In Fuel Specialties, revenues of $183.3 million grew by 2 percent from $179.5 million a year ago. A favorable price/mix of 25 percent was offset by a reduction in volumes of 14 percent and a negative currency impact of 9 percent. Gross margins of 27.8 percent were slightly better than the 27.4 percent last year. Operating income for the quarter of $26.8 million was up 4 percent on last year. For the full year, revenues were up 18 percent to $730.2 million and operating income increased 16 percent to $121.7 million.
Revenues in Oilfield Services of $183.5 million for the quarter increased 93 percent from the $95.3 million in the fourth quarter last year. Gross margins improved by 4.5 percentage points from a year ago to 40.4 percent. Operating income of $20.5 million was up $16.2 million from $4.3 million last year. For the full year, revenues were up 75 percent to $593.8 million and operating income increased $31.3 million to $41.7 million.
Corporate costs for the quarter were $16.5 million compared to $13.2 million a year ago, due mainly to higher performance related remuneration accruals.
The full year adjusted effective tax rate was 27.0 percent compared to 22.7 percent last year. The increase is primarily a consequence of having operations outside of the U.S., where they are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations. This and other items have caused an increase in the tax rate in the year and specifically in the fourth quarter causing a 36 cents negative impact on earnings per share.
For the quarter, cash from operations after net capital expenditures was $63.3 million compared to $59.6 million a year ago. For the full year, cash from operations after net capital expenditures was $39.6 million compared to $57.0 million in 2021. As of December 31, 2022, Innospec had net cash of $147.1 million compared to net cash of $141.7 million a year ago.
Mr. Williams concluded,
“This quarter capped a strong full year performance for Innospec. All businesses delivered double-digit operating income growth for the year, and each contributed meaningfully to our 2022 results. Despite the general recessionary outlook for 2023, we continue to expect technology-based organic growth opportunities across all our businesses. Over the medium to long-term, we do not anticipate any change in our customers’ drive towards cleaner formulations, lower carbon footprint and operational efficiency. Our innovative chemistries and highly responsive technical service directly support our customers’ priorities.
Cash generation was excellent in the quarter, and our net cash position strengthened to over $147 million. Our debt-free balance sheet allows us to continue to follow our growth strategy and enhance returns to shareholders. In 2023, we expect to complete our $70 million Performance Chemicals expansion while continuing dividend growth and share repurchases. In parallel, we intend to continue to pursue M&A that complements and expands our geographic, technology and end-market footprint.”
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The information presented in this press release includes financial measures that are not calculated or presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures comprise EBITDA, income before income taxes excluding special items, net income excluding special items and related per share amounts together with net cash. EBITDA is net income per our consolidated financial statements adjusted for the exclusion of charges for interest expense, net, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Income before income taxes, net income and diluted EPS, excluding special items, per our consolidated financial statements are adjusted for the exclusion of amortization of acquired intangible assets, foreign currency exchange losses, legacy costs of closed operations, change in the UK statutory tax rate, tax on the closure of legacy operations, acquisition related costs and adjustment of income tax provisions. Net cash is cash and cash equivalents less total debt. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided herein and in the schedules below. The Company believes that such non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and may assist them in evaluating the Company’s underlying performance and identifying operating trends. In addition, these non-GAAP measures address questions the Company routinely receives from analysts and investors and the Company has determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors. While the Company believes that such measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s performance, investors should not consider them to be a substitute for financial measures prepared