Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global chemical and specialty materials company, reported second quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share of $4.81, the second highest in the Company’s history, and highest-ever adjusted earnings per share of $5.02. The Company reported record net sales of $2.2 billion for the quarter with sequential pricing and volume increases of 18 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Actions over the past year, including accelerated turnarounds as well as enhanced sourcing and commercial flexibility, positioned the Company to meet elevated post-pandemic demand in 2021 and to deliver record performance during the second quarter. Engineered Materials and the Acetyl Chain successfully offset continued raw material inflation to drive consolidated operating profit of $567 million and adjusted EBIT of $691 million.
The recently announced acquisition of Santoprene™ and ongoing capital projects within the Acetyl Chain and Engineered Materials position the Company to further raise its future base earnings and deliver sustained shareholder value. During the quarter, the Company returned $326 million of cash to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends.
Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:
(1) See “Non-US GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Recent Highlights:
- Announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the Santoprene™ TPV elastomers business of Exxon Mobil Corporation for $1.15 billion, strengthening the existing elastomers portfolio and bringing a wider range of functionalized solutions into targeted growth areas.
- Announced the acquisition of certain technology and sales agreements relating to the production of polyacetal (POM) products from Grupa Azoty S.A. of Poland, following their decision to discontinue POM manufacturing.
- Announced an expansion of the Florence, Kentucky research and development center with the addition of a pharmaceutical drug delivery lab, supporting programs, and products for long-acting, controlled release drug delivery.
- Increased the outstanding share repurchase authorization by $1.0 billion, approved by the Board of Directors in July. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $563 million remaining under the previous authorization.
Second Quarter 2021 Business Segment Overview
Engineered Materials
Engineered Materials reported record net sales of $682 million in the second quarter, primarily due to a 7 percent sequential pricing increase. Pricing expanded during the second quarter, driven by the commercial team’s implementation of pricing initiatives in line with raw material inflation, as well as improved mix. Volume was stable compared to the prior period, as the business proactively navigated significant raw material constraints and offset a sequential decline in global auto builds amid semiconductor supply shortages. Engineered Materials generated second quarter GAAP operating profit of $123 million and adjusted EBIT of $161 million. GAAP operating profit and adjusted EBIT margins were 18 percent and 24 percent, respectively. Affiliate earnings increased by $7 million during the second quarter, primarily due to improved performance by Ibn Sina.
Acetyl Chain
The Acetyl Chain generated record net sales of $1.4 billion, a 33 percent increase from the prior quarter due to sequential increases in pricing and volume. Pricing increased 27 percent, primarily due to elevated acetic acid pricing in China amid tightened industry utilization. Volume increased 7 percent sequentially driven by availability of incremental Acetyl Chain production capacity and continued strong demand across most end-markets and regions. The Company successfully resolved raw material constraints and brought its Clear Lake, Texas acetic acid facility back to full operating rates during the second quarter. The Acetyl Chain generated record GAAP operating profit and adjusted EBIT of $516 million and $514 million, respectively, during the second quarter. The business also delivered record operating profit margin of 37 percent and adjusted EBIT margin of 36 percent, expansions of 1,280 and 980 basis points, respectively, over the prior quarter.
Acetate Tow
Acetate Tow recorded net sales of $138 million during the second quarter, which reflected a sequential volume increase of 16 percent and stable pricing. Volume expansion in the second quarter was primarily attributable to timing of customer orders, which were delayed in the prior quarter due to Winter Storm Uri. Higher volume offset the impact of elevated natural gas and acetyls costs to contribute to second quarter GAAP operating profit of $24 million and adjusted EBIT of $62 million. Dividends from affiliates in the second quarter were $37 million, lower sequentially due to the timing of dividend payments.
Cash Flow and Tax
The Company generated second quarter operating cash flow of $427 million and free cash flow of $309 million. Capital expenditures in the second quarter were $110 million and included expenditures for expansion and productivity projects within the Acetyl Chain and Engineered Materials businesses. The Company returned $326 million in cash to shareholders during the second quarter, including $250 million of share repurchases and $76 million of dividends.
The effective US GAAP tax rate of 18 percent in the second quarter was lower in comparison to 24 percent in the same quarter of last year, primarily due to non-recurring adjustments to uncertain tax positions in the prior year, partially offset by increased earnings in high tax jurisdictions. During the second quarter, the Company increased the full year adjusted tax rate from 14 percent to 15 percent, primarily due to the increase in earnings in higher tax jurisdictions. This resulted in an adjusted tax rate of 16 percent for the quarter.
Outlook
“Our record performance this quarter reflected the global positions and unique optionality within our businesses to meet elevated customer demand despite significant sourcing and supply chain constraints that persist,” said Lori Ryerkerk, chairman and chief executive officer. “With very strong earnings and cash generation across 2021, we are investing in future growth via organic opportunities within our businesses, disciplined M&A like the Santoprene acquisition, and share repurchases. Our teams’ proactive response to the ongoing global supply chain constraints and inflationary backdrop have positioned us well as we enter the second half of 2021. We anticipate that continued moderation in Acetyl Chain industry pricing as the year progresses will be partially offset by strong fundamental demand across our businesses and modest continued sequential earnings momentum in Engineered Materials. As a result, we expect third quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of $4.50 to $4.75 per share and full year 2021 adjusted earnings of $16.50 to $17.00 per share.”
Source: Celanese Corporation
Note to readers:
- Please follow us on LinkedIn ,Twitter and YouTube and subscribe to our website and receive notifications of new posts by email.
- Please click the share buttons below and make a comment.
Paints and Coatings Expert 