0000950170-23-002340 | 10-Q | XBRL Viewer

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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Dec. 31, 2022	Feb. 06, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	CBT
Entity Registrant Name	Cabot Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0000016040
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		56,323,556
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	1-5667
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-2271897
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Seaport Lane
Entity Address, City or Town	Boston
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02210-2019
City Area Code	617
Local Phone Number	345-0100
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value per share
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales and other operating revenues	$ 965	$ 968
Cost of sales	784	770
Gross profit	181	198
Selling and administrative expenses	60	71
Research and technical expenses	13	13
Loss on sale of business and asset impairment charge (Note D)	3	197
Income (loss) from operations	105	(83)
Interest and dividend income	6	3
Interest expense	(22)	(12)
Other income (expense)	(5)	(1)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	84	(93)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(20)	12
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax	2	1
Net income (loss)	66	(80)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	12	9
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 54	$ (89)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	56.3	56.8
Diluted	56.7	56.8
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.94	$ (1.57)
Diluted	$ 0.93	$ (1.57)

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 66	$ (80)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	88	(28)
Derivatives: net investment hedges
(Gains) losses reclassified to interest expense, net of tax	(1)	(1)
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustments, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of ($1) and $ -	87	(28)
Comprehensive income (loss)	153	(108)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	12	9
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	6	2
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	18	11
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 135	$ (119)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 190	$ 206
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $X and $3	779	836
Inventories:
Raw materials	172	182
Finished goods	471	427
Other	61	55
Total inventories	704	664
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	127	114
Total current assets	1,800	1,820
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,304	1,270
Goodwill	133	129
Equity affiliates	21	20
Intangible assets, net	63	63
Deferred income taxes	44	45
Other assets	170	178
Total assets	3,535	3,525
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	312	347
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	630	707
Income taxes payable	35	44
Current portion of long-term debt	7	7
Total current liabilities	984	1,105
Long-term debt	1,091	1,089
Deferred income taxes	65	65
Other liabilities	236	234
Contingencies (Note G)
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: 56,453,279 and 56,385,963 shares, Outstanding: 56,315,875 and 56,248,559 shares	57	56
Less cost of 137,404 and 137,404 shares of common treasury stock	(4)	(4)
Additional paid-in capital		1
Retained earnings	1,314	1,284
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(358)	(439)
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity	1,009	898
Noncontrolling interests	150	134
Total stockholders' equity	1,159	1,032
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,535	$ 3,525

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts and notes receivable, reserve for doubtful accounts	$ 3	$ 3
Preferred stock, authorized shares	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, Issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, Outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, authorized shares	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, issued shares	56,453,279	56,385,963
Common stock, outstanding shares	56,315,875	56,248,559
Common treasury stock, shares	137,404	137,404

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 66	$ (80)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35	39
Purification Solutions loss on sale and asset impairment charge	3	197
Gain on sale of land	(1)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)		(36)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(2)	(1)
Share-based compensation	6	6
Other non-cash (income) expense	(4)	5
Cash dividends received from equity affiliates	2
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	80	(57)
Inventories	(14)	(95)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(12)	(27)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(100)	9
Income taxes payable	(10)	3
Other liabilities	3	(12)
Cash provided (used) by operating activities	52	(49)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(35)	(30)
Proceeds from sale of land	7
Proceeds from sale of Purification Solutions business	6
Other	5	1
Cash provided (used) by investing activities	(17)	(29)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	11
Proceeds from issuance (repayments) of commercial paper, net	(48)	156
Repayments of long-term debt	(6)	(5)
Purchases of common stock	(17)	(19)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	3
Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(14)	(8)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(21)	(21)
Cash provided (used) by financing activities	(92)	103
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	41	(15)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(16)	10
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	206	170
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	190	180
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 190	179
Restricted cash classified within Prepaid expenses and other current assets		$ 1
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current	Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 190	$ 180

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock, Net of Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Cabot Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 1,090	$ 53	$ 24	$ 1,159	$ (289)	$ 947	$ 143
Beginning Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2021		56,727
Net income (loss)	(80)			(89)		(89)	9
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(28)				(30)	(30)	2
Cash dividends paid, Common stock, per share	(21)			(21)		(21)
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans, Shares		202
Share-based compensation	6		6			6
Purchase and retirement of common stock	(19)		(19)			(19)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, Shares		(349)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	948	$ 53	11	1,049	(319)	794	154
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2021		56,580
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	1,032	$ 52	1	1,284	(439)	898	134
Beginning Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2022		56,249
Net income (loss)	66			54		54	12
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	87				81	81	6
Cash dividends paid, Common stock, per share	(21)			(21)		(21)
Cash dividends declared to noncontrolling interests	(2)						(2)
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans	3	$ 1	2			3
Issuance of stock under equity compensation plans, Shares		309
Share-based compensation	11		11			11
Purchase and retirement of common stock	(17)		$ (14)	(3)		(17)
Purchase and retirement of common stock, Shares		(242)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 1,159	$ 53		$ 1,314	$ (358)	$ 1,009	$ 150
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2022		56,316

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, cash dividends paid, per share	$ 0.37	$ 0.37

Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

A. Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and include the accounts of Cabot Corporation (“Cabot” or the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned and controlled U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries. Additionally, Cabot considers consolidation of entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all disclosures required by Form 10-K. Additional information may be obtained by referring to Cabot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 (“2022 10-K”).

The financial information submitted herewith is unaudited and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results for the interim periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year.

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	B. Significant Accounting Policies Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the FASB issued a new standard on Reference Rate Reform, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the existing guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The standard was effective upon issuance and may generally be applied through December 31, 2024 to any new or amended contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR. As outlined in Note I, Debt and Other Obligations of the Company’s 2022 10-K, the Company amended and restated credit agreements to align with the customary LIBOR replacement language. As such, the application of the expedients did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA") which, among other things, provides for a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases. The IRA was effective January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the statute, but does not anticipate these provisions will have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements, or its share repurchase program. In November 2022, the FASB issued a new standard on the disclosure of supplier financing programs. The new standard requires qualitative and quantitative disclosure as to the nature and potential magnitude of such programs in addition to program activity and changes for the periods presented. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and the impact of the adoption of this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Acquisition

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition

C. Acquisition

Tokai Carbon (Tianjin) Co.

In February 2022, the Company purchased 100% of the registered capital of Tokai Carbon (Tianjin) Co., a carbon black manufacturing facility, from Tokai Carbon Group for a net purchase price of $9 million, consisting of cash consideration of $14 million, including customary post-closing adjustments, and net of $5 million of cash acquired.

Divestitures

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Divestitures

D. Divestitures

Sale of Purification Solutions Business

In March 2022, the Company completed the sale of its Purification Solutions business, a reporting segment of the Company, to an affiliate of funds advised by One Equity Partners for total cash proceeds of $85 million, net of $7 million cash transferred. The Company recognized a pre-tax impairment charge of $197 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and a pre-tax loss on sale of the Purification Solutions business of $10 million during fiscal 2022. The purchase price of the Purification Solutions business was subject to customary post-closing adjustments, which were finalized during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 and resulted in an additional pre-tax loss on sale of $3 million.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

E. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment and the changes in those balances during the three months ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:


	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Total
	(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2022	$	46	$	83	$	129
Foreign currency impact		2		2		4
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	48	$	85	$	133

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s intangible assets:


	December 31, 2022							September 30, 2022
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets
	(In millions)
Intangible assets with finite lives
Developed technologies	$	34	$	(8	)		26	$	34	$	(8	)	$	26
Trademarks		2		(1	)		1		2		(1	)		1
Customer relationships		61		(25	)		36		59		(23	)		36
Total intangible assets	$	97	$	(34	)	$	63	$	95	$	(32	)	$	63

Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range between ten and twenty-five years, with a weighted average amortization period of approximately seventeen years. Amortization expense was $1 million and $2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization expense is included in Cost of sales, Selling and administrative expenses and Research and technical expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Total amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $6 million each year for the next five fiscal years.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI")

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI")

F. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”)

Comprehensive income combines net income (loss) and other comprehensive income items, which are reported as components of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in each component of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows:


	Currency Translation Adjustment			Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2022, attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	(429	)	$	(10	)	$	(439	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		88			—			88
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(1	)		—			(1	)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		6			—			6
Balance at December 31, 2022, attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	(348	)	$	(10	)	$	(358	)

For both the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company reclassified $1 million of gain associated with net investment hedges, out of AOCI and into interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

G. Contingencies

Respirator Liabilities

Cabot has exposure in connection with a safety respiratory products business that a subsidiary acquired from American Optical Corporation (“AO”) in an April 1990 asset purchase transaction. The subsidiary manufactured respirators under the AO brand and disposed of that business in July 1995. In connection with its acquisition of the business, the subsidiary agreed, in certain circumstances, to assume a portion of AO’s liabilities, including costs of legal fees together with amounts paid in settlements and judgments, allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to the 1990 purchase by the Cabot subsidiary. In exchange for the subsidiary’s assumption of certain of AO’s respirator liabilities, AO agreed to provide to the subsidiary the benefits of: (i) AO’s insurance coverage for the period prior to the 1990 acquisition and (ii) a former owner’s indemnity of AO holding it harmless from any liability allocable to AO respiratory products used prior to May 1982. As more fully described in the 2022 10-K, the respirator liabilities generally involve claims for personal injury, including asbestosis, silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, allegedly resulting from the use of respirators that are alleged to have been negligently designed and/or labeled. At no time did this respiratory product line represent a significant portion of the respirator market. In addition to Cabot’s subsidiary, other parties are responsible for significant portions of the costs of these respirator liabilities (as defined in the 2022 10-K, the “Payor Group”). On July 26, 2022, one of the members of the Payor Group, Aearo Technologies (“Aearo”), voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with the stated goal of establishing a trust, funded by Aearo and its parent 3M, to satisfy respirator and other unrelated claims determined to be entitled to compensation. The Company will continue to monitor these proceedings for any impact on its liability for respirator claims.

Cabot has a reserve to cover its expected share of liabilities for pending and future respirator liability claims, which is included in Other liabilities and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company expects these liabilities to be incurred over a number of years. The reserve balance was $39 million at both December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022.

The Company’s current estimate of the cost of its share of pending and future respirator liability claims is based on facts and circumstances existing at this time, including the number and nature of the remaining claims. Developments that could affect the Company’s estimate include, but are not limited to, (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) changes in the rate of dismissals without payment of pending claims, (iii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, including potential settlements of groups of claims, (iv) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (v) changes in the nature of claims received or changes in our assessment of the viability of these claims, (vi) trial and appellate outcomes, (vii) changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (viii) the financial viability of the parties that contribute to the payment of respirator claims and developments in the Aearo bankruptcy proceedings, (ix) exhaustion or changes in the recoverability of the insurance coverage maintained by certain members of the Payor Group, or a change in the availability of the indemnity provided by a former owner of AO, (x) changes in the allocation of costs among the various parties paying legal and settlement costs, and (xi) a determination that the assumptions that were used to estimate Cabot’s share of liability are no longer reasonable. The Company cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on its current estimate of its share of liability for existing and future

claims. Because reserves are limited to amounts that are probable and estimable as of a relevant measurement date, and there is inherent difficulty in projecting the impact of potential developments on Cabot’s share of liability for these existing and future claims, it is reasonably possible that the liabilities for existing and future claims could change in the near term and that change could be material.

Other Matters

The Company has various other lawsuits, claims and contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of its business and with respect to its divested businesses. The Company does not believe that any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position; however, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Cabot could incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material impact on its results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued or its cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for loss and gain contingencies. Describes any existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as of the balance sheet date (or prior to issuance of the financial statements) as to a probable or reasonably possible loss incurred by an entity that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur, and typically discloses the amount of loss recorded or a range of possible loss, or an assertion that no reasonable estimate can be made.

+ References + Details

Insurance Recoveries

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Insurance Recovery [Abstract]

Insurance Recoveries

H. Insurance Recoveries

Pepinster, Belgium

In July 2021, the Company’s Specialty Compounds manufacturing and research and development facility in Pepinster, Belgium experienced significant flooding. Full production, which was temporarily halted, resumed in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2023 the Company recorded no additional expenses related to the flood and received insurance proceeds of $6 million, which is included in Cash provided by investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company recognized a gain of $5 million and $1 million of loss recovery related to these proceeds, which are included within Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2022 the Company recorded expenses of $5 million for clean-up costs, inventory devaluation, and fixed asset impairments and simultaneously recognized a fully offsetting loss recovery from expected insurance proceeds as the Company expected insurance proceeds in excess of the total incurred costs and policy deductibles. The flood-related expenses and loss recovery are both included within Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

At December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, the receivable for insurance recoveries was $3 million and $4 million, respectively.

Income Tax

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax

I. Income Tax

Effective Tax Rate


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022			2021
	(Dollars in millions)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	$	(20	)	$	12
Effective tax rate		24	%		13	%

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, the (Provision) benefit for income taxes included a net discrete tax expense of $3 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2021, the (Provision) benefit for income taxes included a net discrete tax benefit of $37 million after valuation allowance, which was recorded as part of the Purification Solutions business divestiture and assets impairment charge.

Income tax in Interim Periods

The Company records its tax provision or benefit on an interim basis using an estimated annual effective tax rate. This rate is applied to the current period ordinary income or loss to determine the income tax provision or benefit allocated to the interim period. The income tax effects of unusual or infrequent items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate and are recognized in the impacted interim period. Losses from jurisdictions for which no benefit can be recognized are excluded from the overall computations of the estimated annual effective tax rate and a separate estimated annual effective tax rate is computed and applied to ordinary income or loss in the loss jurisdiction.

Valuation allowances are provided against the future tax benefits that arise from the deferred tax assets in jurisdictions for which it is expected that no benefit can be recognized. The estimated annual effective tax rate may be significantly impacted by nondeductible expenses and the Company’s projected earnings mix by tax jurisdiction. Adjustments to the estimated annual effective income tax rate are recognized in the period when such estimates are revised.

Uncertainties

Cabot and certain subsidiaries are under audit in a number of jurisdictions. In addition, certain statutes of limitations are scheduled to expire in the near future. It is reasonably possible that a change in the unrecognized tax benefits may also occur within the next twelve months related to the settlement of one or more of these audits or the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations. However, an estimated range of the impact on the unrecognized tax benefits cannot be quantified at this time.

Cabot files U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2019 through 2021 tax years generally remain subject to examination by the IRS and various tax years from 2009 through 2021 remain subject to examination by the respective state tax authorities. In foreign jurisdictions, various tax years from 2005 through 2021 remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities.

During each of the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Cabot released uncertain tax positions of $1 million due to the expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

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-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

J. Earnings Per Share

The following tables summarize the components of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) computations:


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022		2021
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	54	$	(89	)
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—		—
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(1)		1		—
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	53	$	(89	)

Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding		57.6		57.7
Less: Participating securities(1)		1.3		0.9
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		56.3		56.8

Earnings (loss) per common share - basic:	$	0.94	$	(1.57	)

Diluted EPS:
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders	$	53	$	(89	)
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities		1		—
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities(2)		1		—
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	53	$	(89	)

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		56.3		56.8
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common shares issuable(3)		0.4		—
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		56.7		56.8

Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted:	$	0.93	$	(1.57	)

(1)

Participating securities consist of shares underlying unvested time-based restricted stock units (the "TSUs"), earned and unvested performance-based restricted stock units (the "PSUs", and referred to in this note collectively with the TSUs as the "RSUs"), stock units accounted for under the Supplemental 401(k) Plan portion of the Company’s Deferred Compensation and Supplemental Retirement Plan, and stock units and phantom stock units accounted for under the Company’s Non-Employee Directors’ Deferral Plan. The holders of RSUs are entitled to receive dividend equivalents, payable in cash, to the extent dividends are paid on the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and equal in value to the dividends that would have been paid in respect of the Common Stock underlying the RSU. The accounts of holders of stock units and phantom stock units are credited with dividend equivalents, which are payable, in stock or cash, as the case may be, with the distribution of account balances.

Undistributed earnings are the earnings which remain after dividends declared during the period are assumed to be distributed to the common and participating shareholders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to common and participating shareholders on the same basis as dividend distributions. The calculation of undistributed earnings is as follows:


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022		2021
	(In millions)
Calculation of undistributed earnings (loss):
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	54	$	(89	)
Less: Dividends declared on common stock		21		21
Less: Dividends declared on participating securities		—		—
Undistributed earnings (loss)	$	33	$	(110	)

Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss):
Undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders	$	32	$	(110	)
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating shareholders		1		—
Undistributed earnings (loss)	$	33	$	(110	)

(2)

Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.

(3)

Represents incremental shares of common stock from the assumed exercise of stock options issued under Cabot’s equity incentive plans. For the three months ended December 31, 2022, 86,782 incremental shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For the three months ended December 31, 2021, 2,356,941 incremental shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

K. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

The FASB authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. The required disclosures focus on the inputs used to measure fair value. The guidance establishes the following hierarchy for categorizing these inputs:


Level 1	—	Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2	—	Significant other observable inputs (e.g., quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs)

Level 3	—	Significant unobservable inputs

There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value between Level 1 and Level 2 and there were no Level 3 investments during the first three months of either fiscal 2023 or 2022.

At December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and short-term borrowings and variable rate debt approximated their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Each of these financial asset and liability categories is classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

At December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, Cabot had derivatives relating to foreign currency risks, including a net investment hedge and forward foreign currency contracts, carried at fair value. At December 31, 2022, the fair value of these derivatives was an asset of $15 million and was included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2022, the fair value of these derivatives was a net asset of $28 million and was included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These derivatives are classified as Level 2 instruments within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value determination was based on observable inputs.

At December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, the fair value of guaranteed investment contracts included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $9 million and $8 million, respectively. Guaranteed investment contracts were classified as Level 2 instruments within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value determination was based on other observable inputs.

The carrying value and fair value of the long-term fixed rate debt were $1.08 billion and $1.06 billion, respectively, as of both December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022. The fair values of Cabot’s fixed rate long-term debt are estimated based on comparable quoted market prices at the respective period ends. The carrying amounts of Cabot’s floating rate long-term debt and finance and operating lease obligations approximate their fair values. All such measurements are based on observable inputs and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The valuation technique used is the discounted cash flow model.

Financial Information by Segment

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Financial Information by Segment

L. Financial Information by Segment

The Company identifies a product line as an operating segment if: i) it engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses; ii) its operating results are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), who is Cabot’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and iii) it has available discrete financial information. The CODM reviews financial information at the operating segment level to allocate resources and to assess the operating results and financial performance for each operating segment. Operating segments are aggregated into a reportable segment if the operating segments are determined to have similar economic characteristics and if the operating segments are similar in the following areas: i) nature of products and services; ii) nature of production processes; iii) type or class of customer for their products and services; iv) methods used to distribute the products or provide services; and v) if applicable, the nature of the regulatory environment.

The Company has two reportable segments consisting of Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals. The Company’s former Purification Solutions business was a separate reporting segment prior to divestiture in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.

The Reinforcement Materials segment combines the reinforcing carbons and engineered elastomer composites product lines.

The Performance Chemicals segment aggregates the specialty carbons, specialty compounds, fumed metal oxides, battery materials, inkjet colorants, and aerogel product lines. These businesses are similar in terms of economic characteristics, nature of products, processes, customer class and product distribution methods, and therefore have been aggregated into one reportable segment.

The Purification Solutions segment consisted of the Company’s activated carbon business.

Income (loss) before income taxes (“Segment EBIT”) is presented for each reportable segment in the table below. Segment EBIT excludes Interest expense, general unallocated income (expense), unallocated corporate costs, and certain items, meaning items management does not consider representative of on-going operating segment results. In addition, Segment EBIT includes Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, royalties, Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable.

Financial information by reportable segment is as follows:


	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Purification Solutions		Segment Total		Unallocated and Other(1)			Consolidated Total
	(In millions)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Revenues from external customers(3)	$	643	$	286	$	—	$	929	$	36		$	965
Income (loss) before income taxes(4)	$	94	$	29	$	—	$	123	$	(39	)	$	84

Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues from external customers(2)(3)	$	563	$	306	$	61	$	930	$	38		$	968
Income (loss) before income taxes(4)	$	85	$	52	$	—	$	137	$	(230	)	$	(93	)

(1)

Unallocated and Other includes certain items and eliminations necessary to reflect management’s reporting of operating segment results. These items are reflective of the segment reporting presented to the CODM.

(2)

Beginning in the fiscal year 2023, the Company began allocating energy center by-product revenue within the applicable segment’s Revenue from external customers. The Company recast prior period financial information to conform to the new presentation. The allocation of such revenue resulted in an increase of $22 million in the Reinforcement Materials segment and $4 million in the Performance Chemicals segment, respectively, with an offsetting decrease in Unallocated and Other revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. There was no impact to the Consolidated Total Revenues from external customers.

(3)

Consolidated Total Revenues from external customers reconciles to Net sales and other operating revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Revenues from external customers that are categorized as Unallocated and Other reflects royalties, external shipping and handling fees, the impact of unearned revenue, discounting charges for certain Notes receivable, and other by-product revenue. Details are provided in the table below:


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022		2021
	(In millions)
Shipping and handling fees	$	33	$	39
Other		3		(1	)
Total	$	36	$	38

(4)

Consolidated Total Income (loss) before income taxes reconciles to Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Income (loss) before income taxes that are categorized as Unallocated and Other includes:


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022			2021
	(In millions)
Interest expense	$	(22	)	$	(12	)
Certain items(a)
Gain on sale of land		1			—
Loss on sale of business and asset impairment charge (Note D)		(3	)		(197	)
Legal and environmental matters and reserves		(1	)		(1	)
Acquisition and integration-related charges		(1	)		(1	)
Divestiture related charges		—			(4	)
Global restructuring activities		—			(2	)
Other		—			1
Total certain items, pre-tax		(4	)		(204	)
Unallocated corporate costs(b)		(15	)		(14	)
General unallocated income (expense)(c)		4			1
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax(d)		2			1
Total	$	(39	)	$	(230	)

(a)

Certain items are items of expense and income that management does not consider representative of the Company’s fundamental on-going segment results and they are, therefore, excluded from Segment EBIT.

(b)

Unallocated corporate costs are costs that are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

(c)

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 and unrealized holding gains (losses) for investments.

(d)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, is included in Segment EBIT and is removed in Unallocated and other to reconcile to Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings from affiliated companies.

The Company’s segments operate globally. In addition to presenting Revenue from external customers by reportable segment, the following tables further disaggregate Revenues from external customers by geographic region.


	Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Consolidated Total
	(In millions)
Americas	$	241	$	89	$	330
Asia Pacific		273		126		399
Europe, Middle East and Africa		129		71		200
Segment revenues from external customers		643		286		929
Unallocated and other						36
Net sales and other operating revenues					$	965


	Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Purification Solutions		Consolidated Total
	(In millions)
Americas	$	209	$	90	$	27	$	326
Asia Pacific		250		137		8		395
Europe, Middle East and Africa		104		79		26		209
Segment revenues from external customers		563		306		61		930
Unallocated and other								38
Net sales and other operating revenues							$	968

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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+ Details

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued a new standard on Reference Rate Reform, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the existing guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The standard was effective upon issuance and may generally be applied through December 31, 2024 to any new or amended contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR. As outlined in Note I, Debt and Other Obligations of the Company’s 2022 10-K, the Company amended and restated credit agreements to align with the customary LIBOR replacement language. As such, the application of the expedients did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA") which, among other things, provides for a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases. The IRA was effective January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the statute, but does not anticipate these provisions will have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements, or its share repurchase program.

In November 2022, the FASB issued a new standard on the disclosure of supplier financing programs. The new standard requires qualitative and quantitative disclosure as to the nature and potential magnitude of such programs in addition to program activity and changes for the periods presented. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and the impact of the adoption of this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Balances

The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reportable segment and the changes in those balances during the three months ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:


	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Total
	(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2022	$	46	$	83	$	129
Foreign currency impact		2		2		4
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	48	$	85	$	133

Schedule of Intangible Assets

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s intangible assets:


	December 31, 2022							September 30, 2022
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets
	(In millions)
Intangible assets with finite lives
Developed technologies	$	34	$	(8	)		26	$	34	$	(8	)	$	26
Trademarks		2		(1	)		1		2		(1	)		1
Customer relationships		61		(25	)		36		59		(23	)		36
Total intangible assets	$	97	$	(34	)	$	63	$	95	$	(32	)	$	63

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total which includes a rollforward schedule.

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+ Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI") (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Equity [Abstract]

Changes in Each Component of AOCI, Net of Tax

Changes in each component of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows:


	Currency Translation Adjustment			Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at September 30, 2022, attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	(429	)	$	(10	)	$	(439	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		88			—			88
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(1	)		—			(1	)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		6			—			6
Balance at December 31, 2022, attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	(348	)	$	(10	)	$	(358	)

Income Tax (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Effective Tax Rate


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022			2021
	(Dollars in millions)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	$	(20	)	$	12
Effective tax rate		24	%		13	%

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (EPS)

The following tables summarize the components of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) computations:


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022		2021
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS:
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	54	$	(89	)
Less: Dividends and dividend equivalents to participating securities		—		—
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(1)		1		—
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	53	$	(89	)

Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding		57.6		57.7
Less: Participating securities(1)		1.3		0.9
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		56.3		56.8

Earnings (loss) per common share - basic:	$	0.94	$	(1.57	)

Diluted EPS:
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders	$	53	$	(89	)
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities		1		—
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities(2)		1		—
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$	53	$	(89	)

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		56.3		56.8
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common shares issuable(3)		0.4		—
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)		56.7		56.8

Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted:	$	0.93	$	(1.57	)

(1)


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022		2021
	(In millions)
Calculation of undistributed earnings (loss):
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	54	$	(89	)
Less: Dividends declared on common stock		21		21
Less: Dividends declared on participating securities		—		—
Undistributed earnings (loss)	$	33	$	(110	)

Allocation of undistributed earnings (loss):
Undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders	$	32	$	(110	)
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating shareholders		1		—
Undistributed earnings (loss)	$	33	$	(110	)

(2)

Undistributed earnings are adjusted for the assumed distribution of dividends to the dilutive securities, which are described in (3) below, and then reallocated to participating securities.

Financial Information by Segment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Financial Information by Reportable Segment

Financial information by reportable segment is as follows:


	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Purification Solutions		Segment Total		Unallocated and Other(1)			Consolidated Total
	(In millions)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
Revenues from external customers(3)	$	643	$	286	$	—	$	929	$	36		$	965
Income (loss) before income taxes(4)	$	94	$	29	$	—	$	123	$	(39	)	$	84

Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues from external customers(2)(3)	$	563	$	306	$	61	$	930	$	38		$	968
Income (loss) before income taxes(4)	$	85	$	52	$	—	$	137	$	(230	)	$	(93	)

(1)

(2)

(3)


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022		2021
	(In millions)
Shipping and handling fees	$	33	$	39
Other		3		(1	)
Total	$	36	$	38

(4)


	Three Months Ended December 31
	2022			2021
	(In millions)
Interest expense	$	(22	)	$	(12	)
Certain items(a)
Gain on sale of land		1			—
Loss on sale of business and asset impairment charge (Note D)		(3	)		(197	)
Legal and environmental matters and reserves		(1	)		(1	)
Acquisition and integration-related charges		(1	)		(1	)
Divestiture related charges		—			(4	)
Global restructuring activities		—			(2	)
Other		—			1
Total certain items, pre-tax		(4	)		(204	)
Unallocated corporate costs(b)		(15	)		(14	)
General unallocated income (expense)(c)		4			1
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax(d)		2			1
Total	$	(39	)	$	(230	)

(a)

(b)

Unallocated corporate costs are costs that are not controlled by the segments and primarily benefit corporate interests.

(c)

(d)

Revenues from External Customers by Geographic Region


	Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Consolidated Total
	(In millions)
Americas	$	241	$	89	$	330
Asia Pacific		273		126		399
Europe, Middle East and Africa		129		71		200
Segment revenues from external customers		643		286		929
Unallocated and other						36
Net sales and other operating revenues					$	965


	Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	Reinforcement Materials		Performance Chemicals		Purification Solutions		Consolidated Total
	(In millions)
Americas	$	209	$	90	$	27	$	326
Asia Pacific		250		137		8		395
Europe, Middle East and Africa		104		79		26		209
Segment revenues from external customers		563		306		61		930
Unallocated and other								38
Net sales and other operating revenues							$	968

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Excise tax on stock repurchases	1.00%

Acquisition - Additional Information (Detail) - Tokai Carbon Group Tianjin Co $ in Millions	Feb. 28, 2022 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price	$ 9
Business acquisition, cash consideration	14
Businesses acquisition, net of cash acquired	$ 5
Tokai Carbon's Registered Capital [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, ownership percentage	100.00%

Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business		$ 6
Impairment charge		3	$ 197
Purification Solutions [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax loss on sale				$ 10
Impairment charge			$ 197
Additional pre-tax loss on sale of business		$ 3
Purification Solutions [Member] \| One Equity Partners [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business	$ 85
Proceeds from divestiture of cash transferred	$ 7

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Changes in Balances (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 129
Foreign currency impact	4
Ending balance	133
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Beginning balance	46
Foreign currency impact	2
Ending balance	48
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Beginning balance	83
Foreign currency impact	2
Ending balance	$ 85

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References + Details

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value, finite lives	$ 97	$ 95
Accumulated Amortization	(34)	(32)
Net Intangible Assets, finite lives	63	63
Developed Technologies [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value, finite lives	34	34
Accumulated Amortization	(8)	(8)
Net Intangible Assets, finite lives	26	26
Trademarks [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value, finite lives	2	2
Accumulated Amortization	(1)	(1)
Net Intangible Assets, finite lives	1	1
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value, finite lives	61	59
Accumulated Amortization	(25)	(23)
Net Intangible Assets, finite lives	$ 36	$ 36

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense estimated for year one	$ 6
Amortization expense estimated for year two	6
Amortization expense estimated for year three	6
Amortization expense estimated for year four	6
Amortization expense estimated for year five	6
Cost of Sales, Selling and Administrative Expenses and Research and Technical Expenses [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 1	$ 2
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets	10 years
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets	25 years
Weighted Average [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets	17 years

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI") - Changes in Each Component of AOCI, Net of Tax (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,032
Ending Balance	1,159
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(429)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	88
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(1)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	6
Ending Balance	(348)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(10)
Ending Balance	(10)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(439)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	88
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(1)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	6
Ending Balance	$ (358)

- Definition

Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

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+ Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI") - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Gain associated with the net investment hedges out of AOCI	$ 1	$ 1

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022
Respirator Liabilities [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Respirator reserve	$ 39	$ 39

Insurance Recoveries - Additional Information (Detail) - Pepinster, Belgium [Member] - Flood [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022
Business Interruption Loss [Line Items]
Flood-related expenses	$ 0	$ 5,000,000
Insurance gain proceeds	5,000,000
Insurance loss proceeds	1,000,000
Cash provided by investing activities	6,000,000
Insurance settlements receivable	$ 3,000,000		$ 4,000,000

Income Tax - Effective Tax Rate (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	$ (20)	$ 12
Effective tax rate	24.00%	13.00%

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References + Details

Income Tax - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net discrete tax (benefits) expense related to tax settlements	$ 3	$ (37)
Uncertain tax positions from expirations of statute of limitations	$ 1	$ 1
United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years remain subject to examination	2019
United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years remain subject to examination	2021
State Tax Authorities [Member] \| Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years remain subject to examination	2009
State Tax Authorities [Member] \| Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years remain subject to examination	2021
Foreign Jurisdictions [Member] \| Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years remain subject to examination	2005
Foreign Jurisdictions [Member] \| Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years remain subject to examination	2021

Earnings Per Share - Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (EPS) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Basic EPS:
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 54	$ (89)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	1
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$ 53	$ (89)
Weighted average common shares and participating securities outstanding	57.6	57.7
Less: Participating securities	1.3	0.9
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)	56.3	56.8
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic:	$ 0.94	$ (1.57)
Diluted EPS:
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders	$ 53	$ (89)
Plus: Earnings allocated to participating securities	1
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities	1
Earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders (numerator)	$ 53	$ (89)
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding	56.3	56.8
Common shares issuable	0.4
Adjusted weighted average common shares (denominator)	56.7	56.8
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted:	$ 0.93	$ (1.57)

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Undistributed Earnings (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$ 54	$ (89)
Less: Dividends declared on common stock	21	21
Undistributed earnings (loss)	33	(110)
Undistributed earnings (loss) allocated to common shareholders	32	$ (110)
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating shareholders	$ 1

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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+ Details

Earnings Per Share - Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (EPS) (Parenthetical) (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	86,782	2,356,941

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value, liabilities, Level 2 to Level 1 transfers, amount	$ 0	$ 0
Fair value, assets, Level 2 to Level 1 transfers, amount	0	0
Fair value, liabilities, Level 1 to Level 2 transfers, amount	0	0
Fair value, assets, Level 1 to Level 2 transfers, amount	0	0
Fair value, assets, transfers into Level 3, amount	0	0
Fair value, assets, transfers out of Level 3, amount	0	0
Fair value, liabilities, transfers into Level 3, amount	0	0
Fair value, liabilities, transfers out of Level 3, amount	0	$ 0
Fixed Rate Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of long-term debt	1,080,000,000.00		$ 1,060,000,000.00
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	9,000,000		8,000,000
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Foreign Currency Risks [Member] \| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets and Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair Value	$ 15,000,000
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Foreign Currency Risks [Member] \| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities and Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair Value			$ 28,000,000

Financial Information by Segment - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business reportable segments	2
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business reportable segments	1

Financial Information by Segment - Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 965	$ 968
Income (loss) before income taxes	84	(93)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	929	930
Income (loss) before income taxes	123	137
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	36	38
Income (loss) before income taxes	(39)	(230)
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers		22
Reinforcement Materials [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	643	563
Income (loss) before income taxes	94	85
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers		4
Performance Chemicals [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	286	306
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 29	52
Purification Solutions [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers		$ 61

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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+ Details

Financial Information by Segment - Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 965	$ 968
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers		22
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers		$ 4

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Financial Information by Segment - Revenues From External Customers That are Categorized as Unallocated and Other Reflects Royalties, External Shipping and Handling Fees, The Impact of Unearned Revenue, Discounting Charges For Certain Notes Receivable, and Other By-product Revenue (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 965	$ 968
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	36	38
Unallocated and Other [Member] \| Shipping and Handling Costs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	33	39
Unallocated and Other [Member] \| Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 3	$ (1)

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Financial Information by Segment - Schedule of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies for Unallocated and Other (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ (22)	$ (12)
Gain on sale of land	1
Loss on sale of business and asset impairment charge (Note D)	3	197
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	(22)	(12)
Unallocated corporate costs	(15)	(14)
General unallocated income (expense)	4	1
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax	2	1
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	(39)	(230)
Certain Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain on sale of land	1
Loss on sale of business and asset impairment charge (Note D)	(3)	(197)
Legal and environmental matters and reserves	(1)	(1)
Acquisition and integration-related charges	(1)	(1)
Divestiture related charges		(4)
Global restructuring activities		(2)
Other		1
Total certain items, pre-tax	$ (4)	$ (204)

Financial Information by Segment - Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Region (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	$ 965	$ 968
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	929	930
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	36	38
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	330	326
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	399	395
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	200	209
Reinforcement Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues		22
Reinforcement Materials [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	643	563
Reinforcement Materials [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	241	209
Reinforcement Materials [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	273	250
Reinforcement Materials [Member] \| Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	129	104
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues		4
Performance Chemicals [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	286	306
Performance Chemicals [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	89	90
Performance Chemicals [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	126	137
Performance Chemicals [Member] \| Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues	$ 71	79
Purification Solutions [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues		61
Purification Solutions [Member] \| Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues		27
Purification Solutions [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues		8
Purification Solutions [Member] \| Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales and other operating revenues		$ 26