- Free cash flow above expectations due to cash management initiatives
According to the company’s website press release on February 15, 2023, Tronox Holdings plc (NYSE:TROX) (“Tronox” or the “Company”), the world’s leading integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide pigment, reported its financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2022:
Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights:
- Revenue of $649 million
- Income from operations of $36 million; Net loss of $14 million
- Adjusted EBITDA of $113 million; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.4% (non-GAAP)
- GAAP diluted loss per share of $0.09; Adjusted diluted loss per share of $0.17 (non-GAAP)
- Free cash flow of $126 million (non-GAAP)
Full Year 2022 Financial Highlights:
- Total revenue of $3,454 million
- Income from operations of $458 million; Net income of $500 million (includes $301M of tax valuation allowance reversals)
- Adjusted EBITDA of $875 million; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.3% (non-GAAP)
- GAAP diluted EPS of $3.16; Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.98 (non-GAAP)
- Capital expenditures of $428 million
- Free cash flow of $170 million (non-GAAP)
- Reduced total debt to $2.5 billion
Outlook:
- Q1 2023 Adjusted EBITDA expected to be $120-130 million
This outlook is based on Tronox’s current views of global economic activity and is subject to changes and impacts associated with global supply chain and inflation-related challenges, among others.
Co-CEOs’ Remarks
“We are proud of the perseverance of our organization throughout 2022, particularly as the year ended very different from where it began,” commented Jean-François Turgeon, co-chief executive officer. “The first half of 2022 began with considerable momentum while the second half was characterized by a significant market pullback starting in China, followed by Asia Pacific ex-China, EMEA and the Americas. Despite year-over-year fourth quarter volume declines of 34% for TiO2 and 44% for zircon, respectively, we were able to achieve full year 2022 Adjusted EBITDA of $875 million and Adjusted EBITDA margins in the mid-20s, while generating full year free cash flow of $170 million after investing $428 million in capital expenditures. These results were driven by prudent management of production and our cost structures to align with end customer demand, while remaining focused on our commercial pricing strategy. As we enter into 2023, we will maintain a relentless focus on sustainability and safety; continue to align production with customer demand and aggressively reduce costs; and manage our key capital projects without losing sight of the long-term benefits to Tronox including reducing our costs per ton. We also aim to generate strong free cash flow across a variety of economic scenarios.”
John D. Romano, co-chief executive officer added, “We remain well-positioned in the market given our differentiated, vertically integrated business model and the strength of our operations. Based on what we know today, we expect to see market demand continue to grow as we move throughout the coatings season. Compared to the fourth quarter, we expect that throughout 2023, EBITDA will continue to grow and margins will expand driven by growing sales volumes and lower costs as we start to see relief in input prices as well as improving operational efficiencies that will lead us to benefit from fixed cost leverage on growing production volumes, particularly in the second half. First quarter TiO2 sales volume levels are expected to increase sequentially in the low- to mid-teens on a percent basis, but will remain depressed relative to the first quarter of 2022, which was the strongest quarter of 2022. As we communicated in the fourth quarter, impacts from operational challenges at our site at KZN, South Africa from a fire and the historical flooding at the new Atlas Campaspe mine site in Australia drove higher than anticipated costs in the fourth quarter of 2022. We expect to see continued impacts from these events in the first quarter, namely on zircon tons available for sale and on the cost of ore from the new mine. As a result of these commercial dynamics and the hangover effect from the fourth quarter events, we expect first quarter 2023 Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $120 million to $130 million and Adjusted EBITDA margins to remain in the high teens. The impact to zircon production and our Australian ore costs is expected to improve within the first quarter, and we therefore anticipate a greater recovery to EBITDA as we move into the second and third quarters.”
Mr. Turgeon concluded, “We were able to reach an important milestone this month at Atlas Campaspe, as the heavy mineral concentrate being produced is now being trucked off the site using an alternate haul road, an exciting accomplishment given the significant impact of the late 2022 floods on our inability to use the original roadways. Although the benefits are delayed relative to our initial expectations as the primary roads remain under water, we are enthusiastic about the value this mine will bring to our operations and the improvement we will see to our bottom line from utilizing this feedstock beginning with our second quarter results. Navigating 2022 and, in particular, the challenges that arose late in the year would not have been possible without the commitment from our ~6,500 global employees whose swift action, focus and perseverance continue to allow us to deliver in the face of numerous external pressures, so we would like to extend a thank you to our Tronox team.”
Fourth Quarter 2022 Results
The Company reported fourth quarter revenue of $649 million, a decrease of 27%, primarily driven by lower sales volumes. Revenue from TiO2 sales was $478 million, a decrease of 29% driven by a 34% decrease in TiO2 volumes, partially offset by a 7% price increase on a US dollar basis and an unfavorable 2% impact from exchange rates. Sequentially, TiO2 volumes declined 28%, within the guided range, and average selling prices declined 1%.
Zircon revenue decreased 24% to $91 million, driven by a 44% decrease in volumes partially offset by a 20% increase in average selling prices. Sequentially, zircon volumes declined 30%, due to lower production as a result of the previously reported fourth quarter events that impacted tons available for sale, namely the fire at the mineral separation facility at KZN in South Africa and the historic flooding in Australia that delayed the commissioning of the Atlas Campaspe mine. Average selling prices increased 1% sequentially.
Revenue from other products was $80 million, which represented a 12% decrease, due primarily to lower pig iron volumes due to shipment timing.
Net loss attributable to Tronox of $15 million, or $0.09 loss per diluted share, compared to net income of $83 million, or $0.52 earnings per diluted share in the year-ago period. Excluding non-recurring adjustments totaling $12 million or $0.08 per diluted share, adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox (non-GAAP) was $27 million, or $0.17 loss per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA of $113 million decreased by 52% resulting in an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.4% for the fourth quarter. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA versus the prior year was driven primarily by higher production costs including freight rates and lower sales volumes, partially offset by improved selling prices across all products and favorable exchange rates.
Sequentially, Adjusted EBITDA declined 54% on lower sales volumes, higher production costs including freight rates and lower sales prices, partially offset by favorable exchange rates.
The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses were $69 million in the quarter. Net interest expense was $30 million. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $68 million.
Full Year 2022 Results
The Company reported full-year revenue of $3,454 million, a decrease of 3% year-over-year. Net income attributable to Tronox was $497 million, or $3.16 per diluted share. Excluding non-recurring adjustments totaling $186 million or $1.18 per diluted share, adjusted net income attributable to Tronox (non-GAAP) was $311 million or $1.98 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA of $875 million decreased 8% compared to $947 million in the prior year, while Adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.3% decreased 120 basis points compared to the prior year.
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Tronox reduced its total debt to $2.5 billion as of December 31, 2022. Net leverage at the end of 2022 was 2.8x. Available liquidity at the end of the quarter totaled $608 million, including $164 million in cash and cash equivalents and $444 million under existing revolving credit agreements.
Full year 2022 free cash flow totaled $170 million after $428 million in capital expenditures, including investments in key projects such as newTRON and Atlas Campaspe. These investments are expected to generate returns significantly above the Company’s cost of capital. As part of its capital allocation strategy, Tronox expects to continue to invest in cost reduction-, growth- and vertical integration-related projects.
In November 2021, Tronox’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of the Company’s ordinary shares through February 2024. As of December 31, 2022, there is ~$250 million remaining under the program. Tronox intends to allocate remaining free cash flow after capital expenditures and dividend payments towards continued debt reductions and opportunistic share repurchases.
Sustainability
In 2022, Tronox made significant strides on its environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) efforts. In June, the Company accelerated its carbon reduction targets to achieve a 35% reduction by 2025 and a 50% reduction by 2030, relative to its 2019 baseline. The Company remains committed to align with a global warming scenario of below 2o centigrade and to achieve a target of “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste to external dedicated landfills by 2050 among other ESG-related commitments. In March, Tronox announced a significant renewable energy project in South Africa that is expected to lower worldwide scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 13%. In 2022, the Company added additional disclosures on climate related risks to align with TCFD and SASB standards. Additionally, the Company is continuing to explore ways to reduce waste and increase value from its mining business, including realizing increasing value from higher value co-product streams including rare earths minerals.
Webcast Conference Call
Tronox will conduct a webcast conference call on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. ET (New York). The live call is open to the public via internet broadcast and telephone.
Internet Broadcast:
Dial-in Telephone Numbers:
United States: +1.844.200.6205
International: +1.929.526.1599
Access Code: 301185
Conference Call Presentation Slides will be used during the conference call and will be available on our website: http://investor.tronox.com
Conference Call Replay: Available via the internet and telephone beginning on February 16, 2023, by 11:00 a.m. ET (New York), until February 21, 2023, 5:00 p.m. ET (New York)
Internet Replay:http://investor.tronox.com
Replay Dial-in Telephone Numbers:
United States: +1.866.813.9403
International: +44 204 525 0658
Replay Access Code: 643926
About Tronox
Tronox Holdings plc is one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality titanium products, including titanium dioxide pigment, specialty-grade titanium dioxide products and high-purity titanium chemicals, and zircon. We mine titanium-bearing mineral sands and operate upgrading facilities that produce high-grade titanium feedstock materials, pig iron and other minerals. With approximately 6,500 employees across six continents, our rich diversity, unmatched vertical integration model, and unparalleled operational and technical expertise across the value chain, position Tronox as the preeminent titanium dioxide producer in the world. For more information about how our products add brightness and durability to paints, plastics, paper and other everyday products, visit tronox.com.
Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance, anticipated completion of extensions and upgrades to our mining and operations, anticipated trends in our business and industry, anticipated costs, benefits and timing of project newTRON and Atlas Campaspe, the Company’s anticipated capital allocation strategy including future capital expenditures, and our sustainability goals, commitments and programs. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance, actual synergies, or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance, anticipated synergies or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions; inflationary pressures and energy costs; currency movements; political instability, including the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict and any expansion of such conflict; supply chain disruptions; market conditions and price volatility for titanium dioxide, zircon and other feedstock materials, as well as global and regional economic downturns, that adversely affect the demand for our end-use products; disruptions in production at our mining and manufacturing facilities; and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal and regulatory factors. These and other risk factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can management assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, synergies or achievements. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Unless otherwise required by applicable laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information or future developments.
Use of Non-GAAP Information
To provide investors and others with additional information regarding the financial results of Tronox Holdings plc, we have disclosed in this release certain non-U.S. GAAP operating performance measures of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted net income attributable to Tronox, including its presentation on a per share basis, and a non-U.S. GAAP liquidity measure of Free Cash Flow. These non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are a supplement to and not a substitute for or superior to, the Company’s results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures presented by the Company may be different from non-U.S. GAAP financial measures presented by other companies. Specifically, the Company believes the non-U.S. GAAP information provides useful measures to investors regarding the Company’s financial performance by excluding certain costs and expenses that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating results. The presentation of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results or guidance prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to U.S. GAAP results is included herein.
Media Contact: Melissa Zona
+1.636.751.4057
Investor Contact: Jennifer Guenther
+1.646.960.6598
