Albemarle Reports First Quarter Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.

First Quarter 2020 Highlights
(Unless otherwise stated, all percent changes are based on year-over-year comparisons)

    --  Net sales of $739 million; Net income of $107 million, or $1.01 per
        diluted share; Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.00
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $196 million decreased by ~13% year-over-year, but
        above previously communicated guidance
    --  Taking action to bolster our balance sheet to enhance financial
        flexibility; drew $250 million on our revolver, repaid other short-term
        debt
    --  Accelerating our $100 million cost savings initiative; we now expect to
        realize between $50 and $70 million of these savings in 2020
    --  Implementing short-term cash management actions to save between $25 and
        $40 million per quarter; reducing 2020 capital spending by about $150
        million from plan
    --  As previously announced, J. Kent Masters was named Chairman, President
        and CEO of Albemarle effective April 20; separately, in March, Meredith
        Bandy joined Albemarle to oversee Investor Relations and Sustainability

"Despite challenges related to COVID-19, our business performed safely and on plan during the first quarter of 2020. The economic impact of the global pandemic remains unclear, but we remain focused on what is within our control. That means ensuring that our employees are safe and healthy, and have the tools they need to perform; staying connected to our customers and suppliers; monitoring our cash management daily and taking action where appropriate; and accelerating our $100 million cost reduction program," said Kent Masters, Albemarle CEO. "I'd like to thank the entire Albemarle team for working diligently during these uncertain times to ensure we are able to meet our customers' needs and fulfill our obligations to our stakeholders. We remain confident in our strategy and will alter our execution of that strategy based on near-term conditions to position Albemarle for future success."

Outlook

We are withdrawing full-year 2020 outlook given the uncertainty around the duration and economic impact of the pandemic. We intend to reintroduce our full-year outlook as the situation allows. In an effort to help investors better understand our business, we are temporarily introducing a quarterly outlook. Albemarle anticipates that its Q2 2020 performance will be lower year-over-year based on reduced global economic activity due to the global pandemic.


                                                    Q2 2020 Outlook



            Net sales                 
            $700 - $775 million



            Adjusted EBITDA           
            $140 - $190 million

COVID-19 Response

Albemarle's cross-functional Global Response Team meets regularly to assess the situation and take necessary actions to address employee health and safety and operational challenges. We have implemented protocols including restricting travel, work-from-home for non-essential personnel, and shift adjustments, increased hygiene and social distancing for the essential workers at our plants. We have also increased communications with our employees, customers and suppliers to ensure we can meet our commitments safely and efficiently. Finally, we are supporting our communities through monetary and in-kind donations.

First Quarter Results



     
                In millions, except per share amounts Q1 2020           Q1 2019         
     
     $ Change           % Change



     Net sales                                                  $
      738.8                              $
      832.1          $
     (93.2) (11.2)
                                                                                                                                        %



     Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation           $
      107.2                              $
      133.6          $
     (26.4) (19.7)
                                                                                                                                        %



     Adjusted EBITDA(a)                                         $
      196.4                              $
      225.9          $
     (29.5) (13.1)
                                                                                                                                        %



     Diluted earnings per share                                  $
      1.01                               $
      1.26          $
     (0.25) (19.8)
                                                                                                                                        %



        Non-operating pension and OPEB items(a)          (0.02)                   (0.01)



        Non-recurring and other unusual items(a)           0.01                    (0.02)



     Adjusted diluted earnings per share(b)                      $
      1.00                               $
      1.23          $
     (0.23) (18.7)
                                                                                                                                        %

(a) See Non-GAAP Reconciliations for further details.
(b) Totals may not add due to rounding.

Net sales of $738.8 million decreased by $93.2 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily driven by the Lithium and Catalysts business segments as discussed below.

Adjusted EBITDA of $196.4 million decreased by $29.5 million from the prior year quarter as lower cost of goods sold partially offset lower net sales. Similarly, net income attributable to Albemarle of $107.2 million decreased by $26.4 million from the prior year. Corporate costs including SG&A, R&D, and interest and financing expenses were broadly in line with the prior year period.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 was 16.0% compared to 24.4% in the same period in 2019, the difference being largely due to a change in the geographic mix of earnings. On an adjusted basis, the effective income tax rates were 16.7% and 22.5% for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Business Segment Results

Lithium


              In
              millions Q1 2020           Q1 2019 
     
     $ Change          % Change


     Net                       $
      236.8                      $
     291.9          $
     (55.1) (18.9)
     Sales                                                                                   %


     Adjusted                   $
      78.6                      $
     115.6          $
     (37.0) (32.0)
     EBITDA                                                                                  %

Lithium net sales of $236.8 million declined $55.1 million driven by lower pricing and volume. Lower contract pricing reflects 2020 price adjustments that were agreed to in late 2019. As expected, customers reduced Q1 2020 volumes as they worked off excess inventory purchased in Q4 2019. Adjusted EBITDA of $78.6 million declined by $37.0 million as product and customer mix and cost savings helped offset reduced net sales.

Current Trends: Our lithium plants in Chengdu and Xinyu operated at reduced rates in early 2020 due to operating restrictions related to COVID-19. Those facilities are now operating at plan. To date, we have experienced minimal order reductions. However, customer closures and order cancellations are likely to affect specialty and technical grade products in Q2 2020. We continue to see solid battery grade orders in Q2 2020 as battery manufacturers catch up on backlog orders placed prior to COVID-19. Therefore, the impact of recent automotive OEM shutdowns is expected to be delayed into H2 2020.

Bromine Specialties


               In
                millions Q1 2020           Q1 2019 
     
     $ Change           % Change


     Net Sales                   $
      231.6                      $
      249.1          $
        (17.5) (7.0)

                                                                                                  %


     Adjusted                     $
      83.3                       $
      78.6             $
        4.7    5.9
      EBITDA
                                                                                                  %

Bromine net sales of $231.6 million declined $17.5 million. Lower volumes due to logistics challenges were partially offset by higher average selling prices. Adjusted EBITDA of $83.3 million was up slightly as cost savings initiatives and reduced minority interest expense offset lower net sales.

Current Trends: To date, Bromine demand has remained relatively strong; however, future demand is likely to be impacted by recent COVID-19 shut-downs. Due to our position in the supply chain most of the impact is expected to be delayed into H2 2020, and to rebound relatively quickly when economic activity returns to more normal levels.

Catalysts


              In
              millions Q1 2020           Q1 2019 
     
     $ Change           % Change


     Net                       $
      207.2                      $
      251.6          $
     (44.4) (17.7)
     Sales                                                                                    %


     Adjusted                   $
      47.5                       $
      60.1          $
     (12.6) (21.0)
     EBITDA                                                                                   %

Catalysts net sales of $207.2 million declined $44.4 million due primarily to lower volumes. Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) volume was down primarily from lower transportation fuel consumption as a result of stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions. Logistics challenges also impacted catalysts volumes. Adjusted EBITDA of $47.5 million declined $12.6 million as reduced raw materials costs and better product mix partially offset reduced net sales.

Current Trends: Reduced transportation fuel consumption is expected to worsen into Q2 2020, putting further downward pressure on FCC volumes. To date, the Clean Fuel Technology (Hydroprocessing Catalysts or HPC) business has been relatively unaffected; however, based on previous economic downturns, we would expect HPC to be negatively impacted in H2 2020 as refiners defer spending into 2021.

All Other


              In
              millions Q1 2020         Q1 2019 
     
     $ Change          % Change


     Net                       $
     63.2                      $
      39.5          $
     23.8  60.2
     Sales                                                                             %


     Adjusted                  $
     22.8                       $
      7.2          $
     15.6 215.1
     EBITDA
                                                                                       %

Other operations represents our Fine Chemistry Services (FCS) business. FCS net sales of $63.2 million increased $23.8 million and adjusted EBITDA of $22.8 million increased $15.6 million. The FCS business tends to be contract driven. Recent contracts include life sciences products which are typically anti-cyclical.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of March 31, 2020, Albemarle had estimated liquidity of $1.7 billion including $553 million of cash and equivalents, $715 million remaining under our $1 billion revolver, $200 million available under our delayed draw term loan, and $190 million on other available credit lines. Total debt was $3.1 billion, representing net debt to adjusted EBITDA of approximately 2.7x. Current leverage is below the level required under debt covenants; however, we are in the process of negotiating a covenant waiver to ensure on-going financial flexibility.

Cash Flow and Capital Deployment

First quarter cash from operations of $155.1 million increased $100.1 million versus the prior year as working capital reductions more than offset lower earnings. Capital expenditures of $214.5 million were in-line with the prior year as progress continued on our Lithium expansion projects.

We have evaluated our capital allocation priorities under a variety of economic scenarios. Our immediate capital allocation priorities are to maintain our investment grade rating and our quarterly dividend.

In order to preserve cash and align with the current economic environment, we are accelerating our previously announced cost savings initiatives, implementing short-term cash management tactics and delaying capital expenditures. We now anticipate realizing $50 to $70 million of sustainable cost savings in 2020, up from $50 million previously. We also expect full-year capital spending to be approximately $850 to $950 million, down about $150 million from previous plan. Short term cash management actions include hiring limits, inventory reductions, and executive salary cuts.

In February, the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.385 per share, an increase of approximately 5% over the previous quarterly dividend. 2020 is expected to be our 26th consecutive year of dividend increase and the company remains committed to shareholder returns.

Our share repurchase authorization remains in place; however, there are no near-term plans to execute share buybacks. Divestiture activity has been temporarily slowed as travel restrictions are delaying due diligence processes.

Earnings Call



              Date:                                   Thursday, May 7, 2020



              Time:                                   9:00 AM Eastern time



              Dial-in (U.S.):              
              844-347-1034



              Dial-in (International):     
              209-905-5910



              Passcode:                                             2377882

The Company's earnings presentation and supporting material are available on Albemarle's website at https://investors.albemarle.com.

About Albemarle

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a global specialty chemicals company with leading positions in lithium, bromine and refining catalysts. We power the potential of companies in many of the world's largest and most critical industries, from energy and communications to transportation and electronics. Working side-by-side with our customers, we develop value-added, customized solutions that make them more competitive. Our solutions combine the finest technology and ingredients with the knowledge and know-how of our highly experienced and talented team of operators, scientists and engineers.

Discovering and implementing new and better performance-based sustainable solutions is what motivates all of us. We think beyond business-as-usual to drive innovations that create lasting value. Albemarle employs approximately 6,000 people and serves customers in approximately 75 countries. We regularly post information to www.albemarle.com, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, non-GAAP reconciliations, SEC filings and other information regarding our company, its businesses and the markets it serves.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the information presented in this press release, the conference call and discussions that follow, including, without limitation, information related to product development, production capacity, committed volumes, market trends, pricing, expected growth, earnings and demand for our products, input costs, surcharges, tax rates, stock repurchases, dividends, cash flow generation, costs and cost synergies, capital projects, economic trends, outlook and all other information relating to matters that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from the views expressed. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the outlook expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include, without limitation: changes in economic and business conditions; changes in financial and operating performance of our major customers and industries and markets served by us; the timing of orders received from customers; the gain or loss of significant customers; competition from other manufacturers; changes in the demand for our products or the end-user markets in which our products are sold; limitations or prohibitions on the manufacture and sale of our products; availability of raw materials; increases in the cost of raw materials and energy, and our ability to pass through such increases to our customers; changes in our markets in general; fluctuations in foreign currencies; changes in laws and government regulation impacting our operations or our products; the occurrence of regulatory actions, proceedings, claims or litigation; the occurrence of cyber-security breaches, terrorist attacks, industrial accidents, natural disasters or climate change; the inability to maintain current levels of product or premises liability insurance or the denial of such coverage; political unrest affecting the global economy, including adverse effects from terrorism or hostilities; political instability affecting our manufacturing operations or joint ventures; changes in accounting standards; the inability to achieve results from our global manufacturing cost reduction initiatives as well as our ongoing continuous improvement and rationalization programs; changes in the jurisdictional mix of our earnings and changes in tax laws and rates; changes in monetary policies, inflation or interest rates that may impact our ability to raise capital or increase our cost of funds, impact the performance of our pension fund investments and increase our pension expense and funding obligations; volatility and uncertainties in the debt and equity markets; technology or intellectual property infringement, including cyber-security breaches, and other innovation risks; decisions we may make in the future; the ability to successfully execute, operate and integrate acquisitions and divestitures; uncertainties as to the duration and impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and the other factors detailed from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC, including those described under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to provide any revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)


                                                         Three Months Ended


                                           
           
             March 31,


                                        2020                         2019


                   Net sales                 $
          738,845                          $
        832,064


      Cost of goods sold             496,827                                  548,578


                   Gross profit      242,018                                  283,486


      Selling, general and
       administrative
       expenses                      101,877                                  113,355


      Research and
       development expenses           16,097                                   14,977


                   Operating profit  124,044                                  155,154


      Interest and financing
       expenses                     (16,885)                                (12,586)


      Other income, net                8,314                                   11,291


      Income before income
       taxes and equity in
       net income of
       unconsolidated
       investments                   115,473                                  153,859


      Income tax expense              18,442                                   37,514


      Income before equity in
       net income of
       unconsolidated
       investments                    97,031                                  116,345


      Equity in net income of
       unconsolidated
       investments (net of
       tax)                           26,604                                   35,181



     Net income                     123,635                                  151,526


      Net income attributable
       to noncontrolling
       interests                    (16,431)                                (17,957)


      Net income attributable
       to Albemarle
       Corporation                           $
          107,204                          $
        133,569


      Basic earnings per
       share                                    $
          1.01                             $
        1.26



      Diluted earnings per
       share                                    $
          1.01                             $
        1.26




      Weighted-average
       common shares
       outstanding - basic           106,227                                  105,799


      Weighted-average
       common shares
       outstanding - diluted         106,512                                  106,356

Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)


                                          March 31,                           December 31,


                                               2020                    2019


                   ASSETS



     Current assets:


      Cash and cash equivalents                       $
       553,228                           $
       613,110


      Trade accounts receivable             518,703                   612,651


      Other accounts receivable              73,765                    67,551



     Inventories                           853,500                   768,984


      Other current assets                  155,985                   162,813


      Total current assets                2,155,181                 2,225,109


      Property, plant and
       equipment                          6,973,817                 6,817,843


      Less accumulated
       depreciation and
       amortization                       1,947,848                 1,908,370


      Net property, plant and
       equipment                          5,025,969                 4,909,473



     Investments                           543,670                   579,813



     Other assets                          219,202                   213,061



     Goodwill                            1,559,055                 1,578,785


      Other intangibles, net of
       amortization                         344,561                   354,622



     Total assets                                  $
       9,847,638                         $
       9,860,863


                   LIABILITIES AND EQUITY


      Current liabilities:


      Accounts payable                                $
       573,075                           $
       574,138


      Accrued expenses                      491,579                   553,160


      Current portion of long-
       term debt                             35,615                   187,336


      Dividends payable                      40,715                    38,764


      Current operating lease
       liability                             23,826                    23,137


      Income taxes payable                   28,116                    32,461


      Total current liabilities           1,192,926                 1,408,996



     Long-term debt                      3,105,225                 2,862,921


      Postretirement benefits                50,673                    50,899


      Pension benefits                      285,851                   292,073


      Other noncurrent
       liabilities                          768,757                   754,536


      Deferred income taxes                 402,681                   397,858


      Commitments and
       contingencies



     Equity:


      Albemarle Corporation
       shareholders' equity:



     Common stock                            1,063                     1,061


      Additional paid-in
       capital                            1,393,681                 1,383,446


      Accumulated other
       comprehensive loss                 (526,489)                (395,735)


      Retained earnings                   3,009,749                 2,943,478


      Total Albemarle
       Corporation shareholders'
       equity                             3,878,004                 3,932,250


      Noncontrolling interests              163,521                   161,330



     Total equity                        4,041,525                 4,093,580


      Total liabilities and
       equity                                       $
       9,847,638                         $
       9,860,863

Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)


                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                   
        March 31,


                                            2020                     2019


      Cash and cash equivalents at
       beginning of year                         $
      613,110                          $
     555,320


      Cash flows from operating
       activities:



     Net income                         123,635                              151,526


      Adjustments to reconcile net
       income to cash flows from
       operating activities:


      Depreciation and amortization       53,694                               49,283


      Gain on sale of property                                              (11,079)


      Stock-based compensation and
       other                               2,501                                5,556


      Equity in net income of
       unconsolidated investments (net
       of tax)                          (26,604)                            (35,181)


      Dividends received from
       unconsolidated investments and
       nonmarketable securities                                                3,034


      Pension and postretirement
       (benefit) expense                 (1,719)                                 578


      Pension and postretirement
       contributions                     (6,113)                             (3,555)


      Unrealized gain on investments
       in marketable securities            (627)                               (476)



     Deferred income taxes                4,790                                7,580


      Working capital changes             17,730                            (122,939)



     Other, net                        (12,233)                              10,589


      Net cash provided by operating
       activities                        155,054                               54,916


      Cash flows from investing
       activities:


      Acquisitions, net of cash
       acquired                         (22,572)



     Capital expenditures             (214,529)                           (216,132)


      Proceeds from sale of property
       and equipment                                                          10,356


      Sales of marketable securities,
       net                                 2,589                                1,090


      Investments in equity and other
       corporate investments               (356)                             (2,509)


      Net cash used in investing
       activities                      (234,868)                           (207,195)


      Cash flows from financing
       activities:


      Proceeds from borrowings of
       credit agreements                 250,000


      Other (repayments) borrowings,
       net                             (151,872)                             118,223


      Dividends paid to shareholders    (38,982)                            (35,387)


      Dividends paid to noncontrolling
       interests                        (14,286)


      Proceeds from exercise of stock
       options                            10,195                                2,676


      Withholding taxes paid on stock-
       based compensation award
       distributions                     (3,825)                            (10,255)



     Debt financing costs                 (214)


      Net cash provided by financing
       activities                         51,016                               75,257


      Net effect of foreign exchange
       on cash and cash equivalents     (31,084)                            (13,024)


      Decrease in cash and cash
       equivalents                      (59,882)                            (90,046)


      Cash and cash equivalents at end
       of period                                 $
      553,228                          $
     465,274

Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Summary of Segment Results
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)


                                                Three Months Ended


                                    
         
             March 31,


                                 2020                       2019


                  Net sales:


     Lithium                          $
        236,818                          $
     291,886


     Bromine
      Specialties             231,592                                249,052


     Catalysts                207,207                                251,648


     All Other                 63,228                                 39,478


     Total net
      sales                           $
        738,845                          $
     832,064




                  Adjusted
                   EBITDA:


     Lithium                           $
        78,637                          $
     115,616


     Bromine
      Specialties              83,262                                 78,597


     Catalysts                 47,470                                 60,071


     All Other                 22,824                                  7,243


     Corporate               (35,828)                              (35,660)


     Total adjusted
      EBITDA                          $
        196,365                          $
     225,867

See accompanying non-GAAP reconciliations below.

Additional Information

It should be noted that adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-operating pension and OPEB items per diluted share, non-recurring and other unusual items per diluted share, adjusted effective income tax rates, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA margin and adjusted EBITDA margin are financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as alternatives to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation ("earnings"). These measures are presented here to provide additional useful measurements to review our operations, provide transparency to investors and enable period-to-period comparability of financial performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker uses these measures to assess the ongoing performance of the Company and its segments, as well as for business and enterprise planning purposes.

A description of other non-GAAP financial measures that we use to evaluate our operations and financial performance, and reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP can be found on the following pages of this press release, which is also is available on Albemarle's website at https://investors.albemarle.com. The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, as the Company is unable to estimate significant non-recurring or unusual items without unreasonable effort. The amounts and timing of these items are uncertain and could be material to the Company's results calculated in accordance with GAAP.

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
(Unaudited)

See below for a reconciliation of adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measures, to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation ("earnings"), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted earnings is defined as earnings before the non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB items as listed below. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest and financing expenses, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA and the non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB items as listed below.


                                                               Three Months Ended


                                                
            
             March 31,


                     In thousands, except
                      percentages and per
                      share amounts                 2020                          2019

    ---

        Net income
         attributable to
         Albemarle Corporation                           $
           107,204                      $
        133,569



       Add back:


        Non-operating pension
         and OPEB items (net
         of tax)                                 (2,311)                                (569)


        Non-recurring and
         other unusual items
         (net of tax)                              1,493                               (2,012)


        Adjusted net income
         attributable to
         Albemarle Corporation                           $
           106,386                      $
        130,988




        Adjusted diluted
         earnings per share                                 $
           1.00                         $
        1.23




        Weighted-average
         common shares
         outstanding - diluted                   106,512                               106,356




        Net income
         attributable to
         Albemarle Corporation                           $
           107,204                      $
        133,569



       Add back:


        Interest and financing
         expenses                                 16,885                                12,586


        Income tax expense                        18,442                                37,514


        Depreciation and
         amortization                             53,694                                49,283


                     EBITDA                      196,225                               232,952


        Non-operating pension
         and OPEB items                          (2,908)                                (583)


        Non-recurring and
         other unusual items                       3,048                               (6,502)


                     Adjusted EBITDA                     $
           196,365                      $
        225,867





       Net sales                                        $
           738,845                      $
        832,064


        EBITDA margin                     26.6
            %                                 28.0
                                                                                            %


        Adjusted EBITDA margin            26.6
            %                                 27.1
                                                                                            %

See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA on a segment basis, the non-GAAP financial measure, to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP (in thousands, except percentages).


                                     Lithium               Bromine          Catalysts             Reportable     All Other            Corporate Consolidated                % of Net
                                                         Specialties                            Segments Total                                      Total                     Sales


                  Three months ended
                   March 31, 2020:


     Net income (loss)                        $
      53,240                              $
     71,665                            $
     34,892                             $
     159,797                       $
      20,846               $
       (73,439)   $
     107,204   14.5
      attributable to
      Albemarle Corporation                                                                                                                                                                                                                           %


     Depreciation and                 25,397                         11,597                               12,578               49,572                      1,978                            2,144                   53,694             7.3
      amortization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Non-recurring and                                                                                                                                                                 3,048                    3,048             0.4
      other unusual items
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Interest and financing                                                                                                                                                           16,885                   16,885             2.3
      expenses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Income tax expense                                                                                                                                                               18,442                   18,442             2.5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Non-operating pension                                                                                                                                                           (2,908)                 (2,908)          (0.4)
      and OPEB items
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


                  Adjusted EBITDA             $
      78,637                              $
     83,262                            $
     47,470                             $
     209,369                       $
      22,824               $
       (35,828)   $
     196,365   26.6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      %




                  Three months ended
                   March 31, 2019:


     Net income (loss)                        $
      93,169                              $
     67,480                            $
     47,859                             $
     208,508                        $
      5,206               $
       (80,145)   $
     133,569   16.1
      attributable to
      Albemarle Corporation                                                                                                                                                                                                                           %


     Depreciation and                 22,092                         11,117                               12,212               45,421                      2,037                            1,825                   49,283             5.9
      amortization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Non-recurring and                   355                                                                                    355                                                    (6,857)                 (6,502)          (0.8)
      other unusual items
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Interest and financing                                                                                                                                                           12,586                   12,586             1.5
      expenses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Income tax expense                                                                                                                                                               37,514                   37,514             4.5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


     Non-operating pension                                                                                                                                                             (583)                   (583)          (0.1)
      and OPEB items
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  %


                  Adjusted EBITDA            $
      115,616                              $
     78,597                            $
     60,071                             $
     254,284                        $
      7,243               $
       (35,660)   $
     225,867   27.1

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      %

Non-operating pension and OPEB items, consisting of mark-to-market actuarial gains/losses, settlements/curtailments, interest cost and expected return on assets, are not allocated to our operating segments and are included in the Corporate category. In addition, we believe that these components of pension cost are mainly driven by market performance, and we manage these separately from the operational performance of our businesses. In accordance with GAAP, these non-operating pension and OPEB items are included in Other income, net. Non-operating pension and OPEB items were as follows (in thousands):


                              Three Months Ended


                  
            
          March 31,


                    2020                       2019


     Interest
      cost                 $
        7,155                       $
      8,869


     Expected
      return on
      assets    (10,063)                            (9,452)


     Total               $
        (2,908)                      $
      (583)

In addition to the non-operating pension and OPEB items disclosed above, we have identified certain other items and excluded them from our adjusted net income calculation for the periods presented. A listing of these items, as well as a detailed description of each follows below (per diluted share):


                                    Three Months Ended


                        
            
        March 31,


                            2020                  2019


      Restructuring and
       other(1)                  $
      0.01                      
     $


      Acquisition and
       integration
       related costs(2)     0.02                          0.04


      Gain on sale of
       property(3)                                     (0.08)



     Other(4)            (0.01)                       (0.01)


      Discrete tax
       items(5)           (0.01)                         0.03


      Total non-
       recurring and
       other unusual
       items                     $
      0.01                          $
     (0.02)

(1) Included in Cost of goods sold, Selling, general and administrative expenses and Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is $0.7 million, $1.5 million and a $0.3 million gain ($1.5 million after income taxes, or $0.01 per share), respectively, related to severance payments as part of a business reorganization plan.

(2) Acquisition and integration related costs included in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 of $3.0 million and $5.3 million ($2.3 million and $4.1 million after income taxes, or $0.02 and $0.04 per share), respectively, related to various significant projects including the Wodgina mine acquisition.

(3) Included in Other income, net, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is a gain of $11.1 million ($8.5 million after income taxes, or $0.08 per share) related to the sale of land in Pasadena, Texas not used as part of our operations.

(4) Other adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included amounts recorded in:

    --  Other income, net - $2.6 million gain resulting from the settlement of a
        legal matter related to a business sold, partially offset by a $0.8
        million loss resulting from the adjustment of indemnifications related
        to previously disposed businesses.

After income taxes, this net gain totaled $1.2 million, or $0.01 per share.

Other adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included amounts recorded in:

    --  Cost of goods sold - $0.4 million related to non-routine labor and
        compensation related costs in Chile that are outside normal compensation
        arrangements.
    --  Selling, general and administrative expenses - $0.5 million related to
        severance payments as part of a business reorganization plan.
    --  Other income, net - $1.6 million of a net gain resulting from the
        revision of indemnifications and other liabilities related to previously
        disposed businesses.

After income taxes, this net gain totaled $0.8 million, or $0.01 per share.

(5) Included in Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are discrete net tax benefits of $1.1 million, or $0.01 per share. This net benefit is primarily related to excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements.

Included in Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are discrete net tax expenses of $3.2 million, or $0.03 per share, primarily related to expenses for uncertain tax positions and foreign return to accrual adjustments, partially offset by a benefit for excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements.

See below for a reconciliation of the adjusted effective income tax rate, the non-GAAP financial measure, to the effective income tax rate, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP (in thousands, except percentages).


                                                                            Income before              Income tax          Effective
                                                                                                         expense             income
                                                                                                                            tax rate

                                                                          income taxes and

                                                                            equity in net
                                                                                income

                                                                          of unconsolidated
                                                                              investments



              
                Three months ended March 31, 2020:



              As reported                                                                  $
     115,473                               $
     18,442 16.0

                                                                                                                                                %



              Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and               461                            958
    OPEB items



              As adjusted                                                                  $
     115,934                               $
     19,400 16.7

                                                                                                                                                %





              
                Three months ended March 31, 2019:



              As reported                                                                  $
     153,859                               $
     37,514 24.4

                                                                                                                                                %



              Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and           (7,085)                       (4,504)
    OPEB items



              As adjusted                                                                  $
     146,774                               $
     33,010 22.5

                                                                                                                                                %

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SOURCE Albemarle Corporation