Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to NL stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below.

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2014			2013			2014
	(In thousands)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Marketable securities:
Balance at beginning of period	$	117,245		$	47,305		$	105,419		$	154,169
Other comprehensive income (loss) -
unrealized gains (losses) arising during the year		59,716			1,022			71,542			(105,842	)
Balance at end of period	$	176,961		$	48,327		$	176,961		$	48,327
Currency translation:
Balance at beginning of period	$	(139,439	)	$	(135,190	)	$	(135,165	)	$	(133,816	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4,155			(9,215	)		(119	)		(10,589	)
Balance at end of period	$	(135,284	)	$	(144,405	)	$	(135,284	)	$	(144,405	)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Balance at beginning of period	$	(65,016	)	$	(55,589	)	$	(66,402	)	$	(56,644	)
Other comprehensive income -
amortization of net losses
included in net periodic pension cost		692			530			2,078			1,585
Balance at end of period	$	(64,324	)	$	(55,059	)	$	(64,324	)	$	(55,059	)
OPEB plans:
Balance at beginning of period	$	607		$	962		$	895		$	1,275
Other comprehensive loss -
amortization of prior service credit and net gains
included in net periodic OPEB cost		(144	)		(156	)		(432	)		(469	)
Balance at end of period	$	463		$	806		$	463		$	806
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Balance at beginning of period	$	(86,603	)	$	(142,512	)	$	(95,253	)	$	(35,016	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		64,419			(7,819	)		73,069			(115,315	)
Balance at end of period	$	(22,184	)	$	(150,331	)	$	(22,184	)	$	(150,331	)