KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC
For the period ended Jun 30, 2024. Filed Aug 7, 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.
Jun 30, 2024 · Filed Aug 7, 2024
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2024
(unaudited)
Note 1 - Organization and basis of presentation:
Organization - At June 30, 2024, Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) held approximately 50% of our outstanding common stock and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) held approximately 31% of our common stock. Valhi owned approximately 83% of NL’s outstanding common stock and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation held approximately 91% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock. A majority of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held directly by Lisa K. Simmons, Thomas C. Connelly (the husband of Ms. Simmons’ late sister), and various family trusts established for the benefit of Ms. Simmons, Mr. Connelly and their children and for which Ms. Simmons, Mr. Connelly, or Mr. Connelly’s sister, as applicable, serve as trustee (collectively, the “Other Trusts”). With respect to the Other Trusts for which Mr. Connelly or his sister serves as trustee, the trustee is required to vote the shares of Contran voting stock held in such trusts in the same manner as Ms. Simmons. Such voting rights of Ms. Simmons last through April 22, 2030 and are personal to Ms. Simmons. The remainder of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held by another trust (the “Family Trust”), which was established for the benefit of Ms. Simmons and her late sister and their children and for which a third-party financial institution serves as trustee. Consequently, at June 30, 2024, Ms. Simmons and the Family Trust may be deemed to control Contran, and therefore may be deemed to indirectly control the wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran, Valhi, NL and us.
Basis of presentation- The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report have been prepared on the same basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 6, 2024 (2023 Annual Report). In our opinion, we have made all necessary adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments), in order to state fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented. We have condensed the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2023 contained in this Quarterly Report as compared to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date, and we have omitted certain information and footnote disclosures (including those related to the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2023) normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Our results of operations for the interim periods ended June 30, 2024 may not be indicative of our operating results for the full year. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with our 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2023 Annual Report.
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries (NYSE: KRO) taken as a whole.
Note 2 - Accounts and other receivables, net:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · December 31, · · June 30, | ||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||||
| Trade receivables | | $273.6 | | $355.7 | ||
| Recoverable VAT and other receivables | | 23.8 | | 16.2 | ||
| Receivables from affiliates, other: | | | | | | |
| Louisiana Pigment Company (LPC) | | | 16.9 | | | - |
| Other | | | .4 | | | .5 |
| Refundable income taxes | | 1.9 | | 1.7 | ||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | | (4.1) | | (3.5) | ||
| Total | | $312.5 | | $370.6 | ||
Note 3 - Inventories, net:
| · · · · · · | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | | June 30, |
| · 2023 · 2024 | ||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||
| Raw materials | | $188.3 | | $113.8 |
| Work in process | | 30.8 | | 34.4 |
| Finished products | | 249.6 | | 207.0 |
| Supplies | | 95.9 | | 92.0 |
| Total | | $564.6 | | $447.2 |
Note 4 - Marketable securities:
Our marketable securities consist of investments in the publicly-traded shares of our related party, Valhi. Our marketable securities are accounted for as available-for-sale securities, which are carried at fair value using quoted market prices in active markets for each marketable security and represent a Level 1 input within the fair value hierarchy. Unrealized gains or losses on equity securities are recognized in Other income (expense) - Marketable equity securities on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · Fair value · · · · · · | |||||||||||
| · · measurement · · Market · · Cost · · Unrealized | |||||||||||
| Marketable security · level · value · basis · loss | |||||||||||
| · · · (In millions) | |||||||||||
| December 31, 2023: · · · | |||||||||||
| Valhi common stock | 1 | | $2.2 | | $3.2 | | $(1.0) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024: | | | | | | ||||||
| Valhi common stock | 1 | | $2.6 | | $3.2 | | $(.6) | ||||
At December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, we held approximately 144,000 shares of Valhi’s common stock. At December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the per share quoted market price of Valhi’s common stock was $15.19 and $17.83, respectively.
The Valhi common stock we own is subject to the restrictions on resale pursuant to certain provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 144. In addition, as a majority-owned subsidiary of Valhi we cannot vote our shares of Valhi common stock under Delaware General Corporation Law, but we do receive dividends from Valhi on these shares when declared and paid.
Note 5 - Long-term debt:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · December 31, · · June 30, | ||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||||
| Kronos International, Inc. 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 | | $ | - | | $289.8 | |
| Kronos International, Inc. 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 | | | 440.9 | | | 80.2 |
| Subordinated, Unsecured Term Loan from Contran | | - | | 53.7 | ||
| Total long-term debt | | $440.9 | | $423.7 | ||
9.50%* Senior Secured Notes due 2029* - On February 12, 2024, for certain eligible holders of existing 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “Old Notes”) of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Kronos International, Inc. (KII), KII executed an exchange of €325 million principal amount of the outstanding Old Notes for newly issued €276.174 million aggregate outstanding 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due March 2029 (the “New Notes” and together with the Old Notes and the Additional New Notes (as defined below), the “Senior Secured Notes”) plus additional cash consideration of €48.75 million ($52.6 million). Holders of the Old Notes received for each €1,000 principal amount of Old Notes exchanged, €850 in principal amount of New Notes, plus a cash payment in an amount equal to €150. Following the exchange, Old Notes totaling €75 million principal amount that were not exchanged continue to remain outstanding. In connection with the exchange, the indenture governing the Old Notes was amended to conform to the restrictive
covenants in the indenture governing the New Notes and to make other conforming changes. KII did not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance and delivery of the New Notes in connection with the exchange. We also entered into a $53.7 million unsecured term loan from Contran Corporation (described below) in connection with the exchange.
The New Notes and the Additional New Notes (as defined below):
| ● | bear interest at 9.50% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, payments begin on September 15, 2024; |
| ● | have a maturity date of March 15, 2029. Prior to March 15, 2026, we may redeem some or all of the New Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus an applicable premium as of the date of the redemption as described in the indenture governing our New Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after March 15, 2026, we may redeem the New Notes at redemption prices ranging from 104.750% of the principal amount, declining to 100% on or after March 15, 2028, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, on or before March 15, 2026, we may redeem up to 40% of the New Notes with the net proceeds of certain public or private equity offerings at 109.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, provided that following the redemption at least 50% of the New Notes remain outstanding. If we or our subsidiaries experience certain change of control events, as outlined in the indenture governing our New Notes, we would be required to make an offer to purchase the New Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We would also be required to make an offer to purchase a specified portion of the New Notes at par value, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in the event that we and our subsidiaries generate a certain amount of net proceeds from the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, and such net proceeds are not otherwise used for specified purposes within a specified time period as described in the indenture governing our New Notes; |
| ● | are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and each of our direct and indirect domestic, wholly-owned subsidiaries; |
| ● | are collateralized by a first priority lien on (i) 100% of the common stock or other ownership interests of each existing and future direct domestic subsidiary of KII and the guarantors, and (ii) 65% of the voting common stock or other ownership interests and 100% of the non-voting common stock or other ownership interests of each non-U.S. subsidiary that is directly owned by KII or any guarantor; |
| ● | contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type (however, there are no ongoing financial maintenance covenants); and |
| ● | contain customary default provisions, including a default under any of our other indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million. |
At June 30, 2024, the carrying value of the New Notes (€276.174 million aggregate principal amount outstanding) is stated net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.5 million. As a result of the note exchange, in the first quarter of 2024 we recognized a non-cash pre-tax interest charge of $1.5 million included in interest expense related to the write-off of the deferred financing costs associated with the Old Notes. As of June 30, 2024, we have capitalized $6.0 million in debt issuance costs associated with the New Notes.
On July 30, 2024, our wholly-owned subsidiary, KII, issued an additional €75 million principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Additional New Notes”). The Additional New Notes are additional notes to the existing €276.174 aggregate principal amount of New Notes issued on February 12, 2024. The Additional New Notes were issued at a premium of 107.50% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest from February 12, 2024, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $90 million after fees and estimated expenses. The Additional New Notes will be fungible with the New Notes, will be treated as a single series with the New Notes and will have the same terms as the New Notes, other than their date of issuance and issue price. The proceeds from the Additional New Notes were used to pay down borrowings under the Global Revolver.
Subordinated, Unsecured Term Loan from Contran- As part of the refinancing of a majority of our Old Notes discussed above, we borrowed $53.7 million (€50.0 million) from Contran through the issuance of an unsecured, subordinated term promissory note dated February 12, 2024 (the “Contran Term Loan”). The Contran Term Loan is guaranteed by our domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries. Our obligations under the Contran Term Loan, and the obligations of the guarantors under the related guaranties, are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to our Senior Secured Notes and our $225 million global revolving credit facility (the “Global
Revolver”). Interest on the Contran Term Loan is payable in cash. At June 30, 2024, the interest rate was 11.5%. The additional interest rate spread of 2% over the interest rate on the New Notes was based upon comparable debt transactions at the time of issuance. Subsequent to the issuance of the Additional New Notes, in August 2024, the Contran Term Loan was amended to change the interest rate from 11.5% to 9.54%. The amended rate reflects the effective interest rate of the Additional New Notes plus an additional interest rate spread of 2% which is based upon comparable debt transactions at the time of the issuance of the Additional New Notes. The Contran Term Loan matures on demand (but no earlier than September 2029), is not subject to any amortization payments and is prepayable at par beginning in March 2026. The restrictive covenants in the Contran Term Loan are substantially similar to those contained in the indenture governing our Senior Secured Notes. In accordance with our related party transaction policy, the audit committee of our board of directors, comprised of the independent directors, approved the terms and conditions of the original and amended Contran Term Loan.
3.75*% Senior Secured Notes due 2025*- At June 30, 2024, the carrying value of our remaining Old Notes (€75 million aggregate principal amount outstanding) is $80.2 million. In connection with the issuance of the New Notes in February 2024, the indenture governing the Old Notes was amended to conform to the restrictive covenants in the indenture governing the New Notes and to make other conforming changes.
Revolving credit facility- During the first six months of 2024, we hadno borrowings or repayments under our$225 million Global Revolver and at June 30, 2024, the full$225 million was available for borrowing. Effective July 17, 2024, we completed an amendment to our Global Revolver (the “Second Amendment”). Among other things, the Second Amendment increases the maximum borrowing amount from$225 million to$300 million, extends the maturity date to July 2029 and expands the agreement to include LPC and LPC’s receivables and certain of its inventories in the borrowing base. See Note 17 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Available borrowings are based on formula-determined amounts of eligible trade receivables and inventories, as defined in the agreement, less any outstanding letters of credit issued under the Global Revolver. Borrowings by our Canadian, Belgian and German subsidiaries are limited to U.S.$35 million,€30 million and€60 million, respectively. Any amounts outstanding under the Global Revolver bear interest, at our option, at the applicable non-base rate (SOFR, adjusted CORRA or EURIBOR, depending on the currency of the borrowing) plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0%, or at the applicable base rate, as defined in the agreement, plus a margin ranging from.5% to 2.0%. U.S. Dollar or Canadian Dollar non-base rate loans, as well as Euro non-base rate and Euro base rate loans are subject to a 0.25% floor, plus the applicable margin. The Global Revolver is collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on the borrowers’ trade receivables and inventories. The facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions customary in lending transactions of this type which, among other things, restrict the borrowers’ ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay additional dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of their assets to another entity and, under certain conditions, requires the maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the agreement, of at least 1.0 to 1.0.
Other- We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at June 30, 2024.
Note 6 - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · December 31, · · June 30, | ||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | | $218.7 | | $129.9 | ||
| Accrued sales discounts and rebates | | 22.5 | | 18.1 | ||
| Employee benefits | | 24.7 | | 26.6 | ||
| Payables to affiliates: | | | | | | |
| LPC | | | 19.9 | | | 18.4 |
| Income taxes payable to Valhi | | | 10.8 | | | 15.4 |
| Other | | | .6 | | | .2 |
| Accrued interest | | | 5.0 | | | 11.8 |
| Operating lease liabilities | | 3.9 | | 3.7 | ||
| Other | | 49.3 | | 38.7 | ||
| Total | | $355.4 | | $262.8 | ||
Note 7 - Other noncurrent liabilities:
| · · · · · · | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · December 31, · · June 30, | ||||
| · 2023 · 2024 | ||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||
| Accrued postretirement benefits | | $6.4 | | $6.2 |
| Employee benefits | | 4.9 | | 4.6 |
| Other | | 10.5 | | 10.6 |
| Total | | $21.8 | | $21.4 |
Note 8 - Revenue recognition:
The following table disaggregates our net sales by place of manufacture (point of origin) and to the location of the customer (point of destination), which are the categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three months ended · · Six months ended | ||||||||||||
| · · June 30, · · June 30, | ||||||||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||||||||
| | | (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Net sales - point of origin: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| United States | | $233.4 | | $279.7 | | $489.2 | | $520.6 | ||||
| Germany | | 193.6 | | 216.2 | | 379.6 | | 428.4 | ||||
| Canada | | 83.9 | | 97.6 | | 174.8 | | 186.9 | ||||
| Norway | | 75.3 | | 77.7 | | 147.2 | | 148.7 | ||||
| Belgium | | 45.5 | | 61.0 | | 114.3 | | 130.6 | ||||
| Eliminations | | (188.5) | | (231.7) | | (435.6) | | (435.9) | ||||
| Total | | $443.2 | | $500.5 | | $869.5 | | $979.3 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales - point of destination: | | | | | ||||||||
| Europe | | $199.0 | | $222.6 | | $400.1 | | $437.5 | ||||
| North America | | 153.0 | | 182.5 | | 301.6 | | 348.5 | ||||
| Other | | 91.2 | | 95.4 | | 167.8 | | 193.3 | ||||
| Total | | $443.2 | | $500.5 | | $869.5 | | $979.3 | ||||
Note 9 - Employee benefit plans:
The components of net periodic defined benefit pension cost are presented in the table below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three months ended · · Six months ended | ||||||||||||
| · · June 30, · · June 30, | ||||||||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||||||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||||||||||
| Net periodic pension cost (income): · · · · | ||||||||||||
| Service cost | | $1.5 | | $1.6 | | $3.1 | | $3.3 | ||||
| Interest cost | | 5.1 | | 4.9 | | 10.2 | | 9.9 | ||||
| Expected return on plan assets | | (4.8) | | (5.2) | | (9.6) | | (10.5) | ||||
| Recognized actuarial losses | | | .6 | | | .6 | | | 1.2 | | | 1.2 |
| Settlements | | 1.3 | | - | | 1.3 | | - | ||||
| Total | | $3.7 | | $1.9 | | $6.2 | | $3.9 | ||||
In the second quarter of 2023, we completed a termination and buy-out of our UK pension plan resulting in a$1.3 million settlement loss. We expect our 2024 contributions for our pension plans to be approximately $17 million.
Note 10 - Income taxes:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three months ended · · Six months ended | ||||||||||||
| · · June 30, · · June 30, | ||||||||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||||||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||||||||||
| Expected tax expense (benefit), at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% | | $(2.6) | | $5.9 | | $(7.2) | | $8.3 | ||||
| Non-U.S. tax rates | | (2.4) | | .1 | | (2.6) | | .1 | ||||
| Incremental net tax benefit on earnings and losses of U.S. and non-U.S. companies | | (1.2) | | (2.1) | | (1.2) | | (2.7) | ||||
| Valuation allowance, net | | .6 | | 2.6 | | .8 | | 3.6 | ||||
| Global intangible low-tax income, net | | .6 | | 1.3 | | .1 | | 1.6 | ||||
| Adjustment to the reserve for uncertain tax positions, net | | | .6 | | | .2 | | | (.6) | | | .3 |
| Adjustment of prior year taxes, net | | - | | - | | (.4) | | - | ||||
| Nondeductible expenses | | .6 | | .5 | | .4 | | .7 | ||||
| Other, net | | (.3) | | - | | (.3) | | .1 | ||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | $(4.1) | | $8.5 | | $(11.0) | | $12.0 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Comprehensive provision (benefit) for income taxes allocable to: | | | | | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | | $(4.1) | | $8.5 | | $(11.0) | | $12.0 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income - pension plans | | | .5 | | | .1 | | | .6 | | | .3 |
| Total | | $(3.6) | | $8.6 | | $(10.4) | | $12.3 | ||||
The amount shown in the preceding table of our income tax rate reconciliation for non-U.S. tax rates represents the result determined by multiplying the pre-tax earnings or losses of each of our non-U.S. subsidiaries by the difference between the applicable statutory income tax rate for each non-U.S. jurisdiction and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate. The amount shown on such table for incremental net tax benefit on earnings and losses of U.S. and non-U.S. companies includes, as applicable, (i) deferred income taxes (or deferred income tax benefits) associated with the current-year earnings (losses) of all of our non-U.S. subsidiaries and (ii) current U.S. income taxes (or current income tax benefit), including U.S. personal holding company tax, as applicable, attributable to current-year income (losses) of one of our non-U.S. subsidiaries, which subsidiary is treated as a dual resident for U.S. income tax purposes, to the extent the current-year income (losses) of such subsidiary is subject to U.S. income tax under the U.S. dual-resident provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Tax authorities are examining certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns and may propose tax deficiencies, including penalties and interest. We believe we have adequate accruals for additional taxes and related interest expense which could ultimately result from tax examinations. We believe the ultimate disposition of tax examinations should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We currently estimate that our unrecognized tax benefits will not change materially during the next twelve months.
Note 11 - Stockholders’ equity:
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss are presented in the table below. See Note 9 for discussion of our defined benefit pension plans.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three months ended · · Six months ended | ||||||||||||
| · · June 30, · · June 30, | ||||||||||||
| · 2023 · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 | ||||||||||||
| · · (In millions) | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax: · · · · | ||||||||||||
| Currency translation: · · · · | ||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | | $(276.2) | | $(286.1) | | $(269.2) | | $(265.5) | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | (5.7) | | 1.9 | | (12.7) | | (18.7) | ||||
| Balance at end of period | | $(281.9) | | $(284.2) | | $(281.9) | | $(284.2) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Defined benefit pension plans: | | | | | ||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | | $(62.6) | | $(75.5) | | $(63.1) | | $(76.0) | ||||
| Other comprehensive income - amortization of prior service cost and net losses included in net periodic pension cost | | .6 | | .5 | | 1.1 | | 1.0 | ||||
| Settlement loss | | | .9 | | | - | | | .9 | | | - |
| Balance at end of period | | $(61.1) | | $(75.0) | | $(61.1) | | $(75.0) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| OPEB plans: | | | | | ||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | | $.7 | | $.4 | | $.8 | | $.4 | ||||
| Other comprehensive loss - amortization of prior service credit and net losses included in net periodic OPEB cost | | - | | | - | | (.1) | | - | |||
| Balance at end of period | | $.7 | | $.4 | | $.7 | | $.4 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss: | | | | | ||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | | $(338.1) | | $(361.2) | | $(331.5) | | $(341.1) | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | (4.2) | | 2.4 | | (10.8) | | (17.7) | ||||
| Balance at end of period | | $(342.3) | | $(358.8) | | $(342.3) | | $(358.8) | ||||
Our board of directors has previously authorized the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time. We may repurchase our common stock from time to time as market conditions permit. The stock repurchase program does not include specific price targets or timetables and may be suspended at any time. Depending on market conditions, we may terminate the program prior to its completion. We use cash on hand or other sources of liquidity to acquire the shares. Repurchased shares are added to our treasury and subsequently cancelled upon approval of the board of directors.
During the first and second quarters of 2023, we acquired 159,796 and 154,018 shares of our common stock, respectively, in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $2.8 million. Also, during the first and second quarters of 2023 we cancelled 133,897 and 323,814 shares previously held as treasury stock, respectively. At June 30, 2024,1,017,518 shares are available for repurchase under this stock repurchase program.
Note 12 - Commitments and contingencies:
We are involved in various environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to our business. At least quarterly our management discusses and evaluates the status of any pending litigation to which we are a party. The factors considered in such evaluation include, among other things, the nature of such pending cases, the status of such pending cases, the advice of legal counsel and our experience in similar cases (if any). Based on such evaluation, we make a determination as to whether we believe (i) it is probable a loss has been incurred, and if so if the amount of such loss (or a range of loss) is reasonably estimable, or (ii) it is reasonably possible but not probable a loss has been incurred, and if so if the amount of such loss (or a range of loss) is reasonably estimable, or (iii) the probability a loss has been incurred is remote. We have not accrued any amounts for litigation matters because it is not reasonably possible we have incurred a loss that would be material to our consolidated financial statements, results of operations or liquidity.
Note 13 - Financial instruments:
See Note 4 for information on how we determine fair value of our marketable securities.
The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · December 31, 2023 · June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||
| · Carrying · · Fair · · Carrying · · Fair | |||||||||||
| · amount · · value · · amount · · value | |||||||||||
| · (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $202.1 | | $202.1 | | $140.3 | | $140.3 | ||||
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | ||||
| Fixed rate 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 | | - | | | - | | | 289.8 | | | 321.1 |
| Fixed rate 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 | | 440.9 | | | 424.5 | | | 80.2 | | | 79.3 |
At June 30, 2024, the estimated market price of our 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 was €1,087 per €1,000 principal amount, and the estimated market price of our 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 was €989 per €1,000 principal amount. The fair values of our Senior Secured Notes were based on quoted market prices; however, these quoted market prices represented Level 2 inputs because the markets in which the Senior Secured Notes trade were not active. Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value. See Notes 2 and 6.
Note 14 - Other operating income (expense), net:
On August 24, 2020, LPC temporarily halted production due to Hurricane Laura. Although storm damage to core processing facilities was not extensive, a variety of factors, including loss of utilities and limited access and availability of employees and raw materials, prevented the resumption of operations until September 25, 2020. The majority of our losses from property damage and our share of LPC’s lost production and other costs resulting from the disruption of operations, were covered by insurance. We recognized an aggregate gain of$1.7 million and$.5 million in the first and second quarters of 2023, respectively, which is included in other operating expense, net on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Note 15**-**** Recent accounting pronouncements:**
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280):Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU requires public companies to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis. The ASU also mandates public companies to provide all annual segment disclosures currently required annually in interim periods. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide the new disclosures and all disclosures required under ASC 280. Public companies will also be required to disclose the title and position of the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and explain how the CODM uses the reported measure of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and allocation of resources. The ASU is effective for us beginning with our 2024 Annual Report, and for interim reporting, in the first quarter of 2025, with retrospective application required. We are in the process of evaluating the additional disclosure requirements across all segments.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740):Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU requires additional annual disclosure and disaggregation for the rate reconciliation, income taxes paid and income tax expense by federal, state and foreign tax jurisdictions. In addition, the standard increases the disclosure requirements for items included in the rate reconciliation that meet a quantitative threshold. The ASU is effective for us beginning with our 2025 Annual Report. The ASU may be applied prospectively; however, entities have the option to apply it retrospectively. We are in the process of evaluating the additional disclosure requirements.
Note 16 – Restructuring costs:
In response to the extended period of reduced demand in 2023, we took measures to reduce our operating costs and improve our long-term cost structure such as the implementation of certain voluntary and involuntary workforce reductions during the third quarter of 2023 that primarily impacted our European operations. A substantial portion of our workforce reductions were accomplished through voluntary programs, for which eligible workforce reduction costs are recognized at the time both the employee and employer are irrevocably committed to the terms of the separation. These workforce reductions impacted approximately 100 employees. We recognized a total of approximately $6 million in charges primarily in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to workforce reductions we implemented during thesecond half of the year. The majo rityof related cash payments will be paid in 2024.
In April 2024, we announced plans to close our sulfate process line at our plant in Varennes, Canada by the end of the third quarter of 2024. As a result of the planned sulfate process line closure, we recognized a charge of approximately $2 million to cost of sales in the second quarter of 2024 related to workforce reductions for employees impacted. In addition, approximately $10 million in non-cash charges related primarily to accelerated depreciation in connection with the closure of the sulfate process line are reflected in cost of sales in the second quarter of 2024 with further amounts of approximately $5 million in non-cash charges related to accelerated depreciation expected to be recognized in the third quarter of 2024.
A summary of the activity in our accrued restructuring costs for the first half of 2024 is shown in the table below:
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| | Amount | |
| · (In millions) | ||
| Accrued workforce reduction costs at December 31, 2023 | $5.0 | |
| Workforce reduction costs accrued | | 1.9 |
| Workforce reduction costs paid | | (2.6) |
| Currency translation adjustments, net | | (.1) |
| | | |
| Accrued workforce reduction costs at June 30, 2024 | $4.2 | |
| | | |
| Amounts recognized in the balance sheet: | | |
| Current liability | $4.2 | |
| Noncurrent liability | | - |
| | | |
| Total | $4.2 | |
Note 17 – Acquisition of Remaining Joint Venture Interest in LPC:
Effective July 16, 2024, we acquired the 50% joint venture interest in LPC previously held by Venator Investments, Ltd. (“Venator”). Prior to the acquisition, LPC was operated as a joint venture between us and Venator, and through a wholly-owned subsidiary, we held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC. Following the acquisition, LPC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. We completed the acquisition in order to obtain full control of LPC and its TiO 2 production to better serve the North American TiO 2 marketplace. We acquired the 50% joint venture interest that we did not already own for an upfront cash payment of $185 million (subject to working capital adjustments) and a potential earn-out payment of up to $15 million based on our aggregate consolidated net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA, during a two-year period comprising calendar years 2025 and 2026. The aggregate EBITDA tiers for thetwo-year earn-out period are$650 million and$730 million, with$5 million of the earnout payable if we achieve$650 million in aggregate consolidated EBITDA, and a maximum of$15 million payable if aggregate EBITDA is$730 million or greater for the period. If we achieve aggregate consolidated EBITDA
between$650 million and$730 million, the payment of the additional$10 million is pro-rated between the two targets. The earn-out is payable at the earliest in April 2027. The acquisition was financed through a borrowing of $132 million under our Global Revolver and the remainder paid with cash on hand. The LPC acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination. We are in the process of determining the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities, including review of third-party valuations. Accordingly, we expect to include the preliminary purchase accounting allocation in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our third Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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