q

June Q

Sept. Q

FY 2020

Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS          
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation

$

0.70

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.12

)

$

(4.81

)

$

(4.21

)

Less: Certain items after tax per share

 

0.01

 

 

(0.78

)

 

(0.05

)

 

(5.49

)

 

(6.29

)

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.69

 

$

0.77

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.68

 

$

2.08

 

           
 

(A)

The tax impact of certain items is determined by (1) starting with the current and deferred income tax expense or benefit, included in Net income attributable to Cabot Corporation, and (2) subtracting the tax expense or benefit on “adjusted earnings”. Adjusted earnings is defined as the pre-tax income attributable to Cabot Corporation excluding certain items. The tax expense or benefit on adjusted earnings is calculated by applying the operating tax rate, which includes both current and deferred taxes, as defined under the section Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures of the earnings release.

 

(B)

This table indicates the line items where certain items are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(C)

Discrete tax items are comprised of (i) unusual or infrequent items, (ii) items related to uncertain tax positions, and (iii) other tax items, such as the impact from the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions and cumulative tax rate adjustments.

 

(D)

Our operating tax rate for fiscal 2021 is expected to be in the range of 27% to 29%.

 

(E)

Per share amounts are calculated after tax and, where applicable, noncontrolling interest, net of tax.

 
Second Quarter Earnings Announcement, Fiscal 2021          
             
             
CABOT CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
             
             
    Fiscal 2021 (A)
    Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2021
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS          
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation

$

1.06

 

$

1.30

 

$

 

$

 

$

2.36

 

Less: Certain items after tax per share

 

(0.12

)

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.20

)

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share

$

1.18

 

$

1.38

 

$

 

$

 

$

2.56

 

             
    Fiscal 2020 (A)
    Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2020
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS          
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation

$

0.70

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.12

)

$

(4.81

)

$

(4.21

)

Less: Certain items after tax per share

 

0.01

 

 

(0.78

)

 

(0.05

)

 

(5.49

)

 

(6.29

)

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.69

 

$

0.77

 

$

(0.07

)

$

0.68

 

$

2.08

 

             

(A)

Per share amounts are calculated after tax and, where applicable, noncontrolling interest, net of tax.

             
Dollars in millions Fiscal 2021
    Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2021
Reconciliation of Total Segment EBIT, Total Segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income and Segment EBITDA Margin          
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation

$

60

 

$

75

 

$   $  

$

135

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

10

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

29

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies

$

99

 

$

118

 

$   $  

$

217

 

Interest expense

 

12

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Certain items

 

11

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Unallocated corporate costs

 

13

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

General unallocated (income) expense

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Total Segment EBIT

$

140

 

$

149

 

$   $  

$

289

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

39

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

77

 

Adjustments to depreciation (B)

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Total Segment EBITDA

$

179

 

$

189

 

$   $  

$

368

 

Less: Unallocated corporate costs before corporate depreciation

 

13

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

166

 

$

173

 

$   $  

$

339

 

             

(B)

Adjustments to depreciation includes the addition of the depreciation expense of a contractual joint venture in Purification Solutions less accelerated depreciation expense not allocated to a business.

             
Dollars in millions   Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2021
Reinforcement Materials EBIT

$

88

 

$

89

 

$   $  

$

177

 

Reinforcement Materials Depreciation and amortization

 

17

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

35

 

Reinforcement Materials EBITDA 

$

105

 

$

107

 

$   $  

$

212

 

Reinforcement Materials Sales

$

375

 

$

434

 

$   $  

$

809

 

Reinforcement Materials EBITDA Margin 

 

28

%

 

25

%

 

%

 

%

 

26

%

             
Dollars in millions Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2021
Performance Chemicals EBIT 

$

54

 

$

58

 

$   $  

$

112

 

Performance Chemicals Depreciation and amortization

 

18

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

Performance Chemicals EBITDA

$

72

 

$

77

 

$   $  

$

149

 

Performance Chemicals Sales 

$

267

 

$

294

 

$   $  

$

561

 

Performance Chemicals EBITDA Margin 

 

27

%

 

26

%

 

%

 

%

 

27

%

             
Dollars in millions Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2021
Purification Solutions EBIT

$

(2

)

$

2

 

$   $   $  
Purification Solutions Depreciation and amortization

 

4

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

Purification Solutions EBITDA

$

2

 

$

5

 

$   $  

$

7

 

Purification Solutions Sales

$

59

 

$

63

 

$   $  

$

122

 

Purification Solutions EBITDA Margin

 

3

%

 

8

%

 

%

 

%

 

6

%

             
Dollars in millions Fiscal 2021
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow and Discretionary Free Cash Flow to Cash Flow from Operating Activities Dec. Q Mar. Q June Q Sept. Q FY 2021
Cash flow from operating activities (C)

$

21

 

$

65

 

$   $  

$

86

 

Less: Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

29

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

69

 

Free cash flow

$

(8

)

$

25

 

$   $  

$

17

 

Plus: Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

29

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

69

 

Less: Changes in net working capital (D)

 

(99

)

 

(80

)

 

 

 

 

 

(179

)

Less: Sustaining and compliance capital expenditures

 

21

 

 

27

 

   

 

48

 

Discretionary free cash flow

$

99

 

$

118

 

$   $  

$

217

 

             

(C)

As provided in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

(D)

Defined as changes in accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable and accrued liabilities as presented on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Investor Contact:
Steve Delahunt
(617) 342-6255

Source: Cabot Corporation