Westlake Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

• Record Housing and Infrastructure Products segment income from operations of $256 million

• Record Housing and Infrastructure Products segment EBITDA of $327 million

• Net cash provided by operating activities of $696 million and free cash flow of $451 million

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) (the "Company" or "Westlake") today announced third quarter 2023 results.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

In the third quarter of 2023, Westlake achieved quarterly net sales of $3.1 billion, quarterly net income of $285 million and quarterly EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $682 million, including record Housing and Infrastructure Products (HIP) segment quarterly income from operations of $256 million and EBITDA of $327 million. The Company benefitted from resilient North American housing and infrastructure construction activities and higher operating rates despite generally lower average sales prices. The third quarter results included a reserve for an ongoing legal matter, inventory charges and other items that reduced third quarter 2023 EBITDA by approximately $20 million.

Sales volumes for Housing and Infrastructure Products increased 7% while Performance and Essential Materials (PEM) sales volumes increased 2% from the second quarter of 2023. Overall sales volumes for the Company increased 4% sequentially from the previous quarter. When compared to the third quarter of 2022, HIP sales volumes were unchanged while PEM sales volumes decreased 1%, resulting in a 1% overall sales volume decline for the Company.

Housing and Infrastructure Products average sales prices decreased 5% while Performance and Essential Materials average sales prices decreased 10% from the second quarter of 2023. Overall sales prices for the Company decreased 8% sequentially from the previous quarter. When compared to the third quarter of 2022, HIP average sales prices decreased 8% while PEM average sales prices decreased 26%, resulting in a 20% overall decline in sales prices for the Company.

In the third quarter of 2023, HIP's operating income margin increased to 22% from 17% in the second quarter of 2023 and HIP's EBITDA margin increased to 29% from 22% in the second quarter of 2023, while PEM's operating income margin decreased to 5% from 10% and PEM's EBITDA margin decreased to 17% from 20% over the same period of time. When compared to the third quarter of 2022, HIP's operating income margin increased to 22% from 15% and HIP's EBITDA margin increased to 29% from 20%, while PEM's operating income margin decreased to 5% from 13% and PEM's EBITDA margin decreased to 17% from 21%.

EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY

"The diversity of our business was evident in the third quarter of 2023 as record quarterly income from operations and EBITDA in our HIP segment supported our overall profitability, while our PEM segment results reflected the soft economic conditions in global markets. Economic conditions were challenging in the third quarter with higher interest rates weighing on demand and lowering global industrial activity. Against this backdrop, we were pleased to sequentially grow both our PEM and HIP segment sales volumes and to generate record HIP segment quarterly EBITDA. We also made solid progress with our cost reduction program achieving savings of $30 million in the third quarter and now expect to generate an aggregate $95-$110 million of cost savings in 2023. Additionally, in August, we took the important step of increasing our quarterly dividend by 40%, reflecting our confidence in the Company’s future and the strength of our business," said Albert Chao, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"As we enter the fourth quarter of 2023, weak macroeconomic conditions, including elevated inflation and high interest rates, remain in place driving softer demand for all of our products and low sales prices in our PEM segment. Despite this near-term outlook, we believe our products are well-positioned in each of our segments. PEM volumes and profitability are supported by our North American structural feedstock and energy cost advantage, a high degree of vertical integration and our product diversity. Our record HIP segment results reflect the strength of our portfolio and our ability to navigate these challenging market conditions. In addition to the typical seasonal decline in sales in the fourth quarter, we expect some impact to sales volume from the elevated level in borrowing rates. Finally, we continue to seek opportunities to redeploy our robust free cash flow and solid balance sheet in ways that enhance shareholder value."

RESULTS

Consolidated Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company reported quarterly net income of $285 million, or $2.20 per share, on net sales of $3,115 million. The year-over-year decrease in net income of $116 million from the third quarter of 2022 was primarily due to lower average sales prices and integrated margins for caustic soda and PVC.

Third quarter 2023 net income of $285 million decreased by $12 million compared to the second quarter of 2023. The sequential decrease in net income compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to lower prices and integrated margins for most of the products in our PEM segment, partially offset by higher operating rates and sales volumes.

EBITDA of $682 million for the third quarter of 2023 decreased by $122 million compared to third quarter 2022 EBITDA of $804 million. Third quarter 2023 EBITDA decreased by $8 million compared to second quarter 2023 EBITDA of $690 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 $696 million for the third quarter of 2023. As of September 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents were $3,057 million and total debt was $4,873 million. Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2023 were $245 million. For the third quarter of 2023, free cash flow (net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) was $451 million, a decrease of $178 million as compared to the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to lower net income, but an increase of $136 million as compared to the second quarter of 2023, primarily due to more favorable working capital management. A reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities can be found in the financial schedules at the end of this press release.

Performance and Essential Materials Segment

Performance and Essential Materials income from operations for the third quarter of 2023 of $105 million decreased by $248 million from third quarter 2022 income from operations of $353 million. This decrease in income from operations versus the prior-year period was due to lower average sales prices and integrated margins for most of our major products, particularly for PVC, caustic soda and epoxy resins. While overall sales volumes were in-line with the prior-year period, PEM's average sales prices were negatively impacted by both market price declines and an unfavorable sales mix due to higher sales volumes in export markets where pricing is typically lower. As a result, PEM's segment operating margin declined from 13% in the third quarter of 2022 to 5% in the third quarter of 2023 and EBITDA margin decreased from 21% to 17% over the same period of time.

Sequentially, Performance and Essential Materials income from operations decreased by $110 million as compared to the second quarter of 2023. The sequential decrease was largely due to lower average sales prices and integrated margins, especially for caustic soda, and certain charges incurred during the quarter, which were only partially offset by higher PVC global operating rates and sales volumes.

Housing and Infrastructure Products Segment

For the third quarter of 2023, Housing and Infrastructure Products income from operations of $256 million increased by $70 million from third quarter 2022 income from operations of $186 million. This increase in income from operations versus the prior-year period was the result of lower materials costs. While overall sales volume remained in-line with the prior-year period, we experienced solid growth in select categories such as siding & trim and municipal water systems. HIP's segment operating margin increased from 15% in the third quarter of 2022 to 22% in the third quarter of 2023 while EBITDA margin increased from 20% to 29%.

Sequentially, Housing and Infrastructure Products income from operations increased by $66 million as compared to the second quarter of 2023. This increase in income from operations versus the prior quarter was the result of higher sales volume, particularly for municipal water applications and North American housing products.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts, including statements regarding our outlook for the performance of our business segments (such as product rates), macro demand conditions, future demand for our products and sales prices, our attempts to improve controllable costs, and our ability to deploy free cash flow and to enhance shareholder value 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: general economic and business conditions; the cyclical nature of the chemical and building products industries; availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and energy; uncertainties associated with the United States and worldwide economies, including those due to political tensions and conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; uncertainties associated with pandemic infectious diseases; uncertainties associated with climate change; the potential impact on demand for our products due to initiatives such as recycling; industry production capacity and operating rates; the supply/demand balance for Westlake's products; competitive products and pricing pressures; instability in the credit and financial markets; access to capital markets; terrorist acts; operating interruptions; changes in laws or regulations, including trade policies; technological developments; information systems failures and cyberattacks; foreign currency exchange risks; the ability to implement our business strategies; and other uncertainties. 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, 2022, which was filed with the SEC in February 2023, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, which was filed with the SEC in August 2023.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release makes reference to certain "non-GAAP" financial measures, such as EBITDA and free cash flow. 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 and free cash flow, 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 (i) EBITDA to net income, income from operations and net cash provided by operating activities and (ii) free cash flow to 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 third quarter 2023 results will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (10:00 AM Central Time). To access the conference call, it is necessary to pre-register at https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf37d4bda7ce244168b3b62b894d43e67. Once registered, you will receive a phone number and unique PIN number.

A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after its conclusion. The conference call and replay will be available via webcast at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5953h5g5.

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Source: Westlake Corporation