WESTLAKE CORP
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 2, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 2, 2024
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Item 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (in millions of dollars, except par values and share amounts) | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Current assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $3,108 | $3,304 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,691 | 1,601 |
| Inventories | 1,661 | 1,622 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 66 | 82 |
| Total current assets | 6,526 | 6,609 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 8,523 | 8,519 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 706 | 697 |
| Goodwill | 2,037 | 2,041 |
| Customer relationships, net | 889 | 910 |
| Other intangible assets, net | 481 | 493 |
| Equity method investments | 1,104 | 1,115 |
| Other assets, net | 694 | 651 |
| Total assets | $20,960 | $21,035 |
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities | ||
| Accounts payable | $891 | $877 |
| Accrued and other liabilities | 1,464 | 1,614 |
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | 300 | 299 |
| Total current liabilities | 2,655 | 2,790 |
| Long-term debt, net | 4,590 | 4,607 |
| Deferred income taxes | 1,544 | 1,560 |
| Pension and other post-retirement benefits | 353 | 363 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 622 | 611 |
| Other liabilities | 343 | 340 |
| Total liabilities | 10,107 | 10,271 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | ||
| Stockholders' equity | ||
| Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding | — | — |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 134,651,380 and 134,651,380 shares issued at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 1 | 1 |
| Common stock, held in treasury, at cost; 6,082,171 and 6,439,289 shares at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | (414) | (435) |
| Additional paid-in capital | 624 | 630 |
| Retained earnings | 10,252 | 10,143 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (132) | (98) |
| Total Westlake Corporation stockholders' equity | 10,331 | 10,241 |
| Noncontrolling interests | 522 | 523 |
| Total equity | 10,853 | 10,764 |
| Total liabilities and equity | $20,960 | $21,035 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (in millions of dollars, except per share data and share amounts) | ||
| Net sales | $2,975 | $3,356 |
| Cost of sales | 2,509 | 2,564 |
| Gross profit | 466 | 792 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 209 | 222 |
| Amortization of intangibles | 30 | 31 |
| Restructuring, transaction and integration-related costs | 4 | 3 |
| Income from operations | 223 | 536 |
| Other income (expense) | ||
| Interest expense | (40) | (42) |
| Other income, net | 50 | 22 |
| Income before income taxes | 233 | 516 |
| Provision for income taxes | 48 | 109 |
| Net income | 185 | 407 |
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 11 | 13 |
| Net income attributable to Westlake Corporation | $174 | $394 |
| Earnings per common share attributable to Westlake Corporation: | ||
| Basic | $1.35 | $3.07 |
| Diluted | $1.34 | $3.05 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||
| Basic | 128,359,983 | 127,548,287 |
| Diluted | 129,020,370 | 128,459,368 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (in millions of dollars) | ||
| Net income | $185 | $407 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | ||
| Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability | ||
| Pension and other post-retirement benefits reserves adjustment | 1 | — |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | ||
| Foreign currency translation | (33) | 20 |
| Income tax (provision) benefit on foreign currency translation | (4) | 3 |
| Other, net of income tax | — | (1) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes | (36) | 22 |
| Comprehensive income | 149 | 429 |
| Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax of $1 and $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively | 9 | 13 |
| Comprehensive income attributable to Westlake Corporation | $140 | $416 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
| Common Stock · Common Stock, Held in Treasury | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Shares | Amount | Number of Shares | At Cost | Additional Paid-in Capital | RetainedEarnings | Accumulated Other ComprehensiveIncome (Loss) | Noncontrolling Interests | Total | |
| (in millions of dollars, except share amounts) | |||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2023 | 134,651,380 | $1 | 6,439,289 | $(435) | $630 | $10,143 | $(98) | $523 | $10,764 |
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | 174 | — | 11 | 185 |
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | (34) | (2) | (36) |
| Shares issued—stock-based compensation | — | — | (357,118) | 21 | (14) | — | — | — | 7 |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 8 |
| Dividends declared | — | — | — | — | — | (65) | — | — | (65) |
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (10) | (10) |
| Balances at March 31, 2024 | 134,651,380 | $1 | 6,082,171 | $(414) | $624 | $10,252 | $(132) | $522 | $10,853 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
| Common Stock · Common Stock, Held in Treasury | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Shares | Amount | Number of Shares | At Cost | Additional Paid-in Capital | RetainedEarnings | Accumulated Other ComprehensiveLoss | Noncontrolling Interests | Total | |
| (in millions of dollars, except share amounts) | |||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2022 | 134,651,380 | $1 | 7,278,651 | $(467) | $601 | $9,885 | $(89) | $534 | $10,465 |
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | 394 | — | 13 | 407 |
| Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | 22 |
| Common stock repurchased | — | — | 201,742 | (22) | — | — | — | — | (22) |
| Shares issued—stock-based compensation | — | — | (469,404) | 24 | (20) | — | — | — | 4 |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | 9 |
| Dividends declared | — | — | — | — | — | (47) | — | — | (47) |
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (10) | (10) |
| Balances at March 31, 2023 | 134,651,380 | $1 | 7,010,989 | $(465) | $590 | $10,232 | $(67) | $537 | $10,828 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (in millions of dollars) | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Net income | $185 | $407 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 273 | 267 |
| Stock-based compensation expense | 9 | 9 |
| Loss from disposition and write-off of property, plant and equipment | 5 | 6 |
| Deferred income taxes | (22) | (16) |
| Other gains, net | (3) | (4) |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of business acquisitions | ||
| Accounts receivable | (97) | (15) |
| Inventories | (47) | 34 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 15 | 6 |
| Accounts payable | 63 | (20) |
| Accrued and other liabilities | (111) | (69) |
| Other, net | (101) | (93) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 169 | 512 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||
| Additions to investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries | (1) | (1) |
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | (272) | (267) |
| Other, net | 1 | 5 |
| Net cash used for investing activities | (272) | (263) |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (10) | (10) |
| Dividends paid | (65) | (47) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 7 | 5 |
| Repurchase of common stock for treasury | — | (22) |
| Other, net | (6) | (1) |
| Net cash used for financing activities | (74) | (75) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (18) | 9 |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (195) | 183 |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 3,319 | 2,246 |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $3,124 | $2,429 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- Basis of Financial Statements
The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim periods. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") have not been included. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Corporation (the "Company"), included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"), filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Company operates as an integrated global manufacturer and marketer of performance and essential materials and housing and infrastructure products. These products include some of the most widely used materials in the world, which are fundamental to many diverse consumer and industrial markets, including residential construction, flexible and rigid packaging, automotive products, healthcare products, materials used in turbines to generate wind energy, water treatment, coatings as well as other durable and non-durable goods. The Company's customers range from large chemical processors and plastics fabricators to small construction contractors, municipalities and supply warehouses throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position as of March 31, 2024, its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the changes in its cash position for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 or any other interim period. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU No.2023-09)
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting standards update No. 2023-09 to enhance the transparency and decision-usefulness of income tax disclosures and to provide information to better assess how an entity's operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard on the Company's disclosures in the financial statements.
Business Combinations—Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement (ASU 2023-05)
In August 2023, the FASB issued accounting standards update No. 2023-05 to address the accounting for contributions made to a joint venture, upon formation, in a joint venture's financial statements, and to (1) provide decision-useful information to investors and other allocators of capital (collectively, investors) in a joint venture's financial statements and (2) reduce diversity in practice. Under the ASU, upon formation, a joint venture should recognize and initially measure its assets and liabilities at fair value (with exceptions to fair value measurement that are consistent with guidance for business combinations). The amendments in this update become effective for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. Additionally, a joint venture that was formed before January 1, 2025 may elect to apply the amendments retrospectively if it has sufficient information. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period in which financial statements have not yet been issued (or made available for issuance), either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company does not expect that this accounting standard will have a material impact, upon adoption, on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07)
In November 2023, the FASB issued accounting standards update No. 2023-07 to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The update requires public entities to disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The amendments in this update are effective for public entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and are to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2024, and the adoption will result in additional segment disclosures in the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024 and the interim periods thereafter.
Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements (ASU 2023-01)
In March 2023, the FASB issued accounting standards update No. 2023-01 to amend certain provisions of ASC 842 that apply to arrangements between related parties under common control. The update requires all companies to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the asset's useful life to the common control group regardless of the lease term. The amendment in this update is effective for all entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2024, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
- Financial Instruments
Cash Equivalents
The Company had $544 and $360 of held-to-maturity securities with original maturities of three months or less, primarily consisting of corporate debt securities, classified as cash equivalents at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company's investments in held-to-maturity securities were held at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $16 and $15 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company's restricted cash and cash equivalents are primarily related to balances that are restricted for payment of distributions to certain of the Company's current and former employees and are reflected primarily in other assets, net in the consolidated balance sheets.
- Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of the following:
| March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Trade customers | $1,537 | $1,413 |
| Related parties | 3 | 7 |
| Allowance for credit losses | (24) | (27) |
| 1,516 | 1,393 | |
| Federal and state taxes | 59 | 65 |
| Other | 116 | 143 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $1,691 | $1,601 |
- Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
| March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Finished products | $1,055 | $989 |
| Feedstock, additives, chemicals and other raw materials | 372 | 401 |
| Materials and supplies | 234 | 232 |
| Inventories | $1,661 | $1,622 |
- Goodwill
The carrying amounts and changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were as follows:
| Performance and Essential Materials Segment | Housing and Infrastructure Products Segment | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balances at December 31, 2023 | $897 | $1,144 | $2,041 |
| Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates | (2) | (2) | (4) |
| Balances at March 31, 2024 | $895 | $1,142 | $2,037 |
- Accounts Payable
Accounts payable consist of the following:
| March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts payable—third parties | $871 | $849 |
| Accounts payable to related parties | 12 | 15 |
| Notes payable | 8 | 13 |
| Accounts payable | $891 | $877 |
- Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
| March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0.875% senior notes due 2024 | $300 | $300 |
| 3.60% senior notes due 2026 | 750 | 750 |
| Loan related to tax-exempt waste disposal revenue bonds due 2027 | 11 | 11 |
| 1.625% €700 million senior notes due 2029 | 756 | 773 |
| 3.375% senior notes due 2030 | 300 | 300 |
| 3.50% senior notes due 2032 | 250 | 250 |
| 2.875% senior notes due 2041 | 350 | 350 |
| 5.00% senior notes due 2046 | 700 | 700 |
| 4.375% senior notes due 2047 | 500 | 500 |
| 3.125% senior notes due 2051 | 600 | 600 |
| 3.375% senior notes due 2061 | 450 | 450 |
| Term loans due 2026 | 12 | 13 |
| Total long-term debt, principal amount | 4,979 | 4,997 |
| Less: | ||
| Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs | 89 | 91 |
| Long-term debt, carrying value | 4,890 | 4,906 |
| Less current portion: | ||
| 0.875% senior notes due 2024 | 300 | 299 |
| Long-term debt, carrying value, net of current portion | $4,590 | $4,607 |
Unamortized debt issuance costs on long-term debt were $35 and $36 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its long-term debt covenants.
Credit Agreement
On June 9, 2022, the Company entered into a new $1,500 revolving credit facility that is scheduled to mature on June 9, 2027 (the "Credit Agreement") and, in connection therewith, terminated the Company's then existing revolving credit agreement. The Credit Agreement bears interest at either (a) Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.625% per annum or (b) Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.625% per annum, in each case depending on the credit rating of the Company. The Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including a quarterly total leverage ratio financial maintenance covenant. As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the total leverage ratio financial maintenance covenant. The Credit Agreement also contains certain events of default and, if and for so long as certain events of default have occurred and are continuing, any overdue amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement will accrue interest at an increased rate, the lenders can terminate their commitments to lend thereunder and payments of any outstanding amounts thereunder could be accelerated by the lenders. None of the Company's subsidiaries are required to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement includes a $150 sub-limit for letters of credit, and any outstanding letters of credit will be deducted from availability under the facility. The Credit Agreement also provides for a discretionary $50 commitment for swingline loans to be provided on a same-day basis. The Company may also increase the size of the facility, in increments of at least $25, up to a maximum of $500, subject to certain conditions and if certain lenders agree to commit to such an increase.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company hadno borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding, and had borrowing availability of $1,500, under the Credit Agreement.
- Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits Liability, Net of Tax | Cumulative Foreign CurrencyExchange, Net of Tax | Other, Net of Tax | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balances at December 31, 2023 | $4 | $(102) | $— | $(98) |
| Net other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westlake Corporation | 1 | (35) | — | (34) |
| Balances at March 31, 2024 | $5 | $(137) | $— | $(132) |
| Balances at December 31, 2022 | $52 | $(141) | $— | $(89) |
| Net other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Westlake Corporation | — | 23 | (1) | 22 |
| Balances at March 31, 2023 | $52 | $(118) | $(1) | $(67) |
- Fair Value Measurements
The Company reports certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). Under the accounting guidance for fair value measurements, inputs used to measure fair value are classified in one of three levels:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The Company has financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measures. These financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net, accounts payable and long-term debt, all of which are recorded at carrying value. The amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments.
The majority of the Company's long-term debt instruments are publicly-traded. A market approach, based upon quotes from financial reporting services, is used to measure the fair value of the Company's long-term debt. Because the Company's long-term debt instruments may not be actively traded, the inputs used to measure the fair value of the Company's long-term debt are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
The carrying and fair values of the Company's total long-term debt are summarized below:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CarryingValue | FairValue | CarryingValue | FairValue | |
| Long-term debt | $4,890 | $4,180 | $4,906 | $4,236 |
- Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 20.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to 21.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was below the statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to U.S. federal research and development credits available to the Company, partially offset by state and foreign taxes. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was above the statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to state and foreign taxes partially offset by U.S. federal research and development credits available to the Company.
On October 8, 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the "OECD")/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting released a statement indicating that its members had agreed to a Two – Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy. Pillar One aims to reallocate a taxpayer's residual profits to the market jurisdictions with which the taxpayer has a nexus. Pillar Two aims to establish a minimum global tax rate of 15%, assessed through a top-up tax imposed on a country-by-country basis. Pillar One targets multinational companies with global annual revenue exceeding €20 billion and profit-to-revenue ratio of more than 10%. Based on the current threshold requirements, the Company does not expect to be subject to Pillar One. On December 20, 2021, the OECD released the Pillar Two model rules providing a framework for implementing a 15% minimum tax, also referred to as the Global Anti-Base Erosion ("GloBE") rules, on earnings of multinational companies with consolidated annual revenue exceeding €750 million.
On December 12, 2022, European Union (EU) member states agreed to adopt the 15% minimum tax under the Pillar Two model rules to be enacted into the member states' domestic tax laws by December 31, 2023, with an effective date beginning in 2024. As of March 31, 2024, a handful of EU member states have yet to comply. Outside of the EU, several other jurisdictions that the Company operates in have enacted legislation consistent with the GloBE rules, while other foreign countries continue to debate adoption and timing to adopt. The Company's global footprint includes operations within the EU, as well as other non-EU jurisdictions that have enacted GloBE related legislation, such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, the UK and Switzerland. At this time, the Company anticipates qualifying for at least one safe harbor in the majority of jurisdictions in which it operates. For those jurisdictions where a safe harbor was not met, the impact is anticipated to be immaterial. The Company will continue to closely monitor Pillar Two developments and evaluate the potential impact to the Company as more foreign countries enact legislation, and as new information and guidance becomes available. The impacts of Pillar Two are recorded in 2024, the first year in which the rules take effect.
- Earnings and Dividends per Share
Earnings per Share
The Company has unvested restricted stock units outstanding that are considered participating securities and, therefore, computes basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method. Basic earnings per share for the periods are based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include the effects of certain stock options and performance stock units.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Net income attributable to Westlake Corporation | $174 | $394 |
| Less: | ||
| Net income attributable to participating securities | (1) | (2) |
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $173 | $392 |
The following table reconciles the denominator for the basic and diluted earnings per share computations shown in the consolidated statements of operations:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Weighted average common shares—basic | 128,359,983 | 127,548,287 |
| Plus incremental shares from: | ||
| Assumed exercise of options and vesting of performance stock units | 660,387 | 911,081 |
| Weighted average common shares—diluted | 129,020,370 | 128,459,368 |
| Earnings per common share attributable to Westlake Corporation: | ||
| Basic | $1.35 | $3.07 |
| Diluted | $1.34 | $3.05 |
Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share are options to purchase 260,722 and 307,411 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. These options were outstanding during the periods reported but were excluded because the effect of including them would have been antidilutive.
Dividends per Share
Dividends declared per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Dividends per common share | $0.5000 | $0.3570 |
- Supplemental Information
Equity Method Investments
LACC, LLC Joint Venture
As of March 31, 2024, the Company owned an aggregate 50% membership interest in LACC, LLC ("LACC"). The Company accounts for its investment in LACC under the equity method of accounting and the change for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:
| Investment in LACC | |
|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $1,047 |
| Depreciation and amortization | (12) |
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $1,035 |
Other Assets, Net
Other assets, net were $694 and $651 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Deferred turnaround costs, net of accumulated amortization, included in other assets, net were $420 and $391 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Accrued and Other Liabilities
Accrued and other liabilities were $1,464 and $1,614 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Accrued rebates, accrued litigation reserves and accrued income taxes, which are components of accrued and other liabilities, were $158, $267, and $136, respectively, at March 31, 2024 and $217, $297, and $121, respectively, at December 31, 2023. No other component of accrued and other liabilities was more than five percent of total current liabilities. Accrued liabilities with related parties were $37 and $41 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Non-cash Investing Activities
Capital expenditure related liabilities, included in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities, were $112 and$111 at March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
A non-cash charge of $16 related to asset retirement obligations was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Other Income, Net
The other income, net of $50 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included interest income of $40 and other income, net of $22 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 included interest income of $18.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Cash paid for: | ||
| Interest, net of interest capitalized | $52 | $54 |
| Income taxes | 46 | 23 |
| Operating lease information: | ||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations | $44 | $56 |
- Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in a number of legal and regulatory matters, principally environmental in nature, that are incidental to the normal conduct of its business, including lawsuits, investigations and claims. The outcome of these matters are inherently unpredictable. The Company believes that, in the aggregate, the outcome of all known legal and regulatory matters will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements; however, under certain circumstances, if required to recognize costs in a specific period, when combined with other factors, outcomes with respect to such matters may be material to the Company's consolidated statements of operations in such period. The Company's assessment of the potential impact of environmental matters, in particular, is subject to uncertainty due to the complex, ongoing and evolving process of investigation and remediation of such environmental matters, and the potential for technological and regulatory developments. In addition, the impact of evolving claims and programs, such as natural resource damage claims, industrial site reuse initiatives and state remediation programs creates further uncertainty of the ultimate resolution of these matters. The Company anticipates that the resolution of many legal and regulatory matters, and in particular environmental matters, will occur over an extended period of time.
Caustic Soda Antitrust. The Company and other caustic soda producers were named as defendants in multiple purported class action civil lawsuits filed since March 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. The lawsuits allege the defendants conspired to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize the price of caustic soda, restrict domestic (U.S.) supply of caustic soda and allocate caustic soda customers. The other defendants named in the lawsuits are Olin Corporation, K.A. Steel Chemicals (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Olin), Occidental Chemical Corporation d/b/a OxyChem, Shintech Incorporated and Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. Each of the lawsuits is filed on behalf of the respective named plaintiff or plaintiffs and a putative class comprised of either direct purchasers or indirect purchasers of caustic soda in the U.S. The plaintiffs in the putative class for such direct purchasers seek $861 in single damages from the defendants, in addition to treble damages and attorney's fees. The plaintiffs in the putative class for such indirect purchasers seek approximately $500 in single damages from the defendants, in addition to treble damages (if permitted under applicable state law) and injunctive relief. The defendants' joint motion to dismiss the direct purchaser lawsuits was denied. The defendants' joint motion to dismiss the indirect purchaser lawsuits was granted in part and denied in part. Both groups of cases have proceeded to discovery. On October 16, 2023, the Company entered into a settlement agreement whereby the Company agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the settlement agreement, to pay $19 to the direct purchaser plaintiffs and in which the Company admits to no violations of law and will be released from liability and dismissed from the direct purchaser lawsuits with prejudice upon receipt of final court approval of the settlement. Preliminary court approval of the settlement, which remains subject to certification of the class, has been requested and is pending. If the court grants such preliminary approval, notice of the settlement will be disseminated to the settlement class, and the settlement class members will, for a limited time period, have an opportunity to opt-out of or object to the settlement. The Company reserved $19 in connection with the litigation in 2023. Beginning in October 2020, similar class action proceedings were also filed in Canada before the Superior Court of Québec as well as before the Federal Court. These proceedings seek the certification or authorization of a class action on behalf of all residents of Canada who purchased caustic soda (including, in one of the cases, those who merely purchased products containing caustic soda) from October 1, 2015 through the present or such date deemed appropriate by the court. On December 10, 2021, the Superior Court of Québec stayed its proceedings until after a final certification decision is released in the Federal Court proceedings. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate the impact, if any, that these lawsuits could have on the Company's consolidated financial statements either in the current period or in future periods.
Ethylene Antitrust. The Company and other ethylene consumers were named as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by Shell Chemical Europe B.V. ("SCE") in March 2023 in the District Court of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, following the European Commission Decision AT.40410 – Ethylene from July 14, 2020. SCE is a producer of ethylene in the European market and the lawsuit alleges the defendants conspired to lower the purchase price for ethylene and ethylene derivatives by manipulating the monthly contract price. SCE initially sought declaratory relief. In October 2023, SCE amended its claim and is now seeking a judgment establishing that the Company and the co-defendants are jointly and severally liable for alleged damages in the amount of approximately €1,026 million with interest compounding daily from January 1, 2020 and continuing until payment in full, as provided by Dutch law, resulting from artificially lowered prices for ethylene and ethylene derivatives during the specified period. SCE is also seeking reimbursement of costs related to the proceeding plus statutory interest. The Company and other ethylene consumers were also named as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by Stichting Ethylene Claims ("Stichting") in November 2023 in the District Court of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, following the same European Commission decision. Stichting is a foundation under Dutch Law that claims to represent various parties asserting injury by the same alleged conduct of defendants, seeking a declaratory judgment establishing that the Company and other defendants are jointly and severally liable for an unspecified amount of damages. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate the impact, if any, that the SCE lawsuit and/or the Stichting lawsuit could have on the Company's consolidated financial statements either in the current period or in future periods.
Triad Hunter. In April 2018, Triad Hunter, LLC ("Triad Hunter") filed suit against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries in the Court of Common Pleas in Monroe County, Ohio seeking injunctive relief and alleging negligence and trespass at the Natrium Plant with respect to Triad Hunter's well drilling activities in Ohio. On October 27, 2022, the jury returned a verdict finding that the Company had committed trespass and was negligent in conducting salt mining operations at the Natrium Plant. Upon receipt of the jury verdict, the Company reserved approximately $70 for the damages awarded to Triad Hunter. The court subsequently denied Triad Hunter's request to enjoin further solution mining from one of the brine fields at the Natrium Plant. On September 12, 2023, final judgment was entered in the amount of $70 with interest accruing at the rate of 5% from the date the judgment was rendered, as provided by law. The Company appealed the verdict and sought a stay of execution pending appeal on October 30, 2023.
Petro 2 Flash Fire and EDC Storage Tank Explosion. In September 2021, shortly after the turnaround on Westlake Chemical OpCo LP's Petro 2 ethylene facility commenced, there was a flash fire at the quench tower of the Petro 2 facility. In January 2022, an ethylene dichloride storage tank exploded at one of the Company's Lake Charles, Louisiana complexes. Certain employees and contractors working on the sites at the time of the events were injured during these events and multiple lawsuits were filed against us. Final settlements totaling approximately $382 in the aggregate were reached with all of the plaintiffs to fully resolve the lawsuits, but payment by the Company and the insurance carriers has not yet been completed. Certain of the Company's excess insurers have taken the coverage position that there has been insufficient exhaustion of the retention levels beneath their respective attachment points to obligate them to cover these events. The practical effect of this coverage position is that approximately $150 of the $382 total final settlement amount is not being covered by the insurers and, as such, approximately $150 was included in cost of sales in the fourth quarter of 2023. After discussion with the insurers, the Company has decided not to pursue recovery of the approximately $150 from the insurers. The Company reserved for the full final settlement amount in 2023 and, as of March 31, 2024, has an insurance receivable of $13 and a legal accrual of $151 in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Environmental Contingencies. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had reserves for environmental contingencies totaling approximately $57 and $58, respectively, most of which was classified as noncurrent liabilities. The Company's assessment of the potential impact of these environmental contingencies is subject to considerable uncertainty due to the complex, ongoing and evolving process of investigation and remediation, if necessary, of such environmental contingencies, and the potential for technological and regulatory developments.
Calvert City Proceedings. For several years, the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has been conducting remedial investigation and feasibility studies at the Company's Calvert City, Kentucky facility pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"). As the current owner of the Calvert City facility, the Company was named by the EPA as a potentially responsible party ("PRP") along with Goodrich Corporation ("Goodrich") and its successor-in-interest, Avient Corporation (formerly known as PolyOne Corporation, "Avient"). On November 30, 2017, the EPA published a draft Proposed Plan, incorporating by reference an August 2015 draft Remedial Investigation ("RI") report, an October 2017 draft Feasibility Study ("FS") report and a Technical Impracticability Waiver document dated December 19, 2017. On June 18, 2018, the EPA published an amendment to its Proposed Plan. The amended Proposed Plan describes a final remedy for the onshore portion of the site comprised of a containment wall, targeted treatment and supplemental hydraulic containment. The amended Proposed Plan also describes an interim approach to address the contamination under the river that would include recovery of any mobile contaminants by an extraction well along with further study of the extent of the contamination and potential treatment options. The EPA's estimated cost of implementation is $107, with an estimated $1 to $3 in annual operation and maintenance ("O&M") costs. In September 2018, the EPA published the Record of Decision ("ROD") for the site, formally selecting the preferred final and interim remedies outlined in the amended Proposed Plan. In October 2018, the EPA issued Special Notice letters to the PRPs for the remedial design phase of work under the ROD. In April 2019, the PRPs and the EPA entered into an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent for remedial design. In October 2019, the PRPs received special notice letters for the remedial action phase of work at the site. The Company, jointly with the other PRPs, submitted a good faith offer response in December 2019. On September 17, 2020, the EPA and the Department of Justice filed a proposed consent decree for the remedial action with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. On November 16, 2020, the Department of Justice filed a motion to approve and enter the consent decree. On January 28, 2021, the Court granted the unopposed motion to enter the consent decree, which became effective the same day. The Company's allocation of liability for remedial and O&M costs at the Calvert City site, if any, is governed by a series of agreements between the Company, Goodrich and Avient. These agreements and the associated litigation are described below.
In connection with the 1990 and 1997 acquisitions of the Goodrich chemical manufacturing complex in Calvert City, Goodrich agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities related to preexisting contamination at the complex. For its part, the Company agreed to indemnify Goodrich for post-closing contamination caused by the Company's operations. The soil and groundwater at the complex, which does not include the Company's nearby PVC facility, had been extensively contaminated by Goodrich's operations. In 1993, Goodrich spun off the predecessor of Avient, and that predecessor assumed Goodrich's indemnification obligations relating to preexisting contamination. In 2003, litigation arose among the Company, Goodrich and Avient with respect to the allocation of the cost of remediating contamination at the site. The parties settled this litigation in December 2007 and the case was dismissed. In the settlement, the parties agreed that, among other things: (1) Avient would pay 100% of the costs (with specified exceptions), net of recoveries or credits from third parties, incurred with respect to environmental issues at the Calvert City site from August 1, 2007 forward; and (2) either the Company or Avient might, from time to time in the future (but not more than once every five years), institute an arbitration proceeding to adjust that percentage. In May 2017, Avient filed a demand for arbitration. In this proceeding, Avient sought to readjust the percentage allocation of future costs and to recover approximately $11 from the Company in reimbursement of previously paid remediation costs. The Company's cross demand for arbitration seeking unreimbursed remediation costs incurred during the relevant period was dismissed from the proceedings when Avient paid such costs in full at the beginning of the arbitration hearing.
On July 10, 2018, Avient sued the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky and sought to invalidate the arbitration provisions in the parties' 2007 settlement agreement and enjoin the arbitration it had initiated in 2017. On July 30, 2018, the district court refused to enjoin the arbitration and, on January 15, 2019, the court granted the Company's motion to dismiss Avient's suit. On February 13, 2019, Avient appealed those decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The court of appeals issued an opinion and final order on September 6, 2019, affirming the district court.
The arbitration hearing began in August 2018 and concluded in December 2018. On May 22, 2019, the arbitration panel issued its final award. It determined that Avient was responsible for 100% of the allocable costs at issue in the proceeding and that Avient would remain responsible for 100% of the costs to operate the existing groundwater remedy at the Calvert City site. In August 2019, Avient filed a motion to vacate before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, seeking to invalidate the final award under the Federal Arbitration Act. On February 11, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky denied Avient's motion to vacate and affirmed the arbitration final award. Avient did not file a notice of appeal before the March 10, 2020 deadline to contest the court's decision. Accordingly, the final award was affirmed, and the arbitration proceeding is fully and finally resolved.
In March 2022, the Company filed a demand for arbitration seeking reimbursement for certain allocable costs incurred during the applicable period since May 2017, and which Avient has failed to pay or disputed as not subject to indemnity under the 1990 and 1997 agreements. In April 2022, Avient filed a complaint in the federal district court for the Western District of Kentucky disputing the enforceability of the 2007 settlement agreement and seeking to enjoin arbitration. Avient claims that the allocable costs at issue are up to $22, for which Avient claims the Company is totally liable. On September 30, 2023, the court issued an order denying without prejudice the parties' cross motions for summary judgment and set a 30-day deadline for the parties to refile and provide additional briefing on specific aspects of the arguments before the court. The parties each refiled and provided additional briefing by the deadline and the motions are pending before the court. The Company disputes these claims and at this time, the Company believes it is unlikely that any remediation costs allocable to it would result in material expenditures in any individual reporting period.
Sulphur Brine Dome. The Company owns and operates salt solution-mining caverns at the Sulphur Brine Dome in Sulphur, Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources issued Compliance Order No. IMD 2022-027 and several supplements to that order, the latest in October 2023, in response to pressure anomaly events in two of the Company's brine caverns. The brine caverns were not active, operating wells but under ongoing, post-operational monitoring requirements. The compliance order and supplements thereto have required the Company to undertake various activities related to response planning, monitoring, investigation and mitigation of potential impacts in the event of future cavern pressure anomalies or failures. Since December 2022 continuous brine injection has maintained cavern pressure while the Company continues to pursue active monitoring, studies, groundwater monitoring, modeling and other activities under the compliance order and supplements. In September 2023, the Office of Conservation issued an emergency declaration as a conservative step and to ensure that the full suite of powers and resources are available to the government in its response and management of the evolving circumstances at the Sulphur Dome. The capital costs and expenditures required to comply with the compliance order and supplements have been and will continue to be incurred. In response to the most recent supplement to the compliance order, the Company reserved approximately $14 in connection with groundwater monitoring wells and monitoring required by the supplement. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate the impact, if any, that other ongoing expenditures or future injunctive relief ordered by the government could have on the Company's consolidated financial statements either in the current period or in future periods.
Environmental Remediation: Reasonably Possible Matters. The Company's assessment of the potential impact of environmental contingencies is subject to considerable uncertainty due to the complex, ongoing and evolving process of investigation and remediation, if necessary, of such environmental contingencies, and the potential for technological and regulatory developments. As such, in addition to the amounts currently reserved, the Company may be subject to reasonably possible loss contingencies related to environmental matters in the range of $125 to $200.
- Segment Information
The Company operates intwo principal operating segments: Performance and Essential Materials and Housing and Infrastructure Products. These segments are strategic business units that offer a variety of different materials and products. The Company manages each segment separately as each business requires different technology and marketing strategies.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Net external sales | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | ||
| Performance Materials | $1,164 | $1,282 |
| Essential Materials | 767 | 1,067 |
| Total Performance and Essential Materials | 1,931 | 2,349 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | ||
| Housing Products | 879 | 818 |
| Infrastructure Products | 165 | 189 |
| Total Housing and Infrastructure Products | 1,044 | 1,007 |
| $2,975 | $3,356 | |
| Intersegment sales | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $111 | $111 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | — | — |
| $111 | $111 | |
| Income (loss) from operations | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $22 | $403 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | 210 | 143 |
| Corporate and other | (9) | (10) |
| $223 | $536 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $220 | $210 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | 50 | 55 |
| Corporate and other | 3 | 2 |
| $273 | $267 | |
| Other income, net | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $11 | $2 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | 4 | 7 |
| Corporate and other | 35 | 13 |
| $50 | $22 | |
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $(11) | $67 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | 56 | 37 |
| Corporate and other | 3 | 5 |
| $48 | $109 | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Capital expenditures | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $230 | $226 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | 37 | 38 |
| Corporate and other | 5 | 3 |
| $272 | $267 | |
A reconciliation of total segment income from operations to consolidated income before income taxes is as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Income from operations | $223 | $536 |
| Interest expense | (40) | (42) |
| Other income, net | 50 | 22 |
| Income before income taxes | $233 | $516 |
| March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | ||
| Performance and Essential Materials | $13,430 | $13,538 |
| Housing and Infrastructure Products | 5,078 | 4,888 |
| Corporate and other | 2,452 | 2,609 |
| $20,960 | $21,035 | |
- Westlake Chemical Partners LP
In 2014, the Company formed Westlake Chemical Partners LP ("Westlake Partners") to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and related assets. Also in 2014, Westlake Partners completed its initial public offering of 12,937,500 common units.
As of March 31, 2024, Westlake Partners had a 22.8% limited partner interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo"), and the Company retained a 77.2% limited partner interest in OpCo and a significant interest in Westlake Partners through the Company's ownership of Westlake Partners' general partner,40.1% of the limited partner interests (consisting of 14,122,230 common units) and incentive distribution rights.
On October 4, 2018, Westlake Partners and Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC, the general partner of Westlake Partners, entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with UBS Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to offer and sell Westlake Partners' common units, from time to time, up to an aggregate offering amount of $50. This Equity Distribution Agreement was amended on February 28, 2020 to reference a new shelf registration and subsequent renewals thereof for utilization under this agreement. No common units were issued under this program as of March 31, 2024.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.