Commenting on the third quarter results, Patrick S. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, said,
“This was another good quarter for Innospec. Our balanced portfolio delivered strong sequential improvement in Performance Chemicals, continued excellent results in Oilfield Services and a steady performance in Fuel Specialties.
In Performance Chemicals, as expected, new contracts drove sequential operating income growth and margin improvement despite continued destocking and end-market headwinds. We believe that destocking pressure has peaked. We are cautiously optimistic that our new contracts together with on-going improvement in our base business has the potential to deliver further sequential growth and margin improvement in the fourth quarter. We feel that our industry-leading 1,4-Dioxane-free and sulfate-free technologies combined with our dedication to customer partnerships and customer service leaves us well placed for continued growth.
In Fuel Specialties, operating income was broadly similar to last year as improved margins offset lower sales. Gross margins were slightly below our target 32 to 35 percent range as we continue to manage inflationary pressure. We expect sequential margin improvement and operating income growth as demand for our chemistries increases into the winter quarters.
In Oilfield Services, despite the expected moderation in production chemicals activity versus the second quarter, the business delivered strong operating income growth and margin expansion compared to the prior year. In the fourth quarter, we anticipate similar results to this quarter, and we expect 2023 to remain on track for significant full year growth and margin improvement.”
Performance Chemicals revenues of $145.2 million were down 9 percent from $159.7 million in the third quarter last year driven by a negative price/mix of 19 percent being partially offset by higher volumes of 7 percent and a positive currency impact of 3 percent. Gross margins reduced by 3.6 percentage points from the same quarter last year to 20.9 percent. Operating income for the quarter of $16.9 million decreased 33 percent on the prior year.
Revenues in Fuel Specialties of $169.3 million for the quarter were down 5 percent from $178.7 million a year ago. Volume reductions of 4 percent and a negative price/mix of 4 percent were partially offset by a positive currency impact of 3 percent. Gross margins of 31.3 percent were 1.4 percentage points above last year. Operating income of $27.6 million was down slightly from $27.9 million a year ago.
Revenues in Oilfield Services were $149.6 million for the quarter, down 14 percent from $174.6 million in the third quarter last year. Gross margins were down by 0.4 percentage points from the same quarter last year to 36.0 percent. Operating income of $16.4 million increased 15 percent over the prior year.
Corporate costs for the quarter were $19.0 million, compared with $17.4 million a year ago. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 17.5 percent compared to 20.9 percent in the same period last year.
For the quarter, cash provided by operating activities was $58.1 million compared to $39.8 million a year ago. As of September 30, 2023, Innospec had $207.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt.
Mr. Williams concluded,
“Our diversified business portfolio continued to perform very well this quarter against a persistent backdrop of economic uncertainty, continued destocking and end-market headwinds.
Cash generation was again excellent this quarter, and our net cash position strengthened to over $207 million. We have a strong, technology-driven growth pipeline in all our businesses. In addition, we have significant balance-sheet flexibility to execute further organic growth investments, complimentary M&A, dividend growth and share repurchases.”