UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.   20549

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of the earliest event reported)
August 6, 2014
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-31763
76-0294959
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas
75240-2697
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(972) 233-1700
 
 
 
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
 
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
 
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
 
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))







Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

The registrant hereby furnishes the information set forth in the press releases issued on August 6, 2014 and entitled:

·
Kronos Worldwide Reports Second Quarter Results; and
·
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend;

copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.  The information, including the exhibits, the registrant furnishes in this report is not deemed "filed" for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.  Registration statements or other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shall not incorporate this information by reference, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item No.
 
Exhibit Index
 
 
 
 
 
99.1
 
Kronos Worldwide Reports Second Quarter Results press release dated August 6, 2014 issued by the registrant.
 
 
99.2
 
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend press release dated August 6, 2014 issued by the registrant.





SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:  /s/ A. Andrew R. Louis
Date:  August 6, 2014
 A. Andrew R. Louis, Secretary




INDEX TO EXHIBITS


 
Item No.
 
Exhibit Index
 
 
 
 
 
99.1
 
Kronos Worldwide Reports Second Quarter Results press release dated August 6, 2014 issued by the registrant.
 
 
99.2
 
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend press release dated August 6, 2014 issued by the registrant.


Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Three Lincoln Centre
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700
Dallas, TX  75240-2697
Contact: Janet Keckeisen
                Vice President - Corporate Strategy
                  and Investor Relations
                  (972) 233-1700
News Release
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                
KRONOS WORLDWIDE REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

DALLAS, TEXAS…August 6, 2014… Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO) today reported net income for the second quarter of 2014 of $33.1 million, or $.29 per share, compared to a net loss of $33.9 million, or $.29 per share, in the second quarter of 2013.  For the first six months of 2014, Kronos Worldwide reported net income of $47.4 million, or $.41 per share, compared to a net loss of $75.0 million, or $.65 per share in the first half of 2013.  Comparability of the Company's results was impacted by improved results from operations in 2014 principally due to lower raw materials costs, partially offset by lower average TiO2 selling prices and sales volumes in 2014, as discussed further below.

Net sales of $443.5 million in the second quarter of 2014 were $37.6 million, or 8%, lower than in the second quarter of 2013.   Net sales of $863.6 million in the first six months of 2014 were $81.1 million, or 9%, lower than in the first six months of 2013.  Net sales decreased in 2014 primarily due to lower average TiO2 selling prices and lower sales volumes.  The Company's average TiO2 selling prices were 4% lower in the second quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2013, and were 5% lower in the first six months of the year as compared to the same prior year period. The Company's average TiO2 selling prices at the end of the second quarter of 2014 were 5% lower than at the end of 2013, with most of the decline occurring in the first quarter of 2014 and with lower prices in most major markets, most notably in certain export markets.  TiO2 sales volumes in the second quarter and first six months of 2014 were approximately 8% lower than in each of the comparable periods of 2013 due to lower sales primarily in certain export and European markets.  Fluctuations in currency exchange rates also impacted net sales, increasing net sales by approximately $13 million in the second quarter and approximately $20 million in the first six months of 2014.  The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted the overall decrease in sales.

The Company's TiO2 segment profit (see description of non-GAAP information below) in the second quarter of 2014 was $47.1 million as compared to a segment loss of $44.1 million in the second quarter of 2013.  For the year-to-date period, the Company's segment profit was $75.7 million compared with a segment loss of $87.7 million in the first six months of 2013.  Segment profit increased in 2014 due to the net effects of lower raw materials and other production costs, lower average TiO2 selling prices and sales volumes and higher production volumes.  Kronos' TiO2 production volumes were 9% higher in the second quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2013, and were 3% higher in the year-to-date period.  Our production capacity utilization rates in the first half of 2014 were impacted by the lockout at the Canadian production facility that ended in December 2013, as restart of production at the facility did not begin until February 2014.  We operated our production facilities at overall average capacity utilization rates of 93% in the first half of 2014 (90% in the first quarter and 97% in the second quarter), primarily as a result of the restart of production at our Canadian facility.  Segment profit comparisons were also impacted by the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which increased segment profit by approximately $12 million in the second quarter and by approximately $20 million in the year-to-date period, respectively.

- 1 -

As previously reported, in February 2013, we voluntarily prepaid an aggregate $290 million principal amount under our prior term loan.  As a result of such prepayment, the Company's results in 2013 include a first quarter pre-tax charge of $6.6 million ($4.3 million, or $.04 per share, net of income tax benefit), consisting of the write-off of unamortized original issue discount and deferred financing costs associated with such prepayment.

The Company's income tax expense in the second quarter of 2014 includes an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $5.7 million ($.05 per share) related to a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.

The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent management's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct.  Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, the Company continues to face many risks and uncertainties.  The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:

Future supply and demand for our products
The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors
The cyclicality of our business
Customer and producer inventory levels
Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion
Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as ore and energy costs)
Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore)
General global economic and political conditions (such as changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world and the impact of such changes on demand for TiO2)
Competitive products and substitute products
Customer and competitor strategies
Potential consolidation of our competitors
Potential consolidation of our customers
The impact of pricing and production decisions
Competitive technology positions
The introduction of trade barriers
Possible disruption of our business, or increases in our cost of doing business, resulting from terrorist activities or global conflicts
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar), or possible disruptions to our business resulting from potential instability resulting from uncertainties associated with the euro
Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions and cyber attacks)
Our ability to renew or refinance credit facilities
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity
The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters
Our ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefits of which have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria
Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities)
Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein
The ultimate resolution of pending litigation
Possible future litigation.

- 2 -

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding the Company's results of operations as determined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), the Company has disclosed certain non-GAAP information, which the Company believes provides useful information to investors:

The Company discloses segment profit, which is used by the Company's management to assess the performance of the Company's TiO2 operations. The Company believes disclosure of segment profit provides useful information to investors because it allows investors to analyze the performance of the Company's TiO2 operations in the same way that the Company's management assesses performance. The Company defines segment profit as income before income taxes, interest expense and certain general corporate items.  Corporate items excluded from the determination of segment profit include corporate expense and interest income not attributable to the Company's TiO2 operations.

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is a major international producer of titanium dioxide products.
- 3 -

 


KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (In millions, except per share and metric ton data)
(Unaudited)




 
Three months
   
Six months
 
 
ended June 30,
   
ended June 30,
 
 
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
               
Net sales
 
$
481.1
   
$
443.5
   
$
944.7
   
$
863.6
 
Cost of sales
   
471.5
     
349.7
     
931.2
     
689.3
 
                               
     Gross margin
   
9.6
     
93.8
     
13.5
     
174.3
 
                               
Selling, general and administrative expense
   
49.3
     
49.1
     
98.7
     
98.2
 
Other operating income (expense):
                               
     Currency transactions, net
   
(2.9
)
   
2.6
     
(1.1
)
   
(.1
)
     Other expense, net
   
(1.5
)
   
(.3
)
   
(1.5
)
   
(.4
)
     Corporate expense
   
(3.6
)
   
(2.7
)
   
(6.8
)
   
(5.3
)
                               
          Income (loss) from operations
   
(47.7
)
   
44.3
     
(94.6
)
   
70.3
 
                               
Other income (expense):
                               
     Trade interest income
   
-
     
.1
     
.1
     
.1
 
     Other interest and dividend income
   
.3
     
.2
     
.5
     
.4
 
     Loss on prepayment of debt
   
-
     
-
     
(6.6
)
   
-
 
     Interest expense
   
(5.7
)
   
(4.7
)
   
(12.1
)
   
(8.7
)
                               
          Income (loss) before income taxes
   
(53.1
)
   
39.9
     
(112.7
)
   
62.1
 
                               
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
(19.2
)
   
6.8
     
(37.7
)
   
14.7
 
                               
          Net income (loss)
 
$
(33.9
)
 
$
33.1
   
$
(75.0
)
 
$
47.4
 
                               
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share
 
$
(.29
)
 
$
.29
   
$
(.65
)
 
$
.41
 
                               
Weighted-average shares used in the
                               
     calculation of net income (loss) per share
   
115.9
     
115.9
     
115.9
     
115.9
 
                               
TiO2 data - metric tons in thousands:
                               
     Sales volumes
   
144
     
133
     
276
     
255
 
     Production volumes
   
124
     
134
     
246
     
254
 
- 4 -

 

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT PROFIT TO
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
 (In millions)
 (Unaudited)




 
Three months
   
Six months
 
 
ended June 30,
   
ended June 30,
 
 
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
               
Segment profit (loss)
 
$
(44.1
)
 
$
47.1
   
$
(87.7
)
 
$
75.7
 
                               
Adjustments:
                               
     Trade interest income
   
-
     
(.1
)
   
(.1
)
   
(.1
)
     Corporate expense
   
(3.6
)
   
(2.7
)
   
(6.8
)
   
(5.3
)
                               
Income (loss) from operations
 
$
(47.7
)
 
$
44.3
   
$
(94.6
)
 
$
70.3
 






IMPACT OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN SALES
 (Unaudited)




Three months
ended June 30,
 
Six months
ended June 30,
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
 
 
Percentage change in sales:
   
      TiO2 product pricing
   
(4
)%
   
(5
)%
      TiO2 sales volume
   
(8
)
   
(8
)
      TiO2 product mix
   
1
     
2
 
      Changes in currency exchange rates
   
3
     
2
 
               
           Total
   
(8
)%
   
(9
)%


 

- 5 -
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Three Lincoln Centre
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700
Dallas, Texas   75240-2697
Contact:                    Janet G. Keckeisen
Vice President,
Corporate Strategy and
Investor Relations
(972) 233-1700
Press Release
 





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND


DALLAS, TEXAS – August 6, 2014 – Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:  KRO) announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of fifteen cents ($0.15) per share on its common stock, payable on September 18, 2014 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 4, 2014.

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is a major international producer of titanium dioxide products.

* * * * *