Westlake Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter 2022 Results

• Record quarterly net sales of $4.5 billion, an increase of 57% vs. second quarter 2021 net sales

• Record quarterly net income of $858 million, an increase of 64% vs. second quarter 2021 net income

• Record quarterly EBITDA of $1.5 billion, an increase of 56% vs. second quarter 2021 EBITDA

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) (the "Company" or "Westlake") today announced record second quarter 2022 results.

SUMMARY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ($ in millions except per share data)

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

In the second quarter of 2022, Westlake achieved record quarterly net sales of $4.5 billion, record quarterly net income of $858 million and record quarterly EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $1.5 billion. The Company benefitted from solid market conditions attributable to a strong demand and pricing dynamics. Westlake realized the full quarter impact of all acquisitions completed since June 2021, contributing to record earnings.

Overall prices increased 32% versus the year-ago period with significant gains in both operating segments.

Overall volumes increased 25% versus the prior-year period substantially driven by acquisitions completed over the previous twelve months.

EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY

"We are pleased to deliver another quarter of record results driven by Westlake's strategic market position, which has expanded over the past year with acquisitions that increased our reach into new markets and products while solidifying our ability to capture market value. Our record performance is a result of strong sales volumes across our portfolio of differentiated and specialized product offerings paired with our market position as a global leader in chlorovinyls production continuing to drive the performance of our businesses. With approximately three quarters of our sales in North America, our competitive advantages and focus on disciplined execution enabled us to navigate the impacts of continued logistics constraints, and higher energy and raw material costs. I want to thank all of the Westlake employees for their commitment and dedication in helping us achieve these results. Our Performance and Essential Materials segment continued to benefit from tight market conditions with solid demand for most of our products. We also benefited from strong residential construction and remodeling activity which has pulled cross-segment demand for PVC resin through our value stream into our Housing and Infrastructure Products segment," said Albert Chao, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We continue to believe in the structural strength of the housing, repair and remodeling markets, and the market position for our Performance and Essential Materials remains on a solid footing. Our Housing and Infrastructure Products business is anchored by a strong presence in the repair and remodeling market, which we believe will remain strong even if new housing starts retreat from their recent highs as global interest rates rise. While the record breaking tailwinds we have experienced in our Performance and Essential Materials segment may be moderating, we believe we will continue to benefit from the high integration within our operations as North American producer's structural cost advantage has expanded with higher global energy costs when compared with our competitors in Europe and Asia. While we are mindful of geopolitical and economic factors which may affect our businesses, we remain confident in the fundamentals of our business and the markets in which we participate," concluded Mr. Chao.

RESULTS

Consolidated Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company reported record quarterly net income of $858 million, or $6.60 per share, on record net sales of $4,483 million. The increase in net income of $336 million from the second quarter of 2021 was driven by significantly higher sales prices and margins across our chlorovinyls and housing and infrastructure products businesses, as well as the contributions of the new businesses acquired in the second half of 2021 and early 2022. The strength in the U.S. housing market has driven strong residential construction and repair and remodeling activity, resulting in strong demand and higher pricing for PVC resin, as well as our offerings in the Housing and Infrastructure Products segment. Additionally, the Performance and Essential Materials segment experienced robust demand for chlorine and caustic soda, driving higher prices and margins. Despite rising raw material costs and continuing logistical constraints, margins expanded for the majority of our products with price increases exceeding rising production costs.

Second quarter 2022 net income of $858 million increased by $102 million from first quarter 2022 net income of $756 million. The increase in net income versus the prior quarter was primarily due to higher sales prices for most of our major products, including caustic soda, PVC resin and our building and construction products.

Record EBITDA of $1,456 million for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $524 million compared to second quarter 2021 EBITDA of $932 million. Second quarter 2022 EBITDA increased by $156 million compared to first quarter 2022 EBITDA of $1,300 million. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, income from operations and net cash provided by operating activities can be found in the financial schedules at the end of this press release.

Cash and Debt

Net cash provided by operating activities was $913 million for the second quarter of 2022. As of June 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were $1,317 million and total debt was $4,868 million. Westlake redeemed $250 million of debt on May 14, 2022. Capital expenditures were $230 million for the second quarter of 2022.

On June 9, 2022, the Company replaced its existing revolving credit facility with a new revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.5 billion that matures in June 2027 (the "New Credit Agreement"). The New Credit Agreement bears interest at either (a) Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) or (b) Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin depending on the rate selected and the credit rating of the Company.

Performance and Essential Materials Segment

Performance and Essential Materials income from operations for the second quarter of 2022 of $965 million increased by $294 million from second quarter 2021 income from operations of $671 million. This increase in income from operations versus the prior-year period was due to higher prices in the chlorovinyls business, higher margins for polyethylene, and the addition of the recently acquired epoxy business. These increases were partially offset by higher global fuel and power costs, higher ethane feedstock costs, and lower sales volumes for PVC resin.

Performance and Essential Materials income from operations for the second quarter of 2022 of $965 million increased by $86 million from first quarter 2022 income from operations of $879 million. This increase in income from operations versus the prior quarter was due to higher prices in our chlorovinyls business as well as the full quarter contribution from the epoxy business. Compared to the prior quarter, the second quarter of 2022 was impacted by higher global fuel and ethane feedstock costs, lower margins and sales volumes for polyethylene, and lower sales volumes for caustic soda PVC resin in Europe.

Housing and Infrastructure Products Segment

For the second quarter of 2022, Housing and Infrastructure Products income from operations of $236 million increased by $140 million from second quarter 2021 income from operations of $96 million. This increase in income from operations versus the prior-year period was the result of continued strength in construction and remodeling activity driving solid demand and higher prices, as well as the contributions of the acquisitions completed in 2021, partially offset by higher raw material and production costs as well as supply chain constraints.

For the second quarter of 2022, Housing and Infrastructure Products income from operations of $236 million increased by $51 million from first quarter 2022 income from operations of $185 million. This increase in income from operations versus the prior quarter was the result of higher prices and volumes.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts, including statements regarding favorable future market conditions (such as the repair and remodeling market), our outlook for our business segments, our belief that we will benefit from having high integration and a structural cost-advantage in North America, our ability to create value and grow, our market position, launching sustainable brands, the contribution of recent acquisitions and demand for our products, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially, based on factors including, but not limited to: the COVID-19 pandemic and the response thereto; general economic and business conditions; the cyclical nature of the industry; availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and utilities, including natural gas and natural gas liquids from shale production; the price of crude oil; uncertainties associated with the United States and worldwide economies, including those due to global economic and financial conditions; governmental regulatory actions, including environmental regulation and changes in trade policies; political unrest; industry production capacity and operating rates; the supply/demand balance for Westlake's products; competitive products and pricing pressures; access to capital markets; technological developments; the effect and results of litigation and settlements of litigation; operating interruptions; the ability to integrate the recent acquisitions; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; and other risk factors. For more detailed information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to Westlake's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC in February 2022, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC in May 2022.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release makes reference to certain "non-GAAP" financial measures, such as EBITDA, as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For this purpose, a non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a numerical measure of a registrant's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that (1) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income, balance sheet or statement of cash flows (or equivalent statements) of the registrant; or (2) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"), but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as EBITDA, provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of the Company's ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income, income from operations and net cash provided by operating activities can be found in the financial schedules at the end of this press release.

About Westlake

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.westlake.com

Westlake Corporation Conference Call Information:

A conference call to discuss Westlake Corporation's second quarter 2022 results will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (10:00 AM Central Time). To access the conference call, dial (646) 307-1963 or (800) 715-9871 for international callers, approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and reference passcode 579 06 14.

A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after its conclusion.

The conference call and replay will also be available via webcast at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/e2ywjjui and the earnings release can be obtained via the Company's website at: /investor-relations.

We are no longer providing average quarterly industry prices and housing starts data.

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Contact—(713) 960-9111
Investors—Steve Bender
Media—L. Benjamin Ederington

Source: Westlake Corporation