SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-----------------------------------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 26, 1999
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
New Jersey 1-640 13-5267260
(State or other (Commission File No.) (Employer ID No.)
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
16825 Northchase Dr., Suite 1200, Houston, Texas 77060
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (281) 423-3300
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events.
On July 26, 1999, the Registrant issued the press release attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein in its entirety by this
reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
(i) Exhibit 99.1. Press Release dated July 26, 1999.
* * * * *
SIGNATURE
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.
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/Robert D. Hardy
Robert D. Hardy
Vice President & Controller
Dated: August 2, 1999
Susan E. Alderton
(281) 423-3332
EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NL REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS AND RESOLUTION OF TAX CONTINGENCY
HOUSTON, TEXAS -- July 26, 1999 -- NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL) reported income
from continuing operations for the second quarter of 1999 of $111.8 million, or
$2.16 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations in the
second quarter of 1998 of $23.4 million, or $.45 per diluted share. Excluding a
$90 million income tax benefit, discussed below, income from continuing
operations in the second quarter of 1999 would have been $21.8 million, or $.42
per diluted share. Income from continuing operations for the first half of 1999
was $125.8 million, or $2.42 per diluted share ($35.8 million, or $.69 per
diluted share, excluding the tax benefit), compared to income from continuing
operations in the first half of 1998 of $39.8 million, or $.77 per diluted
share.
Operating income of Kronos' titanium dioxide pigments ("TiO2") business in the
second quarter of 1999 was $44.1 million, down 6% from the second quarter of
1998, primarily due to lower production and sales volumes, partially offset by a
$5.3 million foreign currency transaction gain in 1999 on certain of the
Company's short-term cross-border financings. Kronos' second-quarter sales
volume decreased 1% from the record sales volume in the second quarter of 1998
but increased 24% from the first quarter of 1999 sales volume levels. The
Company's production rates continue to closely match sales volumes. Kronos'
average selling prices during the second quarter of 1999 were comparable to the
second quarter of 1998 and were 2% lower than the first quarter of 1999.
Mr. J. Landis Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "The Company
had a slow start in the first quarter, but sales volumes and production rates
improved in the second quarter offsetting a modest decrease in prices, yielding
a significant improvement in operating results. Although we believe that prices
in the second half of 1999 will be below those in the first half, we do not
expect that the downward pressures on prices will be long-term in nature due to
the continuing recovery in Asia and our positive view of the worldwide economy."
The Company recognized a $90 million noncash income tax benefit in the second
quarter of 1999 related to (i) a favorable resolution of the Company's
previously reported tax contingency in Germany ($36 million) and (ii) a change
in estimate of the Company's ability to utilize certain income tax attributes
for which the benefit had not been previously recognized ($54 million) primarily
due to the net effects of a tax law change in Germany and a legal restructuring
of the Company's German subsidiaries. With respect to the German tax
contingency, the German government has conceded substantially all of its income
tax claims against the Company, and a DM 94 million ($50 million) lien on the
Company's Nordenham, Germany TiO2 plant has been released. Although the
Company's overall cash income tax rate is expected to continue to be lower than
statutory rates, beginning in 2000 the Company expects its effective income tax
rate to approximate statutory
tax rates. Mr. Martin stated, "We are very pleased with the favorable resolution
of the tax contingency in Germany which removes a potentially significant risk
for the Company."
Interest expense in the second quarter of 1999 was down 40% from the comparable
period reflecting significantly lower levels of outstanding debt. The Company's
net debt at June 30, 1999 was $215 million (total debt of $362 million less cash
of $147 million).
Minority interest relates to the Company's majority-owned environmental
management subsidiary. Discontinued operations in 1998 represent the Company's
former specialty chemical operations which were sold in January 1998.
A conference call for the investment community is scheduled for July 26, 1999 at
2:00 p.m., EDT. Mr. J. Landis Martin will host the call. Participants can access
the call by dialing 1-888-769-8518 (domestic) and 212-547-0158 (international).
The passcode is NL Earnings. A taped replay of the call will be available one
hour after the conference call through August 6, 1999 by calling 1-800-842-6130
(domestic) and 402-280-9941 (international), and using access code 1597.
NL Industries, Inc. is a major international producer of titanium dioxide
pigments.
The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs and
assumptions made by management based on currently available information.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-
looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that these expectations will
prove to be correct. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including,
but not limited to, future global economic and political conditions, global TiO2
production capacity and the amount and timing of capacity changes, competitive
products and prices, possible disruptions of normal business activities from
Year 2000 issues, and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Should one or more of these risks
materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual
results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. The Company
assumes no duty to update any forward-looking statements.
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Quarters ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
--------------- ----------------
1998 1999 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ----
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:
Net sales $241.6 $232.6 $464.3 $434.1
Other income, excluding corporate 1.3 6.9 2.7 10.6
------ ------ ------ ------
242.9 239.5 467.0 444.7
Cost of sales 167.3 167.8 324.3 314.8
Selling, general and administrative,
excluding corporate 28.9 27.6 56.6 54.8
------ ------ ------ ------
OPERATING INCOME 46.7 44.1 86.1 75.1
Corporate income (expense):
Securities earnings 4.6 1.5 8.4 3.1
Expenses, net (3.3) (4.2) (7.5) (8.4)
Interest expense (15.5) (9.3) (31.8) (19.1)
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes and minority
interest 32.5 32.1 55.2 50.7
Income tax benefit (expense) (9.1) 81.9 (15.4) 77.4
------ ------ ------ ------
Income from continuing operations
before minority interest 23.4 114.0 39.8 128.1
Minority interest - 2.2 - 2.3
------ ------ ------ ------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 23.4 111.8 39.8 125.8
Discontinued operations .3 - 287.4 -
Extraordinary item - early
extinguishment of debt - - (2.4) -
------ ------ ------ -----
NET INCOME $ 23.7 $111.8 $324.8 $125.8
====== ====== ====== ======
NL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME, Continued
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Quarters ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
-------------- ----------------
1998 1999 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ----
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations $ .46 $2.16 $ .77 $2.43
Discontinued operations - - 5.61 -
Extraordinary item - - (.05) -
----- ----- ----- -----
Net income $ .46 $2.16 $6.33 $2.43
===== ===== ===== =====
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations $ .45 $2.16 $ .77 $2.42
Discontinued operations .01 - 5.53 -
Extraordinary item - - (.05) -
----- ----- ----- -----
Net income $ .46 $2.16 $6.25 $2.42
===== ===== ===== =====
SHARES USED IN THE CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic shares 51.3 51.8 51.3 51.8
Dilutive impact of stock options .7 .1 .6 .1
----- ----- ----- -----
Diluted shares 52.0 51.9 51.9 51.9
===== ===== ===== =====