Cabot Corp Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Cabot (NYSE: CBT) reported a strong performance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 with a diluted EPS of $1.49 and an adjusted EPS of $1.78, marking a 34% increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year. The company saw growth in both the Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals segments. Cash flows from operations were $176 million, supporting a return of $47 million to shareholders. Cabot also increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.43 per share.

Positive

• Strong performance with a 34% increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year.

• Reinforcement Materials segment EBIT up 22% and Performance Chemicals segment EBIT up 11% compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

• Cash flows from operations of $176 million supported a return of $47 million to shareholders.

• Increased quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.43 per share.

• Company's balance sheet remained strong with approximately $1.3 billion of liquidity at quarter end.

Negative

• Tax expense of $47 million with an effective tax rate of 33% in the second quarter.

• Certain after-tax per share charges led to a decrease in net income.

• A decrease in net sales and other operating revenues compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

• A potential decrease in cash balance due to cash returns to shareholders.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Cabot Corporation's recent financial update highlights a robust financial performance, with a significant 34% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EPS. This uptick is underpinned by strong EBIT growth in both the Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals segments. An 8% dividend hike coupled with share repurchases reflects management’s confidence in future cash flows and may signal a shareholder-friendly capital allocation policy. The $1.3 billion liquidity position suggests a solid balance sheet, potentially providing resilience against market volatility and supporting strategic growth initiatives. However, investors should be mindful of the effective tax rate fluctuation, which is expected to be between 27% to 29% and could influence net income evaluations. The raised Adjusted EPS guidance for the fiscal year could be indicative of sustained operational efficiency and positive market conditions. The company's strategic orientation seems aligned with long-term value creation, though close attention to future EBIT and volume changes, especially in volatile regions, will be important for continued investor confidence.

Market Research Analyst

The performance of Cabot Corporation in the specialty chemicals and performance materials market can be considered robust based on recent fiscal results. The notable increase in Adjusted EPS suggests that the company is successfully navigating raw material costs, supply-chain headwinds and market demand dynamics. Positive volume growth figures in Asia and Europe for the Reinforcement Materials segment are particularly promising and may point to strategic market penetration and recovery in these regions. In contrast, the volume decline in the Americas could warrant closer monitoring to assess potential market challenges or competitive pressures. The company’s investment in strategic growth projects and a strong outlook for operating cash flow echo an optimistic stance on innovation and market expansion. For stakeholders, the Performance Chemicals segment's uptick, driven by specialty carbons and compounds, may represent a diversification of the revenue stream, reducing the risk associated with reliance on any single market segment.

Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.49 and Adjusted EPS of $1.78

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) today announced results for its second quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Key Highlights

• Diluted EPS of $1.49 and adjusted EPS of $1.78, which represents a 34% increase in Adjusted EPS as compared to the same quarter in the prior year
• Reinforcement Materials segment EBIT of $149 million; up 22% compared to the same quarter in the prior year
• Performance Chemicals segment EBIT of $31 million; up 11% compared to the same quarter in the prior year
• Cash Flows from Operations of $176 million in the second fiscal quarter supported the return of $47 million of cash to shareholders in the quarter
• Increased quarterly dividend by 8% from $0.40 to $0.43 per share

(In millions, except per share amounts)	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	3/31/24			3/31/23			3/31/24			3/31/23
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	1,019		$	1,033		$	1,977		$	1,998
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	84		$	75		$	134		$	129
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	1.49		$	1.29		$	2.37		$	2.23
Less: Certain items after tax per share	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.96	)	$	(0.08	)
Adjusted EPS	$	1.78		$	1.33		$	3.33		$	2.31

Sean Keohane, Cabot President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the quarter, “I am very pleased with our second quarter results, as the Cabot team continued to execute against our Creating for Tomorrow strategy by delivering significant growth in Adjusted EPS year-over-year. Reinforcement Materials continued to demonstrate excellent performance, delivering EBIT of $149 million driven by price and product mix improvements in our calendar 2024 customer agreements and higher segment volumes. EBIT in the Performance Chemicals segment grew 11% year over year due to improved volumes.”

Keohane continued, “During the second quarter, we delivered operating cash flow of $176 million and returned $47 million of cash to our shareholders through $23 million in dividends and $24 million in share repurchases. In addition, today we announced an 8% increase to our quarterly dividend, which reflects our confidence in the strength of our cash flows and long-term growth outlook for our businesses. Our balance sheet remained strong with approximately $1.3 billion of liquidity as of quarter end.”

Financial Detail

For the second quarter of fiscal 2024, net income attributable to Cabot Corporation was $84 million ($1.49 per common share). Net income reflects an after-tax per share charge from certain items of $0.29. Adjusted EPS for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.78 per share.

Segment Results

Reinforcement Materials – Second quarter fiscal 2024 EBIT in Reinforcement Materials increased by $27 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase in EBIT was principally driven by improved unit margins from higher pricing and improved product mix in our calendar year 2024 customer agreements and by higher volumes in Asia and Europe.

Global and regional volume changes for Reinforcement Materials for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to the same quarter of the prior year are set forth in the table below:

		Second Quarter Year-over-Year Change
	Global Reinforcement Materials Volumes	6%
	Asia	21%
	Europe, Middle East, Africa	4%
	Americas	(8%)

Performance Chemicals – Second quarter fiscal 2024 EBIT in Performance Chemicals increased by $3 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2023 primarily due to 6% higher volumes. Higher volumes were driven primarily by increases in the specialty carbons and specialty compounds product lines.

Cash Performance – The Company ended the second quarter of fiscal 2024 with a cash balance of $206 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, cash flows from operating activities were a source of $176 million. Capital expenditures for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $43 million. Additional uses of cash during the second quarter included $23 million for the payment of dividends and $24 million for share repurchases.

Taxes – During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company recorded a tax expense of $47 million with an effective tax rate of 33%. This tax expense reflected a $4 million net expense for non-GAAP tax adjustments. The operating tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 28%. Our operating tax rate for fiscal 2024 is expected to be in the range of 27% to 29%.

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for the Company, Keohane said, “Given the strong year-to-date results and our expectations for the second half of fiscal 2024, we are raising our Adjusted EPS guidance range for the fiscal year to $6.65 to $6.85 from our previously communicated range of $6.30 to $6.80. This updated guidance range reflects an increase of $0.20 at the midpoint. Reinforcement Materials continues to deliver exceptional results and we are seeing some encouraging demand signals in Performance Chemicals.”

Keohane continued, “Our outlook for operating cash flow also remains strong, which would enable us to continue investing in strategic growth projects and to continue returning robust levels of cash to shareholders. As noted earlier, we increased our dividend today by 8% and we expect to continue to opportunistically repurchase shares. I am confident in our strategy and execution capability and our expectation to achieve the three-year consolidated financial objectives that we outlined at our December 2021 investor day.”

Earnings Call

The Company will host a conference call with industry analysts at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The call can be accessed through Cabot’s investor relations website at http://investor.cabot-corp.com

About Cabot Corporation

Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is a leading provider of reinforcing carbons, specialty carbons, battery materials, engineered elastomer composites, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds, fumed metal oxides and aerogel. For more information on Cabot, please visit the company’s website at cabotcorp.com. The Company regularly posts important information on its website and encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Cabot website regularly.

Forward-Looking Statements – This earnings release contains forward-looking statements. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including with respect to our expectations for our performance in fiscal year 2024, including our expectations for adjusted earnings per share and the expected performance of our business segments for the remainder of fiscal 2024, our expectations for operating cash flow and our uses of such cash, our expected performance against the financial performance objectives we outlined at our Investor Day in December 2021, our expectations for the long-term growth outlook for our business, and our expected operating tax rate for fiscal 2024 are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict. If known or unknown risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, our actual results could differ materially from past results and from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, industry capacity utilization and competition from other specialty chemical companies; safety, health and environmental requirements and related constraints imposed on our business; regulatory and financial risks related to climate change developments; volatility in the price and availability of energy and raw materials, including with respect to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the U.S.-China trade relationship; a significant adverse change in a customer relationship or the failure of a customer to perform its obligations under agreements with us; failure to achieve growth expectations from new products, applications and technology developments; failure to realize benefits from acquisitions, alliances, or joint ventures or achieve our portfolio management objectives; unanticipated delays in, or increased cost of site development projects; negative or uncertain worldwide or regional economic conditions and market opportunities, including from trade relations, global health matters or geo-political conflicts; litigation or legal proceedings; interest rates, tax rates, currency exchange controls and fluctuations in foreign currency rates such as the recent currency movements in Argentina; and the accuracy of the assumptions we used in establishing reserves for our share of liability for respirator claims. These factors are discussed more fully in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), particularly under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, which are filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov. We assume no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Cabot’s consolidated financial statements presented on a generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) basis, the preceding discussion of our results and the accompanying financial tables report Adjusted EPS, Total Segment EBIT, Total Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, our operating tax rate, Free Cash Flow and Discretionary Free Cash Flow, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not computed in accordance with, or as an alternative to, GAAP, and the definitions of these measures may not be comparable to those used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EPS to net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, Total Segment EBIT, Total Segment EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure of each such non-GAAP measure, operating tax rate to effective tax rate, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and Free Cash Flow and Discretionary Free Cash Flow to Cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, are provided in the tables titled “Cabot Corporation Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate” and “Cabot Corporation Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide investors with greater transparency to the information used by Cabot management in its financial and operational decision-making, allow investors to see Cabot’s results through the eyes of management, and better enable Cabot’s investors to understand Cabot’s operating performance and financial condition.

Adjusted EPS. In calculating Adjusted EPS, we exclude from our net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation items of expense and income that management does not consider representative of the Company’s business operations. Accordingly, reporting earnings on an adjusted basis supplements the GAAP measure of performance and provides additional information related to the underlying performance of the business. For example, certain of the items we exclude are items that we are required by GAAP to recognize in one period that relate to activities extending over several periods or relate to single events that management considers to be unusual and infrequent, although not necessarily non-recurring. We refer to these items as “certain items.” Management believes excluding these items facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period by eliminating differences caused by the existence and timing of certain expense and income items that would not otherwise be apparent on a GAAP basis and evaluates the Company’s operating performance without the impact of these costs or benefits. Management also uses Adjusted EPS as a key measure in evaluating management performance for incentive compensation purposes.

The items of income and expense that we exclude from our calculations of Adjusted EPS but that are included in our GAAP net income (loss) per share, as applicable in a particular reporting period, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Argentina controlled currency devaluation loss related to the foreign exchange loss from government-controlled currency devaluations on our net monetary assets denominated in the Argentine peso and investment losses related to the utilization of government bond programs established for the settlement of certain foreign payables.
• Global restructuring activities, which include costs or benefits associated with cost reduction initiatives or plant closures and are primarily related to (i) employee termination costs, (ii) asset impairment charges associated with restructuring actions, (iii) costs to close facilities, including environmental costs and contract termination penalties, and (iv) gains realized on the sale of land or equipment associated with restructured plants or locations.
• Legal and environmental reserves and matters, which consist of costs or benefits for matters typically related to former businesses or that are otherwise incurred outside of the ordinary course of business.
• Acquisition and integration-related charges, which include transaction costs, redundant costs incurred during the period of integration, and costs associated with transitioning certain management and business processes to Cabot’s processes.
• Asset impairment charges, which primarily include charges associated with an impairment of goodwill, other long-lived assets or assets held for sale.
• Charges related to the divestiture of our Purification Solutions business, which include accelerated costs associated with the change in control and employee incentive compensation.
• Benefit from the settlement of a royalty arrangement entered into in connection with the divestiture of our former Specialty Fluids business.
• Gains (losses) on sale of a business.
• Employee benefit plan settlements, which consist of either charges or benefits associated with the termination of a pension plan or the transfer of a pension plan to a multi-employer plan.
• Gain associated with the bargain purchase of a business.

Cabot does not provide an expected GAAP EPS range or reconciliation of the Adjusted EPS range with an expected GAAP EPS range because, without unreasonable effort, we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the matters we would allocate to “certain items,” including unusual gains and losses, costs associated with future restructurings, acquisition-related expenses and litigation outcomes. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP EPS in future periods.

Total Segment EBIT. Total segment EBIT reflects the sum of EBIT from our two reportable segments. In calculating Total segment EBIT we exclude from our Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies, certain items and items that, because they are not controlled by the business segments and primarily benefit corporate objectives, are not allocated to our business segments, such as interest expense and other corporate costs, which include unallocated corporate overhead expenses such as certain corporate salaries and headquarter expenses, plus costs related to corporate projects and initiatives.

Total Segment EBITDA. Total Segment EBITDA is equal to Total Segment EBIT (as defined above), but further adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA reflects Total Segment EBITDA and is further adjusted for unallocated corporate costs, which include unallocated corporate overhead expenses such as certain corporate salaries and headquarter expenses, plus costs related to corporate projects and initiatives.

Free Cash Flow. To calculate “Free Cash Flow” we deduct Additions to property, plant and equipment from cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities.

Discretionary Free Cash Flow. To calculate “Discretionary Free Cash Flow” we deduct sustaining and compliance capital expenditures and changes in Net Working Capital from cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities.

Operating Tax Rate. Our “operating tax rate” is calculated based upon management's forecast of the annual operating tax rate for the fiscal year applied to adjusted pre-tax earnings. The operating tax rate excludes income tax (expense) benefit on certain items, discrete tax items and, on a quarterly basis the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions. The income tax (expense) benefit on certain items is determined using the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which the certain items occurred and includes both current and deferred income tax (expense) benefit based on the nature of the certain items. Discrete tax items include, but are not limited to, changes in valuation allowance, uncertain tax positions, and other tax items, such as the tax impact of legislative changes and tax accruals on historic earnings due to changes in indefinite reinvestment assertions. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful supplemental information because it helps our investors compare our tax rate year to year on a consistent basis and to understand what our tax rate on current operations would be without the impact of these items.

Cabot does not provide a forward-looking reconciliation of the operating tax rate range with an effective tax rate range because, without unreasonable effort, we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the matters we would allocate to “certain items,” including unusual gains and losses, costs associated with future restructurings, acquisition-related expenses and litigation outcomes. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on the effective tax rate in future periods.

Explanation of Terms Used

Product Mix. The term “product mix” refers to the mix of types and grade of products sold or the mix of geographic regions where products are sold, and the positive or negative impact this has on the revenue or profitability of the business or segment.

Net Working Capital. The term “net working capital” includes accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable and accrued expenses.

CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Periods ended March 31	Three Months								Six Months
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	1,019			$	1,033			$	1,977			$	1,998
Cost of sales		773				823				1,513				1,607
Gross profit		246				210				464				391
Selling and administrative expenses		75				66				142				126
Research and technical expenses		15				15				30				28
Loss on sale of business		—				—				—				3
Income (loss) from operations		156				129				292				234
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income		8				9				17				15
Interest expense		(21	)			(23	)			(43	)			(45	)
Other income (expense)		(1	)			(5	)			(30	)			(10	)
Total other income (expense)		(14	)			(19	)			(56	)			(40	)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in
earnings of affiliated companies		142				110				236				194
(Provision) benefit for income taxes		(47	)			(29	)			(81	)			(49	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax		2				1				3				3
Net income (loss)		97				82				158				148
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		13				7				24				19
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	84			$	75			$	134			$	129
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock
attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	1.49			$	1.29			$	2.37			$	2.23
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		55.8				56.8				55.8				56.7

CABOT CORPORATION SUMMARY RESULTS BY SEGMENT
Periods ended March 31	Three Months								Six Months
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Sales
Reinforcement Materials	$	676			$	672			$	1,317			$	1,315
Performance Chemicals		311				326				596				612
Segment sales		987				998				1,913				1,927
Unallocated and other (A)		32				35				64				71
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	1,019			$	1,033			$	1,977			$	1,998
Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (B)
Reinforcement Materials	$	149			$	122			$	278			$	216
Performance Chemicals		31				28				65				57
Total Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes		180				150				343				273
Unallocated and Other
Interest expense		(21	)			(23	)			(43	)			(45	)
Certain items (C)		(12	)			(2	)			(54	)			(6	)
Unallocated corporate costs		(18	)			(16	)			(35	)			(31	)
General unallocated income (expense) (D)		15				2				28				6
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax		2				1				3				3
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in
earnings of affiliated companies		142				110				236				194
(Provision) benefit for income taxes (including tax certain items)		(47	)			(29	)			(81	)			(49	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax		2				1				3				3
Net income (loss)		97				82				158				148
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		13				7				24				19
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	84			$	75			$	134			$	129
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock
attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	1.49			$	1.29			$	2.37			$	2.23
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (E)	$	1.78			$	1.33			$	3.33			$	2.31
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		55.8				56.8				55.8				56.7

	(A)	Unallocated and other reflects external shipping and handling fees, royalties, the impact of unearned revenue, discounting charges for certain Notes receivable, and other by-product revenue.
	(B)	Segment EBIT is a measure used by Cabot's Chief Operating Decision-Maker to measure consolidated operating results, assess segment performance and allocate resources. Segment EBIT includes Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, royalties, Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable.
	(C)	Details of Certain items are presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.
	(D)	General unallocated income (expense) consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, Interest and dividend income, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue and unrealized holding gains (losses) for investments. This does not include items of income or expense from the items that are separately treated as Certain items.
	(E)	Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS is presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.

CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
		March 31,				September 30,
Dollars in millions (unaudited)		2024				2023
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	206			$	238
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $5 and $2		744				695
Inventories:
Raw materials		127				148
Finished goods.		354				374
Other		70				63
Total inventories		551				585
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		104				108
Total current assets		1,605				1,626
Property, plant and equipment		3,909				3,827
Accumulated Depreciation		(2,482	)			(2,415	)
Net property, plant and equipment		1,427				1,412
Goodwill		137				134
Equity affiliates		22				20
Intangible assets, net		59				60
Deferred income taxes		163				180
Other assets		183				172
Total assets	$	3,596			$	3,604

CABOT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
	March 31,				September 30,
Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)		2024				2023
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	88			$	174
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		587				600
Income taxes payable		35				40
Current portion of long-term debt		8				8
Total current liabilities		718				822
Long-term debt		1,088				1,094
Deferred income taxes		38				50
Other liabilities		245				231
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock:
Authorized:  2,000,000 shares of $1 par value
Issued and Outstanding: None and none		—				—
Common stock:
Authorized:  200,000,000 shares of $1 par value Issued: 55,391,349 and 55,379,636 shares Outstanding: 55,258,040 and 55,243,804 shares		55				55
Less cost of 133,309 and 135,832 shares of common treasury stock		(3	)			(3	)
Additional paid-in capital		—				—
Retained earnings		1,632				1,574
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(317	)			(362	)
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity		1,367				1,264
Noncontrolling interests		140				143
Total stockholders' equity		1,507				1,407
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,596			$	3,604

CABOT CORPORATION QUARTERLY RESULTS BY SEGMENT
	Fiscal 2023																				Fiscal 2024
Dollars in millions,
except per share amounts (unaudited)	Dec. Q				Mar. Q				June Q				Sept. Q				FY				Dec. Q				Mar. Q				June Q			Sept. Q			FY
Sales
Reinforcement Materials	$	643			$	672			$	624			$	624			$	2,563			$	641			$	676			$	―		$	―		$	1,317
Performance Chemicals		286				326				307				306			$	1,225				285				311				—			—			596
Segment sales		929				998				931				930				3,788				926				987				—			—			1,913
Unallocated and other (A)		36				35				37				35				143				32				32				—			—			64
Net sales and other operating revenues	$	965			$	1,033			$	968			$	965			$	3,931			$	958			$	1,019			$	―		$	―		$	1,977
Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (B)
Reinforcement Materials	$	94			$	122			$	132			$	134			$	482			$	129			$	149			$	―		$	―		$	278
Performance Chemicals		29				28				32				36				125				34				31				—			—			65
Total Segment Earnings Before Interest and Taxes		123				150				164				170				607				163				180				—			—			343
Unallocated and Other
Interest expense		(22	)			(23	)			(24	)			(21	)			(90	)			(22	)			(21	)			—			—			(43	)
Certain items (C)		(4	)			(2	)			(1	)			(22	)			(29	)			(42	)			(12	)			—			—			(54	)
Unallocated corporate costs		(15	)			(16	)			(11	)			(12	)			(54	)			(17	)			(18	)			—			—			(35	)
General unallocated income (expense) (D)		4				2				3				13				22				13				15				—			—			28
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax		2				1				1				1				5				1				2				—			—			3
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and
equity in earnings of affiliated companies		84				110				130				127				451				94				142				—			—			236
(Provision) benefit for income taxes (including tax certain items)		(20	)			(29	)			(41	)			118				28				(34	)			(47	)			—			—			(81	)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax		2				1				1				1				5				1				2				—			—			3
Net income (loss)		66				82				90				246				484				61				97				—			—			158
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		12				7				8				12				39				11				13				—			—			24
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	54			$	75			$	82			$	234			$	445			$	50			$	84			$	―		$	―		$	134
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock
attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	0.93			$	1.29			$	1.43			$	4.10			$	7.73			$	0.88			$	1.49			$	—		$	—		$	2.37
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (E)	$	0.98			$	1.33			$	1.42			$	1.65			$	5.38			$	1.56			$	1.78			$	—		$	—		$	3.33
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		56.7				56.8				56.5				56.1				56.5				55.8				55.8				—			—			55.8

	(A)	Unallocated and other reflects external shipping and handling fees, royalties, the impact of unearned revenue, discounting charges for certain Notes receivable, and other by-product revenue.
	(B)	Segment EBIT is a measure used by Cabot's Chief Operating Decision-Maker to measure consolidated operating results, assess segment performance and allocate resources. Segment EBIT includes Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax, royalties, Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax, and discounting charges for certain Notes receivable.
	(C)	Details of certain items are presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.
	(D)	General unallocated income (expense) consists of gains (losses) arising from foreign currency transactions, net of other foreign currency risk management activities, Interest and dividend income, the profit or loss related to the corporate adjustment for unearned revenue and unrealized holding gains (losses) for investments. This does not include items of income or expense from the items that are separately treated as Certain items.
	(E)	Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS is presented in the Certain Items and Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS and Operating Tax Rate table.

CABOT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Periods ended March 31	Three Months								Six Months
Dollars in millions (unaudited)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	97			$	82			$	158			$	148
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		37				36				78				71
Other non-cash charges (gains), net		22				4				71				6
Cash dividends received from equity affiliates		—				—				1				2
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Changes in net working capital (A)		21				59				(25	)			25
Changes in other assets and liabilities, net		(1	)			(19	)			(2	)			(38	)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities		176				162				281				214
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(43	)			(51	)			(97	)			(86	)
Proceeds from sale of business		—				—				—				6
Other investing activities, net		2				4				2				16
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(41	)			(47	)			(95	)			(64	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Change in debt, net		(125	)			(55	)			(94	)			(98	)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders		(23	)			(21	)			(45	)			(42	)
Other financing activities, net		(18	)			(42	)			(56	)			(70	)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(166	)			(118	)			(195	)			(210	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(7	)			18				(23	)			59
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(38	)			15				(32	)			(1	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		244				190				238				206
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	206			$	205			$	206			$	205

(A)

Includes Accounts and notes receivable, Inventories, and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

CABOT CORPORATION CERTAIN ITEMS AND RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EPS AND OPERATING TAX RATE
TABLE 1: DETAIL OF CERTAIN ITEMS
Periods ended March 31		Three Months						Six Months
Dollars in millions, except per share amounts (unaudited)			2024			2023			2024			2023
Certain items before and after income taxes
Argentina controlled currency devaluation loss and other losses		$	(8	)	$	―		$	(41	)	$	―
Global restructuring activities			(3	)		—			(12	)		—
Legal and environmental matters and reserves			(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		(2	)
Gain on sale of land			—			—			—			1
Loss on sale of business and asset impairment charge			—			—			—			(3	)
Acquisition and integration-related charges			—			—			—			(1	)
Other Certain Items			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
Total certain items, pre-tax			(12	)		(2	)		(54	)		(6	)
Non-GAAP tax adjustments(A)			(4	)		—			—			1
Total certain items after tax		$	(16	)	$	(2	)	$	(54	)	$	(5	)
Total certain items after tax per share		$	(0.29	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.96	)	$	(0.08	)
TABLE 2: CERTAIN ITEMS STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS LINE ITEM
Periods ended March 31		Three Months						Six Months
Dollars in millions, Pre-Tax (unaudited)			2024			2023			2024			2023
Statement of Operations Line Item (B)
Cost of sales		$	3		$	(1	)		12			(3	)
Selling and administrative expenses			1			(1	)		1			—
Other income (expense)			8			—			41			—
Loss on sale of business			—			—			—			(3	)
Total certain items		$	12		$	(2	)	$	54		$	(6	)
TABLE 3: RECONCILIATION OF EFFECTIVE TAX RATE TO OPERATING TAX RATE
Three months March 31		2024						2023
Dollars in millions (unaudited)		(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes			Rate			(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes			Rate
Effective Tax Rate		$	(47	)		33	%	$	(29	)		26	%
Less: Non-GAAP tax adjustments(A)			(4	)					—
Operating tax rate (C) (D)		$	(43	)		28	%	$	(29	)		25	%
Six months ended March 31		2024						2023
Dollars in millions (unaudited)		(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes			Rate			(Provision) / Benefit for Income Taxes			Rate
Effective Tax Rate		$	(81	)		34	%	$	(49	)		25	%
Less: Non-GAAP tax adjustments(A)			—						1
Operating tax rate (C) (D)		$	(81	)		28	%	$	(50	)		25	%
TABLE 4: RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EPS BY QUARTER FOR FISCAL 2024 and FISCAL 2023
		Fiscal 2024 (E)
Periods ended (unaudited)		Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q				FY 2024
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation		$	0.88		$	1.49		$	—		$	—			$	2.37
Less: Certain items after tax per share			(0.68	)		(0.29	)		—			—				(0.96	)
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share		$	1.56		$	1.78		$	—		$	—			$	3.33
		Fiscal 2023 (E)
Periods ended (unaudited)		Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q				FY 2023
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation		$	0.93		$	1.29		$	1.43		$	4.10			$	7.73
Less: Certain items after tax per share			(0.05	)		(0.04	)		0.01			2.45				2.35
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.98		$	1.33		$	1.42		$	1.65			$	5.38

	(A)	Non-GAAP tax adjustments are made to arrive at the operating tax provision. It includes the income tax (expense) benefit on certain items, discrete tax items, and, on a quarterly basis the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions. The income tax (expense) benefit on certain items is determined using the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which the certain items occurred and includes both current and deferred income tax (expense) benefit based on the nature of the certain items. Discrete tax items include, but are not limited to, changes in valuation allowance, uncertain tax positions, and other tax items, such as the tax impact of legislative changes and tax accruals on historic earnings due to changes in indefinite reinvestment assertions.
	(B)	This table indicates the line items where certain items are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	(C)	The operating tax rate is calculated based upon management's forecast of the annual operating tax rate for the fiscal year applied to adjusted pre-tax earnings. The operating tax rate excludes income tax (expense) benefit on certain items, discrete tax items and, on a quarterly basis the timing of losses in certain jurisdictions.
	(D)	Our operating tax rate for fiscal 2024 is expected to be in the range of 27% to 29%.
	(E)	Per share amounts are calculated after tax.

CABOT CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
	Fiscal 2024 (A)
	Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q			FY 2024
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	0.88		$	1.49		$	—		$	—		$	2.37
Less: Certain items after tax per share		(0.68	)		(0.29	)		—			—			(0.96	)
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.56		$	1.78		$	—		$	—		$	3.33
	Fiscal 2023 (A)
	Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q			FY 2023
Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	0.93		$	1.29		$	1.43		$	4.10		$	7.73
Less: Certain items after tax per share		(0.05	)		(0.04	)		0.01			2.45			2.35
Adjusted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.98		$	1.33		$	1.42		$	1.65		$	5.38
(A) Per share amounts are calculated after tax.
Dollars in millions	Fiscal 2024
	Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q			FY 2024
Reconciliation of Total Segment EBIT, Total Segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income and Segment EBITDA Margin
Net income (loss) attributable to Cabot Corporation	$	50		$	84		$	―		$	―		$	134
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		11			13			—			—			24
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of tax		(1	)		(2	)		—			—			(3	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		34			47			—			—			81
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliated companies	$	94		$	142		$	―		$	―		$	236
Interest expense		22			21			—			—			43
Certain items		42			12			—			—			54
Unallocated corporate costs		17			18			—			—			35
General unallocated (income) expense		(13	)		(15	)		—			—			(28	)
Less: Equity in earnings of affiliated companies		(1	)		(2	)		—			—			(3	)
Total Segment EBIT	$	163		$	180		$	―		$	―		$	343
Depreciation and amortization excluding corporate depreciation		35			37			—			—			72
Total Segment EBITDA	$	198		$	217		$	―		$	―		$	415
Less: Unallocated corporate costs before corporate depreciation		17			18			—			—			35
Adjusted EBITDA	$	181		$	199		$	―		$	―		$	380
Dollars in millions	Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q			FY 2024
Reinforcement Materials EBIT	$	129		$	149		$	―		$	―		$	278
Reinforcement Materials Depreciation and amortization		17			17			—			—			34
Reinforcement Materials EBITDA	$	146		$	166		$	―		$	―		$	312
Reinforcement Materials Sales	$	641		$	676		$	―		$	―		$	1,317
Reinforcement Materials EBITDA Margin		23	%		25	%		—	%		—	%		24	%
Dollars in millions	Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q			FY 2024
Performance Chemicals EBIT	$	34		$	31		$	―		$	―		$	65
Performance Chemicals Depreciation and amortization		18			20			—			—			38
Performance Chemicals EBITDA	$	52		$	51		$	―		$	―		$	103
Performance Chemicals Sales	$	285		$	311		$	―		$	―		$	596
Performance Chemicals EBITDA Margin		18	%		16	%		—	%		—	%		17	%
Dollars in millions	Fiscal 2024
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow and Discretionary Free Cash Flow to Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	Dec. Q			Mar. Q			June Q			Sept. Q			FY 2024
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities (B)	$	105		$	176		$	―		$	―		$	281
Less: Additions to property, plant and equipment		54			43			—			—			97
Free cash flow	$	51		$	133		$	―		$	―		$	184
Plus: Additions to property, plant and equipment		54			43			—			—			97
Less: Changes in net working capital (C)		(46	)		21			—			—			(25	)
Less: Sustaining and compliance capital expenditures		33			27			—			—			60
Discretionary free cash flow	$	118		$	128		$	―		$	―		$	246
(B) As provided in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
(C) Defined as changes in Accounts and notes receivable, Inventories, and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as presented on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

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Steve Delahunt

(617) 342-6255

Source: Cabot Corporation

FAQ

What were Cabot 's diluted EPS and adjusted EPS for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Cabot reported a diluted EPS of $1.49 and an adjusted EPS of $1.78 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024.

What was the percentage increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year for Cabot ?

Cabot saw a 34% increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year.

How much cash did Cabot return to shareholders in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Cabot returned $47 million of cash to shareholders in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024.

What was the change in the quarterly dividend per share for Cabot ?

Cabot increased its quarterly dividend by 8% from $0.40 to $0.43 per share.

What was Cabot 's tax expense and effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024?

Cabot recorded a tax expense of $47 million with an effective tax rate of 33% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024.