COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC

Previous wording

Operating income in the second quarter of 2024 was $5.1 million compared to $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in operating income in the second quarter of 2024 compared to 2023 is due to higher Security Products sales and gross margin which more than offset lower Marine Components sales and gross margin. Operating income for the first six months of 2024 was $8.8 million compared to $11.4 million in the first six months of 2023. The decrease in operating income in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to lower Marine Components sales and gross margin partially offset by higher Security Products sales and higher Security Products gross margin in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023.

Current wording

Operating income in the third quarter of 2024 was $3.3 million compared to $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in operating income in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 2023 is due to lower sales and gross margin at both Security Products and Marine Components. Operating income for the first nine months of 2024 was $12.1 million compared to $18.0 million in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease in operating income in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to lower Marine Components sales and gross margin.

Previous wording

Net sales. Net sales decreased $.7 million and $3.9 million in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 due to lower Marine Components sales primarily to the towboat

Current wording

Net sales. Net sales decreased $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower Security Products sales to a government security customer and to a lesser extent lower Marine Components sales primarily to the towboat market. Net sales decreased $10.6 million for the first nine months of 2024

Previous wording

*Cost of sales and gross margin.*Cost of sales as a percentage of sales improved 3.0% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales increased over the same period. Gross margin percentage increased in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher Security Products gross margin percentage and, to a lesser extent, higher gross margin percentage at Marine Components. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 1.3% for the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales declined over the same period. The decline in gross margin percentage for the six-month comparative period is primarily due to lower gross margin percentage at Marine Components, particularly in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by higher gross margin percentage at Security Products in the second quarter of 2024. See segment discussion below.

Current wording

*Cost of sales and gross margin.*Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 3.2% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased over the same period. Gross margin percentage decreased in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower gross margin percentages at both Security Products and Marine Components. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 1.9% for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales declined over the same period. The decline in gross margin percentage for the nine-month comparative period is primarily due to lower gross margin percentage at Marine Components. See segment discussion below.

Previous wording

Operating costs and expenses. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as any gains and losses on property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses for the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024 increased $.2 million and $.5 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to higher employee salaries and benefits at Security Products. Operating costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales increased for the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024 due to the increased operating costs and expenses mentioned above and decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses as a result of lower sales.

Current wording

Operating costs and expenses. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as any gains and losses on property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were comparable to the same period in 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, operating costs and expenses increased $.6 million compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher employee salaries and benefits at Security Products during the first half of the year. Operating costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales increased for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses as a result of lower sales. Operating costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales increased for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses as a result of lower sales and higher operating costs as noted above.

Previous wording

Operating income. As a percentage of net sales, operating income for the second quarter and the first six months of 2024 compared to the same periods of 2023 was primarily impacted by the factors affecting sales, cost of sales, gross margin and operating costs and expenses. See segment discussion below.

Current wording

Operating income. As a percentage of net sales, operating income for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same periods of 2023 was primarily impacted by the factors affecting sales, cost of sales, gross margin and operating costs and expenses. See segment discussion below.

Previous wording

*Interest income.*Interest income increased $.3 million and $.6 million in the second quarter and for the first six months of 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to higher average interest rates and higher average investment balances, somewhat offset by lower average balances on the revolving promissory note receivable from Valhi. See Notes 3 and 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Current wording

*Interest income.*Interest income increased $.2 million and $.8 million in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to higher average interest rates and higher average investment balances, somewhat offset by lower average balances on the revolving promissory note receivable from Valhi. See Notes 3 and 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Previous wording

Marine Components. Marine Components net sales decreased 30% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Relative to prior year, the decrease in second quarter sales was primarily due to $3.1 million lower sales to the towboat market. Marine Components net sales decreased 36% in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Relative to prior year, the decrease in sales for the first six months was primarily due to $7.4 million lower sales to the towboat market, $.6 million lower sales to each of the engine builder and industrial markets, and $.5 million lower sales to distributors.

Current wording

Marine Components. Marine Components net sales decreased 21% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Relative to prior year, the decrease in third quarter sales was primarily due to $1.3 million lower sales to the towboat market and $.5 million lower sales to the industrial market. Marine Components net sales decreased 32% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Relative to prior year, the decrease in sales for the first nine months was primarily due to $8.7 million lower sales to the towboat market, $1.1 million lower sales to the industrial market and $.6 million lower sales to each the engine builder market and distributors.

Previous wording

Gross margin and operating income as a percentage of net sales improved in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased primarily due to a favorable customer and product mix, partially offset by decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to the factors impacting gross margin as well as slightly reduced operating costs and expenses, including lower employee salaries and benefits of approximately $.1 million, partially offset by decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses on lower sales. For the first six months of 2024, gross margin as a percentage of net sales declined compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher cost inventory produced during the fourth quarter of 2023 and sold in the first quarter of 2024 and decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales, partially offset by a more favorable customer and product mix in the second quarter of 2024. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to the factors impacting gross margin as well as decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses on lower sales, partially offset by reduced operating costs and expenses, including lower employee salaries and benefits of $.1 million.

Current wording

Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower sales and decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales, partially offset by a more favorable customer and product mix as well as lower employee salaries and benefits of approximately $.5 million related to headcount reductions. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to the factors impacting gross margin as well as decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses on lower sales, partially offset by slightly reduced operating costs and expenses, including lower employee salaries and benefits of approximately $.1 million. For the first nine months of 2024, gross margin as a percentage of net sales declined compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher cost inventory produced during the fourth quarter of 2023 and sold in the first quarter of 2024 and decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales, partially offset by a more favorable customer and product mix as well as lower employee salaries and benefits of approximately $1.7 million related to headcount reductions. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to the factors impacting gross margin as well as decreased coverage of operating costs and expenses on lower sales, partially offset by reduced operating costs and expenses, including lower employee salaries and benefits of $.2 million.

Previous wording

Outlook. In the first six months of 2024, Security Products benefitted from a general increase in sales across many markets and particularly increased sales of mechanical locks to the government security market; however some of the overall demand improvement was offset by lower demand from distributors as noted above. At Marine Components, the decline in sales to the towboat market as a result of the contraction in the recreational marine industry that began late in the first quarter of 2023 has continued. We are focused on aligning our resources with current demand levels, and particularly at Marine Components, we are adjusting inventory levels, operating expenses and labor resources to align with current demand while also preserving our ability to respond quickly when demand increases. Generally, raw material prices have stabilized, our supply chains are stable and transportation and logistical delays are minimal. We have adjusted our order patterns in response to the stability of our raw material supplies.

Current wording

Outlook. As previously noted, beginning in the third quarter of 2023 Security Products had significant sales from a pilot project to a government security customer. Excluding these sales in 2023, sales would have increased in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023 due to increased sales across a variety of markets, particularly increased sales of mechanical locks to the government security market. At Marine Components, the decline in sales to the towboat market as a result of the contraction in the recreational marine industry that began late in the first quarter of 2023 has continued. We are focused on aligning our resources with current demand levels, and particularly at

Previous wording

regarding consumer demand levels. Overall, we expect Security Products gross margin will be comparable to 2023, although we expect operating income as a percentage of sales to decline due to our limited pricing power along with reduced coverage of selling, general and administrative costs as a result of lower expected sales. We expect Marine Components net sales for the full year of 2024 will be lower as compared to 2023 because we believe demand in the towboat market will further decline. The recreational marine industry faces strong headwinds due to higher interest rates and broader market weakness. Several original equipment boat manufacturers, including certain of our customers, have publicly announced further reductions to their 2024 production schedules. Overall, we expect Marine Components gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2024 to be lower than 2023 due to lower coverage of fixed overhead as a result of lower expected sales, and operating income as a percentage of net sales to be similarly lower as a result of reduced coverage of selling, general and administrative expenses due to lower expected sales. We ended 2023 with elevated inventory balances at our Marine Components segment as a result of increased orders of certain raw materials due to previously long lead times coupled with the rapidly changing towboat demand which created a misalignment of our raw materials with near term demand. We made significant progress in aligning our Marine Components inventory balances with current demand in the first half of 2024 and expect this alignment to continue over the remainder of 2024.

Current wording

We expect Security Products sales comparisons for the remainder of the year will be challenged by lower government security sales as the 2023 pilot project to a government security customer will not repeat. We expect our recurring Security Products sales for the remainder of the year to continue to be strong relative to the prior year. Overall, we expect Security Products gross margin and operating income margin for 2024 will be lower than 2023 primarily due to reduced coverage of fixed, selling, general and administrative costs as a result of lower expected sales as well as a less favorable product mix and higher materials and labor costs in the current economic environment. We expect Marine Components net sales for the full year of 2024 will be lower as compared to 2023 due to decreased demand in the towboat market. The recreational marine industry faces strong headwinds due to higher interest rates and broader market weakness. Overall, we expect Marine Components gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2024 to be lower than 2023 due to lower coverage of fixed overhead as a result of lower expected sales, and operating income as a percentage of net sales to be similarly lower as a result of reduced coverage of selling, general and administrative expenses due to lower expected sales. We ended 2023 with elevated inventory balances at our Marine Components segment as a result of increased orders of certain raw materials due to previously long lead times coupled with the rapidly changing towboat demand which created a misalignment of our raw materials with near term demand. We made significant progress in aligning our Marine Components inventory balances with current demand in the first nine months of 2024; however, we expect further reduction of inventory quantities will be offset by higher raw materials costs for certain projects in the industrial and other marine components markets, outside of the towboat market, which in many instances are more expensive than the stainless steel inventory used in towboat products.

Previous wording

Our net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of 2024 increased by $1.7 million as compared to the first six months of 2023. The increase in net cash provided is primarily due to the net effects of:

Current wording

Our net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2024 increased by $3.8 million as compared to the first nine months of 2023. The increase in net cash provided is primarily due to the net effects of:

Previous wording

Our average number of days in inventory increased from December 31, 2023 to June 30, 2024 primarily due to the increase at Security Products somewhat offset by the decline at Marine Components. Security Products days in inventory at December 31, 2023 is lower than usual due to the fulfillment and shipping of a significant order during the fourth quarter of 2023 and June 30, 2024 is more favorable to June 30, 2023 balances due to planned inventory reductions.

Current wording

Our average number of days in inventory increased from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024 primarily due to the increase at Security Products somewhat offset by the decline at Marine Components. Security Products days in inventory at December 31, 2023 is lower than usual due to the fulfillment and shipping of a significant order during the fourth quarter of 2023 and September 30, 2024 is more favorable to September 30, 2023 balances due to planned inventory reductions. The average number of days in inventory for Marine Components declined from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024 as a result of planned inventory reductions. For comparative purposes, we have provided December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023 numbers below.

Previous wording

*Investing activities.*Our capital expenditures were $.7 million and $.5 million in the first six months of 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the first six months of 2024, Valhi repaid a net $1.4 million under the promissory note ($12.0 million of gross borrowings and $13.4 million of gross repayments). During the first six months of 2023, Valhi repaid a net $1.0 million under the promissory note ($13.7 million of gross borrowings and $14.7 million of gross repayments). See Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Current wording

*Investing activities.*Our capital expenditures were $1.2 million and $.6 million in the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the first nine months of 2024, Valhi repaid a net $2.7 million under the promissory note ($17.7 million of gross borrowings and $20.4 million of gross repayments). During the first nine months of 2023, Valhi repaid a net $1.2 million under the promissory note ($20.7 million of gross borrowings and $21.9 million of gross repayments). See Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2024, we received gross proceeds totaling $24.0 million related to U.S. treasury bill maturities. During the first six months of 2023, we had gross purchases of U.S. treasury marketable securities aggregating $24.9 million and received gross proceeds totaling $12.0 million related to U.S. treasury bill maturities. See Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2024, we received gross proceeds totaling $36.0 million related to U.S. treasury bill maturities. During the first nine months of 2023, we had gross purchases of U.S. treasury marketable securities aggregating $36.3 million and received gross proceeds totaling $24.0 million related to U.S. treasury bill maturities. See Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Previous wording

*Financing activities.Financing activities consisted only of quarterly cash dividends. *In February 2024, our board of directors increased our regular quarterly dividend from $.25 per share to $.30 per share beginning in the first quarter of 2024. During the first six months of 2024 and 2023, we paid aggregate quarterly dividends to CompX stockholders of $7.4 million and $6.2 million, respectively. The declaration and payment of future dividends and the amount thereof, if any, is discretionary and is dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements for our businesses, contractual requirements and restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. The amount and timing of past dividends is not necessarily indicative of the amount or timing of any future dividends which we might pay. In this regard, in August 2024, our board of directors declared a special dividend of $2.00 per share on our Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share. The special dividend is payable on August 28, 2024 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 19, 2024.

Current wording

*Financing activities.Financing activities consisted only of cash dividends. *In February 2024, our board of directors increased our regular quarterly dividend from $.25 per share to $.30 per share beginning in the first quarter of 2024. During the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, we paid aggregate quarterly dividends to CompX stockholders of $11.1 million and $9.2 million, respectively. Additionally, in August 2024 our board of directors declared a special dividend on our Class A common stock of $2.00 per share ($24.6 million). The declaration and payment of future dividends and the amount thereof, if any, is discretionary and is dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements for our businesses, contractual requirements and restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. The amount and timing of past dividends is not necessarily indicative of the amount or timing of any future dividends which we might pay.

Previous wording

Periodically, we evaluate liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and available resources in view of, among other things, our capital expenditure requirements, dividend policy and estimated future operating cash flows. As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, issue additional securities, modify our dividend policy or take a combination of such steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources. In the normal course of business, we may review opportunities for acquisitions, joint ventures or other business combinations in the component products industry. In the event of any such transaction, we may consider using available cash, issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness or that of our subsidiaries.

Current wording

restructure indebtedness, issue additional securities, modify our dividend policy or take a combination of such steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources. In the normal course of business, we may review opportunities for acquisitions, joint ventures or other business combinations in the component products industry. In the event of any such transaction, we may consider using available cash, issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness or that of our subsidiaries.

Previous wording

All of our $82.1 million aggregate cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at June 30, 2024 were held in the U.S.

Current wording

All of our $58.8 million aggregate cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 were held in the U.S.

Previous wording

Capital expenditures. Firm purchase commitments for capital projects in process at June 30, 2024 totaled $.6 million. We expect our capital expenditures for 2024 will be approximately $2.2 million primarily to meet our existing customer demand and those required to properly maintain our facilities and technology infrastructure.

Current wording

Capital expenditures. Firm purchase commitments for capital projects in process at September 30, 2024 totaled $.6 million. We expect our capital expenditures for 2024 will be approximately $2.1 million primarily to meet our existing customer demand and those required to properly maintain our facilities and technology infrastructure.

Previous wording

There have been no changes in the first six months of 2024 with respect to our critical accounting policies presented in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2023 Annual Report.

Current wording

There have been no changes in the first nine months of 2024 with respect to our critical accounting policies presented in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2023 Annual Report.