STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tronox Holdings plc (NYSE:TROX) ("Tronox" or the "Company"), the world's leading integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide ("TiO₂") pigment, today reported its financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, as follows:

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

• Produced revenue of $804 million, a 21% increase compared to the prior year, or a 2% decrease compared to the prior quarter
• Generated income from operations of $54 million, and a net loss of $25 million; adjusted net loss was $21 million (non-GAAP)
• GAAP diluted loss per share was $0.16; Adjusted diluted loss per share was $0.13 (non-GAAP)
• Delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $143 million and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.8% (non-GAAP)
• Invested $101 million in capital expenditures in the quarter, primarily in the previously announced mining extension projects in South Africa
• Returned $61 million to shareholders in the nine months ending September 30, 2024 in the form of dividends 

Q4 2024 Outlook:

• TiO₂ volumes expected to decline approximately 10-15% compared to Q3 2024 (flat to mid single-digit increase compared to Q4 2023) 
• Zircon volumes expected to be flat to slightly down compared to Q3 2024 (double-digit increase compared to Q4 2023)
• Adjusted EBITDA expected to be $120-135 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin to be in the high-teens

This outlook is based on Tronox's views on current global economic activity and is subject to changes and impacts associated with the macroeconomic conditions, global supply chain, and inflation-related challenges, among others.

^{Note: For the Company's guidance with respect to fourth quarter 2024 non-GAAP measures, we are not able to provide without unreasonable effort the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, or reconciliation to such GAAP financial measure, because certain items that impact such measures are uncertain, out of the Company's control or cannot be reasonably predicted.} 

CEO's Remarks and Outlook

Chief Executive Officer John D. Romano commented, "Tronox's third quarter results demonstrated continued demand recovery compared to the prior year, though ultimately came in below our expectations as a result of softer than anticipated market conditions as the pace of the recovery slowed late in the quarter. Orders in North America and Latin America met our expectations, while demand in Europe and Asia Pacific was softer than forecasted in the last month of the quarter. Our TiO₂ volumes declined 7% sequentially, outside our guidance of a 2-4% decrease compared to the second quarter. Zircon volumes declined 12% sequentially, below our expectation of relatively flat volumes compared to the second quarter, due partially to orders rolling from the third quarter to the fourth quarter as well as weaker than expected demand in China.

"On operations, we successfully achieved our targeted average production utilization rate of ~80% for the quarter. However, we have not yet seen the benefit of the lower cost inventory flowing through due to weaker than forecasted demand. The impacts from a weaker market environment along with higher freight costs drove the miss relative to our previously guided range of $145-165 million, resulting in a third quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $143 million and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.8%. Lower sales volume also drove higher finished goods inventory, resulting in a neutral impact from working capital in the quarter."

Mr. Romano added, "Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, we anticipate North America, Europe and China will experience higher seasonal demand declines based on current customer sentiment, and we therefore expect TiO₂ volumes to decline 10-15% from the third quarter. We expect zircon demand to be flat to slightly down compared to the third quarter. Additionally, our expectations for pricing improvement in the fourth quarter have moderated from our previous forecasts, reflecting current demand and competitive dynamics. We expect our operating rates to remain in the 80% range, driving an improvement in our cost structures and fixed cost absorption and expect to start to see the benefit of the sale of lower cost tons in the quarter. We will also continue to evaluate opportunities for additional cost efficiencies. As a result of these market and operational assumptions, combined with recent unfavorable exchange rate moves, we expect fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA to be between $120-135 million and our Adjusted EBITDA margin to be in the high teens range."

Mr. Romano concluded, "Our third quarter results are not indicative of our earnings potential or our ability to deliver industry-leading results. There are significant positive tailwinds building for Tronox. From a macro standpoint, continued market recovery in the medium and long term will be aided by interest rate cuts, stimulus measures and anti-dumping investigations. Trade defense investigations are currently ongoing in the European Union, India, Brazil, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, as demand recovers, we expect to see operating cost improvements from higher production rates and will continue to evaluate further cost reduction opportunities. We are confident in our ability to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and deliver significant value for our shareholders. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tronox team for their dedication to operating safely and their steadfast commitment to fulfilling our customers' needs." 

Third Quarter 2024 Results

(Comparisons are to prior year (Q3 2024 vs. Q3 2023) unless otherwise noted)

The Company recorded third quarter revenue of $804 million, an increase of 21% primarily driven by higher TiO₂, zircon and other product volumes, partially offset by lower pricing. 

Revenue from TiO₂ sales was $616 million, an increase of 10% driven by a 12% increase in volumes, partially offset by a 2% decrease in average selling prices including mix. Sequentially, TiO₂ sales decreased 6%, driven by a 7% decrease in sales volumes, partially offset by a 1% increase in average selling prices including mix. 

Zircon revenue increased 124% to $74 million, driven by a 134% increase in volume, partially offset by a 10% decrease in average selling prices including mix. Sequentially, zircon revenue decreased 13%, driven by a 12% decrease in volumes and a 1% decrease in average selling prices including mix. 

Revenue from other products was $114 million, an increase of 61% year-over-year due to opportunistic sales of ilmenite and heavy mineral concentrate tailings. Sequentially, revenue from other products increased 39%.

Net loss attributable to Tronox in the quarter was $25 million, or a loss of $0.16 per diluted share, compared to net loss attributable to Tronox of $14 million, or a loss of $0.09 per diluted share in the year-ago period. Adjusted net loss attributable to Tronox (non-GAAP) was $21 million, or a loss of $0.13 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA of $143 million represented a 23% increase, driven primarily by higher sales volumes and improved production costs, partially offset by product pricing and mix impacts, other company costs, exchange rates and freight costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.8%.

Sequentially, Adjusted EBITDA decreased 11% due to headwinds from higher production costs, exchange rates, and freight costs, partially offset by tailwinds from higher sales volumes and product pricing and mix impacts.

The Company's selling, general and administrative expenses were $74 million for the quarter, an increase of 19%. Tronox's net interest expense in the quarter was $39 million. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $70 million.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

Tronox ended the quarter with $2.8 billion of total debt, $2.7 billion of net debt and a net leverage ratio of 5.0x on a trailing twelve-month basis. Available liquidity at the end of the quarter totaled $668 million, including $167 million in cash and cash equivalents and $501 million available under our revolving credit agreements. During the third quarter, the company refinanced its existing term loan due March 2029 with a new 7-year term loan due September 2031, extending the Company's debt maturity profile and further optimizing its capital structure following the successful repricing and extension of its other term loan tranche completed in April. With the completion of the latest refinancing, the next significant debt maturity for the Company is not until 2029. Tronox does not have any financial covenants on its term loans or bonds. 

Free cash flow for the quarter was a use of $14 million. Capital expenditures were $101 million, including investments in the Company's key capital projects to extend existing mines reaching their end of life and sustain the Company's vertical integration benefit. The Company returned $20 million to shareholders in the form of dividends in the quarter. 

Webcast Conference Call

Tronox will conduct a webcast conference call on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 8:00 AM ET (New York).  The live call is open to the public via internet broadcast and telephone.

Internet Broadcast: http://investor.tronox.com

Dial-in Telephone Numbers:

United States: +1 (800) 549-8228 

International: +44 80 0279 7040

Conference ID: 99615

Conference Call Presentation Slides will be used during the conference call and made available on our website: http://investor.tronox.com 

Conference Call Replay: Available via the internet and telephone beginning on October 25, 2024, by 12:00 PM ET, until October 31, 2024, 11:59 PM ET.

Internet Replay: http://investor.tronox.com

Replay Dial-in Telephone Numbers:

US Toll Free: +1 (888) 660-6264

International: +44 20 8609 4320

Replay Access Code: 99615 #

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, including the rare earth-bearing mineral, monazite. 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 and operational performance, anticipated completion of extensions and upgrades to our mining operations, anticipated trends in our business and industry, including trade defense measures, anticipated costs, benefits and timing of capital projects including planned mining expansions, 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 costs, benefits and timing of capital projects, or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance, anticipated costs, benefits and timing of capital projects, 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 conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and any expansion of such conflicts, and other geopolitical events; 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, including trade defense measures. 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, a non-U.S. GAAP liquidity measure of Free Cash Flow and net leverage ratio on a trailing twelve-month basis. 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.

Investor Relations and Media Contact: Jennifer Guenther

+1.646.960.6598 (Investor Relations)

+1.203.705.3701 extension: 103701 (Media)

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SOURCE Tronox Holdings plc