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VALHI REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
DALLAS, TEXAS . . November 7, 2024. Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $57.5 million, or $2.01 per share, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a net loss of $5.8 million, or $.21 per share, in the third quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, Valhi reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $85.2 million, or $2.99 per share, compared to a net loss of $14.8 million, or $.52 per share, in the first nine months of 2023. Net income attributable to Valhi stockholders increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 as compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to higher operating results from the Chemicals Segment and a non-cash gain discussed below.
As previously reported, effective July 16, 2024, the Chemicals Segment acquired the 50% joint venture interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. (“LPC”) previously held by Venator Investments, Ltd. Prior to the acquisition, the Chemicals Segment held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC. Following the acquisition, LPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chemicals Segment. We accounted for the acquisition as a business combination. The results of operations of LPC have been included in our results of operations beginning as of the acquisition date. Net income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 includes the recognition of a non-cash gain of $64.5 million ($33.6 million, or $1.18 per share, net of tax and noncontrolling interest) associated with the remeasurement of the investment in LPC as a result of the acquisition.
The Chemicals Segment’s net sales of $484.7 million in the third quarter of 2024 were $87.8 million, or 22%, higher than in the third quarter of 2023, and net sales of $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2024 were $197.6 million, or 16%, higher than in the first nine months of 2023. The Chemicals Segment’s net sales increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 compared to the same periods in 2023 due to the effects of higher sales volumes due to strengthening demand for TiO2 in all major markets, partially offset by lower average TiO2 selling prices. The Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 sales volumes were 21% higher in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and 26% higher in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023. Sales volumes resulting from the LPC acquisition did not materially impact comparisons to the prior year. The Chemicals Segment started 2024 with average TiO2 selling prices 13% lower than at the beginning of 2023 and its average TiO2 selling prices increased 4% during the first nine months of 2024. Average TiO2 selling prices were 1% lower in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2023 and 7% lower in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) also affected net sales comparisons, increasing the Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $5 million in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the first nine months of 2023. The effect of changes in currency exchange rates in the third quarter of 2024 were comparable to the third quarter of 2023. The table at the end of this press release shows how each of these items impacted the Chemicals Segment’s net sales.
The Chemicals Segment’s operating income in the third quarter of 2024 was $42.6 million as compared to an operating loss of $21.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, the Chemicals Segment’s operating income was $105.9 million as compared to an operating loss of $39.5 million in the first nine months of 2023. The Chemicals Segment’s operating income increased in the 2024 periods compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to the net effects of higher sales and production volumes, lower production costs (primarily energy and raw material costs) and lower average TiO2 selling prices. TiO2 production volumes were 37% higher in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 and 35% higher in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. Due to improved overall demand and a more favorable production cost environment, the Chemicals Segment increased its production rates to 93% of practical capacity utilization in the first nine months of 2024 (87%, 99% and 92% in the first, second and third quarters of 2024, respectively) compared to 71% in the first nine months of 2023 (76%, 64% and 73% in the first, second and third quarters of 2023, respectively). As a result, the Chemicals Segment’s unabsorbed