"Exerpts from 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders"
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL REVIEW
18
Selected and Quarterly Financial Data
19
Segment Information
20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
29
Report of Independent Accountants
30
Consolidated Balance Sheets
31
Consolidated Statements of Operations
32
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
33
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
34
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DISCLOSURE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this
annual report to shareholders, including, without limitation, the statements
under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"). Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those discussed in such forward-looking statements ("Cautionary
Statements") include: the balance between industry production capacity and
operating rates, on the one hand, and demand for the products of Millennium
Chemicals Inc. (the "Company") and Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar"),
including titanium dioxide, ethylene and polyethylene, on the other hand; the
economic trends in the United States and other countries which serve as the
Company's and Equistar's marketplace; customer inventory levels; competitive
pricing pressures; the cost and availability of the Company's feedstocks and
other raw materials, including natural gas and ethylene; operating interruptions
(including leaks, explosions, fires, mechanical failures, unscheduled downtime,
transportation interruptions, spills, releases and other environmental risks);
competitive technology positions; failure to achieve the Company's or Equistar's
productivity improvement and cost-reduction targets or to complete construction
projects on schedule; difficulties in addressing Year 2000 issues on a timely
basis by the Company, Equistar, their suppliers or their customers; and other
unforeseen circumstances.
Some of these Cautionary Statements are discussed in more detail under
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are
expressly qualified in their entirety by such Cautionary Statements.
17
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
SELECTED AND QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
============================================================================================================================
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA Three Months Fiscal Year
Ended Ended
Year Ended December 31 December 31 September 30
-------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------
1998(1) 1997(2) 1996 1995 1994 1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net sales $1,597 $3,048 $3,040 $3,156 $ 723 $2,610
Operating income 205 449 283(3) 787 177 268
Income from continuing operations 163 188 83(3) 296 68 34
Basic earnings per share from
continuing operations 2.17 2.52 0.44 -- -- --
Net income (loss) 164 185 (2,701)(3)(4) 349 96 94
Dividends declared per share plus United
Kingdom Advance Corporation Tax 0.60 0.60 -- -- -- --
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END)
Total assets(5) $4,100 $4,326 $5,601 $9,678 $9,603 $9,268
Total liabilities 2,507 2,862 4,283 4,877 4,745 4,630
Minority interest 15 -- -- -- -- --
Shareholders' equity(5) 1,578 1,464 1,318 4,801 4,858 4,638
OTHER DATA (WITH RESPECT TO
CONTINUING OPERATIONS)
Depreciation and amortization $ 102 $ 203 $ 201 $ 207 $ 50 $ 213
Capital expenditures 215 152 285 247 23 89
(1) Includes six months of earnings of the Brazilian TiO2 business acquired on
July 1, 1998, and twelve months of earnings of the French TiO2 business acquired
on December 31, 1997.
(2) Includes 11 months of polyethylene, alcohol and related products businesses
which were contributed to Equistar on December 1, 1997. Since December 1, 1997,
the equity method is used to account for the Company's partnership interest.
(3) Includes the effects of non recurring charges of $75 ($48 after tax) to
reduce the carrying value of certain facilities employed in the sulfate process
manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the costs associated with the closure
of certain of these facilities, as described in Note 5 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company.
(4) Includes the effects of a non cash after tax charge of $3,206 relating to
one of the Discontinued Businesses (as defined in Note 5 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company) as a result of the Company's adoption of
the long lived asset carrying value methodology prescribed by SFAS 121, as
described in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The
Discontinued Businesses were sold to Hanson on October 6, 1996.
(5) Includes net assets of the Discontinued Businesses: $3,772 at December 31,
1995; $3,757 at December 31, 1994; and, $3,757 at September 30, 1994.
============================================================================================================+
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
Net sales $ 399 $ 408 $ 408 $ 382
Operating income 58 66 58 23
Net income from continuing operations 46 46 32 39
Net income 50 43 32 39
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $0.61 $0.61 $0.43 $0.52
Basic earnings per share $0.67 $0.57 $0.43 $0.52
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $0.61 $0.62 $0.42 $0.52
Diluted earnings per share $0.66 $0.57 $0.42 $0.52
1997
Net sales $ 794 $ 813 $ 816 $ 625
Operating income 66 132 157 94
Net income from continuing operations 17 85 70 16
Net income 20 82 67 16
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations $0.23 $1.14 $0.94 $0.21
Basic earnings per share $0.27 $1.10 $0.90 $0.21
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $0.23 $1.14 $0.94 $0.21
Diluted earnings per share $0.27 $1.10 $0.90 $0.21
18
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
==================================================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET SALES
Titanium dioxide and related products $1,203 $ 843 $ 868
Acetyls 253 271 240
Specialty chemicals 141 148 127
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products(1) -- 1,786 1,805
------ ------ ------
Total $1,597 $3,048 $3,040
====== ====== ======
OPERATING INCOME
Titanium dioxide and related products(2) $ 136 $ 60 $ 7
Acetyls 26 39 12
Specialty chemicals 43 42 36
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products(1) -- 308 228
------ ------ ------
Total $ 205 $ 449 $ 283
====== ====== ======
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Titanium dioxide and related products $ 72 $ 44 $ 46
Acetyls 25 28 24
Specialty chemicals 5 6 4
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products(1) -- 125 127
------ ------ ------
Total $ 102 $ 203 $ 201
====== ====== ======
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Titanium dioxide and related products $ 154 $ 77 $ 81
Acetyls 31 24 65
Specialty chemicals 27 10 12
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products(1) -- 41 127
Corporate 3 -- --
------ ------ ------
Total $ 215 $ 152 $ 285
====== ====== ======
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
Titanium dioxide and related products $1,459 $1,093
Acetyls 792 824
Specialty chemicals 133 108
Corporate(3) 1,716 2,301
------ ------
Total $4,100 $4,326
====== ======
(1) The polyethylene, alcohol and related products businesses were contributed
to Equistar on December 1, 1997. The Company's partnership interest in Equistar
is accounted for using the equity method; accordingly, the Company's underlying
interest in the operations of Equistar have been excluded in the segment
disclosures above since December 1, 1997.
(2) 1996 includes non-recurring charges of $75 ($48 after tax) to reduce the
carrying value of certain facilities employed in the sulfate-process
manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the costs associated with the closure
of certain of these facilities, as described in Note 5 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company.
(3) Corporate assets consists primarily of cash and cash equivalents, equity
investments and other assets.
19
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Millennium Chemicals Inc.'s (the "Company") principal operations are
grouped into four business segments: titanium dioxide and related products;
acetyls; specialty chemicals; and polyethylene, alcohol and related products.
The Company's businesses comprising the polyethylene, alcohol and related
products segment were contributed to Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar"), a
joint venture partnership formed by the Company and Lyondell Chemical Company
("Lyondell") on December 1, 1997, to own and operate the olefin and polymer
businesses of the partners. Results of these businesses prior to the formation
of Equistar are consolidated. On May 15, 1998, the Company's 43% interest in
Equistar was reduced to 29.5% with the addition of the ethylene, propylene,
ethylene oxide and derivatives businesses of Occidental Petroleum Corporation's
("Occidental") chemical subsidiary. The results of Equistar are accounted for
using the equity method. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. In connection with the
forward-looking statements that appear in the following information, the
Cautionary Statements referred to in "Disclosure Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements" should be reviewed carefully.
HISTORICAL CYCLICALITY OF THE
COMPANY'S OPERATIONS
The markets for ethylene and polyethylene, in which the Company
participates through its interest in Equistar, are highly cyclical, resulting in
volatile profits over the business cycle. The global markets for titanium
dioxide ("TiO2") and acetyls are also cyclical, although to a lesser degree. In
contrast, the Company believes that, over a business cycle, the markets for
specialty chemicals are generally more stable in terms of industry demand,
selling prices and operating margins.
Demand for ethylene and its derivatives has fluctuated from year to year.
However, over the last ten years, demand for ethylene and its primary
derivative, polyethylene, has increased an average of approximately 4% per year.
The industry is particularly sensitive to capacity additions, and producers have
historically experienced alternating periods of inadequate ethylene and/or
polyethylene capacity, resulting in increased selling prices and operating
margins, followed by periods of large capacity additions, resulting in declining
capacity utilization rates, selling prices and operating margins. The
cyclicality of petrochemicals' profitability is further influenced by
fluctuations in the price of feedstocks for ethylene, which generally follow
price trends for crude oil. Producers of ethylene for merchant supply to
unaffiliated customers typically experience greater variations in profitability
when industry supply and demand relationships are at extremes, in comparison to
more integrated competitors. Equistar currently consumes or sells approximately
75% of its ethylene production in its or its partners' downstream derivative
facilities, which has the effect of reducing volatility. It is not possible to
predict accurately the effect that future changes in feedstock costs, market
conditions and other factors will have on this segment's profitability.
TiO2 is considered an intermediate, performance chemical, the demand for
which is influenced by changes in the gross domestic product of various regions
of the world. The worldwide TiO2 industry has experienced cyclical demand,
supply and pricing, although to a lesser degree than the petrochemical industry.
Demand for TiO2, which has fluctuated from year to year and varies among the
regional marketplaces in the world, has increased an average of approximately 3%
per year over the last five years. The industry is also sensitive to changes in
its customers' marketplaces, which are primarily the paint and coatings,
plastics and paper industries. In recent history, consolidations and negative
business conditions within certain of those industries have put pressure on TiO2
prices as companies compete to keep volumes placed. Recently, the TiO2 industry
has experienced consolidation as producers aim to stay competitive through
programs to reduce overall cost structures. TiO2 is manufactured using two
different technologies, the environmentally preferred chloride process and the
sulfate process, which carry different properties and cost structures.
Global TiO2 Prices
average price at year end in
dollars per metric ton
[GRAPH]
20
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
TiO2 Capacity Profile
In percent
[GRAPH]
South America
Asia/Pacific
Europe
North America
1998 RESULTS COMPARED TO 1997
AND OUTLOOK FOR 1999
The Company had operating income of $205 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998, a decrease of $244 million (54%) from 1997, which included
$308 million related to the polyethylene, alcohol and related products
businesses contributed to Equistar on December 1, 1997. Excluding these
earnings, operating income from the Company's subsidiaries increased $64 million
(45%) over 1997. Improved pricing trends and new acquisitions in TiO2 during
1998 resulted in this segment's profits being two and one-quarter times 1997
levels.
Income from continuing operations for 1998 of $163 million decreased $25
million (13%), compared to 1997 income from continuing operations of $188
million. Income for 1998 includes $16 million (after tax) from insurance
settlements and a $42 million tax benefit relating to previous years. Excluding
these items and other non-recurring items, income from continuing operations
would have decreased $87 million (46%) from 1997, primarily as a result of the
impact of the downturn in the petrochemical cycle on Equistar's earnings.
During 1998, the Company announced its intention to dispose of its
remaining Suburban Propane partnership interests ("Suburban Propane"), and has
entered into an agreement to sell this interest to Suburban Propane and its
management for $75 million. It is expected that this transaction will be
completed during the first half of 1999 and will result in a pre-tax gain of
approximately $50 million ($30 million after tax). Accordingly, the Company's
interest in Suburban Propane has been classified as a discontinued operation for
all periods presented.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE AND RELATED PRODUCTS: Improved profitability from
increased selling prices, which began in mid-1997, continued during 1998 for the
titanium dioxide and related products segment. Operating income for 1998
increased over two-and-one-quarter times to $136 million, compared to $60
million in 1997. Net sales for 1998 increased 43% to $1.203 billion, compared to
$843 million for 1997. Higher average selling prices from worldwide price
increases accounted for the majority of the improvement in operating income.
Newly acquired operations also contributed to the increased sales and profits of
this segment. Fourth-quarter 1998 profits were much lower than the third quarter
as seasonal slowness in the United States and price competition in Europe
limited volumes sold to these regions. In response to these conditions,
production was scaled back. In addition, incremental costs were incurred related
to the re-start of the Stallingborough, United Kingdom, facility after its
September shutdown to complete an expansion. These events resulted in costs
which were $35 million higher than the previous quarter. As the difficulties at
Stallingborough are corrected and demand increases during the spring coatings,
season, volumes and profitability should return to more normal levels.
On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired Rhone-Poulenc Chimie S.A.'s
French TiO2 operations, which included two plants providing 138 thousand metric
tons per year of TiO2 capacity along with certain specialty and intermediate
chemical businesses. On July 1, 1998, the Company acquired 99% of the voting
shares and 72% of total shares of Titanio do Brazil S.A. ("Tibras") in Brazil,
consisting of a plant having approximately 60 thousand metric tons per year of
TiO2 capacity and a mineral sands mine with over two million metric tons of
recoverable reserves.
While strong demand existed in the North American and European markets for
much of 1998, depressed markets in the Asia/Pacific region negatively impacted
volumes to that area. Overall sales volumes were 25% higher than 1997, due to
sales attributable to the acquired French and Brazilian operations. Excluding
such operations, sales volumes were 4% lower than in 1997. Toward the end of the
year, increased price competition in Europe limited volumes sold to these
markets and seasonal slowness was evident in North America. Worldwide demand is
expected to be flat during 1999, with slow recovery in the Asian markets. A full
year of operations in Brazil should result in slight incremental sales volumes
in 1999 over 1998.
Pricing trends continued upward during 1998 as global price increases were
implemented despite depressed markets in Asia. The average TiO2 selling price
for 1998 was 11% higher than 1997, including the French operations which
historically experienced lower pricing than the balance of this segment. Price
gains by region were 8% in the Americas, 13% in Europe and
21
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
31% in Asia/Pacific, where the previous price declines were the most dramatic.
Continued price improvement is expected in 1999 as the price increases announced
in September for North America take effect. Price competition increased in
Europe toward the end of the year due to economic and seasonal slowness along
with competitor actions to increase market share. Europe is expected to remain
highly competitive in 1999.
The impact of higher prices was partially offset by higher manufacturing
costs, as discussed below, and higher functional costs, despite the progress
made on cost-reduction initiatives put in place to reduce annual costs by $100
million by the end of 1999. The focus for 1999 is to continue these initiatives
and to identify others to reduce the cost structure by an additional $100
million.
The TiO2 plants operated at approximately 93% of capacity during 1998,
compared to 97% during 1997. The Stallingborough, United Kingdom, plant was
shutdown in the fall of 1998 to complete a project to expand capacity by 41
thousand metric tons per year. Some difficulties in its December start-up were
experienced, lowering production and increasing costs in December. These
difficulties are being vigorously examined and are expected to be resolved in
early 1999. In addition, production at certain other facilities was slowed in
December in response to the seasonal slowdown in demand and price competition in
Europe, increasing costs for the fourth quarter.
The outlook for 1999 includes higher average pricing compared to 1998 and
relatively stable worldwide demand. Combined with progress in realizing the
benefits of cost initiatives, profitability should continue to improve in this
segment.
ACETYLS: Depressed markets in Asia, combined with overcapacity for some
products, resulted in decreased profits in acetyls during 1998. Net sales of
acetyls decreased $18 million (7%) to $253 million, while operating income
decreased $13 million (33%) to $26 million. These market conditions resulted in
declining selling prices for all product offerings with prices down 12%, 14% and
34% for vinyl acetate monomer ("VAM"), acetic acid and methanol, respectively,
compared to 1997.
VAM pricing during 1998 was adversely affected by high export volumes at
low prices and competitive pressures. However, sales volumes were 9% above 1997.
Similarly, sales volumes for acetic acid increased 9% over 1997 despite
weak Asian markets. A scheduled turnaround of the acetic acid plant was
completed during the year with the shutdown extended in light of weak market
conditions.
Selling prices for methanol were adversely impacted by oversupply due to
new competitor facilities and higher imports. While prices fell an average of
34% during 1998, sales volumes were 14% higher than in 1997.
The impact of lower prices was partially offset by favorable costs as a
result of the 1997 synthesis gas ("syngas") plant conversion to natural gas
feedstock. Initial difficulties resulting from this conversion were corrected
during 1997, with the full benefit of lower production costs being realized
during 1998. On November 16, 1998, the Company entered into agreements with
Linde AG relating to the Company's syngas unit in Texas, and a 15% interest in
its methanol business whereby the Company would receive $122.5 million in cash.
No gain or loss is expected to result from this transaction. Linde AG will
operate the syngas facility, under a long-term lease with a purchase option, and
will hold a 15% interest in the methanol operation.
The VAM market is expected to tighten in 1999; however, conditions are
expected to remain depressed for methanol and acetic acid where overcapacity
exists.
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS: Millennium Specialty Chemicals achieved another record
year with operating income of $43 million, $1 million over 1997. Net sales were
down $7 million (5%) to $141 million.
The continued emphasis on high-margin products during 1998 was partially
offset by lower overall volumes and higher crude sulfate turpentine ("CST")
costs (the principal raw material for these chemicals). Although CST costs
declined during the second half of 1998, the average price for 1998 of $1.97 per
gallon was 15% higher than 1997. Effective January 1, 1999, CST prices decreased
25 cents per gallon and are expected to continue downward during the year.
While average selling prices were up 8% over 1997 primarily due to
favorable product mix, price competition during the second half of the
VAM Volume
in millions of pounds
[GRAPH]
22
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fragrance Chemicals' Selling Price
yearly average in dollars per kilogram
[graph]
year was experienced and is expected to continue into 1999. Business conditions
were strong through the first half of the year but became competitive in the
third quarter as weakness in the Asian markets, entry into the markets by new
competitors and capacity additions made mid-year price negotiations difficult.
The outlook for fragrance chemicals, while good, is expected to include
some downward pressure on prices, which may dampen profitability growth.
EQUISTAR: The Company's polyethylene, alcohol and related products
businesses were contributed to Equistar on December 1, 1997. Equity earnings for
1998, which reflect the Company's share of Equistar's post-interest profits,
were $40 million. Operating profits of $329 million during 1997 for the
Company's contributed businesses compares to the Company's underlying share in
Equistar's 1998 operating profits of $84 million, reflecting the dramatic
downturn in the petrochemical cycle during the year.
Ethylene and ethylene derivative markets started their decline toward the
end of the first quarter of 1998 and reached trough conditions during the fourth
quarter of 1998. Equistar reported an operating loss (before interest) of $10
million for the fourth quarter of 1998 compared to income of $68 million in the
third quarter. While volume was relatively stable during the year, excess
industry supply, announced new capacity coming on stream and low feedstock
prices put severe pressure on selling prices. By year-end, ethylene prices had
dropped 30% from January, 1998. Following this trend, polyethylene prices also
dropped over 25% during 1998, as price competition resulted from overcapacity in
those markets. Other ethylene derivative products have also experienced declines
in prices during 1998, but not as dramatic as polyethylene.
Feedstock costs were at relatively low levels during 1998, softening
somewhat the impact of declining prices on margins. Prices for crude oil were
down 11% in the month of December 1998 alone.
Synergies achieved during 1998, in combining the operations contributed by
each of Equistar's partners, helped to soften the negative impact of the
depressed markets. Through the end of 1998, total synergies achieved since
formation and before transition costs, exceeded the target of $100 million by
$49 million. Additional synergies are expected through the year 2000, with a
cumulative annualized target of $275 million.
The severe market conditions currently being experienced by Equistar have
resulted in recent losses and uncertain conditions for the future. Actions to
reduce operating costs and sell non-core assets are being taken, and production
was scaled back through lower operating rates and/or extended shutdowns to limit
supply in the market. There are some signs of improvement as ethylene and
polyethylene prices rose slightly in early 1999. New polyethylene industry
capacity is expected to come on stream in the near-term keeping the timing of
the cycle's recovery uncertain.
1997 RESULTS COMPARED TO 1996
The Company had operating income of $449 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, an increase of $166 million (59%) from 1996. These results
include the results of operations for the polyethylene, alcohol and related
products businesses through November 30, 1997, at which time the Company
contributed these businesses to Equistar. During 1997, the Company incurred
one-time reorganization and other costs related to the formation of Equistar of
$47 million ($37 million after tax), which was principally offset by a one-time
gain related to an insurance settlement of $46 million ($28 million after tax).
During 1996, the Company recorded non-recurring charges of $75 million ($48
million after tax) to reduce the carrying value and provide for closure costs of
certain TiO2 sulfate-process production facilities. Excluding these
non-recurring items, the Company's operating income increased $92 million (26%)
from the prior year. This increase is due primarily to higher average selling
prices for polyethylene and acetyls, the prices of which had dropped
dramatically during 1996, combined with lower feedstock costs during 1997. While
the pricing trends for TiO2 improved during 1997, reversing the downward slide
of prices which began in late 1995, the average selling price for the whole of
1997 was below that of 1996. Accordingly, 1997 operating income for this segment
was below 1996 levels.
23
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Income from continuing operations for 1997 was $188 million, compared to
$33 million in 1996 due principally to improved pricing in the polyethylene and
acetyl businesses discussed above. Income in 1997 and 1996 from continuing
operations has been restated to reflect the Company's interest in Suburban
Propane as a discontinued operation (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements). Included in 1996 net income is a one-time after-tax gain from the
sale by the Company of a 73.6% interest in Suburban Propane, of $86 million and
post-tax earnings relative to Suburban Propane of $22 million. This compares to
a net loss in 1997 from the continuing interest in Suburban Propane of $3
million.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE AND RELATED PRODUCTS: Titanium dioxide and related
products' operating income increased to $60 million from $7 million in 1996. In
1996, operating income included $75 million of non-recurring charges related to
the closure of certain sulfate-process production facilities in response to
deteriorating market conditions during that period. Excluding these charges,
operating income for the year decreased 27% from 1996 as overall average selling
prices were lower in 1997 compared to 1996. Net sales for 1997 decreased 3% to
$843 million, compared to $868 million for 1996.
Strong demand during the spring paint and coating season, the
rationalization of some industry capacity and other market factors steadied the
marketplace during the year. Overall sales volumes reached record levels in
1997, 4% higher than 1996, despite the loss of some volume from the reduction of
sulfate-process production during the year.
Pricing trends, which started downward in 1995 and continued to fall
through 1996, reversed direction in March 1997 and rose through the balance of
1997. Global price increases were supported by strong demand and tight supply.
While the average TiO2 selling price for 1997 was 7% lower than the prior year,
the fourth quarter's average price was 5% higher than in the third quarter and
4% above the comparable quarter in 1996. The fourth quarter price gains by
region were 3% in the Americas, 8% in Europe and nearly 10% in Asia/Pacific,
where the previous price declines were the most dramatic.
The lower average prices, combined with unfavorable foreign currency
fluctuations in Europe and Australia, adversely impacted 1997 profitability.
These effects were largely, but not fully, offset by lower production costs and
higher production output as a result of cost-control programs put in place
during 1997 to reduce annual production costs by $100 million from 1996 levels
by 1999.
The TiO2 plants produced at approximately 97% of capacity during 1997,
compared to 88% during 1996. This added production not only reduced overall unit
costs, but was necessary to meet growing demand during the year. By the end of
1997, inventories had dropped to record low levels. Progress was made in 1997 on
a capital project to expand capacity at the Stallingborough, United Kingdom,
plant by 41 thousand metric tons per year. On December 31, 1997, the Company
acquired Rhone-Poulenc's TiO2 and related intermediate and specialty chemical
operations in France, adding 138 thousand metric tons per year of TiO2 capacity.
ACETYLS: Net sales of acetyls increased $31 million (13%) to $271 million
in 1997, and operating income more than tripled to $39 million. The increase in
operating income primarily related to increased selling prices in all three of
its product lines over depressed 1996 levels. Average selling prices for 1997
were 10%, 3% and 28% higher than 1996 for VAM, acetic acid and methanol,
respectively. In addition, the mechanical difficulties experienced in the 1996
conversion of the syngas unit to natural gas feedstock were resolved early in
1997, significantly improving production output and reducing production costs
during the year.
Demand for VAM in 1997 was steady, with volumes 1% above 1996. A mid-year
price increase and new industry capacity coming on stream were absorbed by
higher demand. Weakening Asian markets had a negative impact in the fourth
quarter, with prices falling 4% from the previous quarter. Continued reduced
demand from these markets during 1998 put further pressure on prices.
Acetic acid sales volumes were 17% below prior year, primarily as a result
of a planned customer outage during 1997. Prices, which increased earlier in the
year, dropped 2% in the fourth quarter as formula-driven prices were impacted by
falling feedstock costs.
CST Cost
yearly average price in
dollars per gallon
[GRAPH]
24
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ETHYLENE CONTRACT PRICES*
yearly average in dollars per pound
[GRAPH]
*Source: Chemical Data Inc.
Methanol sales volumes for 1997 were 57% higher than the prior year, with
industry outages during the year keeping supplies tight. Prices, which were up
17% in the fourth quarter over 1996, and equal to the third quarter, fell
sharply in early 1998.
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS: Another record year was completed by Millennium
Specialty Chemicals, with operating income of $42 million increasing $6 million
(17%) from 1996. Net sales also increased $21 million (17%) to $148 million. A
6% increase in sales volume for fragrance chemicals was principally responsible
for the increased profitability. The cost of CST increased an average of 25%
over 1996 levels. These higher costs were offset by strong demand for these
products together with tight supplies, keeping prices at premium levels.
POLYETHYLENE, ALCOHOL AND RELATED PRODUCTS: Net sales of polyethylene,
alcohol and related products (which include sales from these businesses for the
eleven months ended November 30, 1997, at which time they were contributed to
Equistar) were $1.786 billion for 1997, a decrease of $19 million (1%) from 1996
full-year results.
Operating income increased $80 million (35%) to $308 million for 1997,
principally as a result of a 15% increase in average selling prices during the
1997 period, coupled with lower feedstock costs, which declined from peak 1996
levels. During 1997, strong demand both domestically and in the export markets,
coupled with tight supply, resulted in prices rising through the third quarter.
Prices began to slowly weaken thereafter as expectations of new industry
capacity coming on stream and normal seasonal slowdowns reduced demand and put
pressure on prices. Prices during the fourth quarter were down 5% from the third
quarter. Polyethylene unit volumes for the 1997 period were 2% higher than 1996.
Feedstock costs were on average 31% lower than 1996's historical highs, as
warmer-than-normal winter weather reduced demand for natural gas and natural gas
liquids. These costs continued their decline late in 1997 as winter temperatures
remained above normal and crude oil inventories began building due to decreased
demand from Asian markets. By the end of 1997, and into 1998, feedstock costs
continued below expectations, softening the impact of declining prices on
margins late in the year.
EFFECT OF INFLATION
Because of the relatively low level of inflation experienced in both the
United States and most other world markets in which the Company participates,
inflation did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations
for 1998, 1997 or 1996.
FOREIGN CURRENCY MATTERS
The functional currency of each of the Company's non-United States
operations (principally, the operations of Millennium Inorganic Chemicals in the
United Kingdom, France, Brazil and Australia) is the local currency. The impact
of currency translation in combining the results of operations and financial
position of such operations has not been material to the consolidated financial
position of the Company. The recent developments in Brazil, regarding the
devaluation of its currency, the real, are not expected to have a material
result on the Company's consolidated operations since approximately two-thirds
of its Brazilian sales are referenced to a percentage of U.S. dollar prices.
However, as a result of translating the functional currency financial statements
into U.S. dollars, consolidated Shareholders' equity would decrease
approximately $44 million as a result of this devaluation using the March 15,
1999 exchange rate. Future events, which may significantly increase or decrease
the risk of future movement in the real, cannot be predicted.
In addition, the Company generates revenue from export sales and revenue
from operations conducted outside the United States that may be denominated in
currencies other than the relevant functional currency. The Company hedges
certain revenues and costs to minimize the impact of changes in the exchange
rates of those currencies compared to the functional currencies. The Company
does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative
purposes. Foreign currency losses aggregated $4 million, $4 million and $7
million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
EURO CONVERSION
On January 1, 1999, eleven of fifteen member countries of the European
Union established fixed conversion rates between their
25
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
existing sovereign currencies ("legacy currencies") and the European Union's
common currency, the euro. As of that date, the euro began trading on currency
exchanges and may be used in business transactions. The legacy currencies will
remain legal tender in the participating countries for a transition period
between January 1, 1999 and at least January 1, 2002 (but not later than July 1,
2002).
The Company has begun to identify issues associated with the conversion to
the euro, including, among others, the need to adapt computer and financial
systems to accommodate euro-denominated transactions and the impact of one
common currency on pricing. Since financial systems and processes currently
accommodate multiple currencies, the Company does not anticipate
system-conversion costs to be material. Since the euro conversion may affect
cross-border competition by creating cross-border price transparency, the
Company will be assessing its pricing strategies to ensure it remains
competitive in a broader European market.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Through September 30, 1996, the Company financed its operations and capital
and other expenditures from a combination of cash generated from operations,
external borrowings and loans, and invested capital provided by Hanson PLC
("Hanson") or its United States affiliates. Since its demerger from Hanson, the
Company has met all of its cash requirements through internally generated funds
and external borrowings. The Company's ability to generate cash from operations,
and the servicing and repayment of debt, depends upon numerous business factors,
some of which are outside the control of the Company, including industry
cyclicality, changes in global economic conditions, price volatility of certain
raw materials and other conditions.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $150 million, $383 million
and $372 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The decline in 1998
compared to 1997 reflects the contribution of the polyethylene, alcohol and
related products businesses to Equistar on December 1, 1997. Since December 1,
1997, cash distributions received from Equistar are reflected in net cash
provided by investing activities, as described below. In addition, increases in
TiO2 and ore inventories during 1998 also contributed to the decrease in cash
from operating activities. During 1997, cash generated from increased operating
income was used primarily for working capital purposes, keeping 1997 levels on
par with 1996.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $252 million, $474 million
and $458 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. During 1998, 1997 and
1996, significant transactions were completed which provided cash to the
Company: the contribution of the polyethylene, alcohol and related products
businesses to Equistar, the subsequent addition of Occidental as a partner in
Equistar and the sale of a 73.6% interest in Suburban Propane. These
transactions provided cash of $317 million, $768 million and $733 million for
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company used funds for the acquisition of
certain TiO2 and specialty and intermediate chemical operations in France for
$169 million during 1997. Certain TiO2 operations and ore reserves in Brazil
were acquired for $85 million during 1998. In addition, the Company spent $215
million in capital expenditures during 1998, compared to $152 million and $285
million in 1997 and 1996, respectively, as a result of substantially completing
the TiO2 expansion in the United Kingdom at the end of 1998, among other
projects.
The Company expects to spend approximately $150 million in 1999 on capital
expenditures. Major projects include building a technical research and
development center in the United States for TiO2 and completing the
implementation of SAP-based business solutions company-wide. In January 1999,
the Company received $122.5 million as a result of a transaction involving the
syngas and methanol operations of the Company's acetyls business. The Company
expects an additional $75 million to be received during 1999 when the sale of
its investment in Suburban Propane is completed.
The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to spend up to $200
million to repurchase shares of the Company's outstanding common stock ("Common
Stock") from time to
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
vs. Depreciation
$ Millions
[GRAPH]
Capital expenditure
Depreciation
26
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
time, in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions, subject to
market conditions. Repurchases will not be made under the program if the
Company's net-debt-to-total-capitalization would exceed 55%. The repurchased
shares will be available for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 1998,
the Company had 77,873,586 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Through March 15,
1999, the Company had repurchased 2.1 million shares at a total cost of $39
million.
Net cash used in financing activities was $365 million, $1.198 billion and
$834 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The changes from year to year
principally related to changes in the level of funding and other transactions
between the Company and its affiliates prior to the demerger from Hanson and
from external sources since October 1, 1996. At December 31, 1998, the Company
had net debt of $979 million, over $1 billion less than at December 31, 1996.
The reduction in net debt during 1998 was funded primarily from operations
and distributions from Equistar. Net-debt-to-total-capitalization at December
31, 1998, was 50%, including the Company's proportional share of Equistar's
debt. A subsidiary of the Company guarantees certain debt obligations of
Equistar up to $750 million. At December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately
$432 million of unused availability under short-term lines of credit and its
credit facility. The Company believes that, during 1999, cash from operations,
disposals, expected distributions from Equistar and availability under existing
borrowing facilities will provide adequate support for all of the Company's cash
needs for working capital, dividends, share repurchases and capital expenditures
for its existing businesses.
YEAR 2000
Each of the Company's three business units and its corporate headquarters
has established a team to address Year 2000 compliance issues. Plans have been
established by each team and actions taken toward the goal of Year 2000
compliance are reported, on a regular basis, to the Company's Operations
Committee and its Board of Directors.
The Company has focused its Year 2000 efforts on three major exposure
areas: information systems (which includes application software and technical
infrastructure), manufacturing process controls (non-IT systems) and supply
chain (which includes the Company's significant suppliers and customers). The
project phases common to all exposure areas are: 1) inventory/assessment; 2)
remediation; 3) testing; 4) implementation; and 5) designing contingency plans.
Key components of each of these phases follows:
The inventory/assessment phase involves identifying significant hardware and
software that exist throughout the Company. The Company then assigns a
business risk to each system and prioritizes each system to determine
optimal allocation of resources and funds for Year 2000 remediation work.
The remediation phase involves determining whether individual systems will
be repaired, replaced or retired and develops plans, schedules and costs for
correction. This phase also includes an allocation of resources and
execution of a remedial plan.
During the testing phase, the performance, functionality and integration of
converted or replaced systems are tested.
Thereafter, the implementation phase provides for the implementation of
fully tested systems into the production environment.
Contingency planning safeguards the Company in the event that risk
assessments and action plans do not result in Year 2000 compliance or the
timetable in which actions are scheduled to be taken is not adequate to
ensure compliance by the Year 2000.
During 1997, as a part of a separate project to improve the quality of and
access to business information, the Company began a company-wide implementation
of the SAP R/3 enterprise system software from SAP America, Inc. ("SAP"). This
system integrates information, including financial, human resources, customer
and supply chain information, in a single database. The Company has received
representations from SAP that the SAP R/3 system has been designed to be Year
2000 compliant. As part of the implementation, system interfaces with the SAP
R/3 system have been minimized. Two of the Company's three business units
completed their SAP implementations during 1998. The third business unit,
Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, has recently completed its first regional
implementation of SAP and is on schedule to complete the remaining
implementations by the third quarter 1999. The Company has also completed
modifications to existing business information systems for Millennium Inorganic
Chemicals, as a contingency plan, in the unlikely event that the SAP
implementation is not completed on schedule. The Company has outsourced the
technical infrastructure for the SAP R/3 system to an internationally recognized
provider of these services and has received assurances from the provider that
all hardware and related system software are Year 2000 compliant. The Company
has not deferred any of its currently planned projects as a result of Year 2000
efforts.
The Company's three business units have completed the inventory phase of
the Year 2000 project for non-IT systems. The assessment phase has been 100%
completed at one business unit, 70% completed at the second unit and 75%
completed at the third unit. The Company has targeted October 1999 as the
completion date for all five phases of the Year 2000 project. The Company has
engaged independent consultants at certain locations to monitor remediation
programs for certain systems and to provide additional expertise.
27
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company has requested and received Year 2000 compliance information
from most of its critical suppliers, customers and other third parties. The
Company is in the process of evaluating and assessing these responses. The more
significant third-party relationships include suppliers of ores, electrical
power, natural gas and industrial gases and providers of transportation such as
pipelines, rail and barges. Contingency plans will be developed for significant
third-party risks identified by the Company as a result of its evaluations and
assessments. Although the Company has planned these actions to address
third-party issues and potential impacts to the Company, it often has little
direct ability to influence the compliance actions of other parties.
The Company estimates that it will spend $84 million related to the
company-wide implementation of SAP, consisting of $48 million for consulting
costs, $6 million for hardware, $6 million for software, $13 million for
internal human resources, and $11 million for training and incidental costs. The
Company estimates that it will spend an additional $15 million for required
modifications and replacements of non-IT systems to become Year 2000 compliant,
excluding internal human resources costs, which the Company does not measure
separately. This estimate excludes Year 2000 costs that may be incurred by
Equistar. The total amount spent on the Year 2000 project during 1998 was
approximately $60 million, of which $54 million was capitalized and $6 million
was expensed.
The Company owns a 29.5% interest in Equistar. Equistar has formed a
steering committee to oversee all Year 2000 remediation efforts. The chairman of
the Equistar Year 2000 Steering Committee reports project progress regularly to
the Equistar Governance Committee, which includes representatives from the
Company's senior management. The Equistar Year 2000 Steering Committee is in the
process of completing an assessment of the state of readiness of the information
technology and non-IT systems of Equistar. These assessments cover manufacturing
systems, including laboratory information systems and field instrumentation, and
significant third-party vendor and supplier systems, including employee
compensation and benefit plan maintenance systems. The Steering Committee is
also in the process of assessing the readiness of significant customers and
suppliers. The inventory, assessment and remediation phases for Equistar are
nearly complete, with the majority of the testing and final implementation to
take place in 1999. In addition, Equistar is in the process of replacing the
business information systems for the operations contributed by Millennium and
Occidental with SAP-based systems. In November 1998, Equistar completed a
system-wide implementation of SAP for its polymer business and a portion of its
petrochemical business. Conversion of its remaining businesses is expected to be
completed in the first half of 1999. The operations of Millennium Petrochemicals
are integrally related to those of Equistar's La Porte, Texas, facility from
which materials and utilities are sourced. As a result, any Year 2000-related
interruption in Equistar's operations at this location could severely impact
Millennium Petrochemicals' ability to manufacture and ship products to
customers.
The failure to correct a material Year 2000 problem could result in an
interruption in, or a failure of, certain normal business activities or
operations. In particular, if suppliers fail to provide the Company with raw
materials necessary to manufacture its products, sufficient electrical power and
other utilities to sustain its manufacturing processes, or adequate, reliable
means of transporting its products to its customers, then any such failure could
result in the temporary inability to manufacture and/or ship products to
customers. This risk may be mitigated to some extent at Millennium Inorganic
Chemicals, where manufacturing capacity is distributed among seven manufacturing
locations. Due to the uncertainty inherent in the Year 2000 problem, resulting
in part from the uncertainty of the Year 2000 readiness of third-party
suppliers, the Company is unable to determine at this time whether the
consequences of Year 2000 failures, if any, would have a material impact on the
Company's results of operations and/or financial condition.
The costs of the Company's Year 2000 project and the dates on which the
Company believes it will complete such efforts are based on management's current
best estimates, which were derived using numerous assumptions regarding future
events, including the continued availability of certain resources and the
continued progression toward the implementation of SAP at various facilities.
There can be no assurance that these estimates will prove to be accurate and,
therefore, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated.
Specific factors that could cause material differences with actual results
include, but are not limited to, the results of testing and the timeliness and
effectiveness of remediation efforts of third parties.
Formal contingency plans for certain Year 2000-related risks have not yet
been developed but are expected to include identification of alternate
suppliers, allowing for sufficient inventory levels in the event of
manufacturing or transportation interruption and replacing electronic
applications with manual processes. These plans are expected to be completed by
the end of the third quarter of 1999.
The Company's Year 2000 project is expected to reduce the Company's level
of uncertainty about the Year 2000 problem and, in particular, the Year 2000
readiness of its significant suppliers and customers. The Company believes that
the Year 2000 issues will be addressed on a timely basis. However, in the event
that the Year 2000 issues of the Company and/or third parties with whom the
Company transacts business are not addressed on a timely basis, it is possible
that such issues could have an adverse impact on the Company's operations and/or
financial condition.
28
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS
OF MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of
Millennium Chemicals Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of HMB Holdings Inc.
("Cornerstone") which statements reflect a loss from discontinued operations of
$2,877 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. Those statements
were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has been furnished to us,
and our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts included
for Cornerstone, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
consolidated financial statements referred to above, present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 1998
and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Florham Park, New Jersey
January 21, 1999
29
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
==================================================================================
As of December 31 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 103 $ 64
Trade receivables, net 242 369
Inventories 334 273
Assets of discontinued interests 148 24
Other current assets 109 106
------ ------
Total current assets 936 836
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,044 851
Investment in Equistar 1,519 1,934
Other assets 189 237
Goodwill 412 468
------ ------
TOTAL ASSETS $4,100 $4,326
====== ======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Notes payable $ 29 $
Current maturities of long-term debt 14 20
Trade accounts payable 113 86
Income taxes payable 23 12
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 200 323
------ ------
Total current liabilities 379 441
Long-term debt 1,039 1,327
Deferred income taxes 334 280
Other liabilities 755 814
------ ------
Total liabilities 2,507 2,862
------ ------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Minority interest 15 --
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock (par value $.01 per share,
authorized 25,000,000 shares, none issued
and outstanding) --
Common stock (par value $.01 per share,
authorized 225,000,000 shares; issued
and outstanding 77,873,586 and 77,276,942
shares in 1998 and 1997, respectively) 1 1
Paid in capital 1,333 1,334
Retained earnings 294 177
Unearned restricted shares (35) (42)
Cumulative translation adjustment (15) (6)
Treasury stock (at cost, 502,572 shares in 1998) (7) --
Deferred compensation 7
------ ------
Total shareholders' equity 1,578 1,464
------ ------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $4,100 $4,326
====== ======
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
30
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
==================================================================================================
Year Ended December 31 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET SALES $ 1,597 $ 3,048 $ 3,040
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of products sold 1,134 2,180 2,264
Depreciation and amortization 102 203 201
Selling, development and administrative expense 156 216 217
Impairment of assets and related closure costs -- -- 75
------- ------- -------
Operating income 205 449 283
Interest expense (primarily to a related party
in 1996) (76) (131) (214)
Interest income 4 10 37
Equity in earnings of Equistar 40 18 --
Other income (expense), net 29 1 (23)
------- ------- -------
Income from continuing operations before provision
for income taxes and minority interest 202 347 83
Provision for income taxes (37) (159) (50)
------- ------- -------
Income from continuing operations before minority
interest 165 188 33
Minority interest (2) -- --
------- ------- -------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 163 188 33
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of
income taxes of $1, ($2) and ($1,028),
respectively) 1 (3) (2,734)
------- ------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 164 $ 185 $(2,701)
======= ======= =======
Income per share from continuing operations $ 2.17 $ 2.52 $ 0.44
======= ======= =======
Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations 0.01 (0.04) (36.74)
======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share -- basic $ 2.18 $ 2.48 $(36.30)
======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share -- diluted $ 2.17 $ 2.48 $(36.30)
======= ======= =======
Pro forma income from continuing operations
(unaudited) $ 168
=======
Pro forma income from continuing operations per share
(unaudited) $ 2.26
=======
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
31
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
=================================================================================================
Year Ended December 31 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Income from continuing operations $ 163 $ 188 $ 33
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 102 203 201
Impairment of assets and related closure costs -- -- 75
Provision for deferred income taxes 54 122 15
Restricted stock amortization 6 23 --
Equity earnings (29) (18) --
Minority interest 2 -- --
Unrealized translation gain -- -- (21)
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of
acquisitions and dispositions)
Decrease in trade receivables 24 141 38
(Increase) decrease in inventories (42) 14 5
(Increase) decrease in other current assets (45) (40) 126
Decrease (increase) in investments and other assets 75 58 (65)
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable 15 (97) 13
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities
and income taxes payable (82) (124) (24)
Decrease in other liabilities (93) (87) (24)
----- ------- -------
Cash provided by operating activities 150 383 372
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (215) (152) (285)
Acquisition of businesses (85) (169)
Proceeds from Equistar -- 750 --
Accounts receivable collection through Equistar 225 25
Distributions from Equistar, net of liabilities paid 317 18 --
Proceeds from sale of business -- 733
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 10 2 10
----- ------- -------
Cash provided by investing activities 252 474 458
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividend to shareholders (47) (46)
Contribution to Suburban Propane -- (22) --
Proceeds from long-term debt 172 185 2,335
Repayment of long-term debt (519) (1,217) (3,321)
Increase (decrease) in notes payable 29 (98) (15)
Net contribution from Hanson PLC and Prior
Affiliates -- -- 167
----- ------- -------
Cash used in financing activities (365) (1,198) (834)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2 (3) --
----- ------- -------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 39 (344) (4)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 64 408 412
----- ------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 103 $ 64 $ 408
===== ======= =======
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
32
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN MILLIONS)
=============================================================================================================================
COMMON STOCK
----------------------
TREASURY DEFERRED PAID IN RETAINED
SHARES AMOUNT STOCK COMPENSATION CAPITAL EARNINGS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995 $ $ $ $ $
Comprehensive income
Net income (loss) 38
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation adjustment
--- --- --- --- ------ ----
Total comprehensive income -- -- -- -- -- 38
Amortization and adjustment of
unearned restricted shares (13)
Issuance of stock 74 1 1,267
Issuance of restricted shares 3 65
Net capital contribution
from Demerger
Net transaction with affiliates
--- --- --- --- ------ ----
Balance at December 31, 1996 77 1 -- -- 1,319 38
Comprehensive income
Net income 185
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation adjustment
--- --- --- --- ------ ----
Total comprehensive income 185
Amortization and adjustment of
unearned restricted shares (1) 15
Dividend to shareholders (46)
--- --- --- --- ------ ----
Balance at December 31, 1997 76 1 1,334 177
Comprehensive income
Net income 164
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation adjustment
--- --- --- --- ------ ----
Total comprehensive income -- -- -- -- -- 164
Amortization and adjustment of
unearned restricted shares 1 (1)
Shares held by rabbi trust (7) 7
Dividend to shareholders (47)
--- --- --- --- ------ ----
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 77 $ 1 $(7) $ 7 $1,333 $294
=== === === === ====== ====
Cumulative other
comprehensive income -- 1997
Cumulative other
comprehensive income -- 1998
=================================================================================================
UNEARNED CUMULATIVE
RESTRICTED TRANSLATION INVESTED
SHARES ADJUSTMENT CAPITAL TOTAL
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995 $ $ $ 4,801 $ 4,801
Comprehensive income
Net income (loss) (2,739) (2,701)
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation adjustment 10 10
---- ---- ------- -------
Total comprehensive income -- 10 (2,739) (2,691)
Amortization and adjustment of
unearned restricted shares 15 2
Issuance of stock (1,268)
Issuance of restricted shares (65) --
Net capital contribution
from Demerger 443 443
Net transaction with affiliates (1,237) (1,237)
---- ---- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1996 (50) 10 0 1,318
Comprehensive income
Net income 185
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation adjustment (16) (16)
---- ---- ------- -------
Total comprehensive income (16) 169
Amortization and adjustment of
unearned restricted shares 8 23
Dividend to shareholders (46)
---- ---- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1997 (42) (6) 1,464
Comprehensive income
Net income 164
Other comprehensive income
Currency translation adjustment (9) (9)
---- ---- ------- -------
Total comprehensive income -- (9) -- 155
Amortization and adjustment of
unearned restricted shares 7 6
Shares held by rabbi trust
Dividend to shareholders (47)
---- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 $(35) $(15) $ -- $ 1,578
==== ==== ======= =======
Cumulative other
comprehensive income -- 1997 $ (6) $ (6)
==== =======
Cumulative other
comprehensive income -- 1998 $(15) $ (15)
==== =======
33
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
NOTE 1--BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY
Millennium Chemicals Inc. (the "Company") is a major international
chemicals company, with leading market positions in a broad range of commodity,
industrial, performance and specialty chemicals, operating through its
subsidiaries: Millennium Inorganic Chemicals Inc. (and its non-United States
affiliates), Millennium Petrochemicals Inc., and Millennium Specialty Chemicals
Inc.; and, beginning December 1, 1997, through its interest in Equistar
Chemicals, LP ("Equistar"), a joint venture formed by the Company and Lyondell
Chemical Company ("Lyondell") to jointly own and operate the petrochemical and
polymer businesses of the Company and Lyondell. On May 15, 1998, the Company's
interest in Equistar was reduced to 29.5% with the addition of the ethylene,
propylene, ethylene oxide and derivatives businesses of Occidental Petroleum
Corporation's ("Occidental") chemical subsidiary (see Note 2).
The Company was incorporated on April 18, 1996, and has been publicly owned
since October 1, 1996, when Hanson PLC ("Hanson") transferred its chemical
operations to the Company and, in consideration, all of the then outstanding
shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock") were distributed pro rata
to Hanson's shareholders (the "Demerger").
The consolidated financial statements of operations and cash flows for the
year ended December 31, 1996 also include the combined operations of certain
non-chemical businesses ("Discontinued Businesses"), which were owned by
subsidiaries of Hanson that became subsidiaries of the Company upon the
Demerger. The Company sold the Discontinued Businesses to Hanson on October 6,
1996. Since these operations were not a part of the Company upon completion of
the Demerger transactions, their historical results of operations have been
presented as discontinued operations.
Prior to the Demerger, the Company provided certain corporate, general and
administrative services to certain other indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of
Hanson ("Prior Affiliates"), including legal, finance, tax, risk management and
employee benefit services. Charges for these services, which were allocated to
the Prior Affiliates based on the respective revenues of the Company and the
Prior Affiliates, reduced the Company's selling and administrative expense by
$18 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The Company's management believes such
method of allocation is reasonable. In addition, prior to the Demerger, a
subsidiary of the Company controlled, on a centralized basis, all cash receipts
and disbursements received or made by such affiliates.
Subsequent to the Demerger, the financial statements are presented on a
consolidated basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated.
NOTE 2--ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
On December 1, 1997, the Company and Lyondell completed the formation of
Equistar, a joint venture partnership created to own and operate the
petrochemical and polymer businesses of the Company and Lyondell. The Company
contributed to Equistar substantially all of the net assets of its polyethylene,
performance polymer and ethyl alcohol businesses. The Company retained $250 from
the proceeds of accounts receivable collections and substantially all the
accounts payable and accrued expenses of its contributed businesses existing on
December 1, 1997, and received proceeds of $750 from borrowings under a new
credit facility entered into by Equistar. The Company used the $750 which it
received to repay debt. A subsidiary of the Company guarantees $750 of
Equistar's credit facility.
Equistar was owned 57% by Lyondell and 43% by the Company until May 15,
1998, when the Company and Lyondell expanded Equistar with the addition of the
ethylene, propylene, ethylene oxide and derivatives businesses of Occidental's
chemical subsidiary. Occidental contributed the net assets of those businesses
(including approximately $205 of related debt) to Equistar. In exchange,
Equistar borrowed an additional $500, $420 of which was distributed to
Occidental and $75 to the Company. Equistar is now owned 41% by Lyondell, 29.5%
by Occidental and 29.5% by the Company. No gain or loss resulted from this
transaction.
Equistar is managed by a Partnership Governance Committee consisting of
representatives of each partner. Approval of Equistar's strategic plans and
other major decisions requires the consent of the representatives of the three
partners. All decisions of Equistar's Governance Committee that do not require
unanimity among the partners may be made by Lyondell's representatives alone.
The investment in Equistar at the date of contribution represented the
carrying value of the Company's contributed net assets, less cash received, and
approximated the fair market value of its interest in Equistar based upon
independent valuation. The difference between the carrying value of the
Company's investment and its underlying equity in the net assets of Equistar has
been reduced from $617 to $404 as a result of adding Occidental as a partner and
is being amortized over 25 years. The Company accounts for its interest in
Equistar using the equity method.
Because of the significance of the Company's interest in Equistar to its
total results of operations, the separate financial statements of Equistar are
included in the Company's 1998 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.
34
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
On December 31, 1997, the Company completed the purchase of the shares of
Rhone-Poulenc Chimie S.A.'s Thann et Mulhouse titanium dioxide ("TiO2") and
related intermediate and specialty chemical operations in France for $185,
including assumed debt. The operations in France provide capacity to produce
approximately 138 thousand metric tons per year of TiO2. The purchase price was
allocated to the net assets acquired, principally property, plant and equipment
and working capital, based on their fair value.
On July 1, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of 99% of the voting
shares and 72% of total shares of Titanio do Brazil S.A. ("Tibras"), Brazil's
only integrated TiO2 producer, for $129, including assumed debt. This
acquisition was also accounted for using the purchase method of accounting with
the purchase price allocated to the net assets acquired, principally property,
plant and equipment and working capital based on their fair value. The two
operations comprising Tibras included a plant which has capacity to produce
approximately 60 thousand metric tons per year of TiO2 and a mineral sands mine
with over 2 million metric tons of recoverable reserves.
On November 16, 1998, the Company entered into agreements with Linde AG
("Linde") relating to the Company's synthesis gas ("syngas") unit in La Porte,
Texas, and a 15% interest in its methanol business, whereby the Company would
receive $122.5 in cash. Linde will operate the syngas facility under a long-term
lease with a purchase option. In addition, Linde will operate and hold a 15%
interest in the methanol facility. As a result, the assets involved in this
transaction, including applicable goodwill of $42, have been classified at
December 31, 1998 in the accompanying balance sheet as Assets of discontinued
interests. This transaction was subsequently completed on January 18, 1999. No
gain or loss resulted from this transaction.
In March 1996, the Company sold a 73.6% interest in Suburban Propane,
through an initial public offering of 21,562,500 common units in a new master
limited partnership, Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., and received aggregate
proceeds from the sale of the common units and the issuance of notes of the
Suburban Propane operating partnership, Suburban Propane, L.P., of approximately
$831, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $210. The Company retained a combined
subordinated and general partnership interest of 26.4% in Suburban Propane
Partners L.P. and Suburban Propane L.P. (collectively "Suburban Propane"). On
November 27, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its remaining
interest to Suburban Propane and its management for $75 in cash, with an
expected net after-tax gain of approximately $30. As such, Suburban Propane is
reflected as a discontinued operation for all periods presented and the
Company's interest at December 31, 1998 is included in Assets of discontinued
interests. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of
1999.
NOTE 3--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Reclassification: Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to
conform with the current year presentation.
Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents represent investments in short-term
deposits and commercial paper with banks which have original maturities of 90
days or less. In addition, investments and other assets include approximately
$31 and $83 in restricted cash at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively,
which is on deposit to satisfy insurance claims.
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value.
For certain United States operations, cost is determined under the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, or methods which
approximate FIFO, are used by all other subsidiaries.
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment is stated on
the basis of cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 20 to 40 years for buildings and
5 to 25 years for machinery and equipment.
Goodwill: Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of assets allocated to acquired companies. Goodwill is being
amortized using the straight-line method over 40 years. Management periodically
evaluates goodwill for impairment based on the anticipated future cash flows
attributable to its operations. Such expected cash flows, on an undiscounted
basis, are compared to the carrying value of the tangible and intangible assets,
and if impairment is indicated, the carrying value of goodwill is adjusted. In
the opinion of management, no impairment of goodwill exists at December 31,
1998. In connection with the formation of Equistar, consolidated goodwill was
reduced by $1,253 in 1997.
35
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures: Accruals for environmental
matters are recorded in operating expenses when it is probable that a liability
has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated.
Accrued liabilities are exclusive of claims against third parties (except where
payment has been received or the amount of liability or contribution by such
other parties, including insurance companies, has been agreed) and are not
discounted. In general, costs related to environmental remediation are charged
to expense. Environmental costs are capitalized if the costs increase the value
of the property and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations.
Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of the Company's
foreign operating subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates in effect at
the balance sheet dates, while revenue, expenses and cash flows are translated
at average exchange rates for the reporting period. Resulting translation
adjustments are recorded as a currency component of Shareholders' equity. Gains
and losses resulting from foreign exchange changes on transactions denominated
in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized in income in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations except for gains and losses on hedges of
net investments which are included as a component of Shareholders' equity.
Prior to the Demerger, certain of the Company's subsidiaries, whose
holdings principally consisted of sterling-denominated cash deposits, were
considered to hedge a portion of Hanson's investments in the United States. The
functional currency of these subsidiaries was the local currency. After the
Demerger, such deposits no longer acted as a hedge; instead, the entities were
primarily holding companies, the assets of which were remittable to the Company.
As such, the functional currency of these subsidiaries was changed to the U.S.
dollar. Gains from the remeasurement of these deposits and other assets and
liabilities into U.S. dollars are included in Other expense, net, and aggregated
$34 for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Federal Income Taxes: Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed
based on the difference between the financial statement basis and income tax
basis of assets and liabilities using enacted marginal tax rates of the
respective tax jurisdictions. Deferred income tax expense (credit) is based on
the changes in the assets and liabilities from period to period.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into tax-sharing
and indemnification agreements with Hanson or its subsidiaries in which the
Company and/or its subsidiaries generally agreed to indemnify Hanson or its
subsidiaries for income tax liabilities attributable to periods when such other
operations were included in the consolidated tax returns of the Company's
subsidiaries.
Research and Development: The cost of research and development efforts is
expensed as incurred. Such costs aggregated $21, $28 and $39 for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Earnings per share: The weighted-average number of common equivalent shares
outstanding used in computing earnings per share for 1998, 1997 and 1996 was as
follows:
=====================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 75,126,209 74,484,588 74,412,283
Options 119,939 31,846 --
Restricted shares 450,500 130,000 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Diluted 75,696,648 74,646,434 74,412,283
========== ========== ==========
Pro forma income from continuing operations for 1996 was calculated as if:
(a) the Demerger had been consummated at the beginning of the period; (b) the
changes in the Company's capital structure resulting from the Demerger had
occurred on such date; (c) the Company's level of general and administrative
corporate costs is that as if it operated as a separate entity; and (d)
compensation expense related to the restricted share awards pursuant to the Long
Term Stock Incentive Plan (see Note 10) had been incurred for a full year.
NOTE 4--SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
=====================================================================
1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
TRADE RECEIVABLES
Trade receivables $245 $371
Allowance for doubtful accounts (3) (2)
---- ----
$242 $369
==== ====
INVENTORIES
Finished products $139 $121
In-process products 28 21
Raw materials 117 89
Other inventories 50 42
---- ----
$334 $273
==== ====
Inventories valued on a LIFO basis were approximately $41 and $32 less than
the amount of such inventories valued at current cost at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
36
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
=====================================================================
1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and buildings $ 267 $ 217
Machinery and equipment 1,377 1,205
------ ------
1,644 1,422
Allowance for depreciation
and amortization 600 571
------ ------
$1,044 $ 851
====== ======
GOODWILL $ 480 $ 528
Accumulated amortization 68 60
------ ------
$ 412 $ 468
====== ======
=====================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization expense $ 14 $ 45 $ 48
Rental expense for operating leases is as follows:
=====================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum rentals $ 12 $ 55 $ 53
Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, as
of December 31, 1998, are as follows:
1999 $11
2000 8
2001 4
2002 3
2003 2
Thereafter 12
NOTE 5--IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
During 1996, the Company recorded a $75 non-recurring charge ($48 after
tax), to reduce the carrying value of certain facilities employed in
sulfate-process manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the cost associated
with the closure of certain of these facilities. During the first half of 1996,
intense price competition was experienced, as customers of the anatase products
associated with the sulfate-process operations sought more cost efficient
manufacturing inputs to their applications. As a result of the deterioration of
market conditions in the TiO2 industry, the Company decided to implement a
program which included a reduction of its sulfate-process manufacturing capacity
in both the United Kingdom and United States. The carrying value of plant and
equipment associated with sulfate-process manufacturing was reduced by $60 as a
result of evaluating the recoverability of such assets under the unfavorable
market conditions existing at that time. The amount of the write-down was
determined by comparison to the fair value of the related assets, as determined
based on the projected discounted cash flows identified to such assets.
During 1996, the Company also recorded an initial non-cash charge resulting
from adopting the evaluation methodology provided by SFAS 121 of $4,497 ($3,206
after tax), related to one of the Discontinued Businesses. Prior to the adoption
of SFAS 121, asset impairment was evaluated at an operating company level based
on the contribution of operating profits and undiscounted cash flows being
generated from those operations. Under this policy, assets used in one of the
Discontinued Businesses, comprised of approximately 20 separate operating
companies, were evaluated for impairment based on gross margins and cash flows
generated by each separate operating company in a given business cycle.
Evaluation of the businesses' assets at this level did not result in any
impairment.
SFAS 121 requires the impairment review to be performed at the lowest level
of asset grouping for which there are identifiable cash flows which represents a
change from the level at which the previous accounting policy measured
impairment. In this case, economic groupings of assets were made based on local
marketplaces. Evaluation of assets at this lower grouping level indicated an
impairment of certain of those assets. The impairment loss was measured based on
the difference between estimated discounted cash flows and the carrying value of
such assets.
NOTE 6--INCOME TAXES
=====================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
PRE-TAX INCOME IS GENERATED FROM
United States $ 101 $ 321 $ 12
Foreign 101 26 71
----- ----- -------
202 347 83
===== ===== =======
INCOME TAXES ARE COMPRISED OF
Federal
Current $ (36) $ 19 $ 67
Deferred 43 116 (1,083)
Foreign 23 6 15
State and local 8 16 23
----- ----- -------
38 157 (978)
===== ===== =======
INCOME TAXES ARE CLASSIFIED AS
Continuing operations $ 37 $ 159 $ 50
Discontinued operations 1 (2) (1,028)
----- ----- -------
$ 38 $ 157 $ (978)
===== ===== =======
37
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
The Company's effective income tax rate differs from the amount computed by
applying the statutory federal income tax rate as follows:
===============================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State and local income taxes,
net of federal benefit 2.4 3.0 17.0
Provision for non-deductible expenses,
primarily goodwill amortization 7.6 5.2 20.8
Foreign rate differential (5.1) (10.0)
Utilization of net operating loss
carryforwards (20.3)
Tax benefit from previous years (20.8) -- --
Other (0.8) 2.6 17.7
----- ---- -----
Effective income tax rate for
continuing operations 18.3% 45.8% 60.2%
----- ---- -----
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Effective income tax rate 38.9% 45.8% 30.7%
===== ==== =====
As a result of a favorable tax judgement received during 1998, the Company
recorded a benefit of $42 related to taxes recoverable from previous years' tax
filings.
The difference between the effective income tax rate on discontinued
operations and the statutory federal income tax rate in 1996 primarily relates
to non-deductible goodwill amortization and tax depletion of the Discontinued
Businesses.
At December 31, 1998, certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company had
available net operating loss carryforwards aggregating $20, which are subject to
certain limitations on their use.
Significant components of deferred taxes are as follows:
=====================================================================
1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
Environmental and legal obligations $ 54 $ 62
Other postretirement benefits
and pension obligations 47 60
Net operating loss carryforwards 20 28
Capital loss carryforwards 136 143
AMT credits 98 131
Other accruals 40 59
----- -----
395 483
Valuation allowance (136) (143)
----- -----
Total deferred tax assets 259 340
----- -----
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
Excess of book over tax basis
in property, plant and equipment 400 412
Other 183 186
----- -----
Total deferred tax liabilities 583 598
----- -----
Net deferred tax liabilities ($10 in 1998
and $22 in 1997, classified in
Current assets) $ 324 $ 258
===== =====
Certain of the income tax returns of the Company's subsidiaries are
currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and various state
tax agencies. In the opinion of management, any assessments which may result
will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of
operations of the Company.
Income taxes paid during 1998 and 1997 were $40 and $53, respectively.
NOTE 7--LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
=====================================================================
1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revolving Credit Facility bearing interest
at the prime lending rate, or at LIBOR
or NIBOR plus .275%, at the option of
the Company, plus a Facility Fee of .15%
to be paid quarterly $ 235 $ 546
7% Senior Notes due 2006 (net of
unamortized discount of $.5 and $.5) 500 500
7.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (net of
unamortized discount of $1.1 and $1.1) 249 249
Debt payable through 2007 at interest
rates ranging from 2.4% to 22% 69 52
Less current maturities of long-term debt (14) (20)
------ ------
$1,039 $1,327
====== ======
Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended on October 20, 1997,
certain of the Company's subsidiaries may borrow up to $500 under an unsecured
multi-currency revolving credit facility, which matures in July 2001 (the
"Credit Agreement" or the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Company is the
guarantor of this facility. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may consist of
standby loans or uncommitted competitive loans offered by syndicated banks
through an auction bid procedure. Loans may be borrowed in U.S. dollars and/or
other currencies. The proceeds from the borrowings may be used to provide
working capital and for general corporate purposes.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants and provisions that restrict, among
other things, the ability of the Company and its material subsidiaries to:
(i) create liens on any of its property or assets, or assign any rights to or
security interests in future revenues; (ii) engage in sale-and-leaseback
transactions; (iii) engage in mergers, consolidations or sales of all or
substantially all of their assets on a consolidated basis; (iv) enter into
agreements restricting dividends and advances by their subsidiaries; and (v)
engage in transactions with affiliates other than those based on arm's-length
negotiations. The Credit Agreement also limits the ability of certain
subsidiaries of the Company to incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock. In
addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to satisfy certain financial
performance criteria.
The Senior Notes and Senior Debentures were issued by Millennium America
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the
38
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
Company, and are guaranteed by the Company. The indenture under which the Senior
Notes and Senior Debentures were issued contains certain covenants that limit,
among other things: (i) the ability of Millennium America Inc. and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined) to grant liens or enter into
sale-and-leaseback transactions; (ii) the ability of the Restricted Subsidiaries
to incur additional indebtedness; and (iii) the ability of Millennium America
Inc. and the Company to merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of
their respective assets.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had outstanding notes payable of $29
bearing interest at an average rate of approximately 12% with maturity of 30
days or less; no outstanding notes were payable December 31, 1997. At December
31, 1998, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit amounting to
$102 and had unused availability under short-term lines of credit and its
Revolving Credit Facility of $432. In addition, Millennium America Inc. has
guaranteed certain debt obligations of Equistar up to $750.
The maturities of long-term debt during the next five years are as follows:
1999 -- $5; 2000 -- $24; 2001 -- $245; 2002 -- $5; and 2003 and beyond -- $760.
Interest paid for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $72,
$129 and $58, respectively.
NOTE 8 -FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair value of all short-term
financial instruments approximate their carrying value due to their short
maturity. The fair value of long-term financial instruments (excluding forward
exchange contracts, interest rate protection agreements and the Senior Notes and
Senior Debentures) approximates carrying value as they were based on terms that
continue to be available to the Company from its lenders.
The fair value of the Company's other financial instruments are based upon
estimates received from independent financial advisors as follows:
=================================================================================================
1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CARRYING FAIR Carrying Fair
VALUE VALUE Value Value
Senior Notes and Debentures $ 749 $ 695 $ 749 $ 748
Off Balance Sheet Risk: The Company has certain receivables, payables and
borrowings denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the
Company and/or its subsidiaries. The Company hedges certain of these exposures
by entering into forward exchange contracts. Gains and losses related to these
hedges are recognized in income as part of, and concurrent with the hedged
transactions. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for
trading or speculative purposes.
The table below summarizes the contractual amounts of the Company's forward
exchange contracts at December 31, 1998, all of which mature within 90 days. The
foreign currency amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars using applicable
exchange rates at December 31, 1998.
==================================================
Sell
- --------------------------------------------------
German Marks $ 2
French Francs 6
Italian Lira 5
Belgium Francs 5
Spanish Pesetas 3
Other 3
----
$ 24
====
SFAS 133: On June 15, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
SFAS 133, "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities," effective for
fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999 (January 1, 2000 for the Company).
SFAS 133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance
sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded
each period in net income or as Comprehensive income, depending on whether a
derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type
of hedge transaction. The Company is currently evaluating the implications of
this new pronouncement but, due to the Company's limited use of derivative
instruments, the adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to have a significant
effect on the Company's results of operations or its financial position.
NOTE 9--PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Domestic Pension Plans: The Company has adopted SFAS 132, Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. SFAS 132 revises
the employer's disclosure presentation but does not change the measurement or
recognition of these plans.
The Company has several noncontributory defined benefit pension and other
postretirement benefit plans covering substantially all of its United States
employees. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of credited
service and average compensation as defined under the respective plan
provisions. The Company's funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plans
sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, plus such additional amounts as the
Company may determine to be appropriate from time to time.
39
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
The Company also sponsors defined contribution plans for its salaried and
certain union employees. Contributions relating to defined contribution plans
are made based upon the respective plan provisions.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit
obligations and the fair value of the plan assets over the two-year period
ending December 31, 1998, and a statement of the funded status as of December 31
for both years.
====================================================================================
Pension Other Post-
Benefits retirement Benefits
1998 1997 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECONCILIATION OF BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Projected benefit obligation at
December 31 $ 671 $ 636 $ 127 $ 234
Service cost, including interest 7 14 10 8
Interest on PBO 46 45 -- --
Participant contributions -- -- 2 2
Benefit payments (79) (54) (14) (15)
Special termination benefits 6 -- -- 1
Curtailments (2) 5
Net experience loss (gain) 42 25 2 (19)
Amendments 24 (65)
Divestiture -- -- -- (19)
----- ----- ----- -----
Projected benefit obligation
at December 31 715 671 127 127
----- ----- ----- -----
RECONCILIATION OF FAIR VALUE
OF PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at
December 31 776 718 -- --
Return on plan assets 87 106 --
Employer contributions 2 6 11 13
Participant contributions 2 2
Benefit payments (75) (54) (13) (15)
----- ----- ----- -----
Fair value of plan assets at
December 31 790 776 -- --
----- ----- ----- -----
FUNDED STATUS
Funded status at December 31 75 105 (127) (127)
Unrecognized net asset (1) (1)
Unrecognized prior-service cost 23 5 -- --
Unrecognized loss (gain) 22 10 (23) (26)
Additional minimum liability (8) (5) -- --
----- ----- ----- -----
Prepaid (accrued) interest $ 111 $ 114 $(150) $(153)
===== ===== ===== =====
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost
for the plans for 1998 and 1997.
Pension benefit income was $10 while other postretirement benefits costs
were $6 for the year ended December 31, 1996.
====================================================================================
Pension Other Post-
Benefits retirement Benefits
1998 1997 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST
Service cost, including interest $ 7 $ 13 $ 10 $ 8
Interest on PBO 46 45 --
Return on plan assets (61) (82) -- --
Amortization of unrecognized
net loss 2 -- (2) (2)
Amortization of prior service cost 1 1 --
Deferral -- 21 -- --
Special termination benefits 6 -- 2
Recognition of prior service cost 5 -- -- --
Curtailment loss 5
----- ----- ----- -----
Net periodic benefit cost 6 3 8 8
Defined contribution plans 1 1
----- ----- ----- -----
Net periodic benefit cost
after curtailment $ 7 $ 4 $ 8 $ 8
===== ===== ===== =====
The assumptions used in the measurement of the Company's benefit obligations are
shown in the following table:
====================================================================================
Pension Other Post-
Benefits retirement Benefits
1998 1997 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS
AS OF DECEMBER 31
Discount rate 7.00% 7.25% 7.00% 7.25%
Expected return on plan assets 9.00% 9.00%
Rate of compensation increase 4.25% 4.25% 4.25% 4.25%
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and the
fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations
in excess of the plan assets were $42, $40 and $28, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 1998; and $36, $34 and $25; respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the
amounts reported for the health care plans. A 1% increase or decrease in assumed
health care cost trend rates would affect service and interest components of
postretirement health care benefit cost by $1 for the years ended December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively. The effect on the accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation would be $8 for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Foreign Benefit Arrangements: The Company's foreign subsidiaries have
several defined benefit plans. The assets of these plans are held separately
from the Company in independent funds. The total pension expense was $3 in each
of the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997.
40
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
Where required, the contributions are determined by a qualified actuary
every three years. The most recent such valuation was April 1, 1998. Assumptions
were 8% per year for return on investment, 8% per year for salary increases and
4% per year for present and future pension increases.
The aggregate market value of the plan assets was $110, approximately 120%
of the benefit obligations, after allowing for expected future increases in
earnings.
NOTE 10--EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company adopted a Long Term Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock Incentive
Plan") for the purpose of enhancing the profitability and value of the Company
for the benefit of its shareholders. A maximum of 3,909,000 shares of Common
Stock may be issued or used for reference purposes pursuant to the Stock
Incentive Plan.
The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the following types of awards to
employees: (i) stock options, including incentive stock options and
non-qualified stock options; (ii) stock appreciation rights; (iii) restricted
stock; (iv) performance units; and (v) performance shares. The vesting schedule
for granted restricted stock awards is as follows: (i) three equal tranches
aggregating 25% of the total award will vest in each of October 1999, 2000 and
2001; and (ii) three equal tranches aggregating 75% of the total award will be
subject to the achievement of "value creation" performance criteria established
by the Compensation Committee for each of the three performance cycles
commencing January 1, 1997 and ending December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively. If and to the extent such criteria are achieved, half of the
earned portion of a tranche relating to a particular performance-based cycle of
the award will vest immediately and the remainder will vest in five equal annual
installments commencing on the first anniversary of the end of the cycle.
Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan vest three years from the
date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. All grants under the
Stock Incentive Plan fully vest in the event of a change-in-control (as defined
by the plan) of the Company, or in the case of employees of a subsidiary of the
Company, a change-in-control of the relevant subsidiary.
The Company has authorization under the Stock Incentive Plan to grant
awards for up to an additional 184,256 shares at December 31, 1998.
Unearned restricted stock, based on the market value of the shares at each
balance sheet date, is included as a separate component of Shareholders' equity
and amortized over the restricted period. Compensation expense of $6, $23 and $2
was recognized for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Expense for 1997 included $12 as a result of the change-in-control
provisions being triggered by the formation of Equistar for certain restricted
stock awards and options held by employees of Millennium Petrochemicals.
A summary of changes in the awards under the Stock Incentive Plan (other
than awards to non-employee directors) is as follows:
====================================================================================
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Restricted Grant Share Exercise
Shares Price Options Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial awards on
October 8, 1996 2,912,322 $ 22.32 523,000 $ 19.00
--------- ------- -------- -------
Balance at
December 31, 1996 2,912,322 $ 22.32 523,000 $ 19.00
Vested and issued (683,273) 22.32 -- 19.00
Cancelled (226,491) 22.32 (200,000) 19.00
Granted 174,736 23.72 81,000 22.15
--------- --------
Balance at
December 31, 1997 2,177,294 22.43 404,000 19.79
Vested and issued (5,600) 22.32 (59,000) 19.00
Cancelled (25,538) 22.32 -- --
Granted 311,153 33.15 160,000 23.91
--------- --------
BALANCE AT
DECEMBER 31, 1998 2,457,309 $ 23.81 505,000 $21.15
========= ======= ======== =======
For options outstanding at December 31, 1998, the range of exercise prices
was $18.00 to $34.875 per share, and the weighted-average remaining contractual
life was 9 years. The weighted-average fair value at December 31, 1998, was $4
per share option.
The Company adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation." The impact on net income and earnings per share
would not have been materially different had compensation expense for the
Company's incentive plan been determined based on the fair value of such grants
on the grant date in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123.
The Company has a deferred compensation plan that permits officers,
directors and certain management employees to defer a portion of their
compensation on a pre-tax basis in the form of Common Stock. A rabbi trust (the
"Trust") has been established to hold shares of Common Stock purchased in open
market transactions to fund this obligation. Shares purchased by the Trust are
reflected as Treasury stock and along with the related obligation for this plan,
are included in Shareholders' equity. At December 31, 1998, 256,987 shares have
been purchased for $7 and are held in the Trust.
The Company has a Long Term Incentive Plan for certain management
employees. The plan provides for awards of Common Stock to be granted if annual
EVA'r' targets are achieved. Such
41
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
earned shares are held in a trust until certain vesting provisions are
satisfied. Such awards will vest on the later of: (a) three years following the
date of grant or (b) achievement of cumulative positive EVA'r' during a
three-consecutive-year period. Unvested shares will be forfeited after six
years. Compensation expense of $1 was recognized in 1998.
NOTE 11--RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
One of the Company's subsidiaries purchases ethylene from Equistar at
market-related prices pursuant to an agreement made in connection with the
formation of Equistar. Under the agreement the subsidiary is required to
purchase 100% of its ethylene requirements for its La Porte, Texas, facility up
to a maximum of 330 million pounds per year. The initial term of the contract
expires December 1, 2000. Thereafter, the contract automatically renews
annually. Either party may terminate on one year's notice. The subsidiary
incurred charges of $41 in 1998 under this contract.
One of the Company's subsidiaries and Equistar have entered into various
operating, manufacturing and technical service agreements. These agreements
provide the subsidiary with materials management, certain utilities,
administrative office space, health, safety and environmental services. The
subsidiary incurred charges of $5 in 1998 for such services.
NOTE 12--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject, among other things, to several proceedings under
the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
and other federal and state statutes or agreements with third parties. These
proceedings are in various stages ranging from initial investigation to active
settlement negotiations to implementation of the clean-up or remediation of
sites. Additionally, certain of the Company's subsidiaries are defendants or
plaintiffs in lawsuits that have arisen in the normal course of business
including those relating to commercial transactions and product liability. While
certain of the lawsuits involve allegedly significant amounts, it is
management's opinion, based on the advice of counsel, that the ultimate
resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company believes that
the range of potential liability for these matters, collectively, which
primarily relate to environmental remediation activities, is between $150 and
$176 and has accrued $176 as of December 31, 1998.
The Company has various contractual obligations to purchase raw materials
used in its production of TiO2 and fragrance and flavor chemicals. Commitments
to purchase ore used in the production of TiO2 are generally 1-to 8-year
contracts with competitive prices generally determined at a fixed amount subject
to escalation for inflation. Total commitments to purchase ore for TiO2
aggregate approximately $1,100 and expire between 1999 and 2002. Commitments to
acquire crude sulfate turpentine, used in the production of fragrance chemicals,
are generally pursuant to 1-to 5-year contracts with prices based on the market
price and which expire between 1999 and 2008.
The Company is organized under the laws of Delaware and is subject to
United States federal income taxation of corporations. However, in order to
obtain clearance from the United Kingdom Inland Revenue as to the tax-free
treatment of the Demerger stock dividend for United Kingdom tax purposes for
Hanson and Hanson's shareholders, Hanson agreed with the United Kingdom Inland
Revenue that the Company will continue to be centrally managed and controlled in
the United Kingdom at least until September 30, 2001. Hanson also agreed that
the Company's Board of Directors will be the only medium through which strategic
control and policy making powers are exercised, and that board meetings almost
invariably will be held in the United Kingdom during this period. The Company
has agreed not to take, or fail to take, during such five-year period, any
action that would result in a breach of, or constitute non-compliance with, any
of the representations and undertakings made by Hanson in its agreement with the
United Kingdom Inland Revenue and to indemnify Hanson against any liability and
penalties arising out of a breach of such agreement. The Company's By-Laws
provide for similar constraints. The Company and Hanson estimate that such
indemnification obligation would have amounted to approximately $421 if it had
arisen during the twelve months ended September 30, 1997, and that such
obligation will decrease by approximately $84 on each October 1 prior to October
1, 2001, when it will expire.
If the Company ceases to be a United Kingdom tax resident at any time, the
Company will be deemed for purposes of United Kingdom corporation tax on
chargeable gains to have disposed of all of its assets at such time. In such a
case, the Company would be liable for United Kingdom corporation tax on
chargeable gains on the amount by which the fair market value of those assets at
the time of such deemed disposition exceeds the Company's tax basis in those
assets. The tax basis of the assets would be calculated in pounds sterling,
based on the fair market value of the assets (in pounds sterling) at the time of
acquisition of the assets by the Company, adjusted for United Kingdom inflation.
Accordingly, in such circumstances, the Company could incur a tax liability even
though it has not actually sold the assets and even though the underlying value
of the assets may not actually have appreciated (due to currency movements).
Since it is impossible to predict the future value of the Company's assets,
currency movements and inflation rates, it is impossible to predict the
magnitude of such liability, should it arise.
42
MILLENNIUM CHEMICALS INC.
---------------
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
NOTE 13--OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA
Using the guidelines set forth in SFAS 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information," the Company's principal operations are
grouped into four business segments: titanium dioxide and related products;
acetyls; specialty chemicals; and polyethylene, alcohol and related products.
See page 19 for information with respect to these segments.
Most of the Company's foreign operations are conducted by subsidiaries in
the United Kingdom, France, Brazil and Australia. Sales between the Company's
operations are made on terms similar to those of its third-party distributors.
Sales between geographic areas are not significant.
Income and expense not allocated to industry segment in computing operating
income include interest income and expense and other income and expense of a
general corporate nature.
Export sales from the United States for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 were approximately $157, $273 and $272, respectively.
===============================================================================
1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET SALES
United States $ 993 $2,677 $2,693
Non United States
United Kingdom 220 255 231
France 228
Asia/Pacific 160 138 146
Brazil 76
------ ------ ------
684 393 377
------ ------ ------
Inter-area elimination (80) (22) (30)
------ ------ ------
Total $1,597 $3,048 $3,040
====== ====== ======
OPERATING INCOME
United States $ 90 $ 422 $ 245
Non-United States
United Kingdom 23 10 16
France 22 -- --
Asia/Pacific 54 17 22
Brazil 16 -- --
------ ------ ------
115 27 38
------ ------ ------
Total $ 205 $ 449 $ 283
====== ====== ======
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS
United States $3,098 $3,599
Non-United States
United Kingdom 354 296
France 288 253
Asia/Pacific 121 102
Brazil 181
All Other 58 76
------ ------
1,002 727
------ ------
Total $4,100 $4,326
====== ======
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND
RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(the "NYSE") under the symbol "MCH". The following table sets forth the high and
low closing sales prices per share of Common Stock reported by the NYSE since
October 2, 1996, the commencement of "regular way" trading:
=====================================================================
High Low
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
Fourth quarter $23.000 $17.250
1997
First quarter $20.875 $16.875
Second quarter 22.750 17.500
Third quarter 23.500 20.250
Fourth quarter 24.063 22.250
1998
First quarter $33.625 $20.250
Second quarter 36.875 31.375
Third quarter 32.625 18.625
Fourth quarter 25.250 18.500
As of March 15, 1999, there were 29,014 record holders of Common Stock. The
closing price per share of Common Stock as reported by the NYSE on such date was
$19.00.
On January 22, 1999, the Company declared a dividend of $0.135 per share of
Common Stock payable to all holders of record on March 24, 1999, and will carry
a United Kingdom notional tax credit of $0.015 per share in respect of the
dividend. This dividend will be paid on April 9, 1999.
43
"Excerpts from 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders"
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Index to the Financial Review
18
Selected and Quarterly Financial Data
19
Segment Information
20
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
28
Report of Independent Accountants
29
Consolidated Balance Sheets
30
Consolidated (Combined) Statements of Operations
31
Consolidated (Combined) Statements of Cash Flows
32
Consolidated (Combined) Statements
of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
33
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
Disclosure Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this
Annual Report to Shareholders, including, without limitation, the statements
under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" and "Outlook for 1998" are, or may be deemed to be,
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking
statements ("Cautionary Statements") include: the balance between industry
production capacity and operating rates on the one hand, and demand for the
products of Millennium Chemicals Inc. (the "Company") and Equistar Chemicals, LP
("Equistar"), including ethylene, polyethylene and titanium dioxide, on the
other hand; the economic trends in the United States and other countries which
serve as the Company's and Equistar's marketplace; customer inventory levels;
competitive pricing pressures; the cost and availability of the Company's
feedstocks and other raw materials, including natural gas and ethylene;
competitive technology positions; and failure to achieve the Company's or
Equistar's productivity improvement and cost-reduction targets or to complete
construction projects on schedule.
Some of these Cautionary Statements are discussed in more detail under
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are
expressly qualified in their entirety by such Cautionary Statements.
17
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Selected and Quarterly Financial Data
(in millions except share data)
Selected Financial Data Three
Year Ended Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
December 31 December 31 September 30
-------------------------------------- ------------- ------------------
1997(1) 1996 1995 1994 1994 1993(6)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income statement data
Net sales $ 3,048 $ 3,040 $ 3,800 $ 908 $ 3,288 $ 862
Operating income 449 283(2) 842 203 344 139
Income from continuing operations 185 141(2)(3) 331 84 66 103
Net income (loss) 185 (2,701)(2)(3)(4) 349 96 94 123
Balance sheet data (at period end)
Total assets (5) $ 4,326 $ 5,601 $10,043 $10,024 $ 9,691 $10,135
Total liabilities 2,862 4,283 5,242 5,166 5,053 4,692
Shareholders' equity (5) 1,464 1,318 4,801 4,858 4,638 5,443
Other data (with respect to continuing operations)
Depreciation and amortization $ 203 $ 201 $ 241 $ 59 $ 247 $ 44
Capital expenditures 152 285 276 30 109 28
(1) Includes 11 months of polyethylene, alcohol and related products businesses
which were contributed to Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar") on December 1,
1997. Since December 1, 1997, the equity method is used to account for the 43%
interest held by Millennium Chemicals Inc. (the "Company").
(2) Includes the effects of non-recurring charges of $75 ($48 after-tax) to
reduce the carrying value of certain facilities employed in the sulfate-process
manufacturing of titanium dioxide ("TiO2") and to provide for the costs
associated with the closure of certain of these facilities, as described in Note
5 to the Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements of the Company.
(3) Includes gain of $210 ($86 after-tax) resulting from the Company's sale in
March 1996 of a 73.6% equity interest in Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.
("Suburban Propane"), as described in Note 2 to the Consolidated (Combined)
Financial Statements of the Company. In 1995 and fiscal 1994, Suburban Propane
is included as a continuing operation.
(4) Includes the effects of a non-cash after-tax charge of $3,206 relating to
one of the Discontinued Businesses (as defined in Note 5 to the Consolidated
(Combined) Financial Statements of the Company) as a result of the Company's
adoption of the long-lived asset carrying value methodology provided by SFAS
121, as described in Note 5 to the Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
of the Company. The Discontinued Businesses were sold to Hanson on October 6,
1996.
(5) Includes net assets of the Discontinued Businesses: $3,772 at December 31,
1995; $3,757 at December 31, 1994; $3,757 at September 30, 1994; and, $3,935 at
September 30, 1993.
(6) Income statement data and other data for fiscal 1993 exclude the operations
of Millennium Petrochemicals, which was acquired on September 30, 1993, in a
transaction accounted for as a purchase.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarterly Financial Data 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
Net sales $ 794 $ 813 $ 816 $ 625
Operating income 66 132 157 94
Net income 20 82 67 16
Basic earnings per share .27 1.10 .90 .21
1996
Net sales $ 730 $ 780 $ 769 $ 761
Operating income 86 29 90 78
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 112 (19) 10 38
Net (loss) income (3,078) (33) 47 363
Income from continuing operations per share 1.50 (0.26) 0.13 0.51
Net income per share (41.36) (0.44) 0.63 4.88
Pro forma income (loss) from continuing operations 118 (10) 22 38
Pro forma income (loss) from continuing operations per share 1.59 (0.13) 0.30 0.51
18
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Segment Information
(in millions)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales
Titanium dioxide and related products $ 843 $ 868 $ 848
Acetyls 271 240 328
Specialty chemicals 148 127 115
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products (1) 1,786 1,805 1,870
------ ------ ------
3,048 3,040 3,161
Propane (2) -- -- 639
------ ------ ------
Total $3,048 $3,040 $3,800
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
Operating income
Titanium dioxide and related products (3) $ 60 $ 7 $ 177
Acetyls 39 12 96
Specialty chemicals 42 36 31
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products (1) 308 228 485
------ ------ ------
449 283 789
Propane (2) -- -- 53
Total $ 449 $ 283 $ 842
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
Depreciation and amortization
Titanium dioxide and related products $ 44 $ 46 $ 42
Acetyls 28 24 29
Specialty chemicals 6 4 3
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products (1) 125 127 132
Propane (2) -- -- 34
Corporate -- -- 1
------ ------ ------
Total $ 203 $ 201 $ 241
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
Capital expenditures
Titanium dioxide and related products $ 77 $ 81 $ 124
Acetyls 24 65 30
Specialty chemicals 10 12 17
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products (1) 41 127 75
Propane (2) -- -- 29
Corporate -- -- 1
------ ------ ------
Total $ 152 $ 285 $ 276
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
Identifiable assets at year end
Titanium dioxide and related products $ 908 $ 854
Acetyls 824 708
Specialty chemicals 108 87
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products (1) -- 3,241
Corporate (4) 2,486 711
------ ------
Total $4,326 $5,601
------ ------
------ ------
(1) Segment information for 1996 and 1995 has been restated to combine the
information for the polyethylene, alcohol and related products businesses which
have been contributed to Equistar as one segment. The Company's 43% interest in
Equistar is excluded from this segment beginning December 1, 1997, at which time
the equity method is used to account for this continuing investment.
(2) Suburban Propane is reflected as a continuing operation of the Company
through December 31, 1995. In March 1996, the Company sold a 73.6% interest in
Suburban Propane in an initial public offering. The Company has accounted for
its continuing investment using the equity method effective January 1, 1996.
(3) 1996 includes non-recurring charges of $75 ($48 after tax) to reduce the
carrying value of certain facilities employed in the sulfate-process
manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the costs associated with the closure
of certain of these facilities.
(4) Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, equity
investments and other assets.
19
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
Millennium Chemicals Inc.'s (the "Company") principal operations are grouped
into four business segments: titanium dioxide and related products, acetyls,
specialty chemicals and polyethylene, alcohol and related products. The
Company's businesses comprising the polyethylene, alcohol and related products
segment were contributed to Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar"), a joint venture
partnership formed by the Company and Lyondell Petrochemical Company
("Lyondell") on December 1, 1997, to own and operate the olefins and polymers
businesses of the partners. Results of these businesses for the first eleven
months of 1997, before the formation of Equistar, are included. Since December
1, 1997, the Company's 43% share in the results of Equistar is accounted for
using the equity method.
On March 20, 1998, the Company, Lyondell and Occidental Petroleum Corporation
("Occidental") announced the signing of a definitive agreement to expand
Equistar with the addition of the ethylene, propylene, ethylene oxide and
derivatives businesses of Occidental's chemical subsidiary. See Note 13 to the
Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements and Notes thereto. In connection
with the forward-looking statements that appear in the following information,
the Cautionary Statements referred to in "Disclosure Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements" should be reviewed carefully.
Historical Cyclicality of Components
of the Company's Operations
The markets for ethylene and polyethylene in which the Company participates
through its interest in Equistar are highly cyclical. The global markets for
titanium dioxide ("TiO2") and acetyls are also cyclical, although to a lesser
degree. In contrast, the Company believes that, over a business cycle, the
markets for specialty chemicals are generally more stable in terms of industry
demand, selling prices and operating margins.
In the United States, demand for ethylene and its primary derivative,
polyethylene, has historically fluctuated from year to year. Demand for ethylene
and polyethylene, respectively, has increased at average annual rates of
approximately 4.7% and 3.6% over the last five years and approximately 2.4% and
5.3% over the last ten years. The industry is particularly sensitive to capacity
additions, including capacity to manufacture ethylene, polyethylene's principal
raw material. Polyethylene producers have historically experienced alternating
periods of inadequate ethylene and/or polyethylene capacity, resulting in
increased selling prices and operating margins, followed by periods of large
capacity additions, resulting in declining capacity utilization rates, selling
prices and operating margins. The cyclicality of ethylene and polyethylene
profitability is further influenced by fluctuations in the price of feedstocks
for ethylene, which include natural gas and natural gas liquids, and which
generally follow price trends for crude oil. Recently, a heightened interest in
forming partnerships between companies for existing and new capacity is evident
in the industry. These partnerships expect to capitalize on the scale of
combined production facilities and the opportunities for cost synergies.
TiO2 is considered a "quality of life" performance chemical, the demand for
which is influenced by changes in the gross domestic product of various regions
of the world. The worldwide TiO2 industry has experienced cyclical demand,
supply and pricing, although to a lesser degree than the ethylene and
polyethylene industry. Demand for TiO2 has historically fluctuated from year to
year, although it has increased at average annual rates of 3.3% over the last
five years, and rates have varied among the regional marketplaces in the world.
The industry is also sensitive to changes in its customers' marketplaces, which
are primarily the paint and coatings, plastics and paper industries. In recent
history, consolidations and nega-
20
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
[GRAPH]
tive business conditions within certain of those industries have put pressure on
TiO2 prices as companies compete to keep volumes placed. In addition, TiO2 is
manufactured using two different technologies: the environmentally preferred
chloride process and the sulfate process.The cost structure of these processes
can differ significantly, with the sulfate process generally carrying a higher
cost to produce. In periods of declining selling prices, the profitability of
sulfate-process production is generally the first to be negatively affected.
Results for 1997 and Outlook for 1998
The Company had operating income of $449 million for the year ended December 31,
1997, an increase of $166 million (59%) from 1996. Net sales for 1997 of $3.048
billion were relatively flat compared to 1996. These results include the results
of operations for the polyethylene, alcohol and related products businesses
through November 30, 1997, at which time the Company contributed these
businesses to Equistar. During 1997, the Company incurred one-time
reorganization and other costs related to the formation of Equistar of $47
million ($37 million post-tax), which was principally offset by a one-time gain
related to an insurance settlement of $46 million ($28 million post-tax). During
1996, the Company recorded non-recurring charges of $75 million ($48 million
after tax) to reduce the carrying value and provide for closure costs of certain
TiO2 sulfate-process production facilities. Excluding these non-recurring
items, the Company's operating income increased $92 million (26%) from the prior
year. This increase is due primarily to higher average selling prices for
polyethylene and acetyls, the prices of which had dropped dramatically during
1996, combined with lower feedstock costs during 1997. While the pricing trends
for TiO2 improved during 1997, reversing the downward slide of prices which
began in late 1995, the average selling price for the whole of 1997 was below
that of 1996. Accordingly, 1997 operating income for this segment was below
1996 levels.
Income from continuing operations for 1997 of $185 million increased $44 million
(31%), compared to 1996 income from continuing operations. 1996 includes a
one-time after-tax gain from the sale by the Company of a 73.6% interest in
Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. ("Suburban Propane") of $86 million. On a pro
forma basis, income from continuing operations, excluding this gain and charges
related to the sulfate-process TiO2 operations in 1996 and excluding the
reorganization costs and gain from an insurance settlement in 1997, would have
been $91 million (88%) higher than 1996.
Titanium dioxide and related products: Titanium dioxide and related products
operating income increased to $60 million from $7 million in 1996. Operating
income in 1996 included $75 million of non-recurring charges related to the
closure of certain sulfate-process production facilities in response to
deteriorating market conditions during that period. Excluding these charges,
operating income for the year decreased 27% from 1996. Net sales for 1997
decreased 3% to $843 million, compared to $868 million for 1996.
Strong demand from the spring paint and coating season, the rationalization of
some industry capacity and other market factors steadied the marketplace during
the year. Overall sales volumes reached record levels in 1997, 4% higher than
1996, despite the loss of some volume from the reduction of sulfate-process
production during the year.
Pricing trends, which started downward in 1995 and continued to fall through
1996, reversed direction in March 1997 and rose through the balance of 1997.
This trend is expected to continue in 1998 as global price increase
announcements are expected to be supported by strong demand and tight supply.
While the average TiO2 selling price for 1997 was 7% lower than the prior year,
the fourth quarter's average price was 5% higher than in the third quarter and
4% above last year's comparable quarter. The
21
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
fourth quarter price gains by region were 3% in the Americas, 8% in Europe and
nearly 10% in Asia/Pacific, where the previous price declines were the most
dramatic.
The lower average prices, combined with unfavorable foreign currency
fluctuations in Europe and Australia, adversely impacted 1997 profitability.
These effects were largely, but not fully, offset by lower production costs and
higher production output as a result of cost-control programs put in place early
this year to reduce annual production costs by $100 million from 1996 levels by
1999.
The TiO2 plants produced at approximately 97% of capacity during 1997, compared
to 88% during 1996. This added production not only reduced overall unit costs,
but was necessary to meet growing demand during the year. By the end of 1997,
inventories had dropped to record-low levels. A $120 million capital project to
expand capacity at the Stallingborough, United Kingdom, plant by 41,000 metric
tons per annum ("tpa") is progressing, with completion expected by the end of
1998 and production ramping up in early 1999. On December 31, 1997, the Company
acquired Rhone-Poulenc's TiO2 and related intermediate and specialty chemicals
operations in France, adding 138,000 tpa of TiO2 capacity and intermediate and
specialty chemical capacity to serve the growing demand in Europe.
The outlook for 1998 includes a continuation of the improving pricing trend
worldwide, supported by continued growth in demand. Combined with progress in
realizing the benefits of cost initiatives, profitability should continue to
improve in this segment.
Acetyls: Net sales of acetyls increased $31 million (13%) to $271 million in
1997, and operating income more than tripled to $39 million. The increase in
operating income primarily related to increased selling prices in all three of
its product lines over depressed 1996 levels. Average selling prices for 1997
were 10%, 3% and 28% higher than 1996 for vinyl acetate monomer ("VAM"), acetic
acid and methanol, respectively. In addition, the mechanical difficulties
experienced in the 1996 conversion of the syngas unit to natural gas feedstock
were resolved early in 1997, significantly improving production output and
reducing production costs during the year.
Demand for VAM in 1997 was steady, with volumes 1% above 1996. A mid-year price
increase and new industry capacity coming on-stream were absorbed by higher
demand. Weakening Asian markets had a negative impact in the fourth quarter,
with prices falling 4% from the previous quarter. Continued reduced demand from
these markets during 1998 would put further pressure on prices. The outlook for
1998 profitability anticipates such price declines, offset somewhat by lower
feedstock costs.
Acetic acid sales volumes were 17% below prior year, primarily as a result of a
planned customer outage during 1997. Volumes are expected to return to more
normal levels in 1998. Prices, which increased earlier in the year, dropped 2%
in the fourth quarter as formula-driven prices were impacted by falling
feedstock costs. During 1998, commercialization of proprietary low-water
technology, if proven successful, is expected to increase capacity by 11% and
reduce per unit operating costs for acetic acid.
Methanol sales volumes for 1997 were 57% higher than the prior year, with
industry outages during the year keeping supplies tight. Prices, which were up
17% in the fourth quarter over 1996, and equal to the third quarter, fell
sharply in early 1998.
Lower feedstock costs and improved production efficiency should mitigate the
negative impact of declining prices in the acetyls businesses in 1998.
Specialty chemicals: Another record year was completed by Millennium Specialty
Chemicals, with operating income of $42 million increas-
[GRAPH]
22
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
[GRAPH]
ing $6 million (17%) from 1996. Net sales also increased $21 million (17%) to
$148 million. A 6% increase in sales volume for fragrance chemicals was
principally responsible for the increased profitability. The cost of crude
sulfate turpentine ("CST"), a principal raw material for these chemicals,
increased an average of 25% over 1996 levels. These higher costs have thus far
been offset by strong demand for these products together with tight supplies,
keeping prices at premium levels.
Millennium Specialty Chemicals expects to spend up to $27 million in 1998 on
cost-reduction projects and to further expand production capacity for its
high-demand, value-added fragrance chemical products.
The outlook for fragrance and flavor chemicals, while good, is expected to
include some downward pressure on prices as new competitors enter these markets.
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products: Net sales of polyethylene, alcohol
and related products (which includes sales from these businesses for the eleven
months ended November 30, 1997, at which time they were contributed to Equistar)
were $1.786 billion for 1997, a decrease of $19 million (1%) from 1996 full-
year results.
Operating income increased $80 million (35%) to $308 million for 1997,
principally as a result of a 15% increase in average selling prices during the
1997 period coupled with lower feedstock costs, which declined from peak 1996
levels. During 1997, strong demand, both domestically and in the export markets,
coupled with tight supply resulted in prices rising through the third quarter.
Prices began to slowly weaken thereafter as expectations of new industry
capacity coming on-stream and normal seasonal slowdowns reduced demand and put
pressure on prices. Prices during the fourth quarter were down 5% from the third
quarter. Polyethylene unit volumes for the 1997 period were 2% higher than 1996.
Feedstock costs were on average 31% lower than last year's historical highs, as
warmer-than-normal winter weather reduced demand for natural gas and natural gas
liquids. These costs continued their decline late in the year as winter
temperatures remained above normal, and crude oil inventories began building due
to decreased demand from Asian markets. By year end, and into 1998, feedstock
costs continued below expectations, softening the impact of declining prices on
margins late in the year.
Continued downward pressure on ethylene and polyethylene prices is expected
during 1998, as is a return to more normal levels of feedstock costs.
Accordingly, the ethylene and polyethylene businesses are expected to generate
lower income in 1998. The Company, through its 43% interest in Equistar, will
be affected by any such downturn.
1996 Results Compared to 1995
The Company had operating income of $283 million for the year ended December 31,
1996, a decrease of $559 million (66%) from 1995, and net sales of $3.040
billion, a decrease of $760 million (20%). The Company recorded non-recurring
charges of $75 million ($48 million after tax) during 1996 to reduce the
carrying value of certain facilities employed in the sulfate-process
manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the cost associated with the closure of
certain of these facilities. In addition, as a result of the sale of a 73.6%
interest in Suburban Propane through an initial public offering in March 1996,
the Company's interest in the results of Suburban Propane has been reflected as
equity in earnings of Suburban Propane in the Consolidated (Combined) Financial
Statements of the Company since January 1, 1996. Suburban Propane contributed
$639 million to net sales and $53 million to operating income during 1995.
Exclu-ding Suburban Propane and the non-recurring charges referred to above, the
Company's net sales decreased $121 million (3.8%) and its operating income
decreased $431 million (55%)
23
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Rest of World
Asia/Pacific
Western Europe
North America
*December 31, 1997, including
the Thann et Mulhouse acquisition
from the prior year. These decreases are primarily due to lower average selling
prices for polyethylene, acetyls and performance polymer product as they
declined from their 1995 peak levels and declining selling prices for TiO2 as a
result of high producer inventories, excess capacity and customer destocking.
Additionally, increasing costs for feedstocks for ethylene (polyethylene's
principal raw material) and higher costs for titanium ores during this period
further reduced operating income.
On a pro forma basis, basic earnings per share from continuing operations for
1996 would have been $2.26, based on 74,412,000 shares outstanding (as
calculated under the recently issued FAS 128 and which assumes the shares issued
to Hanson shareholders pursuant to the Demerger were outstanding for the entire
year). Such earnings per share include ($0.65) and $1.15 per share from the
after-tax impact of the non-recurring charges related to the sulfate-process
TiO2 operations and the gain on the sale of the 73.6% interest in Suburban
Propane, respectively.
Titanium dioxide and related products: Titanium dioxide and related products
operating income for 1996 decreased $170 million (96%) from $177 million in
1995. This reflects non-recurring charges of $75 million ($48 million after tax)
to reduce the carrying value of certain facilities employed in the
sulfate-process manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the cost associated
with the closure of certain of these facilities. Excluding these non-recurring
charges, operating income for the year decreased $95 million (54%) compared to
1995. Net sales for 1996 increased 2% to $868 million, compared to $848 million
for 1995.
During 1996, the TiO2 industry experienced severe price competition, with global
prices continuing on a downward trend which began in late 1995. The price
erosion reflected a confluence of market factors, including customer destocking,
consolidations in the paint and coatings industry, a weak paper industry,
increased TiO2 capacity and a weak spring paint and coatings season. These
conditions caused global average TiO2 selling prices in United States dollar
terms to be 6% lower during 1996, compared to 1995, as producers attempted to
maintain volume and market share. These declines were worldwide, with yearly
average prices down 3% in the Americas, 8% in Europe and 13% in the Asia/Pacific
region compared to yearly average prices in these regions in 1995. The worldwide
average TiO2 selling price in United States dollar terms was 14% lower in
December 1996 than December 1995, with local prices in Europe and the
Asia/Pacific region declining 25% and 29%, respectively, during the same period.
These conditions had severe effects on TiO2 sulfate-process products, which have
higher production costs and lower selling prices than chloride-process
products. In response to these deteriorating market conditions, the 10,000 tpa
sulfate-process plant in Stallingborough, United Kingdom, was closed, and
production capacity of the 66,000 tpa sulfate-process plant in Baltimore,
Maryland, was scaled back by approximately one-third. In addition, completion of
the expansion of the chloride-process facility in the United Kingdom was delayed
until the end of 1998, and plans for the 111,000 tpa expansion in Australia
postponed until market conditions and trends improve. Finally, cost containment
measures and reengineering efforts for certain processes are being implemented
in order to reduce overall operating costs by $100 million from 1996 levels by
1999.
Also contributing to the decline in operating income were higher fixed costs,
resulting from an increase in chloride-process capacity that was phased in,
thereby reducing operating rates, and higher variable costs due to increased
costs of titanium ore feedstocks, coke and utilities.
[GRAPH]
24
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
A $75 million capital investment program to increase Millennium Inorganic
Chemicals' chloride-process capacity by 52,000 tpa was completed during 1996. A
$50 million two-year program to improve environmental performance at its
Ashtabula, Ohio, facilities is underway, with final completion scheduled for
1998. In addition, plans are underway to expand chloride-process capacity at the
Stallingborough plant by 41,000 tpa in 1998 at a cost of approximately $120
million to meet projected long-term growth in demand in the European markets.
The TiO2 plants operated at approximately 88% of capacity during 1996, compared
to approximately 96% during the prior year. Decreased operating rates reflected
market conditions and increased capacity for chloride-process manufacturing.
Sales volume for 1996 increased 8%, largely due to stronger demand in the
coatings and plastics markets, with shipments to the sluggish paper market
continuing to lag.
Acetyls: Net sales of acetyls decreased $88 million (27%) to $240 million in
1996, while operating income decreased $84 million (87%) to $12 million. The
decline in operating income resulted from decreased average selling prices and
lower volumes. This was primarily true for methanol, which experienced
historically high selling prices during 1995 due to strong demand from
reformulated gasoline producers to meet environmental requirements. As some of
these requirements were subsequently relaxed and additional capacity became
available, methanol prices fell 32%. VAM also experienced a 20% decline in
average selling prices during 1996 as export markets were affected by oversupply
and weakened demand. In addition, an outage to convert the syngas unit to
natural gas caused production limitations, which resulted in a decline in sales
volumes in both methanol and acetic acid in 1996 compared to 1995. Mechanical
difficulties associated with the resumption of acetyls production, as well as
certain suppliers' failure to perform at expected levels, resulted in curtailed
production and increased costs during the first quarter of 1997.
Specialty chemicals: Specialty chemicals (which now includes the Colors & Silica
business previously reported as part of the titanium dioxide and related
products segment) continued its growth trend with its seventh consecutive record
year of operating income of $36 million for 1996, an increase of $5 million
(16%) compared to 1995. Net sales increased $12 million (10%) to $127 million.
This trend reflected a 2.2% increase in unit sales volume for fragrance products
over 1995 as well as a shift toward higher value-added products. This growth was
accomplished in spite of worldwide demand for fragrance chemicals being flat in
1996, and more than offset significant increases in the cost of CST, the
principal raw material for these chemicals, which increased 49% on a unit basis
compared to 1995. Millennium Specialty Chemicals' continued emphasis on
higher-margin intermediate and upgraded products also contributed to 1996's
operating margin per unit increasing 7.6% over 1995.
During 1996, Millennium Specialty Chemicals' expansion continued. Completion of
the final phase of the program, in the fall of 1997, increased capacity of
linalool and geraniol, two major fragrance chemicals, by 80% over 1995 levels.
Polyethylene, alcohol and related products: Net sales of polyethylene, alcohol
and related products were $1.805 billion for 1996, a decrease of $65 million
(3%). Operating income decreased $257 million (53%) to $228 million, principally
as a result of a 15% decline in average selling prices for polyethylene products
coupled with higher feedstock costs. The lower prices reflected competitive
pressure arising from excess industry capacity and a destocking of customer
inventories during the first half of 1996. In 1995, industry ethylene
inventories were extremely tight due to unexpected industry outages, causing
ethylene and, conse-
25
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
quently, polyethylene prices to rise dramatically; this situation corrected
itself toward the end of 1995. During 1996, average selling prices increased
during the second and third quarters on increased domestic demand, strong
exports and higher natural gas feedstock costs, but dropped during the last
quarter and early in 1997 as customers worked off polyethylene inventories in
anticipation of future price decreases and reduced seasonal demand. Polyethylene
unit volumes for 1996 increased 7.2% over 1995 on increased demand.
Average unit costs for polyethylene increased 9.5% over 1995 due to increased
feedstock costs for ethylene. These costs rose dramatically as a result of the
colder-than-normal winter temperatures experienced in late 1995 and early 1996,
which increased the demand for natural gas and the cost of natural gas liquids.
Millennium Petrochemicals' ethylene feedstock and natural gas costs remained at
high levels throughout 1996 and a significant portion of the first quarter of
1997. Feedstock costs rose 45% during the fourth quarter of 1996 alone.
Effect of Inflation
Because of the relatively low level of inflation experienced in the United
States, inflation did not have a material impact on the Company's combined
results of operations for 1997, 1996 or 1995.
Foreign Currency Matters
The functional currency of each of the Company's non-United States operations
(principally the operations of Millennium Inorganic Chemicals in the United
Kingdom, France and Australia) is the local currency. The impact of currency
translation in combining the results of operations and financial position of
such operations has not been material to the combined financial position of the
Company. However, the Company generates revenue from export sales and revenue
from operations conducted outside the United States that may be denominated in
currencies other than the relevant functional currency. During 1997, the Company
hedged certain revenues and costs to minimize the impact of changes in the
exchange rates of those currencies compared to the functional currencies. The
Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative
purposes. Foreign currency losses (gains) aggregated $4 million, $7 million and
($13) million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Year 2000
The Company is currently developing a formal plan to address the impact of Year
2000 on its financial and business systems, and it intends to adopt and
implement such a plan during 1998. This plan will include a companywide
implementation of an SAP-based business solution that is Year 2000 compliant.
It is anticipated that the Year 2000 issues will be addressed on a timely basis
and at a cost that will not be material to the Company's operations or financial
condition. However, in the event that the Year 2000 issues of the Company and/or
third parties with whom the Company transacts business are not addressed on a
timely basis, it is possible that such issues could have an adverse impact on
the Company's operations and/or financial condition.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Through September 30, 1996, the Company financed its operations and capital and
other expenditures from a combination of cash generated from operations,
external borrowings and loans, and invested capital provided by Hanson or its
United States affiliates. Since its demerger from Hanson, the Company has met
all of its cash requirements through internally generated funds and external
borrowings. The Company's ability to generate cash from operations and the
servicing and repayment of debt depends upon numerous business factors, some of
which are outside the control of the Company, including industry cyclicality
(resulting
26
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis
[GRAPH]
from industrywide capacity additions, changes in general economic conditions and
other conditions) and price volatility of certain raw materials.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $383 million, $372 million and
$795 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The decline since 1995
principally resulted from decreased income from the polyethylene businesses,
where lower average selling prices and higher feedstock costs were experienced
during 1996 as discussed above. During 1997, cash generated from increased
operating income was used primarily for working capital purposes, keeping 1997
levels on par with 1996.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $431 million and $458 million in
1997 and 1996, respectively, compared to net cash used of $246 million in 1995.
During 1997 and 1996, two significant transactions occurred: the Company's
contribution of the polyethylene, alcohol and related businesses to Equistar and
the sale of a 73.6% interest in Suburban Propane, respectively. These
transactions provided cash of $775 million and $733 million for 1997 and 1996,
respectively. In addition, the Company used $152 million for capital
expenditures during 1997, compared to $285 million and $276 million in 1996 and
1995, respectively. On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired the TiO2 and
certain specialty and intermediate chemical operations of Rhone-Poulenc for $185
million, including assumed debt. The Company expects capital expenditures for
1998 to be approximately $200 million as a result of completing the TiO2
expansion in the United Kingdom, building a technical research center in the
United States for TiO2, implementing SAP-based business solutions companywide,
and continuing expansion and cost-reduction projects at Millennium Specialty
Chemicals. The Company continuously evaluates its level of capital expenditures
in light of current and expected market conditions, other opportunities to
create value, and exceptional requirements which may arise. Accordingly, there
can be no assurance as to the actual level of capital expenditures in 1998.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.155 billion, $834 million and $503
million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase from year to year
principally related to changes in the level of funding and other transactions
between the Company and its affiliates prior to the Demerger and from external
sources since October 1, 1996. At December 31, 1997, the Company had net debt of
$1.283 billion, or $773 million less than December 31, 1996.
The principal reduction in net debt during 1997 was funded primarily by
operations and $775 million of proceeds received in connection with the
formation of Equistar. As a result, the Company permanently reduced its
availability under its credit facility by $750 million upon the formation of
Equistar. The Company retained $250 million from existing receivables related to
the businesses contributed to Equistar, of which $25 million was collected in
December 1997, and the balance is expected to be collected early in 1998. The
ratio of net-debt-to-total-capital at December 31, 1997, was 47%. Including the
Company's proportional share of Equistar's debt, the ratio of
net-debt-to-total-capital at December 31, 1997, would have been 55%. The Company
guarantees certain debt obligations of Equistar up to $750 million. At December
31, 1997, the Company had approximately $358 million of unused availability
under short-term lines of credit and its credit facility. The Company believes
that, during 1998, cash provided by operations, expected distributions from
Equistar and availability under existing borrowing facilities will provide
adequate support for all of the Company's cash needs for working capital and
capital expenditures for its existing businesses and dividends. In addition, it
expects to further reduce its debt availability under its credit facility by
$250 million.
27
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
-----------------
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Millennium Chemicals Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Millennium
Chemicals Inc. (the "Company") and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the related consolidated (combined) statements of operations, of cash
flows and of changes in shareholders' equity/invested capital for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not
audit the financial statements of Cornerstone-Spectrum Inc. (formerly HMB
Holdings Inc.) ("Cornerstone") which statements reflect (loss) income from
discontinued operations of ($2,877) million, and $15 million for the fiscal
years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Those statements were
audited by other auditors whose reports thereon have been furnished to us, and
our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for
Cornerstone, is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits and the reports of other auditors provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of other auditors, the
consolidated (combined) financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries at December
31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Morristown, New Jersey
January 23, 1998, except as to Note 13,
which is as of March 20, 1998.
28
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
-----------------
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except share data)
========================================================================================================
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 64 $ 408
Trade receivables, net 369 464
Inventories 273 515
Other current assets 106 83
------- -------
Total current assets 812 1,470
Property, plant and equipment, net 851 2,031
Investment in Equistar 1,934 --
Other assets 261 334
Goodwill 468 1,766
------- -------
Total assets $ 4,326 $ 5,601
======= =======
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Notes payable $ -- $ 98
Current maturities of long-term debt 20 6
Trade accounts payable 86 160
Income taxes payable 12 33
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 323 470
------- -------
Total current liabilities 441 767
Long-term debt 1,327 2,360
Deferred income taxes 280 78
Other liabilities 814 1,078
------- -------
Total liabilities 2,862 4,283
------- -------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock (par value $.01 per share, authorized 25,000,000 shares,
none issued and outstanding) -- --
Common stock (par value $.01 per share, authorized 225,000,000 shares;
issued and outstanding 77,276,942 shares in 1997 and 77,324,605 in 1996) 1 1
Paid in capital 1,334 1,319
Retained earnings 177 38
Unearned restricted shares (42) (50)
Cumulative translation adjustment (6) 10
------- -------
Total shareholders' equity 1,464 1,318
------- -------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 4,326 $ 5,601
======= =======
See Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
29
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
----------------
Consolidated (Combined) Statements of Operations
(in millions except share data)
========================================================================================================
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 3,048 $ 3,040 $ 3,800
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of products sold 2,180 2,264 2,458
Depreciation and amortization 203 201 241
Selling, development and administrative expense 216 217 259
Impairment of assets and related closure costs -- 75 --
------- ------ -------
Operating income 449 283 842
Interest expense (primarily to a related party in 1996 and 1995) (131) (214) (240)
Interest income 10 37 25
Gain on sale of Suburban Propane -- 210 --
Equity in earnings of Equistar 18 -- --
Other (expense) income, net (4) 14 (73)
------- ------ -------
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes 342 330 554
Provision for income taxes (157) (189) (223)
------- ------ -------
Income from continuing operations 185 141 331
(Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes
of ($1,167) and $22 in 1996 and 1995, respectively) -- (2,842) 18
------- ------ -------
Net income (loss) $ 185 $(2,701) $ 349
======= ======= =======
Income per share from continuing operations $ 2.48 $ 1.89 $ 4.45
(Loss) income per share from discontinued operations 0 (38.19) .24
------- ------ -------
Net income (loss) per share - basic $ 2.48 $(36.30) $ 4.69
======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share - diluted $ 2.47 $(36.30) $ 4.69
======= ======= =======
Pro forma income from continuing operations (unaudited) $ 168
=======
Pro forma income from continuing operations per share (unaudited) $ 2.26
=======
See Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
30
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Consolidated (Combined) Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions)
===================================================================================================================
Year Ended December 31 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Income from continuing operations $ 185 $ 141 $ 331
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 203 201 241
Impairment of assets and related closure costs -- 75 --
Provision for deferred income taxes 122 86 35
Restricted stock amortization 23 -- --
Equity earnings (13) -- --
Gain on sale of business -- (210) --
Unrealized translation gain -- (21) --
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of
acquisition and dispositions)
Decrease in trade receivables 141 38 13
Decrease (increase) in inventories 14 5 (92)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets (40) 126 8
Decrease (increase) in investments and other assets 58 (65) 173
(Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable (97) 13 32
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and
other liabilities and income taxes payable (126) 7 86
Decrease in other liabilities (87) (24) (32)
------- ------- -------
Cash provided by operating activities 383 372 795
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures (152) (285) (276)
Acquisition of Thann et Mulhouse (169) -- --
Proceeds from Equistar 750 -- --
Proceeds from sale of Suburban Propane -- 733 --
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 2 10 30
------- ------- -------
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities 431 458 (246)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividend to parent -- -- (1,617)
Dividend to shareholders (46) -- --
Distribution from Equistar 43 -- --
Contribution to Suburban Propane (22) -- --
Net transactions with affiliates -- -- 1,212
Net contribution from Hanson plc and Prior Affiliates -- 167 --
Proceeds from long-term debt 185 2,335 40
Repayment of long-term debt (1,217) (3,321) (4)
Decrease in notes payable (98) (15) (134)
------- ------- -------
Cash (used in) financing activities (1,155) (834) (503)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (3) -- (1)
------- ------- -------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (344) (4) 45
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 408 412 367
------- ------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 64 $ 408 $ 412
======= ======= =======
See Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
31
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Consolidated (Combined) Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(in millions)
===================================================================================================================================
Unearned Cumulative
Common Stock Paid In Retained Restricte Translation Invested
Shares Amount Capital Earnings Shares Adjustmen Capital Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994 -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 4,858 $ 4,858
Net income 349 349
Dividend to parent (1,617) (1,617)
Net transactions with affiliates 1,212 1,212
Translation adjustment (1) (1)
------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ----- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1995 -- -- -- -- -- -- 4,801 4,801
Net income (loss) 38 (2,739) (2,701)
Amortization and adjustment
of unearned restricted shares (13) 15 2
Issuance of stock 74 1 1,267 (1,268) --
Issuance of restricted shares 3 65 (65) --
Net capital contribution
from Demerger 443 443
Net transactions with affiliates (1,237) (1,237)
Translation adjustment 10 -- 10
------- ------- ------- -------- ----- ----- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1996 77 1 1,319 38 (50) 10 -- 1,318
Net income 185 185
Dividend (46) (46)
Amortization and adjustment
of unearned restricted shares (1) 15 8 23
Translation adjustment (16) (16)
------- -------- ------- -------- ----- ----- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1997 76 $ 1 $ 1,334 $ 177 $(42) $ (6) $ -- $ 1,464
======= ======== ======= ======== ===== ===== ======= ========
32
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
Note 1--Basis of Presentation and Description of Company
Millennium Chemicals Inc. (the "Company") is a major international chemicals
company, with leading market positions in a broad range of commodity,
industrial, performance and specialty chemicals, operating through its
wholly-owned subsidiaries: Millennium Petrochemicals Inc., Millennium Inorganic
Chemicals Inc. (and its non-United States affiliates) and Millennium Specialty
Chemicals Inc. and, beginning December 1, 1997, through its 43% interest in
Equistar Chemicals, LP ("Equistar"), a joint venture formed by the Company and
Lyondell Petrochemical Company ("Lyondell") to jointly own and operate the
olefins and polymers businesses of the Company and Lyondell (See Note 2).
The Company was incorporated on April 18, 1996, and has been publicly-owned
since October 1, 1996, when Hanson plc ("Hanson") transferred its chemical
operations to the Company and, in consideration, all of the then outstanding
shares of the Company's common stock were distributed pro rata to Hanson's
shareholders (the "Demerger"). For periods prior to the Demerger, the financial
statements present, on a combined basis, the historical net assets and results
of operations of Hanson's chemical operations. Consequently, the Company's
results of operations and cash flows prior to October 1, 1996, may not be
indicative of what would have been reported if the Company had been a separate
entity. For periods subsequent to the Demerger, the financial statements are
presented on a consolidated basis. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.
The consolidated (combined) financial statements of operations and cash flows
for the year ended December 31, 1996, also include the combined operations of
certain non-chemical businesses ("Discontinued Businesses") which were owned by
subsidiaries of Hanson that became subsidiaries of the Company upon the
Demerger. The Company sold the Discontinued Businesses to Hanson on October 6,
1996. Since these operations were not a part of the Company upon completion of
the Demerger transactions, their historical results of operations have been
presented as discontinued operations.
Prior to the Demerger, the Company provided certain corporate, general and
administrative services to certain other indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Hanson ("Prior Affiliates"), including legal, finance, tax, risk management and
employee benefit services. Charges for these services, which were allocated to
the Prior Affiliates based on the respective revenues of the Company and the
Prior Affiliates, reduced the Company's selling and administrative expense by
$18 and $26 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
Company's management believes such method of allocation was reasonable. In
addition, prior to the Demerger, a subsidiary of the Company controlled, on a
centralized basis, all cash receipts and disbursements received or made by such
affiliates.
Note 2--Acquisition and Dispositions
On December 31, 1997, the Company completed the purchase of the shares of
Rhone-Poulenc Chimie S.A.'s Thann et Mulhouse titanium dioxide ("TiO2") and
specialty and intermediate chemicals subsidiary for $185, including assumed
debt. The purchase price was allocated to the net assets acquired, principally
property, plant and equipment and working capital based on their fair value.
On December 1, 1997, the Company and Lyondell completed the formation of
Equistar, a joint venture partnership to own and operate the olefins and
polymers and ethyl alcohol businesses of the Company and Lyondell. The
Partnership is the largest producer of ethylene and polyethylene in North
America. Equistar, 57% owned by Lyondell and 43% by the Company, is managed by a
Partnership Governance Committee consisting of three representatives of each of
Lyondell and the Company. Approval of Equistar's strategic plans and other major
decisions requires the consent of representatives of both partners. All
decisions of Equistar's Governance Committee that do not require unanimity
between Lyondell and the Company may be made by Lyondell's representatives
alone.
The Company contributed to Equistar substantially all of the net assets of its
polyethylene, performance polymers and ethyl alcohol businesses. The Company
retained $250 from the proceeds of accounts receivable collections and
substantially all the accounts payable and accrued expenses of its contributed
businesses existing on December 1, 1997, and received proceeds of $750 from
borrowings under a new credit facility entered into by Equistar. The Company
used the $750 which it received to repay debt.
33
Lyondell contributed substantially all of the assets of its petrochemicals
businesses, except for substantially all the accounts payable and accrued
expenses which it retained. In addition, Equistar assumed senior debt
obligations of Lyondell aggregating $745 and received a note payable by Lyondell
to the partnership in the amount of $345.
As of December 1, 1997, the Company accounted for its interest in Equistar using
the equity method. The investment in Equistar at December 1, 1997, represented
the carrying value of the Company's net assets which it contributed to the
venture and approximated the fair market value of a 43% interest in Equistar
based upon independent valuation. The difference between the carrying value of
the Company's investment and its underlying equity in the net assets of
Equistar is $617, which is being amortized over 25 years.
During 1997, the Company incurred one-time costs of $47 (pre-tax) related to the
formation of Equistar, including $18 (the Company's 43% share) of costs incurred
by Equistar.
Because of the significance of the Company's interest in Equistar to its total
results of operations, the separate financial statements of Equistar since its
formation have been included in the Company's 1997 Annual Report filed on Form
10-K.
In March 1996, the Company sold a 73.6% interest in Suburban Propane, through an
initial public offering of 21,562,500 common units in a new master limited
partnership, Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., and received aggregate proceeds
from the sale of the common units and the issuance of notes of the operating
partnership, Suburban Propane, L.P., of approximately $831 resulting in a
pre-tax gain of $210. The Company retains a combined subordinated and general
partnership interest of 26.4% in Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and Suburban
Propane, L.P. (collectively "Suburban Propane"), which is accounted for on an
equity basis effective January 1, 1996.
Note 3--Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents represent investments in short-term deposits
and commercial paper with banks which have original maturities of ninety days or
less. The equivalent of approximately $362 at December 31, 1996, was represented
by sterling-denominated deposits. In addition, investments and other assets
include approximately $83 and $112 in restricted cash at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively, which is on deposit primarily to satisfy insurance claims.
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. For
certain United States operations, cost is determined under the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used by all
other subsidiaries.
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment is stated on the
basis of cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 20-to 40-years for buildings and
5-to 25-years for machinery and equipment.
Goodwill: Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of assets allocated to acquired companies. Goodwill is being amortized
using the straight-line method over 40 years. Management periodically evaluates
goodwill for impairment based on the anticipated future cash flows attributable
to its operations. Such expected cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, are
compared to the carrying value of the tangible and intangible assets, and if
impairment is indicated, the carrying value of goodwill is adjusted. In the
opinion of management, no impairment of goodwill exists at December 31, 1997.
Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures: Accruals for environmental matters
are recorded in operating expenses when it is probable that a liability has been
incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Accrued
liabilities are exclusive of claims against third parties (except where payment
has been received or the amount of liability or contribution by such other
parties, including insurance companies, has been agreed) and are not discounted.
In general, costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense.
Environmental costs are capitalized if the costs increase the value of the
property and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations.
Foreign Currency Translation: Assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign
operating subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the
balance sheet dates, while revenue, expenses and cash flows are translated at
average exchange rates for the reporting period.
Prior to the Demerger, certain of the Company's subsidiaries, whose holdings
principally consisted of sterling denominated cash deposits, were considered to
hedge a portion of Hanson's investments in the United States. The functional
currency of
34
these subsidiaries was the local currency. After the Demerger, such deposits no
longer acted as a hedge; instead, the entities were primarily holding companies,
the assets of which were remittable to the Company. As such, the functional
currency of these subsidiaries was changed to the United States dollar. Gains
from the remeasurement of these deposits and other assets and liabilities into
United States dollars are included in Other expense, net and aggregated $34 for
the year ended December 31, 1996. In 1997, certain of the subsidiaries holding
these deposits were sold and proceeds of approximately $343 were used to reduce
the Company's debt.
Federal Income Taxes: Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based on
the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets
and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. Deferred income tax
expenses or credits are based on the changes in the asset and liability from
period to period.
Prior to the Demerger, the United States earnings of the Company were included
in the consolidated federal income tax return filed by Hanson's ultimate United
States parent, which is now a subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to an informal
tax allocation agreement, the Company provided for income taxes as if it filed
separate income tax returns. Accordingly, the Company had not reflected in the
historical financial statements certain tax benefits arising out of the
consolidated tax group (including certain predecessor entities, the
"Consolidated Group") that became allocable to the Company once the Demerger was
completed. Upon the Demerger, such tax benefits have been included in deferred
taxes and were accounted for as a capital transaction.
Certain other operations of Hanson previously included in the Consolidated Group
upon completion of the Demerger no longer qualify as members of the Consolidated
Group. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into tax-sharing
and indemnification agreements with Hanson or its subsidiaries in which the
Company and/or its subsidiaries generally agreed to indemnify Hanson or its
subsidiaries for income tax liabilities attributable to periods when such other
operations were included in the consolidated tax returns of the Consolidated
Group.
Research and Development: The cost of research and development efforts is
expensed as incurred. Such costs aggregated $28, $39 and $42 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Earnings Per Share: In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued SFAS No 128, "Earnings Per Share," which specifies new standards designed
to improve the earnings per share ("EPS") information provided in financial
statements by simplifying the existing computational guidelines, revising the
disclosure requirement, and increasing the comparability of EPS data on an
international basis. The Company adopted these provisions for the year ended
December 31, 1997, and has restated per share disclosures for 1996 and 1995 in
accordance with its provisions.
The weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
used in computing EPS per share for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was as follows:
================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic 74,484,247 74,412,283 74,412,283
Options 31,846 -- --
Restricted stock 130,000 -- --
---------- ---------- ----------
Diluted 74,646,093 74,412,283 74,412,283
========== ========== ==========
Pro forma income from continuing operations for 1996 was calculated as if: (a)
the Demerger had been consummated at the beginning of the period; (b) the
changes in the Company's capital structure resulting from the Demerger had
occurred on such date; (c) the Company's level of general and administrative
corporate costs is as if it operated as a separate entity; and, (d) compensation
expense related to the restricted stock awards pursuant to the Long-Term Stock
Incentive Plan (see Note 10) had been incurred for a full year.
Note 4--Supplemental Information
================================================================================
1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade receivables
Trade receivables $ 371 $ 472
Allowance for doubtful accounts (2) (8)
-------- -------
$ 369 $ 464
======== =======
Inventories
Finished products $ 121 $ 270
In-process products 21 12
Raw materials 89 165
Other inventories 42 68
------- --------
$ 273 $ 515
======= ========
Inventories valued on a LIFO basis were approximately $32 and $45 less than the
amount of such inventories valued at current cost at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
35
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
================================================================================
1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment
Land and buildings $ 247 $ 364
Machinery and equipment 1,429 2,494
Leasehold improvements -- 4
------ ------
1,676 2,862
Allowance for depreciation
and amortization 825 831
------ ------
$ 851 $2,031
====== ======
Goodwill $ 528 $1,963
Accumulated amortization 60 197
------ ------
$ 468 $1,766
====== ======
================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization expense $ 45 $ 48 $ 58
====== ===== =====
In connection with the formation of Equistar, consolidated goodwill has been
reduced by $1,253.
Rental expense for operating leases is as follows:
================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum rentals $ 55 $ 53 $ 59
====== ====== ======
Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, as of
December 31, 1997, are as follows:
1998 $ 7
1999 7
2000 5
2001 4
2002 3
Thereafter 6
Note 5--Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
During 1996, the Company recorded a $75 non-recurring charge ($48 after tax), to
reduce the carrying value of certain facilities employed in sulfate-process
manufacturing of TiO2 and to provide for the cost associated with the closure of
certain of these facilities. During the first half of 1996, intense price
competition was experienced, as customers of the anatase products associated
with the sulfate-process operations sought more cost-efficient manufacturing
inputs to their applications. As a result of the deterioration of market
conditions in the TiO2 industry, the Company decided to implement programs which
included a reduction of its sulfate-process manufacturing capacity both in the
United Kingdom and the United States. The 10,000 metric tons per annum ("tpa")
sulfate-process plant in Stallingborough, United Kingdom, has been closed, and
production at the 66,000 tpa sulfate-process facility in Baltimore, Maryland,
has been reduced by approximately one-third. The carrying value of plant and
equipment associated with sulfate-process manufacturing was reduced by $60 as a
result of evaluating the recoverability of such assets under the unfavorable
market conditions existing at that time. The amount of the write-down was
determined by comparison to the fair value of the related assets, as determined
based on the projected discounted cash flows associated with such assets.
During 1996, the Company also recorded an initial non-cash charge resulting from
adopting the evaluation methodology provided by SFAS 121 of $4,497 ($3,206 after
tax), related to one of the Discontinued Businesses. Prior to the adoption of
SFAS 121, asset impairment was evaluated at an operating company level based on
the contribution of operating profits and undiscounted cash flows being
generated from those operations. Under this policy, assets used in one of the
Discontinued Businesses, comprised of approximately 20 separate operating
companies, were evaluated for impairment based on gross margins and cash flows
generated by each separate operating company in a given business cycle.
Evaluation of the businesses' assets at this level did not result in any
impairment.
SFAS 121 requires the impairment review to be performed at the lowest level of
asset grouping for which there are identifiable cash flows, which represents a
change from the level at which the previous accounting policy measured
impairment. In this case, economic groupings of assets were made based on local
marketplaces. Evaluation of assets at this lower grouping level indicated an
impairment of certain of those assets. The impairment loss was measured based on
the difference between estimated discounted cash flows and the carrying value of
such assets.
36
Millennium Chemicals
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
Note 6--Income Taxes
======================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pretax income is generated from
United States $ 316 $ 259 $ 473
Foreign 26 71 81
------- ------- -------
$ 342 $ 330 $ 554
======= ======= =======
Income taxes are comprised of
Federal
Current $ 19 $ 67 $ 145
Deferred 116 (1,083) 54
Foreign 6 15 29
State and local 16 23 17
------ ------- -------
$ 157 $ (978) $ 245
====== ======= =======
Income taxes are classified as
Continuing operations $ 157 $ 189 $ 223
Discontinued operations -- (1,167) 22
------ ------- -------
$ 157 $ (978) $ 245
====== ======= =======
The Company's effective income tax rate differs from the amount computed by
applying the statutory federal income tax rate as follows:
=======================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing operations
Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Basis difference relating to
Suburban Propane -- 17.4 --
State and local income taxes,
net of federal benefit 3.0 5.0 4.2
Provision for non-deductible
expenses, primarily goodwill
amortization 5.2 5.2 4.0
Non-taxable foreign interest income -- (2.5) (1.2)
Utilization of net operating losses -- (5.1) (3.3)
Other 2.7 2.3 1.6
----- ----- -----
Effective income tax rate
for continuing operations 45.9% 57.3% 40.3%
===== ===== =====
Discontinued operations
Effective income tax rate 29.1% 55.4%
===== =====
The difference between the effective income tax rate on discontinued operations
and the statutory federal income tax rate primarily relates to non-deductible
goodwill amortization and tax depletion.
At December 31, 1997, certain subsidiaries of the Company had available
operating loss carryforwards aggregating $20 which expire in the years 2003
through 2008, all of which are subject to certain limitations on their use.
Significant components of deferred taxes are as follows:
================================================================================
1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets
Environmental and legal obligations $ 35 $ 39
Other postretirement benefits
and pension obligations 29 118
Net operating loss carryforwards 7 83
Capital loss carryforwards 143 112
AMT credits 131 114
Other accruals 48 92
------ ------
393 558
Valuation allowance (143) (112)
------ ------
Total deferred tax assets 250 446
------ ------
Deferred tax liabilities
Excess of book over tax basis in property,
plant and equipment 314 306
Other 194 208
------ ------
Total deferred tax liabilities 508 514
------ ------
Net deferred tax liabilities
($22 in 1997 and $10 in 1996,
classified in Current assets) $ 258 $ 68
====== ======
Certain of the federal income tax returns of the Consolidated Group and certain
of the state income tax returns of the Company's subsidiaries are currently
under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In the opinion of management,
any assessments that may result will not have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
37
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
Note 7--Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements
================================================================================
1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revolving Credit Agreement bearing interest
at either the bank's prime lending rate,
LIBOR or NIBOR plus .275% at the option
of the Company plus Facility Fee of .15%
to be paid quarterly $ 546 $1,540
7% Senior Notes due 2006
(net of unamortized discount of $.5 and $.5) 500 500
7.625% Senior Notes due 2026
(net of unamortized discount of $1.1 and $1.1) 249 249
Debt payable through 2007 at interest rates
ranging from 2.4% to 11% 52 77
Less current maturities of long-term debt (20) (6)
------- -------
$1,327 $2,360
======= =======
Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended as of October 20, 1997, certain
of the Company's subsidiaries may borrow up to $750 under the five-year
unsecured revolving credit facility, which matures in July 2001 (the "Credit
Agreement"). The Company is the guarantor of this facility. Borrowings under
the Credit Agreement may consist of standby loans or uncommitted competitive
loans offered by syndicated banks through an auction bid procedure. Loans may be
borrowed in United States dollars and/or other currencies. The proceeds from the
borrowings may be used to provide working capital and for general corporate
purposes.
During 1997, the Company used the $750 of proceeds received on the formation of
Equistar to permanently reduce its obligations under this facility. In addition,
borrowing availability is expected to be permanently reduced by $250 as funds
are received on the collection of the retained accounts receivable related to
the businesses contributed to Equistar.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants and provisions that restrict, among
other things and with certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and its
material subsidiaries to: (i) create liens on any of its property or assets, or
assign any rights to or security interests in future revenues; (ii) engage in
sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) engage in mergers, consolidations and
sales of all or substantially all of their assets on a consolidated basis; (iv)
enter into agreements restricting dividends and advances by their subsidiaries;
and, (v) engage in transactions with affiliates other than those based on
arm's-length negotiations. The Credit Agreement also limits the ability of
certain subsidiaries of the Company to incur indebtedness or issue preferred
stock. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to satisfy certain
financial performance criteria.
The indenture under which the Senior Notes and Senior Debentures are issued
contains certain covenants that limit, among other things and with certain
exceptions: (i) the ability of Millennium America Inc. and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (as defined) to grant liens or enter into sale and leaseback
transactions; (ii) the ability of the Restricted Subsidiaries to incur
additional indebtedness; and, (iii) the ability of Millennium America Inc. and
the Company to merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of their
respective assets.
At December 31, 1996, the Company had outstanding notes payable of $98 bearing
interest at an average rate of approximately 7.2% with maturity of thirty days
or less. At December 31, 1997, the Company and its subsidiaries had outstanding
standby letters of credit amounting to $124 and had unused availability under
short-term lines of credit and its credit facility of $358. In addition, the
Company has guaranteed certain debt obligations of Equistar up to $750.
The maturities of long-term debt during the next five years are as follows:
1998--$20; 1999--$7; 2000--$17; 2001--$549; and, 2002 and beyond--$754.
Interest paid for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $129, $58
and $380, respectively.
Note 8--Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair value of all short-term financial
instruments approximate their carrying value due to their short maturity. The
fair value of long-term financial instruments (excluding forward exchange
contracts, interest rate protection agreements and the Senior Notes and Senior
Debentures) approximates carrying value as they were based on terms that
continue to be available to the Company from its lenders.
38
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
The fair value of the Company's other financial instruments are based upon
estimates received from independent financial advisors as follows:
===================================================================================
1997 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Value Value Value Value
-------- ----- -------- ------
Senior Notes and Debentures $ 749 $ 748 $ 750 $ 732
Off-Balance Sheet Risk: The Company has certain receivables, payables and
short-term borrowings denominated in currencies other than the functional
currency of the Company and/or its subsidiaries. During the year the Company
hedged certain of these exposures by entering into forward exchange contracts.
Gains and losses related to these hedges are recognized in income as part of,
and concurrent with, the hedged transactions. The Company does not use
derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
At December 31, 1997, the stated or notional amounts of the Company's
outstanding forward exchange contracts mature within 90 days. The table below
summarizes the contractual amounts of the Company's forward exchange contracts
in United States dollars. The foreign currency amounts have been translated into
United States dollars using the exchange rate at the reporting date.
====================================================================================
(Buy) Sell
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Australian Dollars $(14)
German Marks 4
French Francs 5
Italian Lira 4
Dutch Guilders 3
Belgium Francs 2
Spanish Pesetas 2
----
$ 6
====
The Company enters into interest rate protection agreements to manage interest
costs and risks associated with changing interest rates; these agreements
effectively convert underlying variable rate debt into fixed rate debt. At
December 31, 1997, the Company had several such agreements covering various
periods. The notional amount of these agreements was $250 at December 31, 1997.
The fixed rates payable to the Company under these agreements average 5.9% with
terms expiring at various dates through October 1998.
Note 9--Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Domestic Pension Plans: The Company has several noncontributory defined benefit
pension plans covering substantially all of its United States employees. The
benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of credited service and
average compensation as defined under the respective plan provisions. The
Company's funding policy is to contribute amounts to the plans sufficient to
meet the minimum funding requirements set forth in the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, plus such additional amounts as the Company may
determine to be appropriate from time to time.
The Company also sponsors defined contribution plans for its salaried and
certain union employees. Contributions relating to defined contribution plans
are made based upon the respective plan provisions.
The components of net periodic pension cost for continuing operations for the
Company's United States defined benefit plans and the total contributions
charged to pension expense for the Company's United States defined contribution
plans are as follows:
================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost benefit earned
during the period $ 13 $ 12 $ 15
Interest cost on projected
benefit obligation 46 45 54
Actual return on plan assets (89) (68) (79)
Net amortization and deferral 28 (1) --
Curtailment gain 5 -- --
------ ------- -------
Net periodic pension expense (income)
for defined benefit plans 3 (12) (10)
Defined contribution plans 1 2 4
------ ------- -------
Total pension expense (income) $ 4 $ (10) $ (6)
====== ======= =======
Assumptions used in the actuarial calculations relating to the defined benefit
plans were as follows:
====================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-average discount rates 7.25% 7.50% 7.50%
Rates of increase in
compensation levels 4.25% 4.25% 4.25%
Expected long-term rate
of return on assets 9.00% 9.00% 9.00%
39
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
The following table sets forth the funded status and amounts recognized in the
consolidated balance sheets for the Company's United States defined benefit
pension plans:
===========================================================================================================================
1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans Whose Plans Whose Plans Whose Plans Whose
Assets Exceed Accumulated Assets Exceed Accumulated
Accumulated Benefits Accumulated Benefits
Benefits Exceed Assets Benefits Exceed Assets
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations
Vested benefit obligation $(497) $ (98) $(500) $ (86)
Nonvested benefit obligation (12) (8) (12) (7)
------ ------ ------ ------
Accumulated benefit obligation (509) (106) (512) (93)
Projected benefit obligation (549) (123) (546) (111)
Plan assets at fair value 681 96 670 85
------ ------ ------ ------
Projected benefit obligation less than (in excess of) plan assets 132 (27) 124 (26)
Add (deduct)
Unrecognized prior service cost -- 5 -- 5
Unrecognized net loss 2 7 25 11
Unrecognized net asset at date of adoption, net of amortization (1) -- (2) --
Adjustment required to recognize minimum liability -- (5) -- (6)
------ ------ ------ ------
Prepaid (accrued) pension costs (included in Investments and other
assets) $ 133 $ (20) $ 147 $ (16)
======= ====== ====== ======
The plans' assets are primarily included in a master trust, which principally
invests in listed stocks and bonds, including common stock of the Company which,
at market value, comprises less than 1% of the master trust's assets at
December 31, 1997.
Postretirement Benefits: The Company provides unfunded health care and life
insurance benefits to certain groups of retirees. Net periodic postretirement
benefit cost includes the following components:
================================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $ 2 $ 2 $ 3
Interest cost 4 4 9
--- --- ----
Net periodic postretirement
benefit cost $ 6 $ 6 $ 12
=== === ====
The following table presents the plans' unfunded status reconciled with amounts
recognized in the Company's balance sheets:
================================================================================
1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirees $(110) $(201)
Fully eligible active plan participants (9) (10)
Other active plan participants (8) (23)
------ ------
Accumulated postretirement
benefit obligation (127) (234)
Unrecognized net gain (26) (9)
------ ------
Accrued postretirement benefit
obligation (included in other liabilities) $(153) $(243)
====== ======
The weighted-average annual assumed rates of increase in the health care cost
trend rate are 9.4%-12.5% and are assumed to decrease .5% a year to 5.5%-6.0%.
The effect of increasing the assumed health care cost trend rates by 1% in each
year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of
December 31, 1997, by $7, and the aggregate of service and interest components
of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1997 by $3.
40
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 7.25% and 7.5% at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
Foreign Benefit Arrangements: Pension and other employee benefits of the
Company's foreign subsidiaries are primarily provided by government-sponsored
plans and are being accrued currently over the period of active employment. Such
amounts are not material.
Note 10--Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Company adopted a Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock Incentive Plan")
for the purpose of enhancing the profitability and value of the Company for the
benefit of its shareholders. A maximum of 3,909,000 shares of common stock may
be issued or used for reference purposes pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan.
The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the following types of awards: (i) stock
options, including incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options; (ii)
stock appreciation rights; (iii) restricted stock; (iv) performance units; and,
(v) performance shares. During 1996 and 1997, 2,912,322 and 174,736 shares,
respectively, of performance-based and time-vested restricted stock were awarded
to executive officers and key managers. The vesting schedule for the initial
award was as follows: (i) three equal tranches aggregating 25% of the total
award will vest in each of October 1999, 2000 and 2001; and, (ii) three equal
tranches aggregating 75% of the total award will be subject to the achievement
of "value creation" performance criteria established by the Compensation
Committee for each of the three performance cycles commencing January 1, 1997,
and ending December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. If and to the extent
such criteria are achieved, half of the earned portion of the 25% tranche
relating to a particular performance-based cycle of the award will vest
immediately and the remainder will vest in five equal annual installments
commencing on the first anniversary of the end of the cycle.
Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan vest three years from the date of
grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. All grants under the Stock
Incentive Plan fully vest in the event of a change-in-control (as defined by the
plan) of the Company, or in the case of employees of a subsidiary of the
Company, a change-in-control of the relevant subsidiary.
The Company had authorization under the Stock Incentive Plan to grant awards for
up to an additional 636,315 shares at December 31, 1997.
Unearned restricted shares, based on the market value of the shares at each
balance sheet date, are included as a separate component of shareholders' equity
and amortized over the restriction period. Compensation expense recognized in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 was $11 and $2 for
1997 and 1996, respectively.
During 1997, as a result of the change-in-control provisions in the Plan being
triggered by the formation of the Equistar venture, certain restricted stock
awards and options held by employees of Millennium Petrochemicals became fully
vested. Compensation expense of $12 was recognized as a result of this vesting.
A summary of changes in the awards under the Plan (other than awards to
non-employee directors) is as follows:
============================================================================================================
Restricted Weighted-Average Share Weighted-Average
Shares Grant Price Options Exercise Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial awards
October 8, 1996 2,912,322 $ 22.32 523,000 $ 19.00
Balance at
December 31, 1996 2,912,322 $ 22.32 523,000 $ 19.00
Vested and issued (683,273) 22.32 -- --
Cancelled (226,491) 22.32 (200,000) 19.00
Granted 174,736 23.72 97,000 22.15
---------- --------
Balance at
December 31, 1997 2,177,294 $ 22.43 420,000 $ 19.79
========= ======= ======== ========
For options outstanding at December 31, 1997, the range of exercise prices was
$18.00 to $24.00 per share, and the weighted-average remaining contractual life
was 9 years. The fair value of such options at December 31, 1997, was $4.
The Company adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation." Had compensation cost for the Company's incentive plan been
determined based on the fair value of such grants on the grant date in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123, the impact on net income and EPS
would not have been materially different.
41
Millennium Chemicals Inc. Notes to
Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions unless otherwise indicated)
Note 11--Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject, among other things, to several proceedings under the
Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act and
other federal and state statutes or agreements with third parties. These
proceedings are in various stages ranging from initial investigation to active
settlement negotiations to implementation of the clean-up or remediation of
sites. Additionally, certain of the Company's subsidiaries are defendants or
plaintiffs in lawsuits that have arisen in the normal course of business,
including those relating to commercial transactions and product liability. While
certain of the lawsuits involve allegedly significant amounts, it is
management's opinion, based on the advice of counsel, that the ultimate
resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company believes that
the range of potential liability for these matters, collectively, which
primarily relate to environmental remediation activities, is between $150 and
$184 and has accrued $184 as of December 31, 1997.
The Company has various contractual obligations to purchase raw materials used
in its production of TiO2 and fragrance and flavor chemicals. Commitments to
purchase ore used in the production of TiO2 are generally 3-to 8-year contracts
with competitive prices generally determined at a fixed amount subject to
escalation for inflation. Total commitments to purchase ore aggregate
approximately $1,100 for TiO2 and expire between 1998 and 2002. Commitments to
acquire crude sulfate turpentine, used in the production of fragrance and flavor
chemicals, are generally pursuant to 1-to 5-year contracts with prices based on
the market price and which expire between 1998 and 2000.
The Company is organized under the laws of Delaware and is subject to United
States federal income taxation of corporations. However, in order to obtain
clearance from the United Kingdom Inland Revenue as to the tax-free treatment of
the stock dividend for United Kingdom tax purposes for Hanson and Hanson
shareholders, Hanson agreed with the United Kingdom Inland Revenue that the
Company will continue to be centrally managed and controlled in the United
Kingdom at least until September 30, 2001. Hanson also agreed that the Company's
Board of Directors will be the only medium through which strategic control and
policy making powers are exercised, and that board meetings almost invariably
will be held in the United Kingdom during this period. The Company has agreed
not to take, or fail to take, during such five-year period, any action that
would result in a breach of, or constitute non-compliance with, any of the
representations and undertakings made by Hanson in its agreement with the United
Kingdom Inland Revenue and to indemnify Hanson against any liability and
penalties arising out of a breach of such agreement. The Company's By-Laws
provide for similar constraints. The Company and Hanson estimate that such
indemnification obligation would have amounted to approximately $421 if it had
arisen during the twelve months ended September 30, 1997, and that such
obligation will decrease by approximately $84 on each October 1 prior to October
1, 2001, when it will expire.
If the Company ceases to be a United Kingdom tax resident at any time, the
Company will be deemed for purposes of United Kingdom corporation tax on
chargeable gains to have disposed of all of its assets at such time. In such a
case, the Company would be liable for United Kingdom corporation tax on
chargeable gains on the amount by which the fair market value of those assets at
the time of such deemed disposition exceeds the Company's tax basis in those
assets. The tax basis of the assets would be calculated in pounds sterling,
based on the fair market value of the assets (in pounds sterling), at the time
of acquisition of the assets by the Company, adjusted for United Kingdom
inflation. Accordingly, in such circumstances, the Company could incur a tax
liability even though it has not actually sold the assets and even though the
underlying value of the assets may not actually have appreciated (due to
currency movements). Since it is impossible to predict the future value of the
Company's assets, currency movements and inflation rates, it is impossible to
predict the magnitude of such liability, should it arise.
Note 12--Operations by Industry Segment and Geographic Area
The Company's principal operations are grouped into four business segments:
titanium dioxide and related products, acetyls, specialty chemicals, and
polyethylene, alcohol and related products. See page 19 for information with
respect to these segments.
Most of the Company's foreign operations are conducted by subsidiaries in the
United Kingdom, France and Australia. Sales between the Company's operations are
made on terms similar to those of its third-party distributors. Sales between
geographic areas are not significant.
Income and expense not allocated to industry segment in computing operating
income include interest income and expense and other income and expense of a
general corporate nature.
Export sales from the United States for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 were approximately $273, $272 and $379, respectively.
42
Millennium Chemicals Inc.
Notes to Consolidated (Combined) Financial Statements
(in millions except share data)
==========================================================================================
By Geographic Area 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales
United States $2,677 $2,693 $3,462
Foreign 393 377 368
Inter-area elimination (22) (30) (30)
------- ------- -------
Total $3,048 $3,040 $3,800
======= ======= =======
Operating income
United States $ 422 $ 245 $ 743
Foreign 27 38 99
------ ------ ------
Total $ 449 $ 283 $ 842
====== ====== ======
Identifiable assets
United States $3,599 $4,733
Foreign 727 868
------- -------
Total $4,326 $5,601
======= =======
Note 13--Subsequent Events
On March 20, 1998, the Company, Lyondell and Occidental Petroleum Corporation
("Occidental"), announced the signing of a definitive agreement to expand
Equistar with the addition of the ethylene, propylene, ethylene oxide and
derivatives businesses of Occidental's chemical subsidiary. Occidental will
contribute the net assets of these businesses (including $200 of debt related to
these businesses) to Equistar. Equistar will borrow an additional $500, $425 of
which will be distributed to Occidental and $75 to the Company. Upon the
completion of this transaction, expected to be by mid-1998, Equistar will be
owned 41% by Lyondell, 29.5% by Occidental and 29.5% by the Company.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters
The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices per share
of Common Stock reported by the NYSE since October 2, 1996, the commencement of
"regular way" trading:
================================================================================
High Low
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
Fourth quarter $23.000 $17.250
1997
First quarter $20.875 $16.875
Second quarter 22.750 17.500
Third quarter 23.500 20.250
Fourth quarter 24.063 22.250
As of March 20, 1998, there were 34,615 record holders of Common Stock. The
closing price per share of Common Stock as reported by the NYSE on such date was
$31.00.
43