Albemarle Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a global leader in providing essential elements for mobility, energy, connectivity and health, today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

First-Quarter 2024 and Recent Highlights
(Unless otherwise stated, all percentage changes represent year-over-year comparisons)

    --  Net sales of $1.4 billion, driven by Energy Storage volume growth as
        projects ramp
    --  Net income of $2 million, or ($0.08)((a)) per diluted share attributable
        to common shareholders
    --  Adjusted diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders of $0.26
    --  Adjusted EBITDA((b)) of $291 million
    --  On track to deliver more than $280 million target in productivity
        benefits in 2024; in Q1, delivered over $90 million in productivity and
        restructuring cost savings
    --  Conducted successful bidding events for spodumene concentrate and
        lithium carbonate, designed to promote price transparency and discovery
    --  Achieved 50% operating rate milestone at Kemerton I; commissioning at
        Meishan and ramp of the Salar Yield Improvement Project continue to
        progress well
    --  Reaffirmed FY 2024 corporate outlook considerations, including ranges
        based on lithium market price scenarios

     (a) 
     After mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends


     (b)   Beginning in 2024, Adjusted EBITDA definition includes Albemarle's share of the pre-tax earnings
            of the Talison joint venture

"In the first quarter, our team demonstrated agility in dynamic market conditions by continuing to deliver solid volumetric growth, ramping new conversion facilities, and executing cost reduction and productivity improvements," said Kent Masters, Albemarle's chairman and CEO. "We have strengthened our competitive position, enhanced our financial flexibility, and started to increase lithium market price transparency. Our actions best position us to serve our core end-markets today and for the future." Masters added, "We remain focused on disciplined capital allocation to deliver profitable organic growth and value for all stakeholders."

2024 Total Corporate Outlook Considerations
The company maintains its prior full-year outlook, which is based on three lithium market price scenarios.


                                                                                            Total Corporate FY 2024E

                                                                                      Including Energy Storage Scenarios



     Observed market price case
              
            (a)               YE 2023              Q4 2023 average                 H2 2023 average


      Average lithium market price ($/kg LCE)
          
       (a)   
             ~$15          
              ~$20                  
             ~$25



     Net sales                                             
       $5.5 - $6.2 billion 
        $6.1 - $6.8 billion   
             $6.9 - $7.6 billion



     Adjusted EBITDA
              
                (b)(c)         
       $0.9 - $1.2 billion 
        $1.6 - $1.8 billion   
             $2.3 - $2.6 billion



     (a) 
     Price represents blend of relevant Asia and China market indices for the periods referenced.


     (b)   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. See "Additional Information regarding Non-GAAP Measures" for more information.


     (c) 
     Presented under updated adjusted EBITDA definition as of 2024. FY23 adjusted EBITDA under updated definition would be $3.5B. See Non-GAAP Reconciliations for further details.

2024 Other Corporate Outlook Considerations
Following the company's public offering of depository shares representing an interest in its mandatory convertible preferred stock, interest and financing expenses are expected to be at the low end of the previous range of $180 to $220 million. The change in weighted-average common shares outstanding (diluted) reflects the recently issued shares of mandatory convertible preferred stock on an as-converted basis. The change to the adjusted effective tax rate range is related to geographic income mix and is dependent on the assumption of lithium market price. All other corporate outlook considerations are unchanged.


                                                                     Other Corporate FY
                                                                            2024E



     Capital expenditures                                    
         $1.6 - $1.8 billion



     Depreciation and amortization                           
         $580 - $660 million



     Adjusted effective tax rate                                            (5%) - 27%



     Corporate costs                                         
         $120 - $150 million



     Interest and financing expenses                         
         $180 - $210 million



     Weighted-average common shares outstanding (diluted)(d)   135 -139 million



     (d) Each quarter, Albemarle will report the more dilutive of either: 1) adding the underlying shares in the mandatory to the share count or 2) reducing Albemarle's net income to common shareholders by the mandatory dividend. The 20-day volume-weighted average
          common share price will be used in determining the underlying shares to be added to the share count.

First Quarter 2024 Results



              
                In millions, except per share amounts        Q1 2024 Q1 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



              Net sales                                                $1,360.7 $2,580.3     $(1,219.5)   (47.3) %



              Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation             $2.4 $1,238.6     $(1,236.1)   (99.8) %



              Adjusted EBITDA
              
                (a)(b)              $291.2 $1,761.7     $(1,470.5)   (83.5) %



              Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to         $(0.08)  $10.51       $(10.59)  (100.8) %
    common shareholders



                 Non-recurring and other unusual items
              
     (a)     0.34   (0.19)



              Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to         $0.26   $10.32       $(10.06)   (97.5) %
    common shareholders
              
                (a)(c)



     (a) 
     See Non-GAAP Reconciliations for further details.


     (b)   For comparability, 2023 figures presented under adjusted EBITDA definition that the company
            adopted beginning in 2024.


     (c) 
     Totals may not add due to rounding.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2024 were $1.4 billion compared to $2.6 billion for the prior-year quarter, a year-over-year decline of 47% that was driven primarily by lower pricing in Energy Storage. Net income attributable to Albemarle of $2 million decreased by $1.2 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $291 million declined by $1.5 billion from the prior-year quarter. The decline in earnings was primarily due to lower lithium market pricing, as well as additional margin compression due to inventory timing and reduced equity earnings at the Talison joint venture, which more than offset favorable volumes.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was 2.2% compared to 23.9% in the same period of 2023. On an adjusted basis, the effective income tax rates were (12.4)% and 23.6% for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the decrease primarily due to changes in the geographic income mix.

Energy Storage Results



     
                In millions Q1 2024 Q1 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net Sales                 $800.9 $1,943.7     $(1,142.8)   (58.8) %



     Adjusted EBITDA           $198.0 $1,567.7     $(1,369.7)   (87.4) %

Energy Storage net sales for the first quarter of 2024 were $801 million, a decrease of $1.1 billion, or 59%, due to lower pricing (-89%), which more than offset higher volumes (+31%) related to the ramp of lithium projects, including the La Negra III/IV expansion in Chile and the processing plant in Qinzhou, China, and sales of chemical-grade spodumene. Adjusted EBITDA of $198 million decreased $1.4 billion, driven by lower lithium market pricing, as well as margin compression due to inventory timing and reduced equity earnings at the Talison joint venture, which more than offset favorable volumes.

Specialties Results



     
                In millions Q1 2024 Q1 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net Sales                 $316.1   $418.8       $(102.7)   (24.5) %



     Adjusted EBITDA            $45.2   $162.2       $(117.0)   (72.1) %

Specialties net sales for the first quarter of 2024 were $316 million, a decrease of $103 million, or 25%, primarily due to lower prices (-19%) and lower volumes (-6%). Adjusted EBITDA of $45 million decreased $117 million. Both volumes and prices were impacted by weaker demand, particularly for consumer electronics.

Ketjen Results



     
                In millions Q1 2024 Q1 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net Sales                 $243.8   $217.8          $26.0      11.9 %



     Adjusted EBITDA            $22.0    $14.5           $7.4      51.1 %

Ketjen net sales of $244 million for the first quarter of 2024 were up 12% compared to the previous year due to higher volumes (+10%) and higher prices (+2%), primarily from clean fuel technologies. Adjusted EBITDA of $22 million increased $7 million largely due to higher sales and lower input costs.

Cash Flow and Capital Deployment
Cash from operations of $98 million for the first quarter of 2024 decreased $623 million versus the prior year period. The year-over-year decrease was driven by lower adjusted EBITDA and reduced dividends received from equity investments, partially offset by lower investment in working capital. Capital expenditures of $579 million increased by $164 million versus the prior-year period due to the timing of project spend.

On March 8, 2024, Albemarle completed a $2.3 billion public mandatory convertible preferred stock offering to fortify the balance sheet, enhance financial flexibility, and fund in-flight growth investments. Albemarle's capital allocation priorities continue to focus on investing in its organic opportunities to drive profitable growth, maintaining its investment grade credit rating, and funding its dividends.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2024, Albemarle had estimated liquidity of approximately $3.7 billion, including $2.1 billion of cash and equivalents, $1.5 billion available under its revolver and $124 million available under other credit lines. Total debt was $3.5 billion, representing a debt covenant net debt to adjusted EBITDA of approximately 0.9 times.

Earnings Call



     Date:                      Thursday, May 2,
                                  2024



     Time:                      9:00 AM Eastern
                                  time



     Dial-in (U.S.):            1-800-590-8290



     Dial-in (International):   1-240-690-8800



     Conference ID:           
     ALBQ1

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) leads the world in transforming essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. We partner to pioneer new ways to move, power, connect and protect with people and planet in mind. A reliable and high-quality global supply of lithium and bromine allow us to deliver advanced solutions for our customers. Learn more about how the people of Albemarle are enabling a more resilient world at albemarle.com and on X (formerly Twitter) @AlbemarleCorp.

Albemarle regularly posts information to www.albemarle.com, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, non-GAAP reconciliations, Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings and other information regarding the company, its businesses and the markets it serves.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements concerning our expectations, anticipations and beliefs regarding the future, which constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which are based on assumptions that we have made as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, often contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "guidance," "intend," "may," "outlook," "scenario," "should," "would," and "will". Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding: our 2024 company and segment outlooks, including expected market pricing of lithium and spodumene and other underlying assumptions and outlook considerations; expected capital expenditure amounts and the corresponding impact on cash flow; market pricing of lithium carbonate equivalent and spodumene; anticipated timing of the commissioning of the Meishan China lithium conversion facility; plans and expectations regarding other projects and activities, cost reductions and accounting charges, and all other information relating to matters that are not historical facts. Factors that could cause Albemarle's actual results to differ materially from the outlook expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include: changes in economic and business conditions; financial and operating performance of customers; timing and magnitude of customer orders; fluctuations in lithium market prices; production volume shortfalls; increased competition; changes in product demand; availability and cost of raw materials and energy; technological change and development; fluctuations in foreign currencies; changes in laws and government regulation; regulatory actions, proceedings, claims or litigation; cyber-security breaches, terrorist attacks, industrial accidents or natural disasters; political unrest; changes in inflation or interest rates; volatility in the debt and equity markets; acquisition and divestiture transactions; timing and success of projects; performance of Albemarle's partners in joint ventures and other projects; changes in credit ratings; and the other factors detailed from time to time in the reports Albemarle files with the SEC, including those described under "Risk Factors" in Albemarle's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the SEC and available on the investor section of Albemarle's website (investors.albemarle.com) and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Albemarle assumes 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,


                                                                                                  2024        2023



              Net sales                                                                    $1,360,736  $2,580,252



              Cost of goods sold                                                            1,321,798   1,303,712



              Gross profit                                                                     38,938   1,276,540



              Selling, general and administrative expenses                                    194,912     154,306



              Research and development expenses                                                23,532      20,471



              Operating (loss) profit                                                       (179,506)  1,101,763



              Interest and financing expenses                                                (37,969)   (26,777)



              Other income, net                                                                49,901      82,492



              (Loss) income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated  (167,574)  1,157,478
    investments



              Income tax (benefit) expense                                                    (3,721)    276,963



              (Loss) income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments       (163,853)    880,515



              Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)                 180,500     396,188



              Net income                                                                       16,647   1,276,703



              Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                            (14,199)   (38,123)



              Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation                                  2,448   1,238,580



              Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends                                (11,584)



              Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders    $(9,136) $1,238,580



              Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders             $(0.08)     $10.57



              Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders           $(0.08)     $10.51





              Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic                              117,451     117,232



              Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted                            117,451     117,841



     Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries


     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


     (In Thousands) (Unaudited)




                                                         March 31, December 31,


                                                              2024          2023



     
                ASSETS



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                         $2,055,813      $889,900



     Trade accounts receivable                            874,038     1,213,160



     Other accounts receivable                            438,507       509,097



     Inventories                                        1,904,827     2,161,287



     Other current assets                                 549,540       443,475



     Total current assets                               5,822,725     5,216,919



     Property, plant and equipment                     12,587,763    12,233,757



     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     2,831,728     2,738,553



     Net property, plant and equipment                  9,756,035     9,495,204



     Investments                                        1,259,001     1,369,855



     Other assets                                         329,283       297,087



     Goodwill                                           1,613,534     1,629,729



     Other intangibles, net of amortization               251,755       261,858



     Total assets                                     $19,032,333   $18,270,652



     
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



     Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable to third parties                 $1,165,955    $1,537,859



     Accounts payable to related parties                  129,613       550,186



     Accrued expenses                                     454,600       544,835



     Current portion of long-term debt                      5,076       625,761



     Dividends payable                                     58,354        46,666



     Income taxes payable                                 237,098       255,155



     Total current liabilities                          2,050,696     3,560,462



     Long-term debt                                     3,519,453     3,541,002



     Postretirement benefits                               26,382        26,247



     Pension benefits                                     145,067       150,312



     Other noncurrent liabilities                         833,548       769,100



     Deferred income taxes                                657,468       558,430



     Commitments and contingencies



     Equity:



     Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity:



     Common stock                                           1,175         1,174



     Mandatory convertible preferred stock              2,235,379



     Additional paid-in capital                         2,962,585     2,952,517



     Accumulated other comprehensive loss               (597,205)    (528,526)



     Retained earnings                                  6,930,868     6,987,015



     Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity  11,532,802     9,412,180



     Noncontrolling interests                             266,917       252,919



     Total equity                                      11,799,719     9,665,099



     Total liabilities and equity                     $19,032,333   $18,270,652



              Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries


              Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data


              (In Thousands) (Unaudited)




                                                                                                        Three Months Ended

                                                                                                        March 31,


                                                                                                  2024       2023



              Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                 $889,900 $1,499,142



              Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net income                                                                       16,647  1,276,703



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



              Depreciation and amortization                                                   123,751     87,271



              Stock-based compensation and other                                                9,317     10,540



              Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)               (180,500) (396,188)



              Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable             50,756    547,552
    securities



              Pension and postretirement expense                                                1,273      1,954



              Pension and postretirement contributions                                        (4,824)   (2,825)



              Realized loss on investments in marketable securities                            33,746



              Unrealized loss (gain) on investments in marketable securities                    6,737   (45,732)



              Deferred income taxes                                                           116,447     14,098



              Working capital changes                                                        (52,320) (764,071)



              Other, net                                                                     (23,076)   (8,322)



              Net cash provided by operating activities                                        97,954    720,980



              Cash flows from investing activities:



              Capital expenditures                                                          (579,322) (415,608)



              Sales (purchases) of marketable securities, net                                  84,893  (122,267)



              Investments in equity investments and nonmarketable securities                     (74)   (1,133)



              Net cash used in investing activities                                         (494,503) (539,008)



              Cash flows from financing activities:



              Proceeds from issuance of mandatory convertible preferred stock               2,236,750



              Repayments of long-term debt and credit agreements                             (29,019)



              Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt and credit agreements                 29,019



              Other debt repayments, net                                                    (620,753)     (713)



              Dividends paid to shareholders                                                 (46,908)  (46,282)



              Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests                                            -  (53,145)



              Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                              86         81



              Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions         (10,619)  (18,617)



              Other                                                                           (1,256)



              Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                           1,557,300  (118,676)



              Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents                       5,162     24,296



              Increase in cash and cash equivalents                                         1,165,913     87,592



              Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                   $2,055,813 $1,586,734



     Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries


     Consolidated Summary of Segment Results


     (In Thousands) (Unaudited)


                                                             Three Months Ended


                                                             March 31,


                                                    2024       2023



     
                Net sales:



     Energy Storage                            $800,898 $1,943,682



     Specialties                                316,065    418,778



     Ketjen                                     243,773    217,792



     Total net sales                         $1,360,736 $2,580,252





     
                Adjusted EBITDA:



     Energy Storage                            $197,996 $1,567,692



     Specialties                                 45,181    162,158



     Ketjen                                      21,979     14,543



     Total segment adjusted EBITDA              265,156  1,744,393



     Corporate                                   26,080     17,311



     Total adjusted EBITDA                     $291,236 $1,761,704

See accompanying non-GAAP reconciliations below.

Additional Information regarding Non-GAAP Measures

It should be noted that adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders, adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders, non-operating pension and other post-employment benefit ("OPEB") items per diluted share, non-recurring and other unusual items per diluted share, adjusted effective income tax rates, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA (on a consolidated basis), 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") or other comparable measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP. These measures are presented here to provide additional useful measurements to review the company's 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 Albemarle uses to evaluate its 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, adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (on a consolidated basis), which are 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 net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders is defined as net income after mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends, but before the non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) items as listed below. The non-recurring and unusual items may include acquisition and integration related costs, gains or losses on sales of businesses, restructuring charges, facility divestiture charges, certain litigation and arbitration costs and charges, and other significant non-recurring items. EBITDA is defined as net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation before interest and financing expenses, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA plus or minus the proportionate share of Windfield Holdings income tax expense, non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB items as listed below.


                                                                                                     
           
              Three Months Ended


                                                                                                       
            
                March 31,


                                                                                                               2024                                          2023



       
                In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts           
     
              $              % of         
              
             $             % of
                                                                                                         net                                            net
                                                                                                        sales                                          sales

    ---


       Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation                                      $2,448                                        $1,238,580



       Add back:



       Non-operating pension and OPEB items (net of tax)                                      (351)                                              374



       Non-recurring and other unusual items (net of tax)                                    40,044                                          (22,774)



       Adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation                             42,141                                         1,216,180



           Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends                                 (11,584)



       Adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders        $30,557                                        $1,216,180





       Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders                $0.26                                            $10.32





       Adjusted weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted                        117,668                                           117,841





       Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation                                      $2,448              0.2 %                     $1,238,580            48.0 %



       Add back:



       Interest and financing expenses                                                       37,969              2.8 %                         26,777             1.0 %



       Income tax (benefit) expense                                                         (3,721)           (0.3) %                        276,963            10.7 %



       Depreciation and amortization                                                        123,751              9.1 %                         87,271             3.4 %



       
                EBITDA                                                                  160,447             11.8 %                      1,629,591            63.2 %



       Proportionate share of Windfield income tax expense                                   73,689              5.4 %                        165,985             6.4 %



       Non-operating pension and OPEB items                                                   (325)               - %                           601               - %



       Non-recurring and other unusual items                                                 57,425              4.2 %                       (34,473)          (1.3) %



       
                Adjusted EBITDA                                                        $291,236             21.4 %                     $1,761,704            68.3 %





       Net sales                                                                         $1,360,736                                        $2,580,252

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 Albemarle's operating segments and are included in the Corporate category. In addition, the company believes that these components of pension cost are mainly driven by market performance, and the company manages these separately from the operational performance of the company's 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,


                                   2024     2023



     Interest cost              $8,505   $9,010



     Expected return on assets (8,830) (8,409)



     Total                      $(325)    $601

In addition to the non-operating pension and OPEB items disclosed above, the company has identified certain other items and excluded them from Albemarle's 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,


                                                                 2024                    2023



     Restructuring and other charges(1)                        $0.23 
            $            -



     Acquisition and integration related costs(2)               0.01                    0.03



     Loss (gain) in fair value of public equity securities(3)   0.35                  (0.29)



     Other(4)                                                 (0.15)                   0.04



     Tax related items(5)                                     (0.10)                   0.03



     Total non-recurring and other unusual items               $0.34                 $(0.19)




     (1)    In January 2024, the Company announced it was taking measures to unlock near term cash flow and generate long-term financial flexibility by re-phasing organic growth investments and optimizing its cost structure. As a result, the Company recorded severance
               costs for employees in Corporate and each of the businesses, and losses related to the cancellation of certain capital expenditure projects. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, $33.5 million of these expenses were recorded in Selling, general and
               administrative expenses and $2.8 million were recorded in Other income, net ($27.0 million after income taxes, or $0.23 per share). The severance has primarily been paid, with the remainder to be paid in 2024.





     (2)    Costs related to the acquisition, integration and divestitures for various significant projects, recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1.9 million and $5.1 million ($1.5 million and
               $4.0 million after income taxes, or $0.01 and $0.03 per share), respectively.





     (3)    Loss of $33.7 million and $9.4 million recorded in Other income, net resulting from the sale of investments in public equity securities and the change in fair value of investments in public equity securities, respectively, for the three months ended March 31,
               2024 ($41.1 million after income taxes, or $0.35 per share). Gain of $45.8 million ($34.4 million after income taxes, or $0.29 per share) recorded in Other income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2023, resulting from the increase in fair value of
               investments in public equity securities.





     (4) 
      Other adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included amounts recorded in:

              Cost of goods sold - $1.4 million of expenses related to non-routine labor and compensation related costs that are outside normal compensation arrangements.
              Selling, general and administrative expenses - $0.1 million of expenses related to
               certain legal costs.
              Other income, net - $17.3 million gain primarily from the sale of assets at a site not part of our operations, an $8.7 million gain from PIK dividends of preferred equity in a Grace subsidiary and a $2.4 million gain primarily
               resulting from the adjustment of indemnification related to a previously disposed business, partially offset by $2.9 million of charges for asset retirement obligations at a site not part of our operations.


           
      After income taxes, these net gains totaled $17.3 million, or $0.15 per share.




           
      Other adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 included amounts recorded in:

              Selling, general and administrative expenses -$1.9 million of charges primarily for environmental reserves at sites not part of our operations and $0.7 million of facility closure expenses related to offices in Germany.
              Other income, net -$3.6
               million of asset retirement obligation charges primarily for a site not part of our operations.


           
      After income taxes, these net charges totaled $4.8 million, or $0.04 per share.





     (5)    Included in Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are discrete net tax benefits of $12.3 million, or $0.10 per share primarily related to the reduction in a foreign tax reserve and excess tax benefits realized from stock-based
               compensation arrangements.




              Included in Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are discrete net tax expenses of $2.9 million, or $0.03 per share primarily related to foreign return to provisions offset by 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 expense       Effective income
                                                                                                                                       tax
                                                                            income taxes and                               rate
                                                                          equity in net income
                                                                            of unconsolidated
                                                                               investments



         
                Three months ended March 31, 2024



         As reported                                                                       $(167,574)           $(3,721)                  2.2 %



         Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB                       57,100              17,407
    items



         As adjusted                                                                       $(110,474)            $13,686                (12.4) %





         
                Three months ended March 31, 2023



         As reported                                                                       $1,157,478            $276,963                  23.9 %



         Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB                     (33,872)           (11,472)
    items



         As adjusted                                                                       $1,123,606            $265,491                  23.6 %

As noted above, beginning in 2024, the company changed its definition of adjusted EBITDA for financial accounting purposes. The updated definition includes Albemarle's share of the pre-tax earnings of the Talison joint venture, whereas the prior definition included Albemarle's share of Talison earnings net of tax. See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA (on a consolidated basis), the non-GAAP financial measure, to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation ("earnings"), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, as if it were presented under the new definition for the year ended December 31, 2023.



     Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation     $1,573,476



     Depreciation and amortization                           429,944



     Interest and financing expenses                         116,072



     Income tax expense                                      430,277



     Proportionate share of Windfield income tax expense     779,703



     Gain on sale of business/interest in properties, net   (71,190)



     Acquisition and integration related costs                26,767



     Goodwill impairment                                       6,765



     Non-operating pension and OPEB items                    (7,971)



     Mark-to-market gain on public equity securities          44,732



     Legal accrual                                           218,510



     Other                                                   (1,097)



     
                Total adjusted EBITDA                   $3,545,988

Contact:
Meredith Bandy 1.980.999.5168

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SOURCE Albemarle Corporation