NewMarket Corporation Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

  • Net Income of $69.7 Million and Earnings Per Share of $6.38
  • Petroleum Additives Operating Profit of $94.1 Million
  • Focus Remains on Investing in the Long-Term Success of the Company

RICHMOND, Va.--()--NewMarket Corporation (NYSE:NEU) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas E. Gottwald, released the following earnings report of the Company’s operations for the first quarter of 2021.

Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $69.7 million, or $6.38 per share, compared to net income of $85.5 million, or $7.67 per share, for the first quarter of 2020.

Sales for the petroleum additives segment for the first quarter of 2021 were $564.9 million, up 1.4% compared to the same period last year. Petroleum additives operating profit for the first quarter of 2021 was $94.1 million, a 17.2% decrease compared to record first quarter operating profit last year of $113.7 million. This decrease was due mainly to lower selling prices and higher conversion and raw material costs, partially offset by increased shipments. Shipments increased 2.6% between periods, with increases in lubricant additives shipments partially offset by decreases in fuel additives shipments. All regions except Europe contributed to the increase in lubricant additives shipments, and Asia Pacific was the only region reporting an increase in fuel additives shipments.

We are pleased with our petroleum additives operating results for the first quarter, but are mindful of the negative impact that our increasing raw material costs have on our operating margins. We will focus on margin improvement during 2021 to help ensure our operating margins remain at the historical ranges our shareholders have come to expect. Government restrictions on travel and work related to COVID-19 have had a negative effect on our business. The pace and stability of improvement in demand for our products will continue to depend heavily on economic recovery and the rate at which restrictions are lifted and remain lifted. We will continue to monitor the government restrictions as well as the status of vaccination programs that are being implemented globally. We expect successful vaccination efforts will help provide more stability in the global economy in 2021.

During the quarter we funded capital expenditures of $20.5 million, and paid dividends of $20.8 million. In March 2021, we issued $400 million 2.70% senior notes that are due in 2031. The proceeds will be used for the repayment of our $350 million 4.10% senior notes that are due in 2022 and for general corporate purposes.

We remain focused on the long-term success of our company, including emphasis on satisfying customer needs, generating solid operating results, and promoting the greatest long-term value for our shareholders, customers and employees. We believe the fundamentals of how we run our business – a long-term view, safety and people first culture, customer-focused solutions, technology-driven product offerings, and a world-class supply chain capability – will continue to be beneficial for all our stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Thomas E. Gottwald

The petroleum additives segment consists of the North America (the United States and Canada), Latin America (Mexico, Central America, and South America), Asia Pacific, and Europe/Middle East/Africa/India (Europe or EMEAI) regions.

The Company has disclosed the non-GAAP financial measure EBITDA and the related calculation in the schedules included with this earnings release. EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations before the deduction of interest and financing expenses, income taxes, depreciation (on property, plant and equipment) and amortization (on intangibles and lease right-of-use assets). The Company believes that even though this item is not required by or presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this additional measure enhances understanding of the Company’s performance and period to period comparability. The Company believes that this item should not be considered an alternative to net income determined under GAAP.

As a reminder, a conference call and Internet webcast is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 22, 2021 to review first quarter results. You can access the conference call live by dialing 1-844-369-8770 (domestic) or 1-862-298-0840 (international) and requesting the NewMarket conference call. To avoid delays, callers should dial in five minutes early. A teleconference replay of the call will be available until April 29, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. EDT by dialing 1-877-481-4010 (domestic) or 1-919-882-2331 (international). The replay passcode number is 40638. The call will also be broadcast via the Internet and can be accessed through the Company’s website at www.NewMarket.com or www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2001/40638. A webcast replay will be available for 30 days.

NewMarket Corporation, through its subsidiaries Afton Chemical Corporation and Ethyl Corporation, develops, manufactures, blends, and delivers chemical additives that enhance the performance of petroleum products. From custom-formulated additive packages to market-general additives, the NewMarket family of companies provides the world with the technology to make engines run smoother, machines last longer, and fuels burn cleaner.

Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although NewMarket’s management believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the availability of raw materials and distribution systems; disruptions at production facilities, including single-sourced facilities; hazards common to chemical businesses; the ability to respond effectively to technological changes in our industry; failure to protect our intellectual property rights; sudden or sharp raw material price increases; competition from other manufacturers; current and future governmental regulations; the gain or loss of significant customers; failure to attract and retain a highly-qualified workforce; an information technology system failure or security breach; the occurrence or threat of extraordinary events, including natural disasters; terrorist attacks and health-related epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to operating outside of the United States; political, economic, and regulatory factors concerning our products; the impact of substantial indebtedness on our operational and financial flexibility; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; resolution of environmental liabilities or legal proceedings; limitation of our insurance coverage; our inability to realize expected benefits from investment in our infrastructure or from recent or future acquisitions, or our inability to successfully integrate recent or future acquisitions into our business; the underperformance of our pension assets resulting in additional cash contributions to our pension plans; and other factors detailed from time to time in the reports that NewMarket files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available to shareholders upon request.

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by NewMarket in the foregoing discussion speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this discussion after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the events described in any forward-looking statement made in this discussion, or elsewhere, might not occur.

 

NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT RESULTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(In thousands, except per-share amounts, unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

Petroleum additives

 

$

564,898

 

 

$

557,372

 

All other

 

 

1,717

 

 

 

2,045

 

Total

 

$

566,615

 

 

$

559,417

 

Segment operating profit:

 

 

 

 

Petroleum additives

 

$

94,071

 

 

$

113,671

 

All other

 

 

(664

)

 

 

335

 

Segment operating profit

 

 

93,407

 

 

 

114,006

 

Corporate unallocated expense

 

 

(4,312

)

 

 

(4,231

)

Interest and financing expenses

 

 

(6,343

)

 

 

(7,104

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

6,618

 

 

 

7,407

 

Income before income tax expense

 

$

89,370

 

 

$

110,078

 

Net income

 

$

69,712

 

 

$

85,541

 

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

 

$

6.38

 

 

$

7.67

 

 
 

NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per-share amounts, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

Net sales

 

$

566,615

 

$

559,417

Cost of goods sold

 

 

404,862

 

 

378,510

Gross profit

 

 

161,753

 

 

180,907

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

 

 

36,915

 

 

35,715

Research, development, and testing expenses

 

 

36,337

 

 

35,506

Operating profit

 

 

88,501

 

 

109,686

Interest and financing expenses, net

 

 

6,343

 

 

7,104

Other income (expense), net

 

 

7,212

 

 

7,496

Income before income tax expense

 

 

89,370

 

 

110,078

Income tax expense

 

 

19,658

 

 

24,537

Net income

 

$

69,712

 

$

85,541

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

 

$

6.38

 

$

7.67

Cash dividends declared per share

 

$

1.90

 

$

1.90

 
 

NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands except share amounts, unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

2021

 

December 31,

2020

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

522,405

 

 

$

125,172

 

Trade and other accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses

 

 

373,655

 

 

 

336,395

 

Inventories

 

 

414,737

 

 

 

401,031

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

41,670

 

 

 

35,480

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,352,467

 

 

 

898,078

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

671,955

 

 

 

665,147

 

Intangibles (net of amortization) and goodwill

 

 

129,248

 

 

 

129,944

 

Prepaid pension cost

 

 

139,104

 

 

 

137,069

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

65,307

 

 

 

61,329

 

Deferred charges and other assets

 

 

41,308

 

 

 

42,308

 

Total assets

 

$

2,399,389

 

 

$

1,933,875

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

218,211

 

 

$

189,937

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

73,264

 

 

 

78,422

 

Dividends payable

 

 

18,612

 

 

 

15,184

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

5,949

 

 

 

3,760

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

14,307

 

 

 

13,410

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

5,510

 

 

 

11,742

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

335,853

 

 

 

312,455

 

Long-term debt

 

 

990,189

 

 

 

598,848

 

Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent

 

 

50,928

 

 

 

48,324

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

212,064

 

 

 

214,424

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,589,034

 

 

 

1,174,051

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

Common stock and paid-in capital (with no par value; issued and outstanding shares - 10,928,154 at March 31, 2021 and 10,921,377 at December 31, 2020)

 

 

1,190

 

 

 

717

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(172,055

)

 

 

(173,164

)

Retained earnings

 

 

981,220

 

 

 

932,271

 

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

810,355

 

 

 

759,824

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

2,399,389

 

 

$

1,933,875

 

 
 

NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

Net income

 

$

69,712

 

 

$

85,541

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

20,631

 

 

 

21,369

 

Cash pension and postretirement contributions

 

 

(2,577

)

 

 

(2,557

)

Working capital changes

 

 

(41,421

)

 

 

(42,058

)

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

2,455

 

 

 

3,379

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(20,524

)

 

 

(20,106

)

Issuance of 2.70% senior notes

 

 

395,052

 

 

 

0

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(2,932

)

 

 

(1,308

)

Net borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

0

 

 

 

97,424

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

0

 

 

 

(79,473

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(20,763

)

 

 

(21,160

)

All other

 

 

(2,400

)

 

 

(6,786

)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

397,233

 

 

$

34,265

 

 
 

NEWMARKET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2021

 

2020

Net Income

 

$

69,712

 

$

85,541

Add:

 

 

 

 

Interest and financing expenses, net

 

 

6,343

 

 

7,104

Income tax expense

 

 

19,658

 

 

24,537

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

20,324

 

 

20,859

EBITDA

 

$

116,037

 

$

138,041

 

Contacts

FOR INVESTOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian D. Paliotti

Investor Relations
Phone: 804.788.5555
Fax: 804.788.5688
Email: investorrelations@newmarket.com

Release Summary

NewMarket Corporation Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

Contacts

FOR INVESTOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian D. Paliotti

Investor Relations
Phone: 804.788.5555
Fax: 804.788.5688
Email: investorrelations@newmarket.com