Exhibit 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OM Group Announces Unaudited Financial Information for First Quarter 2005
Cleveland, OH, June 30, 2005 — OM Group, Inc. (NYSE:OMG) today announced unaudited financial information for the first quarter of 2005. The company’s SEC filings have been delayed due to the restatement of prior year financial statements included in the company’s 2003 Form 10-K, which was filed on March 31, 2005. The company filed its 2004 quarterly reports on June 10, 2005. Current plans call for the company’s 2004 Form 10-K to be filed later this summer.
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
For the first quarter 2005, net sales were $352.1 million and net income was $18.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share. This compares to net sales of $366.6 million and net income of $48.3 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2004.
Corporate operating expenses in the 2005 first quarter of $8.0 million were lower than the 2004 fourth quarter and down significantly from $20.8 million reported in the first quarter of 2004, which included $9.8 million of special charges related to the shareholder derivative lawsuits and the departure of the company’s former chief financial officer. The company’s total debt at March 31, 2005 totaled $426.9 million and its cash balance was $55.0 million.
R. Louis Schneeberger, chief financial officer, stated, “As anticipated, we experienced a decline in operating profit of nearly $45 million in the first quarter of 2005 due to, among other things, the difference in cobalt prices between 2004 and 2005. In the first quarter of 2004, the company benefited from a sharp rise in cobalt prices at a time when it was processing lower-cost raw materials. In the first quarter of 2005, the opposite occurred, as cobalt prices weakened at a time when the company was processing higher-cost raw materials.”
Schneeberger also pointed out that, “One of our primary 2005 priorities is demonstrating the company’s cash generation potential. In the first quarter of 2005, the company’s operating activities provided cash of $33.8 million versus $13.4 million in the first quarter of 2004. We expect enhanced cash generation to continue throughout the balance of the year.”
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS
Cobalt Group
The cobalt group includes cobalt and other metal-based products. For the first quarter of 2005, net sales were $160.2 million and operating profit was $8.2 million compared to net sales of $164.0 million and operating profit of $51.3 million for the first quarter of 2004. The Metal Bulletin reference price for 99.3% cobalt averaged $17.26 per pound during the first quarter of 2005 versus $24.63 per pound in the 2004 first quarter. A combination of factors, including lower metal prices, inventory reduction in the rechargeable battery market,
the scheduled maintenance shutdown of the company’s joint venture smelter located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and higher-priced raw materials, contributed to this lower operating profit.
Nickel Group
The nickel group includes nickel-based products. For the first quarter of 2005, net sales were $208.0 million and operating profit was $29.3 million as compared to net sales of $222.9 million and operating profit of $44.0 million for the first quarter of 2004. The decline in sales is the result of an 8 percent decline in nickel sales volumes, partially offset by the impact of a slightly higher nickel price. The London Metal Exchange price for nickel averaged $6.96 per pound during the first quarter of 2005 versus $6.68 per pound in the 2004 first quarter. The lower operating profit was due primarily to lower volumes and the impact of a stronger Euro.
OUTLOOK
Schneeberger concluded, “Even though the second quarter will pose many of the same challenges we faced in the first quarter, we believe the second half of 2005 will be stronger than the first half. All signs point to a continuation of strong demand in most cobalt markets and a pick up in rechargeable battery applications. Likewise, the fundamentals in the nickel market indicate the market remains in a supply deficit.
Our plan for the full year 2005 anticipates earnings per diluted share between $2.95 and $3.35, which includes net insurance proceeds of approximately $27 million. The plan is based on an average cobalt price of $15.10 per pound, an average nickel price of $7.13 per pound, the Euro at $1.25 and the Australian dollar at $0.78.”
WEBCAST INFORMATION
The company also announced today that it has scheduled a conference call and live audio broadcast on the Web for 10 a.m. (ET) on June 30, 2005. Investors may access the live audio broadcast by logging on tohttp://www.omgi.com/investorrelations/webcasts.htm. A copy of management’s presentation materials will be available at the time of the call. The company recommends visiting the Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the webcast to download and install any necessary software. Also, a webcast audio replay will be available commencing three hours after the call under Investor Audio Archive.
ABOUT OM GROUP, INC.
OM Group is a leading, vertically integrated international producer and marketer of value-added, metal-based specialty chemicals and related materials. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, OM Group operates manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information, visit the company’s Web site atwww.omgi.com.
For more information contact — Greg Griffith, Director of Investor Relations, 216-263-7455
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The foregoing discussion may include forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon specific assumptions and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the company’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the company. These uncertainties and factors could cause actual results of the company to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements contained in the foregoing discussion. Such uncertainties and factors include: the completion of the settlements of the shareholder class action and derivative lawsuits filed against the Company, certain of its executives and its directors in a manner that is consistent with the agreements in principle reached with the lead plaintiffs in such lawsuits; the speed and sustainability of price changes in cobalt and nickel; the availability of competitively priced supplies of raw materials, particularly cobalt and nickel; the effect of our inability to meet our SEC and NYSE filing obligations on a timely basis upon funding availability under our credit facilities or upon debt obligations outstanding; the effect of the Company not completing the testing of its internal control over financial reporting systems such that management of the Company and its independent auditors are unable to report as to such internal control over financial reporting for the year 2004; the risk that new or modified internal controls, implemented in response to the 2004 investigation by the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors and the Company’s examination of its internal control over financial reporting systems pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, are not effective and need to be improved, resulting in additional expense; the demand for metal-based specialty chemicals and products in the Company’s markets; the effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates on the Company’s international operations; the effect of non-currency risks of investing and conducting operations in foreign countries, including political, social, economic and regulatory factors; the outcome of the previously announced SEC Division of Enforcement review of the investigation conducted by the Company’s audit committee; and the general level of global economic activity and demand for the company’s products.
OM GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
| Net sales | $ | 352,097 | $ | 366,630 | ||||
| Cost of products sold | 295,830 | 253,962 | ||||||
| 56,267 | 112,668 | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 26,774 | 38,210 | ||||||
| INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | 29,493 | 74,458 | ||||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (9,938 | ) | (9,198 | ) | ||||
| Foreign exchange loss | (1,204 | ) | (363 | ) | ||||
| Investment income and other, net | 1,908 | 2,747 | ||||||
| (9,234 | ) | (6,814 | ) | |||||
| INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME | ||||||||
| TAXES AND MINORITY INTERESTS | 20,259 | 67,644 | ||||||
| Income tax expense | 5,111 | 19,806 | ||||||
| Minority interests | (3,530 | ) | (437 | ) | ||||
| NET INCOME | $ | 18,678 | $ | 48,275 | ||||
| Net income per common share — basic: | $ | 0.66 | $ | 1.70 | ||||
| Net income per common share — assuming dilution: | $ | 0.65 | $ | 1.69 | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding (000) | ||||||||
| Basic | 28,453 | 28,470 | ||||||
| Assuming dilution | 28,576 | 28,587 | ||||||
OM GROUP, INC.
SEGMENT DATA
(Thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||
| Cobalt Group | $ | 160,158 | $ | 163,983 | ||||
| Nickel Group | 207,960 | 222,881 | ||||||
| Intercompany sales between segments | (16,021 | ) | (20,234 | ) | ||||
| Total Net Sales | $ | 352,097 | $ | 366,630 | ||||
| Operating Profit | ||||||||
| Cobalt Group | $ | 8,146 | $ | 51,312 | ||||
| Nickel Group | 29,348 | 44,001 | ||||||
| Corporate Expenses | (8,001 | ) | (20,855 | ) | ||||
| Total Operating Profit | $ | 29,493 | $ | 74,458 | ||||
OM GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 55,045 | $ | 26,779 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 182,171 | 160,928 | ||||||
| Inventories | 410,313 | 416,267 | ||||||
| Advances to suppliers | 16,057 | 32,498 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 30,943 | 49,631 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 694,529 | 686,103 | ||||||
| PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET | 381,076 | 390,188 | ||||||
| OTHER ASSETS | ||||||||
| Goodwill | 180,341 | 180,818 | ||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| 78,296 | 77,956 | |||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 1,334,242 | $ | 1,335,065 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 5,750 | $ | 5,750 | ||||
| Long-term debt in default | 400,000 | 400,000 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 120,915 | 131,999 | ||||||
| Retained liabilities of businesses sold | 18,373 | 21,837 | ||||||
| Shareholder litigation accrual | 92,000 | 92,000 | ||||||
| Other accrued expenses | 86,947 | 82,711 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 723,985 | 734,297 | ||||||
| LONG-TERM LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Long-term debt | 21,120 | 24,683 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 26,848 | 27,238 | ||||||
| Minority interests | 40,757 | 44,287 | ||||||
| Other | 27,917 | 28,514 | ||||||
| 116,642 | 124,722 | |||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 493,615 | 476,046 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 1,334,242 | $ | 1,335,065 | ||||
OM GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 18,678 | $ | 48,275 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 12,219 | 13,062 | ||||||
| Foreign exchange loss | 1,204 | 363 | ||||||
| Minority interests | (3,530 | ) | (437 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net | 5,260 | (47,814 | ) | |||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 33,831 | 13,449 | ||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Expenditures for property, plant and equipment — net | (2,307 | ) | (2,642 | ) | ||||
| Acquisition of business | — | (3,064 | ) | |||||
| NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (2,307 | ) | (5,706 | ) | ||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Payments of long-term debt with Bank of Sampo | (1,438 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 117 | — | ||||||
| NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES | (1,321 | ) | — | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (1,937 | ) | (895 | ) | ||||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 28,266 | 6,848 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 26,779 | 54,719 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 55,045 | $ | 61,567 | ||||