Livent Releases Third Quarter 2023 Results
- Livent's adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2023 was $119.7 million, 8% higher than the same quarter last year.
- The proposed merger of Livent and Allkem is expected to close by the end of 2023, creating Arcadium Lithium plc.
- Livent released a feasibility study for the Nemaska Lithium project, projecting a total capital requirement of approximately $1.6 billion.
- The company's capacity expansions are progressing, with commercial volumes expected in Argentina in Q1 2024 and in China by year-end 2023.
- Livent revises its guidance for full year 2023, projecting revenue in the range of $890 million to $940 million and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $500 million to $530 million.
- Third quarter revenue was $211.4 million, 10% lower than the previous quarter and 9% lower than the same quarter last year.
- Volumes sold are expected to be roughly flat in 2023 compared to 2022 due to expansion start-up delay.
- The reduction in guidance is driven by lower volumes sold in 2023.
-- Reports Higher Adjusted EBITDA Versus Prior Year --
-- Merger of Equals with Allkem Remains on Track to Close Around Year End --
-- Releases Feasibility Study for Nemaska Lithium Project --
-- Provides Update on the Progress of Capacity Expansions --
Livent Corporation (NYSE: LTHM) today reported results for the third quarter of 2023.
Third quarter revenue was
"We are working closely with our customers to meet their growing lithium demand needs as we prepare to meaningfully increase production volumes from our capacity expansions beginning in 2024," said Paul Graves, president and chief executive officer of Livent. "Additionally, we remain on track to close our transformational merger with Allkem by around the end of this year and look forward to combining our teams, assets and collective strengths to create a leading integrated global lithium company."
Proposed Merger of Livent and Allkem
Livent and Allkem (ASX: AKE) have received all required pre-closing regulatory approvals in connection with the proposed merger of equals with the exception of foreign investment screening by the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). Approvals received thus far include antitrust approvals in
Arcadium Lithium plc will be the name of the combined new company. Arcadium Lithium's ordinary shares are expected to trade on the NYSE under the ticker "ALTM" and CDIs are expected to be quoted on the ASX under the ticker "LTM" upon closing. Dates for the upcoming shareholder votes for both Livent and Allkem shareholders are expected to be announced in the coming weeks and the transaction is still expected to close around the end of calendar year 2023.
Nemaska Lithium Feasibility Study
The company released a feasibility study in the third quarter for the upstream Whabouchi mine portion of the Nemaska Lithium project located in
The study supports previously outlined expectations for the project. Total capital requirement for the development of the Whabouchi spodumene mine and the integrated lithium hydroxide facility in
Capacity Expansion Update
In
The lithium hydroxide expansions in the
2023 Guidance and Outlook (2)
Livent has revised its guidance for full year 2023 financial performance and still expects significant year-over-year growth following record 2022 results. The company projects full year 2023 revenue to be in the range of
($ million) | Revised FY 2023 | Prior FY 2023 | Actual FY 2022 | Revised YoY Growth |
Revenue | 890 – 940 | 1,025 – 1,125 | 813 | Up |
Adj. EBITDA | 500 – 530 | 530 – 600 | 367 | Up |
Supplemental Information
In this press release, Livent uses the financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share. These terms are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Definitions of these terms, as well as a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, are provided on our website: ir.livent.com. Such reconciliations are also set forth in the financial tables that accompany this press release.
About Livent
For nearly eight decades, Livent has partnered with its customers to safely and sustainably use lithium to power the world. Livent is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-quality finished lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. The Company has one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry, powering demand for green energy, modern mobility, the mobile economy, and specialized innovations, including light alloys and lubricants. Livent has a combined workforce of approximately 1,350 full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees and operates manufacturing sites in
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words and phrases. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Livent, may include projections of Livent's future financial performance, Livent's anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in Livent's business, including without limitation, our capital expansion plans and development of the Nemaska project, including expectations around production timelines, and the anticipated timing for, and outcome and effects of, the proposed merger with Allkem. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for the Company based on currently available information. There are important factors that could cause Livent's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the factors described under the caption entitled "Risk Factors" in Livent's 2022 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 24, 2023 as well as other SEC filings and public communications. Although Livent believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Livent cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Livent nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Livent is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.
- Corresponds to Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share in the accompanying financial tables.
- Although we provide a forecast for Adjusted EBITDA we are not able to forecast the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Certain elements of the composition of the GAAP amount are not predictable, making it impractical for us to forecast such GAAP measure or to reconcile corresponding non-GAAP financial measure to such GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts. For the same reason, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Such elements include, but are not limited to, restructuring, transaction related charges, and related cash activity. As a result, no GAAP outlook is provided for this metric.
- Lithium Carbonate Equivalent.
LIVENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, in millions, except per share data) | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Revenue | $ 211.4 | $ 231.6 | $ 700.7 | $ 593.8 | |||
Costs of sales | 94.9 | 112.2 | 274.8 | 312.0 | |||
Gross margin | 116.5 | 119.4 | 425.9 | 281.8 | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 13.2 | 15.0 | 47.1 | 40.6 | |||
Research and development expenses | 1.3 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 2.6 | |||
Restructuring and other charges | 8.6 | 0.7 | 34.7 | 4.6 | |||
Separation-related costs | — | 0.1 | — | 0.5 | |||
Total costs and expenses | 118.0 | 128.9 | 359.9 | 360.3 | |||
Income from operations before equity in net loss of unconsolidated | 93.4 | 102.7 | 340.8 | 233.5 | |||
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate | 6.7 | 3.5 | 22.0 | 8.4 | |||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | |||
Other gain | (10.0) | — | (21.4) | (22.2) | |||
Income from operations before income taxes | 96.7 | 99.1 | 340.2 | 247.2 | |||
Income tax expense | 9.3 | 21.5 | 47.8 | 56.4 | |||
Net income | $ 87.4 | $ 77.6 | $ 292.4 | $ 190.8 | |||
Net income per weighted average share - basic | $ 0.49 | $ 0.43 | $ 1.63 | $ 1.13 | |||
Net income per weighted average share - diluted | $ 0.42 | $ 0.37 | $ 1.40 | $ 0.96 | |||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 179.7 | 179.3 | 179.7 | 169.3 | |||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 209.3 | 209.4 | 209.3 | 199.2 |
LIVENT CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES | |||||||
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (GAAP) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA (NON-GAAP)
(Unaudited) | |||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
(in Millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||
Net income | $ 87.4 | $ 77.6 | $ 292.4 | $ 190.8 | |||
Add back: | |||||||
Income tax expense | 9.3 | 21.5 | 47.8 | 56.4 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 7.7 | 6.6 | 21.5 | 19.4 | |||
EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (1) | 104.4 | 105.7 | 361.7 | 266.6 | |||
Add back: | |||||||
11.6 | 1.2 | 20.5 | 3.0 | ||||
Restructuring and other charges (b) | 8.6 | 0.7 | 34.7 | 4.6 | |||
Separation-related costs (c) | — | 0.1 | — | 0.5 | |||
COVID-19 related costs (d) | — | 0.6 | — | 2.1 | |||
Loss on debt extinguishment (e) | — | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | |||
Other loss (f) | 5.1 | 2.4 | 16.1 | 5.9 | |||
Subtract: | |||||||
Blue Chip Swap gain (g) | (10.0) | — | (21.4) | (22.2) | |||
— | — | — | (1.5) | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ 119.7 | $ 110.8 | $ 411.6 | $ 259.1 |
__________________ | |
1. | We evaluate operating performance using certain Non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA, which we define as net income plus interest expense, net, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization; and Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as EBITDA adjusted for |
a. | Represents impact of currency fluctuations on tax assets and liabilities and long-term monetary assets associated with our capital expansion as well as foreign currency devaluations. The remeasurement losses are included within "Cost of sales" in our condensed consolidated statements of operations but are excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA because of: i.) their nature as income tax related; ii.) their association with long-term capital projects which will not be operational until future periods; or iii.) the severity of the devaluations and their immediate impact on our operations in the country. |
b. | We continually perform strategic reviews and assess the return on our business. This sometimes results in management changes or in a plan to restructure the operations of our business. As part of these restructuring plans, demolition costs and write-downs of long-lived assets may occur. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 includes costs related to the Transaction of |
c. | Represents legal and professional fees and other Separation-related activity. |
d. | Represents incremental costs associated with COVID-19 recorded in "Cost of sales" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, including but not limited to, incremental quarantine-related absenteeism, incremental facility cleaning costs, COVID-19 testing, pandemic-related supplies and personal protective equipment for employees, among other costs; offset by economic relief provided by foreign governments. |
e. | Represents the partial write-off of deferred financing costs for amendments to the Revolving Credit Facility excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA because the loss is nonrecurring. |
f. | Represents our ownership interest (which is |
g. | Represents the gain from the sale in |
h. | Represents interest income received from the |
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (GAAP) TO ADJUSTED AFTER-TAX EARNINGS (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited)
| |||||||
(in Millions, Except Per Share Data) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Net income | $ 87.4 | $ 77.6 | $ 292.4 | $ 190.8 | |||
Special charges: | |||||||
11.6 | 1.2 | 20.5 | 3.0 | ||||
Restructuring and other charges (b) | 8.6 | 0.7 | 34.7 | 4.6 | |||
Separation-related costs (c) | — | 0.1 | — | 0.5 | |||
COVID-19 related costs (d) | — | 0.6 | — | 2.1 | |||
Loss on debt extinguishment (e) | — | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | |||
Other loss (f) | 5.1 | 2.4 | 16.1 | 5.9 | |||
Blue Chip Swap gain (g) | (10.0) | — | (21.4) | (22.2) | |||
— | — | — | (1.5) | ||||
Non-GAAP tax adjustments (i) | (10.8) | 2.4 | (17.1) | 15.1 | |||
Adjusted after-tax earnings (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ 91.9 | $ 85.1 | $ 325.2 | $ 198.4 | |||
Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP) | $ 0.42 | $ 0.37 | $ 1.40 | $ 0.96 | |||
Special charges per diluted share, before tax: | |||||||
0.06 | 0.01 | 0.10 | 0.02 | ||||
Restructuring and other charges, per diluted share | 0.04 | — | 0.16 | 0.02 | |||
COVID-19 related costs, per diluted share | — | — | — | 0.01 | |||
Other loss, per diluted share | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.03 | |||
Blue Chip Swap gain, per diluted share | (0.05) | — | (0.11) | (0.12) | |||
Non-GAAP tax adjustments, per diluted share | (0.05) | 0.02 | (0.08) | 0.08 | |||
Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ 0.44 | $ 0.41 | $ 1.55 | $ 1.00 | |||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (Non- | 209.3 | 209.4 | 209.3 | 199.2 |
___________________ | |
1. | The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures "Adjusted after-tax earnings" and "Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share" provide useful information about the Company's operating results to management, investors and securities analysts. Adjusted after-tax earnings excludes the effects of nonrecurring charges/(income) and tax-related adjustments. The Company also believes that excluding the effects of these items from operating results allows management and investors to compare more easily the financial performance of its underlying business from period to period. Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share (Non-GAAP) is calculated using weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted. |
a. | Represents impact of currency fluctuations on tax assets and liabilities and long-term monetary assets associated with our capital expansion as well as foreign currency devaluations. The remeasurement losses are included within "Cost of sales" in our condensed consolidated statements of operations but are excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA because of: i.) their nature as income tax related; ii.) their association with long-term capital projects which will not be operational until future periods; or iii.) the severity of the devaluations and their immediate impact on our operations in the country. |
b. | We continually perform strategic reviews and assess the return on our business. This sometimes results in management changes or in a plan to restructure the operations of our business. As part of these restructuring plans, demolition costs and write-downs of long-lived assets may occur. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 includes costs related to the Transaction of |
c. | Represents legal and professional fees and other Separation-related activity. |
d. | Represents incremental costs associated with COVID-19 recorded in "Cost of sales" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, including but not limited to, incremental quarantine-related absenteeism, incremental facility cleaning costs, COVID-19 testing, pandemic related supplies and personal protective equipment for employees, among other costs; offset by economic relief provided by foreign governments. |
e. | Represents the partial write-off of deferred financing costs for amendments to the Revolving Credit Facility excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA because the loss is nonrecurring. |
f. | Represents our ownership interest (which is |
g. | Represents the gain from the sale in |
h. | Represents interest income received from the |
i. | The company excludes the GAAP tax provision, including discrete items, from the Non-GAAP measure "Diluted adjusted after-tax earnings per share", and instead includes a Non-GAAP tax provision based upon the annual Non-GAAP effective tax rate. The GAAP tax provision includes certain discrete tax items including, but not limited to: income tax expenses or benefits that are not related to operating results in the current year; tax adjustments associated with fluctuations in foreign currency remeasurement of certain foreign operations; certain changes in estimates of tax matters related to prior fiscal years; certain changes in the realizability of deferred tax assets and related accounting impacts; and changes in tax law. Management believes excluding these discrete tax items assists investors and securities analysts in understanding the tax provision and the effective tax rate related to operating results thereby providing investors with useful supplemental information about the company's operational performance. The income tax expense/(benefit) on special charges/(income) is determined using the applicable rates in the taxing jurisdictions in which the special charge or income occurred and includes both current and deferred income tax expense/(benefit) based on the nature of the Non-GAAP performance measure. |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||
(in Millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||
Non-GAAP tax adjustments: | |||||||
Income tax benefit on restructuring and other charges, Separation- | $ (0.8) | $ (0.4) | $ (3.6) | $ (1.3) | |||
Revisions to our tax liabilities due to finalization of prior year tax | (0.3) | — | (0.4) | — | |||
Foreign currency remeasurement and other discrete items | (12.0) | 2.8 | (15.1) | 14.7 | |||
Blue Chip Swap gain | 1.0 | — | 2.2 | 2.3 | |||
Other discrete items | 1.3 | — | (0.2) | (0.6) | |||
Total Non-GAAP tax adjustments | $ (10.8) | $ 2.4 | $ (17.1) | $ 15.1 |
RECONCILIATION OF CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (GAAP) TO ADJUSTED CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited) | |||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
(in Millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) | $ 261.8 | $ 328.2 | |
Restructuring and other charges/(income) | 12.2 | (0.1) | |
Separation-related costs | — | 0.9 | |
COVID-19 related costs (a) | — | 2.1 | |
— | (1.5) | ||
Adjusted cash provided by operations (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ 274.0 | $ 329.6 |
___________________ | |
1. | The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measure "Adjusted cash provided by operations" provides useful information about the Company's cash flows to investors and securities analysts. Adjusted cash provided by operations excludes the effects of transaction-related cash flows. The Company also believes that excluding the effects of these items from cash provided by operating activities allows management and investors to compare more easily the cash flows from period to period. |
a. | Represents incremental costs associated with COVID-19 recorded in "Cost of sales" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, including but not limited to, incremental quarantine-related absenteeism, incremental facility cleaning costs, COVID-19 testing, pandemic-related supplies and personal protective equipment for employees, among other costs; offset by economic relief provided by foreign governments. |
b. | Represents interest income received from the |
RECONCILIATION OF LONG-TERM DEBT (GAAP) AND CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (GAAP) TO NET DEBT (NON-GAAP) (Unaudited)
| |||
(in Millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
Long-term debt (GAAP) (a) | $ 243.1 | $ 241.9 | |
Less: Cash and cash equivalents (GAAP) | (112.6) | (189.0) | |
Net debt (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ 130.5 | $ 52.9 |
___________________ | |
1. | The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measure "Net debt" provides useful information about the Company's cash flows and liquidity to investors and securities analysts. |
a. | Presented net of unamortized transaction costs of |
LIVENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
| |||
(in Millions) | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 112.6 | $ 189.0 | |
Trade receivables, net of allowance of approximately | 110.1 | 141.6 | |
Inventories | 202.7 | 152.3 | |
Other current assets | 52.8 | 61.1 | |
Total current assets | 478.2 | 544.0 | |
Investments | 504.8 | 440.3 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of | 1,215.4 | 968.3 | |
Right of use assets - operating leases, net | 6.4 | 4.8 | |
Deferred income taxes | 0.4 | 0.4 | |
Other assets | 155.9 | 116.4 | |
Total assets | $ 2,361.1 | $ 2,074.2 | |
Accounts payable, trade and other | $ 71.1 | $ 81.7 | |
Contract liabilities - short term | 9.7 | 15.5 | |
Other current liabilities | 57.5 | 51.5 | |
Total current liabilities | 138.3 | 148.7 | |
Long-term debt | 243.1 | 241.9 | |
Contract liability - long-term | 198.0 | 198.0 | |
Other long-term liabilities | 41.1 | 42.6 | |
Equity | 1,740.6 | 1,443.0 | |
Total liabilities and equity | $ 2,361.1 | $ 2,074.2 |
LIVENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) | |||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||
(in Millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |
Cash provided by operating activities | $ 261.8 | $ 328.2 | |
Cash used in investing activities | (315.5) | (225.7) | |
Cash used in financing activities | (21.5) | (1.0) | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (1.2) | (2.9) | |
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (76.4) | 98.6 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 189.0 | 113.0 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ 112.6 | $ 211.6 |
Media Contact: | Juan Carlos Cruz +1.215.299.6725 |
Juan.Carlos.Cruz@livent.com | |
Investor Contact: | Daniel Rosen +1.215.299.6208 |
Daniel.Rosen@livent.com |
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SOURCE Livent Corporation
FAQ
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