Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations

	Quarter ended
	March 31		June 30			Sept. 30			Dec. 31
	(In millions, except per share data)
Year ended December 31, 2017
Net sales	$	29.9	$	30.0		$	27.0		$	25.1
Gross margin		9.7		9.5			8.2			7.4
Net income		8.8		41.6			17.8			49.6
Amounts attributable to NL stockholders:
Net income		8.3		41.2			17.5			49.1
Income per common share	$	.17	$	.85		$	.36		$	1.00
Year ended December 31, 2018
Net sales	$	28.4	$	32.4		$	30.0		$	27.4
Gross margin		9.5		11.2			9.6			7.9
Net income (loss)		14.7		(42.0	)		(14.9	)		3.1
Amounts attributable to NL stockholders:
Net income (loss)		14.2		(42.6	)		(15.4	)		2.8
Income (loss) per common share	$	.29	$	(.87	)	$	(.32	)	$	.06