10-Q 1 vhi-10q_20190331.htm 10-Q vhi-10q_20190331.htm

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarter ended March 31, 2019

Commission file number 1-5467

 

VALHI, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

87-0110150

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas

 

75240-2620

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 233-1700

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit files).    Yes      No  

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or emerging growth company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer,” smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

Large accelerated filer

 

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

  

 

  

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If an emerging  growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes      No  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

 

VHI

 

NYSE

Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding on April 30, 2019: 339,185,449

 

 

 


 

VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page
number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019 (unaudited)

  

 

3

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019

  

 

5

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019

  

 

6

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019

  

 

7

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019

  

 

8

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

  

 

9

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

  

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

  

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

  

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

  

 

46

 

Items 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Part II are omitted because there is no information to report.

 

 

 


VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

499.8

 

 

$

463.9

 

Restricted cash equivalents

 

15.0

 

 

 

15.1

 

Marketable securities

 

2.5

 

 

 

1.9

 

Accounts and other receivables, net

 

352.6

 

 

 

389.9

 

Land held for development

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

Inventories, net

 

515.8

 

 

 

515.1

 

Other current assets

 

23.1

 

 

 

17.9

 

Total current assets

 

1,408.8

 

 

 

1,405.1

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in TiO2 manufacturing joint venture

 

81.3

 

 

 

82.1

 

Goodwill

 

379.7

 

 

 

379.7

 

Deferred income taxes

 

101.0

 

 

 

96.0

 

Other assets

 

175.3

 

 

 

203.7

 

Total other assets

 

737.3

 

 

 

761.5

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

46.6

 

 

 

46.4

 

Buildings

 

250.5

 

 

 

246.1

 

Equipment

 

1,155.2

 

 

 

1,143.6

 

Mining properties

 

28.6

 

 

 

22.8

 

Construction in progress

 

44.2

 

 

 

52.0

 

 

 

1,525.1

 

 

 

1,510.9

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

961.6

 

 

 

952.8

 

Net property and equipment

 

563.5

 

 

 

558.1

 

Total assets

$

2,709.6

 

 

$

2,724.7

 

 

 

 

- 3 -


VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(In millions)

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

$

2.9

 

 

$

2.9

 

Accounts payable and accrual liabilities

 

339.0

 

 

 

335.7

 

Income taxes

 

9.1

 

 

 

9.1

 

Total current liabilities

 

351.0

 

 

 

347.7

 

Noncurrent liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

797.5

 

 

 

786.3

 

Deferred income taxes

 

41.2

 

 

 

42.3

 

Payable to affiliates

 

56.3

 

 

 

56.3

 

Accrued pension costs

 

273.3

 

 

 

266.5

 

Accrued environmental remediation and related costs

 

96.9

 

 

 

96.1

 

Other liabilities

 

104.4

 

 

 

123.4

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

1,369.6

 

 

 

1,370.9

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valhi stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

667.3

 

 

 

667.3

 

Common stock

 

3.6

 

 

 

3.6

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

220.3

 

 

 

231.7

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(206.2

)

 

 

(204.9

)

Treasury stock, at cost

 

(49.6

)

 

 

(49.6

)

Total Valhi stockholders’ equity

 

635.4

 

 

 

648.1

 

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

 

353.6

 

 

 

358.0

 

Total equity

 

989.0

 

 

 

1,006.1

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

2,709.6

 

 

$

2,724.7

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 13 and 16)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

- 4 -


VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenues and other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

466.0

 

 

$

479.6

 

Other income, net

 

20.4

 

 

 

6.6

 

Total revenues and other income

 

486.4

 

 

 

486.2

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

280.7

 

 

 

357.8

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

80.2

 

 

 

71.4

 

Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost

 

3.7

 

 

 

4.1

 

Interest

 

15.4

 

 

 

10.3

 

Total costs and expenses

 

380.0

 

 

 

443.6

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

106.4

 

 

 

42.6

 

Income tax expense

 

36.2

 

 

 

14.2

 

Net income from continuing operations

 

70.2

 

 

 

28.4

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

37.6

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

107.8

 

 

 

28.4

 

Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiaries

 

18.5

 

 

 

10.2

 

Net income attributable to Valhi stockholders

$

89.3

 

 

$

18.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts attributable to Valhi stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

51.7

 

 

$

18.2

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

37.6

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Valhi stockholders

$

89.3

 

 

$

18.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.15

 

 

$

.05

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

.11

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Valhi stockholders

$

.26

 

 

$

.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

342.0

 

 

 

342.0

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

- 5 -


 

VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

 

 

 

Three months
ended March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Net income

 

$

107.8

 

 

$

28.4

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

(.3

)

Marketable securities

 

 

(.1

)

 

 

 

Defined benefit pension plans

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.3

 

Other postretirement benefit plans

 

 

(.3

)

 

 

(.2

)

Total other comprehensive income, net

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

1.8

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

119.8

 

 

 

30.2

 

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

21.7

 

 

 

10.7

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Valhi stockholders

 

$

98.1

 

 

$

19.5

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

- 6 -


 

VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

107.8

 

 

$

28.4

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14.5

 

 

 

12.8

 

Benefit plan expense greater than cash funding

 

.5

 

 

 

1.1

 

Deferred income taxes

 

37.2

 

 

 

3.6

 

Gain on sale of WCS

 

(58.4

)

 

 

 

Gain on land sales

 

(12.5

)

 

 

 

Distributions from (contributions to) Ti02 manufacturing joint venture, net

 

5.5

 

 

 

(.8

)

Other, net

 

1.6

 

 

 

1.1

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and other receivables, net

 

(40.9

)

 

 

(46.0

)

Inventories, net

 

(41.8

)

 

 

(3.7

)

Land held for development, net

 

(1.4

)

 

 

(1.1

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

23.0

 

 

 

(4.2

)

Accounts with affiliates

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.8

 

Income taxes

 

7.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

Other, net

 

1.7

 

 

 

3.2

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

47.7

 

 

 

(2.2

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(16.9

)

 

 

(16.8

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations

  at time of sale

 

(28.9

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of land

 

19.5

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(3.5

)

 

 

(1.0

)

Disposals of marketable securities

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.7

 

Other, net

 

.6

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(25.8

)

 

 

(16.1

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indebtedness:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

Principal payments

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(2.1

)

Valhi cash dividends paid

 

(6.8

)

 

 

(6.8

)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(6.3

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(13.2

)

 

 

(15.2

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents - net change from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating, investing and financing activities

 

8.7

 

 

 

(33.5

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

5.4

 

 

 

(2.6

)

Balance at beginning of period

 

489.4

 

 

 

523.7

 

Balance at end of period

$

503.5

 

 

$

487.6

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of capitalized interest

$

19.4

 

 

$

13.7

 

Income taxes, net

 

13.7

 

 

 

6.3

 

Noncash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in accruals for capital expenditures

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.0

 

Noncash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payable to affiliate converted to indebtedness

 

36.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

- 7 -


 

VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019

(In millions)

(unaudited)

 

 

Valhi Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred
stock

 

  

Common
stock

 

  

Additional
paid-in
capital

 

  

Retained earnings (deficit)

 

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss

 

 

Treasury
stock

 

 

Non-
controlling
interest

 

 

Total
equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

$

667.3

  

  

$

3.6

  

  

$

  

  

$

(17.9

)  

 

$

(179.0

 

$

(49.6

 

$

342.3

  

 

$

766.7

  

Change in accounting principle – ASU 2014-09

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

2.7

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

5.0

 

Balance at January 1, 2018, as adjusted

 

667.3

  

  

 

3.6

  

  

 

  

  

 

(15.2

)  

 

 

(179.0

 

 

(49.6

 

 

344.6

  

 

 

771.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

89.3

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

107.8

 

Other comprehensive income, net

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

  

 

 

12.0

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(3.9

)

Cash dividends - $.02 per share

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

  

 

(6.8

)

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

(6.8

)

Balance at March 31, 2018

$

667.3

  

  

$

3.6

  

  

$

  

  

$

67.3

 

 

$

(170.2

)

 

$

(49.6

)

 

$

362.4

  

 

$

880.8

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

$

667.3

  

  

$

3.6

  

  

$

  

  

$

220.3

 

 

$

(206.2

 

$

(49.6

 

$

353.6

  

 

$

989.0

  

Net income

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

18.2

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

28.4

 

Other comprehensive income, net

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

.5

  

 

 

1.8

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.3

)  

 

 

(6.3

)

Cash dividends - $.02 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.8

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

$

667.3

  

  

$

3.6

  

  

$

  

  

$

231.7

 

 

$

(204.9

)

 

$

(49.6

)

 

$

358.0

  

 

$

1,006.1

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

- 8 -


 

VALHI, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(unaudited)

 

Note 1—Organization and basis of presentation:

Organization— We are majority owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation (“Contran”), which owns approximately 92% of our outstanding common stock at March 31, 2019.  All of Contran's outstanding voting stock is held by a family trust established for the benefit of Lisa K. Simmons and Serena Simmons Connelly and their children, for which Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly are co-trustees, or is held directly by Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly or entities related to them.  Consequently, Ms. Simmons and Ms. Connelly may be deemed to control Contran and us.

Basis of Presentation—Consolidated in this Quarterly Report are the results of our majority-owned and wholly-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and The LandWell Company (“LandWell”).  Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL), and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  In January 2018, we sold Waste Control Specialists LLC (“WCS”).  See Note 3.

The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report have been prepared on the same basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 that we filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019 (the “2018 Annual Report”). In our opinion, we have made all necessary adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments, other than the gain on the sale of WCS recognized in the first quarter of 2018 as discussed in Note 3), 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, 2018 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, 2018) 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 period ended March 31, 2019 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 2018 Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2018 Annual Report.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Valhi, Inc. and its subsidiaries (NYSE: VHI), taken as a whole.

 

 

Note 2—Business segment information:

 

Business segment

  

Entity

  

% controlled at
March 31, 2019

 

Chemicals

  

Kronos

  

 80

Component products

  

CompX

  

 87

Real estate management and development

 

BMI and LandWell

 

63% - 77

%

- 9 -


 

Our control of Kronos includes 50% we hold directly and 30% held directly by NL. We own 83% of NL. Our control of CompX is through NL. We own 63% of BMI.  Our control of LandWell includes the 27% we hold directly and 50% held by BMI.  

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

$

430.4

 

 

$

436.5

 

Component products

 

28.4

 

 

 

31.2

 

Real estate management and development

 

7.2

 

 

 

11.9

 

Total net sales

$

466.0

 

 

$

479.6

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

$

256.1

 

 

$

327.7

 

Component products

 

18.9

 

 

 

21.5

 

Real estate management and development

 

5.7

 

 

 

8.6

 

Total cost of sales

$

280.7

 

 

$

357.8

 

Gross margin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

$

174.3

 

 

$

108.8

 

Component products

 

9.5

 

 

 

9.7

 

Real estate management and development

 

1.5

 

 

 

3.3

 

Total gross margin

$

185.3

 

 

$

121.8

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

$

110.6

 

 

$

52.8

 

Component products

 

4.4

 

 

 

4.4

 

Real estate management and development

 

3.8

 

 

 

3.2

 

Total operating income

 

118.8

 

 

 

60.4

 

General corporate items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities earnings

 

8.3

 

 

 

3.1

 

Insurance recoveries

 

.2

 

 

 

.3

 

Gain on land sales

 

12.5

 

 

 

 

Changes in market value of Valhi common stock held by subsidiaries

 

(.3

)

 

 

1.1

 

Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(4.1

)

General expenses, net

 

(14.0

)

 

 

(7.9

)

Interest expense

 

(15.4

)

 

 

(10.3

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

$

106.4

 

 

$

42.6

 

Segment results we report may differ from amounts separately reported by our various subsidiaries due to purchase accounting adjustments and related amortization or differences in the way we define operating income.  Intersegment sales are not material.

 

Note 3—Business disposition —  Waste Control Specialists LLC:

On January 26, 2018 we sold our Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC ("JFL Partners"), an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of WCS' third-party indebtedness and other liabilities.  The sale of our former Waste Management Segment enabled us to focus on continuing to develop our remaining segments which we believe have greater opportunity for higher returns.

In accordance with GAAP, the Waste Management Segment has been classified as discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Also in accordance with GAAP, we have not reclassified our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to reflect the Waste Management Segment as discontinued operations.  We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $58 million in the first quarter of 2018 on the transaction ($38.2 million, or $.11 per diluted share, net of tax) because the carrying value of the liabilities of the business assumed by JFL Partners exceeded the carrying value of the assets sold at the time of the sale in large part due to the previously-reported long-lived asset impairment of $170.6 million recognized in the second quarter of 2017, as discussed in the 2018 Annual Report.  Selected financial data for the operations of the disposed Waste Management Segment for periods prior to completing the sale is presented below.    

 

 

 

- 10 -


 

 

 

 

Three months

ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2018(1)

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

 

Net sales

  

 

$4.6

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

  

 

$(.4)

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(.3)

 

 

Loss before taxes

  

 

(.7)

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

.1

 

 

Net loss

  

 

$(.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax gain on disposal

 

 

$58.4

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

20.2

 

 

After-tax gain on disposal

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

37.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

$2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

$(.1)

 

 

 

(1)  Reflects the results of the Waste Management Segment though January 26, 2018, the date of the sale.

In connection with the January 2018 sale, JFL Partners did not assume WCS’ trade payable owed to Contran, which consisted primarily of intercorporate service fees charged to WCS by Contran which WCS had not paid to Contran for several years.  Immediately prior to the closing of the sale of WCS, Contran transferred its associated receivable of $36.3 million from WCS to Valhi, in return for a deemed $36.3 million borrowing by Valhi under its revolving credit facility with Contran.  Valhi subsequently contributed such receivable from WCS to WCS’s equity, and the trade payable obligation of WCS was deemed paid in full.

 

Note 4—Accounts and other receivables, net:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Trade accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kronos

$

273.3

 

 

$

317.9

 

CompX

 

12.2

 

 

 

15.4

 

BMI and LandWell

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.3

 

VAT and other receivables

 

32.7

 

 

 

25.0

 

Refundable income taxes

 

5.7

 

 

 

3.6

 

Accrued insurance recovery related to litigation

 

15.0

 

 

 

15.0

 

Receivable from affiliates:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contran – trade items

 

.5

 

 

 

.5

 

LPC – trade items

 

10.2

 

 

 

10.2

 

Other – trade items

 

2.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(1.7

)

Total

$

352.6

 

 

$

389.9

 

 

The accrued insurance recovery related to litigation is discussed in Note 16.

- 11 -


 

Note 5—Inventories, net:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Raw materials:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

$

93.1

 

 

$

102.0

 

Component products

 

2.7

 

 

 

3.3

 

Total raw materials

 

95.8

 

 

 

105.3

 

Work in process:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

 

23.5

 

 

 

29.2

 

Component products

 

11.1

 

 

 

11.8

 

Total in-process products  

 

34.6

 

 

 

41.0

 

Finished products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals

 

317.6

 

 

 

299.7

 

Component products

 

3.3

 

 

 

3.4

 

Total finished products

 

320.9

 

 

 

303.1

 

Supplies (chemicals)

 

64.5

 

 

 

65.7

 

Total

$

515.8

 

 

$

515.1

 

 

Note 6—Other noncurrent assets:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Other noncurrent assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land held for development

$

129.2

 

 

$

126.2

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

 

 

33.1

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

8.9

 

 

 

8.6

 

Land contract receivables

 

9.1

 

 

 

3.8

 

IBNR receivables

 

6.0

 

 

 

6.9

 

Marketable securities

 

4.8

 

 

 

4.9

 

Pension asset

 

2.7

 

 

 

3.4

 

Notes receivable - OPA

 

1.9

 

 

 

3.1

 

Other

 

12.7

 

 

 

13.7

 

Total

$

175.3

 

 

$

203.7

 

Land contract receivables classified as a noncurrent asset relate to our Real Estate Management and Development Segment.  Such receivables relate to certain fees we collect from builders when the builder sells a home to a customer.  

 

Leases

We enter into various arrangements (or leases) that convey the rights to use and control identified underlying assets for a period of time in exchange for consideration.  We lease various manufacturing facilities and equipment.  In addition, our Chemicals Segment’s principal German operating subsidiary leases the land under its Leverkusen TiO2 production facility pursuant to a lease with Bayer AG that expires in 2050.  The Leverkusen facility itself, which Kronos owns and which represents approximately one-third of our current TiO2 production capacity, is located within Bayer’s extensive manufacturing complex.  From time to time, we may also enter into an arrangement in which the right to use and control an identified underlying asset is embedded in another type of contract.

On January 1, 2019 we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842).  See Note 18.  We determine if an arrangement is a lease (including leases embedded in another type of contract) at inception.  All of our leases are classified as operating leases under this new ASU.  Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, current operating lease liabilities and noncurrent operating lease liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet beginning January 1, 2019.  See Notes 8 and 9.

Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.  For leases in effect as of the January 1, 2019 date of adoption of the new

- 12 -


 

ASU, the right-of-use operating lease assets and liabilities were recognized based on the estimated present value of remaining lease payments over the remaining lease term as of the adoption date.  For new leases entered into subsequent to the date of adoption of the new ASU, the right-of-use operating lease asset and liabilities will be recognized based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term as of the respective lease commencement dates.  

We use an estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments (unless we can determine the rate implicit in the lease, which is generally not the case).  Our incremental borrowing rate for each of our leases is derived from available information, including our current debt and credit facilities and U.S. and European yield curves as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics, adjusted for factors such as collateralization and term.  For leases in effect as of the January 1, 2019 date of adoption of the new ASU, we used an estimated incremental borrowing rate for each lease on the date of adoption.  For new leases entered into subsequent to the date of adoption of the new ASU, we use an estimated incremental borrowing rate for each lease as of the respective lease commencement dates.

Our leases generally do not include termination or purchase options.  Certain of our leases include an option to renew the lease after expiration of the initial lease term, but we have not included such renewal periods in our lease term because it is not reasonably certain that we would exercise the renewal option.  Our leases generally have fixed lease payments, with no contingent or incentive payments.  Certain of our leases include variable lease payments that depend on a specified index or rate, and in accordance with ASU 2016-02 the determination of the operating lease liabilities is based on the index or rate existing at the date of adoption of the new ASU (for leases in effect as of January 1, 2019) or the index or rate in effect as of the lease commencement date (for leases entered into subsequent to the date of adoption of the new ASU).  Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees.  

With respect to our land lease associated with Kronos’ Leverkusen facility, we periodically establish the amount of rent for such land lease by agreement with Bayer for periods of at least two years at a time.  The lease agreement provides for no formula, index or other mechanism to determine changes in the rent of such land lease; rather, any change in the rent is subject solely to periodic negotiation between Bayer and us.  As such, we will account for any change in the rent associated with such lease subsequent to the January 1, 2019 adoption of the new ASU as a lease modification.  

During the first three months of 2019, our operating lease expense approximated $2.1 million (which amount approximates the amount of cash paid during the period for our operating leases included in the determination of our net cash flows from operating activities). During the first three months of 2019, variable lease expense and short-term lease expense were not material.  During the first three months of 2019, we entered into new operating leases which resulted in the recognition of a nominal right-of-use operating lease asset and operating lease liability.  At March 31, 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term of our operating leases was approximately 13 years, and the weighted average discount rate associated with such leases was approximately 4.5%.  Such average remaining lease term is weighted based on each arrangement’s lease obligation, and such average discount rate is weighted based on each arrangment’s total remaining lease payments.

At March 31, 2019, maturities of our lease liabilities were as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,

  

Amount

 

 

  

(In millions)

 

Gross amounts due each year:

  

 

 

 

2019 (remainder of year)

  

$

5.8

  

2020

  

 

6.7

  

2021

  

 

6.0

  

2022

  

 

3.4

  

2023

  

 

2.2

  

2024 and thereafter

  

 

21.3

  

Total lease payments

  

 

45.4

  

Less imputed interest

  

 

13.0

  

Total lease obligations

  

 

32.4

  

Less current obligations

 

 

6.8

 

Long-term lease obligations

 

$

25.6

 

 


- 13 -


 

Disclosures related to periods prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02

Net operating lease rent expense approximated $14.3 million in 2016, $16.3 million in 2017 and $14.8 million in 2018. At December 31, 2018, future minimum payments under non-cancellable operating leases having an initial or remaining term of more than one year were as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

2019

 

$

6.3

 

2020

 

 

5.1

 

2021

 

 

4.3

 

2022

 

 

3.2

 

2023

 

 

2.4

 

2024 and thereafter

 

 

21.5

 

Total (1)

 

$

42.8

 

 

(1)

Approximately $17 million of the $42.8 million aggregate future minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2018 relates to Kronos’ Leverkusen facility lease discussed above. The minimum commitment amounts for such lease included in the table above for each year through the 2050 expiration of the lease are based upon the current annual rental rate as of December 31, 2018. As discussed above, any change in the rent is based solely on negotiations between Bayer and Kronos, and any such change in the rent was deemed “contingent rentals” under prior GAAP and was excluded from the future minimum lease payments disclosed above.

 

Note receivable – OPA

As disclosed in Note 7 to our 2018 Annual Report under an Owner Participation Agreement (“OPA”) entered into by LandWell with the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Henderson, Nevada, as LandWell develops certain real property for commercial and residential purposes in its master planned community in Henderson, Nevada, and the cost of certain public infrastructure may be reimbursed to LandWell through tax increment.    

 

Prior to 2018, due to the significant uncertainty of the timing and amount of any of such potential tax increment reimbursements, we recognized any such tax increment reimbursements only when received.  However, due to growth in the master planned community and the increase in tax increment funds to which LandWell is entitled, we determined in the first quarter of 2018 the tax increment reimbursements expected to be collected in the future would at least be sufficient to support recognizing the promissory note payable issued by the City of Henderson to LandWell.  During the first quarter of 2018, we recognized $3.8 million of other income related to the existing promissory note and accrued interest as of January 1, 2018.  During the first quarter of 2019, we received approval for additional tax increment reimbursement of $1.1 million, which was recognized as other income and is evidenced by a promissory note issued to LandWell by the City of Henderson.  See Note 12.

 

- 14 -


 

Note 7—Long-term debt:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Valhi:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contran credit facility

$

314.3

 

 

$

313.0

 

Subsidiary debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kronos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Secured Notes

 

452.4

 

 

 

443.2

 

Tremont:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Promissory note payable

 

9.4

 

 

 

8.7

 

BMI:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank loan – Western Alliance Bank

 

18.0

 

 

 

18.0

 

LandWell:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note payable to the City of Henderson

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

Other

 

4.2

 

 

 

4.2

 

Total subsidiary debt

 

486.1

 

 

 

476.2

 

Total debt

 

800.4

 

 

 

789.2

 

Less current maturities

 

2.9

 

 

 

2.9

 

Total long-term debt

$

797.5

 

 

$

786.3

 

Valhi Contran credit facility During the first three months of 2019, we repaid a net $1.3 million under this facility.  The average interest rate on the existing balance as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was 6.50%. At March 31, 2019, the equivalent of $47.0 million was available for borrowing under this facility.

Kronos – Senior Secured Notes -  At March 31, 2019, the carrying value of Kronos’ 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 15, 2025 (€400 million aggregate principal amount outstanding) is stated net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $5.9 million.

North American and European revolving credit facilities– During the first three months of 2019, Kronos had no borrowings or repayments under its North American revolving credit facility and its European revolving credit facility.  At March 31, 2019, approximately $123.1 million was available for additional borrowing under the North American Revolving credit facility.  Kronos’ European revolving credit facility requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, and one of such requirements is based on the ratio of net debt to last twelve months earnings before income tax, interest, depreciation and amortization expense (EBITDA) of the borrowers.  Based upon the borrowers’ last twelve months EBITDA as of March 31, 2019 and the net debt to EBITDA financial test, the full €90.0 million of the credit facility ($101.1 million) is available for borrowing availability at such date.    

Tremont – Promissory note payable – During the first three months of 2019, Tremont prepaid (without penalty) $.7 million principal amount on the note as required under the terms of the note agreement.

Restrictions and other Certain of the credit facilities with unrelated, third-party lenders described above require the respective borrowers to maintain minimum levels of equity, require the maintenance of certain financial ratios, limit dividends and additional indebtedness and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at March 31, 2019.

 

 

- 15 -


 

Note 8—Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Accounts payable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kronos

$

103.2

 

 

$

111.8

 

CompX

 

3.2

 

 

 

3.3

 

BMI and LandWell

 

2.9

 

 

 

4.0

 

NL

 

1.6

 

 

 

1.2

 

Other

 

.6

 

 

 

.5

 

Payable to affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contran – income taxes

 

10.0

 

 

 

12.2

 

LPC – trade items

 

16.7

 

 

 

15.2

 

Accrued litigation settlement

 

60.0

 

 

 

60.0

 

Operating lease liability

 

 

 

 

6.8

 

Employee benefits

 

37.5

 

 

 

34.8

 

Deferred income

 

28.3

 

 

 

18.9

 

Accrued sales discounts and rebates

 

29.7

 

 

 

22.1

 

Environmental remediation and related costs

 

6.5

 

 

 

6.4

 

Interest

 

5.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

Other

 

33.6

 

 

 

37.3

 

Total

$

339.0

 

 

$

335.7

 

 

The accrued litigation settlement is discussed in Note 16.  The operating lease liability is discussed in Notes 6 and 18.

Note 9—Other noncurrent liabilities:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Operating lease liability

$

 

 

$

25.6

 

Reserve for uncertain tax positions

 

19.1

 

 

 

19.4

 

Accrued litigation settlement

 

17.0

 

 

 

17.0

 

Deferred income

 

15.8

 

 

 

7.7

 

Other postretirement benefits

 

10.3

 

 

 

10.3

 

Employee benefits

 

7.1

 

 

 

6.9

 

Insurance claims and expenses

 

8.1

 

 

 

9.0

 

Deferred payment obligation

 

9.6

 

 

 

9.7

 

Accrued development costs

 

7.5

 

 

 

8.2

 

Other

 

9.9

 

 

 

9.6

 

Total

$

104.4

 

 

$

123.4

 

 

The accrued litigation settlement is discussed in Note 16.  The operating lease liability is discussed in Notes 6 and 18.

 


- 16 -


 

Note 10 – Revenue – disaggregation of sales:

 

The following table disaggregates the net sales of our Chemicals Segment by the categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net sales – point of origin:

  

 

 

  

  

 

 

  

Germany

  

$

234.5

 

  

$

219.2

 

United States

  

 

196.8

 

  

 

245.3

 

Canada

  

 

71.6

  

  

 

78.5

 

Belgium

 

 

69.7

 

 

 

69.7

 

Norway

  

 

53.1

 

  

 

51.5

 

Eliminations

  

 

(195.3

)

  

 

(227.7

)

Total

 

$

430.4

 

 

$

436.5

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net sales – point of destination:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

$

233.9

 

 

$

215.2

 

North America

 

 

127.0

 

 

 

146.8

 

Other

 

 

69.5

 

 

 

74.5

 

 

 

$

430.4

 

 

$

436.5

 

 

The following table disaggregates the net sales of our Component Products and Real Estate Management and Development Segments by major product line.

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Component Products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales:

  

 

 

  

  

 

 

  

Security products

  

$

24.1

 

  

$

24.7

 

Marine components

  

 

4.3

 

  

 

6.5

 

 

  

$

28.4

 

  

$

31.2

  

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management and Development:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales:

  

 

 

  

  

 

 

  

Land sales

  

$

5.8

 

  

$

9.5

 

Water delivery

 

 

.9

 

 

 

1.9

 

Utility and other

  

 

.5

 

  

 

.5

 

 

  

$

7.2

 

  

$

11.9

  

 

Note 11—Defined benefit pension plans:

The components of our net periodic defined benefit pension cost are presented in the table below.

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Service cost

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

2.8

 

Interest cost

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

4.0

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(3.7

)

Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

 

 

.1

 

 

 

.1

 

Recognized actuarial losses

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

3.8

 

Total

 

$

6.9

 

 

$

7.0

 

 

We expect to contribute the equivalent of approximately $18.2 million to all of our defined benefit pension plans during 2019.

 

- 17 -


 

Note 12—Other income, net:

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Securities earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends and interest

$

8.3

 

 

$

2.9

 

Securities transactions, net

 

 

 

 

.2

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

3.1

 

Currency transactions, net

 

(5.0

)

 

 

.9

 

Insurance recoveries

 

.2

 

 

 

.3

 

Infrastructure reimbursement

 

3.8

 

 

 

1.1

 

Gain on land sales

 

12.5

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

.6

 

 

 

1.2

 

Total

$

20.4

 

 

$

6.6

 

 

Insurance recoveries reflect, in part, amounts NL received from certain of its former insurance carriers and relate to the recovery of prior lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs incurred by NL.  See Note 16.

 

Infrastructure reimbursement costs relate principally to tax increment reimbursements of our Real Estate Management and Development Segment discussed in Note 6.

 

In the first quarter of 2018 we sold two parcels of land not used in our operating activities.  We sold the first parcel for net proceeds of $18.9 million, and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of $11.9 million. In addition NL sold excess property with a nominal book value for proceeds of $.6 million.

 

Note 13—Income taxes:

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Expected tax expense, at U.S. federal statutory income

   tax rate of 21%

$

22.4

 

 

$

8.9

 

Incremental net tax (benefit) on earnings and losses of non-U.S. and

   non-tax group companies

 

4.1

 

 

 

(.2

)

Non-U.S. tax rates

 

7.0

 

 

 

2.3

 

Valuation allowance

 

.3

 

 

 

1.0

 

Global intangible low-tax income, net

 

 

 

 

.7

 

Adjustment to the reserve for uncertain tax positions, net

 

1.6

 

 

 

.5

 

Canada – Germany APA

 

(1.4

)

 

 

 

U.S. state income taxes and other, net

 

2.2

 

 

 

1.0

 

Income tax expense

$

36.2

 

 

$

14.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive provision for income taxes (benefit) allocable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

36.2

 

 

$

14.2

 

Discontinued operations

 

20.1

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings – change in accounting principle

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

Pension plans

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

OPEB plans

 

(.1

)

 

 

(.1

)

Total

$

60.2

 

 

$

15.7

 

The amount shown in the above 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 of 21%.  The amount shown on such

- 18 -


 

table for incremental net tax (benefit) on earnings and losses on non-U.S. and non-tax group companies includes, as applicable, (i) deferred state and foreign income taxes (or deferred income tax benefits) and deferred withholding taxes, as applicable, associated with the current-year change in the aggregate amount of undistributed earnings of all of our non-U.S. subsidiaries, which earnings are not permanently reinvested , (ii) current U.S. income taxes (or current income tax benefit) attributable to current-year income (losses) of one of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries, which subsidiary is treated as a dual resident for U.S. income tax purposes, (iii) deferred income taxes associated with our direct investment in Kronos  and (iv) current and deferred income taxes associated with distributions and earnings from our investment in LandWell and BMI.

We record global intangible low-tax income (GILTI) tax as a current-period expense when incurred under the period cost method.  We have evaluated the tax impact of GILTI and base erosion anti abuse tax (BEAT) provisions and related U.S. tax credit provisions applicable to tax years beginning in 2018 based on the relevant statutes and guidance provided under the proposed regulations.  Given the complexity of the international provisions, it is possible that final regulations could differ from the proposed regulations and materially impact our determinations with respect to such items.  Any material change will be recognized in the period in which the final regulations are published.

None of our federal U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns are currently under examination.  As a result of prior audits in certain jurisdictions, which are now settled, in 2008 Kronos filed Advance Pricing Agreement Requests with the tax authorities in the U.S., Canada and Germany.  These requests had been under review with the respective tax authorities since 2008 and prior to 2016, it was uncertain whether an agreement would be reached between the tax authorities and whether we would agree to execute and finalize such agreements.  During the first quarter of 2018, Kronos’ German subsidiary executed and finalized the related Advance Pricing Agreement with the Competent Authority for Germany (the “Germany-Canada APA”) effective for tax years 2005 - 2017.  In the first quarter of 2018, we recognized a net $1.4 million non-cash income tax benefit related to an APA tax settlement payment between Kronos’ German and Canadian subsidiaries.

The 2017 Tax Act  amended the rules limiting the deduction for business interest expense beginning in 2018.  The limitation applies to all taxpayers, and our annual deduction for business interest expense is limited to the sum of our business interest income and 30% of our adjusted taxable income as defined under the 2017 Tax Act.  Any business interest expense not allowed as a deduction as a result of the limitation may be carried forward indefinitely and is treated as interest paid in the carryforward year subject to the respective year’s limitation.  We determined that our interest expense for 2018 and 2019 was limited under these provisions.  The limitation in 2018 resulted in part because of the loss we recognized on the sale of WCS for income tax purposes. We concluded that we were required to recognize a non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria with respect to a portion of our deferred tax asset attributable to the nondeductible amount of business interest expense carryforward.  Consequently, our provision for income taxes includes a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2018 and $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 for the amount of such deferred income tax asset that we have determined does not meet the  more-likely-than-not recognition criteria.  In accordance with the ASC 740 guidance regarding intra-period allocation of income taxes, such non-cash deferred income tax expense in 2018 is classified as part of the income taxes associated with the pre-tax gain we recognized for financial reporting purposes on the sale of WCS, which is classified as part of discontinued operations as discussed in Note 3.

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 decrease by approximately $3.7 million during the next twelve months primarily due to certain adjustments to our prior year returns and the expiration of certain statutes of limitations.

 

 

Note 14—Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries:

 

 

December 31,
2018

 

 

March 31,
2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Noncontrolling interest in net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kronos Worldwide

$

221.4

 

 

$

223.5

 

NL Industries

 

62.4

 

 

 

65.1

 

CompX International

 

19.4

 

 

 

19.9

 

BMI

 

27.1

 

 

 

26.7

 

LandWell

 

23.3

 

 

 

22.8

 

Total

$

353.6

 

 

$

358.0

 

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Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiaries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kronos Worldwide

$

13.8

 

 

$

5.9

 

NL Industries

 

2.4

 

 

 

2.6

 

CompX International

 

.5

 

 

 

.5

 

BMI

 

.6

 

 

 

.5

 

LandWell

 

1.2

 

 

 

.7

 

Total

$

18.5

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

 

Note 15—Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Valhi stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 are presented in the table below.

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

   and noncontrolling interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

$

1.7

 

 

$

1.7

 

Other comprehensive loss – unrealized losses

   arising during the period

 

(.1

)

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$

1.6

 

 

$

1.7

 

Currency translation adjustment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

$

(54.1

)

 

$

(75.6

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

7.2

 

 

 

(.2

)

Balance at end of period

$

(46.9

)

 

$

(75.8

)

Defined benefit pension plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

$

(129.0

)

 

$

(134.0

)

Other comprehensive income— amortization of prior

   service cost and net losses included in net periodic

   pension cost

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.7

 

Balance at end of period

$

(127.1

)

 

$

(132.3

)

OPEB plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

$

2.4

 

 

$

1.7

 

Other comprehensive loss – amortization of prior

   service credit

 

(.2

)

 

 

(.2

)

Balance at end of period

$

2.2

 

 

$

1.5

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

$

(179.0

)

 

$

(206.2

)

Other comprehensive income

 

8.8

 

 

 

1.3

 

Balance at end of period

$

(170.2

)

 

$

(204.9

)

 

See Note 11 for amounts related to our defined benefit pension plans.

 

Note 16 – Commitments and contingencies:

 

Lead pigment litigation – NL

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NL’s former operations included the manufacture of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint.  NL, other former manufacturers of lead pigments for use in paint and lead-based paint (together, the “former pigment manufacturers”), and the Lead Industries Association (LIA), which discontinued business operations in 2002, have been named as defendants in various legal proceedings seeking damages for personal injury, property damage and governmental expenditures allegedly caused by the use of lead-based paints.  Certain of these actions have been filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, and certain others have been asserted as class actions.  These lawsuits seek recovery under a variety of theories, including public and private nuisance, negligent product design, negligent failure to warn, strict liability, breach of warranty, conspiracy/concert of action, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, market share or risk contribution liability, intentional tort, fraud and misrepresentation, violations of state consumer protection statutes, supplier negligence and similar claims.

The plaintiffs in these actions generally seek to impose on the defendants responsibility for lead paint abatement and health concerns associated with the use of lead-based paints, including damages for personal injury, contribution and/or indemnification for medical expenses, medical monitoring expenses and costs for educational programs.  To the extent the plaintiffs seek compensatory or punitive damages in these actions, such damages are generally unspecified.  In some cases, the damages are unspecified pursuant to the requirements of applicable state law.  A number of cases are inactive or have been dismissed or withdrawn.  Most of the remaining cases are in various pre-trial stages.  Some are on appeal following dismissal or summary judgment rulings or a trial verdict in favor of either the defendants or the plaintiffs.

We believe that these actions are without merit, and we intend to continue to deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability and to defend against all actions vigorously.  Other than with respect to the Santa Clara, California public nuisance case discussed below, we do not believe it is probable that we have incurred any liability with respect to all of the lead pigment litigation cases to which we are a party, and with respect to all such lead pigment litigation cases to which we are a party, other than with respect to the Santa Clara case discussed below, we believe liability to us that may result, if any, in this regard cannot be reasonably estimated, because:

 

NL has never settled any of the market share, intentional tort, fraud, nuisance, supplier negligence, breach of warranty, conspiracy, misrepresentation, aiding and abetting, enterprise liability, or statutory cases,

 

no final, non-appealable adverse verdicts have ever been entered against NL (subject to the final outcome of the Santa Clara case discussed below), and

 

NL has never ultimately been found liable with respect to any such litigation matters, including over 100 cases over a twenty-year period for which we were previously a party and for which we have been dismissed without any finding of liability (subject to the final outcome of the Santa Clara case discussed below).  

 

Accordingly, other than with respect to the Santa Clara case discussed below, we have not accrued any amounts for any of the pending lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation cases filed by or on behalf of states, counties, cities or their public housing authorities and school districts, or those asserted as class actions other than the Santa Clara case noted below. In addition, we have determined that liability to us which may result, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time because there is no prior history of a loss of this nature on which an estimate could be made and there is no substantive information available upon which an estimate could be based.      

 

In one of these lead pigment cases, in April 2000 we were served with a complaint in County of Santa Clara v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al. (Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, Case No. 1-00-CV-788657) brought by a number of California government entities against the former pigment manufacturers, the LIA and certain paint manufacturers.  The County of Santa Clara sought to recover compensatory damages for funds the plaintiffs have expended or would in the future expend for medical treatment, educational expenses, abatement or other costs due to exposure to, or potential exposure to, lead paint, disgorgement of profit, and punitive damages.  In July 2003, the trial judge granted defendants’ motion to dismiss all remaining claims.  Plaintiffs appealed and the intermediate appellate court reinstated public nuisance, negligence, strict liability, and fraud claims in March 2006.  A fourth amended complaint was filed in March 2011 on behalf of The People of California by the County Attorneys of Alameda, Ventura, Solano, San Mateo, Los Angeles and Santa Clara, and the City Attorneys of San Francisco, San Diego and Oakland.  That complaint alleged that the presence of lead paint created a public nuisance in each of the prosecuting jurisdictions and sought its abatement.  In July and August 2013, the case was tried.  In January 2014, the judge issued a judgment finding NL, The Sherwin Williams Company and ConAgra Grocery Products Company jointly and severally liable for the abatement of lead paint in pre-1980 homes, and ordered the defendants to pay an aggregate $1.15 billion to the people of the State of California to fund such abatement.  The trial court’s judgment also found that to the extent any abatement funds remained unspent after four years, such funds were to be returned to the defendants.  In February 2014, we filed a motion for a new trial, and in March 2014 the trial court denied the motion.  Subsequently in March 2014, we filed a notice of appeal with the Sixth District Court of Appeal for the State of California.  On November 14, 2017, the Sixth District Court of Appeal issued its opinion, upholding the trial court’s judgment, except that it reversed the portion of the judgment requiring abatement of homes built between 1951 and 1980 which significantly reduced the number of homes subject to the abatement order.  In addition, the appellate court ordered the case be remanded to the trial court to

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recalculate the amount of the abatement fund, to limit it to the amount necessary to cover the cost of investigating and remediating pre-1951 homes, and to hold an evidentiary hearing to appoint a suitable receiver.  In addition, the appellate court found that we and the other defendants had the right to seek recovery from liable parties that contributed to a hazardous condition at a particular property.  Subsequently, we and the other defendants filed a Petition with the California Supreme Court seeking its review of a number of issues.  On February 14, 2018, the California Supreme Court denied such petition.  

 

The Santa Clara case is unusual in that this is the second time that an adverse verdict in a public nuisance lead pigment case has been entered against us (the first adverse verdict against us was ultimately overturned on appeal). Given the appellate court’s November 2017 ruling, and the denial of an appeal by the California Supreme Court, we previously concluded that the likelihood of a loss in this case has reached a standard of “probable” as contemplated by ASC 450.

 

Under the remand ordered by the appellate court, the trial court was required to, among other things, (i) recalculate the amount of the abatement fund, excluding remediation of homes built between 1951 and 1980, (ii) hold an evidentiary hearing to appoint a suitable receiver for the abatement fund and (iii) enter an order or orders setting forth its rulings on these issues.  We believe any party will have a right to appeal any of these new decisions to be made by the trial court from the remand of the case.  Several uncertainties will still exist with respect to the new decisions to be made by the trial court from the remand of the case, including the following:

 

The appellate court remanded the case back to the trial court to recalculate the total amount of the abatement, limiting the abatement to pre-1951 homes. In this regard, NL and the other defendants filed a brief with the trial court proposing a recalculated maximum abatement fund amount of no more than $409 million and plaintiffs filed a brief proposing an abatement fund amount of $730 million. In September 2018, following a case-management hearing regarding the recalculated abatement fund amount held in August 2018, the trial court issued an order setting the recalculated amount of the abatement fund at $409 million;

 

The appellate court upheld NL’s and the other defendants’ right to seek contribution from other liable parties (e.g. property owners who have violated the applicable housing code) on a house-by-house basis.  The method by which the trial court would undertake to determine such house-by-house responsibility, and the outcome of such a house-by-house determination, is not presently known;

 

Participation in any abatement program by each homeowner is voluntary, and each homeowner would need to consent to allowing someone to come into the home to undertake any inspection and abatement, as well as consent to the nature, timing and extent of any abatement.  The original trial court’s judgment unrealistically assumed 100% participation by the affected homeowners.  Actual participation rates are likely to be less than 100% (the ultimate extent of participation is not presently known);

 

The remedy ordered by the trial court is an abatement fund.  The trial court ordered that any funds unspent after four years are to be returned to the defendants (this provision of the trial court’s original judgment was not overturned by the appellate court).  As noted above, the actual number of homes which would participate in any abatement, and the nature, timing and extent of any such abatement, is not presently known; and

 

We and the other two defendants are jointly and severally liable for the abatement, which means we or either of the two other defendants could ultimately be responsible for payment of the full amount of the abatement fund.  However, we do not believe any individual defendant would be 100% responsible for the cost of any abatement, and the allocation of the recalculated amount of the abatement fund ($409 million, as explained below) among the three defendants has not yet been determined.  

In May 2018, we and the plaintiffs entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which, as supplemented, the plaintiffs would be paid an aggregate of $80 million, in return for which we would be dismissed from the case with prejudice and all pending and future claims, causes of action, cross-complaints, actions or proceedings against us and our affiliates for indemnity, contribution, reimbursement or declaratory relief  in respect to the case would be barred, discharged and enjoined as a matter of applicable law.  Of such $80 million, $65 million would be paid by us and $15 million would be provided by one of our former insurance carriers that has previously placed such amount on deposit with the trial court in satisfaction of potential liability such former carrier might have with respect to the case under certain insurance policies we had with such former carrier.  Of such $65 million which would be paid by us, $45 million would be paid upon approval of the terms of the settlement, and the remaining $20 million would be paid in five annual installments beginning four years from such approval ($6 million for the first installment, $5 million for the second installment and $3 million for each of the third, fourth and fifth installments).  The settlement agreement is subject to a number of conditions including the trial court’s approval of the terms of the settlement (which trial court approval includes a determination that such settlement agreement meets the standards for a “good faith” settlement under applicable California law).  The other defendants filed motions with the trial court objecting to the terms of the settlement.  

With all of the uncertainties that exist with respect to the new decisions to be made by the trial court from the remand of the case, as noted above, we had previously concluded that the amount of such loss could not be reasonably estimated (nor could a range of loss be reasonably estimated).  However, the terms of the settlement agreement entered into by us and the plaintiffs in May 2018, as

- 22 -


 

supplemented, provides evidence that the amount of the loss to us could be reasonably estimated (and provides evidence of the low end of a range of loss to us).  For financial reporting purposes, we discounted the five payments aggregating $20 million to be paid in installments to their estimated net present value, using a discount rate of 3.0% per annum.  Such net present value is $17 million, and we would begin to accrete such present value amount upon approval of the settlement agreement.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2018 we recognized a net $62 million pre-tax charge with respect to this matter ($45 million for the amount to be paid by us upon approval of the terms of the settlement and $17 million for the net present value of the five payments aggregating $20 million to be paid by us in installments beginning four years from such approval), representing the net amount we would pay in full settlement of our liability under the terms of the proposed settlement agreement.  For purposes of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, we have presented the aggregate $45 million that would be paid to the plaintiffs upon approval of the terms of the settlement and the $15 million that would be paid to the plaintiffs from the amount placed on deposit with the trial court by one of our former insurance carriers (for a total of $60 million) as a current liability, $17 million for the net present value of the five payments aggregating $20 million to be paid by us in installments beginning four years from such approval as a noncurrent liability and the $15 million portion of such aggregate $80 million undiscounted amount which would be funded from the amount placed on deposit with the trial court by one of our former insurance carriers as a current insurance recovery receivable.  

In July 2018, we and the other defendants filed appeals with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking its review of two federal issues in the trial court’s original judgment.  Review by the U.S. Supreme Court is discretionary, and in October 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petitions for the Court to hear such appeals.

In September 2018, following a case-management hearing regarding the recalculated abatement fund amount held in August 2018, the trial court issued an order setting the recalculated amount of the abatement fund at $409 million.  Also in September 2018, the trial court denied approval of the settlement agreement, finding among other things that the settlement agreement did not meet the standards for a “good faith” settlement under applicable California law.  

Subsequently in October 2018, we filed an appeal of the trial court’s denial of approval of the settlement agreement with the Sixth District Court of Appeal for the State of California, asserting among other things that in denying such approval the trial court made several legal errors in applying applicable California law to the terms of the settlement.  The plaintiffs filed a brief in support of our appeal.  The appellate court has discretion whether to hear such appeal, and the appellate court has not yet issued its decision as to whether it will hear such appeal. There can be no assurance that the appellate court will agree to hear such appeal, or if it agrees to hear such appeal, that it would rule in favor of us and approve the settlement agreement.  We continue to believe the settlement agreement satisfies the standards for a “good faith” settlement under applicable California law.  

The trial court has selected and appointed a receiver for the abatement fund.  The trial court has also previously stated it will not enter the judgment in the case until after the Sixth District Court of Appeal determines whether to hear the appeal regarding our settlement agreement.  In March 2019, the trial court entered an order granting an offset of $8 million from a previous settlement thereby lowering the abatement fund amount from $409 million to $401 million.  In April 2019, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the trial court to move forward with entry of a judgment, even if the Sixth District Court of Appeals has not yet decided whether to hear the appeal.  Subsequently, NL and the other defendants filed a response, opposing the plaintiffs’ motion.  We expect the judgment will require full payment of all amounts due by us and the other defendants in respect to the abatement fund within sixty days of entry of the judgment.

If the appellate court does not reverse the trial court decision and approve the terms of this or any other settlement agreement between us and the plaintiffs, the proceedings in the trial court under the remand, as discussed above, would continue.  In such event, NL’s share of the recalculated amount of the abatement fund ($401 million) is not presently known, and other uncertainties exist with respect to the new decisions to be made by the trial court from the remand of the case, as discussed above, including but not limited to the final amount of the abatement fund ($401 million) which will ultimately be expended, particularly because participation in the abatement program by eligible homeowners is voluntary and the ultimate extent of participation and how the abatement fund will be administered is uncertain.  As with any legal proceeding, there is no assurance that any appeal would be successful, and it is reasonably possible, based on the outcome of the appeals process and the remand proceedings in the trial court, that NL may in the future incur liability resulting in the recognition of an additional loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

In November 2018, NL was served with two complaints filed by county governments in Pennsylvania.  Each county alleges that NL and several other defendants created a public nuisance by selling and promoting lead-containing paints and pigments in the counties.  The plaintiffs seek abatement and declaratory relief.  We believe these lawsuits are inconsistent with Pennsylvania law and without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.

New cases may continue to be filed against us.  We cannot assure you that we will not incur liability in the future in respect of any of the pending or possible litigation in view of the inherent uncertainties involved in court and jury rulings.  In the future, if new information regarding such matters becomes available to us (such as a final, non-appealable adverse verdict against us or otherwise

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ultimately being found liable with respect to such matters), at that time we would consider such information in evaluating any remaining cases then-pending against us as to whether it might then have become probable we have incurred liability with respect to these matters, and whether such liability, if any, could have become reasonably estimable.  The resolution of any of these cases could result in the recognition of a loss contingency accrual that could have a material adverse impact on our net income for the interim or annual period during which such liability is recognized and a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition and liquidity.

Environmental matters and litigation

Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations. Certain of our businesses are and have been engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our plants and to strive to improve environmental performance. From time to time, we may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes, the resolution of which typically involves the establishment of compliance programs. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances. We believe that all of our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Certain properties and facilities used in NL’s former operations, including divested primary and secondary lead smelters and former mining locations, are the subject of civil litigation, administrative proceedings or investigations arising under federal and state environmental laws and common law. Additionally, in connection with past operating practices, we are currently involved as a defendant, potentially responsible party (“PRP”) or both, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (“CERCLA”), and similar state laws in various governmental and private actions associated with waste disposal sites, mining locations, and facilities that we or our predecessors, our subsidiaries or their predecessors currently or previously owned, operated or used, certain of which are on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Superfund National Priorities List or similar state lists. These proceedings seek cleanup costs, damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources. Certain of these proceedings involve claims for substantial amounts. Although we may be jointly and severally liable for these costs, in most cases we are only one of a number of PRPs who may also be jointly and severally liable, and among whom costs may be shared or allocated. In addition, we are occasionally named as a party in a number of personal injury lawsuits filed in various jurisdictions alleging claims related to environmental conditions alleged to have resulted from our operations.

Obligations associated with environmental remediation and related matters are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including the:

 

complexity and differing interpretations of governmental regulations,

 

number of PRPs and their ability or willingness to fund such allocation of costs,

 

financial capabilities of the PRPs and the allocation of costs among them,

 

solvency of other PRPs,

 

multiplicity of possible solutions,

 

number of years of investigatory, remedial and monitoring activity required,

 

uncertainty over the extent, if any, to which our former operations might have contributed to the conditions allegedly giving rise to such personal injury, property damage, natural resource and related claims, and

 

number of years between former operations and notice of claims and lack of information and documents about the former operations.

In addition, the imposition of more stringent standards or requirements under environmental laws or regulations, new developments or changes regarding site cleanup costs or the allocation of costs among PRPs, solvency of other PRPs, the results of future testing and analysis undertaken with respect to certain sites or a determination that we are potentially responsible for the release of hazardous substances at other sites, could cause our expenditures to exceed our current estimates. We cannot assure you that actual costs will not exceed accrued amounts or the upper end of the range for sites for which estimates have been made, and we cannot assure you that costs will not be incurred for sites where no estimates presently can be made. Further, additional environmental and related matters may arise in the future. If we were to incur any future liability, this could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

- 24 -


 

We record liabilities related to environmental remediation and related matters (including costs associated with damages for personal injury or property damage and/or damages for injury to natural resources) when estimated future expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. We adjust such accruals as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Unless the amounts and timing of such estimated future expenditures are fixed and reasonably determinable, we generally do not discount estimated future expenditures to their present value due to the uncertainty of the timing of the payout. We recognize recoveries of costs from other parties, if any, as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. At December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, we have recognized $15.0 million of receivables for recoveries related to the California case discussed above.

We do not know and cannot estimate the exact time frame over which we will make payments for our accrued environmental and related costs. The timing of payments depends upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the timing of the actual remediation process; which in turn depends on factors outside of our control. At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of our accrued environmental and related costs which we expect to pay within the next twelve months, and we classify this estimate as a current liability. We classify the remaining accrued environmental costs as a noncurrent liability.

The table below presents a summary of the activity in our accrued environmental costs during the first three months of 2019 are presented below.

 

 

Amount

 

 

(In millions)

 

Balance at the beginning of the year

$

103.4

  

Additions charged (credited) to expense, net

 

(.7

)

Payments, net

 

(.8

)

Other, net

 

.6

 

Balance at the end of period

$

102.5

  

Amounts recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at the

   end of the period:

 

 

 

Current liabilities

$

6.4

  

Noncurrent liabilities

 

96.1

  

Total

$

102.5

  

 

NL – On a quarterly basis, NL evaluates the potential range of its liability for environmental remediation and related costs at sites where it has been named as a PRP or defendant. At March 31, 2019, NL had accrued approximately $97 million related to approximately 32 sites associated with remediation and related matters that it believes are at the present time and/or in their current phase reasonably estimable. The upper end of the range of reasonably possible costs to NL for remediation and related matters for which we believe it is possible to estimate costs is approximately $117 million, including the amount currently accrued.

NL believes that it is not reasonably possible to estimate the range of costs for certain sites. At March 31, 2019, there were approximately 5 sites for which NL is not currently able to estimate a range of costs. For these sites, generally the investigation is in the early stages, and NL is unable to determine whether or not NL actually had any association with the site, the nature of its responsibility, if any, for the contamination at the site and the extent of contamination at and cost to remediate the site. The timing and availability of information on these sites is dependent on events outside of our control, such as when the party alleging liability provides information to us. At certain of these previously inactive sites, NL has received general and special notices of liability from the EPA and/or state agencies alleging that NL, sometimes with other PRPs, are liable for past and future costs of remediating environmental contamination allegedly caused by former operations. These notifications may assert that NL, along with any other alleged PRPs, are liable for past and/or future clean-up costs. As further information becomes available to us for any of these sites which would allow us to estimate a range of costs, we would at that time adjust our accruals. Any such adjustment could result in the recognition of an accrual that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations and liquidity.

OtherWe have also accrued approximately $5.5 million at March 31, 2019 for other environmental cleanup matters.

Insurance coverage claims

We are involved in certain legal proceedings with a number of our former insurance carriers regarding the nature and extent of the carriers’ obligations to us under insurance policies with respect to certain lead pigment and asbestos lawsuits. The issue of whether insurance coverage for defense costs or indemnity or both will be found to exist for our lead pigment and asbestos litigation depends upon a variety of factors and we cannot assure you that such insurance coverage will be available.

- 25 -


 

We have agreements with certain of our former insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse us for a portion of our future lead pigment litigation defense costs, and one such carrier reimburses us for a portion of our future asbestos litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by us because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. While we continue to seek additional insurance recoveries, we do not know if we will be successful in obtaining reimbursement for either defense costs or indemnity. Accordingly, we recognize insurance recoveries in income only when receipt of the recovery is probable and we are able to reasonably estimate the amount of the recovery.

For additional discussion of certain litigation involving NL and certain of its former insurance carriers, please refer to our 2018 Annual Report.

Other litigation

In addition to the litigation described above, we and our affiliates are involved in various other environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to our present and former businesses. In certain cases, we have insurance coverage for these items, although we do not expect any additional material insurance coverage for our environmental claims. We currently believe that the disposition of all of these various other claims and disputes (including asbestos-related claims), individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity beyond the accruals already provided.

 

Note 17—Fair value measurements and financial instruments:  

Certain sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our Chemicals Segment periodically uses currency forward contracts to manage a very nominal portion of currency exchange rate risk associated with trade receivables denominated in a currency other than the holder’s functional currency or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales. Derivatives that we use are primarily currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps.  We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future. Derivatives used to hedge forecasted transactions and specific cash flows associated with financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which meet the criteria for hedge accounting are designated as cash flow hedges. Consequently, the effective portion of gains and losses is deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in earnings at the time the hedged item affects earnings. Contracts that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting are marked-to-market at each balance sheet date with any resulting gain or loss recognized in income currently as part of net currency transactions. The fair value of the currency forward contracts is determined using Level 1 inputs based on the currency spot forward rates quoted by banks or currency dealers.  During 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, Kronos had no currency forward contracts outstanding.

 

The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure:

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

 

Carrying
amount

 

 

Fair
value

 

 

Carrying
amount

 

 

Fair
value

 

 

(In millions)

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents

$

523.7

  

  

$

523.7

 

 

$

487.6

 

 

$

487.6

 

Deferred payment obligation

 

9.6

  

  

 

9.6

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

9.7

 

Long-term debt (excluding capitalized leases):

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kronos Senior Notes

 

452.4

 

 

 

412.9

 

 

 

443.2

 

 

 

428.6

 

Valhi credit facility with Contran

 

314.3

  

  

 

314.3

 

 

 

313.0

 

 

 

313.0

 

Tremont promissory note payable

 

9.4

  

  

 

9.4

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

8.7

 

BMI bank note payable

 

18.0

  

  

 

18.8

 

 

 

18.0

 

 

 

18.8

 

LandWell note payable to the City of Henderson

 

2.1

  

  

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At March 31, 2019, the estimated market price of Kronos’ Senior Notes was €954 per €1,000 principal amount.  The fair value of Kronos’ Senior Notes was based on quoted market prices; however, these quoted market prices represent Level 2 inputs because the markets in which the term loan trades were not active. The fair value of variable interest rate debt and other fixed-rate debt, which represents Level 2 inputs, is deemed to approximate carrying values.  See Note 7.  Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value. See Notes 4 and 8.

 

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Note 18—Recent accounting pronouncements:

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which is a comprehensive rewriting of the lease accounting guidance which aims to increase comparability and transparency with regard to lease transactions.  The primary change was the recognition of lease assets for the right-of-use of the underlying asset and lease liabilities for the obligation to make payments by lessees on the balance sheet for leases previously classified as operating leases.  ASU 2016-02, as amended, also requires increased qualitative disclosure about leases in addition to quantitative disclosures previously required.  As permitted, we adopted this ASU prospectively as of January 1, 2019 with no restatement of prior period financial statements.  This ASU permits companies to elect certain practical expedients upon adoption, and at adoption we elected the package of practical expedients related to, among other things, lease classification (in which existing leases classified as operating leases under prior GAAP are classified as an operating lease under the new ASU, and existing leases classified as a capital lease under prior GAAP are classified as a finance lease under the new ASU), nonlease components (in which nonlease components associated with a lease and paid by us to the lessor, such as property taxes, insurance and maintenance, are treated as a lease component and considered part of minimum lease rental payments), and short-term leases (in which leases with an original maturity of 12 months or less are excluded from the recognition requirements of the new ASU).  Upon adoption of this new ASU, at January 1, 2019 we recognized an aggregate right-of-use operating lease asset of $35.1 million and a corresponding aggregate operating lease liability of $34.5 million (there was no impact to the opening balance of retained earnings at January 1, 2019 as a result of adopting this new ASU).  See Note 6.

 

 

 

- 27 -


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International, Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”).   Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE MKT: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.  

On January 26, 2018 we sold our Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC ("JFL Partners"), an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of WCS' third-party indebtedness and other liabilities; accordingly the results of operations of our Waste Management Segment is reflected as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $58 million on the transaction in the first quarter of 2018 because the carrying value of the liabilities of the business assumed by the purchaser exceeded the carrying value of the assets sold at the time of sale in large part due to a long-lived asset impairment of $170.6 million recognized with respect to the Waste Management Segment in the second quarter of 2017.  Such pre-tax gain is classified as part of discontinued operations.  The sale of our former Waste Management Segment enables us to focus on our remaining profitable businesses.  See Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

 

Chemicals—Our chemicals segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments (“TiO2”). TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, foods and cosmetics.

 

Component Products—We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare and a variety of other industries.  CompX is also a leading manufacturer of stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, wake enhancement systems and trim tabs for the recreational marine industry.   

 

Real Estate Management and Development—We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI provides utility services to certain industrial and municipal customers and owns real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada.  

General

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Statements in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking in nature and represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results. Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Quarterly Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Future supply and demand for our products;

 

The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors;

 

The cyclicality of certain of our businesses (such as Kronos’ TiO2 operations);

 

Customer and producer inventory levels;

 

Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion (such as the TiO2 industry);

 

Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as ore, zinc, brass, steel and energy costs) and our ability to pass those costs on to our customers or offset them with reductions in other operating costs;

- 28 -


 

 

Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore);

 

General global economic and political conditions (such as changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world and the impact of such changes on demand for, among other things, TiO2 and component products);

 

Competitive products and prices and substitute products, including increased competition from low-cost manufacturing sources (such as China);

 

Possible disruption of our business or increases in the cost of doing business resulting from terrorist activities or global conflicts;

 

Customer and competitor strategies;

 

Potential difficulties in integrating future acquisitions;

 

Potential difficulties in upgrading or implementing accounting and manufacturing software systems (such as the Chemicals Segment’s new enterprise resource planning system);

 

Potential consolidation of our competitors;

 

Potential consolidation of our customers;

 

The impact of pricing and production decisions;

 

Competitive technology positions;

 

Our ability to protect or defend intellectual property rights;

 

The introduction of trade barriers;

 

The ability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends;

 

The impact of current or future government regulations (including employee healthcare benefit related regulations);

 

Uncertainties associated with new product development and the development of new product features;

 

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar) or possible disruptions to our business resulting from potential instability resulting from uncertainties associated with the euro or other currencies;

 

Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions and cyber-attacks);

 

Decisions to sell operating assets other than in the ordinary course of business;

 

The timing and amounts of insurance recoveries;

 

Our ability to renew, amend, refinance or establish credit facilities;

 

Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity;

 

The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, including future tax reform;

 

Our ultimate ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefits of which may or may not presently have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria;

 

Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities, or new developments regarding environmental remediation at sites related to our former operations);

 

Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein (such as changes in government regulations which might impose various obligations on former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint, including NL, with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products) including new environmental health and safety regulations;

 

The ultimate resolution of pending litigation (such as NL’s lead pigment litigation, environmental and other litigation);

 

Our ability to comply with covenants contained in our revolving bank credit facilities;

 

Our ability to complete and comply with the conditions of our licenses and permits;

 

Changes in real estate values and construction costs in Henderson, Nevada;

- 29 -


 

 

Water levels in Lake Mead; and

 

Possible future litigation.

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those currently forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

Operations Overview

Quarter Ended March 31, 2019 Compared to the Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 —

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $18.2 million or $.05 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $51.7 million or $.15 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2018.   As discussed more fully below, our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2018 to 2019 primarily due to the net effects of:

 

lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2019 compared to 2018;

 

recognition of a gain on sale of land of $12.5 million in 2018;

 

lower interest expense in 2019 as a result of the deemed repayment of the Snake River debt in August 2018; and

 

lower environmental remediation and related costs in 2019.

Our net diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2018 includes a gain of $.03 per share related to the sale of land not used in our operations.  

Current Forecast for 2019

We currently expect to report lower consolidated operating income for 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily due to the net effects of:

 

lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2019, as the favorable impact of higher expected sales volumes would be more than offset by the unfavorable impact of lower expected average selling prices and higher raw material costs (principally feedstock ore) in 2019; and

 

higher operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2019 as we anticipate increased land development activities.

Segment Operating Results—2019 Compared to 2018 –

Chemicals –

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if we and our competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our customers. We believe that our customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectations for future changes in market TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectations for future availability of product. Although certain of our TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of our grades and substantially all of our production are considered commodity pigment products, with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with quality and customer service.

The factors having the most impact on our reported operating results are:

 

our TiO2 sales and production volumes,

 

TiO2 selling prices,

 

manufacturing costs, particularly raw materials such as third-party feedstock ore, maintenance and energy-related expenses, and

 

currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar).

- 30 -


 

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are our TiO2 average selling prices, our level of TiO2 sales and production volumes, and the cost of our third-party feedstock ore. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

% Change

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

$

430.4

 

 

$

436.5

 

 

 

1

%

Cost of sales

 

256.1

 

 

 

327.7

 

 

 

28

 

Gross margin

$

174.3

 

 

$

108.8

 

 

 

(38

)

Operating income

$

110.6

 

 

$

52.8

 

 

 

(52

)

Percent of net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

60

%

 

 

75

%

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

 

40

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

26

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

Ti02 operating statistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales volumes*

 

125

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

15

%

Production volumes*

 

133

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

1

 

Percent change in net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ti02 product pricing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)%

Ti02 sales volumes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Ti02 product mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Changes in currency exchange rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

%

*

Thousands of metric tons

Current industry conditions—Due to the successful implementation of previously-announced price increases, average selling prices rose during the first six months of 2018, however such average selling prices began to decline in the last six months of 2018 and continued to decline into the first three months of 2019.  Our Chemicals Segment started 2019 with average selling prices 3% lower than at the beginning of 2018 and our average selling prices at the end of the first quarter of 2019 were 4% lower than at the end of 2018.  Lower prices in the European, North American and Latin American markets were partially offset by higher prices in the export market at the end of the first quarter of 2019 compared to the end of 2018.  Our Chemicals Segment experienced higher sales volumes in all major markets in the first three months of 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018.

Our Chemicals Segment operated its production facilities at average practical capacity utilization rates of 95% and 97% in the first quarter of 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Primarily due to a moderate rise in the cost of third-party feedstock ore we procured in 2018, our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in the first three months of 2019 was higher as compared to the first three months of 2018 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates).

Net sales—Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in the first quarter of 2019 increased 1%, or $6.1 million, compared to the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the net effect of an 8% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $34 million) and a 15% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $65 million).  TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes increased 15% in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter sales volumes of 2018 primarily due to higher sales in all major markets.  In addition to the impact of changes in average TiO2 selling prices and sales volumes, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) decreased our net sales by approximately $15 million as compared to the first quarter of 2018.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin—Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales increased 28% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018 due to the net effect of a 15% increase in sales volumes, higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $46 million, a 1% increase in TiO2 production volumes and favorable effects from currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).   Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 75% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 60% in the same period of 2018 as the unfavorable effect of lower average selling prices and higher raw materials and other production costs (primarily third-party feedstock ore) more than offset the favorable impact of higher sales and production volumes, as discussed above.  

- 31 -


 

Our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 25% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 40% in the first quarter of 2018.  As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin increased primarily due to the net effect of lower average selling prices, higher sales and production volumes and higher raw materials and other production costs.

Operating Income—Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income decreased 52% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018, and operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 12% in 2019 from 26% in 2018.  This decrease in operating income was driven by the decrease in gross margin discussed above.  We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased operating income by approximately $8 million in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018, as discussed below.  

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized additional depreciation expense of $.6 million in each of the first quarters of 2018 and 2019, which reduced our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating income as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

Currency Exchange Rates Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada).  The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar.  A portion of our sales generated from our non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time).  Certain raw materials used worldwide, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies.  Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results.  In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency, (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars), and (iii) relative changes in the aggregate fair value of currency forward contracts held from time to time.  As discussed in Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a portion of our currency exchange risk, and relative changes in the aggregate fair value of any currency forward contracts we hold from time to time serves in part to mitigate the currency transaction gains or losses we would otherwise recognize from the first two items described above.  

Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on the reported amounts of our Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates

three months ended March 31, 2019 vs March 31, 2018

 

 

 

Transaction gains/(losses)

recognized

 

 

Translation

gains (losses) -

impact of

rate changes

 

 

Total currency

impact

2019 vs 2018

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Impact on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(15

)

 

$

(15

)

Income from operations

 

(5

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

8

 

 

The $15 million decrease in net sales (translation loss) was caused primarily by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as our euro-denominated sales were translated into less U.S. dollars in 2019 as compared to 2018.  The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2019 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of our net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $8 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

 

Approximately $6 million from net currency transaction gains primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our non-U.S. operations, and

- 32 -


 

 

Approximately $2 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as its local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2019 as compared to 2018, partially offset by such translation, as it related to the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, which had a negative effect on income from operations in 2019 as compared to 2018, as the negative impact of the stronger U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the favorable effect of euro-denominated operating costs being translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2019 as compared to 2018.

Outlook—We expect our Chemicals Segment’s production volumes in 2019 to be slightly higher as compared to 2018 production volumes.  Assuming current global economic conditions remain stable and based on anticipated production levels, we also expect our Chemicals Segment’s 2019 sales volumes to be higher as compared to 2018 sales volumes.  We will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and align our production and inventories accordingly.  

The cost of third-party feedstock ore our Chemicals Segment purchased in 2018 was higher as compared to 2017 and such higher cost feedstock ore was reflected in our Chemicals Segment’s results of operations beginning in the second quarter of 2018.  Consequently, our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in the first three months of 2019 was moderately higher than our per-metric ton cost in the first three months of 2018 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates) primarily due to higher third-party feedstock ore costs. We expect our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in 2019 to be higher than our per-metric ton cost in 2018 primarily due to higher feedstock costs.

Our Chemicals Segment started 2019 with average selling prices 3% lower than the beginning of 2018.  Average selling prices decreased by an additional 4% in the first three months of 2019.  Industry data indicates that overall TiO2 inventory held by producers stood at adequate-to-low levels in the last half of 2018 and into the first quarter of 2019.  We expect customer inventory levels to continue to decline through the second quarter of 2019 which could result in stabilization or minor increases in TiO2 selling prices during the remainder of 2019.

Overall, we expect our Chemicals Segment’s sales in 2019 will be higher as compared to 2018, principally as a result of the favorable impact of higher expected sales volumes partially offset by the unfavorable impact of lower expected average selling prices.  In addition, we expect our Chemicals Segment’s operating income in 2019 will be lower as compared to 2018, as the favorable impact of higher expected sales volumes would be more than offset by the unfavorable impact of lower expected average selling prices and higher raw material costs (principally feedstock ore) in 2019.

Due to the constraints of high capital costs and extended lead time associated with adding significant new TiO2 production capacity, especially for premium grades of TiO2 products produced from the chloride process, we believe increased and sustained profit margins will be necessary to financially justify major expansions of TiO2 production capacity required to meet expected future growth in demand.  Any major expansion of TiO2 production capacity, if announced, would take several years before such production would become available to meet future growth in demand.

Our expectations for our Chemicals Segment’s future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, unexpected or earlier-than-expected capacity additions or reductions and technological advances.  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Component Products –

Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a significantly large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on our ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.


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Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

%
Change

 

 

(Dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

$

28.4

 

 

$

31.2

 

 

 

10

%

Cost of sales

 

18.9

 

 

 

21.5

 

 

 

14

 

Gross margin

$

9.5

 

 

$

9.7

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

$

4.4

 

 

$

4.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent of net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

67

%

 

 

69

%

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

 

33

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

15

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales — Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, due to higher marine component sales of $2.2 million, primarily surf pipes and wake enhancement systems to an original equipment boat manufacturer, and to a lesser extent higher security products sales volumes to existing government security customers of $.8 million. Relative changes in selling prices did not have a material impact on net sales comparisons.

Costs of Sales and Gross Margin — Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased 2% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.  As a result, gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased over the same period. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily the result of increased labor rates and medical costs at our security products reporting unit as well as a less favorable customer and product mix at our marine components reporting unit.  

Operating Income — Our Component Products Segment’s operating income for the first quarter of 2019 was comparable to the same period of 2018 as a result of the factors impacting cost of goods sold, gross margin and operating costs discussed above.  

Outlook— Our Component Products Segment’s first quarter sales exceeded prior year largely due to continued high demand for our marine products where we continue to benefit from innovation and diversification in our product offerings to the recreational boat markets. Our Component Products Segment’s operating income for the quarter was comparable to prior year, as operating margin for the security products reporting unit decreased relative to prior year due to higher labor rates and medical costs, the effect of which we were not able to offset through higher selling prices. At present we expect this pattern to continue, with full year sales for 2019 tracking above 2018 and full year profitability comparable to prior year.  We will continue to monitor economic conditions and sales order rates and respond to fluctuations in customer demand through continuous evaluation of staffing levels and consistent execution of our lean manufacturing and cost improvement initiatives. Additionally, we continue to seek opportunities to gain market share in markets we currently serve, to expand into new markets and to develop new product features in order to mitigate the impact of changes in demand as well as broaden our sales base.

 

Real Estate Management and Development  –

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Net sales

$

7.2

 

 

$

11.9

 

Cost of sales

 

5.7

 

 

 

8.6

 

Gross margin

$

1.5

 

 

$

3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

$

3.8

 

 

$

3.2

 

 

General—Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell.  BMI provides utility services, among other things, to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada, and is responsible for the delivery of water to the city of Henderson and various other users through a water distribution system owned by BMI. LandWell is actively engaged in efforts to develop certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes and approximately 400 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use.

- 34 -


 

In December 2013 and through the first quarter of 2019, LandWell has closed or entered into escrow on approximately 575 acres of the residential/planned community and approximately 65 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. We expect the development work to continue for 10 to 15 years on the rest of the land held for development, especially the remainder of the residential/planned community.

Net Sales and Operating Income— A substantial portion of the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in the first quarter of 2018 and 2019 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $9.5 million in revenues on land sales during the first quarter of 2019 compared to $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. As noted above we recognize revenue on our residential/planned community over time using costs based inputs and a large majority of the revenue we recognized in 2018 and 2019 was under this method of revenue recognition.  The contracts on these sales (both within the planned community and otherwise) include approximately 535 acres of the residential planned community and certain other acreage which closed in December 2015 and through the first quarter of 2019. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2019 and $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2018.  Operating income also includes $1.1 million in the first quarter in 2019 and $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2018 of income related to the recognition of tax increment reimbursement note receivables, as discussed in Note 6 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The remainder of net sales and cost of sales related to this segment primarily relates to water delivery fees and expenses.  We deliver water to several customers under long-term contracts.  

Outlook—We are actively pursuing opportunities to maximize cash proceeds from the sale of our land held for development. In the near term, we are focused on developing and selling land we manage, primarily to residential builders, for the approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community in Henderson, Nevada. We expect the development work for the first phase of the residential/planned community to continue over the next several years, including those parcels currently under contract for which the development work is expected to be completed in 2019. We do not expect to recognize significant amounts of operating income related to these sales for the parcels currently under contract because our basis in the land value is the December 2013 acquisition date fair value; however, we do expect to generate cash proceeds from these sales in excess of our acquisition costs, which proceeds are expected to be used, in part, to fund ongoing development work for the remainder of these properties. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017, we began sales of parcels that have a lower book value than the parcels previously sold; as a result we would expect to recognize more land sales related operating income in 2019 than in 2018.  

General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interest—2019 Compared to 2018

Securities Earnings—A significant portion of our interest and dividend income in 2018 relates to the distributions we received from The Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC. We recognized dividend income from Amalgamated of $6.3 million in the first quarter of 2018. As discussed in the 2018 Annual Report, on August 31, 2018, we sold our interest in Amalgamated for consideration consisting of $12.5 million in cash and the deemed payment in full of our $250 million in loans we owed Snake River Sugar Company. Securities earnings is expected to be significantly lower in 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily due to the August 2018 sale of our interest in Amalgamated.

Gain on Land Sales—In the first quarter of 2018 we sold two parcels of land not used in our operating activities. See Note 12 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Insurance Recoveries—Insurance recoveries relate to amounts NL received from certain of its former insurance carriers, and relate principally to the recovery of prior lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs incurred by NL. We have agreements with four former insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse us for a portion of our future lead pigment litigation defense costs, and one such carrier reimburses us for a portion of our future asbestos litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by us because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. While we continue to seek additional insurance recoveries for lead pigment and asbestos litigation matters, we do not know the extent to which we will be successful in obtaining additional reimbursement for either defense costs or indemnity. Any additional insurance recoveries would be recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. Substantially all of the insurance recoveries recognized in 2018 and 2019 relate to reimbursement of ongoing litigation defense costs. See Note 16 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other General Corporate Items—Corporate expenses were 44% lower at $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $14.0 million in the first quarter of 2018. Corporate expenses decreased due to lower environmental remediation and related costs and lower litigation and related costs in 2019 compared to 2018. Included in corporate expense are:

 

litigation and related costs at NL of $.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $1.9 million in the first

- 35 -


 

 

quarter of 2018; and

 

environmental remediation and related benefit of $.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2018;

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2019 will be lower than in 2018 primarily due to lower expected litigation and related costs and environmental remediation and related costs.

The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 16 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2019, or the nature of such cases, were to change our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2019, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 16 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries—Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock.  As discussed in the 2018 Annual Report, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock, at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis.  The remaining portion of these shares of our common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at fair value.  Kronos and NL recognize unrealized gains or losses on these shares of our common stock in the determination of each of their respective net income or losses.  Under the principles of consolidation we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary.  The $.3 million loss and $1.1 million income recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, represents the unrealized gain or loss in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

 

Interest Expense—Interest expense decreased to $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2019 from $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the net effects of lower average debt levels in 2019 and higher average interest rates on variable-rate indebtedness.  The lower average debt levels in 2019 is primarily due to the deemed redemption of our $250 million promissory notes payable to Snake River in connection with the August 2018 sale of our interest in Amalgamated.

We expect interest expense will continue to be lower in the remainder of 2019 as compared to 2018 due to lower average balances of outstanding borrowings at Valhi offset by higher average rates.

Provision for Income Taxes—We recognized an income tax expense of $14.2 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to income tax expense of $36.2 million in the first quarter of 2018.   The difference is primarily due to the effect of lower income from operations in the first quarter of 2019.  Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions, and the income tax rates applicable to our pre-tax earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations are generally higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations.  Excluding the effect of any increase or decrease in our deferred income tax asset valuation allowance or changes in our reserve for uncertain tax positions, we would generally expect our overall effective tax rate to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because of our non-U.S. operations.  

We recognize deferred income taxes with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock because the exemption under GAAP to avoid such recognition of deferred income taxes is not available to us. At December 31, 2018, we had recognized a deferred income tax liability with respect to our direct investment in Kronos of $40.7 million.  There is a maximum amount (or cap) of such deferred income taxes we are required to recognize with respect to our direct investment in Kronos. The maximum amount of such deferred income tax liability we would be required to have recognized (the cap) is $155.4 million. During the first quarter of 2019, we recognized a non-cash deferred income tax expense with respect to our direct investment in Kronos of $1.0 million for the increase in the deferred income taxes required to be recognized with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock, to the extent such increase related to our equity in Kronos’ net income during such period.  We recognized a similar non-cash deferred income tax expense of $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2018.   A portion of the net change with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock during such periods related to our equity in Kronos’ other comprehensive income (loss) items, and the amounts allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) items includes amounts related to our equity in Kronos’ other comprehensive income (loss) items.

- 36 -


 

See Note 13 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax provision to our actual tax provision.

 

Discontinued OperationsOn January 26, 2018, we completed the sale of the Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC, an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of the Waste Management Segment's third-party indebtedness and other liabilities. We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $58 million on the transaction in the first quarter of 2018 because the carrying value of the liabilities of the business assumed by the purchaser exceeded the carrying value of the assets sold in large part due to the long-lived asset impairment of $170.6 million recognized in the second quarter of 2017 with respect to our Waste Management Segment.  Such pre-tax gain is classified as part of discontinued operations.  See Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income (Loss) of Subsidiaries—Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries decreased from 2018 to 2019 primarily due to lower earnings at Kronos.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Trends in cash flows from operating activities (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our operating income.  In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from period to period can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to a use of cash of $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $47.7 million in the first quarter of 2018. This $49.9 million decrease in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

 

consolidated operating income of $60.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, a decrease of $58.4 million compared to an operating income of $118.8 million in the first quarter of 2018;

 

lower net cash paid for income taxes in 2019 of $7.4 million resulting from our reduced profitability; and

 

a $20.6 million increase in the amount of net cash used in relative changes in receivables, inventories, payables and accrued liabilities in the first quarter of 2019.

Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes as shown below:

 

Kronos’ average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) decreased from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019, primarily due to the net effects of higher sales volumes and relative changes in the timing of collections.

 

Kronos’ average days sales in inventory (“DSI”), decreased from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019 primarily due to lower inventory volumes attributable in part to higher sales volumes and slightly lower production volumes in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.

 

CompX’s average DSO increased from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019.  CompX’s average days sales outstanding increased from December to March primarily as a result of relative changes in the timing of collections and the grant of extended terms to certain key customers.

 

CompX’s average DSI decreased from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019.  CompX’s average DSI decreased between year-end and the end of the first calendar quarter primarily as a result of the rapid sales growth for marine components operations, which has temporarily limited CompX’s opportunities to strategically restock.

- 37 -


 

For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior period numbers below.

 

 

December 31,
2017

 

  

March 31,

2018

 

  

December 31,
2018

 

  

March 31,

2019

 

Kronos:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Days sales outstanding

 

63 days

  

  

 

76 days

  

  

 

76 days

  

  

 

70 days

 

Days sales in inventory

 

62 days

  

  

 

77 days

  

  

 

113 days

  

  

 

82 days

 

CompX:

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Days sales outstanding

 

38 days

  

  

 

41 days

  

  

 

40 days

  

  

 

45 days

 

Days sales in inventory

 

79 days

  

  

 

79 days

  

  

 

80 days

  

  

 

78 days

 

 

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below.  Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

 

 

Three months ended

March 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries

$

20.0

 

 

$

6.7

 

Kronos

 

58.1

 

 

 

6.9

 

NL exclusive of its subsidiaries

 

1.7

 

 

 

4.3

 

CompX

 

(.2

)

 

 

(2.6

)

BMI

 

1.0

 

 

 

8.3

 

LandWell

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(3.3

)

WCS

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries

 

(.7

)

 

 

2.8

 

Eliminations and other

 

(32.5

)

 

 

(25.3

)

Total

$

47.7

 

 

$

(2.2

)

 

Investing Activities—

We spent $16.8 million in capital expenditures during the first three months of 2019 including:

 

$16.0 million in our Chemicals Segment;

 

$.4 million in our Component Products Segment; and

 

$.4 million in our Real Estate Management and Development Segment.

Financing Activities—

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we:

 

repaid $.7 million under Tremont’s promissory note payable and $1.3 million under our credit facility with Contran; and

 

paid quarterly dividends to Valhi stockholders of $.02 per share ($6.8 million).

The declaration and payment of future dividends, and the amount thereof, is discretionary and is dependent upon these 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 might be paid.  There are currently no contractual restrictions on the amount of dividends which we may pay.  Distributions to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries in the first three months of 2019 are comprised of CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL and Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL.

- 38 -


 

Outstanding Debt Obligations

At March 31, 2019, our consolidated indebtedness attributable to continuing operations was comprised of:

 

Valhi’s $313.0 million outstanding on its $360 million credit facility with Contran which is due no earlier than December 31, 2020;

 

€400 million aggregate outstanding on our KII 3.75% Senior Secured Notes ($443.2 million carrying amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs) due in September 2025;

 

Tremont’s promissory note payable ($8.7 million outstanding) due in December 2023;

 

$18.8 million on BMI’s bank loan ($18.0 million carrying amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs), due through June 2032;

 

$2.1 million on LandWell’s note payable to the City of Henderson due in October 2020; and

 

approximately $4.2 million of other indebtedness.

Certain of our credit facilities require the respective borrowers to maintain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends 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. Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants. For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business. Kronos’ North American and European revolvers contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of its assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type.  Kronos’ European revolving credit facility also requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, and one of such requirements is based on the ratio of net debt to the last twelve months EBITDA of the borrowers.  The terms of all of our debt instruments (including revolving lines of credit for which we have no outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2019) are discussed in Note 9 to our 2018 Annual Report.  We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at March 31, 2019.  We believe that we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under various lines of credit and notes. We generally use these amounts to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term indebtedness incurred primarily for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (including dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries) or treasury stock purchases. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness, (iii) make investments in marketable and other securities (including the acquisition of securities issued by our subsidiaries and affiliates) or (iv) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. Occasionally we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and we generally use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness (including indebtedness which may have been collateralized by the assets sold), (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries, and the estimated sales value of those units. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business units, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. From time to time, we and our subsidiaries may enter into intercompany loans as a cash management tool. Such notes are structured as revolving demand notes and pay and receive interest on terms we believe are generally more favorable than current debt and investment market rates. The companies that borrow under these notes have sufficient liquidity to repay the notes. All of these notes and related interest expense and income are eliminated in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

- 39 -


 

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including our affiliates) that may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses. We intend to consider such acquisition activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness. From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.

We believe we will be able to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturities; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance. Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term (defined as the twelve-month period ending March 31, 2020) and long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending March 31, 2024). If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

At March 31, 2019, we had credit available under existing facilities of $271.2 million, which was comprised of:

 

$101.1(1) million under Kronos’ European revolving credit facility;

 

$123.1 million under Kronos’ North American revolving credit facility; and

 

$47.0(2) million under Valhi’s Contran credit facility.

 

(1)

Based on Kronos’ EBITDA over the last twelve months ending March 31, 2019, the full €90.0 million amount is available for borrowing at such date

 

(2)

Amounts available under this facility are at the sole discretion of Contran.

At March 31, 2019, we had an aggregate of $494.5 million of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, including $112.1 million by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Following implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, repatriation of any cash and cash equivalents held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be expected to result in any material income tax liability as a result of such repatriation.  A detail by entity is presented in the table below.

 

 

Total

 

  

Amount
held outside
U.S.

 

 

(In millions)

 

Kronos

$

340.7

  

  

$

112.0

  

CompX

 

36.1

  

  

 

  

NL exclusive of its subsidiaries

 

80.1

  

  

 

.1

  

Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries

 

8.7

  

  

 

  

LandWell

 

11.4

  

  

 

  

BMI

 

17.5

  

  

 

  

Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries

 

  

  

 

  

Total restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and

   marketable securities

$

494.5

  

  

$

112.1

  

 

Capital Expenditures and Other –

We currently expect our aggregate capital expenditures for 2019 will be approximately $100 million as follows:

 

$85 million by our Chemicals Segment, including approximately $25 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement;

 

$5 million by our Component Products Segment; and

 

$10 million by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment.

LandWell expects to spend approximately $34 million on land development costs during 2019 (which are included in the determination of cash provided by operating activities).

Capital spending for 2019 is expected to be funded primarily through cash generated from operations and borrowing under existing credit facilities. Planned capital expenditures in 2019 at Kronos and CompX will primarily be to maintain and improve the cost-effectiveness of our facilities. In addition, Kronos’ capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.

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Repurchases of Common Stock –

We, Kronos and CompX have programs to repurchase common stock from time to time as market conditions permit. These stock repurchase programs do not include specific price targets or timetables and may be suspended at any time. Depending on market conditions, these programs may be terminated prior to completion. Cash on hand will be used to acquire the shares and repurchased shares will be added to treasury shares and cancelled.  

At March 31, 2019 Valhi had approximately 4.0 million shares of our common stock available to repurchase under the authorizations made by our board of directors.

 

Kronos’ board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of its common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time. Kronos may repurchase its common stock from time to time as market conditions permit. At March 31, 2019 approximately 1.95 million shares are available for repurchase.

 

CompX’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of its Class A common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time. At March 31, 2019 approximately 678,000 shares were available for purchase under these authorizations.

Dividends –

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.17 per share in each quarter of 2018 for which we received $39.4 million.  In February 2019 the Kronos Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly dividend to $.18 per share. If Kronos were to pay its $.18 per share in each quarter of 2019 based on the 58.0 million shares we held of Kronos common stock at March 31, 2019, we would receive aggregate annual regular dividends from Kronos of $41.8 million.  NL has not paid a dividend since prior to 2016 and we do not know if we will receive any cash dividends from NL during 2019. BMI and LandWell do pay cash dividends from time to time, but the timing and amount of such dividends are uncertain. In this regard, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $5.7 million in 2018 and $2.9 million in each of March and April 2019.   We do not know if we will receive additional distributions from BMI and LandWell during 2019.  All of our ownership interest in CompX is held through our ownership in NL, as such we do not receive any dividends from CompX. Instead any dividend paid by CompX is paid to NL.

Our subsidiaries have various credit agreements with unrelated third-party lenders which contain customary limitations on the payment of dividends, typically a percentage of net income or cash flow; however, these restrictions in the past have not significantly impacted their ability to pay dividends.

Investment in our Subsidiaries and Affiliates and Other Acquisitions –

 

We have in the past, and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions. We base our purchase decision on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments. In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness. We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.

 

We generally do not guarantee any indebtedness or other obligations of our subsidiaries or affiliates. Our subsidiaries are not required to pay us dividends. If one or more of our subsidiaries were unable to maintain its current level of dividends, either due to restrictions contained in a credit agreement or to satisfy its liabilities or otherwise, our ability to service our liabilities or to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely impacted. If this were to occur, we might consider reducing or eliminating our dividends or selling interests in subsidiaries or other assets. If we were required to liquidate assets to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we might be required to sell at what we believe would be less than what we believe is the long-term value of such assets.

 

Prior to 2018, we entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility with a subsidiary of NL secured with approximately 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos held by NL’s subsidiary as collateral.  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on December 31, 2023.    The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the credit facility is limited to 50% of the amount of the most recent closing price of the Kronos stock.  The credit facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NL’s subsidiary’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NL’s subsidiary’s assets to, another entity, and require NL’s subsidiary to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth.  Upon an event of default (as defined in the credit facility), Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment

- 41 -


 

to make further loans to NL’s subsidiary, declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with respect to the collateral under the Loan Documents.  Such collateral rights include, upon certain insolvency events with respect to NL’s subsidiary or NL, the right to purchase all of the Kronos common stock at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value, less amounts owing to Valhi under the Loan Documents, and up to 50% of such purchase price may be paid by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Prior to 2018 NL’s subsidiary borrowed $.5 million under this facility, no additional amounts have been borrowed since then, and $.5 million is outstanding under this facility at March 31, 2019. We eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Kronos which, as amended, provides for borrowings from Kronos of up to $60 million. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2020.  We had gross borrowings of $3.3 million and gross repayments of $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2019, and $1.5 million was outstanding at March 31, 2019.  We could borrow an additional $58.5 million under our current intercompany facility with Kronos at March 31, 2019.  Kronos’ obligation to loan us money under this note is at Kronos’ discretion.

 

We also have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with CompX which, as amended, provides for borrowings from CompX of up to $40 million. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2020.  We had gross borrowings of $11.4 million and gross repayments of $11.4 million during the first quarter of 2019, and $40.0 million was outstanding at March 31, 2019.  We have no borrowing availability under our current intercompany facility with CompX at March 31, 2019.  CompX’s obligation to loan us money under this note is at CompX’s discretion.

Off-balance Sheet Financing

Following the January 1, 2019 adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements.  See Note 18.

Commitments and Contingencies

There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since we filed our 2018 Annual Report and we refer you to that report for a complete description of these commitments.

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in Notes 1, 14 and 18 to our 2018 Annual Report, or in Notes 13 and 16 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and in Part II, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, including:

 

certain income tax contingencies in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions;

 

certain environmental remediation matters involving NL, and BMI;

 

certain litigation related to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead pigment and lead-based paint; and

 

certain other litigation to which we are a party.

In addition to such legal proceedings various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including NL) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which NL and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations. While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 18 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no changes in the first three months of 2019 with respect to our critical accounting policies presented in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in our 2018 Annual Report.

 

 

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk, including currency exchange rates, interest rates and security prices, and raw material prices. There have been no material changes in these market risks since we filed our 2018 Annual Report, and refer you to Part I, Item 7A.—“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” in our 2018 Annual Report. See also Note 17 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have substantial operations located outside the United States for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. As a result, our assets and liabilities, results of operations and cash flows will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates.

We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a nominal portion of currency exchange rate market risk associated with trade receivables, or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales, denominated in a currency other than the holder’s functional currency. These contracts generally relate to our Chemicals Segment’s operations. We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future. Some of the currency forward contracts we enter into meet the criteria for hedge accounting under GAAP and are designated as cash flow hedges. For these currency forward contracts, gains and losses representing the effective portion of our hedges are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, and are subsequently recognized in earnings at the time the hedged item affects earnings. For the currency forward contracts we enter into which do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, we mark-to-market the estimated fair value of such contracts at each balance sheet date, with any resulting gain or loss recognized in income currently as part of net currency transactions.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures—

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures which, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit to the SEC under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions to be made regarding required disclosure. Each of Robert D. Graham, our Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Gregory M. Swalwell, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, have evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2019. Based upon their evaluation, these executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the date of such evaluation.

Management‘s report on internal control over financial reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting which, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) means a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets,

 

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors and

 

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of an unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

- 43 -


 

Other

As permitted by the SEC, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting excludes (i) internal control over financial reporting of equity method investees and (ii) internal control over the preparation of any financial statement schedules which would be required by Article 12 of Regulation S-X. However, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting with respect to equity method investees did include controls over the recording of amounts related to our investment that are recorded in the consolidated financial statements, including controls over the selection of accounting methods for our investments, the recognition of equity method earnings and losses and the determination, valuation and recording of our investment account balances.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  

 

 

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

In addition to the matters discussed below, refer to Note 16 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and our 2018 Annual Report.

 

Gowanus Canal Superfund Site, Brooklyn, New York.  In April 2019, EPA issued a second Unilateral Administrative Order (“UAO”) to NL and approximately 27 other PRPs for performance of certain work related to the Remedial Design at the site.  NL continues to believe it has no liability at the site but intends to engage in further discussions regarding a de minimis settlement and to otherwise take actions necessary to respond to the UAO.  If these discussions are unsuccessful, NL will continue to deny liability and will defend vigorously against all of the claims.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

For a discussion of the risk factors related to our businesses, please refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 2018 Annual report. There have been no material changes to such risk factors during the first three months of 2019.

 

 

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Item No.

  

Exhibit Index

 

 

 

  31.1

  

Certification

 

 

 

  31.2

  

Certification

 

 

 

  32.1

  

Certification

 

 

 

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

 

 

- 46 -


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

VALHI, INC.

 

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

May 9, 2019

 

/s/ Gregory M. Swalwell

 

 

 

 

Gregory M. Swalwell

(Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

May 9, 2019

 

/s/ Amy Allbach Samford

 

 

 

 

Amy Allbach Samford

(Vice President and Controller)

 

 

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