grepcent / static financial knowledge base

VALHI INC /DE/ (VHI)

CIK: 0000059255. SIC: 2810 Industrial Inorganic Chemicals. Latest 10-K as of: 2026-03-10.

SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Chemicals And Allied Products > SIC 2810 Industrial Inorganic Chemicals

SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=59255. Latest filing source: 0001104659-26-025847.

Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.

Business

Read VHI's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.

Risk Factors

Read VHI's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.

Selected Fundamentals

MetricValueUnitFYFiled
Revenue2,077,000,000USD20252026-03-10
Net income-57,600,000USD20252026-03-10
Assets2,632,300,000USD20252026-03-10

Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-10. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000059255.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

Download these verified figures (annual + quarterly, with per-value filing provenance): JSON · CSV

Flow metrics use full-year FY periods from 10-K/10-K/A filings; balance-sheet metrics use FY-end instants. Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures. Missing metrics are omitted rather than fabricated.

Metric2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue1,519,400,0001,879,400,0001,820,100,0001,897,500,0001,849,700,0002,296,400,0002,222,500,0001,921,700,0002,104,800,0002,077,000,000
Net income-15,900,000207,500,000262,200,00049,200,00055,200,000127,200,00087,200,000-9,900,000108,000,000-57,600,000
Operating income119,200,000380,300,000370,700,000192,700,000186,100,000318,600,000239,400,00034,200,000210,700,00063,300,000
Gross profit307,900,000612,900,000609,200,000434,600,000412,100,000580,200,000490,400,000245,200,000424,500,000295,400,000
Diluted EPS1.731.944.463.06-0.353.79-2.02
Operating cash flow79,800,000259,300,000165,500,000177,200,000152,200,000459,700,00034,900,0003,900,00044,000,000-35,500,000
Capital expenditures58,900,00071,300,00061,400,00059,900,00065,500,00064,100,00067,600,00048,500,00030,900,00046,600,000
Dividends paid27,100,00027,200,00027,100,00027,100,00013,600,0009,000,0009,000,0009,100,0009,100,0009,100,000
Assets2,443,200,0002,907,500,0002,709,600,0002,794,400,0002,889,300,0003,005,200,0002,835,700,0002,737,000,0002,800,200,0002,632,300,000
Stockholders' equity200,900,000424,400,000635,400,000640,000,000682,500,000829,500,000958,600,000950,500,0001,036,100,0001,023,200,000
Cash and cash equivalents159,700,000435,700,000499,800,000523,800,000518,600,000698,400,000478,500,000407,000,000348,300,000214,000,000
Free cash flow20,900,000188,000,000104,100,000117,300,00086,700,000395,600,000-32,700,000-44,600,00013,100,000-82,100,000

Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

Metric2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Net margin-1.05%11.04%14.41%2.59%2.98%5.54%3.92%-0.52%5.13%-2.77%
Operating margin7.85%20.24%20.37%10.16%10.06%13.87%10.77%1.78%10.01%3.05%
Return on equity-7.91%48.89%41.27%7.69%8.09%15.33%9.10%-1.04%10.42%-5.63%
Return on assets-0.65%7.14%9.68%1.76%1.91%4.23%3.08%-0.36%3.86%-2.19%
Current ratio2.853.814.014.424.573.613.232.912.262.80

Industry Peer Context

Each number-line places VHI against the min, median, and max of latest reported values among companies in the same SIC industry when at least three peers report that ratio.

Net margin peer context

VHI Net margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 9.VHI Net margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 9.9 SIC peersMin -23.9%Median -2.8%Max 20.3%VHI -2.8%

Operating margin peer context

VHI Operating margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 9.VHI Operating margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 9.9 SIC peersMin -8.7%Median 3.0%Max 26.3%VHI 3.0%

ROE peer context

VHI ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 10.VHI ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 10.10 SIC peersMin -33.1%Median -4.1%Max 18.0%VHI -5.6%

ROA peer context

VHI ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 10.VHI ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 2810; peer count 10.10 SIC peersMin -9.6%Median -1.6%Max 7.9%VHI -2.2%

Financial Bridges

Waterfall figures reconcile reported SEC companyfacts components. Missing bridges are omitted when required components are not present for the same fiscal year.

Income statement bridge from reported figures

VHI FY2025 income statement bridge from reported figures.VHI FY2025 income statement bridge from reported figures.VHI income bridgeFY2025: revenue to net incomeSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Income statement bridgeReported amount-$250.0M$0.0B$4.0B$2.1BRevenue-$1.8BCost$295.4MGross-$232.1MOpEx$63.3MOperating-$120.9MOther/tax-$57.6MNet income

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss

Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures

VHI FY2025 free cash flow bridge from reported figures.VHI FY2025 free cash flow bridge from reported figures.VHI free cash flow bridgeFY2025: operating cash flow less capital expendituresSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Free cash flow bridgeReported amount-$250.0M$0.0B$250.0M-$35.5MOperating cash flow-$46.6MCapex-$82.1MFree cash flow

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001104659-26-025847; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment

Financial Charts

VHI revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI RevenueLatest point: FY2025 = $2.1BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearReported revenue$0.0B$2.0B$4.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.

VHI net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Net incomeLatest point: FY2025 = -$57.6MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearNet income-$250.0M$0.0B$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

VHI operating income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI operating income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Operating incomeLatest point: FY2025 = $63.3MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearOperating income$0.0B$250.0M$500.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.

VHI gross profit, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI gross profit, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Gross profitLatest point: FY2025 = $295.4MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearGross profit$0.0B$375.0M$750.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.

VHI diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Diluted EPSLatest point: FY2025 = -$2.02/shareSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDiluted EPS (USD/share)-$4.00/share$0.00/share$6.00/shareFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

VHI operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Operating cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = -$35.5MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearOperating cash flow-$250.0M$0.0B$750.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.

VHI capital expenditures, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI capital expenditures, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Capital expendituresLatest point: FY2025 = $46.6MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearCapital expenditures$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.

VHI dividends paid, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI dividends paid, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Dividends paidLatest point: FY2025 = $9.1MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDividends paid$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.

VHI assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI AssetsLatest point: FY2025 = $2.6BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearAssets$0.0B$2.0B$4.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.

VHI stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Stockholders' equityLatest point: FY2025 = $1.0BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearStockholders' equity$0.0B$1.0B$2.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.

VHI cash and cash equivalents, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI cash and cash equivalents, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Cash and cash equivalentsLatest point: FY2025 = $214.0MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearCash and cash equivalents$0.0B$375.0M$750.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.

VHI free cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI free cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.VHI Free cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = -$82.1MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearFree cash flow-$250.0M$0.0B$500.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001104659-26-025847; filed 2026-03-10. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.

Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000059255.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

QuarterEnd DateRevenueNet IncomeDiluted EPSMethod
2022-Q22022-06-300.98reported discrete quarter
2022-Q32022-09-300.92reported discrete quarter
2023-Q12023-03-31-0.17reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22023-06-30507,100,000-5,100,000-0.18reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-09-30468,900,000-6,000,000-0.21reported discrete quarter
2023-Q42023-12-31453,000,0003,900,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2024-Q12024-03-31530,600,0007,800,0000.27reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22024-06-30559,700,00019,900,0000.70reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-09-30533,600,00057,500,0002.01reported discrete quarter
2024-Q42024-12-31480,900,00022,800,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2025-Q12025-03-31538,600,00016,900,0000.59reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22025-06-30540,400,000900,0000.03reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-09-30503,500,000-22,200,000-0.78reported discrete quarter
2025-Q42025-12-31494,500,000-53,200,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2026-Q12026-03-31560,100,0002,000,0000.07reported discrete quarter

Quarterly Charts

VHI quarterly revenue, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.VHI quarterly revenue, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.VHI Quarterly RevenueLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $560.1MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Revenue$0.0B$375.0M$750.0M2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-057165; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.

VHI quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.VHI quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.VHI Quarterly Net incomeLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $2.0MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Net income-$250.0M$0.0B$250.0M2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-057165; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

VHI quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.VHI quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.VHI Quarterly Diluted EPSLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $0.07/shareSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Diluted EPS (USD/share)-$1.00/share$0.00/share$4.00/share2022-Q22022-Q32023-Q12023-Q22023-Q32024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001104659-26-057165; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

Macro Cross-References

Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: 0001104659-26-057165.

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-05-07. Report date: 2026-03-31.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”). Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Chemicals – Our Chemicals Segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments (“TiO2”). TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Component Products – We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the postal, recreational transportation, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare applications and a variety of other industries. CompX is also a leading manufacturer of wake enhancement systems, stainless steel exhaust systems, custom metal fabricated parts, gauges, throttle controls, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories primarily for the recreational marine and other industries.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Real Estate Management and Development – We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada.

General

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Statements in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking in nature and represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results. Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Quarterly Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC and include, but are not limited to, the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Future supply and demand for our products;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to realize expected cost savings from strategic and operational initiatives;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to integrate acquisitions into Kronos’ operations and realize expected synergies and innovations;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The cyclicality of certain of our businesses (such as Kronos’ TiO2 operations);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Customer and producer inventory levels;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion (such as the TiO2 industry);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as ore, zinc, brass, aluminum, steel and energy costs) or the implementation of tariffs on imported raw materials;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore);

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
General global economic and political conditions that harm the worldwide economy, disrupt our supply chain, increase material and energy costs, reduce demand or perceived demand for TiO2, component products and land held for development or impair our ability to operate our facilities (including changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world, tariffs, natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflicts and public health crises);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, certain regional and world events or economic conditions and public health crises);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Technology related disruptions (including, but not limited to, cyber-attacks; software implementation, upgrades or improvements; technology processing failures; or other events) related to our technology infrastructure (including manufacturing and accounting systems) that could impact our ability to continue operations, or at key vendors which could impact our supply chain, or at key customers which could impact their operations and cause them to curtail or pause orders;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Competitive products and substitute products;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Competition from Chinese suppliers with less stringent regulatory and environmental compliance requirements;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Customer and competitor strategies;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Potential consolidation of our competitors;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Potential consolidation of our customers;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to retain key customers;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The impact of pricing and production decisions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Competitive technology positions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to protect or defend intellectual property rights;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The introduction of new, or changes in existing, tariffs, trade barriers or trade disputes;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The ability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Uncertainties associated with new product development and the development of new product features;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (such as changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and between the euro and the Norwegian krone) or possible disruptions to our business resulting from uncertainties associated with the euro or other currencies;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Decisions to sell operating assets other than in the ordinary course of business;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The timing and amounts of insurance recoveries;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to renew or refinance credit facilities or other debt instruments in the future;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Changes in interest rates;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The ultimate outcome of income tax audits, tax settlement initiatives or other tax matters, including future tax reform;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to utilize income tax attributes, the benefits of which may or may not have been recognized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Environmental matters (such as those requiring compliance with emission and discharge standards for existing and new facilities, or new developments regarding environmental remediation or decommissioning obligations at sites related to our former operations);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Government laws and regulations and possible changes therein (such as changes in government regulations which might impose various obligations on former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint, including NL, with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products) including new environmental, sustainability, health and safety or other regulations (such as those seeking to limit or classify TiO2 or its use);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
The ultimate resolution of pending litigation (such as NL’s lead pigment and environmental matters);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to comply with covenants contained in our revolving bank credit facilities;

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
Our ability to complete and comply with the conditions of our licenses and permits;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Changes in construction costs in Henderson, Nevada; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Pending or possible future litigation (such as litigation related to CompX’s use of certain permitted chemicals in its productions process) or other actions.

Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those currently forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

Operations Overview

Quarter Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025 –

We reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $2.0 million, or $.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $16.9 million, or $.59 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025. As discussed more fully below, our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2025 to 2026 primarily due to lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment partially offset by higher operating income from our Component Products and our Real Estate Management and Development Segments.

Our diluted net income per share in the first quarter of 2026 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.10 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursement; and

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","\u25cf","a loss of $.04 per share due to recognition at our Chemicals Segment of an uncertain tax position related to a

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-03-10. Report date: 2025-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”).  Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Chemicals – Our Chemicals Segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO2. TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Component Products – We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the postal, recreational transportation, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare applications and a variety of other industries. CompX is also a leading manufacturer of wake enhancements systems, stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories for the recreational marine and other industries.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Real Estate Management and Development – We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada. Prior to 2023, BMI was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users and provided utility services to certain industrial customers.

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Operations Overview

Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024 –

We reported a net loss attributable to Valhi stockholders of $57.6 million or $2.02 per diluted share in 2025 compared to net income of $108.0 million or $3.79 per diluted share in 2024.

Our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2024 to 2025 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
an operating loss from our Chemicals Segment of $24.5 million in 2025 compared to operating income of $138.5 million in 2024;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash gain of $64.5 million resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s investment in the TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2024;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate income of $31.4 million in 2024 related to the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash settlement loss of $28.7 million on the termination and buy-out of our pension plan in the United States in 2025;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $19.3 million to reduce the Chemicals Segment’s net German deferred tax asset as a result of the German tax rate reduction in 2025;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $10.3 million related to restructuring costs associated with workforce reductions in our Chemicals Segment in 2025;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.5 million related to the recognition of a valuation allowance on our Chemicals Segment’s German interest deduction limitation deferred tax asset recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash gain of $4.6 million resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s acquisition earn-out liability in 2025; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from tax increment infrastructure reimbursement of $34.2 million in 2025 compared to $30.3 million in 2024.

Our diluted net loss per share in 2025 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.62 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the second and third quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.62 per share due to the termination and buy-out of our pension plan in the United States in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.45 per share related to the recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense to reduce the Chemicals Segment’s net German deferred tax asset as a result of the German tax rate reduction in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss $.18 per share related to restructuring costs related to our Chemicals Segment’s workforce reductions in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.20 per share related to the recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense related to the recognition of a valuation allowance on our Chemicals Segment’s German net deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.08 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash gain resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s acquisition earn-out liability in the third quarter.

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Our diluted net income per share in 2024 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $1.18 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash gain resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s investment in the TiO2 manufacturing joint venture recognized in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate income of $.72 per share related to the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.55 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.38 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense related to final tax regulations on the treatment of certain currency translation gains and losses related to our Chemicals Segment in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.19 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense related to the recognition of a valuation allowance on our Chemicals Segment’s Belgian net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter.

Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023 –

We reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $108.0 million or $3.79 per diluted share in 2024 compared to a net loss of $9.9 million or $.35 per diluted share in 2023.

Our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders increased from 2023 to 2024 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
operating income from our Chemicals Segment of $138.5 million in 2024 compared to an operating loss of $41.1 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash gain of $64.5 million in 2024 resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s investment in the TiO2 manufacturing joint venture;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate income of $31.4 million in 2024 related to the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from tax increment infrastructure reimbursement of $30.3 million in 2024 compared to $25.2 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $16.5 million in 2024 related to final tax regulations on the treatment of certain currency translation gains and losses related to our Chemicals Segment;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.2 million in 2024 related to the recognition of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance related to our Chemicals Segment’s Belgian net deferred tax assets;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash loss on the termination of our U.K. pension plan of $6.2 million in 2023; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher interest expense in 2024 as a result of refinancing of the Chemicals Segment’s Senior Secured Notes in the first quarter and debt incurred to finance the LPC acquisition in the third quarter.

In addition to the 2024 items noted above, our diluted net loss per share in 2023 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.46 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.13 per share due to the termination of our U.K. pension plan recognized in the second quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.10 per share related to workforce reductions by our Chemicals Segment recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.06 per share related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination recognized in the fourth quarter; and

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first, second and third quarters.

We discuss these amounts more fully below.

Current Forecast for 2026 –

We currently expect consolidated operating income for 2026 to be higher as compared to 2025 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2026 primarily due to the positive impacts of increased operating rates, higher sales volumes and selling prices, and lower operating costs;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2026 due to the wind down of development activities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash settlement loss of $28.7 million related to the termination of the U.S. pension plan in 2025.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, technological advances, worldwide production capacity, public health crises, the effect of tariffs, and the impact of economic conditions and geopolitical events on demand for our products or our customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Segment Operating Results – 2025 Compared to 2024 and 2024 Compared to 2023

Chemicals –

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if our Chemicals Segment and its competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our Chemicals Segment’s customers. We believe our Chemicals Segments’ customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of its grades and substantially all of its production are considered differentiated commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with product quality and customer and technical support services.

The factors having the most impact on our Chemicals Segment’s reported operating results are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 selling prices,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 sales and production volumes,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Manufacturing costs, particularly raw materials such as third-party feedstock, maintenance and energy-related expenses, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and the euro relative to the Norwegian krone).

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are its TiO2 average selling prices, its TiO2 sales and production volumes and the cost of titanium-containing feedstock purchased from third parties. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

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As previously reported, effective July 16, 2024 (the “Acquisition Date”), Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest in LPC previously held by Venator Investments, Ltd. (“Venator”). Prior to the acquisition, Kronos held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC through a wholly-owned subsidiary. LPC was operated as a manufacturing joint venture between Kronos and Venator. Following the acquisition, LPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kronos. In 2025, Kronos merged LPC into its wholly-owned subsidiary Kronos Louisiana, Inc. (the combined company is referred to as “Kronos Louisiana”). Kronos accounted for the acquisition as a business combination. The results of operations of LPC are included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning as of the Acquisition Date. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Years ended December 31,% Change
​ ​ ​2023​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025​ ​ ​2023-24​ ​ ​2024-25
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales$1,666.5$1,887.1$1,859.413%(1)%
Cost of sales1,502.71,530.11,648.428
Gross margin$163.8$357.0$211.0118(41)
Operating income (loss)$(41.1)$138.5$(24.5)437(118)
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales90%81%89%
Gross margin101911
Operating income (loss)(2)7(1)
TiO2 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*41950451220%2%
Production volumes*40153548033%(10)%
Percent change in TiO2 net sales:
TiO2 sales volumes20%2%
TiO2 product pricing(5)(4)
TiO2 product mix/other(2)
Changes in currency exchange rates1
Total13%(1)%
Column 1Column 2
*Thousands of metric tons

Industry Conditions and 2025 Overview – Throughout 2025, the market faced significant global uncertainty driven by evolving U.S. trade policies and sustained geopolitical tensions. These factors, combined with continued market weakness compared to historical periods, contributed to additional global capacity reductions by TiO2 producers in 2025, including both announced plant closures and lower operating rates. While our Chemicals Segment has seen some incremental benefit as a result of certain plant closures, primarily in Europe and particularly in the fourth quarter of 2025, the prolonged market downturn has negatively impacted its sales volume and led to pricing degradation as the year progressed. Our Chemicals Segment started 2025 with average TiO2 selling prices 2% higher than at the beginning of 2024 but ended 2025 with average TiO2 selling prices 10% lower. Overall, our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes have increased slightly in 2025 as compared to 2024 with higher overall sales volumes in both the European and North American markets offset by lower sales volumes to the export market.

Our Chemicals Segment operated its production facilities at 96% of practical capacity utilization in 2024 and continued operating at similar rates in early 2025. When the demand outlook began to soften, our Chemicals Segment adjusted its production operating rates downward in the second and third quarters of 2025, and our Chemicals Segment implemented a more significant production curtailment in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reduce finished goods inventory levels and preserve liquidity.

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The following table shows our Chemicals Segment’s capacity utilization rates during 2024 and 2025.

Production Capacity Utilization Rates
​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025
First quarter87%93%
Second quarter99%81%
Third quarter92%80%
Fourth quarter97%55%
Overall96%77%

Excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates and unabsorbed fixed costs, our Chemical Segment’s cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in 2025 was lower as compared to 2024 primarily due to decreases in per metric ton production costs (primarily raw materials).

In response to the extended period of reduced demand in 2025, discussed above, our Chemicals Segment has taken measures to further reduce its operating costs and improve its long-term cost structure. In the fourth quarter of 2025, our Chemicals Segment implemented certain voluntary and involuntary workforce reductions across its operating locations impacting both manufacturing and selling, general and administrative costs. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a total of approximately $10 million in restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of 2025 related to workforce reductions impacting approximately 226 positions. See Note 20 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Sales – Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2025 decreased 1%, or $27.7 million, compared to 2024 primarily due to a 4% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $75 million) somewhat offset by a 2% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $38 million). Additionally, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemical Segment’s net sales by approximately $24 million in 2025 as compared to 2024. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures and changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes increased 2% as compared to 2024 primarily due to market share gains in European, North American and Latin American markets related to the 2024 acquisition of LPC. Our Chemical Segment’s sales volumes were 7% higher in the fourth quarter of 2025 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 primarily due to incremental market share increases in the European market as a result of competitor plant closures in Europe.

Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2024 increased 13%, or $220.6 million, compared to 2023 primarily due to the effects of a 20% increase in sales volumes resulting from improved overall demand across all major markets (which increased net sales by approximately $333 million) partially offset by a 5% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $83 million). Changes in product mix negatively contributed to net sales, primarily due to changes in product sales mix in export markets in 2024 as compared to 2023. Additionally, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $5 million in 2024 as compared to 2023. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures and changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs. Incremental sales volumes resulting from the LPC acquisition did not significantly impact comparisons to the prior year.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Cost of sales increased $118.3 million, or 8%, in 2025 compared to 2024 due to the net effects of approximately $111 million in unabsorbed fixed production costs (including $54 million in the fourth quarter) recognized as a result of reduced operating rates at our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, lower production costs of approximately $14 million (primarily raw materials) and favorable currency fluctuations (primarily the euro). Our Chemicals Segment’s unabsorbed fixed production costs in 2024 were $12 million. Our Chemical Segment’s cost of sales in 2025 includes a charge in the fourth quarter of 2025 of approximately $4 million related to workforce reductions noted above. Our Chemical Segment’s cost of sales in 2024 include a charge of approximately $2 million related to workforce reductions and approximately $14 million in non-cash charges related to the closure of its sulfate process line in Canada.

Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 89% in 2025 compared to 81% in 2024 primarily due to the unfavorable fixed cost absorption and currency fluctuations, as discussed above.

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Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 11% in 2025 compared to 19% in 2024. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to lower average TiO2 selling prices and lower production volumes resulting in unfavorable fixed cost absorption.

Cost of sales increased $27.4 million, or 2%, in 2024 compared to 2023 due to the net effects of a 20% increase in sales volumes, a 33% increase in production rates resulting in reduced unabsorbed fixed production costs, and lower production costs of approximately $115 million (primarily energy and raw materials). Our Chemicals Segment’s unabsorbed fixed production costs in 2024 were $12 million (incurred in the first quarter) compared to $96 million in 2023 related to curtailments that began in 2022 and continued into the first quarter of 2024, as discussed above. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales in 2024 include a charge of approximately $2 million related to workforce reductions and approximately $14 million in non-cash charges related to the closure of its sulfate process line in Canada. Sales and production volumes resulting from the LPC acquisition did not materially impact comparisons to the prior year.

Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 81% in 2024 compared to 90% in 2023 primarily due to the favorable effects of increased sales, lower production costs and higher production volumes resulting in increased coverage of fixed production costs.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 19% in 2024 compared to 10% in 2023. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased primarily due to higher sales and production volumes as well as lower production costs, partially offset by lower average TiO2 selling prices.

Operating Income (Loss) – Our Chemicals Segment had an operating loss of $24.5 million in 2025 compared to operating income of $138.5 million in 2024 as a result of the factors impacting gross margin discussed above. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased our Chemicals Segment’s operating loss by approximately $8 million in 2025 as compared to 2024, as further discussed below.

Our Chemicals Segment had operating income of $138.5 million in 2024 compared to an operating loss of $41.1 million in 2023 as a result of the factors impacting gross margin discussed above. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a gain of $2.5 million in 2023 related to cash received from the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $10 million in 2024 as compared to 2023, as further discussed below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income (loss) is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized additional depreciation expense of $1.3 million in 2023, $2.5 million in 2024 and $2.2 million in 2025, which increased our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating loss as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

Currency Exchange Rates – Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our Chemicals Segment’s sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time). Certain raw materials used in all our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production and administrative costs are incurred primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars) and (iii) relative changes in the aggregate fair value of currency forward contracts held from time to time. Our Chemicals Segment periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a portion of its currency exchange risk, and relative changes in the aggregate fair

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value of any currency forward contracts our Chemicals Segment holds from time to time serve in part to mitigate the currency transaction gains or losses we would recognize from the first two items described above.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income (loss) for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2025 vs 2024
Translation
gainsTotal currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025​ ​ ​Change​ ​ ​rate changes​ ​ ​2025 vs 2024
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$24$24
Operating income (loss)25358

The $24 million increase in net sales (translation gains) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2025 as compared to 2024. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Norwegian krone in 2025 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $8 million decrease in loss from operations was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $3 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations. As discussed in Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, in order to manage currency exchange rate risk associated with the maturity in September 2025 of Kronos’ €75 million 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, in the first quarter of 2025 — our Chemicals Segment entered into a currency forward contract to purchase €25 million at an exchange rate of €1.05 per U.S. dollar. The contract was settled in August 2025, resulting in an overall transaction gain of $2.8 million included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended 2025; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $5 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2025 as compared to 2024. The effect of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Norwegian krone caused net translation losses as local currency-denominated costs were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2025 as compared to 2024. Additionally, combined with the effect of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro caused further net translation losses, as the positive effects of the weaker U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales was more than offset by the unfavorable effects on euro-denominated operating costs being translated into more U.S. dollars in 2025 as compared to 2024.
Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2024 vs. 2023
Translation
gainsTotal currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
​ ​ ​2023​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​Change​ ​ ​rate changes​ ​2024 vs. 2023
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$5$5
Operating income (loss)121910

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The $5 million increase in net sales (translation gains) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2024 as compared to 2023. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2024 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $10 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $1 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $9 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2024 as compared to 2023. The effect of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro caused additional net translation gains as the positive effects of the weaker U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the unfavorable effects on euro-denominated operating costs being translated into more U.S. dollars in 2024 as compared to 2023.

Outlook – Our Chemicals Segment’s overall customer demand remained weaker than expected throughout 2025, driven by ongoing economic uncertainty related to tariffs and global trade tensions, as well as persistently high interest rates and elevated home prices which are impacting housing mobility.  Our Chemicals Segment’s customers were reluctant to build inventories, resulting in shorter order lead times and greater demand forecasting challenges. In the fourth quarter of 2025, our Chemicals Segment further reduced operating rates to align production with demand and to reduce its inventory levels to support cash generation. In 2025, the TiO2 industry experienced significant capacity reductions including curtailments and previously announced plant closures by multiple producers, primarily in China and Europe. In combination with ongoing tariff and anti-dumping measures, these factors created targeted opportunities for improved sales volumes and mix in select markets, most notably in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Entering 2026, our Chemicals Segment expects demand improvement from 2025 levels, supported by low customer inventories and seasonal restocking, particularly in North America. The pace and sustainability of recovery remain uncertain and will be influenced by macroeconomic factors, including interest rates, inflation, and consumer confidence. Demand in Europe continues to lag historical levels; however, our Chemicals Segment expects its European volumes to increase from 2025 levels, supported by industry capacity reductions, including the Venator bankruptcy and associated plant closures.  To improve operating margins, our Chemicals Segment will need to realize price increases and execute on its operating cost structural realignment.

Our Chemicals Segment remains focused on permanently realigning its operating costs, improving capital efficiency, and preserving liquidity. Following the workforce reductions implemented in late 2025, our Chemicals Segment is pursuing additional cost savings through restructuring supplier agreements, improving asset utilization and enhancing processes to support a leaner organization capable of operating efficiently during extended periods of lower production rates.

Liquidity and capital resources remain sufficient to support our Chemicals Segment’s operations and planned investments. In 2025, our Chemicals Segment increased the maximum availability under its revolving credit facility from $300 million to $350 million and refinanced its €75 million 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 2025 with €75 million of additional 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (effective rate 7.8% at issuance), resulting in no near-term debt maturities. Our Chemicals Segment expects cash on hand to improve over the next several quarters, and we will continue to actively manage working capital, including inventories and receivables, to bolster operating cash flows and maintain financial flexibility. Our Chemicals Segment believes its revolver availability, combined with having no near-term debt maturities and improved operating cash flows, will provide adequate liquidity for expected working capital needs and capital allocation requirements.

Our Chemicals Segment is pursuing targeted market share opportunities in regions where competitors have

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announced permanent or temporary shutdowns or curtailments and in markets where tariffs or duties have reduced the impact of low-cost imports. Overall, while our Chemicals Segment expects operating results in 2026 to improve relative to 2025, our results will remain sensitive to demand variability, pricing competition, and the successful execution of our cost, capital and liquidity initiatives.

Our expectations for the TiO2 industry and our Chemicals Segment’s operations are based on a number of factors outside its control. Our Chemicals Segment operations are affected by global and regional economic, political and regulatory factors, and it has experienced global market disruptions. Future impacts on our Chemicals Segment’s operations will depend on, among other things, future energy costs, the effect newly enacted tariffs in jurisdictions where it or its customers and suppliers operate, its success in implementing mitigation strategies, and the impact economic conditions, consumer confidence, and geopolitical events on its operations or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Component Products –

Our Component Products Segment reported operating income of $22.6 million in 2025, $17.0 million in 2024 and $25.4 million in 2023. The increase in operating income in 2025 compared to 2024 was driven by higher sales and improved gross margin at each of the security products and marine components reporting units. In contrast, the decline in operating income in 2024 compared to 2023 resulted from lower sales and reduced gross margin across both security products and marine components reporting units.

Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on its ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our Component Products Segment’s net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our Components Products Segment’s products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.

Years ended December 31,% Change
​ ​ ​2023​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025​ ​ ​2023-24​ ​ ​2024-25
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Security products$121.2$115.2$120.7(5)%5%
Marine components40.130.737.6(23)22
Total net sales161.3145.9158.3(10)8
Cost of sales112.1104.6110.1(7)5
Gross margin$49.2$41.3$48.2(16)16
Operating income$25.4$17.0$22.6(33)33
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales70%72%70%
Gross margin312830
Operating income161214

Net Sales – Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased $12.4 million in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to higher security products components sales to the government security market and higher marine components sales to various markets including the towboat, government and industrial market. Security products net sales increased 5% to $120.7 million in 2025 compared to $115.2 million in 2024. Relative to prior year, the increase in sales was primarily due to $9.9 million higher sales to the government security market and $.6 million higher sales to the gas station security market, partially offset by lower sales to a variety of other markets including $2.3 million lower sales to the healthcare market, $1.3 million lower sales to the transportation market and $.5 million lower sales to the tool storage market. Marine components net sales increased 22% in 2025 as compared to 2024 primarily due to $2.7 million higher sales to the towboat market (including a one-time stocking event for a towboat OEM customer), $2.5 million higher sales to the government market and $2.2 million higher sales to the industrial market, partially offset by $1.1 million lower sales to the center console market.

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Our Component Products Segment’s net sales decreased $15.4 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to lower marine components sales to the towboat market and lower security products sales to the government security market. Marine components net sales decreased $9.4 million, or 23%, in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to $8.7 million lower sales to the towboat market through the first three quarters of 2024, partially offset by higher sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, including $1.1 million higher sales to the towboat market and $1.0 million higher sales to the government market. Relative to the full year of 2023, marine component sales were $7.6 million lower to the towboat market (primarily to original equipment boat manufacturers), $1.4 million lower to the industrial market and $.6 million lower to each the engine builder market and distributors, partially offset by $1.4 million higher sales to the government market. Security products net sales decreased $6.0 million, or 5%, in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to lower sales to the government security market as a result of sales related to a pilot project for a government security customer that shipped in the third and fourth quarters of 2023 and for which there were no related sales in 2024. Relative to prior year, sales were $8.3 million lower to the government security market, $2.0 million lower to the transportation market and $.9 million lower to distributors, partially offset by $4.1 million higher sales to the healthcare market and $.7 million higher sales to the tool storage market.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to the effects of higher sales at both security products and marine components as well as increased production costs across both reporting units. However, cost of sales as a percentage of net sales declined over the same period driven by a more favorable customer and product mix, particularly within security products, and increased coverage of fixed costs due to higher sales across both segments. As a result, our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased in 2025 as compared to 2024 primarily due to increased coverage of fixed costs due to higher sales and a more favorable customer and product mix. These factors were partially offset by higher costs associated with inventory sold during the second half of the year and increased employee-related expenses including salaries, benefits and medical costs, of $2.6 million. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of sales increased in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to increased coverage of fixed costs as a result of higher sales partially offset by higher employee-related expenses including salaries, benefits and medical costs of $1.7 million.

Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the effects of lower sales at both security products and marine components partially offset by higher production costs across both reporting units. As a result, our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased over the same period. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the factors affecting cost of sales and decreased coverage of fixed costs due to lower sales. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2024 decreased as compared to 2023 primarily due to lower sales, a less favorable customer and product mix, higher employee related costs (primarily increased medical costs), higher materials costs (primarily brass and electronics) in the latter half of the year and decreased coverage of fixed costs due to lower sales. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to higher cost inventory produced during the fourth quarter of 2023 and sold in the first quarter of 2024 and decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales, partially offset by a more favorable customer and product mix, lower employee salaries and benefits of approximately $1.8 million primarily related to headcount reductions and decreased labor costs of $1.2 million due to lower production volumes.

Operating Income – As a percentage of net sales, our Component Products Segment’s operating income increased in 2025 compared to 2024 and decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. Operating income margins were primarily impacted by the factors affecting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin, discussed above. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on sales of property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses increased $1.3 million in 2025 compared to 2024 predominantly due to higher employee-related costs including salaries, benefits, and medical expenses at both reporting units.

As a percentage of net sales, our Component Products Segment’s operating income decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. Operating income margins were primarily impacted by the factors affecting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin, discussed above. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on sales of property and equipment.

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Operating costs and expenses increased $.5 million in 2024 compared to 2023 predominantly due to higher employee salary and benefit costs at security products.

General – Our Component Products Segment’s profitability primarily depends on its ability to utilize its production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for its products and its ability to control its manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials. The materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products consist of purchased components and raw materials some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass, aluminum and stainless steel. Total material costs represented approximately 43% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales in 2025, with commodity-related raw materials representing approximately 14% of its cost of sales. During 2025, our Component Products Segment experienced increases in the cost of certain raw materials. Throughout the year, market prices for brass and aluminum experienced a general upward trend. Stainless steel prices were relatively stable in the first part of 2025 but began increasing during the latter half of the year. Zinc pricing was relatively stable in 2025, and our Component Products Segment was able to mitigate increases through strategic spot buy purchases. In most cases, commodity raw materials our Component Products Segment purchases include processing and conversion costs, such as alloying, extrusion and rolling, which remain elevated due to costs of labor, transportation and energy. Processing and conversion costs are not expected to decrease. Based on current economic conditions, our Component Products Segment expects the prices for zinc, brass, aluminum, stainless steel and other manufacturing materials in 2026 to be more volatile compared to 2025. In addition to supply and demand, governmental actions such as tariffs may impact markets.

Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity related raw material costs. See Item 1 – “Business – Component Products Segment – CompX International Inc. – Raw Materials.”

Outlook – Sales for 2025 were strong across both our Component Products Segment’s reporting units, exceeding 2024 levels. At the marine components reporting unit, improved demand in the government and industrial markets — combined with the one-time stocking event noted above — drove sales and operating income significantly above prior-year levels. At the security products reporting unit, sales increased compared to 2024 primarily due to higher demand from the government security market, partially offset by continued softness across a variety of markets including transportation, healthcare, and tool storage.

Our Component Products Segment expects modest growth in both the security products and marine components reporting units net sales in 2026 as our Component Products Segment aligns pricing, product features, and service levels with market conditions and customer requirements. At security products, it anticipates sales increases in most markets, partially offset by ongoing softness in the transportation market. At the marine components reporting unit, net sales growth in 2026 is expected to come primarily from the industrial market. Recreational marine sales appear to have largely stabilized, and (excluding the one-time restocking event noted above) sales to the towboat market in 2026 are expected to be comparable to 2025.

Our Component Products Segment expects gross margin and operating income percentages across both the security products and marine components reporting units in 2026 to remain generally comparable to 2025, as planned price increases are expected to offset higher raw material costs and tariff-related surcharges on certain raw materials, as discussed below. During 2025, inventory levels increased across both the security products and marine components reporting units, driven by higher raw material and production costs as well as actions taken to support anticipated customer demand. These actions included an insourcing initiative at security products and a shift in customer mix at marine components. As a result, our Component Products Segment expects inventory levels in 2026 to remain approximately at current levels, consistent with ongoing operating requirements.

Our Component Products Segment manufactures substantially all of its products in the U.S. and sources a substantial majority of its raw materials from U.S. suppliers. Our Component Products Segment also sources certain components, primarily electronic components, from suppliers located in Asia, including China. Early in the first quarter of 2025, in anticipation of the U.S. federal government tariffs announcements, our Component Products Segment increased purchases of certain electronic and other components to mitigate the potential near-term tariff impacts. Late in the second quarter our Component Products Segment began incurring tariff-related surcharges on certain raw materials, primarily electronic components. In addition, some of our Component Products Segment’s U.S.-based suppliers have recently started applying tariff-related surcharges on certain U.S.-based purchases. Where possible, our Component Products Segment is

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increasing selling prices to its customers to recover these higher raw material costs, although the extent to which our Component Products Segment can fully recover such costs will depend on a variety of factors including the ultimate tariff rate, the length of time tariffs are in effect, and the ability of its customers to substitute alternative products. Our Component Products Segment will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels to ensure its production capabilities and inventories are aligned accordingly.

Our Component Products Segment’s expectations for its operations and the markets it serves are based on a number of factors outside its control. Currently, our Component Products Segment’s supply chains are stable and transportation and logistical delays are minimal. Our Component Products Segment has experienced global and domestic supply chain challenges in the past, and any future impacts on its operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in its operations or its suppliers’ operations, the effect of tariffs, and the impact of economic conditions, consumer confidence and geopolitical events on demand for its products or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Real Estate Management and Development –

Years ended December 31,
​ ​ ​2023​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025
(In millions)
Net sales:
Land sales$92.6$71.5$59.3
Utility and other1.3.3
Total net sales93.971.859.3
Cost of sales61.745.623.1
Gross margin$32.2$26.2$36.2
Operating income$49.9$55.2$65.2

General – Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is actively engaged in developing certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes. Prior to 2023, BMI also was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through a water distribution system owned and operated by Basic Water Company (“BWC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMI. BWC filed for bankruptcy in 2022 and following approval of its plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court, substantially all of BWC’s assets were sold in November 2023. BMI also provided certain utility services to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada prior to the sale of BPC on December 1, 2023. Following the sale of the BWC assets and BPC, BMI no longer provides services to the industrial park which allows us to focus on land sales and development activity for the residential/planned community.

LandWell began marketing land for sale in the residential/planned community in December 2013 and sold the last remaining parcel during 2025. LandWell has been actively marketing and selling the land zoned for commercial and light industrial use and at December 31, 2025 approximately 8 saleable acres remain adjacent to the residential/planned community. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis, and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract or land sales may be completed, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In most instances buyers can cancel an escrow agreement with no financial penalties until shortly before the closing date. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. Although all the land in the residential/planned community has been sold, we continue to complete our development obligations. We expect the development work be completed by the end of 2027.

Net Sales and Operating Income – All of the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2025 consisted of revenues from land sales, and substantially all of the net sales in 2024 were also from land sales. We recognized $59.3 million in revenues on land sales during 2025 compared to $71.5 million in 2024. Land sale revenue decreased in 2025 as compared to 2024 primarily due to the net effects of a slower pace of development activity for previously sold parcels within the residential/planned community as our Real Estate Management and Development

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segment nears completion of its development work, partially offset by additional land sale revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 related to the sale of three parcels (including approximately $6.3 million related to parcels with no further development obligations, which was recognized immediately as revenue in the fourth quarter). As noted above, we recognize revenue in our residential/planned community over time using cost-based input methods. All land sale revenue recognized in 2024 was recorded under this method, and the significant majority of land sale revenue recognized in 2025 was also recorded under this method. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $23.1 million in 2025 compared to $45.1 million in 2024. The decrease in cost of sales in 2025 compared to 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in infrastructure development spending. Operating income also included income related to tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $34.2 million in 2025 and $30.3 million in 2024. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Substantially all the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2024 and 2023 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $71.5 million in revenues on land sales during 2024 compared to $92.6 million in 2023. All of the land sales revenues recognized in 2024 are related to land sold in prior years. As noted above, we recognize revenue in our residential/planned community over time using cost-based input methods, and substantially all the land sales revenue we recognized in 2024 and 2023 was under this method of revenue recognition. Land sales revenue in 2024 decreased compared to 2023 due to the decreased pace of development activity for previously sold parcels within the residential/planned community, primarily due to delays in receiving city permits and delays in environmental related approvals. The pace of development activities is dictated by a number of factors such as city permit and design approval, approval from the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and labor and materials availability. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $45.1 million in 2024 compared to $60.8 million in 2023. Included in operating income was income related to the tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $30.3 million and $25.2 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

As noted above, BMI sold its subsidiary BPC in 2023. The sale was for minimal cash consideration and the assumption of liabilities, and upon the closing of the sale we recognized a loss of $2.6 million in 2023. BWC filed for bankruptcy in 2022 and following approval of its plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court, substantially all of BWC’s assets were sold in November 2023. On July 10, 2024, the bankruptcy court for the District of Nevada approved the closure of the bankruptcy case of BWC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, BWC SPE I, LLC. Both entities were subsequently dissolved, and the remaining cash of $2.6 million was distributed to BMI. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Outlook – LandWell is focused on developing the land it manages, primarily to residential builders, for the residential/planned community in Henderson. At December 31, 2025, all of the land in the residential/planned community has been sold. There are also approximately 8 saleable acres zoned for light industrial and commercial use adjacent to the 2,100 acre residential/planned community available for sale. The remaining 8 acres are currently in escrow and the sale is scheduled to close by the end of the first quarter of 2026. At December 31, 2025, we had deferred revenue of $23.5 million related to post-closing obligations on land sales closed prior to 2025. Because we recognize revenue over time using cost-based inputs, we will continue to recognize revenue on land previously sold over the development period, even though we have already received all the cash proceeds related to these sales. We currently expect to recognize all remaining deferred revenue during 2026. Any delays or curtailments in infrastructure development related to post-closing obligation activities would delay the timing of revenue recognized on these previously closed land sales. Under LandWell’s development agreement with the City of Henderson, the issuance of a specified number of housing permits requires LandWell to complete certain large community-wide infrastructure projects. Construction on several of these large projects began in late 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2027. We expect 2026 land development costs to be comparable to those in 2025 due to the timing of planned infrastructure projects and the availability of certain construction materials. Because these large infrastructure projects relate to the entirety of the residential/planned community, the associated costs are not part of the cost-based inputs used to recognize revenue, and therefore, this spending will not correlate to revenue recognition. However, this spending is expected to be eligible for tax increment reimbursement under our Owner Participation Agreement (“OPA”) with the City of Henderson, and delays or curtailments in eligible infrastructure development activities will also delay LandWell’s ability to submit completed costs to the City for approval of additional OPA note receivables. We currently expect to receive approval for the remaining infrastructure reimbursement notes receivable – up to the $170 million cap – in 2026, and we expect to receive cash payments on the notes for the next 5 to 7 years.

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General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest and Related Party Transactions

Insurance Recoveries – NL has agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse NL for a portion of its past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs. Insurance recoveries include amounts NL received from these insurance carriers. NL did not receive any insurance recoveries during 2025. NL received $1.4 million and $.5 million in insurance recoveries during 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The agreements with certain of NL’s insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of its future litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Remeasurement of Investment in TiO2 Manufacturing Joint Venture – We recognized a gain on the remeasurement of Kronos’ investment in LPC of $64.5 million in the third quarter of 2024 as a result of the acquisition. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Remeasurement of Earn-out Liability – We recognized a gain on the remeasurement of Kronos’ earn-out liability of $4.6 million in the third quarter of 2025. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Components of Net Periodic Pension and OPEB Expense – We recognized other components of net periodic pension and OPEB expense of $32.7 million in 2025, $2.6 million in 2024 and $11.8 million in 2023. The increase in 2025 compared to 2024 is primarily due to a $28.7 million settlement loss incurred in the fourth quarter of 2025 related to the termination and buy-out of our U.S. pension plan. The decrease in 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to a higher expected return on plan assets, lower discount rates impacting interest costs and a $6.2 million settlement loss related to the termination and buy-out of our U.K. pension plan in the second quarter of 2023. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries – Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis. The remaining portion of these shares of our common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Any unrealized gains or losses on the shares of our common stock attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL are recognized in the determination of each of Kronos and NL’s respective net income or loss. Under the principles of consolidation, we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary. The $2.7 million loss in 2025, $1.9 million gain in 2024 and the $1.7 million loss in 2023 recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements represent the unrealized gain (loss) in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

Interest Income and Other – Interest income and other of $16.6 million in 2025 decreased $5.4 million compared to 2024 primarily due to lower interest rates and decreased average investment balances. Interest income and other of $22.0 million in 2024 was comparable to 2023. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other General Corporate Items – Corporate expenses of $35.0 million in 2025 increased compared to corporate expenses of $4.3 million in 2024 primarily due to income of $31.4 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024 as a result of the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site, including income of $9.6 million received from private companies participating in the settlement. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $2.9 million in 2025 and $3.0 million in 2024; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation costs of $2.7 million in 2025 compared to income of $19.2 million in 2024.

Corporate expenses of $4.3 million in 2024 decreased compared to corporate expenses of $35.2 million in 2023 primarily due to income of $31.4 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024 as a result of the settlement of a liability

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for an environmental remediation site, including income of $9.6 million received from private companies participating in the settlement. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $3.0 million in 2024 and $4.4 million in 2023; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from environmental remediation of $19.2 million in 2024 compared to costs of $2.5 million in 2023.

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2026 will be higher than in 2025 primarily due to expected increases in litigation fees and related costs.

The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2026, or the nature of such cases were to change, our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2026, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense – Interest expense in 2025 increased $7.2 million compared to 2024 primarily due to higher average debt balances and higher interest rates. Interest expense increased $21.6 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to higher interest rates on Kronos’ debt issued in February and July of 2024 and higher average debt balances as a result of the LPC acquisition. As a result of the exchange, interest expense in 2024 also includes a charge of $1.5 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs.

We expect interest expense will be higher in 2026 as compared to 2025 primarily due to higher debt balances and higher interest rates on Kronos’ new debt issued in 2025. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) – We recognized income tax expense of $11.9 million and $82.9 million, in 2025 and 2024, respectively, and we recognized an income tax benefit of $24.6 million in 2023. The decrease from 2024 to 2025 and the increase from 2023 to 2024 is primarily due to the change in our earnings from year to year and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings, partially offset by the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2025 to reduce our Chemicals Segment’s net German deferred tax asset as a result of the reduction of the German corporate tax rate,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.5 million in 2025 ($2.5 million in 2024) related to the valuation allowance recorded against the portion of our U.S. federal carryforwards of the nondeductible portion of our interest expense,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.5 million in 2025 with respect to the valuation allowance recorded against our Chemicals Segment’s German corporate and trade tax carryforwards of the nondeductible portion of the German interest expense,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.6 million in 2025 ($8.2 million in 2024) related to the recognition of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance related to our Chemicals Segment’s Belgian net deferred tax assets, and

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $16.5 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024 related to the pretransition gain computed on currency translation related to the operations, assets and liabilities of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. qualified business units.

Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. We would generally expect our overall effective tax rate, excluding the effect of any increase or decrease in our deferred income tax asset valuation allowance or tax rate changes to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because of our sizeable non-U.S. operations.

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2025 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense to our actual tax expense.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income of Subsidiaries – Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries decreased in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to decreased operating income at Kronos. Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries increased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to increased operating income at Kronos. See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Related Party Transactions – We are a party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

As discussed above, we have substantial operations located outside the United States, principally our Chemicals Segment’s operations in Europe and Canada. The functional currency of these operations is the local currency. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to these foreign operations will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2025, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. On an ongoing basis we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates involving significant judgment primarily relate to goodwill, long-lived assets, revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs, defined benefit pension plans, income taxes, acquisition of joint venture, and litigation and environmental liabilities. We have discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors.

Goodwill – Our net goodwill related to our Chemicals Segment totaled $355.2 million at December 31, 2025 primarily resulting from our various step acquisitions of Kronos and NL (which occurred before the implementation of the current accounting standards related to noncontrolling interest) and Kronos’ purchase of the remaining 50% interest in LPC in 2024. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards for goodwill, we do not amortize goodwill.

We perform a goodwill impairment test annually in the third quarter of each year by reporting unit. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment at other times whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An entity may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the quantitative impairment test using a more-likely-than-not criteria. If an

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entity believes it is more-likely-than-not the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the quantitative impairment test can be bypassed. Alternatively, an entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. If we choose not to complete a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit or if the initial assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, additional quantitative testing is required.

If additional quantitative testing is performed, an impairment loss is recognized when the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. A reporting unit can be a segment or an operating division based on the operations of the segment. Our Chemicals Segment is one reporting unit.

In performing a quantitative test for impairment of goodwill, we use the income approach method of valuation that includes the discounted cash flow method and the market approach that includes the guideline public company method to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. When performing an income approach method considerable management judgment is necessary to derive the primary assumptions used in estimating fair value under the discounted cash flow model including forecasted revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, capital expenditures, discount rate and the tax rate. Additionally, management judgment is necessary for the assumptions used to determine fair value under the guideline public company method including the selection of guideline companies and the valuation multiples applied. We performed our annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2025 for our Chemicals Segment goodwill and concluded there was no impairment of such goodwill.

Estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires the use of estimates and significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results and future expectations such as global demand, product pricing, input costs and general economic trends. The judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods or the actual results may differ from the forecast and could result in the recognition of a material goodwill impairment.

Long-lived assets – The net book value of our property and equipment totaled $751.6 million at December 31, 2025. We assess property and equipment for impairment only when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our determination is based upon, among other things, our estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset (Level 3 inputs) and our estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators are present. We did not evaluate any long-lived assets for impairment during 2025 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs – Certain real estate land sales by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment (generally land sales associated with our residential/planned community) require us to complete property development and improvements after title passes to the buyer and we have received all or a substantial portion of the selling price. Generally, all the land sales associated with the residential/planned community have been recognized over time using cost-based inputs of accounting in accordance with ASC 606. Under such method, revenues and profits are recognized in the same proportion of our progress towards completion of our contractual obligations, with our progress measured by costs incurred as a percentage of total costs estimated to be incurred. Such costs incurred and total estimated costs include amounts specifically identifiable with the parcels sold as well as certain development costs for the entire residential/planned community which are allocated to the parcels sold under applicable GAAP. Estimates of total costs expected to be incurred require significant management judgment, and the amount of revenue and profits that have been recognized to date are subject to revisions throughout the development period. The impact on the amount of revenue recognized resulting from any future change in the estimate of total costs estimated to be incurred would be accounted for prospectively in accordance with GAAP.

Defined benefit pension plans – We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $18.4 million in 2023, $9.4 million in 2024 and $38.7 million in 2025. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our defined benefit pension plans of $16.3 million in 2023, $16.4 million in 2024 and $15.9 million in 2025. In accordance with applicable U.S. pension regulations, effective June 30, 2025, NL began the process of terminating the U.S. pension plan, which includes the purchase of annuity contracts from third-party insurance companies for the purpose of paying benefits

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to plan participants.  The annuity contracts were purchased on December 16, 2025 from “A” rated third-party insurance companies in settlement of all remaining obligations to the pension plan participants. The annuity purchase was funded with existing plan assets.  In connection with the settlement, we recognized a non-cash settlement loss on the U.S. pension plan termination and buy-out of approximately $28.7 million, which is included in our other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2025. This charge represents the previously unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs that were accumulated in other comprehensive loss. Following the settlement, surplus U.S. pension assets will be used, as permitted by the applicable regulations, to fund obligations associated with our Chemicals Segment’s U.S. defined contribution profit sharing plan. Such surplus assets are included in pension assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are principally the discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets, the fair value of plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2025, approximately 72%, 15% and 8% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway, respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

Discount rates used for:
​ ​ ​Obligations​ ​ ​Obligations​ ​ ​Obligations
at December 31, 2023at December 31, 2024at December 31, 2025
and expense in 2024and expense in 2025and expense in 2026
Kronos and NL Plans:
Germany3.2%3.4%4.2%
Canada4.6%4.6%4.7%
Norway3.6%4.3%4.4%
U.S.5.0%5.5%

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

All of plan assets attributable to non-U.S. and U.S. plans related to plans maintained by Kronos. At December 31, 2025, approximately 65%, 18% and 11% of the plan assets related to our Kronos plans in Germany, Canada and

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Norway, respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g., equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

The assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets used for purposes of determining net period pension cost for 2023, 2024 and 2025 were as follows:

​ ​ ​2023​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025
Kronos and NL plans:
Germany4.8%5.0%4.8%
Canada4.4%4.9%3.7%
Norway4.8%4.8%5.3%
U.S.5.0%5.0%5.0%

Our long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2026 used for purposes of determining our 2026 defined benefit pension plan expense for Germany, Canada and Norway are 4.8%, 3.7% and 5.6%, respectively.

We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in determining the fair value of plan assets within our defined benefit pension plans. While we believe the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of plan assets are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension assets, liabilities and expenses.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2026, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $8 million in 2026. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $17 million to such plans during 2026.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2025, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $17 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by a nominal amount during 2026. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2026.

Income taxes – We operate globally through our Chemicals Segment and the calculation of our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities involves the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our Chemicals Segment’s global operations. Our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses and the effects of tax laws and regulations in each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our

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consolidated provision for income taxes due to the global nature of our Chemicals Segment’s operations. Our provision (benefit) for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid, including the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize deferred taxes for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability, as applicable. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made.

We periodically review our deferred tax assets (“DTA”) to determine if a valuation allowance is required. For example, at December 31, 2025, our Chemicals Segment has significant German corporate and trade net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $510.8 million (DTA of $57.2 million) and $46.3 million (DTA of $5.0 million), respectively. We also have U.S. federal NOL carryforwards of $58.1 million (DTA of $12.2 million). At December 31, 2025, we have concluded no valuation allowance is required to be recognized for our German and U.S. DTAs principally because such carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period and we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. Although prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, if we were to generate additional losses in our German or U.S. operations for an extended period of time, or if applicable laws were to change such that the carryforward periods were more limited, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

Acquisition of joint venture – During the third quarter of 2024, Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest in LPC previously held by Venator. Prior to the acquisition we accounted for Kronos’s interest in LPC under the equity method. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires Kronos to use significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Kronos’ estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon assumptions we believe are reasonable, and when appropriate, include assistance from independent third-party valuation advisors. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contingencies – We record accruals for environmental, legal and other contingencies and commitments when estimated future expenditures associated with such contingencies become probable, and amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available to us, or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount required to be accrued for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in reported net income in the period of such change). At December 31, 2025 we have recorded total accrued environmental liabilities of $17.5 million.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2026, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs (and potential range of our liabilities) as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change which involves our judgment regarding current facts and circumstances for each site and is subject to various assumptions and estimates. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities –

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating activities (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings. In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from year to year can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. For example, during 2025, relative changes in currency exchange rates resulted in a $4.5 million increase in the reported amount of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to a $.1 million decrease in 2024 and a $1.0 million increase in 2023.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to a use of $35.5 million in 2025 from cash provided of $44.0 million in 2024. This $79.5 million decrease in operating cash flows in 2025 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a consolidated operating income of $63.3 million in 2025, a decrease of $147.4 million compared to operating income of $210.7 million in 2024;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower amount of net cash used of $155.7 million associated with relative changes in our receivables, inventories, land held for development, payables and accrued liabilities in 2025;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher cash paid for environmental remediation and related costs in 2025 of $56.7 million primarily due to the payment of a settlement for an environmental remediation site (see Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net cash paid for income taxes in 2025 of $10.3 million primarily due to the timing of tax payments;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher cash paid for interest in 2025 of $6.7 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net contributions to our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2025 of $2.7 million as the result of obtaining control of LPC in July 2024.

Cash flows from operating activities increased to $44.0 million in 2024 from $3.9 million in 2023. This $40.1 million increase in cash provided by operations in 2024 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $210.7 million in 2024, an increase of $176.5 million compared to operating income of $34.2 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher amount of net cash used of $92.5 million associated with relative changes in our receivables, inventories, land held for development, payables and accrued liabilities in 2024;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net cash paid for income taxes in 2024 of $14.4 million primarily due to higher earnings and the relative timing of payments;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher cash paid for interest in 2024 of $18.5 million;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
cash premium of $6.0 million on the issuance of Kronos’ senior notes; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net contributions of $5.8 million to our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2024 prior to the LPC acquisition.

As noted in our discussion of our Real Estate Management and Development segment above, we have sold all of the land in our residential/planned community, and in accordance with our development agreement with the City of Henderson and our contractual obligations with builders, we expect to complete our land development obligations over the next two years. Because we have largely received cash proceeds from land sales, we expect LandWell to generate negative operating cash flows as it completes its required land development work.

Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes, as shown below:

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) at December 31, 2025 was comparable to December 31, 2024.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales in inventory (“DSI”) decreased from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 primarily due to lower inventory volumes attributable to sales volumes exceeding production volumes in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 when Kronos’ production volumes exceeded its sales volumes.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSO at December 31, 2025 was comparable to December 31, 2024.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSI increased from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 primarily due to increased inventory at both the security products and marine components reporting units as a result of higher raw material and production costs and to meet expected customer demand.

For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior year numbers below.

​ ​ ​December 31,​ ​ ​December 31,​ ​ ​December 31,
202320242025
Kronos:
Days sales outstanding66 days62 days61 days
Days sales in inventory65 days82 days57 days
CompX:
Days sales outstanding36 days33 days33 days
Days sales in inventory95 days94 days108 days

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below. Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

Years ended December 31,
​ ​ ​2023​ ​ ​2024​ ​ ​2025
(In millions)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Kronos$5.5$72.5$2.3
Valhi exclusive of subsidiaries40.760.632.4
CompX25.822.922.9
NL exclusive of subsidiaries21.636.7(36.0)
Tremont exclusive of subsidiaries11.2(.4)15.4
BMI13.22.610.4
LandWell17.5(16.1)25.7
Eliminations and other(131.6)(134.8)(108.6)
Total$3.9$44.0$(35.5)

Investing Activities –

During 2025:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net purchases of $1.2 million related to marketable securities.

During 2024:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos paid $156.8 million, net of cash acquired, for the remaining TiO2 manufacturing joint venture interest in LPC; see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds of $54.3 million related to marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $5.6 million.

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During 2023:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds of $19.3 million of marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $1.8 million.

Financing Activities –

During 2025:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos had net repayments of $11.3 million on its revolving credit facility;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos International, Inc. (“KII”) issued an additional €75 million principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Additional Notes”), the proceeds of which were used to refinance the 3.75% Senior Secured Notes that matured in September 2025;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $21.0 million under the Contran credit facility; and

During 2024:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $48.8 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos exchanged €325 million of its Kronos International, Inc. (“KII”) 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 2025 (the “Old Notes”) for KII’s newly issued €276.174 million 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due March 2029 (the “New Notes”) plus additional cash consideration of $52.6 million to certain eligible holders of the Old Notes and borrowed $53.7 million from Contran. In the third quarter Kronos issued an additional €75 million principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.

During 2023:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $28.0 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 313,814 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.8 million.

We paid aggregate cash dividends on our common stock of $9.1 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Distributions to noncontrolling interest in 2023, 2024 and 2025 are primarily comprised of: CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL; Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL, and BMI and LandWell dividends paid to shareholders other than us.

Outstanding Debt Obligations

At December 31, 2025, our consolidated indebtedness was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Valhi’s $23.6 million outstanding on its $125 million amended credit facility with Contran which is due no earlier than December 31, 2027;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
€426.174 million aggregate outstanding on Kronos’ 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 ($503.7 million carrying amount, net of unamortized premium and unamortized debt issuance costs);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$53.7 million outstanding on Kronos’ subordinated, unsecured term loan from Contran due September 2029 (the “Contran Term Loan”); and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$10.7 million outstanding on LandWell’s bank loan due April 2036.

Availability under Kronos’ Global Revolver is subject to a borrowing base calculation, as defined in the agreement. The borrowing base calculated as of December 31, 2025 was approximately $251 million. Effective July 17, 2025, Kronos completed an amendment to its Global Revolver (the “Fourth Amendment”). Among other things, the Fourth Amendment increased the maximum borrowing amount from $300 million to $350 million and increased the Belgian and German sub-limits from €30 million and €60 million to €55 million and €85 million, respectively, allowing greater access

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to Euro denominated borrowings. The maturity date of the Global Revolver remains July 2029. On September 15, 2025, KII issued the Additional Notes, the proceeds of which were used to refinance the 3.75% Senior Secured Notes (€75 million aggregate principal amount) that matured in September 2025. The Additional Notes were issued as additional notes to the existing €351.174 million aggregate principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 issued on February 12, 2024 and July 30, 2024 (the “Existing Notes”). The Additional Notes were issued at a premium of 105.0% of their principal amount, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $90 million after fees and estimated expenses. The Additional Notes are fungible with the Existing Notes, are treated as a single series and have the same terms as the Existing Notes, other than their date of issuance and issue price. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Contran Term Loan is subordinated in right of payment to Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and its Global Revolver. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes, the Contran Term Loan and Kronos’ Global Revolver contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of these types. Our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants. For example, the credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, the credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business. The terms of all of our debt instruments are discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2025. We believe we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.

Our assets consist primarily of investments in operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service our obligations, including the Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and the Contran Term Loan, depends in part upon the distribution of earnings of our subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations or otherwise. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes are collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on (i) 100% of the common stock or other ownership interests of each existing and future direct domestic subsidiary of KII and the guarantors, and (ii) 65% of the voting common stock or other ownership interests and 100% of the non-voting common stock or other ownership interests of each non-U.S. subsidiary that is directly owned by KII or any guarantor. Kronos’ Global Revolver is collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on the borrower’s trade receivables and inventories.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity –

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under various lines of credit and notes. We generally use these amounts to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term indebtedness incurred primarily for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (including dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries) or treasury stock purchases. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness, (iii) make investments in marketable and other securities (including the acquisition of securities issued by our subsidiaries and affiliates) or (iv) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. Occasionally we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and we generally use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness (including indebtedness which may have been collateralized by the assets sold), (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries, and the estimated sales value of those units. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business units, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. From time to time we and our subsidiaries may enter into intercompany loans as a cash

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management tool. Such notes are structured as revolving demand notes and pay and receive interest on terms we believe are more favorable than current debt and investment market rates. The companies that borrow under these notes have sufficient borrowing capacity to repay the notes at any time upon demand. All of these notes and related interest expense and income are eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We may also from time to time engage in preliminary discussions with existing or potential investors regarding the timing or terms of any such refinancing or other potential transactions.

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including our affiliates) that may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses. We intend to consider such acquisition activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness. From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.

Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2026) and long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2030). In this regard, see the discussion above in “Outstanding Debt Obligations.” Kronos’ Global Revolver matures in July 2029, and at December 31, 2025 Kronos had total availability for borrowing of approximately $251 million less any amounts outstanding. The borrowing base is calculated at least quarterly, and the amount available for borrowing may change based on applicable period end balances. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

At December 31, 2025, we had credit available under existing facilities of approximately $352 million, which was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$251 million under Kronos’ global revolving credit facility; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$101(1) million under Valhi’s Contran credit facility.
Column 1Column 2
(1)Amounts available under this facility are at the sole discretion of Contran.

At December 31, 2025, we had an aggregate of $237.7 million of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities attributable to operations. A detail by entity is presented in the table below.

TotalHeld outside
amount​ ​ ​U.S.
(In millions)
Kronos$42.5$40.1
CompX54.1
NL exclusive of its subsidiaries60.0
BMI10.1
Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries23.0
LandWell47.9
Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries.1
Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities$237.7$40.1

Following the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, repatriation of any cash and cash equivalents held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be expected to result in any material income tax liability as a result of such repatriation.

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Capital Expenditures and Other Investments –

We currently expect our aggregate capital expenditures for 2026 will be approximately $64 million (including approximately $11 million contractually committed at December 31, 2025) as follows:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$60 million by our Chemicals Segment, including approximately $30 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$4 million by our Component Products Segment.

In addition, LandWell expects to spend approximately $39 million on land development costs during 2026, including approximately $3 million contractually committed at December 31, 2025. Land development costs are included in the determination of cash provided by operating activities.

Capital spending for 2026 is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations or borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Planned capital expenditures in 2026 at Kronos and CompX will primarily be to maintain and improve existing facilities and, as it relates to CompX, to meet expected customer demand and maintain technology infrastructure. In addition, Kronos’ capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.

Repurchases of our Common Stock and Common Stock of our Subsidiaries –

We have in the past, and may in the future, make repurchases of our common stock in market or privately-negotiated transactions. At December 31, 2025, we had approximately .3 million shares of our common stock available for repurchase under the authorizations described in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2025, Kronos had approximately 1.0 million shares of its common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2025, CompX had approximately .5 million shares of its Class A common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends –

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.05 per share in each quarter of 2025 for which we received $11.6 million. In February 2026 the Kronos board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.05 per share. If Kronos were to pay its $.05 per share dividend in each quarter of 2026 based on the 58.0 million shares we held of Kronos common stock at December 31, 2025, during 2026 we would receive aggregate regular dividends from Kronos of $11.6 million. NL paid a quarterly dividend of $.09 per share in 2025 for which we received $14.5 million. In August 2025 the NL board of directors declared a special dividend of $.21 per share on its common stock. We received $8.5 million from this dividend, which is not expected to be recurring. In February 2026 the NL board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share. If NL were to pay its $.10 per share dividend in each quarter of 2026 based on the 40.4 million shares we held of NL common stock at December 31, 2025, during 2026 we would receive aggregate quarterly dividends from NL of $16.2 million. BMI and LandWell pay cash dividends from time to time, but the timing and amount of such dividends are uncertain. In this regard, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $17.6 million in 2023, $4.0 million in 2024 and $19.5 million in 2025. All of our ownership interest in CompX is held through our ownership in NL; as such we do not receive any dividends from CompX. Instead any dividend paid by CompX is paid to NL.

Our subsidiaries have various credit agreements with unrelated third-party lenders which contain customary limitations on the payment of dividends, typically a percentage of net income or cash flow; however, these restrictions in the past have not significantly impacted their ability to pay dividends.

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Investment in our Subsidiaries and Affiliates and Other Acquisitions –

We have in the past, and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions. We base our purchase decision on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments. In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness. We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.

We generally do not guarantee any indebtedness or other obligations of our subsidiaries or affiliates. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our subsidiaries are not required to pay us dividends. If one or more of our subsidiaries were unable to maintain its current level of dividends, either due to restrictions contained in a credit agreement or to satisfy its liabilities or otherwise, our ability to service our liabilities or to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely impacted. If this were to occur, we might consider reducing or eliminating our dividends or selling interests in subsidiaries or other assets. If we were required to liquidate assets to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell our subsidiaries’ securities for less than what we believe is the long-term value of such assets.

We have a $50 million revolving credit facility with a subsidiary of NL secured with approximately 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. held by NL’s subsidiary as collateral. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, as amended, bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on December 31, 2030. The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the credit facility is limited to 50% of the amount of the most recent closing price of the Kronos stock. The credit facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NL’s subsidiary’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NL’s subsidiary’s assets to, another entity, and require NL’s subsidiary to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth. Upon an event of default (as defined in the credit facility), Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment to make further loans to NL’s subsidiary, declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with respect to the collateral under the loan documents. Such collateral rights include, upon certain insolvency events with respect to NL’s subsidiary or NL, the right to purchase all of the Kronos common stock at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value, less amounts owing to Valhi under the loan documents, and up to 50% of such purchase price may be paid by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There is $.5 million outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2025.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with CompX which, as amended, provides for borrowings from CompX of up to $25 million. We eliminate these intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2027. We had gross borrowings of $27.9 million and gross repayments of $30.5 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $10.6 million at December 31, 2023. We had gross borrowings of $25.0 million and gross repayments of $26.3 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $9.3 million at December 31, 2024. We had gross borrowings of $15.7 million and gross repayments of $17.0 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $8.0 million at December 31, 2025.We could borrow an additional $17.0 million under our current intercompany facility with CompX at December 31, 2025. CompX’s obligation to loan us money under this note is at CompX’s discretion.

Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements and in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain income contingencies in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain environmental remediation matters involving NL and BMI;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain litigation related to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead pigment and lead-based paint; and

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain other litigation to which we are a party.

In addition to those legal proceedings described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including NL) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which NL and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations. While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.

As described in the Notes 7, 9 and 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. Our obligations related to the long-term supply contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock are more fully described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and above in “Business – Chemicals Segment – Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – Raw Materials.” CompX has purchase obligations of $13.9 million ($13.4 million payable in 2026 and $.5 million payable in 2027/2028) which consist of open purchase orders and contractual obligations, primarily commitments to purchase raw materials and for capital projects in process at December 31, 2025. The timing and amount for purchase obligations are based on the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for those commitments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

MD&A history

Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.

FY 2024 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001558370-25-002409.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2025-03-06. Report date: 2024-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”).  Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Chemicals – Our Chemicals Segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO2. TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Component Products – We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the postal, recreational transportation, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare applications and a variety of other industries. CompX is also a leading manufacturer of wake enhancements systems, stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories for the recreational marine industry.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Real Estate Management and Development – We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada. BMI previously, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, also was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through September 2022, and provided utility services to certain industrial customers prior to December 2023.

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Operations Overview

Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023 –

We reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $108.0 million or $3.79 per diluted share in 2024 compared to a net loss of $9.9 million or $.35 per diluted share in 2023.

Our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders increased from 2023 to 2024 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
operating income from our Chemicals Segment of $138.5 million in 2024 compared to an operating loss of $41.1 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash gain of $64.5 million in 2024 resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s investment in the TiO2 manufacturing joint venture;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate income of $31.4 million in 2024 related to the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from tax increment infrastructure reimbursement of $30.3 million in 2024 compared to $25.2 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $16.5 million in 2024 related to final tax regulations on the treatment of certain currency translation gains and losses related to our Chemicals Segment;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.2 million in 2024 related to the recognition of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance related to our Chemicals Segment’s Belgian net deferred tax assets;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash loss on the termination of our U.K. pension plan of $6.2 million in 2023; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher interest expense in 2024 as a result of refinancing of the Chemicals Segment’s Senior Secured Notes in the first quarter and debt incurred to finance the LPC acquisition in the third quarter.

Our diluted net income per share in 2024 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $1.18 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash gain resulting from the remeasurement of the Chemicals Segment’s investment in the TiO2 manufacturing joint venture recognized in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate income of $.72 per share related to the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.55 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.38 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense related to final tax regulations on the treatment of certain currency translation gains and losses related to our Chemicals Segment in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.19 per share due to the recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense related to the recognition of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance related to our Chemicals Segment’s Belgian net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter.

Our diluted net loss per share in 2023 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.46 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.13 per share due to the termination of our U.K. pension plan recognized in the second quarter;

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.10 per share related to workforce reductions by our Chemicals Segment recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.06 per share related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination recognized in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first, second and third quarters.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 –

We reported a net loss attributable to Valhi stockholders of $9.9 million or $.35 per diluted share in 2023 compared to net income of $87.2 million or $3.06 per diluted share in 2022.

Our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2022 to 2023 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2023 compared to 2022 including 2023 charges of $5.8 million related to workforce reductions and $3.8 million related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $19.7 million in our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 related to the impairment of certain fixed assets and the bankruptcy filing of BWC;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from tax increment infrastructure reimbursement of $25.2 million in 2023 compared to $15.2 million in 2022; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash loss on the termination of our U.K. pension plan of $6.2 million in 2023.

Our diluted net loss per share in 2023 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.46 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.13 per share due to the termination of our U.K. pension plan recognized in the second quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.10 per share related to workforce reductions by our Chemicals Segment recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.06 per share related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination recognized in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first, second and third quarters.

Our diluted net income per share in 2022 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $.35 per share related to the bankruptcy filing of BWC, including $.29 per share related to the impairment of the water delivery system fixed assets, primarily recognized in the second quarter, and $.04 per share loss on the deconsolidation of BWC and $.02 per share of bad debt expense related to an intercompany receivable with BWC, both recognized in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the third quarter.

We discuss these amounts more fully below.

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Current Forecast for 2025 –

We currently expect consolidated operating income for 2025 to be higher as compared to 2024 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2025 primarily due to the positive impact of improved demand;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2025 due to higher expected infrastructure reimbursements; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Component Products Segment in 2025 as marine sales are expected to improve in 2025.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, technological advances, worldwide production capacity, public health crises, the effect of tariffs, and the impact of economic conditions and geopolitical events on demand for our products or our customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Segment Operating Results – 2024 Compared to 2023 and 2023 Compared to 2022

Chemicals –

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if our Chemicals Segment and its competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our Chemicals Segment’s customers. We believe our Chemicals Segments’ customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of its grades and substantially all of its production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with product quality and customer and technical support services.

The factors having the most impact on our Chemicals Segment’s reported operating results are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 selling prices,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 sales and production volumes,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Manufacturing costs, particularly raw materials such as third-party feedstock, maintenance and energy-related expenses, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and the euro relative to the Norwegian krone).

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are its TiO2 average selling prices, its TiO2 sales and production volumes and the cost of titanium-containing feedstock purchased from third parties. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

As previously reported, effective the Acquisition Date of July 16, 2024, Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest in LPC previously held by Venator. Prior to the acquisition, Kronos held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC

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through a wholly-owned subsidiary. LPC was operated as a manufacturing joint venture between Kronos and Venator. Following the acquisition, LPC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kronos. Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest that it did not already own for consideration of $185 million less a working capital adjustment. An additional earn-out payment of up to $15 million based on Kronos’ aggregate consolidated net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA, during a two-year period comprising calendar years 2025 and 2026 may be required. The acquisition was financed through borrowings of $132.1 million under Kronos’ Global Revolver and the remainder paid with cash on hand. Kronos accounted for the acquisition of the interest in LPC as a business combination. For financial reporting purposes, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of LPC are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024, and the results of operations and cash flows of LPC are included in our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Cash Flows beginning as of the Acquisition Date. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2022202320242022-232023-24
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales$1,930.2$1,666.5$1,887.1(14)%13%
Cost of sales1,540.21,502.71,530.1(2)2
Gross margin$390.0$163.8$357.0(58)118
Operating income (loss)$174.6$(41.1)$138.5(124)437
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales80%90%81%
Gross margin201019
Operating income (loss)9(2)7
TiO2 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*481419504(13)%20%
Production volumes*492401535(19)%33%
Percent change in TiO2 net sales:
TiO2 sales volumes(13)%20%
TiO2 product pricing(4)(5)
TiO2 product mix/other2(2)
Changes in currency exchange rates1
Total(14)%13%
Column 1Column 2
*Thousands of metric tons

Industry Conditions and 2024 Overview – Our Chemicals Segment and the TiO2 industry experienced an extended period of significantly reduced demand reflected in our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes beginning in the second half of 2022 and continuing throughout 2023. While demand improved in 2024 resulting in increased sales volumes across all major markets compared to the prior year, overall demand remained below average historical levels. After improving in the first half of 2024, demand moderated in the second half of the year, which placed downward pressure on our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 pricing with 2024 average TiO2 selling prices approximately 5% below the average TiO2 selling prices for 2023.

Our Chemicals Segment operated its production facilities at 72% of practical capacity utilization in 2023 in response to decreased demand and higher production costs. As a result of the increase in demand experienced in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, along with more favorable production costs, our Chemicals Segment began increasing its production rates during the first quarter of 2024 and it operated at near practical capacity in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2024 resulting in 96% of practical capacity utilization in 2024.

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The following table shows our Chemicals Segment’s capacity utilization rates during 2023 and 2024.

Production Capacity Utilization Rates
20232024
First quarter76%87%
Second quarter64%99%
Third quarter73%92%
Fourth quarter75%97%
Overall72%96%

Excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates, our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in 2024 was significantly lower as compared to 2023 primarily due to significant decreases in per metric ton production costs (primarily energy and raw materials).

In response to the extended period of reduced demand in 2023, discussed above, our Chemicals Segment took measures to reduce its operating costs and improve its long-term cost structure such as the implementation of certain voluntary and involuntary workforce reductions during the second half of 2023 that primarily impacted its European operations. A substantial portion of our Chemicals Segment’s workforce reductions were accomplished through voluntary programs, for which eligible workforce reduction costs are recognized at the time both the employee and employer are irrevocably committed to the terms of the separation. These workforce reductions impacted approximately 100 employees. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a total of approximately $6 million in charges primarily in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to workforce reductions it implemented during the second half of 2023. In the third quarter of 2024, our Chemicals Segment closed its sulfate process production line at its plant in Varennes, Canada. As a result of the process line closure, our Chemicals Segment recognized charges to cost of sales of approximately $2 million during 2024 related to workforce reductions. Our Chemicals Segment also recognized approximately $14 million in non-cash charges primarily related to accelerated depreciation in the second and third quarters of 2024.

Net Sales – Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2024 increased 13%, or $220.6 million, compared to 2023 primarily due to the effects of a 20% increase in sales volumes due to improved overall demand across all major markets (which increased net sales by approximately $333 million) partially offset by a 5% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $83 million). Changes in product mix negatively contributed to net sales, primarily due to changes in product sales mix in export markets in 2024 as compared to 2023. Additionally, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $5 million in 2024 as compared to 2023. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures and changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs. Incremental sales volumes resulting from the LPC acquisition did not significantly impact comparisons to the prior year.

Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2023 decreased 14%, or $263.7 million, compared to 2022 primarily due to a 13% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $251 million) and a 4% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $77 million). Changes in product mix positively contributed to net sales, primarily due to higher average selling prices and sales volumes in our Chemicals Segment’s complementary businesses which somewhat offset declines in TiO2 sales volumes. In addition to the impact of sales volumes and average TiO2 selling prices, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $10 million in 2023 as compared to 2022.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes decreased 13% in 2023 as compared to 2022 due to lower overall demand across all major markets noted above. The lower overall demand our Chemicals Segment began experiencing in the second half of 2022 continued throughout most of 2023. However, our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes were 29% higher in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due to strengthening demand for TiO2 in its primary markets of Europe and North America.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Cost of sales increased $27.4 million, or 2%, in 2024 compared to 2023 due to the net effects of a 20% increase in sales volumes, a 33% increase in production rates resulting in reduced unabsorbed

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fixed production costs, and lower production costs of approximately $115 million (primarily energy and raw materials). Our Chemicals Segment’s unabsorbed fixed production costs in 2024 were $12 million (incurred in the first quarter) compared to $96 million in 2023 related to curtailments that began in 2022 and continued into the first quarter of 2024, as discussed above. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales in 2024 include a charge of approximately $2 million related to workforce reductions and approximately $14 million in non-cash charges related to the closure of its sulfate process line in Canada discussed above. Sales and production volumes resulting from the LPC acquisition did not materially impact comparisons to the prior year.

Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 81% in 2024 compared to 90% in 2023 primarily due to the favorable effects of increased sales, lower production costs and higher production volumes resulting in increased coverage of fixed production costs.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 19% in 2024 compared to 10% in 2023. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased primarily due to higher sales and production volumes as well as lower production costs, partially offset by lower average TiO2 selling prices.

Cost of sales decreased $37.5 million, or 2%, in 2023 compared to 2022 due to the net effects of a 13% decrease in sales volumes, a 19% decrease in production volumes at certain of our Chemicals Segment’s manufacturing facilities to align inventory levels to anticipated near-term customer demand (which resulted in $96 million of unabsorbed fixed production costs) and higher production costs of approximately $65 million (primarily raw materials). Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 90% in 2023 compared to 80% in 2022 primarily due to the unfavorable effects of higher production costs (primarily raw materials) and unabsorbed fixed production costs due to lower production volumes.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10% in 2023 compared to 20% in 2022. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to lower production and sales volumes, lower average TiO2 selling prices, higher production costs and changes in currency exchange rates.

Operating Income (Loss) – Our Chemicals Segment had operating income of $138.5 million in 2024 compared to an operating loss of $41.1 million in 2023 as a result of the factors impacting gross margin discussed above. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a gain of $2.5 million in 2023 related to cash received from the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $10 million in 2024 as compared to 2023, as further discussed below.

Our Chemicals Segment had an operating loss of $41.1 million in 2023 compared to operating income of $174.6 million in 2022 as a result of the factors impacting gross margin discussed above. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a gain of $2.5 million in 2023 and a gain of $2.7 million in 2022 related to cash received from the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim related to Hurricane Laura. We estimate changes in currency exchange rates decreased our Chemicals Segment’s operating loss by approximately $16 million in 2023 as compared to 2022, as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income (loss) is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized additional depreciation expense of $1.3 million in each of 2022 and 2023 and $2.5 million in 2024, which reduced our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating income as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

Currency Exchange Rates – Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our Chemicals Segment’s sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time). Certain raw materials used in all our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, primarily

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titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production and administrative costs are incurred primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency and (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars).

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income (loss) for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2024 vs 2023
Translation
gainsTotal currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
20232024Changerate changes2024 vs 2023
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$5$5
Operating income (loss)121910

The $5 million increase in net sales (translation gains) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2024 as compared to 2023. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2024 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $10 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $1 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $9 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2024 as compared to 2023. The effect of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro caused additional net translation gains as the positive effects of the weaker U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the unfavorable effects on euro-denominated operating costs being translated into more U.S. dollars in 2024 as compared to 2023.

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Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2023 vs. 2022
Translation
gainsTotal currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
20222023Changerate changes2023 vs. 2022
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$10$10
Operating income (loss)121(11)2716

The $10 million increase in net sales (translation gains) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2023 as compared to 2022. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2023 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $16 million decrease in operating loss was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Lower net currency transaction gains of approximately $11 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $27 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2023 as compared to 2022. The effect of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro was nominal in 2023 as compared to 2022.

Outlook – Our Chemicals Segment’s overall customer demand improved in 2024 compared to the historical low demand it experienced during 2023, although demand levels remained below historical averages and customer demand moderated in the second half of the year as compared to the first half of the year across all major markets. Our Chemicals Segment expects demand to improve in 2025, particularly in Europe where the European Commission enacted duties on Chinese imports of TiO2 in mid-2024; however, our Chemicals Segment expects overall demand will remain below historical levels due to continued global economic uncertainty caused, in part, by the potential implementation of tariffs by the U.S. and other countries. Our Chemicals Segment believes customer inventory levels were low at the end of 2024 due to customer hesitancy to build inventory late in the year and our Chemicals Segment is receiving customer orders on shorter notice than it experienced early in 2024 indicating that customers have a cautious demand outlook and are carefully managing inventory levels. TiO2 selling prices softened in the second half of 2024 in response to sluggish demand and competitive pressures. Our Chemicals Segment expects these pricing pressures to be somewhat mitigated in 2025, particularly in Europe, as a result of the duties enacted on low-cost imports from China. Our Chemicals Segment is operating its facilities at production rates in line with the current and expected near-term demand and believes its production rates for 2025 will be slightly above 2024 rates.

Our Chemicals Segment is focused on cost reduction initiatives designed to improve its long-term cost structure. In 2023, our Chemicals Segment implemented targeted workforce reductions and certain ongoing process improvement initiatives. In the third quarter of 2024, our Chemicals Segment closed its Canadian sulfate process line to improve gross margins through the optimization of production of its purified grades. Raw material, energy and other input costs generally improved during 2024; however, energy costs in Europe have trended up in recent months and remain above historical levels. Our Chemicals Segment expects raw material and other input costs will continue to moderate in 2025. Overall, primarily due to improved demand, our Chemicals Segment expects to report higher operating results for the full year of 2025 as compared to 2024, although it will need to achieve TiO2 selling price increases in order to recognize margins more in-line with historical levels.

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As noted above, our Chemicals Segment acquired full control of LPC in July 2024. Our Chemicals Segment believes this acquisition is a unique opportunity to immediately add value to its customers and better serve the North American marketplace by allowing our Chemicals Segment to expand its product offerings and increase sales to new and existing customers while recognizing significant synergies, including commercial, overhead and supply chain optimization. Our Chemicals Segment is in the process of fully integrating the additional LPC production capacity, and it expects the acquisition will have a positive impact on its earnings in 2025, although the potential positive impact will be limited by competitive pressures and by the additional debt service costs associated with the increase in borrowings to complete the transaction. With the increased borrowing availability under our Chemicals Segment’s Global Revolver, as well as cash on hand, it was able to finance the required working capital for the improvements needed to fully integrate the acquired LPC production capacity.

Our expectations for the TiO2 industry and our Chemicals Segment’s operations are based on a number of factors outside our control. Our Chemicals Segment’s operations are affected by global and regional economic, political and regulatory factors and it has experienced global market disruptions. As noted above, energy costs in Europe, which spiked when Russia invaded Ukraine, remain above historical levels. In addition, our Chemicals Segment operates a TiO2 facility in Canada, and the majority of production from that facility is currently sold into the U.S. The U.S. federal government’s recently enacted 25% tariff on our Chemicals Segment’s imports from Canada could harm its ability to compete and adversely impact its earnings and profitability if such tariffs are sustained for an extended period of time without exclusion. Our Chemicals Segment has begun to implement strategies to minimize the potential impacts. Future impacts on our Chemicals Segment’s operations will depend on, among other things, future energy costs, the effect newly enacted tariffs have on jurisdictions in which our Chemicals Segment or its customers and suppliers operate, its success in implementing mitigation strategies, and the impact economic conditions and geopolitical events have on its operations or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Component Products –

Our Component Products Segment reported operating income of $17.0 million in 2024 and $25.4 million in each of 2023 and 2022. The decrease in operating income in 2024 compared to 2023 is due to lower sales and gross margin at both security products and marine components reporting units. Operating income in 2023 was comparable to 2022 as lower marine components sales were offset by higher security products sales and higher gross margin percentages across both reporting units.

Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on its ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our Component Products Segment’s net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our Components Products Segment’s products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2022202320242022-232023-24
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Security products$114.5$121.2$115.26%(5)%
Marine components52.140.130.7(23)(23)
Total net sales166.6161.3145.9(3)(10)
Cost of sales117.8112.1104.6(5)(7)
Gross margin$48.8$49.2$41.31(16)
Operating income$25.4$25.4$17.0(33)
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales71%70%72%
Gross margin293128
Operating income151612

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Net Sales – Our Component Products Segment’s net sales decreased $15.4 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to lower marine components sales to the towboat market and lower security products sales to the government security market. Marine components net sales decreased $9.4 million, or 23%, in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to $8.7 million lower sales to the towboat market through the first three quarters of 2024, partially offset by higher sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, including $1.1 million higher sales to the towboat market and $1.0 million higher sales to the government market. Relative to the full year of 2023, marine component sales were $7.6 million lower to the towboat market (primarily to original equipment boat manufacturers), $1.4 million lower to the industrial market and $.6 million lower to each the engine builder market and distributors, partially offset by $1.4 million higher sales to the government market. Security products net sales decreased $6.0 million, or 5%, in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to lower sales to the government security market as a result of sales related to a pilot project for a government security customer that shipped in the third and fourth quarters of 2023 and for which there were no related sales in 2024. Relative to prior year, sales were $8.3 million lower to the government security market, $2.0 million lower to the transportation market and $.9 million lower to distributors, partially offset by $4.1 million higher sales to the healthcare market and $.7 million higher sales to the tool storage market.

Our Component Products Segment’s net sales decreased $5.3 million in 2023 compared to 2022 due to lower marine components sales primarily to the towboat market, partially offset by higher security products sales largely in the fourth quarter of 2023. Marine components net sales decreased $12.0 million, or 23%, in 2023 as compared to 2022. Relative to prior year, marine components sales were $12.8 million lower to the towboat market (primarily to original equipment boat manufacturers) and $2.0 million lower to the engine builder market, partially offset by $1.2 million higher industrial sales and $.8 million higher sales to the center console boat market. Security products net sales increased $6.7 million, or 6%, in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to higher sales related to a pilot project for a government security customer. Relative to prior year, security products sales were $8.3 million higher to the government security market and $1.5 million higher to distributors, partially offset by $1.7 million lower sales to the office furniture market and $.7 million lower sales to the gas station security market.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the effects of lower sales at both security products and marine components partially offset by higher production costs across both reporting units. As a result, our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased over the same period. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to the factors affecting cost of sales and decreased coverage of fixed costs due to lower sales. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2024 decreased as compared to 2023 primarily due to lower sales, a less favorable customer and product mix, higher employee related costs (primarily increased medical costs), higher materials costs (primarily brass and electronics) in the latter half of the year and decreased coverage of fixed costs due to lower sales. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to higher cost inventory produced during the fourth quarter of 2023 and sold in the first quarter of 2024 and decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales, partially offset by a more favorable customer and product mix, lower employee salaries and benefits of approximately $1.8 million primarily related to headcount reductions and decreased labor costs of $1.2 million due to lower production volumes.

Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales decreased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the effects of lower production costs at both security products and marine components reporting units as well as lower marine components sales. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased over the same period primarily due to the factors affecting cost of sales. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2023 increased as compared to 2022 primarily due to lower production costs (including lower material, overtime and shipping costs) and increased coverage of fixed costs on higher sales, primarily in the fourth quarter. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to lower raw material costs (primarily stainless steel and aluminum), lower supplies costs driven by lower volume, lower shipping costs and lower labor costs from reduced employee overtime due to lower sales volumes, partially offset by decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales.

Operating Income – As a percentage of net sales, our Component Products Segment’s operating income decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 and increased in 2023 compared to 2022. Operating income margins were primarily impacted by the factors affecting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin, discussed above. Operating costs and expenses

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consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on sales of property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses increased $.5 million in 2024 compared to 2023 predominantly due to higher employee salary and benefit costs at security products.

As a percentage of net sales, our Component Products Segment’s operating income increased in 2023 compared to 2022. The operating margin percentage increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses increased in 2023 compared to 2022 predominantly due to higher salary and benefit costs at the security products reporting unit which increased by $.6 million.

General – Our Component Products Segment’s profitability primarily depends on its ability to utilize its production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for its products and its ability to control its manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials. The materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products consist of purchased components and raw materials some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass, aluminum and stainless steel. Total material costs represented approximately 46% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales in 2024, with commodity-related raw materials representing approximately 13% of its cost of sales. Our Component Products Segment’s raw material prices were generally stable through the first half of 2024. Beginning in the latter half of the third quarter our Component Products Segment began to experience moderate increases in certain raw material costs, particularly brass. The zinc market was volatile in 2024, but our Component Products Segment was successful in making strategic spot buys to keep its costs consistent with 2023. Prices for aluminum and stainless steel, which are the primary raw materials used for the manufacture of marine components (including marine exhaust headers and pipes, wake enhancement systems, throttles and trim tabs), were relatively stable in 2024 because our Component Products Segment took advantage of volume purchase opportunities during the year. In most cases, commodity raw materials our Component Products Segment purchases include processing and conversion costs, such as alloying, extrusion and rolling, which remain elevated due to costs of labor, transportation and energy. Processing and conversion costs are not expected to decrease and may negate the benefit of softening commodity prices on our Component Products Segment’s purchases. Based on current economic conditions, our Component Products Segment expects the prices for zinc, brass, aluminum, stainless steel and other manufacturing materials in 2025 to be relatively stable, although governmental actions such as tariffs may impact markets.

Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity related raw material costs. See Item 1 – “Business – Component Products Segment – CompX International Inc. – Raw Materials.”

Outlook – As noted above, in the second half of 2023 our Component Products Segment’s security products reporting unit had significant sales related to a pilot project for a government security customer. Excluding these sales in 2023, security products sales would have increased in 2024 as compared to 2023 due to increased sales across a variety of markets, particularly increased sales of mechanical locks to the government security market. At the marine components reporting unit, the decline in sales to the towboat market as a result of the contraction in the recreational marine industry that began in the second quarter of 2023 continued through the third quarter of 2024. Marine components net sales increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 as a result of stabilizing demand in the towboat market as well as increased sales to the government market. Raw material prices remained relatively stable through the first half of the year; however, beginning in the third quarter of 2024 our Component Products Segment experienced price increases in certain commodity raw materials, primarily brass and electronic components at the security products reporting unit.

Our Component Products Segment expects security products net sales in 2025 to improve modestly over 2024, and our Component Products Segment expects gross margin and operating income percentages in 2025 to be slightly above 2024 due to pricing improvements on the security products product mix. Our Component Products Segment expects marine components net sales to increase in 2025 due to higher expected sales to the government and industrial markets. Our Component Products Segment believes the recreational marine market has stabilized, and it expects marine components sales to the towboat market in 2025 will be comparable to 2024. Overall our Component Products Segment expects marine components to have improved gross margins and operating income percentages in 2025 compared to 2024 due to higher expected sales volumes. During 2024 our Component Products Segment was aggressive in aligning its production

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capabilities and inventories to demand levels. In 2025, our Component Products Segment will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels to ensure its production capabilities and inventories are aligned accordingly.

Our Component Products Segment’s expectations for its operations and the markets it serves are based on a number of factors outside its control. Currently, our Component Products Segment’s supply chains are stable and transportation and logistical delays are minimal. Our Component Products Segment has in the past experienced global and domestic supply chain challenges, and any future impacts on its operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in its operations or its suppliers’ operations, the effect of tariffs, and the impact of economic conditions and geopolitical events on demand for its products or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Real Estate Management and Development –

Years ended December 31,
202220232024
(In millions)
Net sales:
Land sales$120.9$92.6$71.5
Utility and other1.21.3.3
Water delivery3.6
Total net sales125.793.971.8
Cost of sales74.161.745.6
Gross margin$51.6$32.2$26.2
Operating income$39.4$49.9$55.2

General – Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is actively engaged in efforts to develop certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes. BMI also was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through a water distribution system owned and operated by BWC prior to BWC’s bankruptcy filing and deconsolidation on September 10, 2022. BMI also provided certain utility services to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada prior to the sale of BPC on December 1, 2023. With the approval of BWC’s plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court, substantially all of BWC’s assets were sold in November 2023. Following the sale of the BWC assets and BPC, BMI no longer provides services to the industrial park which allows us to focus on land sales and development activity for the residential/planned community.

LandWell began marketing land for sale in the residential/planned community in December 2013 and at December 31, 2024 approximately 20 saleable acres remain. LandWell has been actively marketing and selling the land zoned for commercial and light industrial use and at December 31, 2024 approximately 15 saleable acres remain. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis, and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract or land sales may be completed, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In most instances buyers can cancel an escrow agreement with no financial penalties until shortly before the closing date. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. Substantially all the land in the residential/planned community has been sold; however, we expect the development work to take two to three years to complete.

Net Sales and Operating Income – Substantially all the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2024 and 2023 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $71.5 million in revenues on land sales during 2024 compared to $92.6 million in 2023. All of the land sales revenues recognized in 2024 are related to land sold in prior years. As noted above, we recognize revenue in our residential/planned community over time using cost-based input methods, and substantially all the land sales revenue we recognized in 2024 and 2023 was under this method of revenue recognition. Land sales revenue in 2024 decreased compared to 2023 due to the decreased pace of

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development activity for previously sold parcels within the residential/planned community, primarily due to delays in receiving city permits and delays in environmental related approvals. The pace of development activities is dictated by a number of factors such as city permit and design approval, approval from the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and labor and materials availability. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $45.1 million in 2024 compared to $60.8 million in 2023. Included in operating income was income related to the tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $30.3 million and $25.2 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Substantially all the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2023 and 2022 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $92.6 million in revenues on land sales during 2023 compared to $120.9 million in 2022. As noted above, we recognize revenue in our residential/planned community over time using cost-based input methods, and substantially all the land sales revenue we recognized in 2023 and 2022 was under this method of revenue recognition. Land sales revenue in 2023 decreased compared to 2022 due to the decreased pace of development activity dictated by the factors noted above within the residential/planned community. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $60.8 million in 2023 compared to $69.7 million in 2022. Included in operating income was income related to the tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $25.2 million and $15.2 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The remainder of net sales and cost of sales related to this segment primarily relates to water delivery fees and expenses. Prior to BWC’s bankruptcy filing on September 10, 2022, BMI was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users under long-term contracts through a water delivery system owned and operated by BWC. BWC’s water delivery system operated on Lake Mead in Nevada. Late in the second quarter of 2022, Lake Mead water levels dropped precipitously to historically low levels. On June 30, 2022 BWC was no longer able to pump water and consequently ceased operations at its water intake facility. We considered BWC’s inability to pump water from Lake Mead to be a triggering event under ASC 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment, which caused us to evaluate the water system fixed assets for impairment. Because BWC was unable to deliver water under its current contracts and therefore unable to generate revenue, we determined the water system’s assets were fully impaired except to the extent certain equipment had alternative use outside of BWC’s operations, in which case those assets were written down to estimated salvage value. The $16.4 million impairment charge primarily recognized in the second quarter of 2022 represented the write down of the book value to the estimated salvage value of the assets. Without the ability to pump and deliver water to its customers, BWC’s operating expenses exceeded its revenues, and on September 10, 2022 BWC and its wholly-owned subsidiary (collectively, “Debtors”) voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. Because BWC filed for bankruptcy protection, we and BMI could no longer affirmatively assert we control BWC and, as such, in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, we deconsolidated BWC as of the date of the bankruptcy filing and recognized a loss of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2022 on the deconsolidation. In addition, BMI had an outstanding intercompany accounts receivable balance with BWC on the date of the bankruptcy filing, and we recognized $1.3 million of bad debt expense to fully reserve this balance during the third quarter of 2022.

On November 8, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada (“Court”) entered an order approving Debtors’ plan of reorganization, which provided for the sale of substantially all Debtors’ assets and the transfer of substantially all of their operating and other agreements to one of their industrial customers. The transaction closed on November 17, 2023 at which time Debtors discontinued their water delivery operations. The proceeds of the sale were used to repay creditors of the Debtors. On July 10, 2024, the Court approved the closure of the Debtors’ bankruptcy case. BWC and its wholly-owned subsidiary BWC SPE I, LLC were subsequently dissolved with the remaining cash at BWC of $2.6 million distributed to BMI. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

On December 1, 2023, BMI sold its subsidiary BPC, which provided electricity to four customers located in the industrial park, and its sewer system assets to another of its industrial customers. The sale was for minimal cash consideration and the assumption of liabilities, and upon the closing of the sale we recognized a loss of $2.6 million. BMI provided transition services to the purchaser of the businesses for a limited time. With the sale of BPC and the completion of the bankruptcy, we no longer provide services to the industrial park which allows us to focus on land sales and development activity for the residential/planned community.

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Outlook – LandWell is focused on developing the land it manages, primarily to residential builders, for the residential/planned community in Henderson. At December 31, 2024, substantially all of the land in the residential/planned community had been sold with approximately 20 saleable acres remaining. A contract for the remaining 20 acres is currently in escrow with a home builder, and the sale is scheduled to close by mid-2025. There are also 15 saleable acres zoned for light industrial and commercial use outside of the 2,100 acre residential/planned community available for sale. Demand for retail and commercial use in the Las Vegas area is not as strong as residential demand, and we expect it will take more time to sell these remaining acres. At December 31, 2024 we have deferred revenue of $32.1 million related to post-closing obligations on land sales closed prior to 2024. Because we recognize revenue over time using cost-based inputs, we will continue to recognize revenue on land previously sold over the development period, although we have already received substantially all the cash proceeds related to these sales. We currently expect to take two to three years to complete our post-closing obligations. Any delays or curtailments in infrastructure development related to post-closing obligation activities will delay the amount of revenue we recognize on previously closed land sales. Under LandWell’s development agreement with the City of Henderson, the issuance of a specified number of housing permits requires LandWell to complete certain large infrastructure projects. LandWell began construction on several of these community-wide large projects in late 2021 with the construction expected to continue for the next two to three years. We expect these land development costs in 2025 to be comparable to 2024 due to the timing of planned infrastructure projects and the availability of certain construction materials. Because these large projects relate to the entirety of the residential/planned community, the costs associated with these large projects are not part of the cost-based inputs used to recognize revenue, and therefore, this spending will not correlate to revenue recognition. However, this spending is expected to be eligible for tax increment reimbursement under our Owner Participation Agreement (“OPA”) with the City of Henderson, and delays or curtailments in eligible infrastructure development activities will also delay LandWell’s ability to submit completed costs to the City for approval of additional OPA note receivables. The maximum reimbursement under the OPA is $209 million. We have collected $32.7 million to date and expect to reach the maximum in the next 7 to 10 years.

General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest and Related Party Transactions

Insurance Recoveries – NL has agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse NL for a portion of its past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs. Insurance recoveries include amounts NL received from these insurance carriers. NL received $1.4 million and $.5 million in insurance recoveries during 2024 and 2023, respectively. Insurance recoveries in 2022 were nominal. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The agreements with certain of NL’s insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of its future litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Remeasurement of Investment in TiO2 Manufacturing Joint Venture – We recognized a gain on the remeasurement of Kronos’ investment in LPC of $64.5 million in the third quarter of 2024 as a result of the acquisition. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Components of Net Periodic Pension and OPEB Expense – We recognized other components of net periodic pension and OPEB expense of $2.6 million in 2024, $11.8 million in 2023 and $13.9 million in 2022. The decrease in 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to a higher expected return on plan assets, lower discount rates impacting interest costs and a non-recurring $6.2 million in settlement costs related to the termination and buy-out of our U.K. pension plan in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in 2023 compared to 2022 is primarily due to the net effects of higher discount rates impacting interest cost, previously unrecognized actuarial losses and $6.2 million in settlement costs related to the termination and buy-out of our U.K. pension plan during the second quarter of 2023. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries –  Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock, at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis. The

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remaining portion of these shares of our common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Any unrealized gains or losses on the shares of our common stock attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL are recognized in the determination of each of Kronos and NL’s respective net income or loss. Under the principles of consolidation, we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary. The $1.9 million gain in 2024, the $1.7 million loss in 2023 and the $1.6 million loss in 2022 recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements represent the unrealized gain (loss) in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

Interest Income and Other – Interest income and other of $22.0 million in 2024 was comparable to 2023. Interest income and other increased $10.9 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to higher average interest rates and increased investment balances. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other General Corporate Items – Corporate expenses of $4.3 million in 2024 decreased compared to corporate expenses of $35.2 million in 2023 primarily due to income of $31.4 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024 as a result of the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site, including income of $9.6 million received from private companies participating in the settlement. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $3.0 million in 2024 and $4.4 million in 2023; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from environmental remediation of $19.2 million in 2024 compared to costs of $2.5 million in 2023.

Corporate expenses were 4% lower at $35.2 million in 2023 compared to corporate expenses of $36.6 million in 2022 due primarily to lower administrative expenses. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $4.4 million in 2023 and $4.2 million in 2022; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $2.5 million in 2023 compared to $1.7 million in 2022.

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2025 will be higher than 2024 primarily due to income recognized in 2024 related to the settlement of a liability for an environmental remediation site in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2025, or the nature of such cases were to change, our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2025, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense – Interest expense increased $21.6 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to higher interest rates on Kronos’ new debt issued in February and July of 2024 and higher average debt balances as a result of the LPC acquisition. As a result of the exchange, interest expense in 2024 also includes a charge of $1.5 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs. Interest expense of $28.3 million in 2023 was comparable to $27.9 million in 2022.

We expect interest expense will be higher in 2025 as compared to 2024 primarily due to the higher debt balances as a result of the third quarter acquisition of LPC and higher interest rates on Kronos’ new debt issued in February and July of 2024. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Income Tax Expense (Benefit) – We recognized income tax expense of $82.9 million in 2024 compared to an income tax benefit of $24.6 million in 2023. The increase is primarily due to higher earnings in 2024 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings. We recognized an income tax benefit of $24.6 million in 2023 compared to income tax expense of $36.8 million in 2022. The decrease is primarily due to lower earnings in 2023 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings.

Our income tax expense in 2024 includes a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $8.2 million in the fourth quarter, related to the recognition of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance for our Chemicals Segment’s Belgian net deferred tax assets. We continue to believe we will ultimately realize the full benefit of our Belgian NOL carryforwards, in part because of their indefinite carryforward period. However, our ability to reverse all or a portion of such valuation allowance in the future is dependent on the presence of sufficient positive evidence, such as the existence of cumulative profits in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters, and the ability to demonstrate future profitability for a sustainable period. Until such time as we are able to reverse the valuation allowance in full, to the extent we generate additional losses in Belgium in the intervening periods, our effective income tax rate will be negatively impacted, because any further losses will effectively be recognized without the net income tax benefit.

On December 10, 2024, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released final currency regulations under §987 and related rules (the “2024 Final Regulations”). The 2024 Final Regulations generally apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and include transition rules that require us to compute a pretransition gain or loss for currency translation related to the operations, assets and liabilities of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. qualified business units. Pursuant to the 2024 Final Regulations, we have calculated a pretransition gain of $77.1 million and, accordingly, our income tax expense in 2024 includes a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $16.5 million recognized in the fourth quarter.

Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. Generally, our consolidated effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because the income tax rates applicable to the pre-tax earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations are generally higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations.  However, in 2022 our consolidated effective income tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of a tax benefit relating to the partial release of our valuation allowance associated with the 2022 utilization of a portion of our business interest expense carryforwards.

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2024 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense to our actual tax expense.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income of Subsidiaries – Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries increased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to increased operating income at Kronos. Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries decreased from 2022 to 2023 primarily due to lower operating income at Kronos. See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Related Party Transactions – We are a party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

We have substantial operations located outside the United States, principally our Chemicals Segment’s operations in Europe and Canada. The functional currency of these operations is the local currency. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to these foreign operations will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2024, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at

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the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. On an ongoing basis we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates involving significant judgment primarily relate to goodwill, long-lived assets, revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs, defined benefit pension plans, income taxes, acquisition of joint venture, and litigation and environmental liabilities. We have discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors.

Goodwill – Our net goodwill totaled $382.3 million at December 31, 2024 primarily resulting from our various step acquisitions of Kronos and NL (which occurred before the implementation of the current accounting standards related to noncontrolling interest) and to a lesser extent CompX’s purchase of various businesses and Kronos’ purchase of the remaining 50% interest in LPC in 2024. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards for goodwill, we do not amortize goodwill.

We perform a goodwill impairment test annually in the third quarter of each year. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment at other times whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An entity may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the quantitative impairment test using a more-likely-than-not criteria. If an entity believes it is more-likely-than-not the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the quantitative impairment test can be bypassed. Alternatively, an entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test.

When performing a qualitative assessment considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the qualitative impact of events and circumstances on the fair value of a reporting unit. Events and circumstances considered in our impairment evaluations, such as historical profits and stability of the markets served, are consistent with factors utilized with our internal projections and operating plan. However, future events and circumstances could result in materially different findings which could result in the recognition of a material goodwill impairment.

Evaluations of possible impairment utilizing the quantitative impairment test require us to estimate, among other factors: forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, operating margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, risk premiums, terminal values, and fair values of our reporting units and assets. The goodwill impairment test is subject to uncertainties arising from such events as changes in competitive conditions, the current general economic environment, material changes in growth rate assumptions that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future operating conditions and cash flows, changes in the discount rate, and the impact of strategic decisions. If any of these factors were to materially change such change may require revaluation of our goodwill. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

A reporting unit can be a segment or an operating division based on the operations of the segment. For example, our Chemicals Segment produces a globally coordinated homogeneous product whereas our Component Products Segment operates as two distinct reporting units. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, the goodwill is written down to estimated fair value.

For our Chemicals Segment, we use Level 1 inputs of publicly traded market prices to compare the book value to assess impairment. We also consider control premiums when assessing fair value. When we performed our annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2024 for our Chemicals Segment goodwill, we concluded there was no impairment of such goodwill. However, future events and circumstances could change (i.e. a significant decline in quoted market prices) and result in a materially different finding which could result in the recognition of a material impairment with respect to such goodwill.

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Substantially all of the goodwill for our Component Products Segment relates to its security products reporting unit. In 2024, we used the qualitative assessment for our annual impairment test and determined it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test, as we concluded it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the security products reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.

Long-lived assets – The net book value of our property and equipment totaled $723.4 million at December 31, 2024. We assess property and equipment for impairment only when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our determination is based upon, among other things, our estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset (Level 3 inputs) and our estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators are present. We did not evaluate any long-lived assets for impairment during 2024 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs – Certain real estate land sales by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment (generally land sales associated with our residential/planned community) require us to complete property development and improvements after title passes to the buyer and we have received all or a substantial portion of the selling price. Generally, all the land sales associated with the residential/planned community have been recognized over time using cost-based inputs of accounting in accordance with ASC 606. Under such method, revenues and profits are recognized in the same proportion of our progress towards completion of our contractual obligations, with our progress measured by costs incurred as a percentage of total costs estimated to be incurred. Such costs incurred and total estimated costs include amounts specifically identifiable with the parcels sold as well as certain development costs for the entire residential/planned community which are allocated to the parcels sold under applicable GAAP. Estimates of total costs expected to be incurred require significant management judgment, and the amount of revenue and profits that have been recognized to date are subject to revisions throughout the development period. The impact on the amount of revenue recognized resulting from any future change in the estimate of total costs estimated to be incurred would be accounted for prospectively in accordance with GAAP.

Defined benefit pension plans – We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $25.4 million in 2022, $18.4 million in 2023 and $9.4 million in 2024. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our defined benefit pension plans of $16.6 million in 2022, $16.3 million in 2023 and $16.4 million in 2024.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are principally the discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets, the fair value of plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2024, approximately 65%, 14%, 7% and 11% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined

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benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

Discount rates used for:
ObligationsObligationsObligations
at December 31, 2022at December 31, 2023at December 31, 2024
and expense in 2023and expense in 2024and expense in 2025
Kronos and NL Plans:
Germany3.7%3.2%3.4%
Canada5.1%4.6%4.6%
Norway3.6%3.6%4.3%
U.S.5.3%5.0%5.5%

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2024, the fair value of plan assets for all defined benefit plans comprised $75.7 million related to U.S. plans and $404.9 million related to non-U.S. plans. All of plan assets attributable to non-U.S. plans related to plans maintained by Kronos, and approximately 35% and 65% of the plan assets attributable to U.S. plans related to plans maintained by NL and Kronos, respectively. At December 31, 2024, approximately 55%, 17%, 9% and 16% of the plan assets related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S, respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g., equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

The assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets used for purposes of determining net period pension cost for 2022, 2023 and 2024 were as follows:

202220232024
Kronos and NL plans:
Germany2.0%4.8%5.0%
Canada3.8%4.4%4.9%
Norway3.0%4.8%4.8%
U.S.4.0%5.0%5.0%

Our long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2025 used for purposes of determining our 2025 defined benefit pension plan expense for Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S. are 4.8%, 3.7%, 5.3% and 5.0%, respectively.

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We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in determining the fair value of plan assets within our defined benefit pension plans. While we believe the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of plan assets are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension assets, liabilities and expenses.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2025, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $9 million in 2025. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $16 million to such plans during 2025.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2024, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $19 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by a nominal amount during 2025. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2025.

Income taxes – We operate globally through our Chemicals Segment and the calculation of our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities involves the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our Chemicals Segment’s global operations. Our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses and the effects of tax laws and regulations in each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our consolidated provision for income taxes due to the global nature of our Chemicals Segment’s operations. Our provision (benefit) for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid, including the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize deferred taxes for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability, as applicable. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made.

We periodically review our deferred tax assets (“DTA”) to determine if a valuation allowance is required. For example, at December 31, 2024, our Chemicals Segment has significant German corporate and trade net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $447.3 million (DTA of $70.8 million) and $40.1 million (DTA of $4.4 million), respectively; and Belgian corporate NOL carryforwards of $72.0 million (DTA of $18.0 million). Prior to December 31, 2024, and using all available evidence, we had concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance was required to be recognized with respect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carryforwards have lengthy carryforward periods (the German and Belgian carryforwards may be carried forward indefinitely), (ii) we have utilized a portion of

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such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. With respect to our Belgium carryforwards, at December 31, 2024, given our operating results during the fourth quarter of 2024 and our current expectations for 2025, we do not have sufficient positive evidence to overcome the significant negative evidence of having cumulative losses in the most recent twelve consecutive quarters in Belgium (even considering that the carryforward period of our Belgian NOL carryforwards is indefinite, one piece of positive evidence). Accordingly, at December 31, 2024, we concluded that we were required to recognize a non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance of $8.2 million under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria with respect to our Belgian net deferred tax assets. At December 31, 2024, we continue to conclude no valuation allowance is required to be recognized for our German DTAs although prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, if we were to generate additional losses in our German operations for an extended period of time, or if applicable laws were to change such that the carryforward periods were more limited, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”), the European Union and other countries have committed to enacting the OECD’s Pillar Two initiative that would provide a global minimum level of taxation for multinational companies to be applied on a country-by-country basis. Currently, many countries have enacted legislation to implement the Pillar Two rules effective for years beginning on or after December 31, 2023. Based on legislation currently enacted, we do not anticipate any material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements; however, until all the jurisdictions we operate in enact legislation, the full impact of Pillar Two to us is unknown.

Acquisition of joint venture – During the third quarter of 2024, Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest in LPC previously held by Venator. Prior to the acquisition we accounted for Kronos’s interest in LPC under the equity method. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires Kronos to use significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Kronos’ estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon assumptions we believe are reasonable, and when appropriate, include assistance from independent third-party valuation advisors. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contingencies – We record accruals for environmental, legal and other contingencies and commitments when estimated future expenditures associated with such contingencies become probable, and amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available to us, or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount required to be accrued for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in reported net income in the period of such change). At December 31, 2024 we have recorded total accrued environmental liabilities of $74.6 million.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2025, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs (and potential range of our liabilities) as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change which involves our judgment regarding current facts and circumstances for each site and is subject to various assumptions and estimates. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities –

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating income (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings. In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from year to year can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. For example, during 2024, relative changes in currency exchange rates resulted in a $.1 million decrease in the reported amount of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to a $1.0 million increase in 2023 and a $5.1 million decrease in 2022.

Cash flows from operating activities increased to $44.0 million in 2024 from $3.9 million in 2023. This $40.1 million increase in cash provided by operations in 2024 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $210.7 million in 2024, an increase of $176.5 million compared to operating income of $34.2 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher amount of net cash used of $92.5 million associated with relative changes in our receivables, inventories, land held for development, payables and accrued liabilities in 2024;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net cash paid for income taxes in 2024 of $14.4 million primarily due to higher earnings and the relative timing of payments;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher cash paid for interest in 2024 of $18.5 million;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
cash premium of $6.0 million on the issuance of Kronos’ senior notes; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net contributions of $5.8 million to our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2024 prior to the LPC acquisition.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $3.9 million in 2023 from $34.9 million in 2022. This $31.0 million decrease in cash provided by operations in 2023 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $34.2 million in 2023, a decrease of $205.2 million compared to operating income of $239.4 million in 2022;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower amount of net cash used of $84.6 million associated with relative changes in our receivables, inventories, land held for development, payables and accrued liabilities in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net cash paid for income taxes in 2023 of $16.3 million primarily due to decreased earnings; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net contributions to our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2023 of $13.6 million.

As noted in our discussion of our Real Estate Management and Development segment above, we have sold the majority of the land in our residential/planned community, and in accordance with our development agreement with the City of Henderson and our contractual obligations with builders, we expect to complete our land development obligations over the next two to three years. Because we have largely received cash proceeds from land sales, we expect LandWell to generate negative operating cash flows as it completes its required land development work.

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Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes, as shown below:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) decreased from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, primarily due to the relative changes in the timing of collections.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales in inventory (“DSI”) increased from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 primarily due to production volumes exceeding sales volumes in 2024 compared to 2023 when Kronos’ sales volumes exceeded its production volumes.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSO decreased from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 and is primarily impacted by the timing of sales and collections in the last month of the year.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSI at December 31, 2024 was comparable to December 31, 2023 as the increase at the security products reporting unit due to the fulfillment and shipping of a significant order during the fourth quarter of 2023 was offset by the decline at the marine components reporting unit due to elevated inventory balances at December 31, 2023.

For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior year numbers below.

December 31,December 31,December 31,
202220232024
Kronos:
Days sales outstanding64 days66 days62 days
Days sales in inventory103 days65 days82 days
CompX:
Days sales outstanding41 days36 days33 days
Days sales in inventory99 days95 days94 days

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below. Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

Years ended December 31,
202220232024
(In millions)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Kronos$81.7$5.5$72.5
Valhi exclusive of subsidiaries68.840.760.6
CompX16.925.822.9
NL exclusive of subsidiaries39.221.636.7
Tremont exclusive of subsidiaries12.711.2(.4)
BMI12.113.22.6
LandWell(22.0)17.5(16.1)
Eliminations and other(174.5)(131.6)(134.8)
Total$34.9$3.9$44.0

Investing Activities –

We disclose capital expenditures by our business segments in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2024:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos paid $156.8 million, net of cash acquired, for the remaining TiO2 manufacturing joint venture interest in LPC; see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements;

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds of $54.3 million related to marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $5.6 million.

During 2023:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds of $19.3 million of marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $1.8 million.

During 2022:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net purchases of $70.7 million of marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$8.6 million of BWC’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was removed as part of its deconsolidation in the third quarter (see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).

Financing Activities –

During 2024:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $48.8 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos exchanged €325 million of its Kronos International, Inc. (“KII”) 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 2025 (the “Old Notes”) for KII’s newly issued €276.174 million 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due March 2029 (the “New Notes”) plus additional cash consideration of $52.6 million to certain eligible holders of the Old Notes and borrowed $53.7 million from Contran. In the third quarter Kronos issued an additional €75 million principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Additional New Notes” and together with the Old Notes and the New Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”).

During 2023:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $28.0 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 313,814 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.8 million.

During 2022:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we borrowed $.1 million and repaid $51.6 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $8.4 million on BWC’s loan from Western Alliance Bank;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 217,778 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.3 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX acquired 78,900 shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 1.7 million.

We paid aggregate cash dividends on our common stock of $9.0 million in 2022 and $9.1 million in each of  2023 and 2024. Distributions to noncontrolling interest in 2022, 2023 and 2024 are primarily comprised of: CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL; Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL, and BMI and LandWell dividends paid to shareholders other than us.

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Outstanding Debt Obligations

At December 31, 2024, our consolidated indebtedness was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Valhi’s $44.6 million outstanding on its $150 million amended credit facility with Contran which is due no earlier than December 31, 2026;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
€351.174 million aggregate outstanding on KII’s 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 plus €5.1 million of unamortized premium ($365.4 million carrying amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
€75 million aggregate outstanding on KII’s 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 ($78.3 million carrying amount);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$53.7 million outstanding on Kronos’ subordinated, unsecured term loan from Contran due September 2029 (the “Contran Term Loan”);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$10.0 million outstanding on Kronos’ Global Revolver; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$11.4 million outstanding on LandWell’s bank loan due April 2036.

Availability under the Global Revolver is subject to a borrowing base calculation, as defined in the agreement. The borrowing base calculated as of December 31, 2024 was approximately $278 million. Effective July 17, 2024, Kronos completed an amendment to its Global Revolver (the “Second Amendment”). Among other things, the Second Amendment increased the maximum borrowing amount from $225 million to $300 million, extended the maturity date to July 2029 and expanded the facility to include LPC and LPC’s receivables and certain of its inventories in the borrowing base. The LPC acquisition was financed through borrowings of $132.1 million under Kronos’ Global Revolver with the remainder paid with cash on hand. On July 30, 2024, Kronos’ wholly-owned subsidiary, KII, issued an additional €75 million principal amount of 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Additional New Notes”). The Additional New Notes were issued at a premium of 107.50% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest from February 12, 2024, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $90 million, after fees and expenses. The Additional New Notes are fungible with the New Notes, are treated as a single series with the New Notes, and have the same terms as the New Notes, other than their date of issuance and issue price. The proceeds from the Additional New Notes were used to pay down borrowings incurred under the Global Revolver. Subsequent to the issuance of the Additional New Notes, the Contran Term Loan was amended in August 2024 to change the interest rate from 11.5% (which had been determined by adding an additional spread of 2% to the final interest rate on the New Notes issued in February 2024) to 9.54% (determined by adding a spread of 2% to the effective interest rate of the Additional New Notes issued in July 2024). In each case, the spread used to determine the rate was based upon comparable debt transactions at the time of the issuance of the applicable notes. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Contran Term Loan is subordinated in right of payment to Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and its Global Revolver. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes, the Contran Term Loan and Kronos’ Global Revolver contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of these types. Our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants. For example, the credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, the credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business. The terms of all of our debt instruments are discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2024. We believe we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.

Our assets consist primarily of investments in operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service our obligations, including the Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and the Contran Term Loan, depends in part upon the distribution of earnings

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of our subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations or otherwise. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes are collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on (i) 100% of the common stock or other ownership interests of each existing and future direct domestic subsidiary of KII and the guarantors, and (ii) 65% of the voting common stock or other ownership interests and 100% of the non-voting common stock or other ownership interests of each non-U.S. subsidiary that is directly owned by KII or any guarantor. Kronos’ Global Revolver is collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on the borrower’s trade receivables and inventories.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity –

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under various lines of credit and notes. We generally use these amounts to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term indebtedness incurred primarily for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (including dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries) or treasury stock purchases. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness, (iii) make investments in marketable and other securities (including the acquisition of securities issued by our subsidiaries and affiliates) or (iv) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. Occasionally we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and we generally use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness (including indebtedness which may have been collateralized by the assets sold), (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries, and the estimated sales value of those units. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business units, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. From time to time we and our subsidiaries may enter into intercompany loans as a cash management tool. Such notes are structured as revolving demand notes and pay and receive interest on terms we believe are more favorable than current debt and investment market rates. The companies that borrow under these notes have sufficient borrowing capacity to repay the notes at any time upon demand. All of these notes and related interest expense and income are eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We may also from time to time engage in preliminary discussions with existing or potential investors regarding the timing or terms of any such refinancing or other potential transactions.

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including our affiliates) that may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses. We intend to consider such acquisition activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness. From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.

Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2025) and long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2029). In this regard, see the discussion above in “Outstanding Debt Obligations.” With respect to the €75 million KII 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, we intend to satisfy this obligation through cash generated from operations or to the extent that is not sufficient, a combination of cash generated from operations and borrowings on the Global Revolver. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

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At December 31, 2024, we had credit available under existing facilities of approximately $373 million, which was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$268 million under Kronos’ global revolving credit facility; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$105(1) million under Valhi’s Contran credit facility.
Column 1Column 2
(1)Amounts available under this facility are at the sole discretion of Contran.

At December 31, 2024, we had an aggregate of $386.2 million of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities attributable to operations. A detail by entity is presented in the table below.

TotalHeld outside
amountU.S.
(In millions)
Kronos$114.7$84.5
CompX60.8
NL exclusive of its subsidiaries123.4
BMI14.7
Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries11.8
LandWell60.6
Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries.2
Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities$386.2$84.5

Following the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, repatriation of any cash and cash equivalents held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be expected to result in any material income tax liability as a result of such repatriation.

Capital Expenditures and Other Investments –

We currently expect our aggregate capital expenditures for 2025 will be approximately $58 million (including approximately $9 million contractually committed at December 31, 2024) as follows:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$55 million by our Chemicals Segment, including approximately $24 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$3 million by our Component Products Segment.

In addition, LandWell expects to spend approximately $53 million on land development costs during 2025, including approximately $51 million contractually committed at December 31, 2024. Land development costs are included in the determination of cash provided by operating activities.

Capital spending for 2025 is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations or borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Planned capital expenditures in 2025 at Kronos and CompX will primarily be to maintain and improve existing facilities and, as it relates to CompX, to meet expected customer demand and maintain technology infrastructure. In addition, Kronos’ capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.

Repurchases of our Common Stock and Common Stock of our Subsidiaries –

We have in the past, and may in the future, make repurchases of our common stock in market or privately-negotiated transactions. At December 31, 2024, we had approximately .3 million shares of our common stock available for repurchase under the authorizations described in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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At December 31, 2024, Kronos had approximately 1.0 million shares of its common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2024, CompX had approximately .5 million shares of its Class A common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends –

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.19 per share in the first and second quarters of 2024 for which we received $22.0 million. In July 2024, Kronos announced a decrease in its regular quarterly dividend from $.19 per share to $.05 per share beginning in the third quarter of 2024. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.05 per share in the third and fourth quarters of 2024 for which we received $5.8 million. In February 2025 the Kronos board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.05 per share. If Kronos were to pay its $.05 per share dividend in each quarter of 2025 based on the 58.0 million shares we held of Kronos common stock at December 31, 2024, during 2025 we would receive aggregate regular dividends from Kronos of $11.6 million. NL paid a quarterly dividend of $.08 per share in 2024 for which we received $12.9 million. In August 2024, NL’s board of directors declared a special dividend of $.43 per share on its common stock. We received $17.4 million from this special dividend, which is not expected to be recurring. In February 2025 the NL board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.09 per share. If NL were to pay its $.09 per share dividend in each quarter of 2025 based on the 40.4 million shares we held of NL common stock at December 31, 2024, during 2025 we would receive aggregate quarterly dividends from NL of $14.5 million. BMI and LandWell pay cash dividends from time to time, but the timing and amount of such dividends are uncertain. In this regard, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $16.6 million in 2022, $17.6 million in 2023 and $4.0 million in 2024. In addition, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $4.5 million in January 2025. All of our ownership interest in CompX is held through our ownership in NL, as such we do not receive any dividends from CompX. Instead any dividend paid by CompX is paid to NL.

Our subsidiaries have various credit agreements with unrelated third-party lenders which contain customary limitations on the payment of dividends, typically a percentage of net income or cash flow; however, these restrictions in the past have not significantly impacted their ability to pay dividends.

Investment in our Subsidiaries and Affiliates and Other Acquisitions –

We have in the past, and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions. We base our purchase decision on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments. In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness. We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.

We generally do not guarantee any indebtedness or other obligations of our subsidiaries or affiliates. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our subsidiaries are not required to pay us dividends. If one or more of our subsidiaries were unable to maintain its current level of dividends, either due to restrictions contained in a credit agreement or to satisfy its liabilities or otherwise, our ability to service our liabilities or to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely impacted. If this were to occur, we might consider reducing or eliminating our dividends or selling interests in subsidiaries or other assets. If we were required to liquidate assets to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell our subsidiaries’ securities for less than what we believe is the long-term value of such assets.

We have a $50 million revolving credit facility with a subsidiary of NL secured with approximately 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. held by NL’s subsidiary as collateral. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, as amended, bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on December 31, 2030. The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the credit facility is limited to 50% of the amount of the most recent closing price of the Kronos stock. The credit facility

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contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NL’s subsidiary’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NL’s subsidiary’s assets to, another entity, and require NL’s subsidiary to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth. Upon an event of default (as defined in the credit facility), Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment to make further loans to NL’s subsidiary, declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with respect to the collateral under the loan documents. Such collateral rights include, upon certain insolvency events with respect to NL’s subsidiary or NL, the right to purchase all of the Kronos common stock at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value, less amounts owing to Valhi under the loan documents, and up to 50% of such purchase price may be paid by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There is $.5 million outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2024.

We had an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Kronos which, as amended, provided for borrowings from Kronos of up to $25 million. We had no borrowings with Kronos in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Kronos’ obligation to loan us money under this note was at Kronos’ discretion. In February 2024, this note was cancelled by mutual agreement between us and Kronos.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with CompX which, as amended, provides for borrowings from CompX of up to $25 million. We eliminate these intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2026. We had gross borrowings of $24.3 million and gross repayments of $29.8 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $13.2 million at December 31, 2022. We had gross borrowings of $27.9 million and gross repayments of $30.5 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $10.6 million at December 31, 2023. We had gross borrowings of $25.0 million and gross repayments of $26.3 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $9.3 million at December 31, 2024. We could borrow an additional $15.7 million under our current intercompany facility with CompX at December 31, 2024. CompX’s obligation to loan us money under this note is at CompX’s discretion.

Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements and in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain income contingencies in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain environmental remediation matters involving NL and BMI;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain litigation related to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead pigment and lead-based paint; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain other litigation to which we are a party.

In addition to those legal proceedings described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including NL) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which NL and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations. While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.

As described in the Notes 7, 9 and 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. Our

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obligations related to the long-term supply contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock are more fully described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and above in “Business – Chemicals Segment – Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – Raw Materials.” CompX has purchase obligations of $19.8 million ($19.3 million payable in 2025 and $.5 million payable in 2026/2027) which consist of open purchase orders and contractual obligations, primarily commitments to purchase raw materials and for capital projects in process at December 31, 2024. The timing and amount for purchase obligations are based on the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for those commitments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

FY 2023 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001558370-24-002728.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2024-03-07. Report date: 2023-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International, Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (BMI) and the LandWell Company (LandWell).  Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Chemicals – Our Chemicals Segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO2. TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Component Products – We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the postal, recreational transportation, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare and a variety of other industries. CompX is also a leading manufacturer of wake enhancements systems, stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories for the recreational marine industry.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Real Estate Management and Development – We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada. BMI previously, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, also was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through September 2022, and provided utility services to certain industrial customers prior to December 2023.

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Operations Overview

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 –

We reported a net loss attributable to Valhi stockholders of $12.1 million or $.42 per diluted share in 2023 compared to net income of $90.2 million or $3.16 per diluted share in 2022.

Our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2022 to 2023 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2023 compared to 2022 including 2023 charges of $5.8 million related to workforce reductions and $3.8 million related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $19.7 million in our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 related to the impairment of certain fixed assets and the bankruptcy filing of BWC;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from tax increment infrastructure reimbursement of $25.2 million in 2023 compared to $15.2 million in 2022;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a non-cash loss on the termination of our U.K. pension plan of $6.2 million in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $2.6 million related to the sale of BPC in 2023; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
the recognition of a gain on the sale of land not used in our operations of $1.5 million in 2023.

Our diluted net loss per share in 2023 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.46 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.13 per share due to the termination of our U.K. pension plan recognized in the second quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.10 per share related to workforce reductions by our Chemicals Segment recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.06 per share related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination recognized in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first, second and third quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a loss of $.04 per share due to the sale of BPC recognized in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.04 per share related to the sale of land not used in our operations recognized in the second quarter.

Our diluted net income per share in 2022 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $.35 per share related to the bankruptcy filing of BWC, including $.29 per share related to the impairment of the water delivery system fixed assets, primarily recognized in the second quarter, and $.04 per share loss on the deconsolidation of BWC and $.02 per share of bad debt expense related to an intercompany receivable with BWC, both recognized in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the third quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.02 per share related to an energy utility infrastructure reimbursement recognized in the second quarter.

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Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021 –

We reported net income attributable to Valhi stockholders of $90.2 million or $3.16 per diluted share in 2022 compared to $127.2 million or $4.46 per diluted share in 2021.

Our net income attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2021 to 2022 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2022 compared to 2021;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 compared to 2021 including aggregate charges of $19.7 million in our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 related to the impairment of certain fixed assets and the bankruptcy filing of BWC in 2022; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
recognition of a gain on sales of land not used in our operations of $16.0 million in 2021.

Our diluted net income per share in 2022 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $.35 per share related to the bankruptcy filing of BWC, including $.29 per share related to the impairment of the water delivery system fixed assets, primarily recognized in the second quarter, and $.04 per share loss on the deconsolidation of BWC and $.02 per share of bad debt expense related to an intercompany receivable with BWC, both recognized in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the third quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.02 per share related to an energy utility infrastructure reimbursement recognized in the second quarter.

Our diluted net income per share in 2021 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.43 per share related to sales of land not used in our operations recognized in the second and third quarters; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the first and fourth quarters.

We discuss these amounts more fully below.

Current Forecast for 2024 –

We currently expect consolidated operating income for 2024 to be higher as compared to 2023 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2024 primarily due to the positive impacts of improved demand and lower manufacturing costs;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2024 due to higher expected infrastructure reimbursements; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Component Products Segment in 2024 as security products and marine sales are expected to decline further in 2024.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors,

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technological advances, worldwide production capacity and public health crises. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

Segment Operating Results – 2023 Compared to 2022 and 2022 Compared to 2021

Chemicals –

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if our Chemicals Segment and its competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our Chemicals Segment’s customers. We believe our Chemicals Segments’ customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of its grades and substantially all of its production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with product quality and customer and technical support services.

The factors having the most impact on our Chemicals Segment’s reported operating results are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 selling prices,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 sales and production volumes,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Manufacturing costs, particularly raw materials such as third-party feedstock, maintenance and energy-related expenses, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and the euro relative to the Norwegian krone).

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are its TiO2 average selling prices, its TiO2 sales and production volumes and the cost of titanium-containing feedstock purchased from third parties. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

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Years ended December 31,% Change
2021202220232021-222022-23
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales$1,939.4$1,930.2$1,666.5%(14)%
Cost of sales1,494.51,540.21,502.73(2)
Gross margin$444.9$390.0$163.8(12)(58)
Operating income (loss)$200.8$174.6$(41.1)(13)(124)
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales77%80%90%
Gross margin232010
Operating income (loss)109(2)
TiO2 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*563481419(15)%(13)%
Production volumes*545492401(10)%(19)%
Percent change in TiO2 net sales:
TiO2 sales volumes(15)%(13)%
TiO2 product pricing21(4)
TiO2 product mix/other(1)2
Changes in currency exchange rates(5)1
Total%(14)%
Column 1Column 2
*Thousands of metric tons

Industry Conditions and 2023 Overview – Our Chemicals Segment and the TiO2 industry are experiencing an extended period of significantly reduced demand across all major markets, which is reflected in our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes in 2023. Demand first began to decrease in the third quarter of 2022, and although there has been some stabilization at this reduced level, overall demand remained below average historical levels during 2023. While our Chemicals Segment started 2023 with average TiO2 selling prices 16% higher than at the beginning of 2022, this extended period of reduced demand has put downward pressure on average TiO2 selling prices and, as a result, prices declined 13% in 2023. Overall sales volumes declined in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to lower demand in all major markets.

Our Chemicals Segment began curtailing production in the fourth quarter of 2022 at certain of its European facilities due to decreased demand and increased production costs. During 2023, our Chemicals Segment continued operating its production facilities at reduced rates to align production with expected customer demand. As a result, our Chemicals Segment operated its production facilities at 72% of practical capacity utilization in 2023 compared to 89% of practical capacity utilization in 2022.

The following table shows our Chemicals Segment’s capacity utilization rates during 2022 and 2023.

Production Capacity Utilization Rates
20222023
First quarter100%76%
Second quarter95%64%
Third quarter93%73%
Fourth quarter65%75%
Overall89%72%

Due to significant increases in per metric ton production costs (primarily feedstock and unabsorbed fixed costs due to reduced operating rates), our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in 2023 was significantly higher than in 2022 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates).

In response to the extended period of reduced demand, our Chemicals Segment has taken measures to reduce its operating costs and improve its long-term cost structure. As part of overall cost saving measures, in the third quarter of

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2023 our Chemicals Segment began implementing certain voluntary and involuntary workforce reductions. A substantial portion of its workforce reductions were accomplished through voluntary programs, for which eligible workforce reduction costs are recognized at the time both the employee and employer are irrevocably committed to the terms of the separation. These workforce reductions impacted approximately 100 individuals and are substantially completed. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a total of approximately $6 million in charges primarily in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to workforce reductions it implemented during the second half of the year, which is classified in selling, general and administrative expense. The majority of cash payments are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024.

Net Sales – Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2023 decreased 14%, or $263.7 million, compared to 2022 primarily due to a 13% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $251 million) and a 4% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $77 million). Changes in product mix positively contributed to net sales, primarily due to higher average selling prices and sales volumes in our Chemicals Segment’s complementary businesses which somewhat offset declines in TiO2 sales volumes. In addition to the impact of sales volumes and average TiO2 selling prices, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $10 million in 2023 as compared to 2022. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes decreased 13% in 2023 as compared to 2022 due to lower overall demand across all major markets noted above. The lower overall demand our Chemicals Segment began experiencing in the second half of 2022 continued throughout most of 2023. However, our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes were 29% higher in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due to strengthening demand for TiO2 in its primary markets of Europe and North America.

Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2022 were consistent with net sales in 2021 primarily due to the net effects of a 21% increase in average TiO2 selling prices (which increased net sales by approximately $407 million) and a 15% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $291 million). We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) decreased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $106 million, or 5% in 2022 as compared to 2021.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes decreased 15% in 2022 as compared to 2021 primarily due to lower demand in its European and export markets which our Chemicals Segment began experiencing towards the end of the second quarter and which accelerated during the third and fourth quarters of 2022. Sales volumes were 40% lower in the fourth quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Our Chemicals Segment also experienced lower sales volumes in its North American market in the second half of 2022, although to a lesser extent than the declines in its European and export markets.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Cost of sales decreased $37.5 million, or 2%, in 2023 compared to 2022 due to the net effects of a 13% decrease in sales volumes, a 19% decrease in production volumes at certain of our Chemicals Segment’s manufacturing facilities to align inventory levels to anticipated near-term customer demand (which resulted in  $96 million of unabsorbed fixed production costs) and higher production costs of approximately $65 million (primarily raw materials). Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 90% in 2023 compared to 80% in 2022 primarily due to the unfavorable effects of higher production costs (primarily raw materials) and unabsorbed fixed production costs due to lower production volumes.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10% in 2023 compared to 20% in 2022. As discussed and quantified above, our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to lower production and sales volumes, lower average TiO2 selling prices, higher production costs and changes in currency exchange rates.

Cost of sales increased $45.7 million, or 3%, in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the net effects of higher production costs of approximately $285 million (including higher costs for raw materials and energy), a 15% decrease in sales volumes and changes in currency exchange rates. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 80% in 2022 compared to 77% in 2021 due to the impact of higher production costs, including higher raw

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material and energy costs partially offset by the favorable effects of higher average TiO2 selling prices. In addition, our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales in 2022 includes approximately $26 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs associated with production curtailments at certain of its European facilities throughout the fourth quarter.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 20% in 2022 compared to 23% in 2021. Our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales in 2022 decreased primarily due to the net effect of higher average TiO2 selling prices, lower production and sales volumes, higher production costs and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Operating Income (Loss) – Our Chemicals Segment had an operating loss of $41.1 million in 2023 compared to operating income of $174.6 million in 2022 as a result of the factors impacting gross margin discussed above. Our Chemicals Segment recognized a gain of $2.5 million in 2023 and a gain of $2.7 million in 2022 related to cash received from the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim related to Hurricane Laura. We estimate changes in currency exchange rates decreased our Chemicals Segment’s operating loss by approximately $16 million in 2023 as compared to 2022, as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income decreased by $26.2 million, from $200.8 million in 2021 to $174.6 million in 2022. Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 9% in 2022 compared to 10% in 2021. This decrease was driven by the lower gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. Our Chemicals Segment experienced an operating loss of $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to operating income of $55.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Our Chemicals Segment also recognized a gain of $2.7 million in 2022 related to cash received from the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim related to Hurricane Laura. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $23 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income (loss) is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized additional depreciation expense of $1.5 million in 2021 and $1.3 million in each of 2022 and 2023, which reduced our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating income as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

Currency Exchange Rates – Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our Chemicals Segment’s sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time). Certain raw materials used in all our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production and administrative costs are incurred primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency and (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars).

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Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income (loss) for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2023 vs 2022
Translation
gainsTotal currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
20222023Changerate changes2023 vs 2022
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$10$10
Operating income (loss)121(11)2716

The $10 million increase in net sales (translation gains) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2023 as compared to 2022. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2023 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $16 million decrease in operating loss was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Lower net currency transaction gains of approximately $11 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $27 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2023 as compared to 2022. The effect of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro was nominal in 2023 as compared to 2022.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2022 vs. 2021
Translation
gains/(losses)Total currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
20212022Changerate changes2022 vs. 2021
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$(106)$(106)
Operating income212101323

The $106 million decrease in net sales (translation losses) was caused primarily by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2022 as compared to 2021. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2022 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $23 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $10 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $13 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2022 as compared to 2021, partially offset by net currency translation losses primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro as the negative effects of the stronger U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the favorable effects of euro-denominated operating costs being translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2022 as compared to 2021.

Outlook – Our Chemicals Segment’s customer demand stabilized during the fourth quarter of 2023, particularly in the North American and export markets, while demand in Europe improved but remained below historical levels. Our Chemicals Segment expects consumer demand to improve in 2024, and it believes customer destocking of TiO2 is largely complete and customer inventories are historically low. As a result, our Chemicals Segment expects sales volumes in 2024 to exceed 2023 sales volumes. In this regard, our Chemicals Segment is experiencing improved demand thus far in the first quarter of 2024 in all major markets. Our Chemicals Segment has increased production rates in line with current and expected near-term improved demand and believes its production volumes in 2024 will be higher than 2023, although below estimated full practical capacity. During 2023, our Chemicals Segment’s selling prices came under increasing pressure, primarily due to low-cost imports from China impacting European and export pricing. Our Chemicals Segment expects these pricing pressures to be somewhat mitigated in 2024 and believes there is potential industry pricing upside in 2024 as a result of improved demand.

Throughout 2023 our Chemicals Segment implemented cost reduction initiatives designed to improve its long-term cost structure, including targeted workforce reductions and the implementation of certain ongoing technology innovations and process improvement initiatives. Energy costs in Europe have generally stabilized after a period of market disruptions, although in early 2023, in order to provide cost certainty, our Chemicals Segment entered into forward contracts for a portion of its energy needs in 2023 which in many cases were priced above subsequent market rates. As a result of contracts expiring in late 2023, our Chemicals Segment expects its energy costs will be further reduced in 2024. Our Chemicals Segment expects raw material and other input costs, which began to decline in 2023, will continue to moderate in 2024. This, along with lower expected energy costs and the cost reduction initiatives discussed above, will result in improved margins in 2024 as compared to 2023. Overall, due to the expected improved demand and lower production costs, including lower unabsorbed fixed costs, our Chemicals Segment expects to report higher operating results for the full year of 2024 as compared to 2023.

Throughout 2023 our Chemicals Segment took necessary actions to align its production and inventories to then current demand levels including production curtailments. As demand improves, our Chemicals Segment will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and will align its production and inventories accordingly. Our Chemicals Segment believes the steps it took during 2023 to preserve its liquidity while maintaining global market share have positioned its business to capitalize on its expectations for improved demand in 2024.

Our expectations for the TiO2 industry and our Chemicals Segment operations are based on a number of factors outside our control. Our Chemicals Segment has experienced global market disruptions including high energy costs and future impacts on its operations will depend on, among other things, future energy costs and the impact economic conditions and geopolitical events have on its operations or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Component Products –

Our Component Products Segment reported operating income of $25.4 million in each of 2023 and 2022 and $20.5 million in 2021. Operating income in 2023 was comparable to 2022 as lower marine components sales were offset by higher security products sales and higher gross margin percentages across both reporting units. The increase in operating income in 2022 over 2021 is primarily due to higher marine components sales and to a lesser extent higher security products sales.

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Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on its ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our Component Products Segment’s net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our Components Products Segment’s products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2021202220232021-222022-23
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Security products$105.1$114.5$121.29%6%
Marine components35.752.140.146(23)
Total net sales140.8166.6161.318(3)
Cost of sales98.1117.8112.120(5)
Gross margin$42.7$48.8$49.2141
Operating income$20.5$25.4$25.424-
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales70%71%70%
Gross margin302931
Operating income151516

Net Sales – Our Component Products Segment’s net sales decreased $5.3 million in 2023 compared to 2022 due to lower marine components sales primarily to the towboat market, partially offset by higher security products sales largely in the fourth quarter of 2023. Marine components net sales decreased $12.0 million, or 23%, in 2023 as compared to 2022. Relative to prior year, marine components sales were $12.8 million lower to the towboat market (primarily to original equipment boat manufacturers) and $2.0 million lower to the engine builder market, partially offset by $1.2 million higher industrial sales and $.8 million higher sales to the center console boat market. Security products net sales increased $6.7 million, or 6%, in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to higher sales related to a pilot project for a government security customer. Relative to prior year, security products sales were $8.3 million higher to the government security market and $1.5 million higher to distributors, partially offset by $1.7 million lower sales to the office furniture market and $.7 million lower sales to the gas station security market.

Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased $25.8 million in 2022 compared to 2021 due to higher marine components sales primarily to the towboat market and, to a lesser extent, higher security products sales across a variety of markets. Marine components net sales increased $16.4 million, or 46%, in 2022 as compared to 2021. Relative to prior year, marine components sales were $11.5 million higher to the towboat market (primarily to original equipment boat manufacturers), $2.1 million higher to the engine builder market and $2.0 million higher to the industrial market. Security products net sales increased $9.4 million, or 9%, in 2022 as compared to 2021. Relative to prior year, security products sales were $3.8 million higher to the government security market, $1.8 million higher to the office furniture market, $1.5 million higher to distributors, $1.0 million higher to the tool storage market and $.9 million higher to the gas station security market.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales decreased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the effects of lower production costs at both security products and marine components reporting units as well as lower marine components sales. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased over the same period primarily due to the factors affecting cost of sales. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2023 increased as compared to 2022 primarily due to lower production costs (including lower material, overtime and shipping costs) and increased coverage of fixed costs on higher sales, primarily in the fourth quarter. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to lower raw material costs (primarily stainless steel and aluminum), lower supplies costs driven by lower volume, lower shipping costs and lower labor costs from reduced employee overtime due to lower sales volumes, partially offset by decreased coverage of fixed costs as a result of lower sales.

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Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the effects of higher sales, as well as increased production costs at both security products and marine components. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased over the same period primarily due to the decrease in the security products gross margin percentage. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2022 decreased as compared to 2021 primarily due to higher cost of sales, most significantly in the third and fourth quarters of 2022, as price increases and surcharges did not fully offset higher cost inventory sold in the latter half of the year. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased slightly in 2022 compared to 2021 with increased sales due to price increases and surcharges more than offsetting higher production costs, as well as increased coverage of cost of sales from higher sales.

Operating Income – As a percentage of net sales, our Component Products Segment’s operating income increased in 2023 compared to 2022. The operating margin percentage increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on sales of property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses increased in 2023 compared to 2022 predominantly due to higher salary and benefit costs at the security products reporting unit which increased by $.6 million.

Our Component Products Segment operating income increased in 2022 compared to 2021. Operating margin increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses increased $1.2 million in 2022 compared to 2021 predominantly due to higher salary and employment related costs.

General – Our Component Products Segment’s profitability primarily depends on its ability to utilize its production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for its products and its ability to control manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials. The materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products consist of purchased components and raw materials some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass, aluminum and stainless steel. Total material costs represented approximately 48% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales in 2023, with commodity-related raw materials representing approximately 13% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales. After increasing in 2021 and the first half of 2022, prices for the primary commodity-related raw materials used in the manufacture of our Component Products Segment’s locking mechanisms, primarily zinc and brass, generally began to stabilize in the latter half of 2022 and into 2023 and generally began to soften in the latter half of 2023. Prices for aluminum and stainless steel, the primary raw material used for the manufacture of marine exhaust headers and pipes, wake enhancement systems, throttles and trim tabs experienced significant volatility during 2021 and 2022 but were more stable in 2023. Although raw commodity costs declined during 2023 from elevated levels experienced in 2021 and 2022, in most cases materials our Component Products Segment purchases also include processing and conversion costs such as alloying, extrusion and rolling, which continue to be elevated due to costs of labor, transportation and energy. Based on current economic conditions, our Component Products Segment expects the prices for zinc, brass, aluminum, stainless steel and other manufacturing materials in 2024 to be relatively stable.

Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity related raw material costs. See Item 1 – “Business – Component Products Segment – CompX International, Inc. – Raw Materials.”

Outlook – In 2023, the security products reporting unit achieved record sales as a result of increased sales to the government security market, including a pilot project to a government security customer. Absent this project, security products sales would have declined compared to the prior year due to sluggish demand in many of the other markets it serves. At the marine components reporting unit, the strong demand experienced in 2021 and 2022 carried into the first quarter of 2023 when the towboat market began experiencing softening demand that accelerated as the year progressed. Labor markets have become favorable in each of the regions our Component Products Segment operates, and material prices have either stabilized or, in the case of certain commodity raw materials, started to decline slightly. Our Component Products Segment’s supply chains are stable and transportation and logistical delays are minimal. Our Component Products

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Segment has adjusted its labor force and production rates at its facilities to reflect the stability of its raw material supplies and near-term demand levels.

Our Component Products Segment expects security products sales in 2024 will be lower than 2023 as the sluggishness it observed across a variety of the markets security products served during 2023 will continue with customers expressing uncertainty regarding sustained consumer demand. Our Component Products Segment does not currently have additional orders with regard to the 2023 pilot project, and it has no knowledge of any future orders. After implementing aggressive price increases over the last several years to maintain operating margins, our Component Products Segment believes its customers will accept only modest price increases in the current environment. Overall, our Component Products Segment expects the security products reporting unit’s gross margin will be comparable in 2024, although it expects operating income as a percentage of sales to decline due to its limited pricing power along with reduced coverage of selling, general and administrative costs as a result of lower expected sales. Our Component Products Segment expects marine components net sales in 2024 to also be lower as compared to 2023 because it believes demand in the towboat market will further decline, and expected increases in sales to the industrial and center console boat markets will not fully offset reduced towboat demand. The recreational marine industry faces strong headwinds due to higher interest rates and broader market weakness. Several original equipment boat manufacturers, including certain of our Component Products Segment’s customers, have publicly announced reductions to production schedules for 2024. Overall, our Component Products Segment expects the marine components reporting unit’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2024 to be lower than 2023 due to lower coverage of fixed overhead as a result of lower expected sales, and operating income as a percentage of net sales will similarly be lower as a result of reduced coverage of selling, general and administrative expenses due to lower expected sales. Our Component Products Segment ended the year with elevated inventory balances at its marine components reporting unit as a result of increased orders of certain raw materials due to previously long lead times coupled with the rapidly changing towboat demand which created a misalignment of its raw materials with near term demand. Our Component Products Segment expects inventory balances to be in alignment with current demand by mid-year 2024.

Our Component Products Segment’s expectations for its operations and the markets it serves are based on a number of factors outside its control. Our Component Products Segment has experienced global and domestic supply chain challenges, and any future impacts on operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in our Component Products Segment’s operations or its suppliers’ operations, the impact of economic conditions and geopolitical events on demand for its products or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Real Estate Management and Development –

Years ended December 31,
202120222023
(In millions)
Net sales:
Land sales$207.8$120.9$92.6
Utility and other1.61.21.3
Water delivery sales6.83.6
Total net sales216.2125.793.9
Cost of sales123.674.161.7
Gross margin$92.6$51.6$32.2
Operating income$97.3$39.4$49.9

General – Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell. BMI and LandWell own real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is actively engaged in efforts to develop certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes. BMI also was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through a water distribution system owned and operated by BWC prior to BWC’s bankruptcy filing and deconsolidation on September 10, 2022. BMI also provided certain utility services to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada prior to the sale of BPC on December 1, 2023. With the approval of BWC’s plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court, substantially all of BWC’s

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assets were sold in November 2023. Following the sale of the BWC assets and BPC, BMI no longer provides services to the industrial park which allows us to focus on land sales and development activity for the residential/planned community.

LandWell began marketing land for sale in the residential/planned community in December 2013 and at December 31, 2023 approximately 20 saleable acres remain. LandWell has been actively marketing and selling the land zoned for commercial and light industrial use and at December 31, 2023 approximately 15 saleable acres remain. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis, and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract or land sales may be completed, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. Substantially all the land in the residential/planned community has been sold; however, we expect the development work to take three to four years to complete.

Net Sales and Operating Income – Substantially all the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2023 and 2022 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $92.6 million in revenues on land sales during 2023 compared to $120.9 million in 2022. As noted above, we recognize revenue in our residential/planned community over time using cost-based input methods, and substantially all the land sales revenue we recognized in 2023 and 2022 was under this method of revenue recognition. Land sales revenue in 2023 decreased compared to 2022 due to the decreased pace of development activity within the residential/planned community. The pace of development activities is dictated by a number of factors such as city permit and design approval and labor and materials availability. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $60.8 million in 2023 compared to $69.7 million in 2022. Included in operating income was income related to the tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $25.2 million and $15.2 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Substantially all the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2022 and 2021 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $120.9 million in revenues on land sales during 2022 compared to $207.8 million in 2021. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $69.7 million in 2022 compared to $117.0 million in 2021. Land sales revenue decreased substantially in 2022 primarily due to two land parcels with no post-closing obligations that closed during the fourth quarter of 2021 for $70 million, which were immediately recognized as revenue.  Excluding these two parcels that closed in 2021, land sales declined 12% in 2022 primarily due to a decrease in acreage sold and the relative timing of development spending. Substantially all the land sales revenue we recognized in 2022 was under the cost-based inputs method of revenue recognition for acreage sold in prior years and to a lesser extent current year land sales. In 2021 land sales were heavily weighted towards the end of the year. Land sales revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $20.0 million compared to $150.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, including approximately $70 million noted above. Included in operating income was income related to the tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $15.2 million and $15.3 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The remainder of net sales and cost of sales related to this segment primarily relates to water delivery fees and expenses. Prior to BWC’s bankruptcy filing on September 10, 2022, BMI was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users under long-term contracts through a water delivery system owned and operated by BWC. BWC’s water delivery system operated on Lake Mead in Nevada. Due to the Western drought, water levels in Lake Mead have been declining for much of the last twenty years. As a result of water release curtailments upstream of Lake Mead which began late in the second quarter of 2022, Lake Mead water levels dropped precipitously to historically low levels. On June 30, 2022 BWC was no longer able to pump water without the risk of damaging the system and consequently ceased operations at its water intake facility to best preserve the system. We considered BWC’s inability to pump water from Lake Mead to be a triggering event under ASC 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment, which caused us to evaluate the water system fixed assets for impairment. Because BWC was unable to deliver water under its current contracts and therefore unable to generate revenue, we determined the water system’s assets were fully impaired except to the extent certain equipment had alternative use outside of BWC’s operations, in which case those assets were written down to estimated salvage value. The $16.4 million impairment charge primarily recognized in the second quarter of 2022 represented the write down of the book value to the estimated salvage value of the assets. Without the ability to pump and deliver water to its customers, BWC’s operating expenses exceeded its revenues, and on September 10, 2022 BWC and its subsidiaries voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District

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of Nevada. Because BWC filed for bankruptcy protection, we and BMI could no longer affirmatively assert we control BWC and, as such, in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, we deconsolidated BWC as of the date of the bankruptcy filing and recognized a loss of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2022 on the deconsolidation. In addition, BMI had an outstanding intercompany accounts receivable balance with BWC on the date of the bankruptcy filing, and we recognized $1.3 million of bad debt expense to fully reserve this balance during the third quarter of 2022. All of these charges are included in the determination of the Real Estate Management and Development’s operating income in 2022. Operating income comparisons between 2023, 2022 and 2021 are also affected by BWC’s water delivery sales and related cost of sales. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

As noted above, BWC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 10, 2022. We recognized an aggregate $19.7 million of charges in 2022, discussed above, related to BWC which will not recur. On November 8, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada entered an order approving BWC’s plan of reorganization, which provided for the sale of substantially all BWC’s assets and the transfer of substantially all of its operating and other agreements to one of its industrial customers.  The transaction closed on November 17, 2023, at which time BWC discontinued its water delivery operations. As part of the transaction, BWC is providing transition services to the purchaser for a limited time. The proceeds of the sale will be used to repay creditors of BWC and its wholly-owned subsidiary. BWC’s assets may not be sufficient to fully repay its creditors, and the timing of the resolution of the bankruptcy proceedings remains uncertain.

On December 1, 2023, BMI sold its subsidiary BPC, which provides electricity to four customers located in the industrial park, and its sewer system assets to another of its industrial customers. The sale was for minimal cash consideration and the assumption of liabilities, and upon the closing of the sale we recognized a loss of $2.6 million. BMI is providing transition services to the purchaser of the businesses for a limited time. With the sale of BPC, we no longer provide services to the industrial park which allows us to focus on land sales and development activity for the residential/planned community.

Outlook – LandWell is focused on developing the land it manages, primarily to residential builders, for the residential/planned community in Henderson. At December 31, 2023, substantially all of the land in the residential/planned community had been sold with approximately 20 saleable acres remaining. With the strong new home market in the Las Vegas area, we expect to sell our remaining residential zoned land within the next year. Demand for the 15 saleable acres zoned for light industrial and commercial use is more modest and we expect it will take more time to sell these remaining acres. At December 31, 2023 we have deferred revenue of $88.0 million related to post-closing obligations on land sales closed in 2023 and prior years. Because we recognize revenue over time using cost-based inputs, we will continue to recognize revenue on land previously sold over the development period, although we have already received substantially all the cash proceeds related to these sales. We currently expect to take three to four years to complete our post-closing obligations. Any delays or curtailments in infrastructure development related to post-closing obligation activities will delay the amount of revenue we recognize on previously closed land sales. Under LandWell’s development agreement with the City of Henderson, the issuance of a specified number of housing permits requires LandWell to complete certain large infrastructure projects. LandWell began construction on several of these community-wide large projects in late 2021 with the construction expected to continue for the next three to four years. We expect these land development costs in 2024 to be comparable to 2023 due to the timing of certain infrastructure projects. Because these large projects relate to the entirety of the residential/planned community, the costs associated with these large projects are not part of the cost-based inputs used to recognize revenue and therefore this spending will not correlate to revenue recognition. However, this spending is expected to be eligible for tax increment reimbursement and delays or curtailments in eligible infrastructure development activities will also delay LandWell’s ability to submit completed costs to the City of Henderson for approval of additional tax increment reimbursement note receivables.

General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest and Related Party Transactions

Insurance Recoveries – NL has agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse NL for a portion of its past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs. Insurance recoveries include amounts NL received from these insurance carriers. NL received $.5 million in insurance recoveries during 2023. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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The agreements with certain of NL’s insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of its future litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Land Sales – In 2021, we sold two parcels of land (including one parcel in the second quarter and one parcel in the third quarter) not used in our operating activities for net proceeds of approximately $23.4 million and recognized an aggregate pre-tax gain of $16.0 million. In the second quarter of 2023 we sold excess property not used in our operations for net proceeds of approximately $1.8 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.5 million. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Components of Net Periodic Pension and OPEB Expense – We recognized other components of net periodic pension and OPEB expense of $11.8 million in 2023, $13.9 million in 2022 and $17.0 million in 2021. The decrease in 2023 compared to 2022 is primarily due to the net effects of higher discount rates impacting interest cost, previously unrecognized actuarial losses and $6.2 million in settlement costs related to the termination and buy-out of our pension plan in the United Kingdom during the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in expense in 2022 compared to 2021 is primarily due to pension costs as a result of actuarial amortizations and expected returns on plan assets. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries –  Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock, at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis. The remaining portion of these shares of our common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Any unrealized gains or losses on the shares of our common stock attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL are recognized in the determination of each of Kronos and NL’s respective net income or loss. Under the principles of consolidation, we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary. The $1.7 million loss in 2023, the $1.6 million loss in 2022 and the $3.3 million gain in 2021 recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements represent the unrealized gain (loss) in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

Interest Income and Other – Interest income and other increased $10.9 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to higher average interest rates and increased investment balances. Interest income and other increased $6.4 million in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to higher average interest rates and increased investment balances. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other General Corporate Items – Corporate expenses were 5% lower at $34.7 million in 2023 compared to $36.5 million in 2022 due primarily to lower administrative expenses. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $4.4 million in 2023 and $4.2 million in 2022; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $2.5 million in 2023 compared to $1.7 million in 2022.

Corporate expenses were 5% higher at $36.5 million in 2022 compared to $34.6 million in 2021 due primarily to higher litigation and related costs in 2022. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $4.2 million in 2022 and $1.9 million in 2021; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $1.7 million in 2022 compared to $1.6 million in 2021.

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2024 will be higher than 2023 primarily due to higher expected litigation fees and related costs.

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The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2024, or the nature of such cases were to change, our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2024, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense – Interest expense of $28.3 million in 2023 was comparable to $27.9 million in 2022. Interest expense decreased to $27.9 million in 2022 from $32.5 million in 2021 primarily due to lower average debt levels and the effects of changes in currency exchange rates somewhat offset by higher interest rates on variable-rate indebtedness in 2022.

We expect interest expense will be higher in 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to the higher interest rate on the new KII 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) – We recognized an income tax benefit of $22.4 million in 2023 compared to income tax expense of $33.8 million in 2022. The decrease is primarily due to lower earnings in 2023 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings. We recognized income tax expense of $33.8 million in 2022 compared to $60.1 million in 2021. The decrease is primarily due to lower earnings in 2022 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings.

Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. Generally, our consolidated effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because the income tax rates applicable to the pre-tax earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations are generally higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations.  However, in 2022 our consolidated effective income tax rate is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of a tax benefit relating to the partial release of our valuation allowance associated with the 2022 utilization of a portion of our business interest expense carryforwards.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate in 2024 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% because the income tax rates applicable to the earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations will be higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations due to the expected mix of earnings.

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2023 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense to our actual tax expense.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income of Subsidiaries – Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries decreased from 2022 to 2023 primarily due to lower operating income at Kronos. Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries decreased from 2021 to 2022 primarily due to lower operating income at BMI and LandWell.

Related Party Transactions – We are a party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

We have substantial operations located outside the United States, principally our Chemicals Segment’s operations in Europe and Canada. The functional currency of these operations is the local currency. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to these foreign operations will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2023, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

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Critical accounting policies and estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. On an ongoing basis we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates involving significant judgment primarily relate to goodwill, long-lived assets, revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs, defined benefit pension plans, income taxes and litigation and environmental liabilities. We have discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors.

Goodwill – Our net goodwill totaled $379.7 million at December 31, 2023 primarily resulting from our various step acquisitions of Kronos and NL (which occurred before the implementation of the current accounting standards related to noncontrolling interest) and to a lesser extent CompX’s purchase of various businesses. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards for goodwill, we do not amortize goodwill.

We perform a goodwill impairment test annually in the third quarter of each year. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment at other times whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An entity may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the quantitative impairment test using a more-likely-than-not criteria. If an entity believes it is more-likely-than-not the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the quantitative impairment test can be bypassed. Alternatively, an entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test.

When performing a qualitative assessment considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the qualitative impact of events and circumstances on the fair value of a reporting unit. Events and circumstances considered in our impairment evaluations, such as historical profits and stability of the markets served, are consistent with factors utilized with our internal projections and operating plan. However, future events and circumstances could result in materially different findings which could result in the recognition of a material goodwill impairment.

Evaluations of possible impairment utilizing the quantitative impairment test require us to estimate, among other factors: forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, operating margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, risk premiums, terminal values, and fair values of our reporting units and assets. The goodwill impairment test is subject to uncertainties arising from such events as changes in competitive conditions, the current general economic environment, material changes in growth rate assumptions that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future operating conditions and cash flows, changes in the discount rate, and the impact of strategic decisions. If any of these factors were to materially change such change may require revaluation of our goodwill. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

A reporting unit can be a segment or an operating division based on the operations of the segment. For example, our Chemicals Segment produces a globally coordinated homogeneous product whereas our Component Products Segment operates as two distinct reporting units. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, the goodwill is written down to estimated fair value.

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For our Chemicals Segment, we use Level 1 inputs of publicly traded market prices to compare the book value to assess impairment. We also consider control premiums when assessing fair value. When we performed our annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2023 for our Chemicals Segment goodwill, we concluded there was no impairment of such goodwill. However, future events and circumstances could change (i.e. a significant decline in quoted market prices) and result in a materially different finding which could result in the recognition of a material impairment with respect to such goodwill.

Substantially all of the goodwill for our Component Products Segment relates to its security products reporting unit. In 2023, we used the qualitative assessment for our annual impairment test and determined it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test, as we concluded it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the security products reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.

Long-lived assets – The net book value of our property and equipment totaled $517.3 million at December 31, 2023. We assess property and equipment for impairment only when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our determination is based upon, among other things, our estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset (Level 3 inputs) and our estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators are present.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, our Chemicals Segment recorded a fixed asset impairment of $3.8 million related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination. Excluding this project, we did not evaluate any other long-lived assets for impairment during 2023 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs – Certain real estate land sales by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment (generally land sales associated with our residential/planned community) require us to complete property development and improvements after title passes to the buyer and we have received all or a substantial portion of the selling price. Generally, all the land sales associated with the residential/planned community have been recognized over time using cost-based inputs of accounting in accordance with ASC 606. Under such method, revenues and profits are recognized in the same proportion of our progress towards completion of our contractual obligations, with our progress measured by costs incurred as a percentage of total costs estimated to be incurred. Such costs incurred and total estimated costs include amounts specifically identifiable with the parcels sold as well as certain development costs for the entire residential/planned community which are allocated to the parcels sold under applicable GAAP. Estimates of total costs expected to be incurred require significant management judgment, and the amount of revenue and profits that have been recognized to date are subject to revisions throughout the development period. The impact on the amount of revenue recognized resulting from any future change in the estimate of total costs estimated to be incurred would be accounted for prospectively in accordance with GAAP.

Defined benefit pension plans – We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $32.1 million in 2021, $25.4 million in 2022 and $18.4 million in 2023. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our defined benefit pension plans of $20.3 million in 2021, $16.6 million in 2022 and $16.3 million in 2023.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are principally the discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets, the fair value of plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized

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rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2023, approximately 68%, 14%, 7% and 7% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

Discount rates used for:
ObligationsObligationsObligations
at December 31, 2021at December 31, 2022at December 31, 2023
and expense in 2022and expense in 2023and expense in 2024
Kronos and NL Plans:
Germany1.2%3.7%3.2%
Canada2.9%5.1%4.6%
Norway1.9%3.6%3.6%
U.S.2.6%5.3%5.0%

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2023, the fair value of plan assets for all defined benefit plans comprised $40.3 million related to U.S. plans and $422.6 million related to non-U.S. plans. Substantially all of plan assets attributable to non-U.S. plans related to plans maintained by Kronos, and approximately 70% and 30% of the plan assets attributable to U.S. plans related to plans maintained by NL and Kronos, respectively. At December 31, 2023, approximately 58%, 19%, 10% and 9% of the plan assets related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S, respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

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The assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets used for purposes of determining net period pension cost for 2021, 2022 and 2023 were as follows:

202120222023
Kronos and NL plans:
Germany2.0%2.0%4.8%
Canada3.1%3.8%4.4%
Norway2.8%3.0%4.8%
U.S.4.0%4.0%5.0%

Our long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2024 used for purposes of determining our 2024 defined benefit pension plan expense for Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S. are 5.0%, 4.9%, 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively.

We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in determining the fair value of plan assets within our defined benefit pension plans. While we believe the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of plan assets are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension assets, liabilities and expenses.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2024, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $9 million in 2024. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $18 million to such plans during 2024.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2023, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $21 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by a nominal amount during 2024. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2024.

Income taxes – We operate globally through our Chemicals Segment and the calculation of our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities involves the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our Chemicals Segment’s global operations. Our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses and the effects of tax laws and regulations in each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our consolidated provision for income taxes due to the global nature of our Chemicals Segment’s operations. Our provision (benefit) for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid, including the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize deferred taxes for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability, as applicable. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not

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recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made.

We periodically review our deferred tax assets (DTAs) to determine if a valuation allowance is required. For example, at December 31, 2023, our Chemicals Segment has significant German corporate and trade net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of $478.7 million (DTA of $75.8 million) and $54.5 million (DTA of $5.9 million), respectively; and Belgian corporate NOL carryforwards of $47.0 million (DTA of $11.8 million). At December 31, 2023, we have concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized with respect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) we have utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. However, prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, if we were to generate additional losses in our German or Belgian operations for an extended period of time, or if applicable law were to change such that the carryforward period was no longer indefinite, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”), the European Union and other countries have committed to enacting the OECD’s Pillar Two initiative that would provide a global minimum level of taxation for multinational companies to be applied on a country-by-country basis. Currently, many countries are drafting or have enacted legislation to implement the Pillar Two rules effective for years beginning on or after December 31, 2023. We are continuing to follow the Pillar Two legislative developments in order to evaluate the potential future impact it could have on our results of operations.

Contingencies – We are involved in numerous legal and environmental actions in part due to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead-based products. We record accruals for these environmental, legal and other contingencies and commitments when such contingencies become probable, and amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available to us, or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount we are required to accrue for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in our reported net income in the period of such change). At December 31, 2023 we have recorded total accrued environmental liabilities of $96.9 million.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2024, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs (and potential range of our liabilities) as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change which involves our judgment regarding current facts and circumstances for each site and is subject to various assumptions and estimates. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities –

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating income (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings. In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from year to year can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our

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cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. For example, during 2023, relative changes in currency exchange rates resulted in a $1.0 million increase in the reported amount of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to a $5.1 million decrease in 2022 and a $10.6 million decrease in 2021.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $3.9 million in 2023 from $34.9 million in 2022. This $31.0 million decrease in cash provided by operations in 2023 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $34.2 million in 2023, a decrease of $205.2 million compared to operating income of $239.4 million in 2022;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower amount of net cash used of $84.6 million associated with relative changes in our receivables, inventories, land held for development, payables and accruals in 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net cash paid for income taxes in 2023 of $16.3 million primarily due to decreased earnings; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net contributions to our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2023 of $13.6 million.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $34.9 million in 2022 from $459.7 million in 2021. This $424.8 million decrease in cash provided by operations in 2022 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $239.4 million in 2022, a decrease of $79.2 million compared to operating income of $318.6 million in 2021;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher amount of net cash used of $273.1 million associated with the relative changes in our receivables, inventories, land held for development, payables and accruals in 2022;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net cash paid for income taxes in 2022 of $22.2 million primarily due to decreased earnings; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net distributions from our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2022 of $14.3 million.

As noted in our discussion of our Real Estate Management and Development segment above, we have sold the majority of the land in our residential/planned community, and in accordance with our development agreement with the City of Henderson and our contractual obligations with builders, we expect to complete our land development obligations over the next three to four years. Because we have largely received cash proceeds from land sales, we expect LandWell to generate negative operating cash flows as it completes its required land development work.

Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes, as shown below:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales outstanding (DSO) increased from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, primarily due to the relative changes in the timing of collections.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales in inventory (DSI) decreased from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 primarily due to lower inventory volumes attributable to sales volumes exceeding production volumes in 2023 compared to 2022 where production volumes exceeded sales volumes.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSO decreased from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 and is primarily impacted by the timing of sales and collections in the last month of the year.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSI decreased from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease at its security products reporting unit due to the fulfillment and shipping of a significant order during the fourth quarter of 2023, partially offset by an increase at its marine components reporting unit due to lower sales and increased inventory balances as a result of prior orders of certain raw materials with longer lead times.

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For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior year numbers below.

December 31,December 31,December 31,
202120222023
Kronos:
Days sales outstanding65 days64 days66 days
Days sales in inventory59 days103 days65 days
CompX:
Days sales outstanding42 days41 days36 days
Days sales in inventory96 days99 days95 days

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below. Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

Years ended December 31,
202120222023
(In millions)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Kronos$206.5$81.7$5.5
Valhi exclusive of subsidiaries122.168.840.7
CompX10.516.925.8
NL exclusive of subsidiaries15.339.221.6
Tremont exclusive of subsidiaries58.812.711.2
BMI59.712.113.2
LandWell302.1(22.0)17.5
Eliminations and other(315.3)(174.5)(131.6)
Total$459.7$34.9$3.9

Investing Activities –

We disclose capital expenditures by our business segments in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2023:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds of $19.3 million of marketable securities;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $1.8 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$1.7 million of BPC’s cash and cash equivalents was removed as part of its sale in the fourth quarter (see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).

During 2022:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net purchases of $70.7 million of marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$8.6 million of BWC’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was removed as part of its deconsolidation in the third quarter (see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).

During 2021 we:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $23.4 million (including $8.4 million in the second quarter and $15.0 million in the third quarter); and

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds of $1.2 million of marketable securities.

Financing Activities –

During 2023:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $28.0 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 313,814 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.8 million.

During 2022:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we borrowed $.1 million and repaid $51.6 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $8.4 million on BWC’s loan from Western Alliance Bank;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 217,778 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.3 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX acquired 78,900 shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 1.7 million.

During 2021:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $97.8 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran and repaid $1.5 million under Tremont’s deferred payment obligation;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX acquired 75,000 shares of its Class A common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 14,409 shares of its common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $.2 million.

We paid aggregate cash dividends on our common stock of $9.0 million in each of 2021 and 2022 and $9.1 million in 2023. Distributions to noncontrolling interest in 2021, 2022 and 2023 are primarily comprised of: CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL; Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL, and BMI and LandWell dividends paid to shareholders other than us.

Outstanding Debt Obligations

At December 31, 2023, our consolidated indebtedness was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Valhi’s $93.4 million outstanding on its $150 million amended credit facility with Contran which is due no earlier than December 31, 2025;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
€400 million aggregate outstanding on Kronos’ wholly-owned subsidiary Kronos International, Inc. (KII) 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due in September 2025 (the “Old Notes”), which had a $440.9 million carrying amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$12.2 million on LandWell’s bank loan due April 2036.

On February 12, 2024, for certain eligible holders of the Old Notes, KII executed an exchange of €325 million principal amount of the Old Notes for newly issued €276.174 million aggregate outstanding KII 9.50% Senior Secured Notes due March 2029 (the “New Notes” and together with the Old Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”) plus additional cash consideration of €50 million ($53.7 million). Kronos financed the €50 million cash consideration with a new unsecured term loan from Contran Corporation due in September 2029. The Contran term loan is subordinated in right of payment to Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and Kronos’ $225 million global revolving credit facility (Global Revolver). In accordance with Kronos’ related party transaction policy, the audit committee of Kronos’ board of directors, comprised of the independent directors, approved the terms and conditions of the new term loan from Contran.

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Holders of the Old Notes received for each €1,000 principal amount of Old Notes exchanged, €850 in principal amount of New Notes plus a cash payment in an amount equal to €150. Following the exchange, Old Notes totaling €75 million principal amount that were not exchanged continue to remain outstanding. In connection with the exchange, the indenture governing the Old Notes was amended to conform to the restrictive covenants in the indenture governing the New Notes and to make other conforming changes. KII did not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance and delivery of the New Notes in connection with the exchange.

Kronos expects to recognize a non-cash pre-tax interest charge of approximately $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2024 related to the write-off the deferred financing costs associated with the Old Notes. We expect interest expense in 2024 to increase by approximately $16 million as a result of the refinancing.

Certain of our credit facilities require the respective borrowers to maintain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type. Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants. For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business. Kronos had no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2023 on its Global Revolver. Availability under the Global Revolver is subject to a borrowing base calculation, as defined in the agreement, and at December 31, 2023 the full $225 million was available for borrowings. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes, its Global Revolver and the Contran term loan contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of its assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of these types. The terms of all of our debt instruments are discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2023. We believe that we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity –

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under various lines of credit and notes. We generally use these amounts to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term indebtedness incurred primarily for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (including dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries) or treasury stock purchases. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness, (iii) make investments in marketable and other securities (including the acquisition of securities issued by our subsidiaries and affiliates) or (iv) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. Occasionally we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and we generally use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness (including indebtedness which may have been collateralized by the assets sold), (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries, and the estimated sales value of those units. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business units, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. From time to time we and our subsidiaries may enter into intercompany loans as a cash management tool. Such notes are structured as revolving demand notes and pay and receive interest on terms we believe

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are more favorable than current debt and investment market rates. The companies that borrow under these notes have sufficient borrowing capacity to repay the notes at any time upon demand. All of these notes and related interest expense and income are eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including our affiliates) that may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses. We intend to consider such acquisition activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness. From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.

We believe we will be able to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturities; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance. Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2024) and long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2028). In this regard, see the discussion above in “Outstanding Debt Obligations.” If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

At December 31, 2023, we had credit available under existing facilities of approximately $282 million, which was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$225 million under Kronos’ global revolving credit facility; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$57(1) million under Valhi’s Contran credit facility.
Column 1Column 2
(1)Amounts available under this facility are at the sole discretion of Contran.

At December 31, 2023, we had an aggregate of $522.9 million of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities attributable to operations. A detail by entity is presented in the table below.

TotalHeld outside
amountU.S.
(In millions)
Kronos$202.1$115.1
CompX76.7
NL exclusive of its subsidiaries117.8
BMI10.4
Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries24.3
LandWell91.5
Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries.1
Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities$522.9$115.1

Following the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, repatriation of any cash and cash equivalents held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be expected to result in any material income tax liability as a result of such repatriation.

Capital Expenditures and Other Investments –

We currently expect our aggregate capital expenditures for 2024 will be approximately $58 million (including approximately $4 million contractually committed at December 31, 2023) as follows:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$55 million by our Chemicals Segment, including approximately $28 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement; and

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
$3 million by our Component Products Segment.

In addition, LandWell expects to spend approximately $55 million on land development costs during 2024, including approximately $40 million contractually committed at December 31, 2023. Land development costs are included in the determination of cash provided by operating activities.

Capital spending for 2024 is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations or borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Planned capital expenditures in 2024 at Kronos and CompX will primarily be to maintain and improve existing facilities and, as it relates to CompX, to meet expected customer demand and maintain technology infrastructure. In addition, Kronos’ capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.

Repurchases of our Common Stock and Common Stock of our Subsidiaries –

We have in the past, and may in the future, make repurchases of our common stock in market or privately-negotiated transactions. At December 31, 2023, we had approximately .3 million shares of our common stock available for repurchase under the authorizations described in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2023, Kronos had approximately 1.0 million shares of its common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2023, CompX had approximately .5 million shares of its Class A common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends –

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.19 per share in each quarter of 2023 for which we received $44.1 million. In February 2024 the Kronos board of directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of $.19 per share. If Kronos were to pay its $.19 per share dividend in each quarter of 2024 based on the 58.0 million shares we held of Kronos common stock at December 31, 2023, during 2024 we would receive aggregate regular dividends from Kronos of $44.1 million. NL paid a quarterly dividend of $.07 per share in 2024 for which we received $11.3 million. In February 2024 the NL board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.08 per share. If NL were to pay its $.08 per share dividend in each quarter of 2024 based on the 40.4 million shares we held of NL common stock at December 31, 2023, during 2024 we would receive aggregate quarterly dividends from NL of $12.9 million. BMI and LandWell pay cash dividends from time to time, but the timing and amount of such dividends are uncertain. In this regard, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $74.8 million in 2021, $16.6 million in 2022 and $17.6 million in 2023. We do not know if we will receive distributions from BMI and LandWell during 2024. All of our ownership interest in CompX is held through our ownership in NL, as such we do not receive any dividends from CompX. Instead any dividend paid by CompX is paid to NL.

Our subsidiaries have various credit agreements with unrelated third-party lenders which contain customary limitations on the payment of dividends, typically a percentage of net income or cash flow; however, these restrictions in the past have not significantly impacted their ability to pay dividends.

Investment in our Subsidiaries and Affiliates and Other Acquisitions –

We have in the past, and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions. We base our purchase decision on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments. In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities

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or increasing our indebtedness. We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.

We generally do not guarantee any indebtedness or other obligations of our subsidiaries or affiliates. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our subsidiaries are not required to pay us dividends. If one or more of our subsidiaries were unable to maintain its current level of dividends, either due to restrictions contained in a credit agreement or to satisfy its liabilities or otherwise, our ability to service our liabilities or to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely impacted. If this were to occur, we might consider reducing or eliminating our dividends or selling interests in subsidiaries or other assets. If we were required to liquidate assets to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell our subsidiaries’ securities for less than what we believe is the long-term value of such assets.

We have a $50 million revolving credit facility with a subsidiary of NL secured with approximately 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. held by NL’s subsidiary as collateral. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, as amended, bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on December 31, 2030. The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the credit facility is limited to 50% of the amount of the most recent closing price of the Kronos stock. The credit facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NL’s subsidiary’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NL’s subsidiary’s assets to, another entity, and require NL’s subsidiary to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth. Upon an event of default (as defined in the credit facility), Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment to make further loans to NL’s subsidiary, declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with respect to the collateral under the loan documents. Such collateral rights include, upon certain insolvency events with respect to NL’s subsidiary or NL, the right to purchase all of the Kronos common stock at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value, less amounts owing to Valhi under the loan documents, and up to 50% of such purchase price may be paid by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There is $.5 million outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2023.

We had an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Kronos which, as amended, provided for borrowings from Kronos of up to $25 million. We eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, was due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2024. There was no outstanding balance at December 31, 2023. We had no borrowings with Kronos in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Kronos’ obligation to loan us money under this note was at Kronos’ discretion. In February 2024, this note was cancelled by mutual agreement  between us and Kronos.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with CompX which, as amended, provides for borrowings from CompX of up to $25 million. We eliminate these intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2025. We had gross borrowings of $29.8 million and gross repayments of $40.6 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $18.7 million at December 31, 2021. We had gross borrowings of $24.3 million and gross repayments of $29.8 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $13.2 million at December 31, 2022. We had gross borrowings of $27.9 million and gross repayments of $30.5 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $10.6 million at December 31, 2023. We could borrow an additional $14.4 million under our current intercompany facility with CompX at December 31, 2023. CompX’s obligation to loan us money under this note is at CompX’s discretion.

Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements and in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain income contingencies in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions;

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain environmental remediation matters involving NL and BMI;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain litigation related to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead pigment and lead-based paint; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain other litigation to which we are a party.

In addition to those legal proceedings described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including NL) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which NL and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations. While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.

As described in the Notes 7, 9 and 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. Our obligations related to the long-term supply contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock are more fully described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and above in “Business – Chemicals Segment – Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – Raw Materials.” CompX has purchase obligations of $18.3 million ($17.5 million payable in 2024 and $.8 million payable in 2025/2026) which consist of open purchase orders and contractual obligations, primarily commitments to purchase raw materials and for capital projects in process at December 31, 2023. The timing and amount for purchase obligations are based on the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for those commitments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

FY 2022 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001558370-23-003319.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2023-03-09. Report date: 2022-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International, Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”).  Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Chemicals – Our Chemicals Segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO2. TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Component Products – We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the postal, recreational transportation, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare and a variety of other industries. CompX is also a leading manufacturer of wake enhancements systems, stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories for the recreational marine.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Real Estate Management and Development – We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI owns real property in Henderson, Nevada and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries provides utility services to certain industrial and municipal customers. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada.

Income from Continuing Operations Overview

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021 –

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $90.2 million or $3.16 per diluted share in 2022 compared to $127.2 million or $4.46 per diluted share in 2021.

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Our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders decreased from 2021 to 2022 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2022 compared to 2021;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 compared to 2021 including aggregate charges of $19.7 million in our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 related to the impairment of certain fixed assets and the bankruptcy filing of BWC in 2022; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
recognition of a gain on sales of land not used in our operations of $16.0 million in 2021.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2022 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
aggregate charges of $.35 per share related to the bankruptcy filing of BWC, including $.29 per share related to the impairment of the water delivery system fixed assets, primarily recognized in the second quarter, and $.04 per share loss on the deconsolidation of BWC and $.02 per share of bad debt expense related to an intercompany receivable with BWC, both recognized in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the third and fourth quarters;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.05 per share related to a business interruption insurance claim arising from Hurricane Laura in 2020 at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the third quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.02 per share related to an energy utility infrastructure reimbursement recognized in the second quarter.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2021 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.43 per share related to sales of land not used in our operations recognized in the second and third quarters; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the first and fourth quarters.

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020 –

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $127.2 million or $4.46 per diluted share in 2021 compared to $50.9 million or $1.79 per diluted share in 2020.

Our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders increased from 2020 to 2021 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from all of our segments in 2021 compared to 2020;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
recognition of a gain on sales of land not used in our operations of $16.0 million in 2021; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from infrastructure reimbursement of $15.3 million in 2021 compared to $19.7 million in 2020.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2021 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.43 per share related to sales of land not used in our operations recognized in the second and third quarters; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the first and fourth quarters.

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Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2020 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.35 per share related to the tax increment infrastructure reimbursement recognized in the first quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.07 per share from the proceeds received in the third quarter related to a prior land sale; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.03 per share related to an insurance recovery for a property damage claim at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first quarter.

We discuss these amounts more fully below.

Current Forecast for 2023 –

We currently expect consolidated operating income for 2023 to be consistent as compared to 2022 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2023 due to the aggregate $19.7 million of charges recognized in 2022 related to BWC noted above which will not recur and higher expected infrastructure reimbursements;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2023 as the favorable impact of higher expected average TiO2 selling prices is not expected to offset the negative impact of higher manufacturing costs; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Component Products Segment in 2023 as marine sales are expected to normalize below 2022 record levels.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, technological advances, worldwide production capacity and the consequences arising directly or indirectly out of the COVID-19 pandemic. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

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Segment Operating Results – 2022 Compared to 2021 and 2021 Compared to 2020

Chemicals –

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if our Chemicals Segment and its competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our Chemicals Segment’s  customers. We believe our Chemicals Segments’ customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of its grades and substantially all of its production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with product quality and customer and technical support services.

The factors having the most impact on our Chemicals Segment’s reported operating results are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 selling prices,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 sales and production volumes,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Manufacturing costs, particularly raw materials such as third-party feedstock, maintenance and energy-related expenses, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and the euro relative to the Norwegian krone).

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are its TiO2 average selling prices, its TiO2 sales and production volumes and the cost of titanium-containing feedstock purchased from third parties. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2020202120222020-212021-22
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales$1,638.8$1,939.4$1,930.218%%
Cost of sales1,291.01,494.51,540.2163
Gross margin$347.8$444.9$390.028(12)
Operating income$126.5$200.8$174.659(13)
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales79%77%80%
Gross margin212320
Operating income8109
TiO2 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*5315634816%(15)%
Production volumes*5175454925%(10)%
Percent change in TiO2 net sales:
TiO2 product pricing8%21%
TiO2 sales volumes6(15)
TiO2 product mix/other1(1)
Changes in currency exchange rates3(5)
Total18%%
Column 1Column 2
*Thousands of metric tons

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Industry Conditions and 2022 Overview – Our Chemicals Segment started 2022 with average TiO2 selling prices 16% higher than at the beginning of 2021and average TiO2 selling prices increased 16% throughout 2022 in response to our Chemicals Segment rising production costs. Overall, our Chemicals Segment sales volumes declined in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to demand contraction in its European and export markets, particularly in the third and fourth quarters.

The following table shows our Chemicals Segment’s capacity utilization rates during 2021 and 2022. Throughout most of 2021 and continuing into the first quarter of 2022, our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities operated at full practical capacity. Due to the decreased demand in its European and export markets along with increased production costs, particularly energy costs in Europe, our Chemicals Segment curtailed production in the third and fourth quarters of 2022 at certain of its European facilities to align its production and inventory levels to anticipated near-term customer demand.

Production Capacity Utilization Rates
20212022
First quarter97%100%
Second quarter100%95%
Third quarter100%93%
Fourth quarter100%65%
Overall100%89%

Net Sales – Chemicals Segment’s net sales in 2022 were consistent with net sales in 2021 primarily due to the net effects of a 21% increase in average TiO2 selling prices (which increased net sales by approximately $407 million) and a 15% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $291 million). We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) decreased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $106 million, or 5% in 2022 as compared to 2021. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes decreased 15% in 2022 as compared to 2021 primarily due to lower demand in its European and export markets which our Chemicals Segment began experiencing towards the end of the second quarter and which accelerated during the third and fourth quarters of 2022. Sales volumes were 40% lower in the fourth quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Our Chemicals Segment also experienced lower sales volumes in its North American market in the second half of 2022, although to a lesser extent than the declines in its European and export markets.

Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales increased $300.6 million, or 18%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to an 8% increase in average TiO2 selling prices (which increased net sales by approximately $131 million) and a 6% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $98 million). In addition to the impact of higher sales volumes and higher average selling prices, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $43 million, or 3%, as compared to 2020.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes increased 6% in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to higher demand in its European, North American and Latin American markets, with a significant portion of the increase occurring in the second and third quarters as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the comparable periods in 2020.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Cost of sales increased $45.7 million, or 3%, in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the net effects of higher production costs of approximately $285 million (including higher costs for raw materials and energy), a 15% decrease in sales volumes and changes in currency exchange rates. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 80% in 2022 compared to 77% in 2021 due to the impact of higher production costs, including higher raw material and energy costs partially offset by the favorable effects of higher average TiO2 selling prices. In addition, our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales in 2022 includes approximately $26 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs associated with production curtailments at certain of its European facilities throughout the fourth quarter.

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Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 20% in 2022 compared to 23% in 2021. Our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales in 2022 decreased primarily due to the net effect of higher average TiO2 selling prices, lower production and sales volumes, higher production costs and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Cost of sales increased $203.5 million, or 16%, in 2021 compared to 2020 due to a 6% increase in sales volumes and higher production costs of approximately $69 million (including higher cost for raw materials and energy) and the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations (primarily the Canadian dollar). Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 77% in 2021 compared to 79% in 2020 primarily due to the favorable effects of higher average TiO2 selling prices and increased coverage of fixed costs from higher production, partially offset by higher production costs (including higher raw material and energy costs) as well as the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, as discussed below.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 23% in 2021 compared to 21% in 2020. Our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales in 2021 increased primarily due to the net effect of higher average TiO2 selling prices, higher production and sales volumes, higher production costs and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Operating Income – Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income decreased by $26.2 million, from $200.8 million in 2021 to $174.6 million in 2022. Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 9% in 2022 compared to 10% in 2021. This decrease was driven by the lower gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. Our Chemicals Segment experienced an operating loss of $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to operating income of $55.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Our Chemicals Segment also recognized a gain of $2.7 million in 2022 related to cash received from the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim related to Hurricane Laura. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $23 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income increased by $74.3 million, from $126.5 million in 2020 to $200.8 million in 2021. Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 10% in 2021 compared to 8% in 2020. This increase was driven by the higher gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $13 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income in 2020 was minimally impacted by the effects of Hurricane Laura which temporarily halted production at LPC on August 24, 2020 with resumption of operations on September 25, 2020. LPC believes insurance (subject to applicable deductibles) will cover a majority of its losses, including those related to property damage and the disruption of its operations. Our Chemicals Segment believes insurance (subject to applicable deductibles) will cover a majority of its losses from the hurricane, including property damage, business interruption losses related to its share of LPC’s lost production and other costs resulting from the disruption of operations. As of December 31, 2021, our Chemicals Segment had not yet recognized any insurance recoveries because the ultimate disposition of its portion of the business interruption claim was not yet determinable; however, as of December 31, 2021 LPC had received a portion of the proceeds related to its property damage claim. On October 9, 2020 Hurricane Delta caused an additional temporary halt to production at the LPC facility. Damages resulting from Hurricane Delta were not as severe and production activities were resumed within five days from the time of initial shutdown prior to landfall of the hurricane. Similar to Hurricane Laura, losses determined to be incurred by LPC and our Chemicals Segment as a result of Hurricane Delta are expected to be recoverable from insurance (subject to applicable deductibles).

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized additional depreciation expense of $3.8 million in 2020, $1.5 million in 2021 and $1.3 million in 2022, which reduced our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating income as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

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Currency Exchange Rates – Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our Chemicals Segment’s sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time). Certain raw materials used in all our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production and administrative costs are incurred primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency and (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars).

Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates
Year ended December 31, 2022 vs December 31, 2021
Translation
gains/(losses)Total currency
Transaction gains recognizedimpact ofimpact
20212022Changerate changes2022 vs 2021
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$(106)$(106)
Operating income212101323

The $106 million decrease in net sales (translation losses) was caused primarily by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2022 as compared to 2021. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2022 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $23 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $10 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $13 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2022 as compared to 2021, partially offset by net currency translation losses primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro as the negative effects of the stronger U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the favorable effects of euro-denominated operating costs being translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2022 as compared to 2021.

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Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2021 vs. 2020
Translation
gains/(losses)Total currency
Transaction gains/(losses) recognizedimpact ofimpact
20202021Changerate changes2021 vs. 2020
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$43$43
Operating income(4)26(19)(13)

The $43 million increase in net sales (translation gain) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2021 as compared to 2020. The weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2021 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $13 million decrease in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $6 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $19 million from net currency translation losses primarily caused by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2021 as compared to 2020, partially offset by net currency translation gains primarily caused by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro as the positive effects of the weaker U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the unfavorable effects of euro-denominated operating costs being translated into more U.S. dollars in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Outlook – As previously reported, late in the third quarter of 2022, demand in Europe and the export markets began to rapidly deteriorate as many of our Chemicals Segment’s customers in those regions reduced their production rates in response to economic conditions and geopolitical uncertainties. This weakness continued through the fourth quarter. In addition, in the second half of 2022 our Chemicals Segment experienced rapidly rising costs particularly in Europe, led by natural gas, electricity and certain key raw materials. In response to this decline in demand coupled with increased production costs, our Chemicals Segment implemented production curtailments at certain of its European facilities throughout the fourth quarter to manage inventory levels. Our Chemicals Segment also experienced declining demand in North America in the late second half of 2022, but to a lesser extent than its European and export markets.

At the beginning of 2023 our Chemicals Segment began to see pockets of improving demand in Europe and certain export markets bolstered by customer inventory replenishment after significant destocking in the fourth quarter of 2022. Our Chemicals Segment is experiencing continued weak demand in North America in the first quarter of 2023. Our Chemicals Segment expects customer demand to gradually return during the first half of the year particularly in Europe and export markets. Accordingly, at the beginning of 2023, our Chemicals Segment began a measured ramp up of production with the expectation of operating its facilities at full practical capacity by the end of the second quarter of 2023. Our Chemicals Segment’s selling prices have remained stable at the beginning of 2023; however, our Chemicals Segment expects selling prices to rise throughout the last three quarters of 2023 in response to higher production costs. Based on the net effects of these factors, our Chemicals Segment expects to report lower operating results for the full year of 2023 as compared to 2022.

Our Chemicals Segment will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and will align its production and inventories accordingly. The long-term outlook for the TiO2 industry remains very positive,

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and the steps we are taking in the near term are intended to preserve our Chemicals Segment global market share and position its business to profitably grow in the future.

Our expectations for the TiO2 industry and our Chemicals Segment operations are based on a number of factors outside our control. As noted above, our Chemicals Segment has experienced global market disruptions including high energy costs and availability concerns and future impacts on its operations will depend on, among other things, future energy costs and availability and the impact economic conditions and geopolitical events have on its operations or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Component Products –

Our Component Products Segment reported operating income of $25.4 million in 2022 compared to operating income of $20.5 million in 2021 and $11.8 million in 2020. The increase in operating income in 2022 over 2021 is primarily due to higher marine components sales and to a lesser extent higher security products sales. Our Components Products Segment’s operating income was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, primarily in the second and third quarters, which significantly impacts operating income comparisons for the comparative periods. Beginning in the third quarter of 2020 and continuing through 2021, our Component Products Segment’s sales volumes generally improved at both security products and marine components reporting units and the increase in operating income in 2021 over 2020 primarily resulted from the higher sales volumes.

Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on our ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2020202120222020-212021-22
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Security products$87.9$105.1$114.520%9%
Marine components26.635.752.13446
Total net sales114.5140.8166.62318
Cost of sales81.798.1117.82020
Gross margin$32.8$42.7$48.83014
Operating income$11.8$20.5$25.47424
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales71%70%71%
Gross margin293029
Operating income101515

Net Sales – Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased $25.8 million in 2022 compared to 2021 due to higher marine component sales primarily to the towboat market and, to a lesser extent, higher security products sales across a variety of markets. Marine components net sales increased $16.4 million, or 46%, in 2022 as compared to 2021. Relative to prior year, marine component sales were $11.5 million higher to the towboat market (primarily to original equipment boat manufacturers), $2.1 million higher to the engine builder market and $2.0 million higher to the industrial market. Security products net sales increased $9.4 million, or 9%, in 2022 as compared to 2021. Relative to prior year, security products sales were $3.8 million higher to the government security market, $1.8 million higher to the office furniture market, $1.5 million higher to distributors, $1.0 million higher to the tool storage market and $.9 million higher to the gas station security market.

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Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased $26.3 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to higher sales at both the security products and marine components reporting units, particularly in the second quarter of 2021, as many of our Component Products Segment’s customers were temporarily closed or reduced production during the second quarter of 2020 due to government ordered closures or reduced demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in the third quarter of 2020 and continuing through 2021, marine components sales exceeded pre-pandemic levels.  Marine components net sales increased $9.1 million, or 34%, in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to increased sales of $7.2 million to several original equipment boat manufacturers in the towboat market. Security products sales generally improved since third quarter of 2020 but did not recover to pre-pandemic levels until the second quarter of 2021 when sales improved in markets that had been slower to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly sales to distributors and the office furniture market.  Relative to prior year, sales increased $17.2 million, or 20%, primarily due to $7.2 million higher sales to the government security market, $4.9 million higher sales to the transportation market and $2.0 million higher sales to distribution customers.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the effects of higher sales, as well as increased production costs at both security products and marine components. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased over the same period primarily due to the decrease in the security products gross margin percentage. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2022 decreased as compared to 2021 primarily due to higher cost of sales, most significantly in the third and fourth quarters of 2022, as price increases and surcharges did not fully offset higher cost inventory sold in the latter half of the year. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased slightly in 2022 compared to 2021 with increased sales due to price increases and surcharges more than offsetting higher production costs, as well as increased coverage of cost of sales from higher sales.

Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales increased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to the effects of higher sales, as well as increased production costs at both security products and marine components. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased over the same period due to the increase in the security products gross margin percentage partially offset by the decrease in the marine components gross margin percentage. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2021 increased as compared to 2020 due to increased coverage of fixed costs from higher sales, partially offset by higher production costs including increased raw materials costs across a variety of commodities and component inputs, higher shipping costs, and increased labor costs primarily due to higher overtime costs and increased headcount. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 as increased coverage of fixed costs from higher sales were more than offset by higher production costs including raw materials costs (primarily stainless steel), higher shipping costs and increased labor costs resulting from higher overtime costs and increased headcount.

Operating Income – Our Component Products Segment operating income increased in 2022 compared to 2021. Operating margin increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on disposal of property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses increased $1.2 million in 2022 compared to 2021 predominantly due to higher salary and employment related costs.

Our Component Products Segment operating income increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Operating margin increased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses increased $1.2 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to higher salary and benefits costs.

General – Our Component Products Segment’s profitability primarily depends on its ability to utilize its production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for its products and its ability to control manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials. The materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products consist of purchased components and raw materials some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass and stainless steel. Total material costs represented approximately 47% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales in 2022, with commodity-related raw materials representing

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approximately 17% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales. Prices for the primary commodity-related raw materials used in the manufacture of its locking mechanisms, primarily zinc and brass, generally increased throughout 2021 and the first half of 2022. Prices began to stabilize in the latter half of 2022, although at elevated levels. The prices for stainless steel, the primary raw material used for the manufacture of marine exhaust headers and pipes and wake enhancement systems, experienced significant volatility during 2021 and 2022. Based on current economic conditions, we expect the prices for our Component Products Segment’s primary commodity-related raw materials including zinc, brass, stainless steel and other manufacturing materials in 2023 to be relatively stable, although at the elevated levels our Component Products Segment experienced in the second half of 2022.

Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity related raw material costs. See Item 1 – “Business – Component Products Segment – CompX International, Inc. – Raw Materials.”

Outlook – While our Component Products Segment continued to experience strong demand at both its reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2022, the order rate and backlog at both reporting units began to soften late in the fourth quarter. Our Component Products Segment operated its manufacturing facilities at elevated production rates throughout 2022 in line with the strong demand and it continues to monitor demand levels and will adjust production rates accordingly. While labor markets continue to be competitive in each of the regions in which our Component Products Segment operates and labor costs continue to rise, our Component Products Segment has been able to achieve and maintain more balanced staffing levels aligned with current and forecasted demand, particularly at its marine components reporting unit. Our Component Products Segment continues to face shortages related to certain electronic components; however, its supply chains are generally stable and recently transportation and logistical delays have been minimal.

Our Component Products Segment expects gross margins at its security products reporting unit will continue to be challenged during 2023 as higher cost inventory continues to work its way through cost of sales and anticipated reduced demand may limit its ability to implement further price increases. While our Component Products Segment expects its marine components net sales to remain strong during the first quarter, it expects net sales will decline as compared to 2022 as marine market demand is being challenged by higher interest rates and several original equipment boat manufacturers, including certain of its customers, have publicly announced reduced production schedules in 2023 compared to 2022. Our Component Products Segment currently expects its marine components reporting unit gross margins as a percentage of net sales in 2023 to be comparable to 2022. Based on the softening demand and general economic conditions in North America, our Component Products Segment currently expects to report lower net sales and operating income at both reporting units during 2023 compared to 2022. Our Component Products Segment is focused on managing inventory levels to support anticipated lower demand in 2023. With raw materials and other components more readily available, our Component Products Segment believes it will be able to achieve additional operating efficiencies during the year although the extent and impact of such efficiencies is not yet known.

Our Component Products Segment’s expectations for its operations and the markets it serves are based on a number of factors outside its control. As noted above, there continue to be some global and domestic supply chain challenges and any future impacts on operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in our Component Products Segment’s operations or its suppliers’ operations, the impact of economic conditions and geopolitical events on demand for its products or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

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Real Estate Management and Development –

Years ended December 31,
202020212022
(In millions)
Net sales:
Land sales$87.0$207.8$120.9
Water delivery sales7.66.83.6
Utility and other1.81.61.2
Total net sales96.4216.2125.7
Cost of sales64.9123.674.1
Gross margin$31.5$92.6$51.6
Operating income$47.8$97.3$39.4

General – Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell. BMI provides certain utility services, among other things, to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada, and prior to BWC’s bankruptcy filing on September 10, 2022 was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through a water delivery system owned and operated by BWC. LandWell is actively engaged in efforts to develop certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes and approximately 400 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use.

LandWell began marketing land for sale in the residential/planned community in December 2013 and at December 31, 2022 approximately 90 saleable acres remain. LandWell has been actively marketing and selling the land zoned for commercial and light industrial use and at December 31, 2022 approximately 20 saleable acres remain. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. Substantially all of the land in the residential/planned community has been sold; however, we expect the development work to take three to five years to complete.

Net Sales and Operating Income – Substantially all of the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2022 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $120.9 million in revenues on land sales during 2022 compared to $207.8 million in 2021. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $69.7 million in 2022 compared to $117.0 million in 2021. Land sales revenue decreased substantially in 2022 primarily due to two land parcels with no post-closing obligations that closed during the fourth quarter of 2021 for $70 million which were immediately recognized as revenue.  Excluding these two parcels that closed in 2021, land sales declined 12% in 2022 primarily due to a decrease in acreage sold and the relative timing of development spending. Substantially all of the land sales revenue we recognized in 2022 was under the cost-based inputs method of revenue recognition for acreage sold in prior years and to a lesser extent current year land sales.  In 2021 land sales were heavily weighted towards the end of the year. Land sales revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $20.0 million compared to $150.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, including approximately $70 million noted above. Included in operating income was income related to the tax increment reimbursement note receivables of $15.2 million and $15.3 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized $207.8 million in revenues on land sales during 2021 compared to $87.0 million in 2020. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $117.0 million in 2021 compared to $57.9 million in 2020. Land sales revenue increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to an increase in the amount of acreage sold, increased selling price per acre sold and an increase in infrastructure development spending.  As noted above, land sales are generally recognized over time using cost-based inputs and in the second quarter of 2020, in an effort to conserve resources in response to the pandemic, we reduced infrastructure development spending to only those expenditures necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We returned to more normalized infrastructure development spending late in 2020 and continued to increase infrastructure development spending throughout 2021. Typically land sales have been heavily weighted towards the end

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of the year. In the fourth quarter of 2021, land sales revenue was $150.8 million including approximately $70 million related to two parcels as compared to land sales revenue of $70.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, including approximately $55 million related to a single parcel. The contracts for these parcels contained no post-closing obligations therefore we recognized the full $70 million and $55 million in revenue in the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.  Operating income in 2021 also includes $15.3 million of income related to the recognition of tax increment reimbursement note receivables compared to $19.1 million of such income in 2020, as discussed in Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The remainder of net sales and cost of sales related to this segment primarily relates to water delivery fees and expenses. BMI provides certain utility services, among other things, to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada and prior to BWC’s bankruptcy filing on September 10, 2022 was responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users under long-term contracts through a water delivery system owned and operated by BWC.  BWC’s water delivery system operated on Lake Mead in Nevada.  Due to the Western drought, water levels in Lake Mead have been declining for much of the last twenty years. As a result of water release curtailments upstream of Lake Mead which began late in the second quarter, Lake Mead water levels have dropped precipitously to historically low levels. On June 30, 2022 BWC was no longer able to pump water without the risk of damaging the system and consequently ceased operations at its water intake facility to best preserve the system. Current estimates of Lake Mead water levels do not indicate lake levels will be sufficient to enable BWC to resume pumping water for the foreseeable future. We considered BWC’s inability to pump water from Lake Mead to be a triggering event under the ASC 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment, which caused us to evaluate the water system fixed assets for impairment. Because BWC was unable to deliver water under its current contracts and therefore unable to generate revenue, we determined the water system’s assets were fully impaired except to the extent certain equipment had alternative use outside of BWC’s operations, in which case those assets were written down to estimated salvage value. The $16.4 million impairment charge primarily recognized in the second quarter of 2022 represents the write down of the book value to the estimated salvage value of the assets. Without the ability to pump and deliver water to its customers, BWC’s operating expenses exceeded its revenues, and on September 10, 2022 BWC and its subsidiaries voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. Because BWC has filed for bankruptcy protection, we and BMI can no longer affirmatively assert we control BWC and, as such, in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, we deconsolidated BWC as of the date of the bankruptcy filing and recognized a loss of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2022 on the deconsolidation. In addition, BMI had an outstanding intercompany accounts receivable balance with BWC on the date of the bankruptcy filing, and we recognized $1.3 million of bad debt expense to fully reserve this balance during the third quarter of 2022. Operating income comparisons between 2022 and 2021 are affected by the aggregate $19.7 million in charges related to BWC recognized in 2022.  See Notes 2 and 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Outlook – LandWell is focused on developing the land it manages, primarily to residential builders, for the residential/planned community in Henderson. At December 31, 2022, substantially all of the land in the residential/planned community had been sold with approximately 90 saleable acres remaining. While we expect to sell the remaining acres over the next one to three years, due to the current economic conditions, we are unsure of the timing of any sales that may occur.  At December 31, 2022 we have deferred revenue of $123.0 million related to land sales closed in 2022 and prior years. Because we recognize revenue over time using cost-based inputs, we will continue to recognize revenue on land previously sold over the development period, although we have already received substantially all the cash proceeds related to these sales. We currently expect to take three to five years to complete our post-closing obligations. Any delays or curtailments in infrastructure development related to post-closing obligation activities will lower the amount of revenue we recognize on previously closed land sales. Under LandWell’s development agreement with the City of Henderson, the issuance of a specified number of housing permits requires LandWell to complete certain large infrastructure projects. LandWell began construction on several of these community-wide large projects in late 2021 with the construction expected to continue for the next three to five years. We expect these land development costs in 2023 to be consistent with 2022. Because these large projects relate to the entirety of the residential/planned community, the costs associated with these large projects are not part of the cost-based inputs used to recognize revenue and therefore this spending will not correlate to revenue recognition. However, this spending is expected to be eligible for tax increment reimbursement and delays or curtailments in eligible infrastructure development activities will also delay LandWell’s ability to submit completed costs to the City of Henderson for approval of additional tax increment reimbursement note receivables.

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As noted above, BWC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 10, 2022. BWC is operating under court protection, and a portion of BWC’s water delivery system is still operating with water provided by the regional water authority in order to continue to provide water to its industrial customers for an interim period. We cannot predict the timing or the outcome of the bankruptcy reorganization, and we may incur additional costs before the bankruptcy proceedings are concluded.

General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest and Related Party Transactions

Insurance Recoveries – NL has agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse NL for a portion of its past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs. Insurance recoveries include amounts NL received from these insurance carriers. In addition, Kronos recognized $1.5 million of insurance recoveries in 2020 related to a property damage claim. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The agreements with certain of NL’s insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of its future litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Land Sales – In 2021, we sold two parcels of land (including one parcel in the second quarter and one parcel in the third quarter) not used in our operating activities. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Components of Net Periodic Pension and OPEB Expense – We recognized other components of net periodic pension and OPEB expense of $13.9 million in 2022, $17.0 million in 2021 and $20.1 million in 2020. The change in expense is primarily due to pension costs as a result of actuarial amortizations and expected returns on plan assets. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries –  Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock, at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis. The remaining portion of these shares of our common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.  Any unrealized gains or losses on the shares of our common stock attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL are recognized in the determination of each of Kronos and NL’s respective net income or loss. Under the principles of consolidation, we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary. The $1.6 million loss in 2022, the $3.3 million gain in 2021 and the $1.7 million loss in 2020 recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements represent the unrealized gain (loss) in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

Other General Corporate Items – Corporate expenses were 5% higher at $36.6 million in 2022 compared to $34.7 million in 2021 due primarily to higher litigation and related costs in 2022. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $4.2 million in 2022 and $1.9 million in 2021; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $1.7 million in 2022 compared to $1.6 million in 2021.

Corporate expenses of $34.7 million in 2021 were comparable to $34.3 million in 2020. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $1.9 million in each of 2021 and 2020; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $1.6 million in 2021 compared to $.7 million in 2020.

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2023 will be higher than 2022 primarily due to higher expected litigation fees and related costs and higher environmental remediation and related costs.

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The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2023, or the nature of such cases were to change, our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2023, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense – Interest expense decreased to $27.9 million in 2022 from $32.5 million in 2021 primarily due to lower average debt levels and the effects of changes in currency exchange rates somewhat offset by higher interest rates on variable-rate indebtedness in 2022. Interest expense decreased to $32.5 million in 2021 from $36.2 million in 2020 primarily due to lower average debt levels in 2021.

We expect interest expense will be higher in 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily as lower average debt balances will be more than offset by higher average interest rates on variable–rate indebtedness.

Provision for Income Taxes – We recognized income tax expense of $33.8 million in 2022 compared to $60.1 million in 2021. The decrease is primarily due to lower earnings in 2022 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings. We recognized income tax expense of $60.1 million in 2021 compared to $15.9 million in 2020. The increase is primarily due to higher earnings in 2021 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings.

Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. Generally, our consolidated effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because the income tax rates applicable to the pre-tax earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations are generally higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations.  However, in 2022 our consolidated effective income tax rate is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of a tax benefit relating to the release of a portion of our valuation allowance associated with the 2022 utilization of a portion of our business interest expense carryforwards. Also, in 2020 our consolidated effective income tax rate is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of lower earnings and tax benefits associated with losses incurred in certain high tax jurisdictions.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate in 2023 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% because the income tax rates applicable to the earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations will be higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations due to the expected mix of earnings.

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2022 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense to our actual tax expense.

Discontinued Operations – On January 26, 2018, we completed the sale of our former Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC, an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of the Waste Management Segment’s third-party indebtedness and other liabilities. We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to proceeds received from JFL Partners in final settlement of an earn-out provision in the sale agreement. Amounts related to our former Waste Management Segment are classified as part of discontinued operations. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income of Subsidiaries – Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries decreased from 2021 to 2022 primarily due to lower operating income at BMI and LandWell. Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries increased from 2020 to 2021 primarily due to higher operating income from all of our segments.

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Related Party Transactions – We are a party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

We have substantial operations located outside the United States, principally our Chemicals Segment’s operations in Europe and Canada. The functional currency of these operations is the local currency. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to these foreign operations will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2022, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on our historical experience, observance of known trends in our Company and industry as a whole and information available from outside sources. Our estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results may differ significantly from those initial estimates.

We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates involving significant judgment primarily relate to goodwill, long-lived assets, revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs, defined benefit pension plans, income taxes and litigation and environmental liabilities.

Goodwill – Our net goodwill totaled $379.7 million at December 31, 2022 primarily resulting from our various step acquisitions of Kronos and NL (which occurred before the implementation of the current accounting standards related to noncontrolling interest) and to a lesser extent CompX’s purchase of various businesses. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards for goodwill, we do not amortize goodwill.

We perform a goodwill impairment test annually in the third quarter of each year. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment at other times whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An entity may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the quantitative impairment test using a more-likely-than-not criteria. If an entity believes it is more-likely-than-not the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the quantitative impairment test can be bypassed. Alternatively, an entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test.

When performing a qualitative assessment considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the qualitative impact of events and circumstances on the fair value of a reporting unit. Events and circumstances considered in our impairment evaluations, such as historical profits and stability of the markets served, are consistent with factors utilized with our internal projections and operating plan. However, future events and circumstances could result in materially different findings which could result in the recognition of a material goodwill impairment.

Evaluations of possible impairment utilizing the quantitative impairment test require us to estimate, among other factors: forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, operating margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, risk premiums, terminal values, and fair values of our reporting units and assets. The goodwill impairment test is subject to uncertainties arising from such events as changes in competitive conditions, the current general economic environment, material changes in growth rate assumptions that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future operating conditions and cash flows, changes in the discount rate, and the impact of strategic decisions. If any of these factors were to materially change such change may require revaluation of our goodwill. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

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A reporting unit can be a segment or an operating division based on the operations of the segment. For example, our Chemicals Segment produces a globally coordinated homogeneous product whereas our Component Products Segment operates as two distinct reporting units. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, the goodwill is written down to estimated fair value.

For our Chemicals Segment, we use Level 1 inputs of publicly traded market prices to compare the book value to assess impairment. We also consider control premiums when assessing fair value. When we performed our annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2022 for our Chemicals Segment goodwill, we concluded there was no impairment of such goodwill. However, future events and circumstances could change (i.e. a significant decline in quoted market prices) and result in a materially different finding which could result in the recognition of a material impairment with respect to such goodwill.

Substantially all of the goodwill for our Component Products Segment relates to its security products reporting unit. In 2022, we used the qualitative assessment for our annual impairment test and determined it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test, as we concluded it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the security products reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.

Long-lived assets – The net book value of our property and equipment totaled $523.8 million at December 31, 2022. We assess property and equipment for impairment only when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our determination is based upon, among other things, our estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset (Level 3 inputs) and our estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators are present.

Due to the Western drought, water levels in Lake Mead have been declining for much of the last twenty years. As a result of water release curtailments upstream of Lake Mead which began late in the second quarter, Lake Mead water levels have dropped precipitously to historically low levels. On June 30, 2022 BWC was no longer able to pump water without the risk of damaging the system and consequently ceased operations at its water intake facility to best preserve the system. Current estimates of Lake Mead water levels do not indicate lake levels will be sufficient to enable BWC to resume pumping water for the foreseeable future. We considered BWC’s inability to pump water from Lake Mead to be a triggering event under the ASC 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment, which caused us to evaluate the water system fixed assets for impairment. Because BWC was unable to deliver water under its current contracts and therefore unable to generate revenue, we determined the water system’s assets were fully impaired except to the extent certain equipment had alternative use outside of BWC’s operations, in which case those assets were written down to estimated salvage value. The $16.4 million impairment charge primarily recognized in the second quarter of 2022 represents the write down of the book value to the estimated salvage value of the assets. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other than the $16.4 million fixed asset impairment discussed above, we did not evaluate any other long-lived assets for impairment during 2022 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Revenue recognized over time using cost-based inputs – Certain real estate land sales by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment (generally land sales associated with our residential/planned community) require us to complete property development and improvements after title passes to the buyer and we have received all or a substantial portion of the selling price. Generally, all of the land sales associated with the residential/planned community have been recognized over time using cost-based inputs of accounting in accordance with ASC 606. Under such method, revenues and profits are recognized in the same proportion of our progress towards completion of our contractual obligations, with our progress measured by costs incurred as a percentage of total costs estimated to be incurred. Such costs incurred and total estimated costs include amounts specifically identifiable with the parcels sold as well as certain development costs for the entire residential/planned community which are allocated to the parcels sold under applicable GAAP. Estimates of total costs expected to be incurred require significant management judgment, and the amount of revenue and profits that have been recognized to date are subject to revisions throughout the development period. The

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impact on the amount of revenue recognized resulting from any future change in the estimate of total costs estimated to be incurred would be accounted for prospectively in accordance with GAAP.

Defined benefit pension plans – We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $33.8 million in 2020, $32.1 million in 2021 and $25.4 million in 2022. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our defined benefit pension plans of $18.4 million in 2020, $20.3 million in 2021 and $16.6 million in 2022.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are principally the discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets, the fair value of plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2022, approximately 64%, 15%, 8% and 8% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

Discount rates used for:
ObligationsObligationsObligations
at December 31, 2020at December 31, 2021at December 31, 2022
and expense in 2021and expense in 2022and expense in 2023
Kronos and NL Plans:
Germany.7%1.2%3.7%
Canada2.4%2.9%5.1%
Norway1.7%1.9%3.6%
U.S.2.2%2.6%5.3%

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

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At December 31, 2022, the fair value of plan assets for all defined benefit plans comprised $39.1 million related to U.S. plans and $390.5 million related to non-U.S. plans. Substantially all of plan assets attributable to non-U.S. plans related to plans maintained by Kronos, and approximately 70% and 30% of the plan assets attributable to U.S. plans related to plans maintained by NL and Kronos, respectively. At December 31, 2022, approximately 54%, 20%, 11% and 9% of the plan assets related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S, respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

The assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets used for purposes of determining net period pension cost for 2020, 2021 and 2022 were as follows:

202020212022
Kronos and NL plans:
Germany1.0%2.0%2.0%
Canada3.5%3.1%3.8%
Norway4.0%2.8%3.0%
U.S.4.5%4.0%4.0%

Our long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2023 used for purposes of determining our 2023 defined benefit pension plan expense for Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S. are 4.8%, 4.4%, 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively.

We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in determining the fair value of plan assets within our defined benefit pension plans. While we believe the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of plan assets are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension assets, liabilities and expenses.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2023, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $11 million in 2023. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $18 million to such plans during 2023.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2022, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $19 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $.1 million during 2023. Similarly, if we

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lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2023.

Income taxes – We operate globally through our Chemicals Segment and the calculation of our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities involves the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our Chemicals Segment’s global operations. Our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses and the effects of tax laws and regulations in each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our consolidated provision for income taxes due to the global nature of our Chemicals Segment’s operations. Our provision for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid, including the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize deferred taxes for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability, as applicable. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made.

For example, at December 31, 2022 our Chemicals Segment has substantial net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $414 million for German corporate tax purposes) and in Belgium (the equivalent of $13 million for Belgian corporate tax purposes). At December 31, 2022, we have concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized with respect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) we have utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. However, prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, if we were to generate additional losses in our German or Belgian operations for an extended period of time, or if applicable law were to change such that the carryforward period was no longer indefinite, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

Contingencies – We are involved in numerous legal and environmental actions in part due to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead-based products. We record accruals for these environmental, legal and other contingencies and commitments when such contingencies become probable, and amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available to us, or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount we are required to accrue for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in our reported net income in the period of such change). At December 31, 2022 we have recorded total accrued environmental liabilities of $97.3 million.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2023, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs (and potential range of our liabilities) as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change which involves our judgment regarding current facts and circumstances for each site and is subject to various assumptions and estimates. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities –

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating income (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings. In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from year to year can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. For example, during 2022, relative changes in currency exchange rates resulted in a $5.1 million decrease in the reported amount of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to a $10.6 million decrease in 2021 and a $13.8 million increase in 2020.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $34.9 million in 2022 from $459.7 million in 2021. This $424.8 million decrease in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $239.4 million in 2022, a decrease of $79.2 million compared to operating income of $318.6 million in 2021;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
changes in receivables, inventories, payables and accrued liabilities in 2022 used $92.7 million in net cash compared to $180.4 million in net cash provided in 2021, an increase in the amount of cash used of $273.1 million compared to 2021, primarily due to the relative changes in our inventories, receivables, prepaids, land held for development, payables and accruals;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net cash paid for income taxes in 2022 of $22.2 million primarily due to decreased earnings; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net contributions to our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2022 of $14.3 million.

Cash flows from operating activities increased to $459.7 million in 2021 from $152.2 million in 2020. This $307.5 million increase in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $318.6 million in 2021, an increase of $132.5 million compared to operating income of $186.1 million in 2020;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
changes in receivables, inventories, payables and accrued liabilities in 2021 provided $180.4 million in net cash compared to $33.5 million in net cash used in 2020, a decrease in the amount of cash used of $213.9 million compared to 2020, primarily due to the relative changes in our inventories, receivables, prepaids, land held for development, payables and accruals;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net cash paid for income taxes in 2021 of $41.8 million due to increased earnings; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net distributions from our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2021 of $16.6 million.

Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes, as shown below:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) decreased from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, primarily due to the relative changes in the timing of collections.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales in inventory (“DSI”) increased from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 primarily due to higher inventory volumes attributable to production volumes exceeding sales volumes in 2022 compared to 2021 and due to supply disruptions and other transportation delays impacting the timing of raw material shipments at the end of 2021.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSO was generally consistent from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 and is primarily impacted by the timing of sales and collections in the last month of the year.

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSI increased from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 due to increased inventories of certain components and raw materials that had longer lead times or for which CompX has experienced availability issues and from the timing of sales relative to the end of the fourth quarter, primarily at CompX’s security products reporting unit.

For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior year numbers below.

December 31,December 31,December 31,
202020212022
Kronos:
Days sales outstanding68 days65 days64 days
Days sales in inventory74 days59 days79 days
CompX:
Days sales outstanding33 days42 days41 days
Days sales in inventory75 days96 days99 days

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below. Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

Years ended December 31,
202020212022
(In millions)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Kronos$102.5$206.5$81.7
Valhi exclusive of subsidiaries57.2122.168.8
CompX14.910.516.9
NL exclusive of subsidiaries7.315.339.2
Tremont exclusive of subsidiaries36.758.812.7
BMI39.059.712.1
LandWell81.9302.1(22.0)
Eliminations and other(187.3)(315.3)(174.5)
Total$152.2$459.7$34.9

Investing Activities –

We disclose capital expenditures by our business segments in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2022:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we had net purchases of $70.7 million of marketable securities; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$8.6 million of BWC’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was removed as part of its deconsolidation in the third quarter (see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).

During 2021 we:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $23.4 million (including $8.4 million in the second quarter and $15.0 million in the third quarter); and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds of $1.2 million of marketable securities.

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During 2020 we:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
had proceeds from the settlement of an earn-out provision related to the 2018 sale of our Waste Management Segment of $4.9 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds of $.9 million of marketable securities.

Financing Activities –

During 2022:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we borrowed $.1 million and repaid $51.6 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $8.4 million on BWC’s loan from Western Alliance Bank (see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements);
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 217,778 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $2.3 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX acquired 78,900 shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 1.7 million.

During 2021:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $97.8 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran and repaid $1.5 million under Tremont’s deferred payment obligation;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX acquired 75,000 shares of its Class A common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 14,409 shares of its common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $.2 million.

During 2020:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $42.3 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 122,489 shares of its common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $11.6 million under Tremont’s promissory note payable and deferred payment obligation.

We paid aggregate cash dividends on our common stock of $13.6 million in 2020 and $9.0 million in each of 2021 and 2022. Distributions to noncontrolling interest in 2020, 2021 and 2022 are primarily comprised of: CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL; Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL, and BMI and LandWell dividends paid to shareholders other than us.

Outstanding Debt Obligations

At December 31, 2022, our consolidated indebtedness was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Valhi’s $121.4 million outstanding on its $175 million amended credit facility with Contran which is due no earlier than December 31, 2024;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
€400 million aggregate outstanding on Kronos’ 3.75% Senior Secured Notes due in September 2025 (Senior Secured Notes), which had a $424.1 million carrying amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$12.9 million on LandWell’s bank loan due April 2036; and

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
approximately $1.1 million of other indebtedness.

Certain of our credit facilities require the respective borrowers to maintain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type. Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants. For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business.  Kronos had no outstanding borrowings on its $225 million global revolving credit facility (“Global Revolver”) at December 31, 2022 and approximately $211 million was available for borrowings thereunder. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and its Global Revolver contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of its assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of these types. The terms of all of our debt instruments are discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2022. We believe that we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity –

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under various lines of credit and notes. We generally use these amounts to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term indebtedness incurred primarily for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (including dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries) or treasury stock purchases. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness, (iii) make investments in marketable and other securities (including the acquisition of securities issued by our subsidiaries and affiliates) or (iv) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. Occasionally we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and we generally use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness (including indebtedness which may have been collateralized by the assets sold), (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries, and the estimated sales value of those units. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business units, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. From time to time we and our subsidiaries may enter into intercompany loans as a cash management tool. Such notes are structured as revolving demand notes and pay and receive interest on terms we believe are more favorable than current debt and investment market rates. The companies that borrow under these notes have sufficient borrowing capacity to repay the notes at any time upon demand. All of these notes and related interest expense and income are eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including our affiliates) that may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses. We intend to consider such acquisition activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness. From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.

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We believe we will be able to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturities; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance. Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2023) and long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2027). In this regard, see the discussion above in “Outstanding Debt Obligations.” If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

At December 31, 2022, we had credit available under existing facilities of approximately $265 million, which was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$211 million under Kronos’ global revolving credit facility; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$54 (1) million under Valhi’s Contran credit facility.
Column 1Column 2
(1)Amounts available under this facility are at the sole discretion of Contran.

At December 31, 2022, we had an aggregate of $638.3 million of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities attributable to continuing operations. A detail by entity is presented in the table below.

TotalHeld outside
amountU.S.
(In millions)
Kronos$334.6$148.8
CompX59.9
NL exclusive of its subsidiaries107.8
BMI11.6
Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries9.7
LandWell112.9
Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries1.8
Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities$638.3$148.8

Following the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, repatriation of any cash and cash equivalents held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be expected to result in any material income tax liability as a result of such repatriation.

Capital Expenditures and Other Investments –

We currently expect our aggregate capital expenditures for 2023 will be approximately $49 million (including approximately $18 million contractually committed at December 31, 2022) as follows:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$46 million by our Chemicals Segment, including approximately $20 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$3 million by our Component Products Segment.

In addition, LandWell expects to spend approximately $63 million on land development costs during 2023, including $53 million contractually committed at December 31, 2022. Land development costs are included in the determination of cash provided by operating activities.

Capital spending for 2023 is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations or borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Planned capital expenditures in 2023 at Kronos and CompX will primarily be to maintain and improve our existing facilities and, as it relates to CompX, to address capability needs. In addition, Kronos’ capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are

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primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.

Repurchases of our Common Stock and Common Stock of our Subsidiaries –

We have in the past, and may in the future, make repurchases of our common stock in market or privately-negotiated transactions. At December 31, 2022, we had approximately .3 million shares of our common stock available for repurchase under the authorizations described in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2022, Kronos had approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2022, CompX had approximately .5 million shares of its Class A common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends –

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.19 per share in each quarter of 2022 for which we received $44.1 million. In February 2023 the Kronos board of directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of $.19 per share. If Kronos were to pay its $.19 per share dividend in each quarter of 2023 based on the 58.0 million shares we held of Kronos common stock at December 31, 2022, during 2023 we would receive aggregate regular dividends from Kronos of $44.1 million. NL paid a quarterly dividend of $.07 per share in 2022 for which we received $11.3 million. NL declared a special dividend of $.35 per share in August 2022 for which we received $14.1 million. In February 2023 the NL board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.07 per share. If NL were to pay its $.07 per share dividend in each quarter of 2023 based on the 40.4 million shares we held of NL common stock at December 31, 2022, during 2023 we would receive aggregate quarterly dividends from NL of $11.3 million. BMI and LandWell pay cash dividends from time to time, but the timing and amount of such dividends are uncertain. In this regard, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $43.0 million in 2020, $74.8 million in 2021 and $16.6 million in 2022. We do not know if we will receive distributions from BMI and LandWell during 2023. All of our ownership interest in CompX is held through our ownership in NL, as such we do not receive any dividends from CompX. Instead any dividend paid by CompX is paid to NL.

Our subsidiaries have various credit agreements with unrelated third-party lenders which contain customary limitations on the payment of dividends, typically a percentage of net income or cash flow; however, these restrictions in the past have not significantly impacted their ability to pay dividends.

Investment in our Subsidiaries and Affiliates and Other Acquisitions –

We have in the past, and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions. We base our purchase decision on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments. In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness. We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.

We generally do not guarantee any indebtedness or other obligations of our subsidiaries or affiliates. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our subsidiaries are not required to pay us dividends. If one or more of our subsidiaries were unable to maintain its current level of dividends, either due to restrictions contained in a credit agreement or to satisfy its liabilities or otherwise, our ability to service our liabilities or to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely impacted. If this were to occur, we might consider reducing or eliminating our dividends or selling interests in subsidiaries or other assets. If we were required to liquidate assets to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell our subsidiaries’ securities for less than what we believe is the long-term value of such assets.

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We have a $50 million revolving credit facility with a subsidiary of NL secured with approximately 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. held by NL’s subsidiary as collateral. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on the maturity date.  In November 2022, Valhi and the subsidiary of NL entered into a first amendment to the revolving credit facility to extend the latest maturity date (and consequently the latest borrowing date) from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2030. The related collateral arrangements remained unchanged by this amendment. The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the credit facility is limited to 50% of the amount of the most recent closing price of the Kronos stock. The credit facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NL’s subsidiary’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NL’s subsidiary’s assets to, another entity, and require NL’s subsidiary to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth. Upon an event of default (as defined in the credit facility), Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment to make further loans to NL’s subsidiary, declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with respect to the collateral under the loan documents. Such collateral rights include, upon certain insolvency events with respect to NL’s subsidiary or NL, the right to purchase all of the Kronos common stock at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value, less amounts owing to Valhi under the loan documents, and up to 50% of such purchase price may be paid by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There is $.5 million outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2022.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Kronos which, as amended, provides for borrowings from Kronos of up to $25 million. We eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2024. There was no outstanding balance at December 31, 2022. We had no borrowings with Kronos in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and we could borrow the full $25.0 million under our current intercompany facility with Kronos at December 31, 2022. Kronos’ obligation to loan us money under this note is at Kronos’ discretion.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with CompX which, as amended, provides for borrowings from CompX of up to $25 million. We eliminate these intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2024. We had gross borrowings of $29.1 million and gross repayments of $33.4 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $29.5 million at December 31, 2020. We had gross borrowings of $29.8 million and gross repayments of $40.6 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $18.7 million at December 31, 2021. We had gross borrowings of $24.3 million and gross repayments of $29.8 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $13.2 million at December 31, 2022. We could borrow an additional $11.8 million under our current intercompany facility with CompX at December 31, 2022. CompX’s obligation to loan us money under this note is at CompX’s discretion.

Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements and in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain income contingencies in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain environmental remediation matters involving NL and BMI;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain litigation related to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead pigment and lead-based paint; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain other litigation to which we are a party.

In addition to those legal proceedings described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations

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on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including NL) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which NL and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations. While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.

As described in the Notes 7, 9 and 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. Our obligations related to the long-term supply contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock are more fully described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and above in “Business – Chemicals Segment – Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – Raw Materials.” CompX has purchase obligations of $17.7 million ($16.3 million payable in 2023 and $1.4 million payable in 2024) which consist of open purchase orders and contractual obligations, primarily commitments to purchase raw materials and for capital projects in process at December 31, 2022. The timing and amount for purchase obligations are based on the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for those commitments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Not applicable.

FY 2021 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001558370-22-003285.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2022-03-10. Report date: 2021-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview

We are primarily a holding company. We operate through our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, including NL Industries, Inc., Kronos Worldwide, Inc., CompX International, Inc., Tremont LLC, Basic Management, Inc. (“BMI”) and the LandWell Company (“LandWell”).  Kronos (NYSE: KRO), NL (NYSE: NL) and CompX (NYSE American: CIX) each file periodic reports with the SEC.

We have three consolidated reportable operating segments:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Chemicals – Our Chemicals Segment is operated through our majority control of Kronos. Kronos is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO2. TiO2 is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics. Additionally, TiO2 is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, foods and cosmetics.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Component Products – We operate in the component products industry through our majority control of CompX. CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products used in the recreational transportation, postal, office and institutional furniture, cabinetry, tool storage, healthcare and a variety of other industries. CompX also manufactures stainless steel exhaust systems, gauges, throttle controls, wake enhancements systems, trim tabs and related hardware and accessories for the recreational marine and other industries.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Real Estate Management and Development – We operate in real estate management and development through our majority control of BMI and LandWell. BMI provides utility services to certain industrial and municipal customers and owns real property in Henderson, Nevada. LandWell is engaged in efforts to develop certain land holdings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes in Henderson, Nevada.

Income from Continuing Operations Overview

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020 –

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $127.2 million or $4.46 per diluted share in 2021 compared to $50.9 million or $1.79 per diluted share in 2020.

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Our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders increased from 2020 to 2021 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from all of our segments in 2021 compared to 2020;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
recognition of a gain on sales of land not used in our operations of $16.0 million in 2021; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income from infrastructure reimbursement of $15.3 million in 2021 compared to $19.7 million in 2020.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2021 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.43 per share related to sales of land not used in our operations recognized in the second and third quarters; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.28 per share related to tax increment infrastructure reimbursements recognized in the first and fourth quarters.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2020 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.35 per share related to the tax increment infrastructure reimbursement recognized in the first quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.07 per share from the proceeds received in the third quarter related to a prior land sale; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.03 per share related to an insurance recovery for a property damage claim at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first quarter.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019 –

We reported net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders of $50.9 million or $1.79 per diluted share in 2020 compared to $49.2 million or $1.73 per diluted share in 2019.

Our net income from continuing operations attributable to Valhi stockholders increased from 2019 to 2020 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Chemicals and Component Products segments in 2020 compared to 2019;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2020 compared to 2019 including higher income from tax increment infrastructure reimbursement and a gain recognized on a prior land sale;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a pre-tax litigation settlement expense of $19.3 million mostly recognized in the second quarter of 2019;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
insurance recoveries related to a single insurance recovery settlement of $4.7 million in the second quarter of 2019; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $3.0 million in 2019 related to the sale of our insurance and risk management business.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2020 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.35 per share related to the tax increment infrastructure reimbursement recognized in the first quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.07 per share from the proceeds received in the third quarter related to a prior land sale; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.03 per share related to an insurance recovery for a property damage claim at our Chemicals Segment recognized in the first quarter.

Our diluted income from continuing operations per share in 2019 includes:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a charge of $.44 per share related to the litigation settlement expense recognized in the second quarter;

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
income of $.16 per share related to the infrastructure reimbursement primarily recognized in the second quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.11 per share related to the insurance recovery recognized in the second quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.10 per share related to the sale of land in the third quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a gain of $.07 per share related to the sale of our insurance and risk management business.

We discuss these amounts more fully below.

Current Forecast for 2022 –

We currently expect to report higher consolidated operating income for 2022 as compared to 2021 primarily due to the net effects of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher operating income from our Chemicals Segment in 2022 as the favorable impact of higher expected average TiO2 selling prices is expected to more than offset the negative impact of higher manufacturing costs;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower operating income from our Real Estate Management and Development Segment in 2022 due to lower land sales revenues;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher expected corporate expenses, primarily due to increased litigation fees and related costs and environmental remediation and related costs at NL; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
an aggregate $16 million gain on land sales in 2021, which is not expected to recur.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, technological advances, worldwide production capacity and the consequences arising directly or indirectly out of the COVID-19 pandemic. If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

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Segment Operating Results – 2021 Compared to 2020 and 2020 Compared to 2019

Chemicals –

We consider TiO2 to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO2 will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if our Chemicals Segment and its competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO2 in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO2 inventory levels of our Chemicals Segment’s  customers. We believe that our Chemicals Segments’ customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in TiO2 selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2 grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of its grades and substantially all of its production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with product quality and customer and technical support services.

The factors having the most impact on our Chemicals Segment’s reported operating results are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 selling prices,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
TiO2 sales and production volumes,
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Manufacturing costs, particularly raw materials such as third-party feedstock, maintenance and energy-related expenses, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Currency exchange rates (particularly the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Norwegian krone and the Canadian dollar and the euro relative to the Norwegian krone).

Our Chemicals Segment’s key performance indicators are its TiO2 average selling prices, its level of TiO2 sales and production volumes and the cost of titanium-containing feedstock purchased from third parties. TiO2 selling prices generally follow industry trends and selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2019202020212019-202020-21
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales$1,731.2$1,638.8$1,939.4(5)%18%
Cost of sales1,346.81,291.01,494.5(4)%16%
Gross margin$384.4$347.8$444.9(10)%28%
Operating income$160.1$126.5$200.8(21)%59%
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales78%79%77%
Gross margin22%21%23%
Operating income9%8%10%
TiO2 operating statistics:
Sales volumes*566531563(6)%6%
Production volumes*546517545(5)%5%
Percent change in TiO2 net sales:
TiO2 product pricing(2)%8%
TiO2 sales volumes(6)6
TiO2 product mix/other21
Changes in currency exchange rates13
Total(5)%18%
Column 1Column 2
*Thousands of metric tons

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Industry Conditions and 2021 Overview – Our Chemicals Segment started 2021 with average TiO2 selling prices 3% lower than at the beginning of 2020. Average TiO2 selling prices in 2021 were 16% higher than the beginning of the year, including a 6% increase in the last quarter of the year, in response to our Chemicals Segment rising production costs and strong customer demand. Our Chemicals Segment experienced higher sales volumes in its European, North American and Latin American markets in 2021 as compared to sales volumes in 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 related demand contraction in 2020 which impacted the second and third quarters and was most acute in the second quarter of 2020.

The following table shows our Chemicals Segment’s capacity utilization rates during 2020 and 2021. Our Chemicals Segment’s TiO2  production volumes were higher in 2021 as compared to 2020 to meet higher customer demand in 2021. Our Chemicals Segment decreased production levels in 2020 (primarily in the third quarter) to correspond to the temporary decline in demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

20202021
First Quarter95%97%
Second Quarter96%100%
Third Quarter86%100%
Fourth Quarter92%100%
Overall92%100%

Net sales – Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales increased $300.6 million, or 18%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to an 8% increase in average TiO2 selling prices (which increased net sales by approximately $131 million) and a 6% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $98 million). In addition to the impact of higher sales volumes and higher average selling prices, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $43 million, or 3%, as compared to 2020. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes increased 6% in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to higher demand in its European, North American and Latin American markets, with a significant portion of the increase occurring in the second and third quarters as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the comparable periods in 2020, as discussed above.

Our Chemicals Segment’s net sales decreased $92.3 million, or 5%, in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to a 6% decrease in sales volumes (which decreased net sales by approximately $104 million) and a 2% decrease in average TiO2 selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $35 million). In addition to the impact of lower sales volumes and lower average selling prices, we estimate that changes in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) increased our Chemicals Segment’s net sales by approximately $9 million, or 1%, as compared to 2019. TiO2 selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our Chemicals Segment’s sales volumes decreased 6% in 2020 as compared to the sales volumes of 2019 due to lower sales volumes in all major markets, with the European and export markets experiencing the most significant reductions. A significant portion of the sales volume decrease occurred in the second and third quarters as a result of the demand contraction related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Cost of sales increased $203.5 million, or 16%, in 2021 compared to 2020 due to a 6% increase in sales volumes and higher production costs of approximately $69 million (including higher cost for raw materials and energy) and the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations (primarily the Canadian dollar). Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 77% in 2021 compared to 79% in 2020 primarily due to the favorable effects of higher average TiO2 selling prices and increased coverage of fixed costs from higher production, partially offset by higher production costs (including higher raw material and energy costs) as well as the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, as discussed below.

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Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 23% in 2021 compared to 21% in 2020. Our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales in 2021 increased primarily due to the net effect of higher average TiO2 selling prices, higher production and sales volumes, higher production costs and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Cost of sales decreased $55.8 million, or 4%, in 2020 compared to 2019 due to the net effect of a 6% decrease in sales volumes, higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $6 million (including higher cost for third-party feedstock and other raw materials) and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales per metric ton of TiO2 sold in 2020 was higher as compared to 2019 (excluding the effect of changes in currency exchange rates) primarily due to a moderate rise in the cost of third-party feedstock procured in 2019 and the first half of 2020. Our Chemicals Segment’s cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 79% in 2020 compared to 78% in 2019 primarily due to the unfavorable effects of lower average TiO2 selling prices and higher raw materials and other production costs, as discussed above, partially offset by improved sales and production volumes from our Chemicals Segment’s ilmenite mine operations.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 21% in 2020 compared to 22% in 2019. Our Chemicals Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales in 2020 decreased primarily due to the net effect of lower sales volumes, lower average TiO2 selling prices, higher raw materials and other production costs and higher sales from our Chemicals Segment’s ilmenite mine operations.

Operating Income – Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income increased by $74.3 million, from $126.5 million in 2020 to $200.8 million in 2021. Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 10% in 2021 compared to 8% in 2020. This increase was driven by the higher gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $13 million in 2021 as compared to 2020 as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income decreased by $33.6 million, from $160.1 million in 2019 to $126.5 million in 2020. Operating income as a percentage of net sales was 8% in 2020 compared to 9% in 2019. This decrease was driven by the lower gross margin discussed above for the comparable periods. We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased our Chemicals Segment’s operating income by approximately $6 million in 2020 as compared to 2019 as discussed in the Currency Exchange Rates section below.

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income was also minimally impacted by the effects of Hurricane Laura which temporarily halted production at LPC on August 24, 2020. Although storm damage to core manufacturing facilities was not severe, a variety of factors, including loss of utilities, limited availability of employees to return to work and restrictions on the facility’s access to raw materials, prevented the resumption of operations until September 25, 2020. LPC believes insurance (subject to applicable deductibles) will cover a majority of its losses, including those related to property damage and the disruption of its operations. The Kronos warehouse and slurry facilities located near LPC’s facility were also temporarily closed due to the hurricane, but property damage to these facilities was not significant. Our Chemicals Segment’s 2020 operating income includes immaterial costs related to Hurricane Laura, primarily costs to relocate inventory and modify shipping schedules in order to maintain service levels to customers following the hurricane. We believe insurance (subject to applicable deductibles) will cover a majority of our Chemicals Segment’s losses from the hurricane, including property damage, business interruption losses related to our Chemicals Segment’s share of LPC’s lost production and other costs resulting from the disruption of operations. To date, our Chemicals Segment has not recognized any insurance recoveries because the ultimate disposition of its portion of the business interruption claim is not yet determinable; however, LPC has received a portion of the proceeds related to its property damage claim. On October 9, 2020 Hurricane Delta caused an additional temporary halt to production at the LPC facility. Damages resulting from Hurricane Delta were not as severe and production activities were resumed within five days from the time of initial shutdown prior to landfall of the hurricane. Similar to Hurricane Laura, losses determined to be incurred by LPC and us as a result of Hurricane Delta are expected to be recoverable from insurance (subject to applicable deductibles).

Our Chemicals Segment’s operating income is net of amortization of purchase accounting adjustments made in conjunction with our acquisitions of interests in NL and Kronos. As a result, we recognize additional depreciation expense above the amounts Kronos reports separately, substantially all of which is included within cost of sales. We recognized

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additional depreciation expense of $2.2 million in 2019, $3.8 million in 2020 and $1.5 million in 2021, which reduced our reported Chemicals Segment’s operating income as compared to amounts reported by Kronos.

Currency Exchange Rates – Our Chemicals Segment has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada). The majority of our Chemicals Segment’s sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar. A portion of our Chemicals Segment’s sales generated from its non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar (and consequently our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations will generally hold U.S. dollars from time to time). Certain raw materials used in all our Chemicals Segment’s production facilities, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production and administrative costs are incurred primarily in local currencies. Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results. In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to (i) the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs (primarily U.S. dollar denominated) are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency and (ii) changes in currency exchange rates during time periods when our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are holding non-local currency (primarily U.S. dollars).

Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our Chemicals Segment’s sales and operating income for the periods indicated.

Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2021 vs. 2020
Translation
gains/(losses)Total currency
Transaction gains/(losses) recognizedimpact ofimpact
20202021Changerate changes2021 vs. 2020
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$43$43
Operating income(4)26(19)(13)

The $43 million increase in net sales (translation gain) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2021 as compared to 2020. The weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2021 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $13 million decrease in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Higher net currency transaction gains of approximately $6 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $19 million from net currency translation losses primarily caused by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2021 as compared to 2020, partially offset by net currency translation gains primarily caused by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro as the positive effects of the weaker U.S. dollar on euro-denominated sales more than offset the unfavorable effects of euro-denominated operating costs being translated into more U.S. dollars in 2021 as compared to 2020.

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Impact of changes in currency exchange rates - 2020 vs. 2019
Translation
gainsTotal currency
Transaction gains/(losses) recognizedimpact ofimpact
20192020Changerate changes2020 vs. 2019
(In millions)
Impact on:
Net sales$$$$9$9
Operating income2(4)(6)126

The $9 million increase in net sales (translation gain) was caused primarily by a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, as euro-denominated sales were translated into more U.S. dollars in 2020 as compared to 2019. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone in 2020 did not have a significant effect on the reported amount of net sales, as a substantial portion of the sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian and Norwegian operations are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The $6 million increase in operating income was comprised of the following:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Lower net currency transaction gains of approximately $6 million primarily caused by relative changes in currency exchange rates at each applicable balance sheet date between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone, and between the euro and the Norwegian krone, which causes increases or decreases, as applicable, in U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables and U.S. dollar currency held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and in Norwegian krone denominated receivables and payables held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations, and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Approximately $12 million from net currency translation gains primarily caused by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, as local currency-denominated operating costs were translated into fewer U.S. dollars in 2020 as compared to 2019, and such translation, as it related to the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, had a nominal effect on operating income in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Outlook – Based on current market conditions, we expect global demand for consumer products, including those of our Chemicals Segment’s customers, to remain strong throughout 2022. Therefore, we expect our Chemicals Segment to continue to produce at full capacity and will match sales volumes with production volumes which will result in lower sales volumes in 2022 as compared to 2021 based on current inventory levels. As global economic activity continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2021, our Chemicals Segment experienced certain disruptions in global supply chains including availability of third-party feedstock and other raw materials along with transportation and logistics delays. Thus far our Chemicals Segment’s operations team has been able to manage through these disruptions with minimal impact on its operations; however, our Chemicals Segment expects these challenges to continue for the foreseeable future. Our Chemicals Segment experienced increases in its feedstock costs in 2021 (primarily in the second half of 2021) and we expect feedstock costs to continue to increase in 2022 as compared to the average 2021 costs.  In addition to feedstock increases, our Chemicals Segment continues to experience increasing production costs, including higher raw material and related shipping costs and higher energy and utility costs (especially in Europe), all of which are likely to continue into 2022. At the beginning of 2021, average TiO2 selling prices were 3% lower than at the beginning of 2020 and average TiO2 selling prices increased 16% in 2021. As a result of rising costs and continued strong customer demand, we expect selling prices for TiO2 will continue to rise in 2022, which we expect to mitigate increases in our Chemicals Segment’s distribution, raw material, energy and other production costs. We expect our Chemicals Segment’s 2022 sales and operating income will be higher than in 2021; however, increasing costs will continue to challenge margins. Our Chemicals Segment continues to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and will align its production and inventories accordingly.

Our expectations for the TiO2 industry and our Chemicals Segment’s operations are based on a number of factors outside our control, including the ongoing economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As noted above, our Chemicals Segment has experienced global supply chain disruptions, including disruptions related to COVID-19, and future impacts

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of COVID-19 on its operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in its operations or its suppliers’ operations, or related possible shipping delays, and the timing and effectiveness of the global measures deployed to fight COVID-19 and its variants, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Component Products –

Our Component Products Segment’s operating income was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, primarily in the second and third quarters, which significantly impacts operating income comparisons for the comparative periods. Beginning in the third quarter of 2020 and continuing through 2021, our Component Products Segment’s sales volumes generally improved at both security products and marine components reporting units and the increase in operating income in 2021 over 2020 primarily resulted from the higher sales volumes. The decrease in operating income in 2020 over 2019 is primarily due to the decline in net sales and gross margin due to reduced demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020.

Our Component Products Segment’s product offerings consist of a large number of products that have a wide variation in selling price and manufacturing cost, which results in certain practical limitations on our ability to quantify the impact of changes in individual product sales quantities and selling prices on our net sales, cost of sales and gross margin. In addition, small variations in period-to-period net sales, cost of sales and gross margin can result from changes in the relative mix of our products sold. The key performance indicator for our Component Products Segment is operating income margins.

Years ended December 31,% Change
2019202020212019-202020-21
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales:
Security products$99.3$87.9$105.1(12)%20%
Marine components24.926.635.77%34%
Total net sales124.2114.5140.8(8)%23%
Cost of sales85.381.798.1(4)%20%
Gross margin$38.9$32.8$42.7(16)%30%
Operating income$17.8$11.8$20.5(33)%74%
Percent of net sales:
Cost of sales69%71%70%
Gross margin31%29%30%
Operating income14%10%15%

Net Sales – Our Component Products Segment’s net sales increased approximately $26.3 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to higher sales at both the security products and marine components reporting units, particularly in the second quarter of 2021, as many of our Component Products Segment’s customers were temporarily closed or reduced production during the second quarter of 2020 due to government ordered closures or reduced demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in the third quarter of 2020 and continuing through 2021, marine components sales exceeded pre-pandemic levels.  Marine components net sales increased $9.1 million, or 34%, in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to increased sales of $7.2 million to several original equipment boat manufactures in the towboat market. Security products sales generally improved since third quarter of 2020 but did not recover to pre-pandemic levels until the second quarter of 2021 when sales improved in markets that had been slower to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly sales to distributors and the office furniture market.  Relative to prior year, sales increased $17.2 million, or 20%, primarily due to $7.2 million higher sales to the government security market, $4.9 million higher sales to the transportation market, and $2.0 million higher sales to distribution customers.

Our Component Products Segment’s net sales decreased approximately $9.7 million in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to lower security products sales as certain security products market segments were slower to recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in the second and third quarters, including transportation which had $4.4 million lower sales than 2019, distribution customers which were $2.5 million lower than 2019, and office furniture which was $1.8 million lower than 2019. Lower security product sales were slightly offset by higher marine

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component sales mainly to the towboat market which increased $2.9 million, primarily for wake enhancement systems and surf pipes to an original equipment boat manufacturer, predominantly in the second half of the year. Relative changes in selling prices did not have a material impact on net sales comparisons.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin – Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales increased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to the effects of higher sales, as well as increased production costs at both security products and marine components. Our Component Products Segment’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased over the same period due to the increase in the security products gross margin percentage partially offset by the decrease in the marine components gross margin percentage. Security products gross margin as a percentage of net sales for 2021 increased as compared to 2020 due to increased coverage of fixed costs from higher sales, partially offset by higher production costs including increased raw materials costs across a variety of commodities and component inputs, higher shipping costs, and increased labor costs primarily due to higher overtime costs and increased headcount. Marine components gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 as increased coverage of fixed costs from higher sales were more than offset by higher production costs including raw materials costs (primarily stainless steel), higher shipping costs, and increased labor costs resulting from higher overtime costs and increased headcount.

Our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the net effects of lower sales for the security products and higher cost for security products inventory produced during the second and third quarters and sold in the last half of the year. Security Products inventory produced during the second and third quarters of 2020 had a higher carrying value compared to prior periods due to higher cost per unit of production as a result of lower production volumes during these quarters of 2020. This negatively impacted our Component Products Segment’s gross margin and operating income margin as this higher cost inventory was sold during the last half of 2020. Additionally, gross margin and operating income margin were unfavorably impacted by medical costs which increased $2.1 million in 2020 compared to 2019.

Operating Income – Our Component Products Segment operating income increased in 2021 compared to 2020. Operating margin increased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses consist primarily of sales and administrative-related personnel costs, sales commissions and advertising expenses directly related to product sales and administrative costs relating to business unit and corporate management activities, as well as gains and losses on disposal of property and equipment. Operating costs and expenses increased $1.2 million in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily due to higher salary and benefits costs.

Our Component Products Segment operating income decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. Operating margin decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and gross margin discussed above. Operating costs and expenses decreased $.3 million in 2020 compared to 2019.

General – Our Component Products Segment’s profitability primarily depends on its ability to utilize its production capacity effectively, which is affected by, among other things, the demand for its products and its ability to control manufacturing costs, primarily comprised of labor costs and materials. The materials used in our Component Products Segment’s products consist of purchased components and raw materials some of which are subject to fluctuations in the commodity markets such as zinc, brass and stainless steel. Total material costs represented approximately 44% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales in 2021, with commodity-related raw materials accounting for approximately 16% of our Component Products Segment’s cost of sales. Prices for the primary commodity-related raw materials used in the manufacture of its locking mechanisms, primarily zinc and brass, remained relatively stable during 2020 but generally increased throughout 2021. Prices for stainless steel, the primary raw material used for the manufacture of marine exhaust headers and pipes and wake enhancement systems, remained relatively stable in 2020 but experienced significant volatility during 2021. Based on current economic conditions, we expect the prices for our Component Products Segment’s primary commodity-related raw materials and other manufacturing materials to be volatile during 2022.

Our Component Products Segment occasionally enters into short-term commodity-related raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the impact of future increases in commodity related raw material costs. See Item 1 – “Business – Component Products Segment – CompX International, Inc. – Raw Materials.”

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Outlook – Beginning in the second half of 2020, our Component Products Segment’s sales began to steadily improve from the historically low levels experienced during the second quarter of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout 2021, our Component Products Segment experienced strong demand at both its security products and marine components reporting units. Our Component Products Segment’s manufacturing facilities operated at elevated production rates during 2021 in line with improved demand, although labor markets are tight in each of the regions in which it operates and, as a result, it has experienced and continues to have challenges maintaining staffing levels aligned with current and forecasted demand, particularly at its marine components reporting unit.

Based on current market conditions, our Component Products Segment expects demand levels to remain strong in 2022 and we expect to report increased net sales and operating income in 2022 compared to 2021. Our Component Products Segment’s supply chains remain intact, although the current global and domestic supply chain disruptions continue to present challenges in sourcing certain raw materials due to increased lead times, availability shortages and transportation and logistics delays. Thus far our Component Products Segment has been able to manage through these disruptions with minimal impact on its operations.  In addition, our Component Products Segment is experiencing increased production costs including higher labor, shipping, and increasing costs of many of the raw materials it uses including zinc, brass and stainless steel. In response, our Component Products Segment implemented price increases and surcharges; however, the extent to which the price increases and surcharges will mitigate the rising costs is uncertain and we expect increasing production costs will negatively impact gross margins in 2022 as higher cost inventories are sold. Our Component Products Segment’s operations teams meet frequently to ensure they are taking appropriate actions to minimize material or supply related operational disruptions, manage inventory levels, improve operating margins and to maintain a safe working environment for all its employees.

Our Component Products Segment’s expectations for its operations and the markets it serves are based on a number of factors outside its control. As noted above, there are global and domestic supply chain challenges and any future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations will depend on, among other things, any future disruption in our Component Products Segment’s operations or its suppliers’ operations, demand for its products and the timing and effectiveness of the global measures deployed to fight COVID-19, all of which remain uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Real Estate Management and Development –

Years ended December 31,
201920202021
(In millions)
Net sales:
Land sales$33.5$87.0$207.8
Water delivery sales6.87.66.8
Utility and other1.81.81.6
Total net sales42.196.4216.2
Cost of sales30.864.9123.6
Gross margin$11.3$31.5$92.6
Operating income$14.8$47.8$97.3

General – Our Real Estate Management and Development Segment consists of BMI and LandWell. BMI provides utility services, among other things, to an industrial park located in Henderson, Nevada, and is responsible for the delivery of water to the City of Henderson and various other users through a water distribution system owned by BMI. LandWell is actively engaged in efforts to develop certain real estate in Henderson, Nevada including approximately 2,100 acres zoned for residential/planned community purposes and approximately 400 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use.

Beginning in December 2013 and through the end of 2021, LandWell has closed or entered into escrow on approximately 1,700 acres of the residential/planned community and approximately 70 acres zoned for commercial and light industrial use. Contracts for land sales are negotiated on an individual basis and sales terms and prices will vary based on such factors as location (including location within a planned community), expected development work, and individual buyer needs. Although land may be under contract, we do not recognize revenue until we have satisfied the criteria for

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revenue recognition set forth in ASC Topic 606. In some instances, we will receive cash proceeds at the time the contract closes and record deferred revenue for some or all of the cash amount received, with such deferred revenue being recognized in subsequent periods. We expect substantially all of the land in the residential/planned community will be sold by the end of 2022; however, we expect the development work to take three to five years to complete.

Net Sales and Operating Income – Substantially all of the net sales from our Real Estate Management and Development segment in 2021 consisted of revenues from land sales. We recognized $207.8 million in revenues on land sales during 2021 compared to $87.0 million in 2020. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $117.0 million in 2021 compared to $57.9 million in 2020. Land sales revenue increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to an increase in the amount of acreage sold, increased selling price per acre sold and an increase in infrastructure development spending.  As noted above, land sales are generally recognized over time using cost-based inputs and in the second quarter of 2020, in an effort to conserve resources in response to the pandemic, we reduced infrastructure development spending to only those expenditures necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We returned to more normalized infrastructure development spending late in 2020 and continued to increase infrastructure development spending throughout 2021. Typically land sales have been heavily weighted towards the end of the year. In the fourth quarter of 2021, land sales revenue was $150.8 million including approximately $70 million related to two parcels as compared to land sales revenue of $70.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, including approximately $55 million related to a single parcel. The contracts for these parcels contained no post-closing obligations therefore we recognized the full $70 million and $55 million in revenue in the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.  Operating income in 2021 also includes $15.3 million of income related to the recognition of tax increment reimbursement note receivables compared to $19.1 million of such income in 2020, as discussed in Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized $87.0 million in revenues on land sales during 2020 compared to $33.5 million in 2019. Cost of sales related to land sales revenues was $57.9 million in 2020 compared to $24.5 million in 2019. As discussed above, during the fourth quarter of 2020, our Real Estate Management and Development Segment closed on a single parcel for proceeds of approximately $55 million.  The contract for this parcel contained no post-closing obligations therefore we recognized the full $55 million in revenue in 2020.  Substantially all of the revenue we recognized in 2019 was under the cost-based inputs method of revenue recognition. Excluding the fourth quarter 2020 land sale noted above, land sales revenues decreased in 2020 as compared to 2019 primarily due to lower land development spending. Operating income in 2020 also includes $19.1 million of income related to the recognition of tax increment reimbursement note receivables compared to $8.8 million of such income in 2019, as discussed in Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The remainder of net sales and cost of sales related to this segment primarily relates to water delivery fees and expenses. We deliver water to several customers under long-term contracts. Water delivery sales were lower in 2021 due to the timing of water delivery to our largest customer.

Outlook –  As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, early in the second quarter of 2020 LandWell began receiving requests from some residential builders to delay or cancel closing on certain parcels in escrow and, as a result, LandWell began delaying or curtailing infrastructure development activities where possible to align with land sales levels and residential builder output. In the second half of 2020 and through 2021, land sales activities increased to a record pace, including increases in both the number of acres closed and entered into escrow.

LandWell is focused on developing the land it manages, primarily to residential builders, for the residential/planned community in Henderson. As noted above, if current land sales in escrow close as scheduled, we expect substantially all of the land in the residential/planned community will be sold by the end of 2022.  Because we recognize revenue over time using cost-based inputs, we expect to continue to recognize revenue on land previously sold over the development period, currently expected to take three to five years.  At December 31, 2021 we have deferred revenue of $200.6 million related to previously closed land sales.  As noted above, we cannot guarantee land held in escrow will close as currently scheduled because builders can generally cancel without financial penalty until shortly before scheduled closing. In addition, under LandWell’s development agreement with the City of Henderson, the issuance of a specified number of housing permits requires LandWell to complete certain large infrastructure projects. LandWell began construction on several of these community-wide large projects in late 2021 with the bulk of such construction continuing into 2022 and, as a result, we expect land development costs to increase during 2022. Because these costs relate to the entirety of the residential/planned community, these costs are not part of the cost-based inputs used to recognize revenue

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and therefore this spending will not correlate to revenue recognition. This spending is expected to be eligible for tax increment reimbursement. Any delays or curtailments in infrastructure development related to post-closing obligation activities will lower the amount of revenue we recognize on previously closed land sales. In addition, delays or curtailments in eligible infrastructure development activities will also delay LandWell’s ability to submit completed costs to the City of Henderson for approval of additional tax increment reimbursement note receivables.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, BMI has continued to provide utility and water delivery services to its customers without interruption. Our Real Estate Management and Development management team remains focused on protecting the health and safety of our employees and contractors including enhanced health and safety protocols.

General Corporate Items, Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest and Related Party Transactions

Insurance Recoveries – NL has agreements with certain insurance carriers pursuant to which the carriers reimburse NL for a portion of its past lead pigment and asbestos litigation defense costs. Insurance recoveries include amounts NL received from these insurance carriers. NL received insurance recoveries of $5.1 million in 2019 primarily related to a settlement NL reached with one of its insurance carriers in which they agreed to reimburse NL for a portion of NL’s past and future litigation defense costs. In addition, Kronos recognized $1.5 million of insurance recoveries in 2020 related to a property damage claim.

The agreements with certain of NL’s insurance carriers also include reimbursement for a portion of its future litigation defense costs. We are not able to determine how much we will ultimately recover from these carriers for defense costs incurred by NL because of certain issues that arise regarding which defense costs qualify for reimbursement. Accordingly, these insurance recoveries are recognized when the receipt is probable and the amount is determinable. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Land Sales – In the third quarter of 2019 we sold one parcel of land not used in our operating activities. In 2021, we sold two parcels of land (including one parcel in the second quarter and one parcel in the third quarter) not used in our operating activities. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gain on Sale of Business – In the fourth quarter of 2019, NL sold its insurance and risk management business for proceeds of $3.25 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $3.0 million on the sale. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Litigation Settlement Expense – We recognized a pre-tax litigation settlement expense of $19.3 million in the second quarter of 2019 related to NL’s lead pigment litigation in California. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Components of Net Periodic Pension and OPEB Expense – We recognized other components of net periodic pension and OPEB expense of $17.0 million in 2021, $20.1 million in 2020 and $16.5 million in 2019. The change in expense is primarily due to pension costs as a result of actuarial amortizations and expected returns on plan assets. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Changes in the Market Value of Valhi Common Stock held by Subsidiaries –  Our subsidiaries Kronos and NL hold shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we account for our proportional interest in these shares of our common stock as treasury stock, at Kronos’ and NL’s historical cost basis. The remaining portion of these shares of our common stock, which are attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL, are reflected in our consolidated balance sheet at fair value.  Any unrealized gains or losses on the shares of our common stock attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL are recognized in the determination of each of Kronos and NL’s respective net income or loss. Under the principles of consolidation, we eliminate any gains or losses associated with our common stock to the extent of our proportional ownership interest in each subsidiary. The $3.3 million gain in 2021, the $1.7 million loss in 2020 and the $.2 million loss in 2019 recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements represent the unrealized gain (loss) in respect of these shares during such periods attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Kronos and NL.

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Other General Corporate Items – Corporate expenses of $34.7 million in 2021 were comparable to $34.3 million in 2020. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $1.9 million in each of 2021 and 2020; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $1.6 million in 2021 compared to $.7 million in 2020.

Corporate expenses were 9% lower at $34.3 million in 2020 compared to $37.5 million in 2019 primarily due to lower litigation and related costs partially offset by higher environmental remediation and related costs. Included in corporate expense are:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
litigation and related costs at NL of $1.9 million in 2020 compared to $4.0 million in 2019; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
environmental remediation and related costs of $.7 million in 2020 compared to $.3 million in 2019.

Overall, we currently expect that our net general corporate expenses in 2022 will be higher than 2021 primarily due to higher expected litigation fees and related costs and higher environmental remediation and related costs.

The level of our litigation and related expenses varies from period to period depending upon, among other things, the number of cases in which we are currently involved, the nature of such cases and the current stage of such cases (e.g. discovery, pre-trial motions, trial or appeal, if applicable). See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. If our current expectations regarding the number of cases in which we expect to be involved during 2022, or the nature of such cases, were to change our corporate expenses could be higher than we currently estimate.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess and estimate, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2022, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase or reduction in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense – Interest expense decreased to $32.5 million in 2021 from $36.2 million in 2020 primarily due to lower average debt levels in 2021. Interest expense decreased to $36.2 million in 2020 from $40.8 million in 2019 primarily due to lower average debt levels and lower average interest rates on variable-rate indebtedness in 2020.

We expect interest expense will be lower in 2022 as compared to 2021 primarily due to lower average balances of outstanding borrowings. See Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Provision for Income Taxes – We recognized income tax expense of $60.1 million in 2021 compared to income tax expense of $15.9 million in 2020. The increase is primarily due to higher earnings in 2021 and the jurisdictional mix of such earnings. We recognized income tax expense of $15.9 million in 2020 compared to income tax expense of $26.5 million in 2019. The decrease is primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of earnings in 2020.

Our income tax expense in 2019 includes an income tax benefit of $3.0 million related to the favorable settlement of a prior year tax matter in Germany, with $1.5 million recognized as a current cash tax benefit and $1.5 million recognized as a non-cash deferred income tax benefit related to an increase to our German net operating loss carryforward. In addition, we recognized a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $4.7 million related to the revaluation of our net deferred income tax asset in Germany resulting from a decrease in the German trade tax rate.

Our earnings are subject to income tax in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions. Generally, our consolidated effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily because the income tax rates applicable to the pre-tax earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations are generally higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations. However, in 2020 our consolidated effective income tax rate is lower than the U.S.

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federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of lower earnings and tax benefits associated with losses incurred in certain high tax jurisdictions.

Our consolidated effective income tax rate in 2022 is expected to be higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% because the income tax rates applicable to the earnings (losses) of our non-U.S. operations will be higher than the income tax rates applicable to our U.S. operations due to the expected mix of earnings.

See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our 2021 income tax items, including a tabular reconciliation of our statutory tax expense to our actual tax expense.

Discontinued Operations – On January 26, 2018, we completed the sale of our former Waste Management Segment to JFL-WCS Partners, LLC, an entity sponsored by certain investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, for consideration consisting of the assumption of all of the Waste Management Segment’s third-party indebtedness and other liabilities. We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to proceeds received from JFL Partners in final settlement of an earn-out provision in the sale agreement. Amounts related to our former Waste Management Segment are classified as part of discontinued operations. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Noncontrolling Interest in Net Income of Subsidiaries – Noncontrolling interest in operations of subsidiaries increased from 2020 to 2021 primarily due to higher operating income from all of our segments and increased from 2019 to 2020 primarily due to higher operating income at BMI and LandWell.

Related Party Transactions – We are a party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Operations

We have substantial operations located outside the United States, principally our Chemicals Segment’s operations in Europe and Canada. The functional currency of these operations is the local currency. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to these foreign operations will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2021, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on our historical experience, observance of known trends in our Company and industry as a whole and information available from outside sources. Our estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results may differ significantly from those initial estimates.

We believe the most critical accounting policies and estimates involving significant judgment primarily relate to goodwill, long-lived assets, revenue recognized over time using cost based inputs, defined benefit pension plans, income taxes and litigation and environmental liabilities.

Goodwill – Our net goodwill totaled $379.7 million at December 31, 2021 primarily resulting from our various step acquisitions of Kronos and NL (which occurred before the implementation of the current accounting standards related to noncontrolling interest) and to a lesser extent CompX’s purchase of various businesses. In accordance with the applicable accounting standards for goodwill, we do not amortize goodwill.

We perform a goodwill impairment test annually in the third quarter of each year. Goodwill is also evaluated for impairment at other times whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the

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fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. An entity may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to complete the quantitative impairment test using a more-likely-than-not criteria. If an entity believes it is more-likely-than-not the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, including goodwill, the quantitative impairment test can be bypassed. Alternatively, an entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test.

When performing a qualitative assessment considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the qualitative impact of events and circumstances on the fair value of a reporting unit. Events and circumstances considered in our impairment evaluations, such as historical profits and stability of the markets served, are consistent with factors utilized with our internal projections and operating plan. However, future events and circumstances could result in materially different findings which could result in the recognition of a material goodwill impairment.

Evaluations of possible impairment utilizing the quantitative impairment test require us to estimate, among other factors: forecasts of future operating results, revenue growth, operating margin, tax rates, capital expenditures, depreciation, working capital, weighted average cost of capital, long-term growth rates, risk premiums, terminal values, and fair values of our reporting units and assets. The goodwill impairment test is subject to uncertainties arising from such events as changes in competitive conditions, the current general economic environment, material changes in growth rate assumptions that could positively or negatively impact anticipated future operating conditions and cash flows, changes in the discount rate, and the impact of strategic decisions. If any of these factors were to materially change such change may require revaluation of our goodwill. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.

A reporting unit can be a segment or an operating division based on the operations of the segment. For example, our Chemicals Segment produces a globally coordinated homogeneous product whereas our Component Products Segment operates as two distinct reporting units. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, the goodwill is written down to estimated fair value.

For our Chemicals Segment, we use Level 1 inputs of publicly traded market prices to compare the book value to assess impairment. We also consider control premiums when assessing fair value. When we performed our annual goodwill impairment test in the third quarter of 2021 for our Chemicals Segment goodwill, we concluded there was no impairment of such goodwill. However, future events and circumstances could change (i.e. a significant decline in quoted market prices) and result in a materially different finding which could result in the recognition of a material impairment with respect to such goodwill.

Substantially all of the goodwill for our Component Products Segment relates to its security products reporting unit. In 2021, we used the qualitative assessment for our annual impairment test and determined it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test, as we concluded it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the security products reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.

Long-lived assets – The net book value of our property and equipment totaled $563.6 million at December 31, 2021. We assess property and equipment for impairment only when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our determination is based upon, among other things, our estimates of the amount of future net cash flows to be generated by the long-lived asset (Level 3 inputs) and our estimates of the current fair value of the asset. Significant judgment is required in estimating such cash flows. Adverse changes in such estimates of future net cash flows or estimates of fair value could result in an inability to recover the carrying value of the long-lived asset, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge to be recognized in the future. We do not assess our property and equipment for impairment unless certain impairment indicators are present. We did not evaluate any long-lived assets for impairment during 2021 because no such impairment indicators were present.

Revenue recognized over time using cost based inputs – Certain real estate land sales by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment (generally land sales associated with our residential/planned community) require us to complete property development and improvements after title passes to the buyer and we have received all or a substantial portion of the selling price. Generally, all of the land sales associated with the residential/planned community have been recognized over time using cost based inputs of accounting in accordance with ASC 606. Under such method,

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revenues and profits are recognized in the same proportion of our progress towards completion of our contractual obligations, with our progress measured by costs incurred as a percentage of total costs estimated to be incurred. Such costs incurred and total estimated costs include amounts specifically identifiable with the parcels sold as well as certain development costs for the entire residential/planned community which are allocated to the parcels sold under applicable GAAP. Estimates of total costs expected to be incurred require significant management judgment, and the amount of revenue and profits that have been recognized to date are subject to revisions throughout the development period. The impact on the amount of revenue recognized resulting from any future change in the estimate of total costs estimated to be incurred would be accounted for prospectively in accordance with GAAP.

Defined benefit pension plans – We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $29.6 million in 2019, $33.8 million in 2020 and $32.1 million on 2021. The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our defined benefit pension plans of $19.4 million in 2019, $18.4 million in 2020 and $20.3 million in 2021.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are principally the discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets, the fair value of plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2021, approximately 70%, 13%, 7% and 6% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, the U.S. and Norway, respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

Discount rates used for:
ObligationsObligationsObligations
at December 31, 2019at December 31, 2020at December 31, 2021
and expense in 2020and expense in 2021and expense in 2022
Kronos and NL Plans:
Germany1.0%.7%1.2%
Canada3.0%2.4%2.9%
Norway2.3%1.7%1.9%
U.S.3.1%2.2%2.6%

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the

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assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2021, the fair value of plan assets for all defined benefit plans comprised $52.4 million related to U.S. plans and $481.5 million related to non-U.S. plans. Substantially all of plan assets attributable to non-U.S. plans related to plans maintained by Kronos, and approximately 70% and 30% of the plan assets attributable to U.S. plans related to plans maintained by NL and Kronos, respectively. At December 31, 2021, approximately 53%, 21%, 11% and 10% of the plan assets related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S, respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each of our U.S. and non-U.S. plans and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

The assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets used for purposes of determining net period pension cost for 2019, 2020 and 2021 were as follows:

201920202021
Kronos and NL plans:
Germany2.3%1.0%2.0%
Canada4.0%3.5%3.1%
Norway4.0%4.0%2.8%
U.S.5.5%4.5%4.0%

Our long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2022 used for purposes of determining our 2022 defined benefit pension plan expense for Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S. are 2.0%, 3.8%, 3.0% and 4.0%, respectively.

We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in determining the fair value of plan assets within our defined benefit pension plans. While we believe the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of plan assets are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of actuarial assumptions used in determining defined benefit pension assets, liabilities and expenses.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2022, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $28 million in 2022. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $19 million to such plans during 2022.

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As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2021, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $35 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $2 million during 2022. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1 million during 2022.

Income taxes –  We operate globally through our Chemicals Segment and the calculation of our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities involves the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our Chemicals Segment’s global operations. Our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of our earnings or losses and the effects of tax laws and regulations in each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our consolidated provision for income taxes due to the global nature of our Chemicals Segment’s operations. Our provision for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid, including the recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize deferred taxes for future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities for each tax-paying jurisdiction in which we operate are netted and presented as either a noncurrent deferred income tax asset or liability, as applicable. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets to the amount that is believed to be realized under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, it is possible that we may change our estimate of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that would more-likely-than-not be realized in the future, resulting in an adjustment to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowance that would either increase or decrease, as applicable, reported net income in the period such change in estimate was made.

For example, at December 31, 2021 our Chemicals Segment has substantial net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $451 million for German corporate tax purposes) and in Belgium (the equivalent of $19 million for Belgian corporate tax purposes). At December 31, 2021, we have concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized with respect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) we have utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term. However, prior to the complete utilization of such carryforwards, if we were to generate additional losses in our German or Belgian operations for an extended period of time, or if applicable law were to change such that the carryforward period was no longer indefinite, it is possible that we might conclude the benefit of such carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

Contingencies – We are involved in numerous legal and environmental actions in part due to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead-based products. We record accruals for these environmental, legal and other contingencies and commitments when such contingencies become probable, and amounts can be reasonably estimated. However, new information may become available to us, or circumstances (such as applicable laws and regulations) may change, thereby resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount we are required to accrue for such matters (and therefore a decrease or increase in our reported net income in the period of such change). At December 31, 2021 we have recorded total accrued environmental liabilities of $97.6 million.

Obligations for environmental remediation and related costs are difficult to assess, and it is possible that actual costs for environmental remediation and related costs will exceed accrued amounts or that costs will be incurred in the future for sites in which we cannot currently estimate the liability. If these events occur in 2022, our corporate expense could be higher than we currently estimate. In addition, we adjust our accruals for environmental remediation and related costs (and potential range of our liabilities) as further information becomes available to us or as circumstances change which involves our judgment regarding current facts and circumstances for each site and is subject to various assumptions

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and estimates. Such further information or changed circumstances could result in an increase in our accrued environmental remediation and related costs. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated Cash Flows

Operating Activities –

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating income (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings. In addition to the impact of the operating, investing and financing cash flows discussed below, changes in the amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash we report from year to year can be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates, since a portion of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is held by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. For example, during 2021, relative changes in currency exchange rates resulted in a $10.6 million decrease in the reported amount of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash compared to a $13.8 million increase in 2020 and a $2.3 million decrease in 2019.

Cash flows from operating activities increased to $459.7 million in 2021 from $152.2 million in 2020. This $307.5 million increase in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $318.6 million in 2021, an increase of $132.5 million compared to operating income of $186.1 million in 2020;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
changes in receivables, inventories, payables and accrued liabilities in 2021 provided $180.4 million in net cash compared to $33.5 million in net cash used in 2020, a decrease in the amount of cash used of $213.9 million compared to 2020, primarily due to the relative changes in our inventories, receivables, prepaids, land held for development, payables and accruals;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net cash paid for income taxes in 2021 of $41.8 million due to increased earnings; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
higher net distributions from our TiO2 manufacturing joint venture in 2021 of $16.6 million.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased to $152.2 million in 2020 from $177.2 million in 2019. This $25.0 million decrease in cash provided by operations was primarily due to the net effect of the following items:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
consolidated operating income of $186.1 million in 2020, a decline of $6.6 million compared to operating income of $192.7 million in 2019;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
changes in receivables, inventories, payables and accrued liabilities in 2020 used $33.5 million in net cash compared to $7.1 million in net cash used in 2019, an increase in the amount of cash used of $26.4 million compared to 2019, primarily due to the relative changes in our inventories, receivables, prepaids, land held for development, payables and accruals;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
lower net cash paid for income taxes in 2020 of $9.3 million due to the timing of tax payments.

Changes in working capital were affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes, as shown below:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales outstanding (“DSO”) decreased from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021, primarily due to the relative changes in the timing of collections.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos’ average days sales in inventory (“DSI”) decreased from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 primarily due to lower inventory volumes attributable to sales volumes exceeding production volumes in 2021 compared to 2020 and due to supply disruptions and other transportation delays impacting the timing of raw material shipments (except for the fourth quarter of 2021 where production volumes exceeded sales volumes).

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSO increased from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 primarily as a result of the timing of sales and collections in the last month of 2021 as compared to 2020.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX’s average DSI increased from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 due to increased raw material and production costs as well as increased purchases of certain components and raw materials that have longer lead times or for which CompX has experienced availability issues.

For comparative purposes, we have also provided comparable prior year numbers below.

December 31,December 31,December 31,
201920202021
Kronos:
Days sales outstanding71 days68 days65 days
Days sales in inventory83 days74 days59 days
CompX:
Days sales outstanding36 days33 days42 days
Days sales in inventory81 days75 days96 days

We do not have complete access to the cash flows of our majority-owned subsidiaries, due in part to limitations contained in certain credit agreements of our subsidiaries and because we do not own 100% of these subsidiaries. A detail of our consolidated cash flows from operating activities is presented in the table below. Intercompany dividends have been eliminated.

Years ended December 31,
201920202021
(In millions)
Cash provided by operating activities:
Kronos$160.2$102.5$206.5
Valhi exclusive of subsidiaries38.357.2122.1
CompX18.514.910.5
NL exclusive of subsidiaries10.87.315.3
Tremont27.036.758.8
BMI30.239.059.7
LandWell38.881.9302.1
Eliminations and other(146.6)(187.3)(315.3)
Total$177.2$152.2$459.7

Investing Activities –

We disclose capital expenditures by our business segments in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2021 we:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $23.4 million (including $8.4 million in the second quarter and $15.0 million in the third quarter); and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds of $1.2 million of marketable securities.

During 2020 we:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
had proceeds from the settlement of an earn-out provision related to the 2018 sale of our Waste Management Segment of $4.9 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net proceeds of $.9 million of marketable securities.

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During 2019 we:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
had proceeds from the sale of land not used in our operations of $4.6 million in the third quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
had cash proceeds from the sale of NL’s insurance and risk management business of $2.9 million in the fourth quarter;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
received $2.6 million from an insurance settlement related to a property damage claim in the fourth quarter; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
had net purchases of $.6 million of marketable securities.

Financing Activities –

During 2021:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $97.8 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran and repaid $1.5 million under Tremont’s deferred payment obligation;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
CompX acquired 75,000 shares of its Class A common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 14,409 shares of its common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $.2 million.

During 2020:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $42.3 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 122,489 shares of its common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $11.6 million under Tremont’s promissory note payable and deferred payment obligation.

During 2019:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid a net $1.3 million on Valhi’s credit facility with Contran;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Kronos acquired 264,992 shares of its common stock in market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $3.1 million; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
we repaid $7.4 million under Tremont’s promissory note payable.

We paid aggregate cash dividends on our common stock of $27.1 million in 2019, $13.6 million in 2020 and $9.0 million in 2021. Distributions to noncontrolling interest in 2019, 2020 and 2021 are primarily comprised of: CompX dividends paid to shareholders other than NL; Kronos dividends paid to shareholders other than us and NL, and BMI and LandWell dividends paid to shareholders other than us.

Outstanding Debt Obligations

At December 31, 2021, our consolidated indebtedness was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Valhi’s $172.9 million outstanding on its $225 million amended credit facility with Contran which is due no earlier than December 31, 2023;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
€400 million aggregate outstanding on Kronos’ 3.75% Senior Secured Notes ($448.8 million carrying amount, net of unamortized debt issuance costs) due in September 2025;

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Column 1Column 2Column 3
$15.9 million on BMI’s bank loan ($15.4 million carrying amount, net of debt issuance costs) due June 2032;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$13.5 million on LandWell’s bank loan due April 2036; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
approximately $2.4 million of other indebtedness, primarily capital lease obligations.

Certain of our credit facilities require the respective borrowers to maintain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type. Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants. For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower. In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business. On April 20, 2021, Kronos entered a new $225 million global revolving credit facility (“Global Revolver”) which matures in April 2026. Kronos’ Senior Secured Notes and its Global Revolver contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict its ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of its assets to, another entity, and contain other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of these types. The terms of all of our debt instruments (including the Global Revolver for which we have no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2021) are discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2021. We believe that we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance.

Future Cash Requirements

Liquidity –

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is our cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under various lines of credit and notes. We generally use these amounts to (i) fund capital expenditures, (ii) repay short-term indebtedness incurred primarily for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends (including dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries) or treasury stock purchases. From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness, (iii) make investments in marketable and other securities (including the acquisition of securities issued by our subsidiaries and affiliates) or (iv) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business. Occasionally we sell assets outside the ordinary course of business, and we generally use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness (including indebtedness which may have been collateralized by the assets sold), (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

We routinely compare our liquidity requirements and alternative uses of capital against the estimated future cash flows we expect to receive from our subsidiaries, and the estimated sales value of those units. As a result of this process, we have in the past sought, and may in the future seek, to raise additional capital, refinance or restructure indebtedness, repurchase indebtedness in the market or otherwise, modify our dividend policies, consider the sale of our interests in our subsidiaries, affiliates, business units, marketable securities or other assets, or take a combination of these and other steps, to increase liquidity, reduce indebtedness and fund future activities. Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies. From time to time we and our subsidiaries may enter into intercompany loans as a cash management tool. Such notes are structured as revolving demand notes and pay and receive interest on terms we believe are more favorable than current debt and investment market rates. The companies that borrow under these notes have sufficient borrowing capacity to repay the notes at any time upon demand. All of these notes and related interest expense and income are eliminated in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of interests in or combinations with companies (including our affiliates) that may or may not be engaged in businesses related to our current businesses. We intend to consider such acquisition

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activities in the future and, in connection with this activity, may consider issuing additional equity securities and increasing indebtedness. From time to time, we also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests among our respective subsidiaries and related companies.

We believe we will be able to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturities; however, if future operating results differ materially from our expectations we may be unable to maintain compliance. Based upon our expectations of our operating performance, and the anticipated demands on our cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short-term (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2022) and long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2026). In this regard, see the discussion above in “Outstanding Debt Obligations.” If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

At December 31, 2021, we had credit available under existing facilities of approximately $265 million, which was comprised of:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$213 million under Kronos’ global revolving credit facility; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$52 (1) million under Valhi’s Contran credit facility.
Column 1Column 2
(1)Amounts available under this facility are at the sole discretion of Contran.

At December 31, 2021, we had an aggregate of $798.8 million of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities attributable to continuing operations. A detail by entity is presented in the table below.

TotalHeld outside
amountU.S.
(In millions)
Kronos$412.7$150.7
CompX76.6
NL exclusive of its subsidiaries98.7
BMI26.4
Tremont exclusive of its subsidiaries9.7
LandWell172.9
Valhi exclusive of its subsidiaries1.8
Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities$798.8$150.7

Following the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, repatriation of any cash and cash equivalents held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be expected to result in any material income tax liability as a result of such repatriation.

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Capital Expenditures and Other Investments –

We currently expect our aggregate capital expenditures for 2022 will be approximately $103 million (including approximately $32 million contractually committed at December 31, 2021) as follows:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
$95 million by our Chemicals Segment, including approximately $32 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$7 million by our Component Products Segment; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
$1 million by our Real Estate Management and Development Segment.

In addition, LandWell expects to spend approximately $71 million on land development costs during 2022, including $63 million contractually committed at December 31, 2021. Land development costs are included in the determination of cash provided by operating activities.

Capital spending for 2022 is expected to be funded through cash generated from operations or borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Planned capital expenditures in 2022 at Kronos and CompX will primarily be to maintain and improve the cost-effectiveness of our facilities and, as it relates to CompX, to increase capacity and address capability needs. In addition, Kronos’ capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.

Repurchases of our Common Stock and Common Stock of our Subsidiaries –

We have in the past, and may in the future, make repurchases of our common stock in market or privately-negotiated transactions. At December 31, 2021, we had approximately .3 million shares of our common stock available for repurchase under the authorizations described in Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2021, Kronos had approximately 1.55 million shares of its common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2021, CompX had approximately .6 million shares of its Class A common stock available for repurchase under the authorization described in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends –

Because our operations are conducted primarily through subsidiaries and affiliates, our long-term ability to meet parent company level corporate obligations is largely dependent on the receipt of dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries and affiliates. Kronos paid a regular dividend of $.18 per share in each quarter of 2021 for which we received $41.8 million. In February 2022 the Kronos board of directors approved a regular quarterly dividend of $.19 per share. If Kronos were to pay its $.19 per share dividend in each quarter of 2022 based on the 58.0 million shares we held of Kronos common stock at December 31, 2021, we would receive aggregate annual regular dividends from Kronos of $44.1 million. NL paid a regular quarterly dividend of $.06 per share in 2021 for which we received $9.7 million. In March 2022 the NL board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $.07 per share. If NL were to pay its $.07 per share dividend in each quarter of 2022 based on the 40.4 million shares we held of NL common stock at December 31, 2021, we would receive annual dividends from NL of $11.3 million. BMI and LandWell pay cash dividends from time to time, but the timing and amount of such dividends are uncertain. In this regard, we received aggregate dividends from BMI and LandWell of $29.1 million in 2019, $43.0 million in 2020 and $74.8 million in 2021. We do not know if we will receive distributions from BMI and LandWell during 2022. All of our ownership interest in CompX is held through our ownership in NL, as such we do not receive any dividends from CompX. Instead any dividend paid by CompX is paid to NL.

Our subsidiaries have various credit agreements with unrelated third-party lenders which contain customary limitations on the payment of dividends, typically a percentage of net income or cash flow; however, these restrictions in the past have not significantly impacted their ability to pay dividends.

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Investment in our Subsidiaries and Affiliates and Other Acquisitions –

We have in the past, and may in the future, purchase the securities of our subsidiaries and affiliates or third parties in market or privately-negotiated transactions. We base our purchase decision on a variety of factors, including an analysis of the optimal use of our capital, taking into account the market value of the securities and the relative value of expected returns on alternative investments. In connection with these activities, we may consider issuing additional equity securities or increasing our indebtedness. We may also evaluate the restructuring of ownership interests of our businesses among our subsidiaries and related companies.

We generally do not guarantee any indebtedness or other obligations of our subsidiaries or affiliates. See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our subsidiaries are not required to pay us dividends. If one or more of our subsidiaries were unable to maintain its current level of dividends, either due to restrictions contained in a credit agreement or to satisfy its liabilities or otherwise, our ability to service our liabilities or to pay dividends on our common stock could be adversely impacted. If this were to occur, we might consider reducing or eliminating our dividends or selling interests in subsidiaries or other assets. If we were required to liquidate assets to generate funds to satisfy our liabilities, we may be required to sell our subsidiaries’ securities for less than what we believe is the long-term value of such assets.

Prior to 2019, we entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility with a subsidiary of NL secured with approximately 35.2 million shares of the common stock of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. held by NL’s subsidiary as collateral. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at the prime rate plus 1.875% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due on December 31, 2023.  The maximum principal amount which may be outstanding from time-to-time under the credit facility is limited to 50% of the amount of the most recent closing price of the Kronos stock. The credit facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict NL’s subsidiary’s ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, and merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of NL’s subsidiary’s assets to, another entity, and require NL’s subsidiary to maintain a minimum specified level of consolidated net worth. Upon an event of default (as defined in the credit facility), Valhi will be entitled to terminate its commitment to make further loans to NL’s subsidiary, declare the outstanding loans (with interest) immediately due and payable, and exercise its rights with respect to the collateral under the loan documents. Such collateral rights include, upon certain insolvency events with respect to NL’s subsidiary or NL, the right to purchase all of the Kronos common stock at a purchase price equal to the aggregate market value, less amounts owing to Valhi under the loan documents, and up to 50% of such purchase price may be paid by Valhi in the form of an unsecured promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate plus 2.75% per annum, payable quarterly, with all amounts due no later than five years from the date of purchase, with the remainder of such purchase price payable in cash at the date of purchase. We also eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. There is $.5 million outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2021. We eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with Kronos which, as amended, provides for borrowings from Kronos of up to $30 million. We eliminate any such intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2023. We had gross borrowings of $16.6 million and gross repayments of $16.6 million with Kronos during 2019 and there was no outstanding balance at December 31, 2019. We had no borrowings with Kronos in 2020 and 2021 and we could borrow the full $30.0 million under our current intercompany facility with Kronos at December 31, 2021. Kronos’ obligation to loan us money under this note is at Kronos’ discretion.

We have an unsecured revolving demand promissory note with CompX which, as amended, provides for borrowings from CompX of up to $30 million. We eliminate these intercompany borrowings in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The facility, as amended, is due on demand, but in any event no earlier than December 31, 2023. We had gross borrowings of $34.6 million and gross repayments of $40.8 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $33.8 million at December 31, 2019. We had gross borrowings of $29.1 million and gross repayments of $33.4 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $29.5 million at December 31, 2020. We had gross borrowings of $29.8 million and gross repayments of $40.6 million with CompX for a total outstanding balance of $18.7 million at December 31, 2021. We could borrow an additional $11.3 million under our current intercompany facility with CompX at December 31, 2021. CompX’s obligation to loan us money under this note is at CompX’s discretion.

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Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies, as more fully described in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements and in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain income contingencies in various U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain environmental remediation matters involving NL and BMI;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain litigation related to NL’s former involvement in the manufacture of lead pigment and lead-based paint; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
certain other litigation to which we are a party.

In addition to those legal proceedings described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, various legislation and administrative regulations have, from time to time, been proposed that seek to (i) impose various obligations on present and former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead-based paint (including NL) with respect to asserted health concerns associated with the use of such products and (ii) effectively overturn court decisions in which NL and other pigment manufacturers have been successful. Examples of such proposed legislation include bills which would permit civil liability for damages on the basis of market share, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove that the defendant’s product caused the alleged damage, and bills which would revive actions barred by the statute of limitations. While no legislation or regulations have been enacted to date that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity, enactment of such legislation could have such an effect.

As described in the Notes 7, 9, 18 and 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. Our obligations related to the long-term supply contracts for the purchase of TiO2 feedstock are more fully described in Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and above in “Business – Chemicals Segment – Kronos Worldwide, Inc. – Raw Materials.” CompX has purchase obligations of $28.7 million ($28.1 million payable in 2022 and $.6 million payable in 2023) which consist of open purchase orders and contractual obligations, primarily commitments to purchase raw materials at December 31, 2021. The timing and amount for purchase obligations are based on the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for those commitments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Not applicable.