Albemarle Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 31, 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 second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

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

    --  Net sales of $1.4 billion, as lower pricing year-over-year was partly
        offset by Energy Storage volume growth of 37% as new capacity additions
        ramp
    --  Net loss of ($188) million, or ($1.96) per diluted share attributable to
        common shareholders, which included an after-tax charge of $215 million
        related to capital project asset write-offs and associated contract
        cancellation costs
    --  Adjusted diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders of $0.04
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $386 million, up sequentially, driven by higher
        equity income from increased Talison JV sales volumes
    --  Cash from operations of $363 million, an increase of $289 million
        year-over-year, driven by higher Talison JV dividends and working
        capital improvements
    --  Delivered more than $150 million in productivity benefits; on track to
        exceed the company's full-year restructuring and productivity target by
        50%
    --  Maintaining full-year outlook considerations; notably, the previously
        published $15/kg scenario is expected to apply even assuming lower July
        market pricing persists for the remainder of the year
    --  Initiating comprehensive review of cost and operating structure to
        maintain competitive position, while addressing current end-market
        realities, including immediate footprint changes at the Kemerton,
        Australia site

"Our operational mindset continued to serve us well in the second quarter as Albemarle progressed important organic growth initiatives while taking actions to maintain our long-term competitive position," said Kent Masters, Albemarle's chairman and CEO. "We achieved the first commercial sales of product from our Meishan conversion plant and delivered more than $150 million in productivity benefits. We are also maintaining our full-year 2024 corporate outlook considerations."

Masters continued, "Building on the progress already underway, we are announcing a comprehensive review of our cost and operating structure, beginning with immediate footprint actions at our Kemerton site in Australia. The review and steps underway will maintain Albemarle's competitive position and ensure we execute with agility today and in the future."

Announcement of Asset and Cost Actions and Initiation of Review to Optimize Cost and Operating Structure

Albemarle announced today asset and cost actions designed to enhance its long-term competitiveness as part of a comprehensive review of its cost and operating structure. The review will help ensure that Albemarle maintains its competitive position throughout the cycle and is positioned for long-term value creation as it navigates end-market challenges, primarily in the lithium value chain. The asset and cost actions announced today include placing Kemerton Train 2 in care and maintenance, stopping construction on Kemerton Train 3, and focusing on optimizing and ramping Kemerton Train 1. As a result, Albemarle expects to recognize a charge in the range of $0.9-$1.1 billion as an exceptional item in the company's third-quarter 2024 results.

Today's announcement builds on the proactive measures announced by Albemarle in January 2024 to re-phase its organic growth investments and optimize its cost structure. Regarding those measures, in the second quarter, Albemarle delivered more than $150 million in productivity and restructuring cost improvements and is on track to exceed the company's initial target by approximately 50%. During the second quarter of 2024, the company recorded an after-tax charge of $215 million primarily related to stopping construction on Kemerton Train 4 and other capital project asset write-offs and associated contract cancellation costs.

Total Corporate Outlook Considerations

The company is maintaining its prior full-year outlook considerations, which are based on observed lithium market price scenarios. Notably, the previously published $15/kg range is expected to apply even when assuming that lower July market pricing persists for the remainder of the year, due to enterprise-wide cost improvements, strong volume growth, higher shipments from the Talison JV, and Energy Storage contract performance. These factors are expected to more than offset lower pricing and a reduced Specialties outlook.


                                                                      
           
           Total Corporate FY 2024E

                                                                                 Including Energy Storage Scenarios



            Observed market price case(a)                   Recent pricing            Q4 2023 average                H2 2023 average



            Average lithium market price ($/kg LCE)(a)       
            $12-15       
            ~$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



            Weighted-average common shares outstanding       ~118 million               ~118 million                     135 -139
                                                                                                                           million
    (diluted)(d)



     (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.


     (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.

2024 Other Corporate Outlook Considerations

The company is reducing its Specialties adjusted EBITDA outlook due to a slower than expected market rebound and higher logistics costs related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Capital expenditures are now expected to be at the high-end of $1.7 to $1.8 billion related to timing of capital spending. Depreciation and amortization reflects a tighter range in light of year-to-date expense. Lower expected corporate costs reflect favorable interest income and on-going cost and productivity improvements. Lower interest and financing expenses reflect the repayment of short-term debt. Below are outlook considerations updated from our first quarter earnings release issued on May 1, 2024. All other corporate outlook considerations are unchanged.


                                              Other FY 2024E
                                               Considerations



     Specialties adj. EBITDA         
       $210 - $260 million



     Capital expenditures            
       $1.7 - $1.8 billion



     Depreciation and amortization   
       $580 - $630 million



     Corporate costs (excluding FX)    
       $60 - $90 million



     Interest and financing expenses 
       $140 - $170 million

Second Quarter 2024 Results



     
                In millions, except per share amounts                             Q2 2024 Q2 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net sales                                                                     $1,430.4 $2,370.2       $(939.8)   (39.7) %



     Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation                       $(188.2)  $650.0       $(838.2)  (129.0) %



     Adjusted EBITDA(a)(b)                                                           $386.4 $1,266.2       $(879.9)   (69.5) %



     Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders          $(1.96)   $5.52        $(7.48)  (135.5) %



        Non-recurring and other unusual items(a)                                       1.99     1.81



     Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders(a)(c)    $0.04    $7.33        $(7.29)   (99.5) %



     (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 second quarter of 2024 were $1.4 billion compared to $2.4 billion for the prior-year quarter, a year-over-year decline of 40% driven primarily by lower pricing in Energy Storage. Net loss attributable to Albemarle of ($188) million decreased by $838 million. During the second quarter of 2024, we recorded a charge of $215 million after income taxes related to capital project asset write-offs and associated contract cancellation costs. Adjusted EBITDA of $386 million declined by $880 million from the prior-year quarter primarily due to margin compression and reduced equity earnings as a result of lower lithium market pricing, which more than offset favorable volume growth. Sequentially, adjusted EBITDA rose, driven by higher equity income from increased sales volumes at the Talison JV.

The effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2024 was 6.2% compared to 25.5% in the same period of 2023. On an adjusted basis, the effective income tax rates were (25.9)% and 12.9% for the second quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the decrease primarily due to changes in the geographic income mix and the impact of a valuation allowance for losses in certain entities in China.

Energy Storage Results



     
                In millions Q2 2024 Q2 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net Sales                 $830.1 $1,763.1       $(933.0)   (52.9) %



     Adjusted EBITDA           $283.0 $1,165.1       $(882.1)   (75.7) %

Energy Storage net sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $830 million, a decrease of $933 million, or 53%, due to lower pricing (-89%), which more than offset higher volumes (+37%) related to the ramp of lithium projects, including the La Negra expansion in Chile and the processing plant in Qinzhou, China, and sales of chemical-grade spodumene. Adjusted EBITDA of $283 million decreased $882 million, driven by margin compression from lower lithium market pricing and reduced equity earnings as a result of lower pricing, which more than offset favorable volume growth. Sequentially, adjusted EBITDA rose $85 million, driven by higher equity income from increased Talison JV sales volumes and further volume ramp of new facilities.

Specialties Results



     
                In millions Q2 2024 Q2 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net Sales                 $334.6   $371.3        $(36.7)    (9.9) %



     Adjusted EBITDA            $54.2    $60.2         $(6.0)   (10.0) %

Specialties net sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $335 million, a decrease of $37 million, or 10%, primarily due to lower prices (-18%), which more than offset higher volumes (+9%). Adjusted EBITDA of $54 million decreased $6 million versus the year-ago quarter. Net sales and adjusted EBITDA were sequentially higher, driven by improved end-market demand and the absence of planned and unplanned maintenance outages that impacted results in the prior quarter.

Ketjen Results



     
                In millions Q2 2024 Q2 2023  
     
     $ Change   % Change



     Net Sales                 $265.7   $235.8          $29.9      12.7 %



     Adjusted EBITDA            $37.8    $42.9         $(5.0)   (11.8) %

Ketjen net sales of $266 million for the second quarter of 2024 were up 13% compared to the prior-year quarter due to higher volumes (+14%), partially offset by lower prices (-1%), primarily from clean fuel technologies. Adjusted EBITDA of $38 million decreased $5 million as the prior-year adjusted EBITDA included a one-time insurance claim receipt.

Cash Flow and Capital Deployment
Second-quarter cash from operations of $363 million increased by $289 million versus the prior year, driven by higher Talison JV dividends and working capital improvements. Year-to-date cash from operations of $461 million decreased $334 million versus the prior-year period, driven by lower adjusted EBITDA and reduced dividends received from equity investments, partially offset by inflows from working capital. Year-to-date capital expenditures of $1.0 billion increased by $108 million versus the prior-year period due to the timing of project spend. Capital expenditures for the full-year 2024 are now expected to be at the high-end of $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion related to timing of capital spending.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of June 30, 2024, Albemarle had estimated liquidity of approximately $3.5 billion, including $1.8 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $1.5 billion available under its revolver and $144 million available under other credit lines. Total debt was $3.5 billion, representing a debt covenant net debt to adjusted EBITDA of approximately 2.1 times.

Earnings Call



     Date:                      Thursday, August 1,
                                  2024



     Time:                      8:00 AM Eastern time



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



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



     Conference ID:           
     ALBQ2

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) is a global leader 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; 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 (Loss) Income



              (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) (Unaudited)




                                                                                          Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended


                                                                                          June 30,                         June 30,


                                                                                 2024       2023               2024         2023



              Net sales                                                   $1,430,385 $2,370,190         $2,791,121   $4,950,442



              Cost of goods sold                                           1,440,963  1,811,703          2,762,761    3,115,415



              Gross (loss) profit                                           (10,578)   558,487             28,360    1,835,027



              Selling, general and administrative expenses                   168,948    397,070            346,660      551,376



              Capital project asset write-off                                292,315                      309,515



              Research and development expenses                               20,770     21,419             44,302       41,890



              Operating (loss) profit                                      (492,611)   139,998          (672,117)   1,241,761



              Interest and financing expenses                               (35,187)  (25,577)          (73,156)    (52,354)



              Other income, net                                               33,666     53,954             83,567      136,446



              (Loss) income before income taxes and equity in net income   (494,132)   168,375          (661,706)   1,325,853
    of unconsolidated investments



              Income tax (benefit) expense                                  (30,660)    42,987           (34,381)     319,950



              (Loss) income before equity in net income of unconsolidated  (463,472)   125,388          (627,325)   1,005,903
    investments



              Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of     286,878    551,051            467,378      947,239
    tax)



              Net (loss) income                                            (176,594)   676,439          (159,947)   1,953,142



              Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests           (11,604)  (26,396)          (25,803)    (64,519)



              Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation      (188,198)   650,043          (185,750)   1,888,623



              Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends               (41,688)                    (53,272)



              Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation     $(229,886)  $650,043         $(239,022)  $1,888,623
    common shareholders



              Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common         $(1.96)     $5.54            $(2.03)      $16.10
    shareholders



              Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common       $(1.96)     $5.52            $(2.03)      $16.03
    shareholders





              Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic             117,528    117,332            117,489      117,282



              Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted           117,528    117,769            117,489      117,805



     Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries



     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets



     (In Thousands) (Unaudited)




                                                          June 30, December 31,


                                                              2024          2023



     
                ASSETS



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                         $1,830,227      $889,900



     Trade accounts receivable                            785,553     1,213,160



     Other accounts receivable                            412,181       509,097



     Inventories                                        1,800,114     2,161,287



     Other current assets                                 397,630       443,475



     Total current assets                               5,225,705     5,216,919



     Property, plant and equipment                     12,788,646    12,233,757



     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     2,951,614     2,738,553



     Net property, plant and equipment                  9,837,032     9,495,204



     Investments                                        1,160,674     1,369,855



     Other assets                                         320,598       297,087



     Goodwill                                           1,600,938     1,629,729



     Other intangibles, net of amortization               243,335       261,858



     Total assets                                     $18,388,282   $18,270,652



     
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



     Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable to third parties                 $1,138,975    $1,537,859



     Accounts payable to related parties                  184,198       550,186



     Accrued expenses                                     508,334       544,835



     Current portion of long-term debt                      3,213       625,761



     Dividends payable                                     60,668        46,666



     Income taxes payable                                  63,070       255,155



     Total current liabilities                          1,958,458     3,560,462



     Long-term debt                                     3,519,504     3,541,002



     Postretirement benefits                               25,925        26,247



     Pension benefits                                     141,627       150,312



     Other noncurrent liabilities                         758,283       769,100



     Deferred income taxes                                501,330       558,430



     Commitments and contingencies



     Equity:



     Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity:



     Common stock                                           1,175         1,174



     Mandatory convertible preferred stock              2,235,105



     Additional paid-in capital                         2,969,851     2,952,517



     Accumulated other comprehensive loss               (637,551)    (528,526)



     Retained earnings                                  6,653,979     6,987,015



     Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity  11,222,559     9,412,180



     Noncontrolling interests                             260,596       252,919



     Total equity                                      11,483,155     9,665,099



     Total liabilities and equity                     $18,388,282   $18,270,652



              Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries



              Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data



              (In Thousands) (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                   Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                   June 30,


                                                                                                          2024         2023



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



              Cash flows from operating activities:



              Net (loss) income                                                                     (159,947)   1,953,142



              Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash flows from operating activities:



              Depreciation and amortization                                                           262,030      180,356



              Non-cash capital project assets write-off                                               276,013



              Stock-based compensation and other                                                       15,439       20,017



              Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)                       (467,378)   (947,239)



              Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable                    270,926    1,079,439
    securities



              Pension and postretirement expense                                                        2,529        3,933



              Pension and postretirement contributions                                                (9,428)     (8,632)



              Realized loss on investments in marketable securities                                    33,746



              Unrealized loss (gain) on investments in marketable securities                           23,777     (61,434)



              Deferred income taxes                                                                 (129,087)   (144,720)



              Working capital changes                                                                 460,937  (1,155,408)



              Other, net                                                                            (118,711)   (124,767)



              Net cash provided by operating activities                                               460,846      794,687



              Cash flows from investing activities:



              Acquisitions, net of cash acquired                                                            -     (8,240)



              Capital expenditures                                                                (1,026,936)   (919,295)



              Sales (purchases) of marketable securities, net                                          82,578    (123,979)



              Investments in equity investments and nonmarketable securities                            (148)     (1,192)



              Net cash used in investing activities                                                 (944,506) (1,052,706)



              Cash flows from financing activities:



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



              Repayments of long-term debt and credit agreements                                     (56,453)



              Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt and credit agreements                         56,453      300,000



              Other debt repayments, net                                                            (627,390)     (1,500)



              Dividends paid to common shareholders                                                  (93,916)    (93,317)



              Dividends paid to mandatory convertible preferred shareholders                         (39,376)



              Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests                                             (18,137)    (53,145)



              Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                      86           81



              Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions                 (10,677)    (24,910)



              Other                                                                                   (2,758)



              Net cash provided by financing activities                                             1,444,582      127,209



              Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents                            (20,595)     231,406



              Increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                   940,327      100,596



              Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                           $1,830,227   $1,599,738



     Albemarle Corporation and Subsidiaries



     Consolidated Summary of Segment Results



     (In Thousands) (Unaudited)




                                                             Three Months Ended                      Six Months Ended


                                                             June 30,                       June 30,


                                                    2024       2023               2024       2023



     
                Net sales:



     Energy Storage                            $830,110 $1,763,065         $1,631,008 $3,706,747



     Specialties                                334,600    371,302            650,665    790,080



     Ketjen                                     265,675    235,823            509,448    453,615



     Total net sales                         $1,430,385 $2,370,190         $2,791,121 $4,950,442





     
                Adjusted EBITDA:



     Energy Storage                            $282,979 $1,165,080           $480,975 $2,732,772



     Specialties                                 54,175     60,200             99,356    222,358



     Ketjen                                      37,836     42,882             59,815     57,425



     Total segment adjusted EBITDA              374,990  1,268,162            640,146  3,012,555



     Corporate                                   11,370    (1,920)            37,450     15,391



     Total adjusted EBITDA                     $386,360 $1,266,242           $677,596 $3,027,946

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 (loss) 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 (loss) 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 (loss) 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 (loss) 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                                             
       
             Six Months Ended


                                                                                      
             
                June 30,                                                    
       
               June 30,


                                                                                               2024                                         2023                                    2024                                   2023



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

    ---


              Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle               ($188,198)                                         $650,043                        ($185,750)                                    $1,888,623
    Corporation



              Add back:



              Non-operating pension and OPEB items                           (336)                                              381                             (687)                                           755
    (net of tax)



              Non-recurring and other unusual items (net                   234,498                                           213,194                           274,542                                        190,420
    of tax)



              Adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle                 45,964                                           863,618                            88,105                                      2,079,798
    Corporation



                  Mandatory convertible preferred stock                   (41,688)                                                                          (53,272)
    dividends



              Adjusted net income attributable to Albemarle                 $4,276                                          $863,618                           $34,833                                     $2,079,798
    Corporation common shareholders





              Adjusted diluted earnings per share                            $0.04                                             $7.33                             $0.30                                         $17.65
    attributable to common shareholders





              Adjusted weighted-average common shares                      117,703                                           117,769                           117,685                                        117,805
    outstanding - diluted





              Net income attributable to Albemarle                      ($188,198)           (13.2) %                      $650,043            27.4 %      ($185,750)                   (6.7) %          $1,888,623            38.2 %
    Corporation



              Add back:



              Interest and financing expenses                               35,187               2.5 %                        25,577             1.1 %          73,156                      2.6 %              52,354             1.1 %



              Income tax (benefit) expense                                (30,660)            (2.1) %                        42,987             1.8 %        (34,381)                   (1.2) %             319,950             6.5 %



              Depreciation and amortization                                138,279               9.7 %                        93,085             3.9 %         262,030                      9.4 %             180,356             3.6 %



              
                EBITDA                                         (45,392)            (3.2) %                       811,692            34.2 %         115,055                      4.1 %           2,441,283            49.3 %



              Proportionate share of Windfield income                      119,780               8.4 %                       233,976             9.9 %         193,469                      6.9 %             399,961             8.1 %
    tax expense



              Non-operating pension and OPEB items                           (337)                - %                          612               - %          (662)                       - %              1,213               - %



              Non-recurring and other unusual items                        312,309              21.8 %                       219,962             9.3 %         369,734                     13.2 %             185,489             3.7 %



              
                Adjusted EBITDA                                $386,360              27.0 %                    $1,266,242            53.4 %        $677,596                     24.3 %          $3,027,946            61.2 %





              Net sales                                                 $1,430,385                                        $2,370,190                        $2,791,121                                     $4,950,442

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                        Six Months Ended


                                            June 30,                         June 30,


                                   2024     2023              2024        2023



     Interest cost              $8,501   $9,027           $17,006     $18,037


      Expected return on assets (8,838) (8,415)         (17,668)   (16,824)



     Total                      $(337)    $612            $(662)     $1,213

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                     Six Months Ended


                                                                        June 30,                      June 30,


                                                                 2024   2023              2024     2023



     Restructuring and other charges(1)                        $0.02  $0.05             $0.13    $0.05



     Acquisition and integration related costs(2)               0.01   0.04              0.02     0.08



     Capital project assets write-off(3)                        1.82                    1.94



     Loss (gain) in fair value of public equity securities(4)   0.12 (0.10)             0.47   (0.39)



     Legal accrual(5)                                                 1.82                      1.82



     Other(6)                                                 (0.03)  0.02            (0.18)    0.07



     Tax related items(7)                                       0.05 (0.02)           (0.05)  (0.01)



     Total non-recurring and other unusual items               $1.99  $1.81             $2.33    $1.62




     (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. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, $2.5 million and $18.9 million were recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses ($2.0 million and $15.1 million after income taxes, or
               $0.02 and $0.13 per share), respectively. The severance has primarily been paid, with the remainder to be paid in 2024. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, $7.4 million of severance costs in the Ketjen business were recorded in Selling, general
               and administrative expenses ($5.7 million after income taxes, or $0.05 per share).





     (2)    Costs related to the acquisition, integration and divestitures for various significant projects, recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 were $1.6 million and $3.5 million ($1.2 million and $2.7
               million after income taxes, or $0.01 and $0.02 per share), respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 were $6.5 million and $11.6 million ($5.0 million and $9.0 million after income taxes, or $0.04 and $0.08 per share), respectively.





     (3)    As part of the organic growth investment re-phasing, during 2024 the Company wrote-off the value of assets related to certain capital projects no longer part of the Company's modified capital plan. The Company determined that these assets will not provide
               future value or will require significant re-engineering if the related projects are restarted. Losses of $275.9 million and $293.1 million recorded in Operating (loss) profit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and losses of $2.6
               million and $5.4 million recorded in Other income, net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively ($214.5 million and $228.5 million after income taxes, or $1.82 and $1.94 per share), related to these capital project asset write-offs and
               associated contract cancellation costs.





     (4)    Losses of $17.8 million and $27.2 million recorded in Other income, net resulting from the net change in fair value of investments in public equity securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and a loss of $33.7 million recorded in
               Other income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2024 resulting from the sale of investments in public equity securities ($13.9 million and $55.0 million after income taxes, or $0.12 and $0.47 per share). Gain of $15.0 million and $60.8 million ($11.2 million
               and $45.6 million after income taxes, or $0.10 and $0.39 per share) recorded in Other income, net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, resulting from the net increase in fair value of investments in public equity securities.





     (5)    Accrual of $218.5 million ($214.9 million after income taxes, or $1.82 per share) recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses resulting from agreements in principle to resolve a previously disclosed legal matter with the DOJ and SEC related to
               conduct in our Ketjen business prior to 2018.





     (6) 
      Other adjustments for the three months ended June 30, 2024 included amounts recorded in:




                           Selling, general and administrative expenses -$5.1 million of expenses related to certain historical legal and environmental matters.
              
                Other income, net -$8.9 million gain from PIK dividends of preferred equity in a Grace subsidiary and a
                            $0.6 million gain from an updated cost estimate of an environmental reserve at a site not part of our operations.


           
      After income taxes, these net gains totaled $3.7 million, or $0.03 per share.




           
      Other adjustments for the three months ended June 30, 2023 included amounts recorded in:




                           Selling, general and administrative expenses -$0.7 million of facility closure expenses related to offices in Germany and $0.6 million primarily related to shortfall contributions for a multiemployer plan financial improvement plan.
              
              Other
                            income, net -$3.9 million of a loss resulting from the adjustment of indemnification related to previously disposed businesses, partially offset by a $2.7 million gain in the fair value of preferred equity of a Grace subsidiary.


           
      After income taxes, these charges totaled $2.7 million, or $0.02 per share.




           
      Other adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 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 - $5.2 million of expenses related to
                            certain historical legal and environmental matters.
              
                Other income, net - $17.6 million gain from PIK dividends of preferred equity in a Grace subsidiary, a $17.3 million gain primarily from the sale of assets at a site not part of our
                            operations, a $2.4 million gain primarily resulting from the adjustment of indemnification related to a previously disposed business and a $0.6 million gain from an updated cost estimate of an environmental reserve at a site not part of our operations, 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 $21.0 million, or $0.18 per share.




           
      Other adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 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, $1.4 million of facility closure expenses related to offices in Germany and $0.6 million primarily related to
                            shortfall contributions for a multiemployer plan financial improvement plan.
              
              Other income, net -$3.9 million of a loss resulting from the adjustment of indemnification related to previously disposed businesses and $3.6 million of asset
                            retirement obligation charges primarily for a site not part of our operations, partially offset by a $2.7 million gain in the fair value of preferred equity of a Grace subsidiary.


           
      After income taxes, these charges totaled $7.5 million, or $0.07 per share.





     (7)    Included in Income tax benefit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are discrete net tax expenses of $6.5 million, or $0.05 per share, and benefits of $5.7 million, or $0.05 per share, respectively, 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 and six months ended June 30, 2023 are discrete net tax benefits of $3.9 million, or $0.02 per share and $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share, respectively. The net benefit 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).


                                                                                         (Loss) Income         Income tax       Effective income
                                                                                                                (benefit)              tax
                                                                          before income taxes          expense             rate
                                                                           and equity in net
                                                                               income of
                                                                             unconsolidated
                                                                              investments



         
                Three months ended June 30, 2024



         As reported                                                                       $(494,132)          $(30,660)                  6.2 %



         Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB                      311,972              77,810
    items



         As adjusted                                                                       $(182,160)            $47,150                (25.9) %





         
                Three months ended June 30, 2023



         As reported                                                                         $168,375             $42,987                  25.5 %



         Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB                      220,574               6,999
    items



         As adjusted                                                                         $388,949             $49,986                  12.9 %





         
                Six months ended June 30, 2024



         As reported                                                                       $(661,706)          $(34,381)                  5.2 %



         Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB                      369,072              95,217
    items



         As adjusted                                                                       $(292,634)            $60,836                (20.8) %





         
                Six months ended June 30, 2023



         As reported                                                                       $1,325,853            $319,950                  24.1 %



         Non-recurring, other unusual and non-operating pension and OPEB                      186,702             (4,473)
    items



         As adjusted                                                                       $1,512,555            $315,477                  20.9 %

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